Peacekeepers

Chapter 22: Draco Scindendi

Diane had gone to get Anne from their house, helping her up the hill since she was getting a bit large to be going up by herself. Her center of balance was all shifted back, making it harder for her to balance.

"Thank you for helping me." Anne said as Diane held her arm for support as they walked up the hill toward their house.

"Of course! You know we could have done this at your house too, you know." Diane smiled.

"Oh no no, trust me you don't want that right now." Anne chuckled. "Garreth is experimenting with a new potion, says he's on the verge of a breakthrough or something. The whole place smells terrible." Anne laughed.

"Poor sweetie, and with you pregnant!" Diane sighed in dismay.

"Oh he means well. He says it'll make a lot of money for the little one." She patted her belly happily.

"Ever the logical one." Diane chuckled, bumping her teasingly with her shoulder. "If you want to come hang out at our house if it smells too bad you're welcome to. We can have tea and those cute little sandwiches." Diane grinned.

Anne chuckled and smiled over to her. "You're always so sweet. Sure, I'll probably take you up on that. Though the next few days will be so crazy it may be after..." she blushed deeply. "The wedding." She said in a long breath.

"You must be so excited!" Diane smiled happily.

"I am, and I'm glad we're having a small ceremony. Just our little group and... well his family will be enough to crowd us all." She giggled in amusement.

Diane laughed as well, knowing very well about the infamous size of the Weasley family.

"You going to keep up that tradition?" Diane asked with a silly eyebrow waggle.

Anne blushed at the thought and gave a little bashful smile. "I might... it's hard to say. I like the idea of it."

Diane giggled at how shy she was about it. How cute! "I like the idea of a big family, too." Diane sighed happily. "Maybe it's because we didn't have good families growing up." She smiled softly.

"Maybe, but in Garreth's case it's because it's normal." Anne laughed in amusement. "Though there are plenty of his family who never have children, like Matilda."

"I always wondered why she wouldn't be married or have a family." Diane said softly.

"I'm not sure, I asked Garreth about that once, but he just smiled and said it's something I should ask his aunt. I can't ask something like that, though! It's so personal!" Anne sighed in dismay.

"Well, you're part of the family, now. Get to know her and she'll tell you eventually." Diane smiled reassuringly.

Anne blushed and nodded. "It's pretty different being part of such a big family after only having Sebastian and Solomon for most of my life."

"I can only imagine." Diane chuckled.

"And it'll only grow when the baby comes." Anne said happily, patting her belly with a happy sigh."

"What do you think, boy or girl?" Diane said, looking at her round belly curiously.

"All the old bitties in town think it's a boy from how high my belly is... apparently. I think that may just be wishful thinking, though." Anne chuckled. "I'd be fine with either."

They finally made it to the top of the hill, Anne giving a little breath from the effort as Diane let go of the arm she'd been holding to support her on the way up.

"I swear, could you two have found a smaller hill to live on?" Anne wheezed a bit.

"Sorry Anne." Diane smiled, opening the door to let her in.