Chapter 12

Saturday Lucy's nausea came back. She rested her head in Sirius's lap while she waited for the feeling of having just thrown up to fade away.

"We can go another time," Sirius offered, stroking her hair. She liked it when he did that, found it soothing.

She shook her head. Lucy knew her condition was unlikely to improve until they told her family about the baby. She just….wasn't sure how they'd take it. They weren't going to be upset, she was sure of that, but would they be disappointed? In her choices? In her? Would they give her that look that said 'you messed up'? She wouldn't know until they told them, but it didn't make her want to bury her head and avoid the issue any less.

"No," she said, sitting up, "It's just nerves. If we get this done and over with it'll go away. I did the same thing before the wedding."

"All right," Sirius said, not looking convinced.

"Everyone's still around, the Lupins, Harry, and Hermione are coming…it'll be better if we just do it now." She wasn't sure if she was trying to convince Sirius or herself.

"Then we'd better get this done, so you can get back to keeping your meals down."

Lucy giggled, standing. They strolled out onto the grounds before she said, "I can always borrow Dinah's appetite stimulant."

"I don't think that will help," Sirius said, as they made their way towards the gates to apparate to the Burrow.


It felt like an inquisition. Everyone sat on one side while she and Sirius sat on the other. And they were staring. They were probably staring because they'd been told the newlyweds had some important news to share. Even Charlie was giving them a rather pointed stare. What could be going through their heads?

"So, um, we have some news."

"Yes, dear, I believe that's why we're all gathered here," Molly said. She was trying to be her normal motherly self, Lucy could tell. But she was also concerned and curious.

Under the table, Sirius had a hold of her hand, his thumb stroking the inside of her wrist. He'd offered to tell them for her, but Lucy had insisted she be the one to do it. She couldn't be cowardly about everything after all.

"I…I'm pregnant." She heard everyone's shock and surprise, but instead of sitting there and accepting their congratulations, Lucy got up and rushed outside.


Outside, Lucy leaned up against the house, wiping at her eyes. Maybe she should have stayed to see what they had to say, but she just couldn't incase it had been something less than encouraging.

"Lucy dear?" came the familiar voice of her Aunt Molly. "Why did you leave like that? Is everything okay?"

"You're disappointed," she mumbled, moving some dirt around with her toe.

Molly chuckled and reached a hand out to lift Lucy's chin, "Honey, I'm really not that surprised. I didn't really believe you had separate rooms but you seemed so intent that we believe it I let it go. Now," she said, wiping at Lucy's cheeks, "I had hoped you'd both be more vigilant about using protection spells. I know things happen though. Would it make you feel better if I told you your Uncle Arthur and I once got caught out of our beds at four in the morning? We'd been out strolling after classes."

"Aunt Molly!" Lucy said, scandalized.

Again Molly chuckled, "It's true, dear. I might try to teach all of my children to behave properly, but I also know what it's like to be young and in love. It would have been nice if you'd waited until after marriage but that's not the baby's fault and it's not as if I'm worried that you've made the wrong choice. You're exactly where you should be in life." She pulled Lucy into a big hug, before pulling back to say, "Now let's go back inside, hmm?"

"All right," Lucy nodded. Inside Tonks immediately jumped on her.

"This explains so much," she said.

"What do you mean?" Sirius asked.

"Lucy was so set on a winter wedding that we were wondering what got her to change her mind," Bill answered, "We didn't want to pry though."

"Oh, we wanted to," George added, "We were just too polite to do it."

"When are you due?" Ginny asked.

"March thirteenth," Lucy said, warming up to the subject. "Speaking of which I have something to ask you specifically."

"Me?" Ginny said, looking a little bewildered.

"Yes, you," Lucy grinned, "I know you're a big time professional Quidditch player now, but I was wondering if you think you'd be able to fill in for me in class from time to time. Ideally I'd like you to move in sometime in October so we can get you used to the class, maybe let you handle a couple on your own, and that way you'd be around in case anything unexpected comes up, but I understand if that's not possible."

"I'll do it!" her cousin practically screamed, "I'm just a reserve player right now so I'm sure we can work around it." She came around the table to hug Lucy asking, "Are you showing? Can we see? Can we feel it?"

"Hey, I think the best friend gets to see first," Tonks protested.

Sirius chuckled and said, "You both already saw."

When they looked confused Lucy explained, "I was pregnant last week too. I was convinced it was obvious but Sirius and Dinah assured me it wasn't."

"Dinah?" Tonks asked.

"I was with her when I found out," Lucy said, feeling guilty about not having told her friend the news right away. "I wanted to tell you but I didn't want to put you in the position of having to lie to anyone and I didn't want anyone to know until after we were married. Can you understand that? I probably wouldn't have even told Dinah if she hadn't been right there at the time."

"I do," Tonks nodded, "Just tell me next time okay?"

Lucy giggled, "Are you kidding? I'll tell you before I tell Sirius." She didn't think she should mention that she'd told Dinah before she'd told Sirius.

Looking around she saw the men had congregated in the corner. Probably all congratulating Sirius on his ability to get her pregnant. All in all, it hadn't turned out nearly as bad as she'd feared.


Lucy took a moment to let Sirius snog her a bit before knocking on the Snapes' door. She hadn't really seen Dinah since the wedding but her friend had sent a note by the other day asking if they could have dinner together Sunday. So there they were standing in front of the Snapes' dungeon rooms door snogging away.

She hoped Severus didn't answer the door, but then Sirius probably hoped he would. Snogging wasn't that bad though. After all, they were still sort of in a honeymoon period and her hormones were in overdrive at the moment. Still, Dinah would probably be the better option for opening the door. She'd caught them in a more compromising position last week so she was less likely to be shocked about it. They really did need to stop though…a student could walk by at any moment.

"Ah, well, hello hello," Dinah's voice teased. "Would you like to breathe before dinner or are you going to stand there snogging all day?"

A snort in the distance was followed by footsteps and Severus's voice muttering the word; "Typical."

Sirius chuckled and released Lucy, "I'd take the snogging but my wife needs to eat." He feigned shock when she didn't giggle, "Could it be the idea of being my wife isn't so laughable now?"

"It shouldn't be," Lucy grinned, "seeing as you just snogged me senseless." She turned and hugged her friend, "Hi. I won't hug you Severus," she assured him, "I don't want to push my luck."

"Hmm," Severus raised an eyebrow but made no other comment.

"Well, come on in. I think today's dinner is steak and baked potatoes. I'm not that hungry myself, but," she shrugged. "I'm sure if I'm saying the same thing in five minutes it will be appetite stimulant time."

Lucy nodded and they entered the rooms, settling in at the table. "It's nice to be able to eat something and not worry about throwing it up. How's your week been? I admit I've been merciful and hardly assigned my kids any work. Oh, did your family get back home okay? They enjoyed the wedding I hope?"

"Of course," Dinah smiled, settling down at the table next to her husband. "Mum said to give you their best and thank you again. I think everyone had a wonderful time, especially Aunt Mildred. Granted, she enjoys everything."

Sirius leaned down to whisper in her ear, "You're being babbly again."

"Oh, whatever," she said waving him away, "I haven't talked to Dinah in a week. You'll just have to get used to it. They're welcome," she told Dinah, "It was fun having them here. I actually had to talk Agrona and the rest of her class out of getting us some sort of present for letting them come. It's sweet but she wants to open a sweets shop like Puddifoot's someday and she can't do that if she's spending all her money buying presents.

"The pictures will be in next week. We'll have to have you two over to look at them. Okay, I know I'm babbling, but things are just so much…happier than they were last year."

Dinah exchanged a smile with Severus. "Well, that's certainly true," she agreed. "So let me try to address all the subjects you brought up somewhat it in order," Dinah chuckled. "So you say your nausea is better now?"

"Yes," Lucy nodded, "I haven't been sick since the wedding. Except," she said, when Sirius made to interrupt her, "for yesterday."

"That's odd," Severus murmured, looking thoughtful. "Why would it disappear for a week and then return? Have you talked to Poppy about it?"

Lucy shook her head, taking a bite of steak, "I didn't need to. I figured it out all on my own. It was nerves."

"We went to the Burrow yesterday," Sirius said by way of explanation.

"The Burrow... that's where your Weasley family lives. Oh! Did you tell them?" Dinah now looked anxious.

"Yes!" Lucy said, nodding vigorously. "They were so much better about it than I thought they'd be too. I talked to Ginny and she's anxious to come and start learning the ropes. I also learned a few rather disturbing facts about my aunt and uncle that I won't share."

Severus snorted; "Not as innocent as they seem then?"

"Not unless strolls around the grounds until four in the morning are innocent." Lucy spied a copy of the 'stubby mandrake' picture on the coffee table. "Dinah?" she said, playing with her napkin, "when do you think I could get one of those alteredsound things?"

Dinah giggled, "Ultrasound. And the usual time is around sixteen weeks or so, but I went earlier. If you wait until sixteen weeks they could be able to tell you if your child is a boy or a girl. I don't know if you're interested. Severus and I have chosen not to find out, but you may feel differently."

Lucy looked at Sirius, wondering what he thought about the idea. "I don't know," he said, "We never considered that. I mean wizards don't find that out until the baby's born…"

"Then we won't find out," Lucy assured him, "I don't care either way." She took her husband's hand and placed it on her stomach, "By sixteen weeks I'm going to look ready to have the kid I'm sure. Maybe it's twins. After all it does run in the family."

"Oh, that reminds me!" Dinah piped in, stretching her robes over her abdomen. "I think I'm finally starting to show! Look!"

Lucy got up and inspected her friend's stomach from the side, "Yes! Look, Sirius! I'm not the only one who shows now! Of course you still have a few inches to go before you catch up. Maybe your baby's going to be small and mine's going to be huge or something."

Dinah laughed; "I think sometimes it's just genetics and the way our bodies choose to behave. The babies' too. For all we know it could end up being the opposite."

Lucy grinned, "Maybe, but at least I'm not the only one who looks pregnant now."

"Well, I'm actually happy to be showing, I don't know what your problem is," Dinah teased with a good-natured smile.

Sirius smirked. He was thrilled she was showing as much as she was.

Lucy gave her friends a lopsided grin, "Well, I don't mind so much now really. It was before…when we weren't married and no one knew yet."

"Yes," Dinah smiled. "It must be so nice to have that off your chest. So when were you thinking of... announcing, you know?" She rested her hand on her stomach and frowned in consideration; "Now that we're both on the path to being obvious..."

"I don't know," Lucy said, frowning, "We haven't really talked about it much…I just hope it doesn't end up as front page news or something. After that ridiculous article about the wedding…the way Rita spun it you'd have thought the king was marrying the peasant girl who cleans toilets for a living."

"Oh! That looks delicious!" Dinah, out of the clear blue, began attacking the steak that she had been picking at only moments before.

Severus sighed, rolling his eyes at his wife before addressing the group; "It seems to me that it might be best if you both announced your pregnancies at the same time, in whichever manner you choose. Less shock for the students that way," his smirk suggested he didn't really care about the students either way.

"I hate to say this, but I agree with Severus," Sirius said, pulling Lucy back over to sit.

"Mmm," Lucy said, picking up her fork again. "You may be right, but I'd still like to wait a bit at least. Maybe until after the…ultrasound," she pronounced the word slowly.

"That sounds reasonable," Dinah agreed, and then regarded her steak with a sigh before pushing it away.

Exasperated, Severus put down his fork and shot her annoyed look.

"Hey, at least I ate half of it!" his wife retorted.

"Me too!" Lucy said, lifting her plate to show them.

"You're accomplishment isn't eating it," Sirius teased, "It'll be not seeing that half of the steak again."

"I think she'll be successful," Dinah smiled. "You say you've been feeling good for the past week, and I think you're going into your second trimester about now. I wouldn't worry."

Lucy grinned and stuck her tongue out at her husband. "Oh!" she said, turning back to Dinah, "You'll never guess…or maybe you will since you probably had to help her send it to me. Rosa owled me about a baby shower for you already."

Dinah grinned. "Oh good, it arrived. It should have been delivered by Rowena if you were paying any attention. Regular owls don't go to Muggles without a witch or wizard for assistance."

"Now that you mention it the owl was beige," Lucy blushed. "It'll be interesting if we both show up looking all fat and pregnant. I didn't mention anything about me, for obvious reasons. Not that I care if they know now and Rosa said it wouldn't be for a few months yet anyway. She enticed me with the possibility of loaning me some books."

Dinah grinned; "When she kept nagging me about a baby shower due to my lack of an organized hen party I suggested she get in touch with you and that you'd be more than happy to help her out. Actually, I had an ulterior motive," Dinah blushed. "I was hoping once it happened everyone would know about you and we could have a joint shower." She looked a little uncertain; "Would you want to do something like that?"

"Really?" Lucy asked, feeling tears start to well up. Much more and she'd be crying. "That's so nice," she sniffed, "I-I'd love to!" She finally broke down in tears.

"Lucy!" Sirius said, sounding worried, "It's okay! It's nothing to be upset over. You don't have to cry."

"Aw, Lucy, stop it!" Dinah said, sounding a little teary herself, but it passed quickly. Her friend chuckled and put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm glad you want to. Wow, if I had known you'd be so happy... are you okay?"

"Yeah," Lucy sniffled, and scrubbed at her face with a hanky. Sirius had taken to carrying them around with him all the time lately. "I'm sorry. It's just my stupid hormones and I imagine it's only going to get worse. Still, that's really nice of you to offer making it a double shower. You don't have to," a few more tears escaped but she had a tighter reign on her emotions now. "It'll give me a chance to wear my Muggle maternity clothes."

"I want to, that's why I offered," Dinah smiled, giving her shoulder a squeeze. "We'd have to try to get everybody to come. Since it's more a girl thing Severus doesn't have go and be surrounded by Weasleys. And we can hold it wherever. If you want to wear the Muggle clothes I bet Rosa can host it at her place. But I suppose if you'd prefer one of your own with your wizard friends I'd understand."

Severus had been silent for a long time and looked a little frozen and out-of-sorts as he stared at Lucy with an expression that indicated he was certain she'd gone completely mad.

"Are you sure you want expose your friend and family to the Weasleys exploring the Muggle world? I mean aren't I bad enough?" Lucy grinned. When an apple pie appeared on the table she grabbed for it before Dinah could. "I'm sorry," she apologized, "I've been craving this all day."

"All day, every day," Sirius teased.

Dinah shrugged; "Well, it's up to you. I mean, I know Mum and Aunt Mildred will want to get you something but your group doesn't have to get me anything. I just thought a big joint party might be fun but I guess maybe it was a bad idea..." she shrugged a little and took a sudden interest in the small slice of apple pie she'd served herself.

"Dinah?" Severus's hand went to his wife's shoulder.

"I'm okay," Dinah wiped at her eyes. "I just had a dumb idea, that's all. Wow," she laughed. "This is just 'attack of the hormones day', isn't it?"

"Oh, Dinah, no!" Lucy said, horrified she might have hurt her friend's feelings, "A big party together would be fun! I was just teasing. It might be interesting to see Aunt Molly and Aunt Mildred spend more time together. I don't think they really got a chance to chat at the wedding. Shoot," she said, wiping at her eyes again, "I thought I had this under control."

Sirius sighed, "Whose plan was it that they both be pregnant at the same time? I'm not sure I can handle the emotional broom ride."

"Indeed," Severus agreed, tilting Dinah's face towards him to wipe the tears from her cheeks,

Dinah laughed, resting her head on her husband's shoulder; "Sorry boys. And you too, Lucy. Guess I misunderstood. I blame the hormones, not you, I promise," she smiled.

"I know how it is," she assured her friend.

"Maybe we should be going," Sirius suggested, "so you two stop making each other cry."

"But I'm not done with my pie!"

Dinah laughed; "Me either. I'm just a little hungry though," she indicated the small piece again, which was really more of a sliver in an interesting, but decidedly un-Dinah-like appetite middle ground. "See?" she looked from Severus to Sirius. "We're fine now."

"Yes, but we'll see how long it lasts," Severus sighed, folding and setting aside his napkin before pushing his plate away, apparently not interested in taking any pie.

"Okay," Sirius said, not looking convinced but, unlike Severus, he took a bite of the pie…the small piece Lucy had left him anyway.

"So your classes were good, huh?" Dinah tried to make conversation as she ate her pie slowly. Definitely un-Dinah-like. "It's so nice that your students want to give you a gift. Our classes were good too, but Severus has been refusing to call on Mae because he doesn't want to have to use her first name," she teased her husband, who growled a little. At least he was being true to character.

That got Lucy to giggle, "Yeah, they were good. Though I'm getting questions like: Where is Mr. Black? What does he do? Is he going to work here? If he doesn't have a job what does he do all day? Does he stay in your rooms with you? Obviously some of these are from the younger students."

"What do you tell them?" Sirius asked.

"How should I know what you do all day? I'm with the students. You do spend a lot of time grooming that big, black dog of yours though," she grinned. Lucy had come up with that as a way to explain the possible sightings of the 'attack dog' from last year.

Dinah grinned; "That's great! Saying that the dog is Sirius's. Or well that Snuffles is Sirius's. That Sirius belongs to himself." She giggled.

Severus rolled his eyes; "This giggling is hormone related too, isn't it?"

Sirius shrugged, "I don't know. I thought it had to do with the wedding and calling her 'wife' since that's when it started."

Dinah sighed; "They complain when we're happy and they complain when we're not happy. Honestly, we just can't win."

"It's true," Lucy agreed, shoving more pie in her mouth, "They act like we want to be crazy people." She surprised herself mentioning the idea of being a crazy person like that, but was relieved to find it didn't bother her here, among her friends.