Ella
I felt sorry for Bella.
She's been so upset and confused lately. I can imagine all the questions running through her mind, telling her what to do, what not to do.
She still hasn't told anyone about the pregnancy, only me and Draco know. I told her that I told Draco, to which she smacked me over the head at, but then realised that he wasn't going to tell anyone.
Speaking of Draco, he's been spending most of his days in bed. With me. He never seems to want to let go of me, I'm always attached to him in some way.
It's been a month since he returned home. It feels like a few days. But I'm not complaining because I have him by my side, and that's all I need.
I had just eaten some breakfast in bed with Draco. Currently, I'm making my way through the house so I can put the plates back in the kitchen.
"Ella!" A voice called, making me stop in my tracks and turn to the side. Bella stood there, wearing baggy clothing, looking anxious. She was stood by a door. The door to Theo's bedroom.
"What?" I asked impatiently, wanting to get the heavy cutlery off me.
"Come here." She whispered, waving me over. She seemed secretive. Too secretive.
"What is it?"
"I want to tell Theo about...the baby." Her voice went even quieter as she spoke the last two words. "I've been contemplating it for weeks. Can you please help me?"
"How long have you been standing out here?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, an hour?"
"An hour?! Bella, go tell him. He'll find out sooner or later."
"Yes yes, I know." My twin rolled her eyes at me while folding her arms over her chest. "I'm just scared."
"If you're not ready, don't tell him."
"But I am ready, I just need a little push to get me to say it."
"Fine, you want a push?" I muttered while placing the plates onto the floor and knocked on the door before opening it.
Theo was sat on his bed, reading a book in peace. He had no shirt on, only some grey joggers. A smile spread across his face, his eyes widening a little, obviously not expecting us. "Hey guys." He chimed.
Bella kept whispering 'no no no no no' as she tried to get away, but I had ahold of her shoulders, pushing her through the threshold and into the bedroom.
"Hi." I smiled. "Bella has something she wants to tell you."
"No, no I don't." She shook her head quickly, digging her nails into my hands in an attempt to get me to let go, but I didn't budge.
"Yes. She does." I seethed.
"Well, what is it?" Theo asked as he sat up properly, a look of confusion written on his face.
"It's nothing, really." Bella insisted. "Ella just let it go."
"No. You will talk to him right now or I'll tell him." I said sternly, I know it seems harsh, but she's been getting on my nerves. This is the 5th time this week she's pulled something like this, each time she chickens out at the last second. "5....4....3...2..."
"Okay okay, fine. I'll tell him. Just— give us some privacy." Bella shoved my hands off her, letting out an exasperated sigh.
"I swear if you don't-"
"I will. Please Ella, just go."
I nodded, giving Bella a reassuring smile before leaving. I didn't stay to eavesdrop, instead I kept walking.
Once I had made it to the kitchen, I put the plates into a pile of dirty dishes, all of which were being cleaned through magic.
After that, I began making my way back upstairs. I was finally getting used to the house, where everything was. It was massive. Much bigger than any I'd seen before.
On my way there, I came across a dark hallway. One I'd never seen before. I was still on the bottom floor, not far from the kitchens.
I furrowed my eyebrows, looking down the pitch black corridor. All the walls were black, just like the rest of the house. But, there were no lights, no doors, no life.
A couple of paintings hung upon the walls, all looking a little tatty. They didn't move, but for some reason it felt as if they were watching me. Calculating each move I would make. Observing me.
It was eerily silent. Only a few creaks of the floorboards could be heard. At first, I walked deathly slow, trying to decipher what the fuck was going on. Where this scary ass corridor had come from.
After a few seconds of silence, I snapped out of my trans. Realising that I was just in my own head. It was a random corridor, obviously one that isn't used that often.
I carried on my journey, walking at a normal pace, laughing to myself at how stupid I had been. I went to pull out my wand, to create some light, but a hand wrapped around my left wrist.
Immediately, I used my right arm to elbow the attacker in the face. I heard them groan and let go of me, allowing me to turn around.
I couldn't see who it was, due to the darkness, but they seemed a similar height to me. I grabbed the back of their hair, realising it was cut to their shoulders, and pushed down, making their face connect with my knee.
They stumbled back due to the impact, holding onto their nose —which was most likely broken.
They pulled out their wand and sent a spell my way, which was easy enough to dodge. I grabbed hold of their wand at the end and snapped it in two. So now, they had ahold of one half and I the other.
"You bitch." I familiar voice spat at me before they came charging towards me. I immediately grabbed them by their throat, clutching onto their other hand and holding it behind their back.
I used my feet to trip them up, making them fall to the ground. Their arm snapping in my hand. My other still latched onto their throat as I chocked them, sat on top of their stomach to stop them from moving.
I could hear their gasps for breath, which only made me squeeze harder.
Suddenly, I heard a condescending clap come from behind me. A slow applause. Almost mocking me. "Well done, Ella." Uncle Harry's voice rang as he lit up the room with a spell.
I looked down, seeing Pansy Parkinson with a bright red face, gasping for air.
"Now, if you please let go of Parkinson. She is sadly one of the best we've got."
I let go of her neck, not getting off her body, as she took big gaps. A couple of sobs escaping her lips.
"What the fuck is going on?" I spat, watching as Harry walked to stand before me, laughing smugly to himself.
"Initiation, of course." He smiled evilly.
"I've told you, I'm not joining. The dark Lord made me-"
"A healer, I know." The tall man rolled his eyes. "Don't worry, Princess, the initiation isn't for you."
"So it's...Pansy?"
"Yes!" She squeaked. "But you're a fucking psychopath and you broke my arm, my nose and my wand!"
"So her way of getting into the dark lords little group is by attacking me?"
"No. Not exactly." Uncle Harry held out a hand to help me up, but I got up without his help. "The task was to show me her skills. How good she is at fighting, both with and without a wand. You were just helping to demonstrate her power."
"So I was a fucking dummy? Just the thing people beat to a pulp and curse?"
"No no. You were just at the wrong place at the wrong time." He shook his head. "Although, you did show me your powers. And let me tell you, that amount of power deserves to be let loose. Shown to the world. I think it's a mistake for the dark Lord to make you a healer. You should be on the front line."
"So you don't agree with the dark Lord?" I asked mockingly. "You think his decisions were wrong? That he messed up? Oh, I'm sure he'd love to hear your input. Do tell us more. Maybe you should call him, so you can tell him yourself."
"Don't be stupid, Ella." He growled. "Or I might get Greyback to finish off his meal. The one he never got to complete."
A shiver ran down my spine at his words. My blood pumping faster through my veins. That was the most excruciating experience of my life.
"Don't use me as a rag doll." I seethed before walking away, finally finding light as the corridor lead me to the main foyer.
I rushed upstairs, going straight back to Draco's bedroom and locked the door behind me. My heart still beating at an alarming speed. Fear crawling up my neck. It's fine. He won't hurt you. Not again.
The door to the bathroom opened, Draco appearing through the steam from the shower. A small towel wrapped around his torso and another around his neck. His hair still wet, droplets of water trickling down his body.
"Hey, Princess." He smiled at me while walking closer. It still amazed me how tall he was. How much he towered over me.
Draco pulled me into a kiss, humming against my lips. My heartbeat slowing down, fear slipping away. It's all okay when I'm with Draco. I know he'll protect me, no matter what.
"You okay?" He asked while pulling away, his hands still firmly on my waist.
"I'm good. You?"
"Brilliant."
I giggled at the way he smiled so widely. Pure happiness spread cross his face.
A knock echoed around the room. Both me and Draco turned to face the door, sighing a little.
I opened it up, looking at Theo and Bella stood behind it. Both were smiling brightly.
"I told him." Bella said simply.
"You did? You told him the truth?" I asked.
"Yep." She nodded. I looked over at Theo who nodded at me. "And you're okay with it?"
"Yes. I've always wanted a child, a family of my own. Last year, I had no one. I was so alone, everyone was coupled up, but not me. Then, I went through everything with Grace. But I realised that through it all, Bella has been there for me. There's no one I'd want more to have my child."
"Cringe." Draco drivelled while shutting the door in their faces. His arms automatically going around my waist as he tried taking me to the bed. I laughed and swatted him away.
"Draco, don't be so rude." I scolded while re-opening the door. "Sorry about that."
"It's fine."
The two came in —after Draco put on some clothes— and we talked all day. Theo seemed really excited. The only thing they were worried about was telling their parents.
*
A few weeks passed.
Today was the day that Bella was going to tell my parents about the baby. Theo's parents have come around for dinner so it was the perfect opportunity.
Me and Bella stood by the doors, leading into the dining room. I squeezed her hand a little, making her turn to me.
"It'll be okay. Even if dad freaks out, he'll come around eventually. You know how crazy he is for having grandchildren."
"Yeah." She chuckled.
The doors opened, revealing Narcissa. The smile on her face was prominent. Contagious. She was happy to have her family back together, but Lucius seemed...off. I guess that's what happens when you're in Azkaban for so long.
"Come in girls." She ushered.
I let go of Bella's hand and took my seat at the table, between Mother and Draco. Bella sat beside Narcissa and Theo.
Draco's hand intertwined with mine as we ate, a small smirk spreading across his features. I smiled to myself, happy that I'm with my boyfriend.
Everyone made polite conversation, ignoring talk of the dark Lord. Theo's parents actually seemed quite nice. His father seemed more understanding than his mother. She seemed more demanding.
Bella cleared her throat, making everyone look up at her. She stood onto her feet, Theo joining.
"I'd like to make an announcement...I'm pregnant."
I heard my mother gasp, along with Narcissa.
"What?" Father asked. "What— what do you mean?"
"I'm three months pregnant."
"And I'm the father." Theo added.
My father stood up turned to me and my mother, his face scrunched up in anger. "Did you two have any idea about this?"
I shook my head quickly. Me and Bella had decided it's best if I don't say I knew, it would just make dad angrier.
"No. But isn't it wonderful!" Mother chimed while standing onto her feet.
"No, no it's not wonderful! She's 17! And she let him knock her up!"
"It's not our fault your daughter doesn't take proper contraception." Diana argued, Theo's mother.
"Maybe you should teach your son how to have protected sex!" Father spat. "It's better to take out the bullets instead of just wearing a bulletproof vest, is it not!?"
"What? That doesn't even make any sense-"
"Why don't we go talk. In the other room." Andy suggested calmly, Theo's father seemed level headed.
"Yes, that's a great idea." Mother agreed, pulling on my father arm as the six went into a different room. Leaving me, Draco, Narcissa and Lucius.
"Wow. She's pregnant." Cissy sighed. "You know...if you ever got pregnant, we'd be okay with it, wouldn't we Lucius?"
"What? Before marriage, are you crazy?! No grandchildren until you're married."
"Don't worry, we weren't planning on having a child anytime soon." I chuckled, feeling the way Draco's hand tensed in mine at the mention of a baby. "Let me help you with the dishes."
I stood onto my feet and collected as many plates as possible before carrying them into the kitchen, Narcissa right behind me.
"I can't wait to have grandchildren." Narcissa whispered, making sure that the other two wouldn't hear.
"Really?"
"Mhm. I've already spoken to your mother about it, she agrees."
"Oh really?" I chuckled.
"Yeah, well you know what it's like being trapped in a house for so long. It just came up in conversation."
I laughed along with Cissy before we walked back into the dining room and sat down. Not long afterwards, the others came back in. They seemed much calmer.
"How did it go?" I asked.
"Great." Theo half heartedly smiled while holding onto Bella's hand. "We're getting married."
"What?!" Me and Draco shrieked in unison.
"Yeah." Bella nodded, a fake smile spread across her face. "It will be before the baby comes."
"Hopefully if we plan now, we could do it before you start showing." Father chimed in. She's already showing. She wears baggy clothing to hide it from you, idiot.
"Cissy, would you help me plan?" Mother asked.
"Of course!" The beautiful woman stood onto her feet, gushing at the idea. "I think this deserves some more wine. It's down in the cellar."
"I'll go get it." I added in while standing onto me feet and rounding the table.
"Oh don't be silly, I'll go."
"No no, really, it's no problem." I smiled, wanting to be as far away from the awkwardness as possible.
I sighed to myself as I walked down the slippery steps and into the cellar. I always got confused of which way to go, left or right. Then, it's the last door.
I shrugged and decided to go left, walking along the disease-riddled corridor. It got darker and darker the further I went.
Once I had reached the last door, I tried to open it, but it was locked. I sighed loudly and peered through the metal bars, looking into the room.
I gasped at the sight. My heart falling through my arse at the mangled-looking man sat before me.
Matthew.