Bound by Blood and Magic

Chapter 21: The Unseen Change

The sun had barely risen over Hogwarts, casting a warm glow through the window of (Y/N)'s dormitory. It was another day, but something felt off. For the past few weeks, (Y/N) had been experiencing a lingering nausea that she dismissed as nothing more than an upset stomach. She chalked it up to stress and the looming exams, but deep down, a nagging feeling whispered that something else might be going on.

As she sat up in bed, she felt a familiar wave of queasiness wash over her. "Great," she muttered to herself, rubbing her temples. “Just what I need.” She took a deep breath, trying to calm her stomach, and swung her legs over the side of the bed, planning to get ready for the day.

After showering and dressing in her usual comfortable attire, (Y/N) decided to head to the Great Hall for breakfast. The thought of food made her stomach churn, but she hoped that a bit of toast might settle her nerves.

As she entered the Great Hall, the lively atmosphere enveloped her, and she spotted Draco seated at the Slytherin table. He was engaged in a conversation with Pansy Parkinson, who seemed to be vying for his attention. (Y/N)'s heart sank slightly, but she quickly brushed it off. She knew Draco was committed to her; he just had a peculiar way of dealing with Pansy.

“Hey!” Draco called out, waving her over. His smile brightened when she approached, and he stood to pull out a chair for her. “You look beautiful this morning. How are you feeling?”

“Not great, to be honest,” (Y/N) replied, forcing a smile as she sat down. “Just a bit of gastric discomfort.”

“Gastric discomfort?” he echoed, raising an eyebrow. “You’ve been saying that for weeks now. Have you seen Madam Pomfrey?”

“No, I’m sure it’s just stress from exams,” she insisted, waving off his concern. “I’ll be fine.”

Draco frowned slightly but didn’t press the issue. Instead, he filled a plate with food, pushing it toward her. “You need to eat. Even if you’re not hungry, you should try.”

(Y/N) took a small piece of toast and nibbled at it, fighting against the urge to push it away. “I’ll try. Thanks for worrying about me, though.”

As they ate, she felt Draco’s eyes on her, a mix of concern and affection in his gaze. He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “If this keeps up, promise me you’ll see Madam Pomfrey. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

(Y/N) met his gaze, feeling her heart flutter at his concern. “I promise, if it doesn’t get better soon, I’ll go. I just don’t want to make a fuss over nothing.”

The conversation flowed around them, but (Y/N) found it hard to concentrate. The nausea returned in waves, and she tried to focus on Draco, who was sharing a funny story about one of their classmates. His laughter was contagious, but every time she tried to laugh, a new wave of nausea would hit.

“Are you okay?” Draco asked, his brow furrowing. “You look pale.”

“I’m fine, really,” (Y/N) replied, pushing her plate away. “Maybe I just need some fresh air.”

“Let’s take a walk after breakfast,” he suggested, concern still etched on his face.

“Okay,” she agreed, grateful for the distraction.

Once they finished their meal, (Y/N) and Draco stepped out of the Great Hall and wandered through the lush grounds of Hogwarts. The fresh air was refreshing, but the nausea still lingered, making her feel increasingly uncomfortable.

As they walked along the path by the Black Lake, Draco held her hand, offering support. “You’re quiet today. Are you sure you’re alright?”

“I just… I don’t know,” she admitted, glancing at him. “I’ve been feeling off for a while. I thought it was just stress, but what if it’s something more serious?”

Draco stopped walking and turned to face her, his expression serious. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know,” (Y/N) said, shaking her head. “I just can’t shake this feeling. Maybe I should see Madam Pomfrey after all.”

“Good idea. Let’s go right now,” he urged, squeezing her hand.

They made their way to the hospital wing, (Y/N) feeling a mix of apprehension and relief. Part of her was scared of what Madam Pomfrey might say, but another part was grateful for the chance to get some answers.

Upon arriving, they found Madam Pomfrey tending to a few other students. She looked up and smiled at them, sensing their nervousness. “What brings you two here today?”

(Y/N) took a deep breath. “I’ve been feeling nauseous for a few weeks now, and I wanted to see if you could help.”

Madam Pomfrey’s expression turned serious as she motioned for (Y/N) to sit on the edge of one of the hospital beds. “Let’s take a look then.”

As (Y/N) explained her symptoms, she could feel Draco’s eyes on her, filled with concern. Madam Pomfrey examined her carefully, checking her pulse and asking various questions. After a few minutes, she stepped back, her expression thoughtful.

“(Y/N), I’m glad you came to see me. I believe it would be prudent to run a few tests to get to the bottom of this.”

“Tests?” (Y/N) echoed, her heart racing. “What kind of tests?”

“Nothing too serious,” Madam Pomfrey reassured her. “Just a few charms to see what’s happening inside your body. It’s standard procedure.”

“Okay,” (Y/N) said, trying to calm her nerves. “Let’s do it.”

Madam Pomfrey performed the charms, and as the minutes ticked by, (Y/N)’s anxiety grew. She glanced at Draco, who was watching her intently, and she felt grateful for his presence.

Finally, Madam Pomfrey’s expression shifted from concern to surprise. “Well, this is quite unexpected,” she said, her eyes widening. “(Y/N), you’re pregnant.”

Silence fell over the room, the weight of her words hanging in the air. (Y/N)’s heart raced as she processed the revelation, her mind reeling. “What? No, that can’t be right. It’s not possible!”

Draco’s eyes widened in shock, and he stepped closer to (Y/N), concern etched on his face. “Is that true? Are you really…?”

“Yes, it’s true,” Madam Pomfrey confirmed, her voice gentle. “You’re about six weeks along.”

The reality of the situation crashed down on (Y/N). “I don’t understand. How could this happen? We were careful!”

Draco’s expression turned serious as he took (Y/N)’s hands in his. “Are you okay? How do you feel about this?”

“I—” (Y/N) stammered, her thoughts swirling. “I don’t know. I’m scared. What are we going to do?”

Madam Pomfrey stepped in, her voice calming. “It’s normal to feel overwhelmed. You have time to think about what you want, and I’ll help you through this process.”

As (Y/N) stared at her hands, she felt the weight of the decision that lay ahead. Everything had changed in an instant, and now she had to consider not only her future but the future of the child growing inside her.

“I need some time to think,” (Y/N) said, her voice shaky.

Draco nodded, his grip on her hands firm. “We’ll figure this out together. No matter what, I’m here for you.”

In that moment, (Y/N) felt a flicker of hope amidst the chaos. They would face this new challenge together, but the path ahead was uncertain. As she glanced at Draco, she knew they were about to embark on a journey that would test their love and commitment in ways they never imagined.