Chapter 6:
"Thanks for coming with me, Kiki," Harmony said, walking into the bookstore. "When Albus told him he was needed somewhere else, I thought Remus was going to kill him!" Kiki just laughed and waved it off.
"Now, what do pregnancy books have as titles? 'So You're Going to be a Mommy'?" She picked one book up. "Merlin, I was joking!" Harmony laughed and reached for the book her friend was holding.
She and Harmony began to leaf through some of the books. "Morning sickness…"
"Check. I hate it."
"Whoa, for a few months, you won't be able to see your feet."
"Well, now I'll have a good excuse if my shoes don't match."
"Yeah. 'Sorry, but I really can't see down there.' It should be hysterical," Kiki said. "How to tell your colleagues you're pregnant. Maybe it should be how to tell your student you're pregnant for you, hmm?"
Unbeknownst to the two witches, a certain man had just entered the bookstore. One who could give them hell no matter what they were doing. Jackson Herrington. The man who had pursued Harmony for so long and still now was a pain in the neck. He caught sight of the lovely blonde witch and started to amble over to her. He hadn't heard anything of her marriage and seeing as her wolfish fiancé was not with her, he assumed she had finally come to her senses.
He leaned against the stack of shelves and watched her flip through the book in her hand. Magical Pregnancies: The Instructional Guide for First Time Pregnant Witches. So his belief about her engagement was true—though she hadn't started to show yet, that had to be good. He cleared his throat, causing her to jump a little. "Ja-Jack!" she squeaked out.
At this, her friend Kiki came around the corner. "Jackson Herrington, what are YOU doing here?" the witch asked.
"I came in for a book and happened to see Harmony in here," he responded, lightly kissing Harmony's right hand. She pulled it away and began whipping it off. "Now, darling, don't be like that."
"Jack, how many times do I have to tell you to bug off and leave me alone?" Harmony stood, eyes blazing. "Right now, I am not one to be tampered with."
"I understand. I saw the book you were flipping through. So, the wolf knocked you up and then up and left you?"
"I beg your pardon!"
"If the child needs a father figure, I'm more than happy to step in, Harmony."
"My child does not need a father figure as it already has one. My husband," Harmony replied, clearly showing her left hand so Jack could see the wedding band now affixed on her ring finger. "Remus and I were married in June and I'm about two months pregnant, not that it's any of your business."
"So buzz off, Jack." Kiki crossed her arms and stared the man down. "I think it's pretty obvious that Harmony's not interested in you and that she is very happy with her husband. So, just leave her alone."
"Or what?"
"Or I'm sure the ministry would love to know your little on the side job," Kiki said, sweetly.
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Try me."
"They wouldn't believe you."
"Really?"
"I work for them!"
"So do I!"
"I do important work."
"I'm an Auror. Last time I checked with this new minister that means I'm pretty high up there on the credibility scale. You however," she gave him a look, "I'm not so sure."
Jack turned bright red and turned to leave. "You'll regret it, Harmony. Especially if the child turns out to be like him," he spat before slamming the door closed.
"Prick," Kiki muttered but then noticed her friend was shaking. "Hey, hey," she soothed. "Don't let him get to you like that!"
Harmony turned and began frantically searching throughout all the pregnancy books. She disregarded book after book until Kiki stopped her. "What are you doing?" she asked.
"Jack—what he said—what if it's true? What if Remus and my child is a werewolf?" Harmony asked, hands covering her eyes. "Its not like I'll love him or her any less, but Mrs. Lupin explained what it was like watching Remus transform every month. I don't think I could deal with that."
"Hey, maybe it's not true. And even if it is, your child will have the benefit of the wolfsbane potion and the company of his or her father." Harmony was still frantic. "Why don't you go see Madame Pomfrey about and hear what she has to say, okay?" Harmony nodded. "Now, ready to pay for your books?"
The group returned to Diagon Alley and Harmony went to start reading her books. She was quite disappointed to find that no one mentioned anything about whether or not werewolves could pass the curse onto their child, but then again it didn't seem many of them were able to get married. Remus was one of the few who did and Harmony felt it wasn't fair.
Remus walked into the room and tripped over Harmony's discarded Flourish and Botts bag. "I see your trip was successful," he said, smiling. Then he picked up on his wife's distress. "What's the matter?"
"I ran into Jack," she whispered. "And he mentioned something we haven't thought of."
"Honey, don't listen to that bastard. Nothing he can say…"
"Will our child be a werewolf?"
Remus' breath caught in his throat. He hadn't expected her to ask that. And it was true; neither of them had given any thought about whether or not his "condition" could be passed on. "I—I honestly don't know. I hadn't thought of it." He looked around the books. "Do any of these mention it?"
"No. But Kiki said we should talk to Madame Pomfrey. I already made the appointment for tomorrow. Can you come?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Remus said, hugging her close. "So, tomorrow at what time?"
"Eleven o'clock."
Harry, Ginny and Ron were busy finishing up some of the last bits of their homework assignments. Hermione, as usual, was already done and scowling at them. "You should've done it earlier! Honestly, where would you be without me to make sure you finish your homework?"
"Doing something more entertaining," Ginny muttered. Harry had to stifle a giggle as Hermione sent her best girlfriend a dark look. "Aww, come on. Hermione, you know we love you!" Ginny said brightly. Hermione shook her head and walked away.
Immediately, the trio abandoned their homework. "Well, if you think about it, we've done pretty much everything except Defense Against the Dark Arts. And we don't know who we'll have, Remus or Harmony, so how can we?" Ginny reasoned out.
Ron and Harry stared at her for a bit. "I think you've been hanging out with us too long, Gin," Ron said as his sister laughed.
"But why don't we go talk to them?" The other two boys nodded, and the three went upstairs.
After collecting Hermione from where she had curled up with Crookshanks, the four found themselves outside of the Lupins' bedroom. "Should we knock? Or just go in?" Ron asked.
Hermione shot him a glare. "They're a married couple and Harmony's pregnant. I think it would only be proper to knock first." So she reached up and rapped on the door twice. They waited. And waited. And waited some more. Hermione knocked again and they began to wait for an answer.
Finally, Ron turned the handle and they entered the room to find it empty. "That's odd, they didn't mention anything about going some place at breakfast this morning," Harry replied, wandering around the room. Different books were mixed together—some having to deal with the Dark Arts, others dealing with pregnancy. He stifled a laugh when the thought that Hermione would do the same if she too got pregnant popped up.
"Well, obviously, they're not here," Ron said, feeling a bit uncomfortable with all the pregnancy books around. "I guess we'll just have to leave and do something else then."
With that, the fireplace in the room roared with green fire and the Lupins stepped out. "Well hello, we weren't expecting a welcoming party," Harmony joked as she sat down on her bed. "So what do we owe the pleasure?"
"We actually had questions about the upcoming academic year," Hermione said. "We wanted to know who would be teaching who. For homework reasons."
"All homework remains as stands, no matter who is teaching what," Remus said, earning groans from three of those present.
Harmony pretended to look affronted. "I didn't assign that much homework to either classes, so none of that!" she mock scolded.
"Where were you?" Ginny asked, sitting down next to her godmother.
"We were at Madame Pomfrey's to clear up some concerns about the pregnancy," Harmony explained as Kiki burst into the room. "Hello."
"What did Madame Pomfrey say?"
"She said the chances of the babies being werewolves are very slim and she is certain that they will be normal, healthy children."
"That's great," Kiki breathed. It then took a few minutes for everyone to process what Harmony had just said. Hermione and Kiki realized it first and shouted, "BABIES?"
"Babies? As in plural? As in more than one? As in…"
"Twins? Yes, we're having twins," Remus replied, taking his wife's hand. Ginny, Hermione and Kiki rushed the witch and threw their arms around her. Ron and Harry just stood there, mouths wide open.
"Hello? Anyone there?" a voice called up the stairs. Then a loud crash followed, leading to a string of curses.
"FILTH! TRAITOR! HOW DARE YOU ENTER MY HOUSE! LEAVE! BE GONE! FILTH!"
They heard Sirius swore and his door swing open. He was only wearing boxers and a tee shirt, his hair looking quite messed up. He stormed down the hallway, Remus following shortly after. "Would you shut up for once in your life?" Sirius said, stopping in front of his mother's portrait.
"HOW DARE YOU EVEN TALK TO ME! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO BE CALLED MY SON!"
"WELL, THE FEELING'S MUTUAL!"
Remus turned to close the blinds, but Mrs. Black continued her little rampage. "DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH MY CURTAINS, HALF-BREED!"
"DON'T INSULT MY FRIENDS!"
"DON'T TALK TO YOUR MOTHER LIKE THAT!"
"I THOUGHT WE AGREED YOU WEREN'T MY MOTHER ANYMORE!"
"Sirius, for the sake of all our eardrums—CLOSE THOSE BLINDS!" Harmony yelled, as Bianca stood behind her. Sirius smiled at his girlfriend and beckoned her closer. She shot him a look that clearly read "Are you out of your mind?" but moved to grab his waiting hand.
"Mum, I want you to meet Bianca Jennings."
"MORE FILTH! THIS HOUSE IS NOW COVERED IN IT! OUT OF MY SIGHT, FILTH!"
"Aw, Mum, is that anyway to speak to your son's girlfriend?" This statement seemed to shut Mrs. Black up. She stared at Bianca, blinking a few times before deciding to continue on her rampage. Unfortunately, the few minutes she had paused gave Sirius and Remus enough time to close the curtains and silence the woman.
They all turned to face Oliver, who was white faced and breathing heavily. Harry remembered that the man had never seen or heard Mrs. Black before and decided to go help him up. "What the hell was that, Potter?" Oliver asked.
"That was Sirius' mother," Harry explained. "She charmed her painting to carry on her regime of nagging after her death. Everyone in this house is pretty much filth to her, so don't let her get to you."
"Here you go, Oliver," Remus said, offering a hand out to Oliver. "Why don't we get you something? Tea?"
"Uh, no thanks, Professor," Oliver responded, still quite shaken.
"You're out of Hogwarts and no longer my student, you can call me Remus, Oliver."
"Okay. But do I have to call Professor Snape Severus?"
"I hope not, Mr. Wood," a silky voice answered as Severus Snape strode into the room. He smirked at his former student and then embraced Kiki, kissing her passionately. Oliver looked like he was ready to pass out. Harry nudged the man and invited him upstairs to talk about Quidditch. Oliver was more than happy to get away.
"Well, not that I should complain after a kiss like that, but answer me this—was that just to scare poor Oliver?" Kiki asked after Severus reluctantly ended the kiss. He merely smirked in response and then reached over to shake Remus' hand.
"Poppy told me and Albus about the fact you two are expecting twins. Congrats," he said, upon seeing the other's confused faces. This news caused a burst of squeals to emit from Bianca and Sirius, who both glomped onto Harmony. She struggled to get them off of her, but had to give up eventually.
Molly came into the room, and surveyed those present. Severus had his arm around Kiki's waist and the other hand was paused in mid-shake with Remus'. All three were staring at a messily clothed Sirius and Bianca, both hugging Harmony very tightly. "Would you two let go of Harmony and back away from the pregnant witch?" Molly said. Sirius and Bianca released their death grips and backed away from Harmony, who ran straight to Remus.
"Now, what was that all about?" Molly looked around the room. Harmony shrunk more into Remus' embrace as Sirius opened his big mouth.
"Harmony's going to have twins!"
Molly just sat there, mouth hanging open until she shook herself out. "Well, now, dear, congratulations. Come now, you're eating for three so let's get some food inside of you."
Harmony perked up. "Food? I could use some food," she said, following Molly into the kitchen, with Sirius running behind shouting the same sentiments. The others merely laughed and returned to their usual activities.