Chapter 12

Bo was the first to wake up. She entered their bathroom, did her business and got out. She stood in front of the full body mirror, wearing only her undergarments. She checked her reflection, gazed at her abdomen and caressed it affectionately. She closed her eyes and imagined her unborn child. Tears were flowing down her face, and she abruptly opened her eyes. She shook her head and whispered "I can't do it." She got dressed and left her room.

She and Sirius were sitting at the common room alone. They had to talk about their situation. "Sirius, I'm scared. We're too young to have a baby. We'll have to find jobs as soon as possible, and find a place to live."

Sirius nodded "You're right. I'm scared too, but I know we can do this. We love each other, and I have some money. My father wasn't really the 'paternal' type, but I'm not like him and you know that. I'll love this baby more than anything." He cupped her face with his hands. "I love you and I'll always be here for you."

Bo wept "I love you too." They kissed.

"Have you decided yet?"

"Yes. I've decided to keep it." Sirius smiled "Was it because of my speech?"

Bo chuckled. "Not only your speech, but before I came down here, I imagined our life together with our baby. It was so perfect, Sirius, like a dream."

"It'll happen, I promise." They hugged.

"That means I have to tell my mother. I'll go owl her. I'll meet you at breakfast." Bo left Sirius.

Bo was at the owlery. She reread her letter:

'Mother,

I don't know where to begin. I've been sick for a while, and I went to check myself and I have news: I'm pregnant. You may either approve or disapprove, but I've decided to raise the baby.

Send Father my love.

Bo'

She found an owl and attached the letter to his leg. "To Miranda Carter." She said. The owl flew off and she watched it for a while and walked to the Great Hall.

When she arrived nearby, she spotted Amos and Genevieve kissing. Genevive opened her eyes and saw Bo watching them. They broke the kiss. "I'll see you after Herbology." Genevieve nodded.

Bo raised her eyebrows.

"What? It's nothing serious!" Genevieve smirked.

"When did this happen?" Bo asked.

"Remember when Flitwick gave me detention a week ago? You know, when I pulled a prank on one of the Slytherins? Well, Amos also got detention, I don't know why. Anyway, we had to clean stuff without magic. One thing led to another, and we kissed. We're not together or anything, let's just say it's a fling."

"I'm impressed. Do the others know?" Genevieve nodded.

"I didn't want to tell you yet, because of your, um, distraction." She petted Bo's stomach.

Bo pushed Gen's hand and hissed "I don't want everyone to know!" Genevieve nodded. They linked hands and entered the Great Hall to eat breakfast with their friends.

Natalie and Remus were sitting together. Natalie was laughing at what Remus said. Sarah was watching from afar, glaring at her former friend. 'She has a lot of nerve. I thought we were friends', she thought to herself.

Alice, who sat next to her, looked at her and said "We're not talking to her." Sarah looked at her.

"Why?"

"Well, she kept her relationship in secret from us. It shows she doesn't trust us." Lily said.

James replied "Maybe she was scared of what you'll say."

Lily sighed "James, we took an oath, you remember."

"I know, Lils, but sometimes you hide because either you're ashamed or you're afraid to hurt someone."

"She hurt us, either way! And why should she be ashamed? And why are you standing up for her? Because she's your cousin or because you're hiding something from me?" She took another bite of her breakfast and left the table furiously. James sighed.

"And that is why I remain silent." Sirius said, putting him arm around Bo.

They finished their Divination class early. Sarah exited the class with a fright. Remus was standing near the doorway. "Can I talk to you?" Remus asked. Sarah shrugged.

"I'm sorry that you knew about it this way. Natalie and I wanted to tell you in person. I know that I said that I'll stand aside, but seeing Natalie and being around her made me fall for her. I never wanted to hurt you, and neither did Natalie. So just think about what I said, that's all I'm asking." Remus said, smiling at her, and left her alone with her thoughts. She leaned against the wall 'I can't apologize. She should've told us., she thought stubbornly.

Natalie and Remus were sitting by the lake. "I talked to Sarah." Remus informed. "Why did you do that?" Natalie asked.

"You're friends. You shouldn't give up your friendship because of our relationship. Friends are important." Remus replied.

"You're saying this because I'm clingy, right? Because that I hang out with you more?"

Remus shook his head. "You misunderstood me. You're anything but clingy. I love you Natalie, but I hate seeing you like this. On the outside you're happy and, but inside I know you're breaking apart. I know you love the girls and that's why you should talk to them. If you care about them, you should set things straight." They kissed.

"You're right. I'm so lucky to have you." Natalie smiled.

The girls were sitting in their room. Natalie came in, and they silenced instantly; a deafening silence. "Will it always be like this?" She asked while slamming the door, making some of the girls startle.

"I'm tired of the silent treatment! I'm sorry for keeping my relationship a secret! We were so busy with the full moon and everything. I promise it won't happen again. And as for you, Sarah-" Sarah looked at Natalie.

"I never meant to hurt you. I know Remus talked to you. Will you forgive me?"

"Of course we will!" Alice smiled.

"We're sorry for shutting you down. We were upset." Lily said. Genevieve nodded.

"Come on, Sarah. She did apologize." Bo urged Sarah to forgive Natalie.

Sarah got up from her bed and stood in front of Natalie. "No. He's making you weak. You wouldn't let anyone influence you like that. You're pathetic." She walked out of the room.

Natalie started to cry. "Don't worry, honey." Alice comforted her. "She's not mad at you, I can tell. Now she's upset because you remind her of herself when she was with Greg." Lily said.

"She was always talking about Greg, breathing him, sleeping him and she's afraid that you'll become her; only obsessed with Remus."

Natalie laughed at what Genevieve said. "What? That's crazy! I've been dating Remus only for a month."

"We'll talk to her." Bo said.

James stood in the common room. He has his hands in his pockets, while looking at Remus and Sirius play chess. He heard a girl's laugh and immediately knew it was Lily's. "I'll be back in a second." He heard her say. She went down the stairs from her room, which led to the common room. When she came down, she and James shared a look.

"Lily."

"James"

"I'm sorry about this morning. It was a silly argument, really. I'm not hiding anything from you, or standing up for her." James said.

Lily smiled and nodded. "I'm sorry too, James. I was just upset. I never expected anyone of my friends to keep a secret. Natalie apologized and everything is great. Well, except for the fact that Sarah hasn't forgiven her."

James ran his hand through his hair "It looks like we need to talk to her." Lily nodded at her boyfriend's comment.