Chapter 124: Always with Time
September 1999
Octavia stood there, a smile on her face as she watched as Oliver and Willa danced together in the middle of the makeshift dance floor that had been constructed for their wedding reception.
She wasn't at all surprised when Willa stated how small she wanted her wedding to be, the curses that came with realising just how big their family was, but she also knew Willa would hate herself if anyone of these people in attendance weren't invited.
"It's a strange feeling isn't it?" Andromeda questioned, stepping in beside Octavia.
Octavia gave her a smile. "I raised Emerson as if she was my own, but the feeling is different watching Willa get married. Sirius doesn't quite understand it because he wasn't there for all those years, just turned up at the end and as such missed all those moments."
Andromeda nodded, them both falling silent as they looked out across the room, watching to see where everyone who could possibly overhear their conversation were at.
"It feels like the end of parenting, but I know it's not. I know that come the moment that Willa will begin hating herself for not being able to potentially give Oliver the children that she says he craves to have one day," Octavia spoke softly.
"She came to visit me the other day, asking if there were potions, she could take that could help with increasing the chance of conception," Andromeda responded, and Octavia looked alarmed for a moment before calming her face.
"I still don't know if she wants her own children, afraid of what she may do to them like I did with her," Octavia responded, looking over at where Willa now had Connor in her arms, swaying him softly.
"I seem to recall you having the same fears, unsure as to how your own rare nature would affect her but you wouldn't even consider the possibility of removing any chance of inflicting a child with the same fears you had growing up," Andromeda pointed out but Octavia didn't remove her gaze.
"My own nature inflicted me with the future that gave me glimpses at Willa, causing me to fall in love with her before I had even fallen pregnant." Octavia turned and looked at Andromeda. "What would you do in my situation?"
Andromeda didn't respond.
"Remus…" Octavia stopped herself, not wanting to work herself up during Willa and Oliver's reception. "Once pointed out that there were only three situations that could come of the child I had with Sirius and none of them frightened me, it was the fear of not knowing what the magic would do to her, not knowing how it would affect her. I wish more than anything that I had prior knowledge of her magical explosions, but I wouldn't go back and change having her." Octavia explained and Andromeda nodded.
"Willa knows that these are the same situations, that there is a possibility her child may be exactly like her. I believe what scares her is the chance she won't be able to give Oliver something he wants but he is doing what he can to remove the chances of it not happening," Octavia continued on.
"He is getting it down rather quickly, I'm surprised," Andromeda pointed out, but Octavia fell silent as she spotted Willa heading their way and placed a smile on her.
Octavia always had a feeling that Oliver would be able to complete the Animagus transformation rather quickly, much like Willa did, and she put it down to the similarities for the soulmate bond.
She had been thinking long and hard about this, despite her achieving the transformation before the rest of her friends because of her advantage with her own magic, Sirius was one of the next ones to follow shortly after.
Even looking back at their time at Hogwarts they were always evenly matched in their grades and outcomes when it came to their studies but between Sirius' laid back nature and Octavia always believing she wouldn't do as well everyone around her due to her parents abuse, she never thought much of it, just thought that Sirius was naturally gifted while Octavia got where she was because of her hard studying which is also true.
She hasn't seen any records of Oliver's time at Hogwarts but she was also a Professor at the same time and heard the same thing she did about other students from time to time and Oliver was a brilliant student, despite the fact that at times his grade slipped around the bigger, more important matches when his focus moved from studies to Quidditch. But she puts this all down to another similarity with the soulmate bonds.
Octavia knew Willa wouldn't be able to cope being with someone who mentally couldn't keep up with her, wasn't considered bright for one reason or another and it was probably why Willa got along with Fred and George as easily as she did because they were bright in their own way.
"How are you feeling baby?" Octavia questioned when Willa was closer.
"Ecstatic mum," Willa responded with a large smile on her face.
"All I've ever hoped for baby. Let's go find your father, shall we?" Octavia wrapped an arm around Willa's shoulders and directed her away from Andromeda, not wanting the older witch to let slip that they were talking behind Willa's back since it was something the young witch still detested to this day.
.oOo.
Oliver couldn't help but shake his head as he entered the bedroom he shared with his wife, just thinking the word 'wife' brought a smile to Oliver's face. Their wedding was only earlier that same day and he was over the moon at having Willa become his wife, despite all the bumps they've had along the way he honestly couldn't picture himself marrying anyone else aside from Willa.
"Love?" he questioned softly, unsure as to if Willa was asleep or not but it was the muttered incoherent words that led him to believe she was in fact wake. "Was today worth all the fuss?"
A groan came from Willa as she pushed herself up on the bed to face Oliver and have a proper conversation.
"Come here please," Was all Willa requested of him, but he merely raised an eyebrow at the request before pushing himself off the wall and joining her in their bed.
"I am thrilled that I was able to marry you today Ol, and all the fuss that Emerson made was worth it. Having everyone we considered family to be there meant everything to me," Willa spoke softly, a smile gracing her face as she caught sight of her wedding ring.
Oliver cupped her face and softly kissed her. "I'm glad love. It means everything to me that you agreed to marry me and go through with this wedding."
Willa dropped her gaze as a surge of guilt filled her. She hated that she still hasn't been able to give Oliver the thing he wants the most, to have a child with her.
"Love?" he questioned softly, placing a finger under her chin and forcing her to look at him.
"You also want children." Willa spoke softly, her heart breaking at the look that appeared on his face.
"There are plenty of ways for us to have children together, to raise a family. We will work them out when the time comes, it's only been two months." Oliver explained and Willa nodded, unsure as to why he could be so hopeful.
She had seen the look on his face every time their pregnancy test results were always negative, and it killed her.
Andromeda was the only one that knew that the couple was actively trying to conceive so soon, and she knew it was because of Willa's unknown circumstances. There was a part of Willa that thought maybe while Quidditch wasn't so busy that maybe her body would be more co-operative, but nothing happened.
Willa thought maybe there were some potions that could help her, but Andromeda said no such thing existed that worked despite some witches claiming that a certain herb did in fact help them conceive.
"Our time will come love," Oliver spoke softly but Willa merely nodded as she pulled away and laid back down on the bed, her guilt becoming too much and she just wanted to sleep despite it being their wedding night.
.oOo.
October 1999
Willa was confused as she entered the home she shared with Oliver after having been out for lunch with Emerson, them both taking the chance since Leighton was home from work and could watch over Connor while allowing the two girls to socialise. Despite them both loving Connor immensely, it was now becoming slightly difficult to have lunch in a public setting without him getting restless.
But what confused Willa the most was the sight of the unknown dog heading her way, a breed that looked awfully like her own animagus form.
It was as the dog stopped in front of her and sat down that Willa tilted her head as she examined the dog in front of her.
She knew in any normal situation that one should be afraid at finding a strange dog in their home, that if her suspicions weren't correct that she could possible get a lecture from her husband when he hears of what happened but a strange dog wouldn't be doing what this one was currently.
She knelt, a small smile on her face. "Ol?" she questioned softly.
Confusion appeared on her face as the dog didn't do anything, her thinking that maybe she was wrong in her assumption.
It wasn't until she pulled her wand out that the dog finally moved towards her and stood in front of her.
It took a moment but it was when she was looking into the eyes on the dog that she felt the familiar pull that always pulled towards Oliver, and it made her question as to why it wasn't there in the first place but she decided to leave that for another time.
"You had me worried for a moment," she spoke softly, her smile returning.
Her smile turned into a smirk when she noticed that Oliver wasn't turning back. "Can't work it out?" she questions, and the dog shook its head.
Willa sat down on the ground, she never really thought about how she turned back because for her it just happened.
"You have to focus on your magic, will it to do what you want it to do. It's a weird feeling being an animagus as it's almost like you lose the connection you have with your magic, almost as if a part of you disappears but over time you begin to pull that part of you back making the change as simple as breathing," Willa explained, hoping she was doing this right and patiently waited until Oliver was sitting in front of her.
"Thank you," Oliver spoke when he finally returned to normal.
Willa didn't say anything as she leant forward and softly kissed him. She hadn't voiced it to anyone, but she was beginning to wonder if the reason why she hadn't fallen pregnant before now is because Oliver wasn't an animagus, and now she wondered if that issue would now be fixed.
.oOo.
November 1999
Willa sat there on the edge of the Quidditch hoop, her legs slowly swinging through the air.
She knew she shouldn't have left liked she did, but it was starting to get to her, month after month, always getting the same negative reading for every pregnancy test that was performed. The only thing worse than the negative result was the look on Oliver's face every single time.
She knew he wanted to have children with her one day and she was beginning to think that maybe she incapable of having children, that she couldn't give Oliver what he wanted, what she wanted herself.
She knew that there was the option of adopting for them since there was more than just Teddy that had become an orphan due to the war and she knew that both her and Oliver would be able to love any child they bring into the home, even if they weren't related by blood but she doesn't know if she can bring herself to that decision just yet.
Willa didn't speak when her mother appeared in front of her, sitting on a broom.
Willa knew what would happen coming to Hogwarts like she did, but she didn't want to go to the Puddlemere grounds where she could run into any of her teammates.
"What's wrong baby?" Octavia questions softly.
"Figured you'd be in class." Willa responded.
"It's lunch time. Are you going to tell me why you're here?" Octavia questioned once more.
"I'm not even sure why I came here of all places," Willa spoke softly as she looked around.
"Because for you this is the only place that was unaffected by the war in your eyes. You didn't exactly leave the Castle after the battle and you weren't present for Dumbledore's funeral, so you never saw what happened out here. Everywhere you see as home has some sort of bad memories because of the war, but this place, something that always made you happy never gave you bad memories," Octavia explained.
"I'm not naïve, I wouldn't be surprised if Death Eaters burnt the Pitch to the ground but what you're saying makes sense. I never saw it damaged," Willa responded.
"What's going on in your head baby?"
Willa lowered her head, looked at where her feet were still slowly swinging in the air. "What if I am physically incapable of falling pregnant?" she questioned quietly.
"Then I believe that is a discussion you need to have with your husband, someone who is possibly hurt with the repeated negative test results as well." Octavia responded, causing Willa to look up at her with tears forming in her eyes.
"Please tell me you've seen something; I want to be able to give Oliver the children that he wants. I want the possibility of having my own children, continue the Black and Carrow family line but changing everyone's view from what it once was to something different." Willa pleaded with her mother.
Octavia let out a sigh, she didn't want to tell Willa about the twins, unsure as to how she would take it but now seeing her daughter this distraught killed her.
"Don't give up hope baby, you will get the chance at being a mother to your own child. That is all I will tell you."
Willa reached up and wiped away the tears that were starting to escape and she took a deep breath. "Thank you."
.oOo.
December 1999
"What do you mean you told her?" Sirius questioned, staring at his wife in disbelief.
It had taken a couple of weeks, but Octavia finally told Sirius that she had given in and told Willa that she would one day be a mother after finding her almost in tears in the Quidditch Pitch.
Octavia rolled her eyes before she stood up from their small couch and headed over to where her desk was, needing to make a start on the marking she had for one of her classes.
"O," Sirius spoke, hoping to continue the conversation.
Octavia turned and faced her husband, leaning against her desk.
"You know I miss hearing the name Snow," she spoke quietly. "Ever since I was given the nickname it's what you and the others always called me. The nickname disappeared for the five years that Remus was gone but it was quickly picked up by Emerson much like Moony was by Willa. And, Merlin, did I love hearing the name even more once you came back but as soon as we lose Remus, the last of our friends we instantly stop using Snow and Pads."
Sirius didn't say anything straight away, instead he stood up and walked over to where Octavia was standing. "I know, I feel the same. Those years I was in Azkaban, not hearing any name except Black was hard. But do you honestly want to go back to using Snow and Pads?"
Octavia shook her head as the tears welled up and Sirius instantly stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her.
"Now what is this about you telling Willa about becoming a mother?" Sirius questioned once more, earning a laugh from Octavia.
.oOo.
January 2000
Willa had a strange feeling brewing in her stomach as she walked through the Ministry of Magic.
She knew it wasn't anything serious, it was a strange feeling being in the building, a building she has refused to set in since the last Death Eater trial. Yes, they were still rounding up the last few but since all of the top, previously well respected Death Eaters were sentenced the Heads of Family weren't needed for the smaller ones and as such they were given the chance to give and rearrange their families since a lot of them had been handed a lot of grief.
But for now, she needed to take care of something.
For months, she had been getting told from everyone around her as to what she should do with the title that she currently held being the Head of the Black Family. Sirius kept trying to convince her to hand the title back to him while others around her were telling her that she had the best chance at making the changes she wished to see within the Ministry and Sacred Families if she continued to be the Head.
She may have been given the title when she turned 17, taken care of things at Gringotts that unlocked her power with the goblins, but despite the fact that she sat in on the trials she had never once acknowledged what she needed to within the Ministry but there was also another reason as to why she was here. But one thing at a time.
It was as Willa was entering the Main Atrium, having signed her name on the required documents to keep the title in her name and not have someone try and argue that she doesn't deserve it when she knew for a fact she did. She was the eldest child belonging to Sirius or Regulus, Nymphadora didn't qualify since she was a cousin and not a direct line to the previous Head of Family. While Draco could argue that he was the male, the only male of age within the family and tradition states that it is always a Male that holds the title, but Willa also knew that no one else would be able to take the Malfoy title.
It didn't matter that Augusta held the title while Neville was growing up, she had no true power and now that Neville was of age, he had the title.
"Willa!"
Willa quickly spun around, her scars causing her to quickly pull her wand out, but it dropped at the sight of the person heading her way.
"Kelso?" she questioned, unsure about the sight in front of her.
He flashed her a grin before stopping in front of her. "I always did say I could take care of myself. Were you worried about me?"
Willa shook her head, unbelieving that he was standing in front of her. She tried to reach out to him once the war was over but never received a response.
"Of course, I was worried about you, I knew Ronnie was safe with the goblins but you, I just had to hope that Trevor's family was protecting you," Willa responded, relief filling her as he nodded. She didn't want to think that he was on the run like other Muggleborns.
"I suppose the benefit of him being to a Sacred Family was that they were able to help me prove that I belonged to a no longer existing family, that a disgraced squib gave birth to my family line," he explained and Willa's mouth fell open.
"Why in Merlin's name did I not think of that for Ronnie," she muttered to herself causing him to let out a laugh.
"Yes, well now I have to deal with the repercussions of stating I belonged to that family when I truly don't but I am being let off with warnings since it was dire times and I was doing what I could to protect myself."
Willa smiled, "I'm glad, truly I am but I am in the middle of doing something rather important. I will send you an owl and hope you respond this time and we can catch up properly."
Kelso didn't say much in response, just let out a laugh and assured her that he would before Willa was able to take off and do what was she needed to do.
.oOo.
It took a while, a lot of searching before finding someone that was able to give her the information she wanted and she technically she didn't have the right to knowing the information since it was obviously well protected within the other side of the family but since their once well-known prestige took a rather large hit with Lucius Malfoy being named a Death Eater and sentenced to Azkaban, it helped.
She was used to just entering the homes of her friends as she pleased but given the situation regarding this particular family, she was unsure as to what would happen if she did, so she stood here and waited for the door to open.
She nodded at the house elf and stepped inside. "I wish to speak with Narcissa and Draco Malfoy if they are both available."
The house elf said nothing but turned and disappeared down the corridor, leaving Willa to stand there awkwardly unsure as to what to do with herself.
She knew this wasn't the same home that Draco grew up in, much like herself, having moved out but she wondered as to what his reason were for the move.
"Black," Draco's voice pulled her from her thoughts, and she turned to find the younger boy standing there, quickly rolling down his sleeve to hide his fading Dark Mark.
"I grew up seeing Regulus' yours means nothing to me," she commented, and he nodded, stopping his actions. "I heard from Harry that you are out of Azkaban on his grace, same with your mother."
A scowl appeared on Draco's face and Willa believed that Draco hated the fact that he owed his freedom to his school age rival.
"I wished to have spoken with both you and your mother though," Willa spoke.
"Mother is not available," he responded, and she nodded, fishing in her pocket for her key.
"When I became of age, I had several trusts severed for obvious reason, but I always wondered what your part in it was, what your mother's part was. Despite everything that happened between us all growing up you showed you cared turning up after the Dementer attack, your mother never had any bad words for either me or Emerson and that means a lot. So, when I turned seventeen, I had your trusts moved, I had them combined in the same vault to decide what to do with completely when the time came. Originally I planned on having the gold moved to someone who needed it after the war but when Harry told me what happened between you all, that he is alive because your mother risked her life and lied," Willa explained and Draco's face stayed neutral not giving anything away.
"I don't know if you know this, but Regulus spoke on your behalf as well, giving his own experiences showing the very similar situation you were placed in. You joined hoping to remove the disgrace your father caused while Regulus joined hoping to remove the disgrace that my father made," Willa spoke, she had permission from Regulus to pass on this information. Had permission from her whole family for this olive branch she was extending.
Willa held the key up. "This key contains the gold you and your mother should have continued to receive. I am still the Head of the Black family and I don't plan on removing them for either of you. Instead I hope it is an olive branch, you stuck by your family because of the strong family values that you were raised to have, something that all Sacred Family members are raised to have up until the point of disgrace. Mum took Regulus in when he was Death Eater, mum fixed the relationship she had with her brother even though she knew he was a Death Eater. We can all forgive you for your mistakes in the war because you were young and forced into a situation you shouldn't have had to made while your mother merely fell in love with the wrong person. I know she was pushed to Lucius from a young age because of the arranged marriage, it was a forced love."
"I will pass this on to mother but we both know who exactly is considered family for you all," Draco responded, and Willa nodded.
"We will never force you and your mother into a situation that will make you uncomfortable if you wish to take this olive branch," Willa explained and Draco nodded, them both falling silent.
Nothing else was said but Willa held the key out for Draco to take but he shook his head. "The least I can do is let you put the money towards what you wished; I don't need the money as I have the Malfoy vault."
"Very well, let me know what your mother says. Good day Draco," Willa spoke, bidding him goodbye before she turned and left the house.
.oOo.
February 2000
Willa had an uneasy feeling in her stomach as she walked through the house looking for Oliver, she just hoped he was home.
She knew the uneasy feeling wasn't her magic's way of telling her something was wrong like it had in the past, the feeling was different. She was just terrified of Oliver's reaction. Month after month she got tired of seeing the same look of rejection on his face when the pregnancy tests stated negative. There had been a change in him that she had noticed in the last month though, almost like he had given up hope for them having a baby.
She headed upstairs thinking maybe he was up there somewhere; she knew he was home as she found his Quidditch bag in the kitchen.
She stopped as she turned the corner coming off the stairs, catching sight of him standing there in only a towel after he had gotten out of the shower.
"You having fun staring at me like that?" he teased, having caught sight of her standing there watching him.
"I was just trying to work out if I could steal your towel before you realised what I was planning," she responded, and he flashed her a wolfish grin.
"You should have just asked if you want my towel," Oliver responded as he pulled off his towel and threw it at her.
Willa wasn't entirely impressed with having a wet towel thrown at her face. "That's not funny," she snapped, finally taking steps to close the gap between them.
"It is a little."
Oliver leant down and softly kissed her when she was close enough and Willa gave him a smile. "I will take that back if you don't want it then, if you didn't notice I'm wet and naked."
"Oh, I noticed," Willa grinned at him and he shook his head.
Willa followed him into their bedroom, but she went and took a seat on their bed while he got dressed.
"Ol," she spoke, and he looked over at her but didn't say anything. "Do you still want to have kids with me?" she questioned.
"I do, I really do. But isn't looking good love," Oliver responded.
"Do you regret becoming an Animagus then?" she questioned.
"Not at all, I did it so when we decided to have children then we wouldn't have to wait in case that was why you weren't falling pregnant. Maybe we're not meant to have children, maybe you just can't fall pregnant love," Oliver responded, turning his back to her.
Willa was thrilled when she heard that Oliver was attempting the Animagus transformation, getting walked through it by Octavia and Sirius like she did. It took him a while, making the first couple of negative test results come through before he had completed it and it made them think that maybe that was why, but nothing had changed since he had completed it.
But she knew otherwise, since Octavia told her about her future child, she knew their time would come and she was glad it was now before Oliver gave up trying.
"Oliver," she spoke softly, frowning when he wouldn't look at her. "Oliver," she repeated.
"Yes love?" he questioned, not turning around to look at her.
Willa let out a sigh before she stood up from the bed and walked over to him, taking his hands in hers.
"I love you, you know, that right?" she questioned, and he smiled at her.
"Of course, you wouldn't have married me otherwise."
"Had no choice, you know, soulmate bond and all," she teased, and he let out a laugh.
"There are other ways for us to become parents without you having to fall pregnant, we will work it out love," Oliver spoke before he leant down and kissed her once more.
Willa smiled at him. "But I am pregnant."
Her heart swelled at the smile that appeared on his face at the news.
"Your pregnant?" he questioned, disbelief evident on his face and she nodded.
"I've just been to see Dromeda, I'm pregnant Ol."
Oliver closed the gap between them, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer. "Merlin, I love your insufferable ass." He whispered and she let out a laugh.
"Just imagine me pregnant, moody and the cravings."
"I'm screwed," Oliver responded, earning a laugh from Willa. "Are you okay with this?" he whispered.
Oliver knew that there were some concerns on Willa's end about becoming a mother, but he saw her around Teddy and Connor, and he instantly knew that she would be an amazing mother one day.
He had a feeling that her concerns came from her lack of ability to connect with other people, afraid that she wouldn't be able to connect with their children, but he knew otherwise.
He knew without a shred of doubt that she loved every single one of their friends, before she had begun voicing those three words, knew how much of a big heart she had, and it would allow her to be an amazing mother.
He also knew that at times she would cock her head to the side and look at him, confused as to what he was attempting to do with their future child whether it be punishment for misbehaving or something else entirely but he had also seen the improvement with Willa when it came to her staying silent while he explained something to her.
"I'm terrified," Willa let out a laugh. "So much rides on this pregnancy. There is so much I can't do because I'm pregnant but there is so much, I have to do to make sure I'm able to keep my position at Puddlemere United once I'm cleared to start playing again."
"It's not what I meant love," Oliver responded.
When the topic of children was first brought up Willa argued that she would lose her spot at Puddlemere United, removing her chance of joining the starting team but Oliver just argued that it wasn't possible, they would allow her to return if she was still up to their standards, or what they deemed to be suitable for a previously pregnant witch.
Willa frowned before pulling away from Oliver. "I'm terrified of being a mother, is that what you want from me?"
Oliver didn't say anything as he walked up behind her and wrapped his arms her waist, hands coming to rest on her currently flat stomach. "You think I'm not scared about becoming a father? I can barely handle you at times, a child just like you terrifies me," he teased, glad to get a laugh from her. "We're in this together love, remember Emerson and Leighton had the same fears about becoming parents, unsure as to if they could do it as well as they wanted to. I've seen you around Teddy and Connor, you adore them and will adore our child just the same."
"Dromeda reminded me that I had you, that I could do anything as long as I have you by my side," Willa responded softly, looking down at where Oliver's hands were placed, and a smile appeared on her face.
Oliver moved his left hand and linked his fingers with her left hand, raising them so they could both see the rings resting on their fingers. "I'm not going anywhere Willa. I love you."
"I love you too."
.oOo.
A/N: Thank you to everyone who continues to read and follow on with the story, it means so much to me. This is essentially the end of the story with an epilogue to follow but there will be a significant time jump between the end of this chapter and what is covered in the epilogue.
Thank you to Raven that flies at night for reviewing, it means a lot to me.