A/N: This is a long chapter. Since the last one was so short, I thought I'd get them both up ASAP. I hope you still enjoy. And, I still don't own anything…
Chapter 15—The One with Bad News
Charlie panicked and picked her up, carrying her all the way to the hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey threw him out while she examined Maya. She only allowed Charlie back into the room when Maya insisted she needed him. Madame Pomfrey left them alone and Charlie took a seat next to Maya's bed. "What's wrong?" he asked. She was obviously crying.
"I've buggered everything up," she replied.
"What's wrong?" Charlie repeated.
"I forgot the charms the night before quidditch," she whispered. Realization of what was wrong hit Charlie like a ton of bricks; Maya was pregnant. He sat on Maya's bed and pulled her into a hug, letting her sob against his shoulder.
"You weren't the only person there," Charlie reassured her. "I won't leave you alone."
"You won't?" Maya sniffed.
"Of course not," he promised.
"Can you stay with me? Madame Pomfrey won't let me leave until morning and she's getting Professor McGonagall now," Maya said.
"I'm not going anywhere right now," Charlie promised.
Professor McGonagall, Professor Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey returned moments later to see Maya. "Mr. Weasley, if you'd just wait outside," suggested Professor McGonagall.
"He stays," Maya said. "He stays or I say nothing."
Professor Dumbledore nodded and sat down. "Miss Binning, do you understand why we're here?"
"Yes, Professor," Maya whispered. Charlie squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.
"And do you wish to say anything?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
"No, Professor," May answered.
"Is there anyone outside of this room that knows or has reason to know what is going on?"
"No, Professor," Maya replied. "Everyone involved at this point is here now. If it's at all possible, I'd like to keep it that way."
"Of course, Miss Binning," Professor Dumbledore said. "You and Mr. Weasley are both of age now and you'll both be permitted to sit your N.E.W.T.s at the end of next term. After you graduate, you'll have some decisions to make."
Maya and Charlie nodded. As the group was leaving them alone again, Professor McGonagall turned around and added, "30 points from Gryffindor, for each of you." Neither thought to protest, but just nodded.
Alone at last, Maya and Charlie sat quietly for a few long moments. "Marry me," Charlie said, finally.
"That's not a resolution," Maya replied. "You want to go to Romania and I want to stay in London."
"Do you honestly think I'm going to leave you to go to Romania while you're here and raising my child?"
"I guess not," Maya replied. "But I don't want you to give up your dreams for me."
"It's not just you," Charlie said. "It's you and him or her."
"Him," Maya said. Charlie looked quizzically at her. "You said 'him or her.' It's him."
"A boy?" Charlie asked. Maya nodded. Charlie smiled slightly. "We've got to tell our parents."
"Can we wait until we go home for Christmas?" Maya suggested. "I don't want to get a howler in the Great Hall and have to start answering questions yet."
"We'll be home in a week," Charlie mused. "I suppose it wouldn't be a bad idea to wait until we're home to tell them. It's not exactly the kind of news they'll want to get in a letter. Of course, if Mum kills me, please come to the funeral."
Maya chuckled, and then she laughed. Then, she started to cry again. "You should try to get some sleep," Charlie suggested.
"I'm sorry," Maya said. "For not trusting you and for treating you badly, I'm sorry. Sleep with me?"
"I'm not leaving," Charlie promised, looking directly into Maya's eyes. She lay back on her bed and scooted over. Charlie climbed into the bed with her and put his hand protectively over her belly.
When they left the hospital wing the next morning, they agreed to tell everyone that Maya had passed out from exhaustion and needed to stay in the hospital wing over night. Charlie stayed with her so that she wasn't alone.
They returned home the next week on the train, keeping a compartment to themselves for the entire journey. When they reached the station, they kissed on the train and promised to meet up the next day after they told their parents about Maya's pregnancy.
Maya's mother met her at the train and admonished her for looking tired and thin. Maya said nothing; she simply smiled and agreed with her mother. When they got home, Grace turned to Maya and demanded, "You don't agree with me that easily. What is going on?" Maggie had entered the room, but Grace shooed her out. "What is it, Maya?"
"I'm going to ruin Christmas," Maya said, seriously. "I'm sort of pregnant."
Grace said nothing. She stared at the table for a long time before asking, "Does Charlie know?"
"Yes," Maya said. "He has barely left my side since we found out."
"And what happens after graduation?"
"We're still talking about that," Maya replied. "Charlie proposed, but I said no. He wouldn't have asked if I wasn't pregnant and I don't want him to marry me out of pity or some other feeling of obligation."
"That's a very wise choice," Grace said. "When are you lot meeting up and where?"
"Tomorrow night," Maya answered. "We're meeting in Piccadilly." Grace nodded. She told Maya that she would support whatever decision she made and that she very much wanted Maya to think carefully about her future plans.
Molly waited until the children were heading to bed before she cornered Charlie. He was starting up the stairs when Molly called him back to the kitchen. He had been waiting for this moment since arriving home, but had rather hoped Molly would let it go for the night. "So, Charlie, what's given you fits of the sullens?" she asked.
"I'm sorry in advance, Mum," Charlie started. "You know that Maya and I have been together for over a year now." He paused and Molly nodded, giving him permission to continue. "We've sort of been sleeping together and we forgot the charms once and we're going to be parents." Charlie winced at the last statement, fully expecting Molly to start shouting at him or hit him. Instead, she stayed silent, though her face was contorted with rage.
"Go to bed, Charlie," said Arthur. He had been listening from the doorway to Charlie's confession. Charlie didn't need to be told twice. He went up the stairs without another word and straight to bed.
The next morning, Maya sent an owl to Charlie, detailing her conversation with her mother. Molly still hadn't spoken to Charlie. He went to the kitchen for breakfast and when he arrived, Molly threw the others out of the kitchen and set up silencing charms and door locks so the others couldn't listen in. "What are your plans with Maya, Charlie?" she asked.
"We haven't got it sorted yet," Charlie confessed. "I asked her to marry me; she said no. I won't leave her alone and I'm going to take care of her and the baby."
"And how do you intend to do that?" Arthur interjected. "Do you have any idea how much it costs to raise a child? Do you have any idea the amount of responsibility it takes?"
"I know that it's hard, Dad," Charlie answered. "I don't expect it to be easy. Neither of us expected this and we certainly didn't plan it. We made a mistake."
"A mistake?" Molly shouted. "You've completely ruined your futures! Go to your room."
"Mum, I'm an adult now and I won't be shuffled to my room," Charlie started.
"GO TO YOUR ROOM!" Arthur shouted. It was the first time in his life that Charlie had ever seen his father angrier with him than his mother. Charlie didn't need to be told again. He went straight to his room, past the questioning of his younger brothers and sister.
Bill arrived home later that day for his Christmas holiday. He knocked on Charlie's door and let himself in. Taking a seat in the lone chair in the room, he looked at Charlie and said, "What have you done to set Mum and Dad off this time?"
"None of your business," Charlie answered.
"That bad?" Bill asked.
"Worse than you could possibly imagine," Charlie replied.
"The only thing that would be worse than what I'm imagining is if you went off and got some girl pregnant," Bill said, flippantly. Charlie blushed, but didn't answer. "Oh, bloody hell! Do you have any idea?" Bill was cut off by Charlie.
"Yes, Bill," Charlie shouted, "having been there, I have a very good idea! And Mum and Dad are furious with me. I don't need it from you too! Now, get out of my room."
"Mate, Mum and Dad are the easy part," Bill said calmly. "The worst part is going to be her parents."
"Her Mum knows and she hasn't threatened to kill either one of us and Maya's not exactly on speaking terms with her father," Charlie replied.
"It's Maya?" Bill asked.
"Who else would it be?" Charlie asked. "We've been together for over a year."
Bill was about to start another lecture when Molly and Arthur opened the door and threw him out. "Charlie, we expect that you will take care of Maya and make sure that she has everything that she will need," Arthur ordered. "If she agrees, you will marry her. If she tosses you on your sorry arse, I won't blame her. We're also going to want you to set up a meeting with her mother for us." Charlie nodded. "When are you supposed to meet up with her?"
"Tonight," Charlie answered. "I'm going to meet her in Piccadilly at a place near where I took her last summer."
"We'll tell your brothers and sister when we think the time is right," Molly said. "And we're very disappointed."
"I'm sorry, Mum," Charlie said quietly. Molly and Arthur continued to confine Charlie to his room until after dinner. He was permitted to leave the house at 9:00 to meet Maya. When they met up, they went to a diner for coffees.
"Do you want anything to eat?" Charlie offered.
"No, thanks," said Maya. "Mum's been feeding me too much all day. How did your parents take it?"
"I've been confined to my room since last night," he replied. "They're furious."
"I'm sorry for getting you in trouble with your parents," she said, quietly.
"It's not your fault," Charlie promised. "I was there too. Mum and Dad want to have you and your Mum over for dinner before the end of the holidays. You should expect an owl tomorrow."
"Thanks for the warning," Maya cheeked. "Are they furious with me?"
"I think most of their rage is directed at me," Charlie answered. "I'll keep them off your back. I promise."
An hour later, they left the diner and walked to an alley. Charlie apparated Maya home and kissed her chastely before apparating back to the Burrow. The next morning, Maya and her mother received an owl from Molly, inviting them (and Maggie) for dinner on New Year's Eve. Maya's mother owled back that she and Maya would be joining them, but that Maggie would not be available.
"Are you going to see your father at all?" Grace asked.
"I'll go over for Christmas dinner, but I'm not staying," Maya replied. "And I'm not telling him anything just yet." Grace nodded and left Maya alone.
On Christmas afternoon, Maya and Maggie went to their father's house for dinner. He greeted them both with hugs. After opening presents, they were taken to the dining room for a dinner of roasted goose and mashed potatoes. Maya saw the goose and as soon as the smell of it hit her, she bolted for the toilet. Her father asked if she was alright when she returned and she told him that she had been battling a stomach bug. Maggie held her tongue, knowing that Maya would hex her at the table if she said anything. After dinner, Maya went home and Maggie stayed with their Dad.
On New Year's Eve, Maya and her mother went to the Burrow. They left the house in the early afternoon and apparated to Ottery-St. Catchpole. Charlie greeted them at the garden gate. "Hello, Mrs. Binning," he said, holding the gate for Grace.
"Charlie," she replied. "How have you been?"
"I'm alright ma'am," Charlie answered. They chatted while they walked to the house. Molly was waiting when they arrived and welcomed Maya and Grace into the kitchen. She offered them tea and seats at the table while she sent Charlie to fetch Arthur from his shed.
"How have you been feeling, dear?" Molly asked Maya.
"I'm alright," she answered. "I haven't been sick much or anything. I've just been really tired." Charlie stood behind her, massaging her shoulders when Arthur joined the group in the kitchen. Bill had agreed to keep the other children out of the kitchen for a while.
"Hello, Maya," Arthur said, entering the kitchen. "Hello, Grace."
"Hello, Arthur," Grace replied. "It's good to see you again, though I wish we had a different reason."
"I think we all wish we were meeting again under different circumstances," Arthur said. Charlie and Maya had remained silent while their parents were exchanging pleasantries. Finally, Arthur turned to them and said, "What do you lot have to say for yourselves?"
Charlie started to get angry, but Maya answered for them, "There's nothing we can say, Mr. Weasley. Neither of us planned to be here and we're sorry. I don't know what anyone wants us to say."
"What are your plans?" Molly asked.
"I plan to sit for my N.E.W.T.s and then either get a job or go to school," Maya answered. "I assume that it's the same answer for Charlie." Charlie nodded. "I know that you're upset with us and, honestly, this is hard for everyone. I just don't know what you want from us."
"We want to know that you're going to be alright," Grace interjected. "We want to know that you didn't just jump into bed because you're randy teenagers."
"I love her," Charlie said. "I love her very much and I have done for a long time now."
"I love him, too," Maya replied. "We've been best friends for years. We're still best friends. We always will be. And I've loved him since I met him."
The adults were still unconvinced, but agreed to let the matter drop as Bill was having increasing difficulty in keeping the younger ones out of the kitchen. Molly had made a roasted pork for dinner and was serving it when, again, Maya's stomach revolted. She bolted from the table, but couldn't get to the toilet. Instead, she vomited in the garden. Charlie followed to ensure that she was o.k. "I'm sorry about that," she said.
"It's not the first time someone has vomited out here," Charlie replied. "Fred and George make it a habit to try to get Percy to vomit during dinner. They've succeeded more than once." Charlie led her to the garden bench and sat with her, rubbing her back until they were interrupted by Grace and Molly. After dinner, Maya and Grace returned to London.