Happenstance

Chapter 3: An Unforseen Consequence

For the most part, Luna wouldn't say her experience with Draco had been unpleasant, rather, she would categorize it as awkward. Draco had gone out of his way to be as gentle and understanding of her inexperience as possible, for which Luna was greatly appreciative. The actual act of having sex with Draco hadn't been bad either. It was afterwards that had caused her to second guess her decision. Instead of lazing about and cuddling together as most couples would have done after sleeping together for the first time, Draco and Luna silently rose from the cold stone floor of the tower, dressed themselves and stood on opposite sides of the room; neither sure of what to say to the other. Finally, after what seemed liked forever, Draco tensely approached her before leaning down and kissing her on the cheek; whispering 'goodbye' as he pulled away.

All summer, Luna went over the events of that night in the tower; quietly pondering whether or not she had made a huge mistake by allowing Draco Malfoy to take her virginity. Though he seemed genuinely concerned about her, she couldn't help but think that it might have been an act and that when she returned to Hogwarts next term, she would be forced to confront rumors of their rendezvous. Bragging was something Draco was well versed in and Luna truly hoped that this wasn't an occurrence that he would feel the need to recount.

As the start of term loomed overhead, Luna began to worry even more about whether or not Draco had told anyone. She had spent so much time and energy on worrying, that she had somehow managed to worry herself sick. For nearly two weeks, she had been stricken with terrible bouts of nausea that made it nearly impossible for her to eat much of anything. On top of her terribly weak stomach, Luna had been troubled by nearly constant headaches, dizzy spells and extreme exhaustion. One afternoon, while Luna was making herself some broth, she simply fainted. Her father discovered her laid out on the kitchen floor, completely unconscious, several minutes later. That was when he decided that she was to stay in bed until she had gotten over her ailment.

Having been confined to her bed, Luna was afforded ample time to peruse her thoughts, most of which were centered around her night with Draco in the tower. As she thought that evening over for what seemed like the thousandth time since it had happened, her nanny, Gwendolyn or Gwennie as Luna had always called her, entered her bedchamber. When Luna's mother had died nearly seven years ago, her father had hired Gwennie to help him take care of her. The nanny was responsible for seeing to it that Luna had everything she needed, as well as providing her with a 'mother figure'. Not in the mood to talk, Luna pretended to be asleep; only opening her eyes long enough to see what her nanny was up to. Seeing the various items in her hands, Luna realized that Gwennie had just come up to put away her various necessities, such as toiletries, shampoo, tampons etc. The sight of that all too familiar pink and blue box made her realize that she couldn't recall the last time she'd had her period. She was sure that she hadn't had her period even once over the summer; her last recollection of the 'blessed' monthly event being the beginning of last May, which was three months ago. As soon as Gwennie had left the room, Luna jumped out of bed and retrieved a charms book that her father had given her on her thirteenth birthday, which was filled with various medicinal spells that could prove useful for a teenage witch. After searching the index, Luna turned to the section on pregnancy and scanned the pages for any way to determine if she was with child.

Less than an hour later, Luna had her answer and it wasn't the one she wanted. Deciding that it was best to just tell her father now, seeing as how he would eventually find out, she quietly crept downstairs.

With the latest edition of the Quibbler scheduled to be released in just three days, Luna didn't doubt that her father would have barricaded himself in his study, so that he could make sure that everything was in order before sending the paper to print. Every step towards his office door felt like one step closer to her death bed. Several times, she nearly turned around and ran back up to her room; the only thing stopping her being the fact that running wouldn't make her any less pregnant. Taking a deep breath, Luna raised her shaking hand and softly knocked on the door.

"Yes, Love?" Mr. Lovegood called, beckoning his daughter to enter. He didn't even have to wonder who it was rapping at his door since he and Luna were the only two people who lived in their Manor. "I thought I told you to stay in bed?"

"You did," she whispered, staring at him with a look of absolute terror on her face.

"What's the matter?" he asked, worriedly, standing and quickly approaching his pajama clad daughter. "Do you think we ought to get you to St. Mungo's? You haven't been right for quite some time now."

"And I won't be for quite some time," she replied, her eyes welling up with tears.

"What are you talking about?"

"I made a mistake, Daddy." Tears were now openly flowing down her pallid cheeks. Mr. Lovegood kneeled down next to his daughter, gripping her gently by her too thin upper arms. "A big mistake and I can't fix it."

"Really, Luna," he chided, brushing away her tears. "Nothing's ever as bad as it seems. Now what is it?"

"I'm pregnant... I," Her father raised his hand, signaling her to stop speaking. For several moments he just knelt before her, his eyes tightly shut as he took in several deep calming breaths. Assuming her father was angry with her, which she had fully expected him to be, the tears that he had brushed away returned at full force.

"Shhh," he said, pulling her into his arms and stroking her long hair. "Everything's all right, dear. Just breathe." Doing as he said, Luna began taking deep breaths which successfully calmed her frantic gasps for air and helped ease her crying.

"I'm so sorry, Daddy," she apologized, unable to look him in the eyes. "I didn't mean to... I mean I did, or at least I think I did... um, I don't know what I meant. He was just so nice to me when everyone else was being absolutely wretched. He seemed really concerned about me and... Daddy, I'm sorry. I'm just so sorry... I made a mistake!"

"Nonsense," he admonished, cupping her face in his hands. "A baby is a lot of things, but he or she is never, under any circumstance, a mistake. You made a decision, and every decision you make is one more step down the path your life was meant to take. That baby inside of you is part of your destiny. Perhaps, I would have preferred you to be a bit older before you took that step but you're not. And that means you weren't supposed to be. Everything, my dear, happens for a reason."

"Why are you being so understanding about this?" she asked, unable to believe how well he was taking the news that his sweet and innocent sixteen year old had gotten herself knocked up. "I'm pregnant and all you can do is be supportive and understanding? What's the matter with you? You're supposed to be livid! You're supposed yell at me and tell me how awful what I've done is and that my life is over!"

"Well, I don't think it is, so I'm not about to tell you that I do," he replied, simply. Mr. Lovegood knew that she was angry with herself for ending up in this situation, so he didn't take her lashing out at him to heart. He was sure that, in the end, Luna would appreciate his ability to remain calm. "Besides, this house has been far too empty for far too long. I think a baby would brighten things up a bit."

"Thank you, Daddy," she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck tightly. "Thank you for not hating me for this."

"There is nothing and I mean nothing you could ever do to make me hate you!" he exclaimed, taken aback and genuinely hurt by her even thinking that there was. Reigning in his emotions, Mr. Lovegood continued. "Do you know who the father is?"

"Of course!" she exclaimed. "I'm not a whore! It only happened once."

"Who?" he asked, tremendously relieved that she wasn't promiscuous.

"That's not important," she muttered, reverting back to avoiding his gaze.

"Who, Luna?"

"...Draco Malfoy." The look on her father's face was priceless. If his jaw could have hit the floor, it would have.

"Draco Malfoy?" he repeated, disbelievingly. "Wow. You certainly didn't settle, did you?"

"I didn't mean for this to happen," she whispered. "I'd never even thought about him in that way."

"I know," he assured her. "But it's just a shock to know that my grandchild is part Malfoy."

"I don't want to tell him. He doesn't need to know."

"I disagree with that. While he may not need to know, he deserves to know; any father does. But this is your decision and I'll except what ever decision you make," Mr. Lovegood explained. "But I hope you'll reconsider."

"I won't," she replied.

"All right," he said, accepting her decision. "All things considered, I don't think you should return to Hogwarts next term. I think personal tutors would be a better choice."

"I agree," she said, immediately. "I didn't want to go back there even before I knew I was... pregnant."

"Than it's settled," Mr. Lovegood chirped, standing and returning to his desk. "You want to help me with the proofs for the next issue?" Luna eagerly pulled a chair up next to her father's, excited to get to help him with the magazine.

"Daddy?" she whispered. Mr. Lovegood turned to face her, his usual smile in place. "I love you."

"I know that and I love you too," he said, leaning over and kissing her forehead.

"I hope I'm half as good a mother as you are a father."

"Well, I believe that is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me," Mr. Lovegood replied, his eyes filling with tears. "But no matter how much you flatter me, you're not going to get out of going to see the medi-witch tomorrow," he said jokingly. He knew that his daughter hated going to St. Mungo's more than anything and that even if she hadn't tried to finagle her way out of it yet, she would in the morning. "You've got quite a few months worth of visits to St. Mungo's ahead of you."

"Ughhh," she groaned, loudly, dramatically thudding her head against his desk.

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