Nova's Universe

Chapter 3 (1995)

Nova

"Your name?" The woman at the window inquired, her voice clipped and efficient.

"Nova Blackwood," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "I have an appointment with Dr. Nightingale."

Her eyes flicked toward Charlie, who stood patiently beside me. "And him?" she asked, a hint of suspicion in her tone.

"He's my fiancé," I explained quickly.

"Alright," she grunted, scribbling something on a form. "Go down the corridor and up the stairs to the third floor. You take a left there. The second door to the right. It has a number 14 on it."

"Thank you," I mumbled, my hand instinctively seeking Charlie's.

His grip tightened reassuringly around mine as we started our trek through the maze of white walls and sterile corridors.

"Nervous?" Charlie asked as they walked.

"A little," Nova admitted. "Are you?"

"A little," Charlie chuckled.

Our conversation was cut short by the door with number 14 swinging open.

"Miss Blackwood?" The Healer's eyes scanned me from head to toe.

"That's me," I grinned.

"Please, come in," the Healer gestured for both of us to enter.

"Is this your first pregnancy?" the Healer inquired.

"Yes," I confirmed.

"Alright. Mr...?"

"Weasley," Charlie filled in, clearing his throat as he awkwardly sat on the chair the doctor indicated next to the examination table.

"Miss Blackwood," the Healer continued, "please have a seat there. Lift your shirt a little, and if you could unzip your trousers slightly to avoid getting gel on them," she added with a gentle smile.

"Gel?" Charlie and I questioned in unison.

"We'll be using a Muggle machine to check on the baby," the Healer explained. "It will tell us your approximate conception date, allow us to hear the baby's heartbeat, and even determine the gender if you'd like to know."

"We talked about it," I turned to Charlie, "and we'd prefer it to be a surprise."

A warm smile spread across her face. "Excellent, I'll note that in your file. Are you both ready to begin?"

"Ready," Charlie and I said, locking eyes and nodding in unison.

"It might feel a little cold," Dr. Nightingale warned. "Don't be startled."

A surprised gasp escaped my lips despite the warning as the object touched my belly.

"It might take a few seconds to find it..." her voice trailed off, followed by a moment of tense silence. "...oh, there it is."

Both Charlie and I fixated on the screen as a sound emanated from the machine.

"What's that sound?" Charlie asked, awestruck.

"That's the beautiful sound of your baby's heartbeat," the doctor said, her eyes glued to the screen.

"The... heartbeat?" Charlie's voice trembled slightly as he reached for my hand.

"Yes, Mr Weasley," the Healer confirmed with a grin. "Now, over here, do you see that flickering spot? It looks like something's moving."

"Uh-huh," I mumbled, while Charlie stood up and leaned closer to the screen, squinting to see what the doctor was pointing at.