Say Something

Chapter 23

The following months passed by excruciatingly slowly, I prayed time could go faster but each day seemed to be slower. Draco and I were still apart, we hadn't spoken since I saw him at the Room of Hidden Things. He stayed far away from me as he had promised. Even Oliver wouldn't look in my direction.

The pain was becoming almost too much to withstand. It took every ounce of strength I had just to get out of bed each morning. And every night I would wallow in my misery and ceaselessly cry. The tears in Draco's eyes when I last saw him and the agony on Oliver's face when I last spoke with him were engraved into my memory.

I had started to see Draco more frequently lately. He had started to come to classes more regularly again and seemed to have more life in his eyes. He finally looked at ease, there wasn't constant suffering on his face anymore. I wasn't sure why because his mind was still silent. Though I desperately hoped that it was because he had changed his mind about the Death Eaters. The longing was still clear in his eyes whenever he saw me. He often stared at me in bewilderment, probably trying to identify what had changed about me.

The entire school had started to stare at me because I had changed. My face had been fuller than it ever has been and it was becoming so difficult to hide my stomach when it looked like I had a Quaffle shoved underneath my shirt. It was so extraneous to try to keep it covered. But I knew if anyone really focused any attention on my stomach, my pregnancy would be obvious.

Iris squeezed my hand tightly and pulled me from my relentless thoughts. Madame Pomfrey had entered the section of the hospital wing she had always sectioned off during my monthly appointments. My nerves eased when she smiled widely at Iris and me. I could perceive from her thoughts that there was absolutely nothing to be worried about.

"Well Melody, you and your baby are doing amazingly. Both of your heartbeats are strong, the baby is growing quite beautifully. You are currently twenty-one weeks along, and if my guesstimate is correct, we can expect your baby on September 20th."

"Alright, well if today is June 4th than that leaves only four and a half months to go. Blimey, it's going by so bloody fast. I've been worrying so much lately, I've lost track of the time that's gone by."

"I've told her not to worry Madame Pomfrey, no niece or nephew of mine is going to have any troubles at all. Not with their mother's stubbornness." Iris teased.

Iris and Madame Pomfrey laughed together at my expense and I rolled my eyes as I poked Iris in the waist. I kept one hand firmly on my stomach as I always did. It was hard for me to force my hand away from my stomach, my baby's thoughts were becoming clearer every day. My baby loved when I touched my stomach and whenever I sang to them, I was constantly trying to do whatever it took to make them happy.

"I have finally been able to get a distinct reading on this darn muggle contraption, or ultrasound, to be more technical. So, would you like to know the sex of your baby?"

I grinned and nodded excitedly. I had been waiting for this moment for five months. I closed my eyes as Madame Pomfrey touched the machine to my stomach and searched for my baby. I could hear their heartbeat immediately and tears poured from my eyes. I looked to Iris who was also blubbering, I laughed at her emotion.

"Oh shut it Mel. What is it, what is it?" Iris asked excitedly.

Madame Pomfrey pushed her glasses further up her nose as she stared at the little screen. She smiled when she saw whatever it was she was looking for. I sealed my mind so I could be completely surprised.

"Well Melody, in four and half months, you'll be meeting your baby girl."

Iris's squeals of joy were louder than my own. I couldn't hold back my tears as I stared at the screen showing me my daughter. Iris began jumping up and down, muttering things about spoiling her niece. I covered my swollen stomach and stood up carefully and Iris hugged me tightly, her tears pouring from her eyes too. We both hugged Madame Pomfrey goodbye and I held my bag over my stomach as we left the hospital wing arm-in-arm.