Weasley Twins - A Fate You Can't Escape

Chapter 138 - Honeymoon Hardships

*TW depictions of an abusive relationship

The night of our wedding, Amycus tells me some big news.

He wants more kids.

He want us to make Teddy a big brother.

Part of me is overjoyed.  Babies are amazing.  Teddy would be such a good big brother.  

The little nagging voice in the back of my head is not pleased though.  She is screaming every waking moment not to let my husband touch me.  What is wrong with me?

The days fly by in a mind-numbing blur.  I don't have a calendar to keep track of the days, but I use the full moon to keep my bearings.  Two more full moons have passed, and with the excuse of being sick, my new husband hasn't learned of my condition.  I try not to think about how long I'll be keeping up the charade.  But if lying about it will keep him happy, then I will do it for the rest of my life.

It's a week after the most recent full moon, so probably sometime early May.  I am holding the bag that Amycus bought me in my hand.  Teddy is down for a nap, and I am by myself in the bathroom.  My hands shake as I reach into the bag and pull out the pink box inside.  My hands fumble and drop the box as I try to open it.  Finally I pry the thing open and remove one of the foil wrapped packages inside.  

My fingers are so sweaty it takes three tries to open the wrapper.  I pull the pink and white stick out and stare at it, my stomach rolling with nerves.  I'm already three days late.  I should be excited, but I am dreading what this little piece of plastic will tell me.  Pushing down a wave of nausea, I uncap the test and get to it.

When I finish, I set the terrifying object on the counter and wash my hands.  I count the seconds, not daring to glance at it until the full time is up.  At last, the time is up and I gingerly pick up the test.  I stare at it, uncomprehending for a moment.  

Oh, thank Merlin.

 Negative.

Guilt stabs me in the chest.  I should be upset.  Amycus wants a baby so badly and he was heartbroken last month when my cycle arrived.  I shove the test back in the wrapper and toss it in the trash.  Maybe it's still too early.  That's what I'll tell him.  Since I still haven't started, it could be true.  I hope not.  I don't know how I would be able to handle Teddy, Amycus, and being pregnant.

I head to where my husband is sitting at the table drinking his tea while listening to the radio.  When he spots me, he turns down the sound.

"So?"  He asks, eyebrows raised.

"Still negative, but it's probably still too early."  I bite my lip, praying that he accepts the explanation.  He was furious last month, and I don't want to disappoint him again.

"Stupid muggle tests.  That crap is useless."  He grumbles, turning the radio back up.  I let out a breath, relived that he didn't see fit to punish me again.

"I'm going to start on dinner."  I tell him, hurrying to the kitchen to get started.  He just huffs, dismissing me.

My hands are still shaking as I prepare the food, trying not to think about having to take the second test in the box in a few days.

***

The test is still negative when I take it three days later.  The bruise on my cheek aches as I continue my housework after telling him.  He said he kept the punishment light because there is still a chance.  I thanked him.  He is very generous to me.

Teddy is growing so quickly, now over a year old despite the fact that I couldn't keep track of his exact birthday.  I did give him a bit of cake one day when Carrow was out as a celebration.  Teddy is walking and talking quite a bit.  His favorite word is mama, although he still refuses to call Amycus dada, which angers the man.

Another week passes and another negative test.  I am very confused at this point.  I still haven't bled and it's been way past due.  This time Amycus isn't so gentle with my punishment.  The right side of my ribs are now a deep purple.  He said that maybe this would kickstart my period so we can try again for the next cycle.  He's probably right.  He wouldn't do something that isn't for my own good.

I am still brewing him the potion he asked for the first day.  Every Monday night, I brew a decent sized batch.  He rewards me with a treat afterwards for my hard work.  This is the only time I get sweets.  

I am finishing my current batch of potion, stirring it gently as it simmers, the sheen slowly turning from a sky blue to it's signature pearly sheen.  I hear a loud bang upstairs and I give Teddy a quizzical look where he sits in his play area.  

"Bam! Bam!"  Teddy calls to me, mimicking the noise we heard.

"Yes, bam bam."  I whisper back more quietly.  I wonder what's going on.  I know better than to interfere with Amycus's business though.  Instead, I keep working, finishing the potion and then bottling it.  I cap the last bottle when a shudder goes through the house.  The bottles would have toppled off the table if I didn't grab them.  Teddy whines, not liking the noise.  I don't like it either.  Something feels off.  

I hurry over to him, scooping him out of his play area and clutching him to my chest.

"Shh, I'll keep you safe, Love."  I whisper into his still blonde hair.  I kiss his head and he buries his face into my dress.  

Men start shouting upstairs and I realize that spells are being cast.  I crawl under the table in an attempt to hide both Teddy and myself.  I cover his little ears with my hands as I hear someone cast the killing curse.  My breathing shutters and I fear for my love.  Is he okay?  Surely I would know if something happened to him.  We are bonded by the vow, I would feel it break.  

I try to take assurance from the thought.

I wish I had my own wand.

But Amycus said I hadn't earned it back yet.

I should have worked harder, then I would be able to protect my family now.

Suddenly I someone bangs into the door at the top of the basement steps, and I put my hand over my mouth to stifle my gasp.  Then again.  Are they trying to break it down?  I didn't know it was even locked.  

On the third try they succeed, knocking the door inward with an almighty crash.  The silhouette of a tall man stands at the top, and for a moment I think it's my husband.  But then I realize that the stranger is a lot taller and slimmer than the man I married. 

"Hazel?  Are you here?"

*******************************************************************