Albus ushered both Minerva and Horace into his office and took his seat behind the heavy oak desk, before urging the two heads of house to do the same. "Lemon Bon-Bon?" Albus offered noticing Horace gazing at the silver sweet bowl.

"Oh don't mind if I do." Horace said, his podgy fingers taking a yellow sweet.

"Minerva?" Albus offered. The Gryffindor head shook her head, rather more eager to know as to why she was there. "Well I suppose you both wish to know why I asked you both here."

"Yes Albus." Minerva replied whilst Horace merely nodded in response.

"Well as you both know one of our students collapsed earlier today."

"Yes the youngest Miss Black but I don't see why you needed both Horace and I to come here. I speak for both Horace and myself when I say I am quite sure neither he nor I have any idea as to why she collapsed."

"Minerva I appreciate that. I asked both you and Horace here as I've discovered as to why Miss Black fainted."

"Oh why?" Horace asked finally having finished his sweet. Albus stared at his two esteemed colleagues for a moment.

"Miss Bellatrix is currently ten weeks pregnant." Albus stated, thankful that Horace had finished the sweet as he suspected the Slytherin head would have choked on it upon hearing the news.

"Bellatrix! She can't be, to my knowledge she hasn't a boyfriend and anyway she's just a mere baby herself."

"Alas Horace, Miss Black is fifteen and Poppy has confirmed it. The child was conceived at Halloween I believe."

"Do we know who the father is?" Minerva asked, beginning to fear why she was present.

"Not as yet; although Bellatrix requested to see her cousin Sirius almost immediately and according to Poppy, Bellatrix allowed him to see the child's image. Now this does not imply he is the father but I'd like you both to watch over them both and simply be there if they wish to talk. Sadly Bellatrix's parents know of the pregnancy and as expected they are none too happy. Horace I need you to watch over Bellatrix and ensure she isn't forced to do anything she might later regret."

"Of course Albus."

"Albus has Miss Black made her wishes clear on the matter?" Minerva asked, her concern for the teenager overcoming her general aversion to Slytherins.

"Yes Minerva. She wishes to keep the child, at least that's what she stated to Poppy this afternoon. Obviously Poppy told her to spend some time thinking about her decision but we do need to plan ahead for whichever path she decides upon taking. If she decides upon aborting the child she shall need a large amount of emotional support, and if she decides upon keeping the baby then we shall not only have to offer emotional and physical support; but also arrange to accommodate a teenage mother, and perhaps father, along with a baby."

"You mean you'd allow her to remain at school!" Minerva said surprised. Albus nodded.

"I see no reason why we should lose hope on a child whom by my records has a good report and high grades. She should not be denied an education merely because of circumstances and I for one have no wish of denying any mother, or father, access to their child." Albus stated looking at the file in front of him. Bellatrix was a Slytherin but for some reason he didn't wish to give up on this student. Minerva contemplated what had been said for a moment before nodding in agreement with the head. Although Bellatrix had some rather old-fashioned and bigoted views she wasn't as bad as most Slytherins and abandonment now may only assist her downfall. Horace meanwhile was having some problems coming to terms with the fact that one of his elite 'Slugclub' members was pregnant, particularly one of his own house. "Horace are you alright?" Albus enquired slightly concerned about the gentleman sat opposite.

"I suspect that Horance is merely a little shocked and surprised at the news." Minerva said glancing at her colleague. "Come Horace. I suspect you have piles of marking to do rather like myself. I'm sure I heard some of my delightful fifth years moaning about an essay you set them on the use of the Sopophorous Bean." Minerva said wishing to return to her house, as she was certain she had seen Gideon Prewitt and his brother Fabien whispering in a huddled group at tea-time which could only mean one thing, that yet another new trick or joke had been devised. "At this time I trust both of you to keep this to yourselves. Both of you understand the implications on poor Miss Black if such news were to emerge."

"Yes Headmaster." Minerva and Horace replied in unison before exiting the office.