Shadow - Sequel To Light

Chapter Thirteen: Congratulations?

"What are you doing, love?" Harry asked when I darted across the room yet another time. Classes had ended early for the day and it was ample time for me to squeeze in some work. I had just needed to stop in our chambers to pick up the twins and some parchment I had left on the desk.

It has been a month and a half since my birthday and the first faculty Quidditch game was the next day. We were preparing for the Halloween feast the day after as well. We had a themed feast planned for this year so there was going to be games and activities along with the feast, it was to be like a carnival inside the Great Hall. Over the last month, students had seemed to enjoy themselves with the activities we had had that included our alumni so it was hoped the Quidditch game and feast would go off well. In just the short time with the study sessions, marks had gone up and things were looking good for the school. Though there were still mountains to climb, I was proud of the success of the few events that we had had and eager for the Quidditch games and Halloween feast.

People had been sending me paperwork on their teams non-stop in preparation. I had set a deadline for two weeks ago and everybody who entered had cut it close, Harry included. Over that two weeks since getting the teams list, I had struggled to balance marking and lesson preparations with setting the schedule for the games. The hardest thing to do was make sure nothing was overlapping too much that the students wouldn't be spread too thin and miss something. I always worried about their homework being one of the "somethings" they might forget in their eagerness to get to the events.

Because of all the worrying and work I had been doing, I had gotten increasingly tired. Most nights I came back to our bedchambers and was off to Bedfordshire and asleep within moments of entering. On top of being so tired, I was starting to stress eat and that was causing nausea. To make matters more difficult, because of the Quidditch games and other activities, I had Lily and James with me most of the time. Harry had been quick to share as much of the load as he could but, me being me, I only gave him specific task that I had already almost finished. Altogether, I was spread thin and my body was paying for it.

"I'm headed down to my office to finish up the marking I needed to do and prepare for the game tomorrow. Don't forget that you promised your team would practice this afternoon. You have your strategy meeting until your time slot and you only have a precise slot before the next team will be coming." I reminded him, grabbing some of the assignments I had on the desk. Altogether there were four teams, Harry's, Krum's, Lady Lorne's and a team the students had gotten together.

"I remember, love. I'm heading to get dressed right now." He smiled carelessly, coming to give me a kiss on the cheek before going into our closet to get his clothes for practice.

I chuckled, shaking my head at him before bending down to pick up one of the sheets that had fallen. On the way up, my head swam and my stomach lurched causing me to make a mad dash for the toilet. I made it just in time to empty the content of my stomach and groaned. There had been a nasty stomach flu amongst the students and I was hoping to all that was holy that I hadn't eaten something bad and hadn't caught it.

"Alright there, sweetheart?" Harry asked from behind me, holding out a damp cloth.

I took the cloth, rubbing my mouth and clambering to my feet. My brain was so preoccupied with getting the taste out of my mouth, it wasn't until after I brushed my teeth that I noticed Harry's lack of shirt. My eyes took in every peak and valley of his broad chest and, before I knew it, I was running my hands over his chest. I didn't know what was going on but it felt like my libido was kicked into overdrive. Harry looked back down at me, hunger in his eyes. Luckily for me, before anything could happen, one of the twins started fussing.

"I'll go get them, you get dressed and get to your practice." I murmured softly, leaning up to kiss him. "Have fun, hun." I said, going around him. I gasped in surprise when Harry's arm grasp me around my waist, pulling me back.