As It Was *Complete*

58. If You Can't Beat 'Em

Thankfully Remus was still in his classroom, sitting behind his desk. Astra and Draco knocked on the door and entered the room. He didn't even look up. He had his hands on his head and he was looking down at the desk. He sighed heavily.

"Remus?" Astra asked as she approached him. Draco hung in the background, not exactly sure what he was going to say to this man.

'Sorry but it seems that in all the dick moves I have made, I seem to have made the biggest one of all and got your god-daughter pregnant and then nearly messed up our whole relationship with my naivety.' Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue now, does it?

Remus looked up and jumped at the two standing in front of him. "Oh! I didn't hear you come in," he said with a shocked expression.

"We did knock," Draco pointed out.

"Oh...eh...did you?" Remus said sitting up straight.

"What's wrong?" Astra asked concerned.

Remus raised an eyebrow. "Are you serious? You were here less than an hour ago in tears, telling me you were pregnant and that Draco was not happy about it and -"

"I am happy!" Draco interrupted. "I am. I promise you, I am. I am very excited."

"I just...got the wrong end of a situation."

"The very wrong end!" Draco moaned.

"But I was wrong and I overreacted. Sorry about that," she blushed.

"So you two are happy?" Remus asked. "A baby is a big deal!"

"We know," they both said together.

"It may not be an ideal time but I truly believe what is meant for you won't go by you," Astra smiled. "This baby is a gift. It will be more loved than any other. I am financially....well OK -"

"And I am beyond rich!" Draco smirked. "So the baby will want for nothing."

"We are not making this decision lightly. I know the hard work and sleepless nights involved. I know that it is going to be difficult but this is my baby. My family and I will not turn my back on it. I love it already."

Remus smiled. "So you are having a baby?"

"Yes," Draco and Astra smiled.

"You know you are going to have to face an entire school who will judge you for how young you are. They will call you names and -"

"They will have to go through me first," Draco said protectively. "I dare anyone to say anything."

Remus came around to the front of the desk. "Does your father know? Your mother?"

"No, you are the first person I told," Astra said. "Ironic isn't it that you are the first one to find out that my mother is pregnant with me and now the first to find out that I am pregnant with my own baby." She smirked.

"I don't know why you women like to give me anxiety like this. But at least your situation is a little less -"

"Messy?" Astra offered.

Remus nodded. "And I am glad you are both ok with this. It is an exciting time for you." He stepped towards Astra and opened his arms. "So I guess I am the first to say congratulations?" He smiled.

She embraced him, squeezing as hard as she could. She knew he would understand. Above everyone, he would understand. That she was in the exact same position as her mother was before her. Facing the same ridicule, judgement and the same sense of fear.

Remus shocked them both by grabbing Draco and bringing him into the hug. 'Bloody Gryffindor,' Draco thought but he simply dismissed it. 'If you can't beat em...' he laughed into himself.