Madam Promfry watched Hunn with a concerned look, "Dear?"
Hunn's heart was pounding in her ears. She was frozen where she sat, her tongue glued to the roof of her mouth.
"Hunn," Ginny asked softly, squeezing her hand.
Hunn still didn't respond. Her mind was blank, and her eyes unfocused as she stared into the Hospital Wing.
"Dear? Are you alright?" Madam Promfry asked again more urgently.
Ginny shook Hunn by the shoulders, and Hunn, still dazed and slightly confused, looked into Ginny's eyes and nodded, "I'm alright."
Hunn looked over to Madam Promfry, "This isn't possible. I get a shot from a muggle doctor every three months, so this doesn't happen."
"A muggle shot?"
"It's supposed to prevent pregnancy," Hunn explained, placing her head into her hands as Ginny rubbed circles on her back.
"Have you been receiving them consistently?"
Hunn counted the months since her last shot. Her mother's muggle sister forced her to see a muggle doctor after their funeral, "Oh god, I missed one..."
Madam Promfry frowned, "Well, I can't just let you run around the school in your condition. I'll have to tell the headmaster."
"Dumbledore?"
"Oh, pardon my slip-up. The Headmistress. The Minister has appointed Deloris Umbridge Headmistress of Hogwarts."
"No!" Hunn pleaded, grabbing her sleeves, "Please, can you tell McGonagall instead? Please?"
Madam Promfry looked her over and gave a curt nod before walking away to get McGonagall.
"Are you alright?" Ginny asked, pushing the hair from Hunn's face.
Hunn shook her head, "No, Ginny, I'm not."
"What are you going to tell Fred and George?" Ginny asked softly, looking worried.
Hunn shook her head, shrugging. What could she tell them? They had just left to start their business. She couldn't worry them over a baby.
Oh God, Hunn thought to herself, a baby.
"Are you going to keep him or her?" she asked again, stroking her back hair to help Hunn relax.
Hunn placed a hand on her belly, and it hit her as she stared down at herself. She was growing a little person inside herself. There was a baby in her body that she needed to take care of, "I would never be able to hurt my baby, Ginny," Hunn answered honestly. She respected women and their choice to decide, but she always wanted to keep her little baby.
Ginny nodded and seemed to come to terms with something, "You know this was going to happen sooner or later. You and my brothers would reach this point in a year or two. It just happened a bit sooner than you expected," She ranted, her hand trailing from Hunn's arm to her belly.
Ginny held her hand over where Hunn rested, and Hunn cried, "I'm gonna be a mom, Ginny."
Ginny gave Hunn a big grin and laughed as she hugged her tight, "I wonder how George and Fred are gonna take this. They're opening the shop up. Now, a baby?" she laughed again.
Hunn blanched, thinking of the shop again, "Yeah, now there's a baby," she muttered.
The door to the hospital wing swung open, and McGonagall hurriedly made her way to where Hunn and Ginny sat. Their Professor stopped in front of them and looked Hunn up and down, "I was told to come to the hospital wing. That you needed me, RoseSinger. What is going on?" she demanded.
Ginny backed away, "I should be going. I'll see you later, Hunn."
Before she could walk away, Hunn called out to her, "Ginny! Don't tell anyone. Please?"
She gave a smile and nodded before heading out into the corridor.
"What is going on, child?"
Hunn locked eyes with McGonagall and started to cry. She hurried over to Hunn and sat on the bed with her, wrapping Hunn in her arms, "Oh, my. What is the matter?"
Hunn heaved in a breath and looked up at her before hanging her the vile Madam Pomfrey had left on the table near the bed. McGonagall took it in her hand, and her eyebrows shot straight up.
"Oh," Was all she managed to let out.
Hunn nodded and buried her face in her hands.
"You're pregnant," She finally said out loud.
Hunn couldn't cry anymore, so she just nodded.
"How far along are you?" she continued to question.
"I don't..."
"She's about seven weeks along," Madam Pomfrey explained to them as she approached the bed.
McGonagall stroked Hunn's hair absentmindedly, "You'll be showing in about five more weeks..." she rattled off, "You'll need to keep this under wraps. Umbridge cannot find out," She warned, nervousness seeping into her words.
"Find out what?" a sweet, deceiving voice asked from the archway of the hospital wing.
Hunn swallowed thickly and curled into the covers on the bed to hide from her narrowed gaze.
McGonagall stood tall and stepped in front of her, "This is none of your business, Deloris."
Umbridge faked offense and frowned deeply, "I am Headmistress of this institution; everything that happens here is my business," she walked closer to where they were and stopped when she was face to face with McGonagall.
"This is not your business. Please be on your way," McGonagall demanded, still standing tall.
Umbridge searched around them, and when her eyes landed on the vile with purple liquid, she looked confused, "What is that?" she asked, pointing.
"I've got the flu," Hunn lied quickly.
Umbridge narrowed her eyes at the both of us, "Why would you want to hide this from me?"
"Didn't want you to get sick," McGonagall said with a straight face.
"You both think you're so clever, don't you?" She snapped, "I am Headmistress now. I will find out what you are hiding," She turned on her heel and walked from the room.
McGonagall turned to face her, letting a breath out, "You have three weeks to prepare for your final NEWTS, and then you'll need to be gone. I don't trust her not to do something stupid. You'll be heading home in a few days for the Easter Holiday. Just lay low until then," She turned and walked away without a backward glance.
Hunn wiped her eyes and stood to leave when Madam Pomfrey cornered her and thrust a potion into her hands.
"Drink this. It has all the vitamins you need when you're pregnant," she said. She gave her a sad smile and walked away.
The potion looked like dirty lake water and bubbled slightly. Hunn gulped it down as fast as she could, and it slid down easily. The disgusting-looking liquid tasted like iron and milk.
Hunn returned to the Gryffindor common room with a hand resting on her lower stomach. When she entered the common room, everyone was sitting around the fire whispering and chatting; when Ginny saw her, she rushed over, bringing Hermione along.
"Are you alright? You've been gone a long time," Hermione asked.
Hunn nodded and sat near the fireplace, "She gave me something to help with the flu, and then Umbridge came through and started to be a toad," Hunn lied fidgeting with her robes.
Ginny looked at her, "So you're going to be alright?"
"Yeah, I'm just a little sick until I kick this bug."
They fawned over her for a moment and returned to talking. Ginny scooted over to her and held her hand, "You're not going to tell them?" she whispered in Hunn's ear.
"No, I don't even want to tell the twins yet," Hunn whispered.
"But..."
Hunn shook her head, cutting her off, "No, I don't want to distract them right now. They're opening their joke shop and don't need to worry about me."
"I'm sure they wouldn't worry..."
"Right, Fred and George wouldn't worry about me over here and them in Diagon Ally," Hunn muttered, giving Ginny a look.
Ginny held her hand but didn't say anymore. Hunn knew she understood. With the toad being Headmistress, everyone took a risk when they stepped out of the common room. Umbridge was on a warpath, and they could do nothing about it.
The afternoon quickly fell into the night, and everyone hurried off to their rooms, not wanting to bother with dinner in the Great Hall.
Hunn climbed up the stairs to the room she had shared with Fred and George and found it empty. There was a note spelled to the banister of the bed.
The twins told me to give you some space, just in case. If you need anything, I'm staying in an extra bed with some other Gryffindors down the hall. -Lee
Hunn collapsed onto the bed and groaned, feeling the day's weight settle on her shoulders. The sheets were cold, and she was exhausted. Settling in and closing her eyes, her not-so-little kitten hopped onto her chest. Cookie circled before settling between her breasts to sleep. Hunn went to stroke her when she felt a small piece of parchment tied to some ribbon around her neck. She held the note up and read the slanted writing in the setting sun.
Hello again, Love. It's probably only been a few hours, but we wanted to tell you we miss you. We love you and can't wait to see you for the Easter Holiday. We'll write to you tomorrow. Until then, hold your baby until we can keep you. –Love always, Gred and Feorge
Tears prickled her eyes, and she clutched her kitty to her chest and held a hand to her baby.
Hold your baby until we can hold you, God, if only they knew...
Emotions filled her, and she cried. She let it all out again, sobbing heavily into the silent bedroom. She missed them dreadfully, and her heart was aching with it.
As she cried, her body shook, and her nose began to run. The reality of it all was setting in, and she didn't think she could do it anymore. She needed them so badly.
It was different when all she had to think about was class, school, and maybe a prank or two on Umbridge, but now she had a baby.
Fucking hell. She thought, how was she going to manage this without them?
Hunn cried until she had nothing left to give. Falling asleep with damp cheeks and a heavy heart.
Shuffling in the room woke her, and her sleep-filled mind filled the blanks for a moment. She looked around the room for Fred and George but woke only to find Lee gathering clothes.
Her heart dropped, but she stuffed down her feelings and prepared herself for class. This morning's exams were Potions, Charms, which she had missed yesterday, and DADA.
Ginny was waiting by the loveseat for her, looking worried.
"Hey, Ginny," Hunn greeted, looking tired and ragged.
She smiled brightly, "Good morning!"
Hunn walked down to the Great Hall with her, their arms entwined. Ginny ranted about her boyfriend, and Hunn chimed in occasionally, but her mind was scattered. Everyone around them had their noses in their books, and when they walked into the Great Hall, there was no exception.
Ron and Harry had their noses in their notes while stuffing their faces with eggs and sausages. Hunn buttered her toast and snacked to ease her woozy stomach.
Ginny elbowed her, "Aren't you going to eat a bit more?"
Hunn shook her head, "My stomach is too upset right now to eat."
Ginny let it go, and they chatted and laughed about how George and Fred left yesterday. Hunn smiled when they brought up the swamp that had yet to be removed.
"Umbridge was so peeved when she saw the swamp yesterday!"
They looked at Hunn, "How did they do it!"
Hunn went into explaining the rapid replacement charm for the mud and the growing spell used on the trees. They all listened with fascination as she went on about the magic she used to create it. When she reached the part about the twins, she trailed off and went quiet, her heart throbbing painfully.
Their mass of voices replaced hers as she stared off into space. She felt better being around everyone, but a sinking feeling gathered in the pit of her stomach, making her feel nauseous. She prepared to be sick, but it didn't come. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she looked up at the ceiling and saw the owls flying through the hall. Flocks of them flew in and dove to drop their letters.
Seeing the giant owl she had gifted Fred and George fly into the great hall, her heart soared. He flew low and landed on the table in front of her. He rubbed his beak on her hand and chirped. Hunn took the letter from his foot and fed him a piece of bacon. He stayed a moment and crooned with happiness as he ate his treat.
"What the hell is that thing?" Ron asked, watching from down the table.
Hunn smiled, "This is baby. I got him as a gift for George and Fred."
"Baby? That thing is huge!" Baby snapped at him and flew away, spreading his massive wings before taking off with another strip of bacon in his beak.
Hunn ripped open the letter and saw their familiar handwriting:
Hello, Love,
Just wanted to let you know we made it to the shop safe. Good luck with your exams. Be safe while we're gone. Can't wait to see you.
-Love always, Gred and Feorge
Hunn felt her heart beat like crazy. She could practically hear them laughing from here. Feeling better about everything but still nauseous, she excused herself from breakfast and went to her first exam a bit early.
She went to the potions classroom to set up her cauldron for the exam and started preparing her ingredients. Thinking as she worked, her hand rested on her lower abdomen. She couldn't feel anything yet, but soon, there would be little kicks. Tears prickled at her eyes, and she wiped them away as they fell down her cheeks.
"What are you doing?" Snape drawled from the front of her workstation.
Hunn took a deep breath and sat up straight, "I was preparing for my exam, Professor," she mumbled, avoiding his eyes.
"I have eyes," he sneered, "What are you doing here?"
"I have an exam?"
He huffed, "I am aware of your condition. McGonagall has made most of your teachers aware of your physical condition..." He waved his wand and packed away her potion equipment, "I am not surprised, considering you slum it with those red-haired fiends. I fear you will be no different with how many siblings they have. Though I doubt you can do anything with your life now that you have begun to breed. McGonagall has informed me that you wish to take your midterm exams and, in one month, your NEWTs. Now, in your condition, you are not permitted to practice potions without harm to your..." he paused momentarily and gave her a disgusted look, "child..." He turned and walked away from her work area without another word.
Hunn sprang to her feet and followed him over to his desk, "What about my grade?" she asked, panic filling her chest.
"You will write an essay on the aspects of a love potion," He glared at her, "That is the aspects of the potion, the ingredients, characteristics, and the consequences as well as the benefits. Your grade will be based only on the essay and your grade thus far. Due at the end of this exam," He waved his hand, and she took that as her cue to return to her seat.
Students flocked into the classroom, and the exam began. Hunn wrote the essay on the love potion. The hour passed, and she had exceeded six feet of parchment at the end of her writing. She rolled it up from the beginning so the ink would not smug and turned it in. Snape merely nodded and glared at her until she left.
Scurrying down the hall to her next exam, she found Flitwick rushing around, placing objects at everyone's desk area.
"Morning," she called out to him.
He looked over at her and smiled, "Ah. Just the woman I was looking for!" he rushed over to her and smiled, "I hear you will be taking your NEWTs a bit early."
Hunn nodded and gave him a shy smile.
"Well," he waved his wand, "I have compiled a list for you."
He handed it to her and read off the main points for his NEWT exam, "This is everything you will need to pass my exam. If you know these things, which you should, you will do splendidly!" he smiled brightly.
He left her there to go over the list before the examination. The list was essential; nothing should pose a problem, so she focused on her current exam and worked on passing. Hunn concentrated on her Charms, and before she knew it, the hour was up, and she was off to DADA.
Hurrying through the corridor, Hunn found Ginny leaving her exam, "Hey, Ginn."
She hurried over, pulling Hermione along with her. "Hey Hunn," they greeted each other, smiling rig. Hermione was fidgeting next to Gin, NY, avoiding eye contact with Hunn.
Hunn smiled at them, "What's up, Hermione?"
She beamed at her, "Congratulations!" she burst out excitedly, a huge smile on her face.
Hunn's smile fell, "Ginny..."
"What? I couldn't not tell Hermione! She's one of our closest friends!" she explained hurriedly, looking slightly guilty.
Hermione's eyes widened, "I wasn't supposed to know?" she asked softly, guilt filling her expression.
"I didn't want anyone to know. Umbridge is out for my throat, which would only fuel her fire," Hunn explained with her heart pounding in her chest.
Hermione's eyes widened further, "I swear I wouldn't tell anyone else."
"What do you mean?" Hunn panicked. Tell anyone else? Who had she told?
"I just told Ron."
Ginny hopped in, "Yeah, he wouldn't tell anyone... Other than Harry."
Hunn couldn't breathe. Her chest constricted, and dots swam in front of her eyes. She swayed on her feet, and they caught her, "Oh god. Everyone is going to know," she gasped, "and I haven't even told Fred and George yet!"
"No. No. Don't worry when I told Ron it was just us in the common room this morning."
Hunn took a breath, "You have to find Ron. Stop him from telling Harry," Hunn pleaded, tears in her eyes.
Ginny nodded, "I'll find him after this exam," They hugged her and left her for the DADA exam. Hunn's heart was still thundering as she snuck into the classroom. She sat near the rear and hoped no one would pay her attention.
"Welcome to your midterm examination," Umbridge announced, walking to the center of the classroom, "I wish to remind you that there are no wands allowed during testing."
The class gave her a unanimous yes, ma'am.
She smiled at everyone, "Unfortunately, we are a few classmates short. They were expelled yesterday after disturbing a different examination," She paced in front of the class, "This is a warning to any other who may wish to contest me as a Professor and a Headmistress. I will not tolerate disobedience. I will not tolerate secrets," she said, her eyes looking over the room until she found where Hunn sat. "I do not tolerate misbehavior," she grinned wickedly at Hunn, and her stomach knotted.
She waved her wand and sent out the written exams. Hunn waited, but no exam landed in front of her. She raised her hand to get her attention.
"Yes?"
"I didn't receive an exam..."
She laughed, "Silly me." She waved her wand, and a small square of parchment flew through the room. The crimson envelope landed with a soft thump on the desk before her.
Hunn stared at it as smoke rose from the seams. She went to open it, and it flew back into the air and started to scream.
"Hogwarts is for good students, the best of the best. Good students don't break school rules. Good students don't whore around. Good students don't end up pregnant by two school dropouts..."
The lump in Hunn's throat rose and tightened as all eyes turned to look at her.
Hunn looked up and met Umbridge's eyes. She smiled sweetly and flicked her wand, causing the door to slam open. Hunn's tears fell as she raced from the room and ran down the corridor. She ran for McGonagall's office just to find it empty. She walked to her classroom and opened the door enough to peek in.
McGonagall noticed the movement and glared at the door until she saw who it was. She waved Hunn in and snuck around the back of the classroom. Whispers broke out among the students. They bowed their heads, and a few notes flew low between the desks.
McGonagall snapped, "This is still an examination!" she waved her wand, and all the notes passed flew to the front of the classroom.
Heads bowed, and the scratching of quills filled the room again. McGonagall started going through the notes, and Hunn watched from behind her.
'I heard she was pregnant.'
'Yeah, I heard she was whoring around with those Weasley siblings.'
'I wonder if she was with both of them?'
McGonagall moved on to the next one, and Hunn flinched.
'That's the pregnant whore.'
'I wonder how far along she is? She doesn't look massive.'
Hunn looked away, and McGonagall set the notes aside, "What did you nee,d child?"
"She gave me a howler during the exam, and I ran out," Hunn whispered to her, "I didn't know where else to go. I couldn't take my exam."
Noddin, she walked to the front of the room. "Attention!"
Heads shot up and looked nervous, "I want to know what these notes are about."
A hand shot up, "She's pregnant."
"She's a whore," Another voice from the back blurted out.
"She doesn't deserve to be here!"
"Return to your exams. I am stepping out for a moment. There will be no cheating," She waved her wand around and motioned for Hunn to follow her out of the classroom.
McGonagallhurriedd down the hall and Hunn trailed behind her. She pushed the doors of the DADA room open, "Deloris!"
Umbridge stood and met McGonagall at the center of the classroom, "What can I do for you, Minerva?" she asked innocently, a smile plastered on her face.
"You used a Howler to humiliate a student and prevent her from taking her exam."
"I did no such thing. I merely spoke to her through a speaking note to remind her what does and doesn't make a good student here at Hogwarts."
"This is inexcusable," McGonagall sputtered.
"What is inexcusable is a pregnant student. Why broke the rules and has now disrupted the functioning of this esteemed institution."
"You cannot do this."
"I can, and as Headmistress, I want her gone," She smiled and stepped up, "She has now been expelled."
McGonagall stared her down and then, without a word, pulled Hunn from the room. Hunn cried as McGonagall pulled her along. Her heart was breaking, and her dreams were dying as they walked into her office.
"I'm sorry."
Hunn's chest heaved as she cried, "What can we do?"
"I'm afraid I have to remove you from the school. You have been an amazing student, but she is the Headmistress, and I have no choice but to remove you."
"You can't! I can't be expelled. I have to graduate," Hunn pleaded.
McGonagall shook her head, "I'm afraid I have no choice. I want you somewhere safe before she can do anything else."
Hunn sobbed as she lit her fireplace, "Here, you can flu to the Weasleys."
Hunn shook her head and took a handful of the powder.
"I'll work on keeping her from filing any paperwork and push your graduation through as fast as possible. Just be safe," She hugged Hunn and let her go.
Hunn stepped into the ashes, "Weasleys Wizard Wheezes," she whispered, dropping the powder around her feet. She watched as green flames replaced McGonagall and then felt her body squeezed through the fire and was brought out into the empty room of the twins' building. When she stepped out of the ashes, the room was almost bare and a bit scary-looking.
Hunn could hear a noise coming from upstairs. Feet stomping around and things being dropped, she walked up the stairs and across the sales floor until she reached the stairs leading to the upper loft. She climbed up, and her stomach twisted. Feeling nauseous and nervous, she pushed on and entered the living space above.
The room was well-lit and warm, "George?" she called, no answer, "Fred?" she walked through the room until she found the kitchen where they were having their tea.
Fred looked up from the box he was unpacking and stared at her in shock. Hunn waved nervously, "Hello," she whispered.
George jumped and ran to her, "Hunn, what are you doing here? Are you alright?"
Hunn tried to explain, her mouth opening and closing, but her chest and throat tightened. Guilt welled inside her.
She felt she had ruined everything. All their plans were ruined now, and the one thing she had insisted on them doing, she couldn't even do herself.
She was a failure. Tears streamed down her face, and she sobbed into George's shoulder, gripping him tight as she cried.
"Is she crying?" Fred asked, surrounding her from behind and stroking her hair.
"Yeah, what's going on love?" George asked her softly, squeezing her tighter.
She sobbed harder and refused to let him go, refusing to ruin this any more than it already was. Fred sat down with her, and George took her into his arms. She was held between them, feeling safe for the first time in twenty-four hours.
"Are you hurt?"
Hunn shook her head.
"Please talk to us," George pleaded, rocking her on his lap and sounding desperate.
Hunn pulled back and wiped her eyes, "She expelled me," she managed to get out between sobs and tears.
"She can't do that!" George said, outraged, "You'd never do anything wrong... and get caught," he amended.
She shook her head, "She's become Headmistress since Dumbledore left Hogwarts."
"Oh God."
"She still can't expel you without reason," Fred protested, pulling her into his arms and squeezing as he tried to reassure her.
George stood and paced, "We'll go to the minister and demand they let you back in."
"No," Hunn told him, shaking her head.
They looked at her confused, "But love, you need to graduate."
Hunn hid her face in Fred's chest and pulled George down to with her as well, "I'm pregnant," she whispered to them softly. Her words were met with silence.
A million thoughts ran through her head as she waited for them to say something.
Were they mad? They had to be angry. This ruined everything they had planned for months. How could you start a business with a baby?
Would they even want a baby?
What would she do if they didn't want the baby? Her heart raced, and she began to panic.
"Pregnant..." Fred said finally, his voice soft and unsure.
Hunn looked him in the eyes and nodded, "Yeah."
George took her hands and drew her attention, "Are you sure?"
Hunn swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded, "Madam Promfry tested me yesterday. Couldn't even make it a day without you..." she tried to joke. It fell flat as they exchanged a look over her head.
Before she could beg them to tell her what they were thinking, George burst out, "Oh God, Gred. We're going to be dads!"