Black Fortunes

Chapter 20

December 9th

So far Harrigan had enjoyed teaching. He had some truly amusing students in his classes, as well as those that were very talented. Of course, in between the two were the slackers and those that thought they deserved their grades for their family name, but he had been handling them all right. He sighed, staring at his paperwork. Good Merlin, he hated grading. It gave him an even worse headache than going over papers for the Wizengamot and that was truly saying something!

It was almost the Yule holidays however, he was looking forward to getting away from the students and seeing his fiancé for the first time in a couple of months. It was rather pathetic how much he missed having Orion around, even if the older man was simply working on his own paperwork or sorting out some family issue or other. It was something of a portent for their future and he smiled at the mental image that gave him. He was truly looking forward to life with Orion Black.

Sighing, he pulled a stack of second-year papers closer, the younger years were easier than the older ones, some of their mistakes were actually quite humorous. He pulled a quill and a bottle of red ink to his place, frowning as the ink conjured a random voice saying 'I think we should just get him a pot of everlasting red ink, the greasy git!' He shook his head, wondering where these random things came from. They were similar to memories, but it was like they were just out of reach.

He started to read the top paper, noting thankfully that it was a Ravenclaw, which meant that it would at least have some effort towards grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Not to say that all of the Ravenclaws were the best at writing, he'd come across some that were truly hideous quality writing. He'd placed an unmarked copy of them aside to show to Filius, surely the man could get them some help with their writing?

He had finished the second years and was halfway through third when there was a knock at his door. "Come in!"

The door opened hesitantly and Sirius Black poked his head around the corner. Harrigan smiled at his stepson-to-be, saying, "Come on in, Sirius. I'm just grading at the moment."

He stepped inside and carefully shut the door before walking over and sitting in the chair across from Harrigan. Harrigan took the cover of reading the paper to study the young Gryffindor and he didn't like what he saw. Sirius was pale, his shoulders rounded slightly and he was twisting his hands in his lap. Whatever he wanted to say, he was incredibly nervous about. Harrigan pursed his lips slightly and finished working on his paper, leaving Sirius to think a bit more before finally he settled the paper and quill down and looked at him.

"What can I do for you, Sirius? You seem nervous about something."

"I need help," the teen said hoarsely, "and I don't want my Father to be angry with me."

Harrigan sat back, considering. Obviously, this was something big if Sirius was worried about Orion being angry in the first place. He debated his relationship with the man and the trust Orion had placed in him before carefully selecting his words. "I will listen without judging, but if it is something that is affecting your health or wellbeing you do need to tell your father."

Sirius rocked a little in his chair and then, staring down at his hands he said very quietly, "I think I might be pregnant."

Harrigan's eyes widened. Of all things, he had not been expecting that! Carefully keeping any judgment out of his tone he said, "I take it Lucius is the father?"

"Yes," the teen whispered. "I know we are only betrothed and I am only seventeen, but if I am pregnant I don't want to get rid of the baby."

"Of course not," Harrigan reassured. "How far along do you think you are?"