The Challenge

Chapter 40

 "Sapphire! Wake up!" Someone screams into my ear. I shoot up and hit whoever it was. "Bloody hell, Sapphire."
 I look over to see Val rubbing her shoulder. I smile innocently, "that's what you get for screaming in my ear."
 "I just wanted to wake you up because it's your birthday!" Val exclaims and jumps onto my bed. "I have your present."
 I shake my head, "you don't have to give me a present."
 Val rolls her eyes and shoves a wrapped gift into my hands. "Shut up and open the bloody present." I laugh and rip the paper off. I lift the lid up and look inside. I see two small shirts for babies, one is blue the other is red. They both say 'thing'. "A one or two will appear depending on who's born first." Val explains. 
 I smile at her, "I love it. Thank you, Val."
 "There's something else in there." Val smiles. 
 I look back inside the box to see a picture frame with a picture of Val and I laughing by the Black Lake. "Thanks, Val." I grin and set down the frame on my desk. 
 "Go get dressed," Val orders. "It may be your birthday but we still have classes."
 "But it's Friday." I whine, "can't we skip?" Val shakes her head. I groan dramatically. "Fine, mother." I walk over to my closet. 
 "Good girl," Val smiles. 
 "Piss off," I roll my eyes and go into the bathroom. I take a quick shower and then put my uniform on. 
 Val and I go to the Great Hall. On the way there a couple people greets me happy birthday. We sat down next to Scorpius. "Morning," Scorp greets. 
 "Morning," I reply. I pour some milk onto my cereal and start to eat. 
 "Hey, Sapphire." I look up to see Gennifer. "Happy Birthday."
 I smile, "thanks." Gennifer smiles back and walks off to the Ravenclaw table. 
 "It's your birthday?" Scorp asks. 
 I give him a look, "yeah it is you prat."
 Scorp laughs, "I'm joking. I knew it's your birthday. I'll give you your present after dinner today."
 I nod, "thanks Scorps." I ruffle his hair. 
 He groans, "oh come on, Sapphire. That takes at least an hour every morning."
 I laugh, "you're such a girl."
 "Maybe he wants to impress someone," Val winks. 
 Scorp glares at Val, "I don't fancy anyone."
I give him a look, "who do you fancy Scorp?"
 "No one," he huffs. 
 "I will find out," I say. 
 "Whatever," Scorp rolls his eyes. 
 After we eat breakfast, we go to class. Fred hangs his arm around my shoulders and his other hand is holding Val's. "There's the birthday girl." He kisses my head. 
 I laugh, "hey."
 "You're getting old, Gem. 18 years old." Fred says. 
 I roll my eyes, "you're older than me."
 "So?" He asks. I just shake my head  not bothering to argue. "Anyways, I'll get you your present later."

 After dinner Val drags me to our dorm. She sits me down on my bed and starts to look through my closet. "What are you doing?" I ask. 
 "Just shut up and put this on." Val stuffs some clothes into my arms and push me towards the bathroom. "And hurry up."
 "Okay, mother." I roll my eyes. I close the door and change into the clothes Val gave me. I put on the charm bracelet James gave me on Christmas. I also put on the necklace  Ginny gave me on Christmas. It's a black moon and it's beautiful.www.polyvore.com/m/set?.embedder=...
 I walk out of the bathroom to see Val dressed up in black jeans, a black top with a white cross, and a pair of white worn out vans. "Put this on," Val hands me a black scarf. "Over your eyes."
 "Why?" I question as I take the scarf. 
 "Just do it before I use the blindfolding charm on you." Val says. 
 "Someone's being bossy today." I mutter and wrap the scarf over my eyes and tie it on the back. "I swear, if you do anything to me."
 "I won't. Calm down," Val laughs and takes my arm. "Trust me."
 "Oh I'm scared now," I tease.
 "Don't be a prat." Val says. 
 After a while of walking around and me whining, we finally stop. "Are we there yet?" I ask. 
 "Yeah. Just one sec," Val mutters. I groan and tug on her arm. "Blimey, Sapphire. You're so impatient." I stick my tongue out at her. "Okay, come on." She pulls me forward. 
 I sigh, "are we there yet?"
 "Yes, take your blind fold off." Val laughs. 
 "It better be good if you had to drag me all the way to the other side of the castle," I mutter. I take the scarf off and look up. 
 "Surprise!" Voices all around exclaim. I am in the Room of Requirements. A lot of people are here, the room is decorated with party decorations. Purple, green, black streamers, white and black balloons, lights flickering different colors. 
 "Merlin," I breath out. "You guys did this?"
 "We all did," Fred grins and hangs his arm around me. "Happy Birthday, Gem."
 I smile, "thank you. All of you."
 "Well, let's get this party started," Albus exclaims. Everyone cheers. Music starts to play, everyone starts to dance and talk. They all enjoy drinks and some sweets. 
 "Have fun," Fred winks at me as Val pulls him to the dance floor. I laugh at them and walk around. Everyone greets me happy birthday and I say thank you. I spot a table with a couple presents on it. Bloody hell. Just watch, most of them will be things for my babies. 
 A Gryffindor comes up to me, his name is Sam Wood. "Well hey there, Birthday girl." He smiles. 
 I laugh, "hey Sam."
 "Having fun?" He asks. 
 I nod, "yeah. Everyone else looks like they are too."
 "Want to dance?" He asks. I nod. He smiles and takes my hand. We go to the dance floor and dance through a few songs. I laugh as he spins me around and catches me before I fall. He laughs, "want a drink?" I nod. We walk off the dance floor and he goes to the snack table. 
 I wait for him to come back. Scorp comes up to me and smiles. "Having fun?" He questions. 
 "Yeah, you?"
 He nods, "I am. You seem pretty comfy with Wood."
 I roll my eyes, "it doesn't mean anything."
 "I hope not. He's known for breaking girls' hearts." Scorp says. 
 I laugh, "don't worry. I know how to take care of myself, Scorp."
 "That's what you said last time," he points out. 
 James comes over, "hey Sapph." 
 I smile, "hey." Scorp winks and runs off. 
 "Happy Birthday," James smiles. 
 "Thanks, James." 
 "Having fun?" He asks. 
 I nod in reply. "Yes I am. You?"
 He nods, "yeah. Maybe we can-"
James is cut off by Sam. "Here's your drink," he hands me a cup. "It's strawberry punch."
 I smile at him, "thanks." I look over at James, "what were you saying?"
 James shakes his head, "never mind. It's nothing. I'm going to go find Justin. Have fun." 
 "You too," I smile at him. He nods and walks away. 
 "So, Sapphire." Sam says, "maybe later on we can hang out? Like at the library or lake?"
 I nod, "sounds fun."
 "Brilliant." Sam grins. 

 After hours of dancing and talking, people start to leave. Sam kisses my hand, "I'll see you later." He winks and walks out of the room. 
 Rox nudges me, "what was that all about?" 
 I shrug, "I don't know."
 "What do you mean?" Rox questions. "He fancies you."
 I roll my eyes, "no he doesn't."
 "Whatever you say." Rox sings. 
 "Want to open your gifts?" Rose asks. 
 I shake my head, "not now. Too tired."
 "We all can hang out tomorrow," Val says. "In our dorm and we can watch you open them." I nod in agreement. 
 "Sapph, I need to talk to you real quick," James says. 
 I nod, "okay." I follow him to the other side of the room. "What's up?"
 "I just wanted to give you your birthday present." James reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small box. He hands it to me. 
 I take the lid off. I look inside to see a necklace with a snake charm, a letter S and a sapphire green gem. "Wow, it's so pretty."
 James smiles, "do you like it?"
 I nod, "love it."
 James takes the necklace from the box and unhooks it. "Turn around." I did so and pull my hair up. James puts the necklace around my neck. He locks it. I look down and touch the charms. 
 I turn back to James. "Thanks, James."
 "No problem," he grins. "I'm glad you like it." I smile back. James touches my cheek lightly and leans forward. Before I can do anything, his lips touches mine. "Sapphire," he whispers. "I like you a lot."
 I pull away from the kiss and stare at him in shock. "What?"
 "I really like you." James says a bit more confidently. "More like love."
 I shake my head, "no you don't. Don't say that."
 "But Sapph-"
 I cut him off. "James, you just feel bad for me. You feel bad for the pregnant girl." 
 "No I don't." James says, "I've been feeling like this way before that."
 "Stop it," I take a step back. "You don't love me James. You're just confused."
 "I'm not confused." James says. 
 "Yes you are." I exclaim, "James you have no idea what you're saying right now. You don't love me. You can't. All you feel is sympathy."
 "Sapphire, just because you got hurt by Tom doesn't mean I will too." James grabs my hands and pulls me close. "I'd actually take care of you."
 I pull away, "don't."
 "Why not?" James questions.  
 "Because you have no idea what you're talking about! You probably drank too much or you're tired."
 "I know exactly what I'm talking about," James says. "You know you have feelings for me too. You're just scared. I won't hurt you, I would never hurt you."
 "James! Stop it! Just drop it alright?" I walk away and head to the door. 
 "Sapphire, where are you going?" Fred calls out. 
 I ignore him and walk up to the Astronomy tower. I sat down on the floor and lean against the railing. I take a deep breath and wipe my tears away. I didn't know I was crying. I can't believe James told me that. He can't feel that way for me. I can't feel that way for him. It can't happen. I'm pregnant and I'm still in Hogwarts. I have to focus on my school work. I have to focus on looking for a home for my babies and I. Even if I did like James, I don't have time for relationships. I don't have time for another heartache. I just can't handle anything right now.