Molly came forward, ripping me out of his arms and into hers. "Oh, my dear child! I am so happy for you." She glared at Sirius over my shoulder. "You and I are going to talk later."

I chuckled at hearing him curse under his breath. "Just make sure my child gets to meet their father."

Sirius grinned at the mere notion of being called a father. "How far along?"

I cringed at the question. "5-6 months."

"What?!" Molly yelped. "How are you not-"

"Spells and potions." I replied. "Once they wear out, I'll be showing."

"Wh-why didn't you tell me?" Sirius asked laced with hurt. "Athena, you and the child could have been hurt!"

"I took all the precautions, Sirius."

"Not good enough!" He began yelling. "You should have told me the moment you knew!"

"And how was I supposed to?!" I snapped back. "You were constantly coming and going! The few times I had you with me, were always cut short or distracted by other things!"

"You could have told me many times!" He ran a hand through his hair.

"Sirius, it was never a good time."

"There were plenty of times!" He snapped. "Bloody Hell, you could have told me after having fuc-!" His head snapped to the right; a handprint mark showing on his cheek.

"Watch it Black!" I growled. "Just because I am your wife, does not give you the right to disrespect me." Giving Hermione a look, she ushered everyone out of the room. "There were many reasons as to why I didn't tell you."

"You had no right." He stood inches from me, glaring down. "I should have been there from the start."

"I didn't prevent you from anything. But what the hell was I supposed to do?" I scoffed. "The moment I did tell you, you'd try and come get me." Sirius huffed, turning to face the fireplace. "I couldn't risk anyone knowing, including you."

"I am the father. Your husband." He clenched his fists.

I sighed, taking a seat on the couch. "Sirius, I am not denying that. Nor would I ever deny it. But please understand my reasons. Had the death eaters found out, you would probably be getting some other news." Sirius turned towards me, his features were no longer angry. Taking a knee in front of me, he placed a hand on my cheek. "Being away from you all these months has been exhausting." Grabbing his hand, I placed it on my stomach. "This baby is the only one that has pushed me through. I have survived because of it. It's like having a part of you with me always."

Caressing my stomach, a single tear rolled down his cheek. "Forgive me." His voice was raspy and deep. "I shouldn't have spoken to you in such a way. I feel as if I have failed you and the child."

I frowned. "What do you mean?" Cupping his jawline, I forced him to look up at me. "Sirius you haven't failed me or the baby. Why would you even think that?"

"I should be the one protecting you. Not the other way around." He whispered. "Instead of having you by my side, you're are not. Because of me. To keep me alive."

I had to chuckle. "Sirius, I would give my life for you. Just as I am sure you would. We protect each other. And soon we will have a new addition to protect and love."

"I still can't come to terms." He laughed. "I never thought I would ever father a child."

"You never thought you'd be married either." Looking up at him, I cringed at seeing his red cheek. Running my thumb over it, I pulled him in for a kiss. "Forgive me, I shouldn't have hit you."

"Call it even for the insult." He mumbled. "Besides it's been ages since a woman has caught me off guard enough to slap me."

Athena raised a brow. "Who else has slapped you?"

Time jump:

Molly had walked back into the room after a few minutes. I had to explain what I needed from her. Taking a seat in Sirius's chair, he stood behind me. One hand on my shoulder. "Mum, I need you and Sirius to hear me out on what I am going to say next."

Sirius frowned, walking around to the couch. "What is it?"

"When the baby is born, I will not be able to keep it." Seeing the fear in Sirius's eyes, I quickly took his hand in mine. "It's not what you are thinking. I would never give my child up."

"Then what are you suggesting?" Molly asked.

"I was hoping that you would care for my baby? Help Sirius." I whispered. "No one knows I am carrying except for two people. David and Eva will take me away for the last month of the pregnancy. A cabin of theirs or something, but from there I will need you two to take the baby."

"Athena..." Sirius shared a look with Molly, who in return gave a slight nod. "Very well."

"Thank you." Wrapping my arms around my stomach, I couldn't help but feel the pain.

Molly walked over to me pulling me into a motherly hug. "We will always be here for you. And so will your child."

Time jump:

It was strange sleeping in Slytherin's dorms that night. Everything was just so dark and gloomy. The lounge was nothing but black leather couches and dark furniture. Nowhere near as welcoming as the Gryffindor lounge was. I missed the cozy couch in front of the fire, with my friends. But while I was here in school, my priority was Draco and my child.

*You might get a complaint in a few minutes.* Runespoor slithered across the floor, up the side of the couch I was lying in.

I rolled my eyes, exhaling slightly. "What did you do?"

Runespoor slithered over my shoulder and curled up on my stomach. *Well you know how you told me to go explore.*

"No, I told you to stay where I could see you."

*And how we said we were hungry and you said go see what you can catch.* He was currently trying to pull off his cute cartoon eyes of his.

"No, I said your food was on its way." I glanced down at him, grabbing him by one of the heads, and narrowed my eyes. "What did you do?"

*Well, we caught something alright.* The left head hissed.

"Black!"

I turned my head to the right with an already boring look. Some girl I hadn't bothered to learn her name, was storming my way. In her hand, she held an empty owl cage, the little door swinging back and forth with a slight squeak. Feathers scattered on the floor of the cage. Glaring down at the snake, I growled. "You ate her owl?"

*It was self-defense!* Middle head hissed.

"It was in the cage." I hissed back. "How much of in danger could you have been in?"

*You weren't there.* Left head snapped.

"I want that beast's head!" The girl yelled. "He ate my owl!"

*I told you to be on your best behavior.* I glowered at the snake, before turning my dark eyes onto the screaming banshee. "You ever heard of indoor voice?"

"Indoor-what? Your pet ate my owl!" She screamed.

*Pet?* Middle head hissed. *I am suddenly feeling hungry again.*

"Knock it off." I snapped. "Look, I am sorry alright. I will buy you another one."

"I don't want another one." She stepped up to me. "I want that snake instead."

You saw those videos where a much shorter person steps up to a taller one. One little finger on their forehead and they stumble to the ground? Well, imagine that happening at this very moment. I wonder just how far I could throw her.

"I will get you another owl, but there is no chance in hell you are touching that snake." I took a step closer to her. "Now, I am not in the most...welcoming of moods at the moment. So, unless you want to join your late owl, I suggest you take a step back and leave." Runespor has slithered its way up to my shoulder, hissing loudly at the girl.

"You think just because you were switched to our house, you are untouchable?" She sneered. "Or is it because you think the death eaters have chosen you for some reason."

I tilted my head to the side. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, we know all about that wannabe tattoo of yours." She reached for my hand, pulling the sleeve of my shirt up. "I still say it's fake, by Malfoy here says you were handpicked."

Ripping my arm out of her grip, I pushed my sleeve back down. "Did he now." Draco bit the corner of his bottom lip, casting his gaze to the ground. "Look, I was trying to be nice seeing how my snake ate your bird and all that, but you are seriously pissing me off. I don't know what Malfoy has told you, but I wouldn't take anything too serious coming from a spoiled brat." Tilting my head to the side slightly, I chuckled. "Or is that I was sought out to join them and you weren't? You are Vlad's daughter are you not?"

"What's that got to do with anything?"

"One of the lowest rankings with the death eaters." I chuckled. "A bottom feeder for lack of a better word."

"My father is a well-respected man, watch your tongue!"

"The last time I saw your father was beneath my boot, with my wand aimed at his chest." I wasn't sure what had gotten into me. I wasn't watching my words. I didn't care what I said or did. I just wanted her out of my face and gone. "He is what we call 'bait'. Target practice for the rest of us really. But I am sure I can arrange for you to swap places with him."

She made a half attempt at lunging towards me. Another girl was quick to grab her by the arm, tugging her away. "It isn't worth it. Let it go."

"Best you listen to her."

She pointed her finger at me with a failed attempt at a glare. "This isn't over Black!"

Draco moved to stand beside me with a low chuckle. "That was badas-" Before he could finish that phrase, I grabbed him by the front of his robe and threw him onto the couch. "What the hell?!" His eyes widen with fear at feeling the tip of my wand under his chin. "A-Athena?"

"I don't give two shits what you do or say with your pathetic attempt at being cool, but never drag me into it. If you want to go around opening your mouth, trying to impress whatever bitch you like, that is your problem. But the moment you drop my name, it becomes mine. I have enough with what we have been tasked with. Aside from that, I have to keep your dumbass alive and well." Looking into the grey eyes, I took in the fear I caused him. It was like a drug for me. A feel of power ran through my body. Growing down by his ear, I added a tad bit more pressure to my wand. "You speak of me or anything involving me ever again and I will rip out your tongue." Pushing myself off the scared boy, I allowed Runespor to slither up around my neck. *You and I are not done.*

*It was just an owl!*

*A rat with feathers!*

*We eat rats!*

As I lay in bed with my eyes closed, I tried to get a feeling of what I felt. It was a sense of raw power and dominance. For once I was the one with the power. I knew it wasn't something I should be proud of, but it felt amazing. I have noticed the many changes I have suffered since my time with Voldemort. I was much quicker with my outburst. My temper was a ticking time bomb, just waiting for that one idiot to set it off. My sparring sessions with the death eaters were becoming bloodier as time went on. Voldemort was suddenly more involved in them as well. Nearly to point of almost coaching me. Why? I do not know and a large part of me did not want to know.

Time jump:

I made my way up the bleachers towards Hermione. Doing my best in ignoring the stares and whispers. Taking a seat beside Granger, I glanced down at the field. Harry and Ginny were currently holding the tryouts for Quidditch. It appeared Ron was being challenged by some jock.

"Hey."

"Hey, so how was your night in the snake's den?"

I chuckled. "Not too bad considering."

"Considering what?"

"A few things you don't need to worry about." Reaching for the book in her lap, I glanced a the title. "Vampires?"

"Yes." She jerked the book away, tossing me a glare. "What?"

"Please tell me you don't have a thing for bloodsuckers."

"Of course not! Professor Snape had brought up the subject in class today. Has requested we come up with a potion that would repeal them." Hermione explained.

Come to think of it, I never really thought of the possibility of running into one. Most of the vampires were driven out of the wizardly world before the first war. The department of magic does not consider them wizards or humans for that matter. They fell under the Beast category. Yet, from what I have read they had taken residency in the US. Claiming the land as theirs and the humans as their cattle. The wizards and witches were mortal enemies to them. Not that I blame them. I mean they were here first after all. We came in and ran them out of their homeland. I would hate us too.

"Athena?" Hermione nudged me, gaining my attention once more. "Where you go?"

"Twilight."

"What?"

"Sorry, I was thinking about vampires."

"Shut it!"

I glanced down at Ginny with a raised brow. "And I thought I was in a bad mood."

"Can't be any worse than last night." She mumbled.

"What?"

"Mellissa has made it her sole purpose in telling the whole school about your argument." Hermione suddenly turned her full attention towards me. "Is it true you hit her?"

"What?!"

"She claimed your snake ate her owl and when she confronted you about it, you hit her."

"Of course, I didn't!" I ran a hand through my hair. I should have strangled the bitch when I had a chance. "Granted Runespor may have had a late-night snack in the shape of an owl, but I never laid a hand on that girl. Malfoy is another story."

"You hit Malfoy?!"

I slapped my hand over her mouth. "You want to say it louder, I don't believe the bottom row heard you."

She pulled my hand down slowly. "Did you?"

"No, I may have manhandled him. And threaten him with my wand. And threaten him with ripping his tongue out. But I did not hit him."

"That's not any better Athena." Hermione gave me a pointed look.

"I know, but I swear it just takes one look for me to lose my temper."

She leaned in closer to my ear. "And the child?"

"Fine, I took the potion this morning." Running my hand over my stomach, I quickly grabbed her hand and replaced mine. "You feel it?"

She laughed at feeling the slight kick. "Woah."

"That's every day all day." I muttered. "My bladder has become his punching bag."

"His?"

I shrugged. "Or her."

"Do y-"

"Athena." Malfoy appeared at the bottom of the bleachers, dressed in an all-black suit.

"Hermione give me a second." Jogging down towards him, I followed him away from all eyes and ears. "What?"

"Dad sent me an owl. He wants us to meet him at the 'Two Broomsticks'."

I sighed. "Any reason why?"

"Vol-He wants us to do something." Draco whispered, a slight trembler in his voice. "We should go now."

"Yeah, alright." Not bothering to say anything to anyone, we took off towards the pub.

I was surprised, to say the least. Voldemort didn't want any attention drawn to us. Malfoy sending an owl and calling to meet with us was enough for us to stick out. At the moment Lucius was supposed to be underground where he belonged. Not roaming around meeting with us. I wonder if Voldemort really did send him.

Before we made it into the pub, a small whistle caught my attention from the alley beside it. Squinting my eyes into the darkness, I made out the figure of someone. "Who are you?"

"You would be the type of person to get killed in a horror movie you know that." David stepped into the light. "Took you two long enough to get here."

"It's not that close to the school. Not to mention it's snowing." I mumbled, kicking a bit of the snow his way.

David groaned bending down and dusting off the snow from his shoes. "These are Basilisk leather shoes, Athena!"

I glanced down at the ugly greenish-bluish shoes. "How much did you pay for those?"

"None of your business." He grumbled. "Worth more than you that is."

Spotting the squared package under his arm, I reached for it. "What is this?"

"The reason we have called you two." David had a certain look of disdain.

"Still haven't told us what it is."

David grabbed my arm pulling me deeper into the alley. Draco rushed after us. "Listen, you don't need to know what is in that package. All you have to do is have someone deliver it to Dumbledore. You are not to open it or touch it. Is that understood?"

Grabbing the tip of the package I slammed into the arms of Draco. "Understood. Is that all?"

"For now yes." Turning to take his leave, he did a quick glance back. "I know I shouldn't have to tell you this, but do not let this come back to you. We do not want or need the attention."

"You're right." I scoffed. "It was useless."

David glared at me. "You and I are going to do a little attitude adjustment at our next training session."

"Bite me."

David gave me a charming grin. "Don't tempt me, Athena." Grabbing Malfoy by the arm, I pushed him towards the pub. Before I could follow him, David reached for my arm. "Malfoy go on ahead. Athena will be with you in a moment."

"Whatever."

I pulled out of his grasp, turning around to face him. "What is it?"

"What have you told potter and the others?" David asked.

"What do you mean David?"

"What have you spoken to them?" His voice was much more urgent now.

"Nothing." Seeing the look in his eyes, I gave in. "I told them the reason as to why I am here. That was it."

David growled lowly, running a hand through his short hair. "You need to undo it."

"What?!"

"Athena, you are putting that boy in even more danger" David whispered yelled. "Aside from his reason for wanting you here, he knows just how close you to are."

"I-I can't." I shook my head. "David I can't go back to seeing that hate in his eyes. I just got my friend back. I won't do."

"If you won't, I will have to do." David threaten.

"How did you know?" I demanded. "How did you know I told Harry and the others?!"

"You are still a loose pixie to Voldemort Athena. Did you honestly believe he wouldn't keep tabs on you?"

I clenched my jaw, bashing myself for not thinking of that. "Who else knows?"

"Just me and Eva. This is for the boy's safety Athena. Both you and him. You may be Voldemort's favorite, but that will not stop him from torturing Harry."

I flinched at the thought of said action. I knew the blow wouldn't be at Harry, but at me. He wouldn't kill m. But he will hurt me enough to get his point across. "Do it."

"Very well." He gripped my shoulder, pulling me into a tight hug. "I know Granger and Black were aware since the beginning. I will not touch them, but the rest must remain unaware."

"I can't keep doing this." I whispered.

David sighed. "I know this is hard Black, but even if you don't see it now it's for the best." He was right, I couldn't see it. What harm would Harry knowing cause? David must know what I was thinking. "Keeping Harry in the unknown, he will remain away from you. In consequence that he will remain away from the death eaters and Voldemort. The Wesley's will also be made to forget."

"I had asked Mum to watch over my child." I mumbled.

David sighed. "You are making this so much harder than it should be Athena."

"You think this is hard for you?!"

"Keep your voice down." David snapped. "Listen, I will leave Black and Granger alone, but that is it. Now leave, you and Malfoy have a task to do."