RIDDLES PROPERTY

chapter 39

There was a large crowd surrounding the commotion.

A loud voice boomed, "Tom Marvolo Riddle shall hereby be expelled from Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft!"

Emelia wasn't sure if she heard correctly and pushed through the crowd to see what was happening. Tom was being held in the clutches of a few Ministry men. He looked around and made eye contact with her.

"You and I, forever." he mouthed to her and winked.

"Stop...no, NOOO!" she screamed as they pulled him away.

Emelia tried to run towards him, but was stopped by other guards. Tom had a bitter look in his eyes when they shoved him, but still complied and went with them.

"No, no, no. Neville, what happened?" she asked.

"He was responsible for the death of Professor Myrtle, apparently. He turned himself in a little while ago before they examined the evidence."

"This can't be real. He didn't kill her."

"Then who did, Emelia? He was an odd student and I know I'm a bit odd, but his relations with the dark arts are...mysterious."

She wiped a tear away which was falling down her cheek. Emelia was looking around for someone to go to. Draco wasn't there. They all stared at her for being the only one to protest his arrest. Fred was gazing at her as tears kept flowing down her cheeks.

"The perpetrator behind the deaths and injuries has been caught and he will be dealt with, privately." Dumbledore caught Emelia's eyes. His eyes glistened with sadness before looking away. "I expect everyone to return to their dorms, immediately."

She stayed at the scene for a bit before Harry came up to her.

"Are you alright, Emelia? Listen, he deserves this. He tortured Draco, nearly killed Pucey, killed Myrtle, and you'd probably be next." he tried explaining.

She shook her head.

"He was going to be a father, Harry."

Harry looked confused for a minute.

"I'm having a child." she muttered.

He was speechless for a moment and his eyes widened.

"I'm sorry."

She nodded and sulked. Ginny came over and rubbed her back.

"I know it hurts, but I dated Tom. He's not a good man."

She knew this, but it still hurt. The promises were just empty. He knew he was going to be arrested and still made them. But he did it for her sake. Emelia understood he was protecting her.

"Let's go to the common room." Ginny suggested.

Emelia nodded and got up. Ginny took her hand and they walked back with Harry behind them.

"Do you think he'll be okay?" she asked.

Ginny sighed.

"What do I know? You reap what you sow. Don't dwell on it too much, we don't even know if he's the dad."

Emelia picked at the skin on her lip. They reached the common room and it was near silent, aside from a few first and second years gossiping.

"I'll be in my room, Gin. Let me know if you two need anything." he said to her. She smiled and nodded at him.

"I think you should talk to Fred." Ginny recommended.

Emelia thought about it for a minute. She put a hand on her stomach and immediately felt sick.

"Alright. Could you get him?" she replied.

As much as she hated him, she needed a steady father figure in her child's life. Something she never had. Ginny got up and went over to where Fred was sitting. She was speaking quietly to him so Emelia couldn't make out much. Fred got up, worriedly, and walked over to her.

"I think we should...talk." he said.

Emelia agreed. They went inside her dorm where she closed the door and exhaled.

"Ginny told me there was something you needed to tell me."

"I'll need you to take a paternity test as I'm having a child."

Fred stopped breathing for a second and stared her down.

"Is this a joke?"

"No, Fred. I'm pregnant whether you like it or not and you're going to go get blood work done tomorrow to see whether you're the father or not." she spat out.

Her tone was bitter and he was running his hands through his head.

"I-I have quidditch practice tomorrow. I can't."

"Skip it. This child is more important than a sport."

He didn't argue. Fred sat down and looked up at the ceiling with his legs fidgeting.

"Are you sure it's not...his." his voice became cold.

"Just take the bloody test, Fred."

He nodded and took a breath.

"I suppose this means I have to marry you...how many weeks is it?"

"11." she whispered.

"Oh my god."

"You don't have to marry me. It's obvious you don't really want to."

He seemed dumbfounded when she said that.

"Emelia, I like you a lot. It was Tom who fucked it up for us. He ruined everything and I didn't even fuck Olive. I just said that to spite you and now we're having a child. I have to make this work."

"No, I'm not marrying you! A house to stay at would be nice. My mum can't know."

"Is that wise? I can provide you a house, but Emelia...I genuinely do think we can make this work. We used to be best mates."

"Just quit the act, this is not what you want!"

"I do, you fucking brat! I can't let you go now. Stop being so cold."

Her vision was going blurry and she took a seat on the bed, quickly.

"Are you alright, Emelia?" he asked and rushed to her side.

"Just a bit...dizzy."

He lifted her up and put her under the bed covers.

"I'm capable of doing this myself."

She sounded just like Tom. That's when it hit her. He would be in Azkaban. Her heart ached and she felt so alone. Emelia hated Tom, but in the way where they fit each other. She twisted the ring he gave her on her finger and looked back up at him.

"I'll marry you, but you must deal with my bullshit. You can't cheat or I'm taking the child away forever and you won't get a glimpse of them ever again."

"I just wanna be yours. I promise, I won't cheat."

Emelia's breath steadied down. Her situation wasn't looking so good. Only a sixth year, already knocked up with a child on the way, and her boyfriend going to Azkaban for a crime she committed. Just great, in fact.