Disclaimer: I do not own anything dealing with Harry Potter. You know that by now, I hope.
A/N: Wow, I would just like to thank all of my reviewers. I am kind of pressed for time here, so I can't thank you all individually. But thank you to the three who reviewed to the last chapter. I don't think many people knew that I wrote another chapter and posted it, cuz only three reviewed. But thank you anyway. Well, gotta go.
Chapter Ten: I'm WHAT?
Minerva pulled slowly away from the toilet, her face feeling hot. She didn't understand why being diagnosed with cancer meant she should be more susceptible to other diseases, such as the flu. At least, she thought it was the flu. She would have to go to Poppy later for some potion to settle her stomach.
After composing herself, she brushed her teeth and walked through Albus' private rooms, past his office, and down the stairs. Albus was stuck in ministry meetings all afternoon, which was a bad thing as well as a good thing. On the one hand, this would deny her the time to spend with him. On the other hand, she would get a lot done wither her lesson plans. That is, once she visited Poppy about that stomach potion. She'd never get anything done if she were running to the bathroom every five minutes.
So, she made her way through the deserted hallways of Hogwarts to the infirmary. The only disturbance she met with was when Peeves, the troublesome poltergeist, felt it absolutely necessary to push over a suit of armor right in front of her, narrowly missing her foot. With her infamous McGonagall death glare and a few choice words, she continued her way to the hospital wing without further delay.
When she entered the infirmary, she found Poppy talking with Crystal, Severus and T'ari listening.
"…And be sure to see me at least once a week," she was saying. "I want to be on watch." Crystal nodded and smiled. Then, looking at Severus, Poppy added, "Be sure she gets enough rest."
"Of course, Poppy," replied Severus. Everyone turned their heads when Minerva entered and walked toward them.
"There you are, Min," Poppy smiled. "I wondered where you'd gone."
"I am sorry to have interrupted your session with Crystal, but I really need some Calming Potion."
"Calming Potion?" inquired Poppy, her brows knit.
"Yes, Poppy," replied Minerva. "For my stomach. I was doubled over the toilet most of this afternoon. Though I hate to admit it, I fear I may be coming down with the stomach flu." Poppy looked at her warily.
"Perhaps," she said. "Still, I want to check up on you, just to make sure it's not something dealing with your cancer."
"Really, Poppy, there is no need," protested Minerva.
"I agree," said T'ari. "Something that may appear small could turn out to be something much bigger." The others nodded their agreement. Minerva was too tired to argue with four of them. Perhaps, if it were only Poppy, she would try harder, but four was too much.
"Oh, alright," she sighed. After a few more notes, Poppy allowed Crystal to leave, Severus and T'ari following.
"Now," said Poppy, turning to her friend, "let's take a look, shall we?" She made Minerva sit on the same cot Crystal had occupied and then made her lay down.
"This won't take long, will it Poppy?" inquired Minerva. "I really need to get some things done for the next school year." Poppy chuckled.
"Don't you worry, Min, this will take just a few minutes." She cast the first two spells, which went as expected. But the third test caused a strange look to come across her face, and she looked thoughtful. "Hmm, that's strange." Minerva looked at her, panic flowing through her veins.
"What is it, Poppy?" she asked. Poppy just shook her head.
"No, that's silly," she said, just shaking her head and trying to laugh it off. Then, she became serious once again. "Well, let me make sure." She cast a few more spells, the answer becoming more and more clear. Then, after one more test, she smiled and looked at Minerva.
"Oh, Minerva," she breathed. Minerva looked at her.
"Goodness, Poppy, what is it?" she asked. She couldn't tell if it were happiness or fear that was on Poppy's face. Perhaps it was a little bit of both.
"Min," she whispered. "Congratulations. You're pregnant."
Minerva felt as if she had been hit with a ton of bricks. A wave of emotions fell upon her like a wave upon the sand. At first, she felt confused. Pregnant? She, Minerva McGonagall, was pregnant? Then, she was so incredibly happy. She jumped up and hugged Poppy. This was what she had wanted for such a long time. And to know that it was Albus' was just the icing on the cake. Then, fear came on her as she pulled back and looked at her friend, worried.
"Oh, Poppy," she breathed, her voice betraying her fear. "No, no, this cannot happen." Poppy seemed to know what it was that her friend was trying to say.
"I know, Minerva," she replied. "You're worried about the effects the cancer will have on the baby, aren't you?" Minerva nodded. "I honestly cannot tell you. I have no idea. For the first time since I became a medi-witch, I don't have the answer."
"Oh, Poppy," said Minerva, her bottom lip quivering. "What do I do?" Poppy shrugged.
"It is entirely up to you," she replied. "And Albus, of course." Minerva tensed.
"Oh no, what am I going to tell Albus?" Minerva's mind was reeling. "He loves children and I've often heard him talk of how much he's regretted not having any of his own. This is just going to kill him, Poppy. I want so much to give him a child, but not now when his/her health is at a high risk." Poppy looked at her friend, not quite sure what to say.
"Well, you know, there are other options," she said, not wanting to actually say what was on her mind. Minerva looked at her, confused at first, then the answer coming to her.
"No, Poppy," she said. "I just don't have the heart for an abortion. I couldn't kill my own baby, even though it is not born yet. That would be murder." Poppy nodded.
"I knew you'd say that," she sighed. "Well, then what do you propose to do about it?" Minerva thought for a moment before replying.
"I suppose I'll just have to tell Albus and then we'll keep it," said Minerva. "There is nothing else for me to do. And I do want this baby."
"Well, then, as your best friend and medical advisor, at least for the pregnancy, I feel obligated to let you know of the risks involved. First of all, there is the possibility of the baby being born with cancer as well. When I did the tests, I found the fetus to be as healthy as can be expected, but that can change of course. But cancer isn't the only thing that it could be born with. Weak lungs, physical defects, and heart problems could be a few other things to worry about, as well. It might even die before you give birth. But let us say, for arguments sake, that the baby should be born as fit and healthy as any other child. This is going to be an even greater strain on you than cancer alone. You will get tired twice as fast as just being pregnant or just having cancer. So you're going to have to take it even easier than you do now. I would suggest you going back to your cane within another month or so, just so you can have some help. Eventually, you might be confined to a wheelchair." Minerva just shook her head.
"I can't be in a wheelchair as I teach, Poppy, that just won't do," she frowned. Poppy just rolled her eyes.
"Well, then what do you suggest, not teaching at all?" she hissed. Minerva glared at her, but said nothing. "I don't like this anymore than you do, Min, but I do have your health in my mind. Please do not dismiss my attempt at helping you so quickly. I love you and Albus both dearly as the best friends anyone would be proud to have, so I would never purposely make you do something if it could be avoided." Minerva nodded, sighed, and frowned.
"Now, only one problem remains," she said. "I have to tell Albus everything." Poppy nodded. After wishing her good luck, Poppy gave Minerva a potion so to calm her stomach and made her to go back to her and Albus' private rooms. Minerva obeyed, only because she needed to plan something other than her lesson plans for the next year. Her heart felt heavy, as if the world were resting upon it, as she thought that she might not have another year to teach. The baby would take more out of her. How was she supposed to teach, keep her cancer in check, and carry all the burdens of a pregnant woman on top of it? This was not shaping out to be the perfect summer. She thought with the downfall of Voldemort would come peace and happiness in her life, not death, despair, and sadness. And now she was bringing Albus into it. How was she going to tell him that they were having a baby together and then just as quickly tell him the baby might not live, or be born with problems?
As she entered the rooms she now shared with Albus, she jumped when she saw him, standing there in the middle of the room. He was smiling, that twinkle forever in his eyes.
"Hello, darling," he said once he saw her. He walked over and hugged her, and when he pulled back, he noticed immediately that something was wrong. "What is it, what's wrong?" Minerva grabbed his hand and pulled him to the bed. When they were sitting on the bed, she looked at him, trying hard to find the right words to tell him.
"I have good news and bad news," she said. She then grabbed one of his hands and placed in on her stomach. "First, I would say congratulations, Albus Dumbledore. I am pregnant with your child." She smiled when she saw the biggest, goofiest grin spread across Albus' face, the twinkle challenging the brightest stars in the sky.
"Really?" he asked. Minerva nodded.
"Congratulations, Albus," she breathed. "You're going to be a father." Albus wrapped his arms around Minerva, his heart soaring.
"Oh, Minerva, that is the best news anything could tell me," he said. Then, pulling back slightly, he quirked a brow. "Now, what is the bad news?" Minerva looked down at her hands. This wasn't going to be easy. Then…
"Well, with my cancer, Poppy says that it is possible for the baby to be born with… problems." She looked up at Albus, who appeared to have his world crumbling all around him. And, indeed, it was for him. "She even said there is a possibility that the baby might not make it to full term." Albus placed his hand on his chest. He felt as if the walls were coming in on him. This couldn't be happening. This just could not be happening to him.
"How much of a chance do we have?" he asked.
"Before I left, Poppy said we have an eighty-five percent chance of the baby actually being born, and a seventy-eight percent of the baby being born healthy. But things can happen." Albus nodded, tears filling his eyes. Minerva laid her hand upon his cheek.
"Albus, look at me," she said. Albus looked woefully at his beloved wife, who also had tears in her eyes. "I believe this baby is going to make it."
"How can you be so sure, Minerva?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Minerva almost had to strain to hear him.
"I can feel it deep down inside," she replied, kissing him on the cheek. Then, with a slight smile, said, "Call it a 'mother's intuition." For the rest of the day, and that night, they just laid upon their bed, crying, talking, and finally, at about two the next morning, falling fast asleep in each others arms.
To Be Continued…
A/N2: Well, that's how it's gonna go. I hope you all liked that chapter. My heart was breaking as I was writing it. I can't wait until you guys find out what will happen. I can't tell you exactly how many more chapters there will be, but I can tell you there are still a few chapters left. Peace out! OH YEAH! I made the honor roll at school. Great, huh? Always Hopeful
