It had been almost a week since the trip to Hogsmeade. In two days it would be All Hallow's Eve. I hurried through lunch wanting some quiet time before potions class. The halls were pretty empty since everyone was still at lunch.

" Mind if I join you ? "Laurianna asked, finding me wandering through the halls.
" Not at all. I could use the company, " I said.

" What is it, Erin ? Is something wrong ? " She asked.
" Do you promise not to tell a soul ? " I asked.
"You have me curious, now. You know I won't. What's going on ? " Laurianna said. I pulled her into a hug.

" You are the greatest, did you know that ? " I said, releasing her.
" Now spill, what's going on ? " I took a deep breath.

" I did something really stupid, Lauri, " I confessed.

" What did you do this time, Erin ? " I nibbled my bottom lip. I had to get this off my chest. I had to tell someone. I sighed.

" I think I may be with child, " I said slowly. Her sapphire blue eyes widened in shock.

" Oh, Er, rin, "Laurianna sighed. " How, how late are you ? " I couldn't meet her eyes.

" A month late, " I confessed.

" A month !?! Does Draco know ? " A horrified look crossed my face. " I'll take that as a no. "

" Lauri, I have never let Draco get very far. He's lucky enough to have gotten to second base with me. "

" You mean it's ... " Colour stained Laurianna's cheeks. She couldn't imagine touching the potions master.

" I doubt that you really want to hear that, Lauri. " A horrified look crossed her face.

" Erin Aurora Donavan ! My lord ! When ? How ? No, I don't want to know how. " Laurianna's face was a bright red. " Does he even know ? " I shook my head. Slowly, my eyes met hers.

" I know. I never do anything little. When I make a mistake it's a big one, "I sighed.

" You have to tell him, " She said slowly.

" I realize that, Lauri. But, how do you tell someone that they are going to be a father ? " A look of utter horror covered Laurianna's face. Without turning around I just knew who had come upon us. And I thought Draco finding out would be the worst. I couldn't do it. I could not face him, now. I just took off running, tears rolling down my cheeks.

" Miss Clayton, " Professor Severus Snape stopped her in her tracks. " Just what were the two of you talking about ? Remember I do have ways of obtaining the truth. " Laurianna Clayton let out a sigh. Should I tell him or not ?

" I do not think it is my place to tell you, sir. " Professor Snape's eyes narrowed to slits. " Just how much did you hear ? " Laurianna wanted to know.

" Enough ! Is Erin pregnant, yes or no ? " Her eyes dropped to the floor.

" I can't tell you, sir, " She whispered.

" You may go, " Professor Severus Snape dismissed her. Laurianna couldn't get far enough away from the Potions Master. My Lord, Erin pregnant ? Why didn't she say anything ? Severus Snape stalked down the hallway in search of me.

Slamming the door shut he pulled me against him. Then, his lips were on mine. His tongue coaxed my lips apart. I gasped when a hand settled over a breast.

" Draco ! " I gasped. " What are you doing ? "

" What does it feel like ? " Draco Malfoy snapped. " Last time I checked we were going together. " His lips settled over mine again. I tried to relax in his arms. But, something wouldn't let me. That something was the reminder that flashed in my mind. I was betrothed to Professor Severus Snape. I didn't know exactly what I felt for the man, but, I knew what I was doing with Draco was wrong. This time I ended the kiss pulling away.

" What is wrong with you ? " He asked.

" Nothing, " I answered quickly.

" Really ? Then why don't you want to make out with me ? " He pouted.

" I'm sorry, Draco. I just have a lot on my mind. " I slipped out of his arms. He yanked me back into his embrace. His lips were just above mine as he whispered,

" Remember this. " His lips slowly settled back upon mine. His tongue teased my lips open, sliding inside. With all the pent up passion Draco Malfoy had inside he proceeded to kiss me. But, the fire that Severus sparked with just one kiss was not there. That's when I knew the truth. That Draco and I were not meant to be. Since I didn't pull away this time Draco took it as an invitation. He pulled me closer into him and started undoing the buttons that ran down my back. He peeled the sides open and slid the bodice down in between us. A hand slid up over my rib cage and cupped a breast. I gasped at the sensation of cool air against my skin. Draco mistook it for a sign of encouragement. His lips slid lower. Slowly he kissed his way down my neck. Then they closed over a rosy peak. I sucked a breath in through my teeth. I looked down at his blonde head. We had never gone this far before. What happened ? My fingers stroked through the moonlit paleness of his hair. His hands tightened about my waist possessively. His lips moved on to the other.

My breath caught in my throat. Everything he was making me feel was pleasurable, but, I still felt like I should only experience them with Severus. Draco moved his lips over my skin back up to my lips. Which he captured again. If I was truly in luve with Draco, I wouldn't keep comparing everything he did to how Severus made me feel. His hands pulled the dress off my body, leaving me clad in just my petticoats, thong, and corset. A knock sounded at the door. Draco growled in his throat, tearing his lips away from mine. Staring down into my eyes he said,

" I'll be right back. " Striding over to the door he yanked it open. " This better be good, " He sneered.

" Oh, it is, I assure you, " Professor Severus Snape sneered back.

" Sorry, sir. I was in the middle of something. " Professor Severus Snape pushed the door open wider and saw me and the state of dress I was in.

" So I see. Miss Donavan, put your clothes on. And come with me, " He ordered. My eyes widened at the sight of the potions master on the other side. " Now, Miss Donavan ! " Hastily I pulled my clothes on. Then ran from the room. I flew down the boys' stairs and out the common room.

" Erin, wait ! " Draco called. Professor Snape glared at the boy.

" It is after hours, Mr. Malfoy, so I suggest you stay in your room. I shall fetch Miss Donavan myself. "

" Can't I ... ? "

" No, Mr. Malfoy. You shall do as you are told. Prefect or not, I am telling you to stay here. " So saying Professor Severus Snape turned on his heel and descended the stairs to start the search for me.

I had been missing from Hogwarts all morning. When I arrived back, I was running late to Defense Against the Dark Arts.
I burst through the door and several heads turned.

" MissDonavan, you are late, " Professor Snape snapped. I just gave him the slip of paper I held. I went and took a seat by Hermione Granger. I laid my head down on the desk, groaning. Professor Snape demanded everyone's attention back at the front,

" Can anyone tell me the difference between a ghost and inferi ? Anyone ? "

"An Inferius is an animated corpse, bewitched by Dark magic and commanded to do the bidding of the wizard who is controlling it. It is not alive in any sense, but is merely a puppet, mindlessly acting out the instructions that it is given. Ghosts, are wizards or witches who elect to leave an imprint of themselves upon the earth, to walk palely where their living selves once trod. Furthermore, they are technically a living being, while inferi are nothing but, puppets controlled by a master. A ghost can think for itself and make choices. An inferius cannot, " Hermione piped up.

" Are you okay, Erin ? " Laurianna asked across Hermione, concerned. I sat back up and handed her a piece of paper from the doctor that I had been to.

"Doctor's appointment," I said quietly.

" Look at the piece of paper, " I whispered. Hermione looked down at the slip of paper I had her pass to Laurianna.

" Erin, this is a prescription for prenatal vitamins, " She whispered. She got louder, " Does that mean ... ? "

" Yes, " I hissed as Professor Snape turned and came over to us.

" Does he kno ... ? " Her voice trailed off.

" Let me guess, he's behind me, isn't he ? " I asked. Laurianna nodded as the man in question asked,

" Just what is so fascinating that you three ladies have to disrupt my class ? " There was a loaded question. One that I really didn't want to answer.

" Umm, " I looked over at Hermione. Hermione looked at Laurianna. She just looked back at me.

" I'm waiting. Miss Donavan ? Miss Granger ? Miss Clayton ? " Hurriedly, I snatched the note away from Hermione before Professor Snape could lay eyes on it. " Well ? " We all just looked at each other.

"Desist in making any further interruptions in my class. Ten points from Gryffindor as well as Slytherin. " He turned and went back to the front of the class. Laurianna glanced at Professor Snape then back at me a whisper of a smile upon her pale pink lips. I laid my head in my hands. I could feel someone watching me. Looking up I caught Professor Snape's eye. He just looked at me, the concern evident within the deep dark brown depths. I looked back down.

How was I going to tell Draco about the baby ? Let alone who I was really engaged to ?
I slowly set about to work on the assignment. Hermione patted me on the shoulder in parting as the class let out. Which left me behind alone with Professor Snape. I sighed.

" Just where were you all day long ? " He demanded, an unusual amount of concern was evident in Professor Snape's voice.

" I'm done with the assignment. " I held up my parchment.

Very well, then, " he said, it almost sounded like a sigh, taking it back to the front of the room. Quickly I stuffed everything in my satchel and fled the room.

I didn't appear until dinner. I sat in my usual spot between Draco and Laurianna.

" What is with you, Erin ? " Draco asked.

" Nothing, " I snapped.

" You are going with me to the Ball, right ? "

" What do you think ?! "

" I think it's that time of the month. Why are you acting like a bitch ? "

" Oh, excuse me, Lord Ferret ! You never really asked me, did you ? You just assumed, like you always do. "

" We are together, remember Erin ? "

" Like you will never let me forget that fact, " I snapped back. Tears were starting to form in my eyes. " Yes, we are still going to the Ball. Happy ? " I rose to my feet. " Lauri, I'll see you back in the room. I'm no longer hungry. " I turned, storming off to the dungeons. Deep dark brown eyes watched my retreat.