Thanks to everyone who read and big thank you to the guest who reviewed. Too bad you didn't leave a name so I could thank you personally. Would still like to see more reviews please.
Betas for this chapter are: LittleDrummerGirl2010 and Literatifan4eva. You guys are great.
Also thanks to Prongs Smitch for looking over this even though you didn't find anything wrong.
Chapter 11: I've Got Holidays
After breakfast, while the rest headed for the carriages out front that would take them to the train, Mandy, Sirius, James, and Remus headed back to the warmth of the Common Room. "So, you and Lily," Sirius said as he looked at James.
"After Mandy and Remus and the rest of you left The Three Broomsticks in October, Lily and I spent the rest of the day together. It was just one date."
"Did she like it?" Mandy asked.
"I think she had fun," James said then explained his date. They had walked around the village for a while just talking about whatever came to mind, which for James surprisingly hadn't been Quidditch, then looked at a couple of the shops.
"That does sound great. I'm sure she had fun," Mandy said.
"Why didn't you just tell us, Mate?" Remus asked.
"I didn't want to jinx it. I thought that if you guys knew, you'd take the piss out of me and I wanted things to be different. It was one date and I didn't want you to act like I was obsessed with her again. That's not true at all." James shrugged.
"You think I would have said that?" Mandy asked.
"No, and I guess I shouldn't have assumed things, but you didn't tell me about you and Sirius getting back together, so we're even," James answered.
"Because of how angry you were. I couldn't tell you anything about me and Sirius without you snapping at me, remember?" Mandy asked.
"Guys," Remus warned. Both Mandy and James could hear the hostility behind his tone, warning them that this was not a road either of them wanted to continue down.
"Can you believe only four of the 70 or so Gryffindors stayed this year?" Mandy asked, changing the subject.
"That can't be right," Sirius said in disbelief as they climbed through the portrait hole.
"It is. I heard McGonagall talking to the other Heads. She was complaining about having to look after four seventh years and Flitwick said she should consider herself lucky because 90 percent of his house was staying. Slughorn said that half of Slytherin is staying, but didn't mention Snape," Mandy said.
"And how did you hear all this?" James asked as they sat down by the fireplace.
"I came across them just after lunch yesterday when I went to speak to McGonagall about my latest assignment. Slughorn tried to get me to come to his Christmas party but I told him that I wouldn't be feeling well and couldn't make it."
"How can you predict when you're not feeling well?" Sirius asked.
"I can't, but I think for a moment he forgot that I was pregnant and took it as I meant that time of month. His Christmas party is on Christmas Eve, and I guess since Lily went home for Christmas, he thought I could replace her." Mandy pulled her feet up under her, curling up in her chair.
"Replace her?" Sirius asked confused.
"At the party. If he can't have his brilliant potions prodigy there to dote on, then why not someone with famous parents?"
"But you're not going to go," Remus said hesitantly.
"You, me, and them," Mandy motioned to Remus, then herself, then James and Sirius, "as the sole occupants of this tower for two and a half weeks. Of course I'm not going! Besides, it's the night before the full moon, why would I go?" They all shrugged not having an answer. Mandy hadn't really been expecting one either.
Mandy enjoyed spending the days leading up to Christmas lounging around the Common Room, especially because she didn't have to hide her stomach. McGonagall would occasionally drop by the Common Room and speak with her about her pregnancy. She taught her a few enlargement charms to make her clothes fit over her growing belly, along with going over her homework and spell work.
Three days before Christmas the boys were in the library studying for a change, and Mandy was lying on the couch when her stomach rumbled. After summoning some food from her room, her stomach turned and Mandy sent the food back. "What's wrong little one?" Mandy asked, getting up and pacing, hoping the rocking motion would calm the baby. If she wasn't hungry, then something else had to be wrong. Mandy glanced out the window when she passed it and her stomach gave that normal calming, swooping feeling. "Sorry baby, Madame P would have my hide if she finds out I flew while pregnant. She says it's not safe." Mandy said, rubbing her belly.
Suddenly Mandy's stomach cramped badly and she knew the baby wasn't happy with her. "I feel your pain," Mandy said, "but I can't." When the pain increased, Mandy relented, then the pain subsided. "Alright fine, but if I get in trouble, I'm blaming you." Mandy went down to the field, then summoned her broom.
A while later as she floated around the pitch, a loud voice brought her down. "Amanda Lynn Hunter, get down here," the voice yelled.
Mandy swallowed as she looked down. Just as she suspected, her brother was standing on the pitch staring up at her. He didn't look happy either. Mandy flew down to Jason and landed, noticing the man next to him for the first time. "Hey Jay," Mandy said grinning.
"Don't 'hey Jay' me," Jason answered.
"Afternoon, Professor Hunter."
"That is not what I meant and you know it. You know how dangerous flying—"
"Who's your friend?" Mandy asked not wanting her condition released to the general public at that moment.
"I'm Irving Michaelson," the man answered.
Mandy's jaw dropped in shock. "You can't be The Irving. The captain of the Irish National Quidditch Team?"
"I assure you, I am. You forgot star Keeper though. You fly extremely well. Do you play?"
"I've flown since I was nine. Jason gave me this broom for my twelfth birthday. It's just a Shooting Star, but it's served me well. I used to play Seeker for Gryffindor." Shortly after the disastrous pureblood ball Mandy had begun showing more signs of magic so her dad bought her her first broom and taught her to fly it.
"You played Seeker with an old Shooting Star?"
"Yeah, I know that as they age they get worse, but this one's only five years old. Still handles real well. You guys use the Nimbus 1500's right?"
"Best broom on the market. Why'd you quit playing? Not enough time?"
Sensing he was no danger to her and that he could and would keep her secret, Mandy revealed it to him. "I'm two and a half months pregnant. The Headmaster and nurse believe it's unsafe for me to fly."
Irving swallowed. This girl couldn't be more than 15 or 16 and her being pregnant shocked him. However he knew that making any assumptions around pregnant women could end badly for him so he kept his mouth shut about that and let it go.
"And they have a point," Jason agreed.
"It's not unsafe for you to fly; it's unsafe for you to play." Irving had learned that when his aunt had gotten pregnant with his cousin and hadn't wanted to give up Quidditch. The healer had told her that while flying was heavily frowned upon as it could reduce the blood flow to the unborn child it wasn't completely out of the question. Quidditch on the other hand was completely out of the question. Anything that could allow a heavy blow to the stomach was not safe. "It's actually okay for pregnant women to fly as long as they don't overdo it or do it after three or four months," Irving said.
Mandy was shocked by that but knew that showing any excitement around her brother about the prospect of flying would cause her brother to take away her broom so she had to change the subject quick. "What brings you boys down here?" Mandy asked, hoping they'd follow her lead.
"Your brother and I haven't raced around the pitch in years. Since he's working here now, we thought we'd take advantage of his privileges." Irving looked at Mandy carefully but followed her lead.
"Irving here was a Hufflepuff, two years older than me," Jason explained.
"How many years left do you have?" Irving asked, looking at Mandy.
"This is my last year at Hogwarts," Mandy answered.
"If you ever want a tryout for the Pro-Quidditch League, send me an owl. I'll set something up." Irving handed her a pamphlet. "This is where you can reach our office."
"Irving, why don't you go warm up? I want a word with my kid sister," Jason said.
"Don't be too hard on her, mate. Sometimes you just got to fly," Irving warned. He hopped on his broom and took off. Jason turned and looked at his sister.
"The baby wanted to fly and I know how to fly, Jay. I wasn't going to get hurt. Besides, like he said, it's not unsafe to fly, just to play Quidditch. Did you know some Muggle women go against doctor's orders and drive an automobile until they're like eight months pregnant? They don't recommend you do that."
"Mandy, it's dangerous when attempted alone."
"Jay, please. I promise I won't do it again," Mandy begged. Jason nodded and Mandy went back inside. She had to make sure he believed her so he didn't take her broom. That wouldn't do.
Back in the Common Room the boys looked up from their books. "You alright, Stripes?" James asked.
"Yeah I guess. Listen don't be angry with me. I know I shouldn't have gone flying, but the gift wouldn't settle down until I did, and I was perfectly safe and—" Mandy started, desperate for them to be okay with her actions. Anything that put Mandy in danger was not okay with James. The best way to keep him happy was to explain herself quickly as she cradled her belly hoping he'd focus more on the fact that she was ok than on the fact she did something wrong.
"We're not angry," James said, smiling as his eyes focused on the baby bump.
"We're not?" Sirius asked, glancing between his girlfriend and his best friend. Sirius couldn't believe his best friend was just ignoring how much danger Mandy had put herself–and the gift–in.
"No. Even though most books recommend against it, Mandy is well trained flyer and would never knowingly put herself or those she cares about in danger," James responded, looking from Mandy to Sirius.
"At least you get it. Jason was angry when he found out," Mandy said.
"Do you need a hug?" Remus asked.
"No, I'm good. Thanks for offering though."
On Christmas Eve, Mandy finished wrapping her presents and put them under the tree just as the boys came in the portrait hole. "Remus!" Mandy said shocked. "Aren't you supposed to be in the Hospital Wing?" Mandy asked. He was looking rather pale and sleepy.
"We begged and prodded and begged and pleaded and—" Sirius started.
"I think I get it," Mandy interrupted.
"And eventually Madame Pomfrey allowed him to come sleep here tonight since we all know about his condition and it's Christmas. We promised he'd go back if he starts feeling worse," James explained.
"Right, 'cause I can't speak for myself," Remus muttered.
"Oh, you know they love you. Boys, if you'd do the honors," Mandy waved Remus off and motioned to James and Sirius.
"I got it," Remus said. He waved his wand and three duvets flew down the boys' staircase along with two handmade quilts and three blankets. The quilts had been handmade by Mrs. Potter and sent to James and Sirius in their third year when they had once again complained about how cold their beds were. Mandy raised her wand and waved it at the girls' staircase causing her duvet and two blankets to come to her.
They spread Mandy and Sirius's duvets on the floor in front of the fireplace, then tossed James's quilt down over top of it, followed by most of the blankets. They left the rest on the couch and made their way upstairs to shower. Once all four were clean and dressed in their pajamas the came back to the Common Room.
James cast a cushioning charm on their makeshift bed before he laid down parallel to the fireplace. Mandy draped first his blanket then his duvet over top of him before she lay down with her head on his stomach and her feet towards the fireplace. Sirius dropped two light blankets over her then his quilt and looked at Remus. After a short, nonverbal conversation and a glaring contest, Remus tossed his pillow down next to Mandy. Mandy grinned and pulled it up off the floor and laid it in the space between her chest and baby bump. Though she knew he wouldn't stay there all night, he usually ended up curled into a little ball, the back of his neck and shoulders pressed against her side; it calmed Mandy to have him close. Remus grudgingly lay down parallel to James and rested his head on his pillow.
After tossing Remus's blanket and duvet over him, Sirius lay down next to Mandy on her right, his feet also being warmed by the fire. Sirius nudged his forehead against Mandy's shoulder like a dog trying to get his master's attention and Mandy smiled. She lifted her covers and Sirius slid closer to his girlfriend. Mandy slid her right hand under the covers, letting it come to rest over Sirius's on her stomach and her left arm lay out away from her.
James doused most of the fire, letting most of the Common Room descend into darkness, then he twirled a bit of Mandy's hair around his finger tucking his left hand behind his head.
"When are you taking Lily out again?" Mandy asked tilting her head towards James.
"Sometime after Christmas. She's never seen the kitchens or some of the third floor corridors," James answered.
"You mean that one with the beautiful view over the lake?" Mandy asked. "She'll love that."
"I thought so too. What about you two? Certainly you'll be headed for some romantic rendezvous of your own?" James asked.
Mandy remained quiet and Sirius figured he better answer. "Of course we will. Soon. I've just got to figure out—"
"You have no ideas, do you?" Remus asked.
"Of course I do, I just want it to be a surprise," Sirius said.
"Yup, no ideas," Mandy agreed.
"He's a ladies' man. Even if he doesn't know what your next date will be right now, he'll figure something out and it'll sweep you off your feet," James said.
"What about Moony?" Sirius asked. Mandy lifted her left hand and threaded it through Remus's hair.
"What about me, Pads?" Remus asked. "Mandy, you're going to put me to sleep."
"Certainly you and Shelly are getting together," Sirius said.
Mandy looked away from James and even in the dying firelight she could see the lycanthrope's face turn a bit red.
"Well I was going to ask her to the next Hogsmeade visit ..."
"But?" James prompted.
"I don't want to rush in to anything," Remus said.
"Rem, it's one date to Hogsmeade, it's not like you're asking her to settle down and have your cubs or anything," Sirius said.
"Kids," Mandy corrected.
"What?" The other three Marauders asked.
"They'd be kids. Werewolves have normal children, they don't have cubs," Mandy said.
"How do you know?" Remus asked.
"Not important. The important thing is that you ask her," Mandy said.
"You really think she'd say yes?" Remus asked, rolling on his side and blinking up at Mandy.
"How can anyone say no to that face?" Mandy asked, stroking his cheekbone with her thumb.
"You did," Remus said.
"You asked her out?" Sirius asked.
"After Lily and I broke up." Remus shrugged.
"Why'd you say no?" Sirius asked.
"Never date your best friend's ex," Mandy answered.
"During the game before everyone left, you played it like you didn't know Lily and I dated in fourth year," Remus said confused.
"Yeah well, Lily and I are best friends, of course I knew. If you remember correctly I was talking to both Lily and Parker. I knew Lily dated Remus but I didn't know about her and James. That's why I asked her 'why the two shots?' He asked me out like two weeks after he and Lily broke up and I couldn't say yes."
"Because of what you said earlier about your mate's ex?" Sirius asked.
"But you're dating your mate's ex now. Tiff dated Sirius." James said.
"Tiff dated Sirius in fifth year. They broke up nearly a year before Sirius asked me out. Had Remus waited a few more weeks, I may have said yes."
"Really?" Remus asked stunned.
"Maybe. That wouldn't have been holding me back. I'm not sure we would have worked out."
"Because of—"
Mandy stopped him. "Because of our differences. You're more of a bookworm and I'm more into a man of action. I mean—" Mandy backtracked.
"I know what you meant and I'm not offended." Remus said. The conversation dulled to random topics and slowly the foursome fell asleep.
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