'Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Warning: None for this chapter

Chapter 30 – Secrets Revealed

"Michael," Ofelia breathed. She vaguely registered that he was leading her clear of the hearth before he had taken her in his arms and was holding her very tightly.

"Ofelia, I couldn't believe it when your friends told me you had left," he murmured into her hair, his warm breath ruffling the fine blonde strands. "I never expected you to stay away – and with no word from you, I had no idea what had happened."

"I'm so sorry, Michael," she whispered. "I didn't know that I wasn't coming back until I arrived in London. There was no way I could contact you."

"It's all right; you're here now," the young wizard soothed. "Come. I've reserved a sitting room for us to use. We'll order lunch and we'll talk. Ok?" He gently lifted her away from him and brushed the backs of his fingers over her cheeks.

She nodded and entwined her fingers with his as they walked over to the wizened proprietor and asked to be shown to the sitting room that Michael had reserved.

"It's not very fancy," Michael said as he opened the door for her to enter. "It will give us a bit of privacy, though – and it's clean."

Ofelia looked back at him and smiled. "You needn't apologize. This is perfect."

"Are you hungry?"

Ofelia shook her head. "No, but tea would be nice."

While Michael dashed into the hallway to catch Tom and place the order, Ofelia looked around the room. A large chaise lounge was situated before the fire, its fabric worn with age and occupancy. Two matching wingback chairs stood opposite, each with a matching ottoman that invited travelers to settle in and put up their feet for a bit. A wooden table with two ladder-backed chairs had been placed against the wall boasting the only window. In the far corner sat a bed with deep crimson hangings. An assortment of colorful, woolen rag rugs were strewn about the wide-planked wood floor which, coupled with the crackling fire, finished off what was a genuinely cheerful room.

Ofelia walked over to the fire and stood, quietly warming herself. I haven't been nervous around Michael since that very first day; his smile had calmed the butterflies, she mused, but had ignited deeper feelings, as well.

"Sorry to have taken so long, love," Michael bustled back into the room, balancing a full tea tray carefully as he kicked the door closed with a smile. "Tom, apparently, is full up and told me to run along to the kitchen and he'd see to it that we were fixed right up!"

This added as he moved over to the table and, with a grateful sigh, transferred the tray to its gleaming surface.

"Do we need to do our own washing up after?" Ofelia asked, smiling as she accepted her cup from the tall young man.

"Well, if we do, it will be magically accomplished," he returned, noting the slight tremble in her hand. "All right, love?"

"Fine," Ofelia walked back toward the fireplace and sat on the end of the chaise. "Care to join me?"

Michael fixed his own cup and came to sit beside her. "Talk to me, 'felia. Please tell me what has happened." When the young woman remained silent, Michael placed his cup on the floor and touched her arm lightly. "Please?" he said again. "You know that I love you; you can tell me anything."

Finally, Ofelia looked up at him, her face pale. "Yes, I do know how you feel; I love you, as well, but there is just so much happening at one time that I am afraid that perhaps you will think badly of me once you've heard it all."

Michael took her hand in both of his and looked intently into her eyes. "Well, as that is completely impossible, I think you have nothing to worry about. Why don't you tell me what's going on and then we can begin to figure it out?"

With a nod, Ofelia took a deep breath and began to tell Michael all that had happened since she had last seen him. Although he didn't interrupt her at any time during her rather long monologue, his face conveyed his shock, outrage on Ofelia's behalf and, finally, calm determination.

At last, Ofelia was finished and the silence hung thick in the air.

"So, let me see if I understand," Michael said. "Since I saw you last, you've been moved from France to London and then to a school in Scotland. You've gained a fiancé, the scion of one of the Darkest Pureblood families in our world who, as luck would have it, also has a girlfriend of his own, and doesn't really want to chuck her out in favor of marrying you. On top of everything else, for the past month or so, you've been part of a band of merry, non-Dark witches and wizards – one of whom is your fiancé - and have been conducting this little covert plan to discredit your fiancé in the eyes of your brother, who would then report back to your father. Your father, being aghast at your fiancé's complete lack of sexual self-control, would storm the castle walls, removing you from certain ruination at his hands." He paused and, eyes twinkling, gave her a very large grin. "How'd I do?"

Despite her nerves, Ofelia found his merriment infectious and she returned his smile with a warm one of her own. "Brilliantly. You got it in one and lightened the mood as well; I wouldn't have expected less from you." She grew more sober as she thought of the consequences that would befall Sirius at home.

"What is it, love?"

"Michael, I have little detail, but I do know that Sirius suffers incredible abuse at the hands of his mother. Once my father notifies the Blacks that he has not mended his ways, as ordered, I fear that his difficulties will only increase. He brought his friends into this mess in an effort to help both of us out of an untenable situation. I didn't always make it easy for him, either, but I had other considerations, too – of which he is not aware. It seems unfair that, if this all works out well for us, his reward will be to suffer even more."

"There is little we can do to alleviate that, you know. The Blacks are legendary – even in France – for their commitment to the Dark Arts. You've said that this son – Sirius, is it? – has rebelled against far more than this arranged marriage. He has strong friendships at school?"

Ofelia nodded. "And some degree of protection from the Headmaster, I'm told."

"Then, when this is all sorted out, the Headmaster should be told so that he can proactively formulate some means of enhancing whatever protection he can exert for Sirius." Michael cast a warming charm on their tea and handed Ofelia her cup. "I do have a couple of questions, if I may ask them."

"Of course," Ofelia took a sip of her tea, then placed it back on the floor at her feet. How it is possible to feel so much anxiety in the presence of someone you love so very much? The question burned through her brain as she waited for Michael to continue speaking. Because you've reached the moment when you could lose it all, taunted a firm voice in the back of her mind; a voice that sounded suspiciously like Arturo's.

"Arturo fell for your plot to discover Sirius in a – well – compromising situation with another witch a week ago. You've said that you asked Arturo to delay notifying your father. Why?" Michael's face held no sign of suspicion, merely curiosity.

"While you painted an amusing image of my father storming Hogwarts when he received Arturo's owl, it may not be very far from reality. I have no way of knowing for certain how Father will react. Will he contact Orion Black to report his displeasure? Will he instead summon me home or travel to Scotland to remove me personally? I could not have risked him coming to Hogwarts and forcing me back to London before this weekend. I could not have borne not seeing you – not speaking with you," she explained, clasping the hand that reached for hers as if it were a lifeline. In reality, it is, Ofelia realized.

"But surely, my love, you could have contacted me once you'd reached London…"

"But I could just as easily not have been allowed to contact anyone. I couldn't be sure how Father would react." Ofelia jumped up from the chaise and began to pace up and down in front of the startled wizard. "Sirius asked me the same question; he wasn't amused that I'd delayed this for another week without telling him. Why is it that people just can't understand what's at stake here?"

Michael rose and slowly walked toward the agitated young woman. He placed his hands on her shoulders, gently turning her to look at him. "Perhaps because there's more at stake here than we know about." He brought one hand to her chin so she couldn't look away before continuing, "Perhaps because what we know to be the goal seems to be best achieved by following the original plan." He watched as Ofelia's eyes filled with tears. "There's more, isn't there, love? The 'other considerations' you mentioned earlier – the ones that you failed to disclose to Sirius?" She nodded, tears dropping onto his hand as she finally lost the ability to hold them back. "And I'm somehow involved in all that you're not saying, yes?"

This is it; I cannot bear what may come now …

"Talk to me, love." Michael's patient voice cut through the anxiety.

Ofelia drew a deep breath.

"I'm pregnant."

XXXXXXXX

The green flames swirled and rose with Ofelia's form, leaving Sirius staring briefly at an empty fireplace. Whatever happens, I can't stop it or change it; she's gone. Sirius closed his eyes for a moment. Merlin, I hate not being in control of this…

"Here, love."

Sirius opened his eyes to see a shot glass half full of what smelled like Firewhiskey being held in front of his face. Looking up, he saw Rosmerta smiling at him. "Whatever's going on with that young witch has certainly got your wand in a knot. I've not yet met a knot that Old Ogden couldn't loosen. Here, down it in one go – and don't try to convince me that you've never had this before now!"

Smiling back at the knowing expression on Rosmerta's face, Sirius reached for the glass and did as instructed. She was right; he and James were no strangers to Ogden's finest. He handed her back the empty glass and stood. "Thanks, Rosie," he said, leaning forward and kissing her on the cheek. "I'm not sure it will loosen the knot any, but you're a kind woman for trying …" He paused and looked back at the empty hearth, before facing Rosmerta once more, "… and for helping us out with the Floo bit – and on the quiet, too. Thanks, Rosie," Sirius said again turning and heading toward the door. Swirling the Cloak over himself, he chuckled at the shocked expression on the pub owner's face as he opened the door. "See you later this afternoon, Rosie," he whispered and then he was gone.

On the other side of the door, Sirius checked his watch. 11:45; Remus, James and Peter should be along shortly. With great longing, he thought of Kate, who would be coming to Hogsmeade with Lily. At least I'll get to see her, he thought to himself as he opened the door to The Three Broomsticks and slipped out into the chilly street.

XXXXXXXX

As the remaining three Marauders, Lily and Kate approached the village moments later, their thoughts were similarly focused on Sirius and, of course, on Ofelia and her date with the mysterious Michael.

"I would say that much light will be shed by the end of the day today," James pronounced, doing his best to sound wise and all knowing. Fortunately for him, he missed the amused roll of her eyes that was Lily's response.

"Bit of the Divination gift in you, eh, James?" Remus offered, chuckling, receiving a light slap on his back in return.

"You were in the dorms last night," James replied. "It sounded as if Sirius was jumping up and down on his bed with all the twisting and turning he was doing. He's as worried about today as I've ever seen him about anything."

At that moment, Kate and Lily walked briskly past the trio of wizards, turning to put their tongues out at them once they'd pulled ahead on the path.

"The stakes are higher than he's experienced in the past," Remus said quietly, eyes on Kate. "I'll wager that what he could lose has got him in a right state."

"Oi," James called to the two witches just ahead of them. "It's not much of a date if the witch dumps her wizard before they even get to the village!"

Lily turned around, walking backward as she replied, "Depends on the perspective, doesn't it?"

"Well, I should … hey!" James' voice rose significantly as he realized the import of Lily's come back. The three wizards exchanged a look of mischief and began to run full out toward Lily and Kate, who were laughing too hard at the boys' faces to do anything but stand there waiting for them. When the group had finally composed themselves, the five friends continued through the gates of the village, with Kate's eyes, in particular, looking out for any sign of her wizard.

It was as they stood in front of Madame Malkin's shop-front window, (the girls gazing at the display of robes with the sign "Exclusive to Madame Malkin's: Re-kindle that fire in your wizard's eye with the latest designs by Appollonia L'Amour"), that Kate felt a hand under her elbow and a warm breath near her ear.

"Believe me, my love; this wizard's fire needs no re-kindling!"

"Not fair when I can't see you, Mr. Black," Kate whispered, her gaze still fixed on the collection of alluring robes.

Sirius smiled at the catch in her voice and the blush he could see touching her cheek.

"You're blushing, Ms. Morgan," he continued.

"No doubt," she whispered. "You know you're supposed to be wandering the streets with your mates, don't you?"

"Yes, but you're so much better looking than they are," he murmured, his smile audible.

"Talking to yourself, Kate?" Remus' voice sounded to her right. "First sign of madness, you know."

"Moony, I don't think that's quite right in Kate's case," James chimed in. "I think the first sign for her was when she fell for Padfoot!"

"Think you're a bunch of ruddy comedians, don't you?" Sirius grumbled beneath the cloak. "Look, you lot head over to Quality Quidditch Supplies. There's an alleyway running behind it. I'll duck into the alley, ditch the cloak and meet you inside, yeah?"

"Sounds good," James replied. "Come along, men; let's go see what the newest racing broom has to offer."

"I'll see you back at the castle later on, Katie," Sirius whispered, warmth filling him as he saw her smile in response.

"Yes. I'll meet you in the Common Room – Delilah's sister be damned!"

Sirius chuckled and moments later, Kate leaned into the direction he'd been standing to find the space empty. She sighed. I'm tired of the brief encounters, too, Sirius. One more day.

"Come on, Kate; let's head over to Flourish & Blott's. There are a few things I need to pick up while we're here," Lily said. Crossing the narrow street, Lily pointed over toward the Quidditch Shop. The four Marauders were just exiting the alleyway. "Warms your heart to see them reunited, doesn't it?" Her voice was teasing as she acknowledged James' wave with a nod of her head then steered Kate in the opposite direction. Kate followed – but not before she caught sight of Sirius' small wink. Smiling, she turned to her best friend as they, too, moved further into the shopping district.

The group ran into each other throughout the next couple of hours as they criss-crossed the shops in Hogsmeade. Around 2 o'clock, Sirius' nerves began to get the better of him once again and Remus suggested that the four of them head over to The Three Broomsticks for a late lunch - and some butter beer. "Firewhiskey would work better," Sirius grumbled.

"You can't be pissed and expect to get Ofelia back to the castle without blowing her cover, can you?" James pointed out, holding the door for the other three to enter.

When they'd adjusted their eyes to the dimly lit interior of Rosmerta's pub, Remus immediately located Kate and Lily sitting at a booth in the back of the establishment. As luck would have it, there was an empty booth directly in front of theirs and the four wizards immediately claimed it.

"Four butter beers, please," James gave their order to the young barmaid and handed round the menus.

When the young woman returned with their beverages, they each ordered thick ham sandwiches with crisps and pickles and sat back to wait for them to arrive. Sirius was glad that he could look past where James was sitting and see Kate; his nerves were steadily climbing and seeing her face kept them from escalating out of control.

When the food arrived, the wizards tucked in, devouring the contents of their plates in relatively little time. Sirius, too, was ravenous, having only picked at breakfast much earlier that morning.

"Ah, I see the lion cubs have been let loose from their cage for the afternoon," Lucius Malfoy pulled up beside their table on his way to the door. "And without a handler, as well; tsk, tsk – how careless of the school."

"Said the lead viper from the Slytherin nest," Sirius retorted nastily. Just what the Healer ordered to let off a little steam.

Lucius smirked, his hand stroking the silver head of the snake that adorned his walking stick. Affected git, Sirius thought to himself. I ought to give him a real reason to use that fuckin' stick! "Speaking of snakes, Malfoy, where's the rest of your little band of followers?"

"Ah, Black, how your intellect never fails to blind me with its brilliance," he smirked. "Actually, my friends are awaiting me elsewhere. In passing by this … establishment … I saw you – but not your fiancée." His eyes slid to where Kate and Lily were sitting, listening to every word. "Although I did notice Ms. Morgan. Surely you are not being unfaithful to our dear Ofelia? The consequences of doing so would be – for you – quite dangerous, indeed."

"Are you threatening me, Malfoy?" Sirius' voice was close to a growl.

Lucius' icy blue eyes widened in feigned shock. "I? Threaten you, Black? Hardly necessary. If your behavior regarding Ofelia was not acceptable to him, her brother, Arturo, would certainly do far worse to you than I ever could. One owl, Black, and your life becomes a living hell."

Sirius snorted. " 'Becomes a living hell', Malfoy? Becomes? Haven't you been paying attention? It already is! Now, why don't you be a good little Dark Wizard and piss off so we can get on with enjoying our afternoon. Or, I could just hex you and leave you under the bloody table here 'til one of your lot slithers by looking for you. Your choice, Malfoy. Say the word."

While Malfoy's eyes narrowed at the younger wizard, he did not rise to the bait. "As I said, my friends are waiting for me. You wouldn't want them to come looking and find you here with someone not your fiancée, would you?" A moment later, he was sweeping toward the door, his white-blonde hair clearly visible as he strode importantly through the exit.

"Wanker!" James muttered after the Slytherin had left. "I can't stand that git. He's almost as bad as Snape!"

Sirius nodded. "As much as I hate to say this, Prongs, I think he's almost worse."

"We should probably take another walk around the village before Ofelia Floos back here," Remus offered, draining the remainder of his butter beer. "It would be good to know where that lot is located before we walk her back up to the castle."

The others murmured their agreement, with James quietly passing the plan to Lily who nodded in concurrence.

"You all right if we head off, Pads?" Remus asked.

"Yeah, yeah, you guys go on. Makes sense to find the Slytherin gits before we head up. I'll see if Rosie will let me wait in her office 'til Ofelia Floos through." And we can finally send that bloody owl, he thought to himself.

As his friends rose to leave, Sirius heard rustling behind him, signaling that Lily and Kate, too, were ready to depart. As she passed him, Kate discreetly squeezed his shoulder and Sirius felt a familiar rush of warmth at the contact. Almost there, Katie.

XXXXXXXX

Michael stood by the fireplace, elbow resting on the mantel, absorbing the news Ofelia had given him. Pregnant. He didn't truly know what to think, let alone say about this sudden shift in their circumstances. He was a student with limited means; his parents paid his tuition and provided pocket money each month, but it was hardly sufficient to support a family.

Ofelia watched the young wizard with rapidly escalating concern. He had said nothing since she had given him the news she had kept exclusively to herself for the past month. Somehow, she had truly believed that once she told Michael, she would have someone to help shoulder this burden; watching his face now made her fearful that she would continue to deal with the situation alone.

"Michael?" If it's to be bad news, it's better to know now.

The sound of her voice seemed to rouse him from his thoughts and, with a slight shake of his head, Michael turned back to her. "I never expected this," he said.

Ofelia's eyes widened. "Are you saying that I did? It wasn't planned, Michael. That afternoon, in the old cottage on the estate, neither of us was thinking very clearly, were we?"

Michael rushed over and sat next to her, taking her hand. "'felia, I don't think that you planned anything. I don't think you would do that. I'm just … I'm shocked. I never – not for a moment – expected this."

"I can relate," Ofelia replied quietly. "So, where does this leave us?"

"Honestly? I don't know," Michael said, quietly.

Ofelia made to remove her hand from his but he gripped it tighter. "No, love," he pulled her toward him. "I won't let you run from me. I'm not going to run from this. I love you – this doesn't change that." He paused, pulling back so he could see her face. "I have to ask, 'felia. Do you want this child?"

Ofelia nodded. "It's not a question of wanting or not wanting; this child is a fact. Born or not, it's here; I cannot end its life."

Michael smiled in relief. "Good. I feel the same way."

"Michael, I'm sixteen years old and still in school. I don't have complete say in my life as of yet," Ofelia pointed out.

"You will be seventeen in the beginning of May. That's well before the end of school and, I'm guessing, before the baby would be born, yes?" Michael glanced at Ofelia's still flat stomach.

"Yes," she nodded. "We were together in the middle of November. I am just over two months along. The baby will be born around the middle of August. But, Michael – my pregnancy will be readily apparent within the next couple of months. People will notice – and report my condition to my father."

"There are spells that would conceal your condition without harming the child," Michael said, quite matter-of-factly.

"How do you know this?"

"There was a young woman at University who discovered that she was pregnant over the summer. She was the daughter of a very prominent Minister of Parliament. Like my own family, the mother is a witch, the father a Muggle, obviously; the daughter, too, is a witch, although she has not completely embraced that part of her heritage. The family was quite anxious that her condition remain concealed, especially as the MP was up for re-election and stood on a platform of family values," Michael explained. "The pregnancy of his youngest – unmarried – child would have flown in the face of his rhetoric and, most likely, would have contributed to his defeat."

"What happened?"

"The family sought out the assistance of a Healer in London who taught her the spell to cast to conceal her condition. No matter how advanced her pregnancy became, the outside world saw the svelte young woman she had been when she entered the school," he said. "She released the spell at night and re-cast it each morning. She has delivered a normal child and plans to marry its father when school concludes for the summer months. The child is staying with her older sister who is married with a child of her own."

"How do you know all of this?" Ofelia wanted to know.

"She is a friend of mine. There is a wizarding community on campus – underground, of course – and she connected with a group of people I know fairly well. She's a decent sort; not quite sure about magic and how to handle it all. The child's father is a Muggle, but she reckons that this is not the end of the world; her own mother married a Muggle and it has been a happy union for many, many years."

"Do you know this spell?"

Michael shook his head. "We are not that close. We could go and see her on campus, however and ask her to take us to the Healer who helped her. You could be seen and taught the spell, if the Healer is agreeable." He checked his watch. "We have more than enough time if you wish to do it today."

Ofelia took a deep breath. "What are the odds that I can actually see someone today? It's Saturday, after all. And, how do I know that this Healer will not go to my family and tell them about all of this?"

"We won't know anything until we try but I know this. I will not allow anyone to harm you – or to take you from me. If we have to lie about your age when we speak with this Healer, then that is what we will do. Once you turn seventeen, we will no longer have to do this," Michael reasoned.

"Alright, then," Ofelia agreed. "Let's go and see if we can accomplish all of this before I have to meet with Sirius and return to Hogwarts."

"Is there someone at school whom you could trust with this news?" Michael asked as they rose together from the sofa and walked toward the door.

"Why?"

"In case anything happened, it would be safest for you – and our child – if there was someone who knew of your condition."

Ofelia thought of Lily. She had shown such concern for both her and the situation. She made up her mind. "Yes. There is a young witch in my year who has been very kind. She is part of the group helping with this whole marriage contract business. She would keep our secret if I asked it of her."

As the couple walked toward the exit, Michael paused to speak with Tom, ensuring that the sitting room would still be available upon their return. Satisfied, the two young people stepped into the street and began the walk towards Michael's campus. A thought struck Ofelia as they made their way along the slushy walkways.

"I must hold to my word and send an owl to Father this evening. I must tell him that Sirius has been unfaithful. He may try to remove me from school," she said, feeling her panic escalating again.

Michael turned her to face him and placed his hands on her shoulders in an attempt to calm her. "If he attempts that, you can tell him that you wish to remain at Hogwarts through the end of the school year to be near to your brother during this upsetting time. It's his last year. You can transfer back to Beauxbatons to conclude your education in September."

Ofelia considered his suggestion and nodded. "I believe it could work." They resumed walking and after a short time, Ofelia offered Michael a small smile. "Do you know, I think that you and Sirius would get along quite well?"

"How so?"

"Well, you both meet adversity head on, and you retain your ability to think on your feet. And you are both very loyal to those you love," she replied. "I must tell him the truth, as well, you know. It isn't fair to keep it from him."

Michael nodded. "Do what you feel you must. You obviously feel that you can trust him and I, of course, trust your judgment." He paused outside a gray stone building. "Here we are. Ready?"

Feeling anything but, Ofelia nodded, fixed a smile on her face and walked through the door Michael held open for her. I can only hope that the rest of today goes as well as it has so far, she thought as she stood back and waited for Michael's friend to join them.