Learn to love

Sacrifice

Time jump: No POV

I had managed to send a letter to Hermione, telling her not to worry. Of course, it didn't mention anything about what happened. I really didn't need to hear any lectures from her at the moment. She can yell at me all she wants once this was all over.

The rest of the winter break was spent training with Aaron and Eva. Aaron had for some reason raised our training sessions. We focused a lot on hand-to-hand combat. He no longer held back his punches. I was thankful he avoided my stomach. But that wasn't all that was different. He went to impossible lengths in avoiding me outside our training sessions. But he wasn't the only acting different.

Voldemort had been popping in more frequently to the training sessions. Changing what he didn't like and adding what he thought I was missing. He never spoke to me directly, unless it was a cruel remark. But there were moments when I would catch him watching from a far. He held the same kind of look David did multiple times.

As for Snape, he kept his distance from me. Anytime I walked into a room and he was there, he'd walk out. Whenever Voldemort gave me a task, he made sure not to interfere. And for once I was actually able to breath. Not having him shadow my every move was freeing in a way. I would catch him from time to time checking up on me, but as long as he did it from afar, I couldn't care any less.

Ever since the incident at Molly's home, I hadn't been back. Voldemort prohibited any contact with them to stop. His order being that until my task was done, he wasn't going to risk it being ruined. I learned it was best not to argue with him. The man didn't have the best of tempers.

I woke to the gentle patter of rain on the roof and thunder rumbling from far away. Pushing the blankets off, immediately feeling the warmth of sleep begin to slip away. I swung my feet over the side of the bed and sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. My belly was in full view at the moment. I stood up, my bare feet pressing softly against the soft carpet, and walked towards the window.

The glass was splattered with rain drops, as even more came down. The clouds swirled lightly above the house, their pale grey color suggesting a long, mild storm. A stream of water came pouring from Eva's gutter, towards the soaked grass below. Before even getting dressed, I knew a shower was in need. I needed to get this chill out of my body.

I stepped into the shower, toes flinching as they touched the chilled ceramic floor. I turned the dial, old and metallic, releasing thousands of lukewarm drops, darkening my hair and trickled down my back. My eyes fell closed over and over. Water dripped down harshly past my shoulders, through flaxen hair, and continuing over my large stomach. It expanded out to prove that another being resided within me. Two heartbeats within one stout body. My back ached as my entire weight relied upon it. I looked down at the stretched skin with red vein-like tendrils seeping across the sides, reminding me of an eyeball. Soft white skin, red lines drawn along it. Our heart bangs loudly against my chest, the water from the head of the shower screaming louder, trying to overpower all other noise.

Just then a pain shot through my body, nearly dropping me to my knees. My fear began to rise, I didn't know what was happening. 'What is this? Why am I in pa-' Then it clicked. Pushing past the pain barrier, I focused on my senses. My water had broken. 'Holy shit! My baby is coming!' As I tried to step out of the tub, another wave hit me. "Fuck...Eva!" I wasn't even halfway through my scream, when Eva came bursting through the bathroom door.

"Athena, what's wrong?!" Eva reached for a towel, wrapping it around me. "What is it?"

"B-baby is ready." I gasped.

"About time." Eva chuckled, getting a weak slap on the shoulder. "Come let's get ready. Aaron has the cabin ready to go." Eva quickly helped me dress in sweats and a sweater. Grabbing the planned go-bag and an extra blanket, she dashed us out the door. "The good news is everyone is out at the moment. Aaron is in his room, we will leave from there."