Suggested listening: Scars by Elegeion

Chapter 10

Madaline's P.O.V.

Pregnant... 10 weeks pregnant...

I dropped my robe off my shoulders and turned to the side, a small bump protruding from my once flat stomach. Through all the scars, healed burned skin, and skin and bone body of mine... the beauty of life growing within me was hard to mistake and Bartemius was as quick and willing to admit that I captivated him just as I always have. I picked up my bra and eyed it... in a few more weeks, I'll be too big for my B cup and probably in a C or D. I put my bra on and pulled on my knickers, resting my hands on my stomach as I stared at it in the mirror. I cradled my stomach and looked down to see another set of hands rest on top of mine, then another body press against my back and a rough cheek press against mine.

I drew in a shuddery breath, "I can't hide it forever, Bartemius... they'll find out."

"You can always talk to Dumbledor about going to school in the summer-" He tried to tell me, but I cut him off.

"I don't care about judgment from school..." A tear fell, unwillingly from my left eye, "I'm frightened about what Voldemort might do, if he were to find out about my pregnancy."

Bartemius was silent for a few moments before speaking, "I have a friend... he was working on a potion to conceal the look of pregnancy for young witches. Would you like me to owl him?"

I nodded and my voice came out as a hushed whisper, "Please..."

"I will..." He kissed my cheek, "Get ready for school, Darling."

I nodded and felt his warmth leave my body as he turned to leave the room. I drew in a shuddery breath and tried to calm my heart as I cleared my mind of all the possibilities of Voldemort's intentions for our unborn child, if he was to know of my pregnancy. I shook my head and proceeded to put on my uniform, thinking about tonight. Tonight was the Halloween part at the school, and I was to perform... that's if my morning sickness doesn't kick in and make me hurl all over the stage. I'm just grateful that Dumbledor is letting Bartemius come with me, granted he's in a disguise... I need him the most right now.

Breakfast in the Great Hall

I sat at breakfast quietly, moving my eggs around my plate a little as I nibbled on my toast. I was anxious, not about performing tonight, but about the outcome of Voldemort's discovery of my pregnancy. If Bartemius didn't get the potion before the next meeting, it was going to be difficult to explain the newfound roundness to my tummy. I wasn't far enough to be obvious, but it was apparent that there was something there, if you looked close enough. I swallowed down my fear and shoveled some eggs into my mouth, forcing myself to eat not only for energy, but for the little one growing inside of me. I took a sip of my juice and heard a high-pitched giggle that I knew belonged to the one and only Grace Nobel. I smiled as I looked over to her, but it faded once I saw whose arm was around was around her waist... Embry Call. I couldn't believe it... after all of the crap he had spewed about me being his imprint and wanting and loving me only, and he's with someone else. I could see the look on Arianna's face, like she had accomplished something when she looked at Embry and Grace... so it was her that helped them get together. In a way, I was happy that Embry was one less thing to worry about, but at the same time... I kind of missed the attention. I picked up my plate and juice and got up from my seat, moving down to where my old friends were.

They all looked at me and I spoke, "Is it alright if I sit with you? I'm kinda lonely..."

Grace smiled, "Of course, there's no reason for anyone to have to sit alone."

I smiled back, halfheartedly, "Thanks..."

Embry gave me a slightly longing look as I sat down, but then buried his face into Grace's curls and squeezed her tighter as he spoke, "You're always so sweet to people."

Grace giggled as she turned towards him, slightly, "Is that a bad thing?"

Embry smiled as he shook his head, "No... I'm just saying that it's one of the many things I love about you."

Grace and Embry smiled at each other then kissed and I smiled in a heartbroken sort of way, not exactly knowing why I felt sad at the two's show of affection. I felt another body sit next to me and turned to look at who had sat so close to me.

I saw a boy with chestnut brown, floppy hair sitting next to me and started to speak, "Excuse me!"

The boy turned and I gasped slightly when I saw his eyes as he gave me that cocky grin I knew all too well, "You're excused..."

I whispered, "Bartemius?"

He grinned knowingly, but responded anyways, "Michael Foster is the name, and you are?"

I knew where this was going, so I went along with it, "M-Madaline, Madaline Snape..."

He picked my right hand up off the table and brought it up to his lips, "Nice to meet you, my dear, Madaline..."

He kissed my hand and I blushed slightly at the gesture, even though I knew who this was, "Nice to meet you, too..."

He grinned and winked at me, "Do you mind if I join you for breakfast?"

I shook my head, "Of course not... be my guest..."

Michael quickly made himself at home and I could see Embry looking at us suspiciously, I gave Embry a pleading look and he gave me a look that said Is that...? I nodded yes and he got an incredulous look on his face as he spoke, "Madaline, can I speak to you for a moment?"

I nodded and stood up, "Yes..."

Embry and I walked outside, into the hallway of the great hall, and he turned towards me, "Is that Barty?"

I nodded, "Yes..."

Embry got that incredulous look on his face again, "H-how is that possible? I though he was a grown man? What if Dumbledor found out?"

I shook my head, "Embry, stop... Dumbledor knows, nothing goes on in this castle without his knowing about it. Nothing is truly a secret in Hogwarts..."

Embry visibly calmed down a little, "How is he that young again?"

I shook my head, "Who knows what he used... it could've been a spell or it could've been Polyjuice Potion. My guess is a spell because I'd know those eyes and that cocky smile anywhere..."

Embry nodded, but asked another question, "Why is he here?"

I sighed and took Embry's wrist, "Come with me..."

I took Embry to the Astronomy Tower and shut the door behind us.

"Why are we here, Madaline?" He asked me.

I sighed as I wrung my hands, "I don't know why I'm telling you this, but I am... the reason he's here is because of this..."

I lifted my shirt a little and grabbed his hand, resting it on the slight bump that was me and Bartemius's child and he drew in a shaky breath, "That's new..." I swallowed a little and he continued, "How far along?"

"10 weeks..."

Embry got down on his knees and cradled my baby bump in his hands, "Wow..." He leaned forward and pressed his ear against my stomach, "I can hear the heartbeat..."

I smiled a little, "Really?"

Embry nodded, "Yes... it's quite beautiful..." I smiled and wiped away a tear, and Embry stood up, "We should get back, they'll wonder where we've gone..."

I pulled my shirt back down and wrapped my arms around myself, "I'll stay... Please, send Bartemius- I mean Michael up, and tell him to bring some toast. I haven't eaten much this morning and need to for the baby..."

Embry nodded, "I will..."

I called out, "Embry!"

He turned back around, "Yes?"

"Please... don't tell anyone... about Bartemius or the baby."

He shook his head, "I won't... your secret is safe with me, Madaline."

I nodded, "Thank you..."

He nodded and turned to leave... I turned back to look over the grounds at the edge while I waited for Bartemius. Why did I tell Embry? Of all people, I told Embry about secrets that could very well get Bartemius and I killed, or that could get himself killed. It was too late... if I tried to do a memory spell on him, I would only end up telling him once more and have to keep going through the endless cycle. But, it did feel good to get that off my chest before I spilled the beans to someone that could seriously get us in trouble. The door opened and I turned to see Bartemius, I ran towards him and wrapped my arms around him as I pressed my lips against his. I couldn't stop kissing him and he cupped my cheek as we kissed, passionately.

I pulled my lips off his and spoke, "You're young again..."

He smiled, "I wanted to watch over you..." He kissed my lips once, "What better way to do it than like this?"

I smiled, "I never would've imagined..."

"I'd do anything to watch over and protect you, Madaline... to be with you."

I wrapped my arms around his neck, "And I as well..." I held him close and pressed my cheek against his as I spoke, "I love you, Bartemius."

He held me close and responded, "I love you, too, Madaline."

We kissed once more and Bartemius moved to press me against a pillar as he held my ribs and our lips came together. I loved being with him like this, loved the way he held me and loved me so tenderly... knowing that nothing could tear us or our love apart. Bartemius slid his left hand up my side, cupping the outside of my breast along the way and resting his hand against my jaw. I leaned into his touch and felt his lips press against the other side of my neck as I moaned quietly and sighed at the comfort... This is where I belonged, in Bartemius's arms...

Author's Note: So sorry about the long wait on the update, but I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Next chapter is the Halloween party! :) Review? :3