Only own the original characters, don't own Harry Potter.

It took Airiala about three seconds to process Poppy's words. Then the panic set in.

"I'm pregnant?" she exclaimed. "What? How? What?"

Poppy took Airiala's hands into her own. "Calm yourself," she said in a soothing tone. "you are in perfect health and so is the child despite the lack of food you've had recently."

That wasn't why Airiala was freaking out. How could she be pregnant? She hadn't been with anyone since Severus.

Airiala's eyes widened as she started to connect the dots. "Can you tell how far along I am?"

Poppy nodded before pulling out her wand and instructing Airiala to lie on her back. Airiala stared at the top of the four poster as her mind raced.

It had to be Severus' child, there was no question. Unless it was created when she admitted to the Ultimate Truth somehow.

How was she going to tell him? Was she going to tell him?

Poppy cast her spell and did whatever it was she was doing, Airiala was in too much of a panic to pay attention.

"Looks like you just about three months," Poppy said softly.

Airiala took a deep breath. That answered her question. It had to be Severus' child. Their child. What was she going to do?

Poppy talked with Airiala a few minutes longer before leaving the young woman in peace. She said that she could get up and move around the castle tomorrow, even visit with the other Elementals and return to her own room.

Knowing what she knew now, Airiala was determined to go as soon as possible. There was just so much to think about now.

A child, with Severus, the man she loved, who was in love with a dead woman. Who she had told she didn't care about. She groaned before falling back on the bed, her mind swirling.

It was the groan that drew Severus' attention and he was there by her side in seconds. "Are you alright, Airiala?"

Her eyes flew open and connected with Severus'. Electricity cracked in the air between them like before, but neither paid it any notice.

"I'm fine," she replied softly. "Just a bit tired is all."

Severus let out a breath and nodded. "You should rest."

"Poppy said I can move back to my own room tomorrow," she said. She watched as Severus froze for a moment before continuing in his movements to cover her with the blanket.

"That's good," he said before turning and walking out of the room.

Airiala's heart broke slightly at the motion. She had wanted Severus to tell her to stay, but he hadn't.

How was she supposed to tell him about the baby? She didn't have a clue.

The next day Airiala returned to her room in the castle. The days passed slowly. Students were rushing about, enjoying their classes, without a worry in the world.

How Airiala envied them.

She had a major worry and each day made it harder and harder to figure out how to tell Severus.

Only she and Poppy knew about the baby. Airiala hadn't even told the other Elementals. She already knew what they would say. 'Tell Severus.'

It wasn't that she didn't want to tell him, far from it, but she just didn't know how to broach the subject without leading to her possible death. How do you tell the man you love that you are carrying his child and you want to have it without actually having to confess your love for him?

She couldn't lie and say she hated him. Last time she lied she had lost all her power and caused a panic among the Elementals. Now that she was something more than just the Air Elemental, who knew what would happen if she lied again. It was too risky,

Airiala wasn't the only one with worries.

All three of the Elementals were concerned for both Airiala and Severus. The two had been playing a game of avoidance ever since they had brought her back. The danger was past, and yet both still played this game.

It didn't make sense to Raina why they didn't just talk to each other. It was obvious to everyone that Severus and Airiala loved each other. It was just the two of them that didn't see it.

"I don't get it," Raina said to the boys as they watched Airiala wander away down the hallway.

"It should be disgusting how loving they are with each other and here we are with them again, ignoring their feelings for each other."

Pyro shrugged. "What do you suggest we do? They are both grown adults and I'm tired of meddling. It doesn't do anything but annoy me."

Lando watched Airiala walk down the hallway. Her eyes downcast. She seemed so sad lonely, as if the burden of discovering the Ultimate Truth was still bearing down on her. There was no more danger, so why was she looking so concerned.

" I just wish that there was something more we could do," Raina exclaimed. "If we just meddled one more time then maybe..."

"No, Raina," Pyro said firmly. "We can't do that anymore. All our meddling did was annoy them. I doubt that it got them any closer at all."

"Has anyone else noticed that Airiala's been acting weird lately?"

Both Pyro and Raina turned and looked at Lando, who was still watching as Airiala turned the corner and disappeared out of sight. He turned back to the other two. "She hasn't been herself lately."

Raina shrugged. "I guess, but she's got a lot she's had to adjust to in such a short time. It was one thing being the Air Elemental, but now she juggling all the other elements as well. It's go to be challenging."

Lando shrugged. "I don't know. I feel like there is something more going on that we don't know about. I feel like her mind is focused on something else."

"Probably Severus."

"Possibly, but she's acting different. Remember how strong she was before, like she could defeat anyone? Just know she looked defeated, as if something is weighing her down so much that she is being crushed under it."

Raina looked where Airiala had long since disappeared. "If that's so maybe that's why she's been avoiding Severus."

"Maybe Severus is involved."

Pyro watched as his girlfriend and best friend speculated on Airiala's life and sighed. "we're going to meddle again, aren't we?"

Both Lando and Raina turned to Pyro and then looked at each other with wide smiles.

"Yeah," Lando said firmly. "I think we are."