The Tabby, the Phoenix and the kitten

Chapter nine

The month passed quickly, Poppy stayed at the house with Minerva, and Albus was still being called away constantly. The baby was growing more and more each day, even though she hated it, in the long run Minerva was glad that she was on bedrest.

"Here you are Minerva." Poppy said breaking Minerva from her thoughts, as she came into the room and handed Minerva a potion. She drank it and waited for the second, but it never came.

"Only one?" She asked confused.

"Yep, since its much closer to your due date, you don't need the other one any more." Poppy said taking the empty vile from her hand as Albus came in.

"Oh, alright then." Minerva said smiling, she couldn't wait until she was actually able to hold her daughter.

"Well, I'm off to pick up Isobel from the station, I'll be back in a few minutes." Albus said kissing his wife on the forehead, as she grimaced, and Albus chuckled.

"It wont be that bad darling, and plus your brothers are flooing in tomorrow afternoon, they should be able to help while they are here." He said and apparated to the train station.

Minerva sighed and rubbed her belly, she looked down, and saw the outline of a little hand in her belly, she smiled and traced the tiny fingers. Poppy looked over and saw Minerva doing this, she came over and smiled as she saw exactly what she was tracing.

"You know, I don't think I have ever seen you as happy as you have been in the last few years, ever since you married Albus, you've just gotten happier and happier!" Poppy said as Minerva smiled continuing to trace the small hand.

"I'm just so thankful that I have him. I was absolutely blessed to be with a man like him! I still am, and now we are having a baby! It's just all so amazing! It feels like a dream, but when I pinch myself, I'm already awake." Minerva responded tears forming in her eyes.

"If only I was less hormonal!" She said wiping the tears and Poppy laughed.

"Have you and Albus decided on any names yet?" Poppy asked.

"We'll not together, I have a first name in mind that I hope he will like." Minerva said and Poppy looked at her expectantly.

"Well what is it?" She asked impatiently, Minerva chuckled.

"Ariana." She said plainly and Poppy smiled.

"Oh he'll like that one I'm sure." She said just as they heard a crack from outside.

"Oh lord have mercy." Minerva said under her breath as the front door opened. She could hear Albus talking to Isobel, and showing her, her room. Then Isobel asked about the whereabouts of we daughter and she heard Albus chuckle as he led her to their room.

"Oh! My darling daughter! Look at you! You're absolutely glowing!" Isobel said as she ran over to Minerva and hugged her.

"Hi mum." Was all Minerva said.

"Oh look at you! It won't be long now, you look ready to burst all right!" Isobel said straightening up.

"Oh mother!" Minerva said her Scottish accent really coming out in her voice.

"I am going to spoil this baby rotten!" Isobel said paying no attention as to what her daughter said.

"No mother please don't" Minerva protested but Isobel payed no attention. Minerva looked to Albus for help, Albus looked at Poppy and she nodded.

"Isobel I hate to interrupt, but Minerva really needs her rest, stress isn't good for the baby, especially because Minerva is on bed rest." Poppy said walking over to Isobel.

"She's on bed rest!?" She asked Poppy, without waiting for an answer she looked at Minerva with worry all over her face.

"You're on bed reat?" She asked Minerva who put a hand to her forehead. She was about to say something but Albus interrupted.

"Why don't we go to the sitting room, and discuss this over tea, so Minerva can get some rest. Poppy would you take Isobel downstairs! The two of you can catch up before I come down." Poppy nodded and Isobel kissed her daughter on the forehead and left with Poppy.

Minerva sighed as Albus sat down beside her.

"How are you feeling?" He asked taking her hand in his.

"Tired really, after that ordeal I am exhausted, even though I hardly did anything!" Minerva said looking exasperated.

"Well that's alright, get some sleep and I will be up in a bit to check on you." He said giving Minerva a kiss and standing to leave.

"Albus?" Minerva called and he turned.

"Yes?"

"We need to talk about names, you know." She said with a half smile, Albus chuckled.

"Yes, we do, but it can wait until you are well rested." He said sitting back down beside her.

"I'm never well rested being this, this.. huge." She said with a sigh, and Albus laughed.

"All for a good cause my dear." He said 

"That it is." She replied with a yawn. Albus smiled.

"I love you." he said looking into her eyes.

"I love you too." She said back to him with a smile looking into his eyes. He leaned down and kissed her.

He pulled away, and smiled at her, and then got up to leave. 

"Albus," she said and he turned.

"Before you leave, I have a suggestion, for our daughters first name, its only a suggestion, so if you don't like it, we wont name her it but, I thought I might ask." She said a bit nervous bringing up his sister, to which she knew was a touchy subject.

As her husband nodded she continued, "I was thinking, maybe Arianna. As her name, after your sister." Minerva asked cautiously. Albus was shocked, she really wanted to name their daughter after his sister?

"If you don't like, we don't have to, there are other names in the world, I just thought-" 

"Minerva." He interrupted and she stopped.

"It's beautiful, I love it. Thank you" He said quietly. Minerva smiled, and sighed. She then closed her eyes. Albus smiled, and quietly left the room.