Chapter 2 – The Discovery

Joy Multiplied

By Lady Urquentha

PG – 13

Disclaimer: All characters belong to J. K Rowling, the exception being any OC characters that might wander in. The plot is my own, and even that may have been influenced by stories I have read in the past, and if so, I apologize.

Chapter 2

Albus woke up abruptly to the sound of someone throwing up in the bathroom. Quickly he got out of bed, and headed over to the bathroom. Peering inside, he found none other then Minerva McGonagall standing over the toilet, throwing up her dinner from the night before.

Even as he reacted, moving to hold her head and soothe her gently, he wondered why it was happening. She NEVER threw-up, he'd seen her remain perfectly calm and in control of her stomach when others were spewing their guts out, to put a rather harsh view on it.

Eventually she stopped heaving, and she grimaced as she stood up right.

"Urgh," she complained, "that was horrible." She moved rapidly to the sink to rinse her mouth out, as Albus flushed the toilet and then contemplated her thoughtfully.

"Are you alright now?" he inquired. She nodded, gulping water.

"What brought this on?" he asked. She shrugged as she spat out,

"Not a clue," she answered, "just woke up and had to run for the bathroom."

After she had rinsed her mouth out, Albus spoke,

"You'd better see Poppy," he told her.

"Albus, I'm fine, it's probably something I ate," Minerva refused.

"Minerva," he started, but broke off as she shook her head violently,

"I'm fine. I feel perfectly normal," she insisted. His eyes narrowed but he relented,

"Very well." Minerva nodded firmly. Albus glanced at a clock nearby, and sighed,

"And we don't have to get up for another half an hour." Minerva rolled her eyes and turned on the shower. She stripped off her nightgown and then stepped under the faucet. Smiling faintly, Albus left the bathroom and went into the bedroom, settling down on the bed to catch another half an hour of sleep before he had to get up.

The next day, Albus was again woken up by the sound of Minerva retching in the bathroom. He frowned as he hurried in; throwing up two days in a row was never something Minerva did. Something was happening, he was sure of it.

Albus frowned as he took his seat at the teacher's table beside Minerva. She was looking at the coffee in horror, and he knew for a fact that she loved coffee.

"What's the problem?" he asked in an undertone as the students and teachers were starting to dribble in.

"Nothing," she said immediately, and started putting food on her plate. Albus didn't believe her, but didn't push the matter either.

Curious and confused, Albus kept a close eye on her throughout breakfast. He did notice that she had very little to eat, and avoided coffee as well as other foods that she normally ate. Even the things she did eat were very bland. When she stood up and left, Albus followed her with his eyes, puzzled.

Minerva swept down the corridors, a sinking feeling in her stomach. She had a feeling she knew exactly what was wrong with her. But she needed to visit Poppy to double check, and if she was right, it was a very bad thing.

"Poppy," she called, walking into the Hospital Wing. Poppy hadn't been in the Great hall, and so had to be in here.

"Minerva," the mediwitch hurried out of her study, looking slightly surprised, "what are you doing here?" Minerva smiled wryly, Poppy knew well enough that she didn't come here unless she absolutely had to, she hated hospitals.

"I need you to run a check on me," she said quickly. Poppy stared at her, but then ushered her into one of the private rooms reserved for staff.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I'm throwing up in the morning, I can't stomach food and I'm late," Minerva answered. Poppy paled,

"and you think…oh dear," she murmured, leaving the room.

Minerva settled back on the bed to wait for her friend's return. Soon she bustled back, balancing numerous potions and her wand. The potions were set down on the bedside table and Poppy flicked her wand, muttering a lengthy incantation. Minerva watched in mounting dismay as she glowed a soft pink. Poppy gulped, and waited until the glow faded before redoing the spell. Again she glowed pink. Poppy thrust a potion at her, which she drank down obediently. This time, it was her stomach that glowed a soft pink, leaving the rest of her untouched. Poppy quickly took a drop of her blood and let it fall into a second potion, which turned blue. Poppy turned to Minerva, a half joyful-half sorrowful expression on her face and nodded,

"two months.

Minerva took a deep breath and swallowed, managing a wane smile. Poppy smiled back comfortingly, although her eyes betrayed her knowledge of what this meant.

"How?" she asked softly. Minerva shrugged, spreading her hands helplessly, and sighed.

"Can I have the potions, please?" she requested. Poppy held out three different potions, one red, one orange and one green. Silently, Minerva accepted the potions and drank the first down quickly. Her stomach settled almost at once, and she quickly took down the others.

"I'll bring more to you at lunch," Poppy said softly, "you will tell him, won't you?" Minerva nodded,

"I'll need to go now, class starts in fifteen minutes," she stood up and hurried out without another word.

Poppy stared after her friend in mute shock and amazement. She knew what turmoil was rushing through her best friend's mind, and pitied her. Nonetheless, she was completely shocked at how she'd landed herself in this somewhat unpleasant situation.

A/N: Again, no prizes for guessing what is Minerva's problem. However, who can guess why the situation is both a sorrow and a joy?

E/N: Oh, I know, I know! But…..I can't tell you so you're just going to have to review and read the next chapter! Will she tell her lover? What will happen in the next chapter of Joy Multiplied!