Always

Chapter 19: Back to the Matter at Hand

The secret stayed with the couple. No one knew about it. Beth ended up not telling Minerva the secret right away because she feared it would get around the school, even if Minerva kept her word for it. The rest of Christmas Break was nice, as Severus just stayed with the woman that he loved so much. They mostly cuddled, made some potions, made a lot of snowmen, gave each other lots of kisses (well mostly Beth did), and had the occasional sexy fun here and there. Ever since Beth announced the news to Severus, it seemed that he was more protective of her than before. He made sure she was alright, but something was still bugging him. Cornelius Malfoy. It bit at him almost all the time, and no matter what potion he created for Beth to drink, the dark magic that was on her lips would not go away. When he kissed her, nothing usually happened, but it still made them both very tense. Beth usually complained about having nightmares and sweating and screaming or in some cases sleepwalking when she was asleep. She couldn't remember the last time she slept in her room. She had moved all of her clothes and everything into Severus' room. They were together a lot now, so she didn't need to be in her room anymore. That and Severus was fit to protect her when the dark magic decided that it was a good time for her to sleepwalk that night. He could stop her from walking too far and into a dangerous area in the castle. Severus was trying so hard to get rid of the dark magic. It was causing him some extra stress, and what was even more stressful was that today was the first day back from the break. He had to teach his students, to find a way to get rid of that thing on her lips, and be sure not to tell the professors about Beth's pregnancy. So many things. It irritated him a lot. The sun was rising in the distance and he had just come back from the shower. Beth sat up gently as she looked up at him. "My head is just spinning.......only got like 4 hours of sleep." She said as Severus growled. "I am fully aware of what has been happening to you. I need not a reminder." Beth jumped a little at his snappiness. She knew he was angry about the Malfoy causing trouble to them and the stress of the pregnancy was still fresh on his mind. He still wasn't that happy with the pregnancy as well. He of course was kind and loving to her, but she knew that he was angry at himself. It was his doing after all. He did not want a child, but he could not be angry at Beth. He just had to accept it, but it was very hard to do so. He looked back at her, knowing that he snapped at her. "I did not mean....." He stated as Beth shook it off. "It's okay, really, but we should get dressed for breakfast. It is the first day back after all." She said as she got up. He looked down at her belly. She was slightly showing, but it looked like simple fat. She changed into her red robes and her heels. She made sure she was covered in her stomach area, and she turned slowly to her man. "How do I look?" She asked as he looked her over. "Lovely." Was all he said as he nodded bluntly and he turned away briskly. "Ready?" He asked as she grabbed her wand and she took his arm. "Yes." She said softly as they walked to the Great Hall. They were quiet, but Severus stuck close to her because even though he was not happy about this baby, he was still happy with Beth being by his side.

They arrived side by side and the students were all piled in, the tables extremely full. Everyone saw the couple and started clapping for them. Beth waved to some of them and Severus just looked forward, not looking at any of them. They finally sat down at the long table and Minerva walked past them smiling widely. Beth was terrified, now more than ever since sitting down with the professors. Why? This secret wasn't going to stay small forever. She had to find the right time to tell the Headmistress but she was so unsure. Beth smiled at her slightly, before she looked at the table. She nervously held her belly from under the table, making sure everything was okay. Severus watched her closely before Minerva went up to the podium to speak.

"Students, the professors, and I welcome you back to this second half of the school year. We hope that you enjoyed your break and that you had the opportunity to play around in the snow that we were given. This is what we would like to say......the final push. These next five months are going to be possibly your most difficult ones, as the upper years can tell you. All that we ask is your most valiant effort into your studies and of course, your O.W.L.s." She said softly as most of the room groaned loudly. "What are O.W.L.s.?" Beth whispered to Severus. "Ordinary Wizarding Levels. Taken during the fifth year. Each fifth year must meet with Minerva to set up their O.W.L.s. exams. It causes some.....stressful problems to them, but we are here to tell them they will grow stronger with doing this exam, despite them whining like little brats." He mumbled as Beth giggled. "Oh, Severus.....you say you dislike children but I know you don't mean that." She whispered as he frowned at her. "I still do, do not twist my words Elizabeth." He said looking down at her hidden bump and they looked at each other darkly. It worried her that Severus wasn't a fan of her being pregnant, but they had no choice. They had to make it work. "Now, let us eat!" Minerva said as the food appeared on the table and everyone began to eat breakfast.