Chapter 37: Baby Surprises and Sleeping Arrangements

I had no qualms about our first night together. We are engaged after all. I felt that it was the exact right time and everything was all magical (figuratively speaking). I have never felt anything quite like it.

Ianthé woke up and found herself in Viktor's chest with his powerful and protective arms wrapped around her.

Viktor was already awake and looking at her.

"Good morning," Ianthé stretched her limbs and wrapped her arms around Viktor.

He smiled and kissed him.

She moved a bit to kiss him more deeply.

"Was it painful?" Viktor asked her sincerely.

See, always the perfect gentleman, even in bed…

Ianthé smiled, "I didn't feel any pain. I felt only you…"

With that, Viktor kissed her even more passionately this time.

I wonder where his stamina comes from…. I wonder where my stamina came from… Maybe it was the coffee yesterday… Oh well…

In Bulgaria, specifically in Viktor's arms, I found the comfort I longed for. Gone was the fear of the Dark Lord's constant threats. I felt complete. I knew what I would do after Hogwarts. Here, in my own home, I will raise a family with the man I love. I was in perpetual Cloud 9 when a visitor barged in with news.

"Tarquinus!" Ianthé ran to greet and hug her rain-sodden cousin.

"Théa!" Tarquinus hugged his cousin back.

"What happened? My partner hesitated in killing Karkaroff, two of the Death Eaters of higher ranks suddenly Apparated and killed him too. I was forced to kill Karkaroff. I finally did it."

"Where?"

"Romania, near the border. That's why I thought of going here."

"What you need to do is proceed to the mansion. Stay there and call the family. If the Dark Lord calls for you, do not ever think of escaping because you know what will happen. Say that killing Karkaroff was your job in the first place --- he himself had assigned it to the two of you and you were just finishing what you started. Don't be afraid, don't lower down your barrier. Act like you're his most humble servant… Trust me, you'll be fine."

Tarquinus nodded.

Viktor handed him a glass of Firewhiskey, "You need this. Why don't you spend the night here and go in the morning?"

Ianthé nodded and placed her hand on Tarquinus's shoulder. She led him upstairs to the spare room.

"Viktor, I'm really afraid… of what would happen…"

Viktor kissed Ianthé's forehead, "I'm here to protect you. Remember that. We will go back to London in the morning, earlier than planned."

Ianthé nodded and hugged Viktor tightly as they went to sleep.

Together with Tarquinus, Viktor and I went back to London. This time to call for a family meeting. I feared not only for my life but also for the lives of my loved ones, my friends and my other schoolmates. I learned that Rufus Scrimegour replaced Cornelius Fudge as Minister of Magic. I know that despite of his tough Auror exterior, he still was very much a politician, like Fudge was. Papa Khan informed me that everything (regarding the Muggle weapons) is arranged and he already contacted my father. Fred and George owled me about the status of the bombs they're making. They told me they're doing it for free because they wanted to do their part on the war against the Dark Fart --- they made it so they can say his name. That constipation candy Nikki and I forced them to take had a new name --- U-No-Poo. I almost died of laughing when I read their letter.

"Dear! How I've missed you!" Margeaux hugged her daughter tightly. She scrutinized Ianthé from head to toe.

"Mum!"

"Something's different about you…."

Viktor coughed, "I better go inside the meeting room."

"What's different, Mum?"

"Tsk… I cannot place it… It's just that there's something that changed in you…"

Ianthé felt warmth creep into her cheeks.

Margeaux clasped her hand on her mouth, "You didn't!"

Am I that transparent? I thought I'm all mysterious and spy-like… Why did my mother of all people figure it out? Can the earth please swallow me now?

"Mum, I need to go to the meeting room."

Margeaux frowned, "We'll talk about this later."

Ianthé nodded and went inside the meeting room.

Almost everybody from the Herze, Dreyfuss and even the Krums were there.

Ianthé sat down in the empty seat between Edmond and Viktor.

Edmond scooted nearer, "You look different…"

Ianthé shrugged, "Change of scenery perhaps?"

Edmond chuckled silently, "Change of scenery my foot. The only scenery that changed was Viktor clothed into Viktor naked."

Ianthé blushed.

"I'm not a superb Occlumens for nothing, dear Théa. I'm glad your father didn't notice…"

Viktor looked absorbed into the report being given by a relative of his.

"Mother did. She also said something was different."

"You seem to be more graceful and womanly in your gestures now."

Ianthé shrugged, "Maybe it's because it's summer? Whatever… Who am I kidding here? So? We are engaged, aren't we?"

Edmond raised his hands as if surrender, "Alright, alright. It's none of my business…"

"So, what's up with you and Andy?"

"We eloped."

"YOU WHAT?" Ianthé accidentally raised her voice and the whole room looked at her.

"Sorry… Do proceed," Ianthé gestured to the speaker.

"Are you both out of your wits, Eddie? Of all the times to elope, you chose to elope now?"

"Technically, we tried to elope. We did, but the whole family found us in Monaco. Our wedding was held there."

Ianthé folded her arms, "And you forgot to inform me…"

"Of course, we didn't! We eloped, remember?"

"So, where do you guys live?"

"In France, near Grasse."

Ianthé smiled, "Maybe I should visit you guys next summer… I will be of age by then."

"I usually take a portkey to go back here, or Apparate. Andy can't go here. The travel will be dangerous for her, especially in her current situation…"

"What happened to her?"

Edmond whispered, "Let's just say that the Herzes have a new family member by seven months…"

"You crazy wizard! You already got her pregnant?"

"It's a mutual decision. The family doesn't know yet. I will announce it during dinner."

"Hey, I think it's my turn to speak," Ianthé got up and walk to the front of the table.

She cleared up her throat, "Erm…. Hi… I'm still up for the challenge of investigating the goings-on inside Hogwarts. I know that some students are from families of Death Eaters…. I think I just have the perfect method of thwarting their plans…"

"Exactly how are you going to do it?" Great Uncle Scipio asked.

Ianthé winked at them, "Now that is my little secret…"

Alfonse, Edmond and Viktor chuckled while shaking their heads.

After the meeting, Ianthé waited for Viktor to come out of the room.

"Will you spend the rest of the summer holidays with me?" Ianthé wrapped her hands in Viktor's right arm.

"I plan to do so…"

"Really?" Ianthé hugged Viktor.

"Let's better get going to the dining room."

The dining room was full of people. It's as if there was a celebration but they knew there was none.

Edmond stood up, "I have an announcement to make."

The whole room suddenly went quiet, as all eyes are focused upon Edmond.

"As you all know, I am now married to Amandine Dreyfuss even if our elopement was botched by some of our family members…"

Someone (I think it was Uncle Alfonse or Papa) chuckled.

"… My wife and I will not hide this longer…. Not that we can hide it anyways…"

"Cut to the chase, boy!"

"Our family will have a new member, courtesy of Amandine and I."

The whole room, seemed to have forgotten the threat at hand, cheered loudly.

Uncle Alfonse clapped Edmond on the back, "My boy! You are a Herze through and through!"

Ianthé, having evaded her mother since the meeting, met her gaze.

"Dear, Ianthé and I will have to talk about something," Margeaux whispered to Alex.

"Mum, what is it?"

"I think I figured out why you look different."

Ianthé blushed at her mother.

"When exactly did it happen?"

"Well, Mum… He gave me a cottage during my sixteenth birthday…"

"And things got out of hand…"

Ianthé shook her head, "No, Mum. He's been so gentle and he respects me… It's not like that. I was preparing for that moment. I was ready."

Ianthé's mother sighed, 'Well, what can I do? You're already betrothed…"

"Betrothed to the one I love, Mum."

"I just want to warn you about the repercussions of your actions. Let me remind you that you are still in school."

Ianthé nodded, "Mum, I took the necessary precautions. I asked the school nurse's advice regarding the matter."

Margeaux smiled, "Speaking about your school, I gather you still don't know your OWL scores." She handed Ianthé a thick envelope.

Ianthé quickly opened the envelope and scanned the letter.

"So, how did your OWLs go?"

"12 Outstandings."

Margeaux hugged her daughter, "Very good. Now, about the sleeping arrangements… You do know that I will have to ask your father regarding the matter?"

Ianthé nodded.

Margeaux went down to find her husband talking to Viktor Krum.

Viktor saw his future mother-in-law. He smiled and nodded at her.

Alexander Herze looked at his wife who signaled that she wanted to talk to him.

"What is it?"

"We seem to have a problem with our daughter's sleeping arrangements…"

Alexander smiled, "That's what young Viktor and I were talking about. I told him that he should be in my daughter's room by now."

"You're not angry?"

"They are betrothed after all… Margeaux, our daughter has impressed me with her quick wit and maturity. She will not disappoint us."

Margeaux nodded, "I'll inform the house elves to prepare their room."