A/N: As always, many thanks to Glitterally for taking the time to beta this crazy mess of mine.
Ch. 17
Sunday Morning
The Great Hall
Students lurched into the Great Hall on the morning after the Gryffindor/Ravenclaw Quidditch match; the Gryffindors were noticeably slower and indeed absent, especially the older students. Apparently, the victory celebration had gotten a bit rowdy the night before. At the Slytherin table, Draco fixed his coffee as usual and began to peruse the Daily Prophet for the daily news. He carefully sat his mug down to get a closer view of a small article beneath the fold on page one.
Another Cursed Position?
According to sources located at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a student-favorite professor was ignominiously fired on Friday. Professor Zoe Trallop, a certified counselor, was responsible for a class organized to help students cope with their grief and stress resulting from the Second Wizarding War and, indeed, the final battle that took place at Hogwarts. As readers will no doubt remember, on 2 May 1998, Voldemort and his army of Death Eaters attacked the school, ultimately facing total defeat at the hands of Harry Potter and the formerly secret resistance group, the Order of the Phoenix. Many students who had reached their majority participated in the battle, and the casualties, including those who were were not of age, were staggering. The Ministry has recently conducted an interim census and the numbers of death and wounded are truly devastating. (See article "Census Reflects Staggering Losses" on page 12 for further details.)
Professor Trallop was released from her teaching position after Headmistress Minerva McGonagall (Mugwump, Order of Merlin First Class) unceremoniously made the counseling class optional. There is some question of whether or not the Headmistress had the authority to make that decision given that the program was Ministry-mandated. However, both Hogwarts and the Ministry have declined comment at this time. Professor Trallop's abrupt dismissal brings to mind the cursed Defense Against the Dark Arts (DADA) position. No professor maintained that position for longer than one school year for decades. Whether that curse has been broken has yet to be seen, but could this be another case of a 'Cursed Class?'
"A student favorite my arse," he snorted. "Blaise, did you see this?"
Blaise glanced over at the offending article. "Yeah, but forget about that; you need to look at page twelve. That article on the census - this isn't good."
Draco flipped to the census piece and scanned it quickly. "Damn. I knew it was bad, but I didn't know it was that bad."
"What do you think they're going to do?"
"Nothing we'll like. But we won't survive without a serious increase in the population." Draco mulled over the article. "Wouldn't surprise me if they tried to revive one of those old marriage laws."
"What the hell are those?"
"I know Binns was boring, but didn't you pay attention at all in History of Magic?"
Blaise snickered. "I sat with Pansy fourth and fifth year, so I was kind of distracted."
"There were some old laws on the books requiring marriages years ago. They might not do it, but I can see it happening." Draco looked thoughtful. "But I bet with all the blood purity nonsense from the war, they'll try to make a difference or some such shite. Wouldn't surprise me if they tried to make sure all Purebloods married Half-bloods or Muggle-borns."
Blaise's arm carrying his cup to his mouth froze. "You can't be serious."
A droll look was the only response.
"Are you saying they won't even let us marry who we want?"
A shrug. "Maybe. But I wouldn't bet on being able to marry your pretty red-head if the Ministry gets involved."
"Maybe they won't do it."
"Maybe." Draco shrugged again, clearly not convinced.
"Bugger."
Meanwhile
Grimmauld Place
Sirius slipped back into his room, breakfast tray in hand. The stray beam of morning light hit Deirdre Kathleen's face, throwing her features into sharp relief. He slid the tray on the bedside table and crouched beside her; he gently brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear and smiled softly. She's good for me, balances me out. Why are there shadows under her eyes?
"Ummm, morning." Her green eyes opened slowly, and she blinked to clear the fog.
"Good morning, sleepy head. I brought your breakfast."
"What time is it?" She yawned and stretched.
"About 8:30; you can go back to sleep, though."
"It feels so much earlier. I don't understand; we went to bed early last night."
"You've been tired for days, sweet. I shouldn't have dragged you up to Hogwarts yesterday."
Kate pushed up in bed and leaned against the headboard. "Don't be ridiculous. I love Quidditch. I've just been tired a bit recently; I'll get over it." She reached over and pulled the steaming teacup to face, inhaling the fragrant steam. "This smells wonderful. Thank you." After a sip, she continued, "What did you want to do today?"
Sirius stood up to sit beside her on the bed, leaning one arm over her legs. "I wanted to spend it with you." His right hand brushed her thigh to her waist to her arm. "Maybe we could stay in here for bit. Or" - he leaned over and brushed his lips to hers - "we could go to your apartment and pack a few bags so you can stay with me all the time."
She returned the brief caress. "Sirius, you know I can't just move in here with you. We've both got reputations to uphold, and I'm really not going to do that to Harry and Hermione."
"I know, love." He kissed her again, took a deep breath, and took the plunge. "This may not be the time, but I want you to stay here with me, live with me. Marry me."
"Ma-marry?"
He nodded solemnly. "Marry me."
"Marriage is forever, Sirius, until death do us part; are you sure?" Kate set aside the teacup on the tray and took his hands in hers. "You've had a huge shock, and I don't want you to do anything you'll regret."
"No, I'll never regret this. I do want to marry you, and Mary would approve. Our daughter is grown; she doesn't need me to be the widowed father. I love you; I think I've loved you ever since you faced me down in Kingsley's office. So, yes, I'm older than you; yes, I've got a child only ten years your junior, but I still want to marry you and spend the rest of my life with you. Please say yes."
Tears glimmered in her eyes. "If you're sure, then yes. Yes, I'll marry you."
"Oh thank Godric." He pulled her into his arms. "I thought you were going to turn me down." He pulled back abruptly. "Don't move; I'll be right back."
Ten minutes later, Sirius came back in the room and took a knee. "I need to do this right." He pulled a ring box from his pocket and opened it. "Deirdre Kathleen Finnigan, would you make me the happiest man alive and accept my proposal of marriage?"
Sunday Evening
Eighth's Tower, Room 1
"Harry! Harry!" Sirius tried to get his godson's attention, but Harry was nowhere near the mirror in his room. Giving up, Sirius hastily scratched out a message to Hermione and Harry letting them know that he was engaged. The last thing they needed was to see it in the Prophet before he told them.
Friday
Rouen, France
Zoe Trallop mulled over the parchments on which she'd written all things she'd learned in her last days at Hogwarts. The list was admittedly shorter than she'd like, but potentially profitable nonetheless. And two of them were more dangerous than she'd like to think.
Daphne Greengrass
snogging and heavy petting with Neville
wants out of betrothal contract with Draco
bought a contraceptive potion with her allowance
plans to consummate relationship on New Year's Eve
Draco Malfoy
dating Luna Lovegood
nothing from him directly, but parents probably wouldn't be happy
Hermione Black
LIVED IN A TENT with Potter and Weasley for months!
dating Harry Potter
destroying a cup that screamed in outrage
Horcrux *research for information
kissed Ron Weasley (wonder if Potter knows)
obliviated her parents
Harry Potter
Aware of intrusions
a man? creature? with no nose (probably Voldemort)
Now, who to contact first? Who would be mostly likely to pay handsomely to keep their secrets? Who could pay the most? Malfoy, of course. She remembered the imperturbable block on his thoughts. Malfoy had obviously been trained by masters at Occlumency, and those masters probably taught him some very ugly spells. Best to steer clear of Malfoy if at all possible. Her eyes narrowed as she further considered the short list. Since her salary was a thing of the past, money was very much a concern. Hermione Black was ruthless and smart, but she had a core of goodness. She might pay to keep from others getting hurt. But how much can she afford? Trallop's fingernail tapped the table as she thought. She smiled. I'll destroy her. Whether she pays or not, I'm going to destroy that chit. Getting me fired, making sure that Harry never trusted me. Oh, she'll pay, no matter what. But first, a payday, so that leaves Daphne Greengrass. Wealthy Pureblood. Her allowance alone will be quite the addition to my bank account. She pulled out a clean parchment and began to write.
Saturday Evening
Kate's Apartment
Kate, clad only in her unmentionables, discarded yet another dress into the pile on the floor. Her sapphire and diamond ring winked in the candlelight. She stopped and admired it. A large rectangular sapphire flanked by two half-moon diamonds, the ring was bigger than she'd ever imagined having, but it suited her hand. It was strangely perfect. Now, if only my pants fit! What's going on with my waistline? I haven't been eating differently. And my breasts are practically exploding out of my bra!
As soon as that thought occurred, a calendar started ticking in her head. When was the last time I had a period? She mentally did the math. But there's no morning sickness. I'm just exhausted all the time. Mum didn't have morning sickness. She was just tired, couldn't get enough rest. Kate considered her wand lying discarded on the bed. There was only one way to know for sure. Do I mention this to Sirius? What if it's a false alarm? What if it's not? If it's true, I got pregnant one of the first times we were together!
A soft pop sounded in her living area, jolting her out of her reverie.. "What's wrong?" Sirius asked.
"Uh, erm, uh, nothing."
"I know you're lying; something's wrong. Tell me true." He walked over to stand beside her, brushing his hand down her shoulder and pressing a kiss to her check.
"I'm having trouble finding something to wear. Everything just isn't fitting quite right. I was just thinking about my diet. And…," her voice tapered off.
"And…," he gently encouraged her to continue.
"And I was, uh, wondering if I might, ah, be pregnant." Kate clasped her hands nervously and looked down to watch them twist helplessly.
Wordlessly, Sirius dropped into his Animagus form. She jumped at his cool, damp nose pressed to her belly. She could see the sides of the powerful dog inhale and exhale, drawing a smell deep into his lungs. After only a few moments, he took a step back and transformed again, immediately gathering in her in his arms. "I think you are, sweet. Not far along though, there's just a faint change in your scent. I'd guess just a few weeks."
"Are you angry?" Her voice was muffled against his chest.
"Angry? No! Of course not." He nudged her with a stirring erection. "I'm far from angry, love; I'm thrilled. You definitely can't back out now." He buried one hand in her hair and ran the other down her back to cup her arse and pull her even closer to him. "I think we need to mark this occasion." He guided her towards the bed until the back of her legs bumped the mattress. "As a matter of fact, I think we'll have to stay in tonight so we can celebrate properly." He kissed her deeply and pulled back only to push her down on the bed. He leaned over and pressed kisses down her neck, her chest, and on her belly. "We really need to stay in tonight, Deirdre Kathleen."
Sunday Morning
Breakfast
The nondescript postal owl dropped an envelope with no return address onto Daphne's plate and flew away without waiting on a reply or even a treat. Frowning, she picked it up and opened it.
Miss Greengrass,
It has recently come to my attention that you have been dating Neville Longbottom, snogging him, hiding in the Room of Requirement with him, and generally behaving in a manner unbecoming of a Greengrass, particularly of a Greengrass engaged to a Malfoy. If you would like for that information to remain between the two of us, you will have to make it worth my time. This letter is a portkey; attach a bag with one hundred galleons in it. If it returns to me with no money attached, then the Prophet will be delighted to pay a commensurate amount for the story.
I look forward to hearing from you on Wednesday.
Your friend
Oh, and Miss Greengrass, if you were to tell anyone of our little arrangement, I would know. And I'd consider that a breach of trust. You wouldn't want that to happen. So, let's keep this just between us.
Daphne felt the blood drain from her face as she attempted to quell her inner panic; she folded the letter and tucked it just under her plate. What do I do? If I pay, they'll keep on asking. If I don't, my parents will find out. Maybe the hundred galleons will buy them off, at least for a bit, get me more time to figure out what to do. Do I have that? Yes, more if I -
"Daph, did you finish that potions work?" Blaise's voice interrupted her almost hysterical inner voice.
"What was that? I mean, yes, yes, I did," she answered, flustered. "Did you need to cross check your work?"
"Well, if you wouldn't mind?"
"No, of course not." She extracted the blackmail letter from between the table and plate and tucked it in her bag as she pulled out her potions parchment for Blaise to check. "Here you go." She handed over the neatly written assignment. "Let me know if you see anything that needs correcting."
"Sure, will do."
Sunday Late Morning
Deirdre Kathleen's Apartment
"When do you want to get married?" Sirius asked Kate as he lazily trailed his fingers up her still-flat belly. "Do you want to have a big society bash?"
"Helga's hat, no!" She burst out laughing. "Can you imagine me waddling down the aisle at eight months pregnant? The society matrons would be aghast."
"I don't care. You'll be even more gorgeous when you're eight months along. Bugger what they say. If you want a big wedding, we'll have one."
"Sirius." Her voice was reproving. "You know me better than that. And, I don't want the gossip for our baby or for your other children. So, no. No society wedding. A small one will do just fine. We can get married next weekend with just our closest family and friends."
He huffed out a sigh of relief. "Oh thank Godric. I'll arrange for a licence tomorrow, and we can tell Harry and Hermione this afternoon."
"Let me be there; I want to ask Hermione if she'll stand up with me."
Gratitude flashed across Sirius's face. "I can't describe how much I love you."
A/N: Thanks for reading! I apologize about the formatting issues on the lists above, but I'm not sure how best to correct them on this system. When and if I figure it out, I'll fix it for you!