Say Something

Chapter 19

I gazed at my calendar in absolute hysteria. I recounted the numbers again in my head. Over and over I counted but the more I counted, the more reassured I felt about my revelation. I sank to the floor beside my bed, complete disbelief coursing through my body. My stomach ached, beads of sweat pooled at my hairline. This couldn't be possible, but it was. I had missed my period.

Lately, I had been so preoccupied by exams, avoiding Oliver and my relationship with Draco that I hadn't noticed I had missed my period, by eight days. My hands began to shake uncontrollably, they immediately dropped to my stomach. My heart was thundering inside my chest, I could feel it pulsing in my ears. Tears poured from my eyes. I fell silent and immovable, the ticks of the clock on my nightstand were the only sound.

There was a quiet knock at my bedroom door and Hermione entered. A feeling of concern was clearly emanating from her. She had been worried about me often since we returned to Hogwarts after the holidays, nearly two weeks ago. She had been constantly questioning me and telling me I had changed since we returned to school. While I had originally thought she was going mad, I realized now that I had changed. I was exhausted all the time, I did feel nauseated almost every day, I had lost my appetite. But I just assumed it was from the constant stress I felt for Draco and his future with the Death Eaters. Despite his confidence on the matter I couldn't help but be fearful for him and for me. I never thought my change in behavior could be because I was pregnant. I felt foolish now for never being cautious with Draco, this outcome was inevitable, we had ourselves and stupidity to blame. But before I had a nervous breakdown, I needed to be certain. Hermione cleared her throat, I had completely forgotten she was standing above me.

"Are you alright Mel? You look ill. Are you okay to go to the match? You've been gone twenty minutes, I thought you only needed your scarf?"

I barely even heard Hermione's voice and my mind couldn't form the words to answer her. I held my stomach tighter, fresh tears spilling from my eyes. She sat beside me immediately and I leaned my head against her shoulder.

"Is it Draco? Is everything okay? You're scaring me Mel."

I looked deep into Hermione's eyes, pure worry plastered onto her face. A feeling of fear washed over me. I suddenly couldn't breathe, my hands flew to my throat as I began to choke. My mind had become so distorted by fear and anxiety that I had forgotten to breathe. I rested my head on my knees as Hermione rubbed my back soothingly, I slowly began to breathe normally again. I looked up at Hermione and there were tears lingering on her cheeks. I spoke before she could say anything more.

"I'm pregnant Hermione." I mumbled quietly, not wanting to hear my own words.

I could practically hear Hermione's heart plummeting into her stomach. She nervously began fumbling with her hands, she had no idea what to say to me.

"At least, I think I am. I--I should go to--Madame Pomfrey--to be sure."

"Yes. That's exactly what you need to do. How did this happen Mel? Well I suppose I know how," Hermione tried to say lightheartedly.

"How does it ever happen? I'm bloody stupid and naive."

My chest heaved violently as more tears descended down my cheeks. Hermione helped me stand up and took my arm to lead me to the hospital wing. Neither of us would calm down until this was confirmed or refuted. My hands trembled so Hermione held them tightly. I stood paralyzed when I remembered Professor Trelawney's frighteningly accurate words from a few months ago.

"You will bear the fruit from a poisonous tree, but you will change the roots within."

The words finally made sense to me. Draco must have been the poisonous tree Trelawney spoke of. I clutched my stomach again, the fruit. And there had been significant change to Draco since our lives had become intertwined. He was still a closet Death Eater but I knew he had changed. He was eager to finish his business with the Death Eaters and hoped he could walk away from them forever. Even my friends, other than Harry, were beginning to become more comfortable around him, even though they still remained cautious. Trelawney's prophecy had come true, now I wasn't sure if I even needed to see Madame Pomfrey.