I am so sorry for this taking so long! I have been super busy; at the moment I have drama and piano on Tuesdays, work and singing on Wednesdays, two drama lessons on Friday and tap and another two drama lesson on Saturday. There you go; my life story.
Hopefully I can get some stuff done this weekend (though I doubt it, I have a ridiculous amount of homework) and this should be up soon.
KystalK8: Sorry, as I said, there was something in the water. I'm a sucker for romance; so sue me. Hopefully, this won't have too much fluff; actually I can't say that, cos I haven't got a clue what this chapter will be about.
Prunz: I can't be bothered writing anything in depth cos I see you every day. But I will say I hate you for being right and guessing all my plot lines.
Gryffindor-Quidditch-Capt: Hello. So you thought you'd finally read my stories, hey ally? Well poo poo to you. Thanks anyways, I tried to read your other favourite story, but it was too OoC (I'm so cool, I know what that means!) (Out of Character)
TarnishedBeauty: Did I really say that (smile out of the corner out of the eye)? Yeah, I'm a crappy proof reader. Thanks for your review.
(Oh, only cos you bullied me into it, hello Annie and Alice)
Chapter Nine: The News
It was Christmas Eve and Harry was standing in front of half of the Order of the Phoenix, Weasley family included, looking like a complete fool. He felt tremendously stupid regarding what he was about to say. Half of the people in the room knew already, and, according to Rose who was now four months pregnant, it was outrageously obvious.
Clearing his throat, he looked down at Rose, whose face was plastered with "Ha ha!"
"I'd just like to let you know that Rose is... Rose is pregnant."
Before anyone could react, another voice came from beside Harry.
"So's Hermione," Ron mumbled.
Mrs Wesley squealed with glee, pouncing from her seat onto Harry, Rose, Ron and Hermione, smothering with hugs and kisses. As there were so many newly-made parents, this took an age and by the time Mrs Weasley had cried over the respective people, groans were coming from the other diners and finally the food was brought out.
The night carried on happily with Rose, Hermione, Ginny and Tonks squealing over baby things and Harry and the rest of the Weasley sons fighting over whose child would be the better Quidditch.
Returning home from the Burrow, Harry realised he hadn't given Rose her present yet, and raced up stairs to get it. Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, he entered the lounge room, only to find it completely empty.
Puzzled, Harry made his way into the kitchen, but Rose could not be seen. Turning back into the lounge room, Harry made to get his coat. Reaching over the couch, he could not believe his eyes. Not only was Rose fast asleep, but she was levitating.
"Rose!" Harry exclaimed, absolutely stunned.
Rose grumbled, turning over in mid air. Finally aware of her surroundings, her eyes flew open in disbelief. "Jesus Christ!" This enlightenment brought her crashing down back onto the couch.
Somewhat worse for wear, Rose sat up, nursing the bump on her head. Harry sat down beside her, before conjuring up a fire in the fireplace.
Catching Rose eyeing the object in his hands, Harry handed the square gold box to her. "Oh, I got this for you." Rose bit her lip and looked at it intriguingly.
Tearing off the gold box, Rose found a scarlet leather-bound photograph album, half filled with wizard photos from their wedding.
Rose was overwhelmed, pouncing on Harry and embracing him in warm hug. "Oh, they're great! I really wanted a photo of me in that dress, seeing as I won't be looking like that again anytime soon. But...I didn't see anyone take any photos. No-one except the-"
"The Daily Prophet reporter," Harry finished the sentence for her, thrilled that she liked her present. "Well, Dumbledore owed me a favour or two, so I got him to find the photos for me."
Rose couldn't care less, flipping through the album merrily. "And look, there's room for more, for... for... It doesn't even have a name yet, do you?" She asked her belly affectionately.
Harry wrapped an arm around Rose, who settled herself comfortably.
"Well, we know it's a boy, 'Half-blood Prince' and all." Harry began.
"We could call him... Albus! Dumbledore would love that!" Rose joked.
"For some reason, I don't think so," Harry laughed.
"Archibald, Ike, Oswald?"
"You're kidding, right?"
"You pick one then!" Rose poked Harry playfully.
"Fine! Paul? John?"
"George and Ringo!?" Rose giggled. "How about... James?"
"Hey, you know that's my dad's name. I wouldn't mind naming it after him. Do you like it?"
"I wouldn't have said it if I didn't like it." She replied.
"Coming from the person who said Oswald!" Rose hit him with a pillow. "Seriously?"
"Yeah," she beamed. "A nice name and all your macho sensitive crap in one!" This time Rose was the one to cop a pillow in the head.
"James Oswald Potter!"
"Ooh, lovers," Ron cooed, Hermione sending him an oh-too-familiar death glare.
"Harry? Rose?" Hermione whispered, prodding the two gently.
Harry groaned, shifting uncomfortably. Opening his eyes, he looked around finding Rose asleep on his shoulder. "Hey," He murmured, tugging on her shirt.
"Ahem," Harry spun his head around. Standing by the fireplace were Hermione and Ron, the latter sneering smugly.
"Good morning," Harry grumbled, Rose, blushing light pink, rising by his side.
"Yes. Well, maybe not. I think you should see this." Hermione said glumly, passing Harry a scroll.
Opening it up, Harry found what appeared to be that day's Daily Prophet
Mystery Muggle Pregnant with Potter's Child
By Rita Skeeter
Daily Prophet readers will be shocked to learn that the muggle wife of our hero, Harry Potter, is pregnant. Harry Potter, three times saver of the world, auror and professional Quidditch player married Mrs Potter four months ago, in their home at an unknown address.
But, unfortunately, their jubilation has been clouded with vicious rumours escalating over Mrs Potter's credibility. The muggle, orphaned after a Death Eater attack, has shown to be a shady character, with little known about her. Close friend and work associate of Mr Potter, Draco Malfoy, claimed yesterday that he had his doubts.
The handsome blonde, son of renowned Death Eater Lucius Malfoy, stated that the couple had wed very unexpectedly. "No, I've never met her. I wasn't even invited to the wedding. I hate to say it, but what do we know about her? She could be harmful to Potter, and we wouldn't want that."
Other reports have argued Mrs Potter's muggle background. This in mind, it has been rumoured that she may have Mr Potter under a love potion or, even worse, an Unspeakable curse. This being the case, Mr Potter may be in extreme danger.
Fellow Gryffindors, Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown have commented that this could be possible. "Oh, yeah, he couldn't keep his hands off her at Ron and Hermione's (Weasley) wedding." The young Indian woman said.
But, if Mrs Potter's is in fact a muggle she may still pose a threat. As trouble escalates with the muggles, precautions need to be taken, as their behaviour is unpredictable and potentially dangerous.
What ever the case, the Potter child is due in early June.
"What the hell?" Harry began. Looking up, he passed the parchment to Rose, who took it cautiously.
"Sound familiar?" Hermione shrugged.
Ron sat down in a comfy arm chair, preparing for another one of Harry's tedious explosions. "I can't believe Malfoy, saying that! Merlin, who does he think he is? He cheats his way through some stale veritaserum and the whole world believes every word he says! What's wrong with the-"
Harry stopped at the stern look Hermione gave him. He turned to the destination of Hermione's sad gaze: Rose. She looked upset and defiant at the same time. Looking up from the parchment, she looked at him anxiously.
"You don't believe this, do you?" She asked feebly.
"'Course not! Rose, they're just out to get you." Harry said encouragingly, holding out a hand that Rose took warily.
"Yeah," Ron added pathetically.
"But, how did they find out?" Harry asked, as Rose dropped her head back onto Harry's shoulder. "We only told everyone yesterday. Dumbledore wasn't going to tell them 'til New Years."
"Change of plans." Hermione plopped into Ron's lap. "There was an attack last night in Bristol; muggle in his fifties."
"Well, at least that's a while away." Harry sighed. "But Parvati and Lavender? What was that all that about?"
"You know Skeeter, she could get anything out of the unsuspecting." Hermione replied scathingly.
"Still..." Harry whined. "They shouldn't have said anything."
Suddenly, a familiar flash of emerald flames illuminated the room. Standing in the fireplace was Kingsley Shacklebolt, arms overflowing with parchment scrolls and letters.
"Congratulations," His deep voice boomed lackadaisically, looking at Hermione and Ron, before turning to Harry and Rose, glumly. "These are for you, 'bout a hundred of them. Been arriving at the Ministry since six this morning." Rose looked at Harry reluctantly, before relieving Kingsley of his load.
Opening up a letter Rose read aloud, "Dear Mrs Potter (soak it all up while you can, it won't be your last name for very much longer), you are the scum of the earth. You disgust me. You and the rest of the muggles should all rot in hell. The world would be a better place if you disappeared. Please go and die. Yours sincerely (Yeah right!), Ursula S. Fudd." Rose looked up. "Lovely." She grimaced.
Okay, thank god I finished this chapter. Hey, it was long, so hopefully worth the wait. Anyway, I am super tired cos I had to wake up at 7:30 (!!!!!!!) to go the Christmas pageant this morning. Hello? It's Saturday!
Thank you for your patience,
Lucy
PS: How much do you love the word lackadaisically? It means half-heartedly. How much do you love thesauruses?
By the way, if anyone happens to live here in good ol' Down Under, my friend's brother is making a HP fanfiction movie. If your interested, which chances are you're not or you don't live in this shit hole of a country, say something in a your review that YOU WILL SEND RIGHT NOW.