Chapter Eight- Let the Morning Sickness begin
Minerva woke and ran to the bathroom. She heaved as she leaned over the toilet. Albus came into the bathroom and sat beside her on the floor. She was shivering, so Albus wrapped his robe around her.
"Thank you. This is the one thing I hate about being pregnant."
It was three weeks since Minerva had found out she was pregnant. They had yet to tell Harry. Every time they did talk, he apologized profusely. Minerva never got a whole lot said to him, because he had to rush off to another class.
Albus kissed the top of her head.
"Do you feel better?"
"For now."
(3 months later)
"Professor, I was wondering, if you could help me?"
"With what Harry?"
"This assignment. I just can't seem to get it right."
"What subject?"
"Yours."
Harry smiled, embarrassed.
"I'll see what I can do. But you know, just because I am you grandmother, does not mean you get special treatment."
"I know."
Minerva smiled and then went on to help Harry with is essay. She only gave him a few hints and then sent him off to the library.
She leaned back in her chair and sighed. Only one more class and then she was done for the day. Her last two classes were being canceled because she had a doctor's appointment at St. Mungo's.
"I only hope Albus gets here on time."
She rested her hand on her small bump of an abdomen. So far, so good. The baby seemed to be growing accordingly and there were no strange things going on.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts and she called to enter. Albus walked in and smiled.
"How are you darling?"
"Ready to go, but I guess I'll have to wait."
"Yes, you will. Take it easy, my dear. You are almost done teaching for today."
"I'll see if I can get done teaching them soon today."
"Alright, I'll see you soon."
He kissed her cheek and rested his hand gently on the bump. Then he stood up and walked out of the room. Minerva let out a sigh. It was torture, not being able to tell Harry anything, and it was even harder to hide her stomach now that it was starting to grow. Students started to file in and Minerva stood up to start the lesson as soon as the bell rang.
"Today, we will be practicing the basic changing spell. I want you all to take out you wands, and then come up to my desk and grab one of these teacups. You will say the spell that you find in you book on page 423 and practice it."
The students started their work and Minerva walked among them, checking. The warning bell rang, and Minerva let out a sigh. Finally, she was almost done for today.
"Get your things ready, and you may leave."
The students looked at her in surprise.
"Well, get going."
The students gathered their things and left. Minerva walked to her desk and got her things that she needed. She went to her and Albus' rooms and grabbed her traveling cloak.
"Ready to go darling?"
"Albus, you startled me!"
"I'm sorry, darling."
"It's alright. We should really get going."
"Yes, we should."
"And Albus, we really need to tell Harry. I won't be able to hide my stomach much longer, even with oversized robes."
"You're right, Minerva. He really needs to know. When we get back, I'll call him to my office."
"Thank you, now let's get a move on."
Albus chuckled and held out his arm for her. She took it and smiled. They walked down to the Entrance Hall, and then down to the gates. Minerva was a little winded, but she was all right to apparate. They next moment, they were in front of St. Mungo's. Minerva went in first and Albus followed. There was no line, surprisingly, so the two walked to the reception desk.
"We have an appointment with Healer Michaels. I'm Minerva McGonagall."
"Yes, please fill out this form, Healer Michaels will be with you momentarily."
Minerva took the form and sat down to fill it out. When she was finished she magically gave it back to the receptionist. She sat back in her chair and sighed. Albus rested his hand on her stomach.
"Minerva McGonagall."
Minerva looked up and saw a young healer standing in the doorway. She was helped up by Albus and the followed the young man into a room. He pointed to the chairs and Minerva sat down next to Albus.
"Good afternoon, Miss McGonagall."
"Good afternoon."
"Healer Michaels will be with you momentarily. I am just going to run the basic things, temperature, heart rate, blood pressure."
"Alright."
The healer waved his wand over Minerva and got all of his stats.
"Well, everything seems to be in order. Healer Michaels will be right in."
"Thank you."
Minerva smiled and leaned back in her chair.
"This feels so strange. I was never once in St. Mungo's with Lily. I was so afraid I would be caught and you would be too."
"It's all right, dearest. You were still taken care of."
A knock on the door and then Healer Michaels was there. She was a tall, but beautiful woman.
"Miss McGonagall, and Headmaster Dumbledore, good to see you. How are you doing?"
"Well, I'm quite well, but of course, I'm quite pregnant."
"Ah, yes. Well, I can say, this is quite a miracle. A woman at your age, no offense, is not usually supposed to have a baby."
"I know. But, I could not help it."
"Yes, yes. Well, let's get on with this then. Can you please get on the examining table?"
Minerva stood up and walked over to the table and sat down. Albus stood at her beside her.
"I'll be doing something like a Muggle ultrasound, but I will not be using a machine. Please lay back."
Minerva did as she was told and lay back on the table. Albus held her hand as the magical gel was placed on her stomach. Michaels ran her wand over Minerva's stomach.
"The baby is healthy, and growing at a normal pace. Headmaster, would you like to see?"
"Yes, I would like that very much."
He stepped beside the Healer and peered at the image before him. He could see the little baby, his baby, inside of Minerva.
"Sh-she's beautiful. Even for being so small."
Minerva smiled at him and held out her hand. Healer Michaels waved her wand and Minerva's stomach was clean. Albus helped her sit up and he kissed her cheek.
"I love you."
Minerva kissed his cheek in turn and the listened to the healer.
"Take it easy, try not to deal with to many stressful situations. No doubt that will be hard to do at Hogwarts, possibly take a few days off every so often. Keep yourself nourished. There's a chance this baby will be born early, just because of your age. To reduce that possibility, relax as much as possible. Any questions?"
"No, and thank you."
"Not a problem. Have a great day. And remember, come back if there are any problems. If not, have regular check ups with Madam Pomfrey."
Minerva nodded and stood up to leave. Albus offered his arm again and she took it. They walked to the reception area and then out the front. They apparated back to Hogwarts and slowly made their way up to the school.
"I could go for a nap right about now."
"Alright, as soon as we get to our rooms, you may take as long a nap as you like."
"Will you lay with me?"
"I must see how the school is getting along. Then I might, but you mustn't forget our meeting with Harry."
"Oh, yes, that's right. It can wait though, until after dinner."
"Of course. Now, get some rest. I'll be back soon enough."
"Alright, and have fun."
Minerva stepped into Albus' rooms and walked to the bedroom. She removed her traveling cloak and hung it in the closet. She took out her hair and brushed through it. She rummaged through hers and Albus' closet and pulled out his purple nightshirt. She took of her dress and slipped the shirt over her head. She let out a satisfied sigh and walked over to the bed. She crawled under the covers and buried her head in the pillow. She rested her hand on her stomach and smiled as she felt the bump. It felt like a small pumpkin. She laughed at her little joke. Within a few minutes, Minerva had fallen asleep with a small smile gracing her lips.
(Later)
"Minerva. Darling. It's time to get up."
"Hmmph."
She rolled onto her back and slowly opened her eyes. Everything was blurry and Minerva instinctively reached for her glasses. She put them on and looked around.
"Albus, do I have to get up?"
"Yes dear, it's time for dinner and then we have to talk to Harry."
"But I was having the most wonderful dream."
"Hmm, what was it about?"
"You, and me and the little one and Lily and Harry. It was perfect."
She stretched and flipped back the covers.
"Ah, so that's where my pajamas went."
He helped her up and wrapped his arms around her. He placed a kiss on her forehead as she slowly got her energy back.
"Are you awake now?"
"Yes, but why did you wake me?"
"It's almost time for dinner, as I said before."
"Oh, yes, that's right."
She laughed and rested her head on his chest.
"I will help you get ready, if you wish."
"Yes, that would be nice."
He picked out her outfit and laid it across the bed. She took off the nightshirt and draped it across the bed.
"A question for you, my dear."
"Yes?"
"Why did you wear my nightshirt?"
"I wanted to have your presence as I slept. And, mine don't fit as I like them to anymore."
"Oh, well then, you can have it."
She slipped her robes on and then fastened her broach around her neck. She placed her hand on her stomach and then took Albus' hand.
"Let's go. I need to eat something and I need to talk to Harry."
They walked out of the room and down to the Great Hall. Minerva squeezed Albus' arm and then went in before him. She sat down in her spot as Albus walked in. He raised his arms and the food appeared. Minerva piled a little of everything on her plate. She started to eat when Albus reached for her hand.
"Minerva, slow down. You'll get sick."
"Sorry, I was just hungry."
"I know. Please, though I don't want you more sick than you need to be."
"Alright."
She resumed eating but found she lost her appetite. She pushed her plate away and drank some water.
"Minerva, are you alright?"
"I'm not so hungry anymore, that's all."
"Well, then, if you are sure."
"I am. I think I'm going to our rooms. I need to rest a bit."
"Minerva, are you alright? You don't look so well."
"I'm fine."
Minerva's face got paler.
"Are you sure? Minerva you are very pale. Poppy, please come here."
"No, Albus, I'm fine. I-I feel just fine."
Minerva smiled at him but she quickly lost her smile as everything spun around her.
"Minerva!"
Albus grabbed her before she completely fell.
"Al-Albus. I-I don't feel well."
"Sh, I know dear, I know. Just rest. Everything will be alright."
Minerva closed her eyes as blackness engulfed her. Albus lifted her carefully and disappeared through a back door. Poppy followed.
"Albus, what happened?"
"Well, I was just talking to her. She was eating and then she lost her appetite. Then she got pale. And that's when she fell."
Albus and Poppy walked quickly to his office and then his bedroom. When they reached it, he carefully placed Minerva on their bed. He carefully covered her up and gently stroked her cheek.
"Albus, I'll have to examine her, but I think she'll be alright. She might have caught a cold or the flu. Pregnancies can make you less immune to sickness."
Poppy quickly ran her wand over Minerva.
"She'll be fine, she's just got a cold. The baby is fine. But, I want her on bed rest for three weeks. She should wake up soon. Then, I want her to eat something and then I want her to sleep."
"Okay, thank you Poppy. I'll firecall if we need anything."
"Alright, just make sure you do what I told you."
"I will."
He sat next to Minerva on the bed and gently stroked her cheek. He was happy that she was alright, but he was still worried about her.
"Oh, Minerva, why must you be so stubborn?"
"Just because, Albus."
Albus looked at her. Her eyes were still closed but a hint of a smile played across her lips.
"Minerva, I'm being serious. Why didn't you tell me you weren't feeling good?"
"I didn't think it would get bad. I'm sorry, love. I just didn't want to worry you. You would have had me in the hospital wing."
"Well, you aren't going to like what Poppy is making you do."
"What?"
"Bed rest for three weeks."
"No, I won't do it."
"You have to. Minerva, unless you want to hurt the baby."
"Fine."
She burrowed into the pillow deeper, wanting to get away from it all. She really didn't think that her not feeling the greatest would hurt the baby, but now she felt awful. She felt the hot tears prick her eyes and the feeling of a sob came up her throat. She buried deeper into the pillow and let out the sob, spilling tears as it came. Soon she couldn't control it and she was crying into the pillow. She felt Albus' arms around her and she turned into him. She let out another sob, this one louder and almost terrified.
"Shh, Minerva. I'm here. It's alright."
"I-I am s-so af-fraid. Wh-what if th-the baby d-doesn't make i—it."
"Shh, don't say that. The baby will make it. Just calm down. Shh. I'm here for you. Everything will be okay."
She cried into his robes, her slender, pregnant frame shaking with sobs. A knock was heard on the door and Albus quickly went to see who it was.
"Harry?"
"What's wrong with grandma?"
"Harry, she's not feeling well."
"I want to see her."
"I'll see if she's up to it."
He went to check on Minerva and found her asleep again. He kissed her and her eyelids fluttered open.
"Harry is here dear. He wants to see you."
"Let him come. I think it's time we tell him."
Albus went back to Harry and showed him in. Harry walked over to the bed and sat on the edge. He took her hand and she smiled at him.
"How are you feeling?"
"Well, Harry, there's something we need to tell you."
"What? Please, don't tell me you are dying."
"No. I'm not. But, well, I'm well, Harry I'm going to have a baby."
Harry stared at her.
"But, I'm sixteen, and that would me its nephew. That's too weird. But, I'm happy for you. I really am. Just as long as I don't loose you like my parents."
"Never, we'd never leave you."
"I love you."
"We love you too, Harry."
He squeezed her hand and then stood.
"Ron and Hermione are waiting for me."
"Harry, please don't tell them yet."
"I won't."
"Thank you."
Minerva smiled at him and then closed her eyes. He walked out and Albus shut the door behind him. He walked over to the bed and crawled in next to Minerva.
"Goodnight, my beautiful lady."
"Goodnight, flatterer."
