v. so it goes...

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CHAPTER FIVE !
── "so it goes..."


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Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β THE NIGHT SKY HADΒ darkened from bleak gray to a familiar black, stars lighting up the sky. Students hustles around the lively Hogwarts corridor, most already heading to their dorms to call it a night while some are already dressed in their pajamas and heading back to the Great Hall to bring midnight snacks back to their rooms from the last few minutes left of the feast.

And yet, stood in front of the hospital wing with her arms folded over her chest and a deep frown settled on her face was Olivia Kinsley. Unlike other students who seem relieved and relaxed that the school day was over, Olivia stands with perfect posture, still wearing her perfectly ironed school uniform and her chestnut hair pulled in a tight ponytail.

She's been standing on the same spot for the last forty minutes where a certain gryffindor boy was supposed to meet her. Olivia definitely isn't the most patient person out there, but she tries. James β€” although annoying most times β€” had treated her with nothing but kindness and she's trying to repay that kindness back the only way she knows how so she decided she'd stay and wait for him for another minute and if he doesn't appear before then she'd go on without him.

However, trying to be kind doesn't stop her from being unbelievably irritated. The fact that hormones has been getting her mood all messed up didn't help at all. One minute she wants to cry over the piece of candy she accidentally dropped and the next she's trying to contain herself from screaming at Sirius for breathing too loudly and James is surely testing her patience.

As if she had called his name, James Potter broke through the sea of students. He still wore his quidditch robes and his glasses are inches away from falling to the ground. His messy black hair lay damp on top of his head from sweat, his face lighting up as soon as he saw her, pushing through the throng of people as running faster. He only stopped once he stood right in front of her with a guilty expression etched on his face.

Olivia's eyes remains cold as she disregarded his messy appearance. "You're late."

"I know. I'm sorry," James apologized sincerely, nervously running his hand through his sweaty hair. "I got held up at quidditch andβ€”"

"Let's get one thing straight here, Potter." Olivia interrupted, her eyes dangerously narrowing. "I don't care what you do. How you spend your time is none of my business and quite frankly, I can't care less what you do with yourself, but when we've decided on something then that should be followed. If we decided on a certain place and a certain time then you will be at that place and time exactly as we talked about. If you can't follow through that then I have absolutely no problem with going through this by myself."

If possible, James looked guiltier. Truthfully, Olivia rarely gets angry. She's always prided herself for being in control of her emotions β€” except the past few weeks, but that was due to her pregnancy and even then, she's able to control her outburst. She was mostly just dismissive tones and sarcastic retorts so James couldn't help but be disappointed at himself for doing something that finally got her to snap.

"It's nothing like that, darling. I want to be here, I really do. Everything's just a little overwhelming and I'm trying. I am, but it's hard and sometimes I'm going to make mistakes and I'm really, really sorry for that but I'm trying my best."

Olivia pursed her lips, not fond of the way the conversation quickly became personal. Despite herself, she understands all about feeling overwhelmed. One thing she also prided herself in is looking calm and collected in front of everyone, but when she's alone in her room surrounded by darkness and her hand on her belly, she could barely breath with how easily and drastically her life had changed.

She sighed and without saying another word, turned around and pushed the double doors open where Madame Pomfrey have been waiting for them.

"I was starting to wonder if you two would appear," Pomfrey commented as she motioned Olivia to sit on the bed.

"It was my fault, Madame Pomfrey," James explains apologetically. "I got held up at quidditch. I apologize."

The mediwitch raised an eyebrow in question. James Potter and his friends had taken on calling her 'Poppy' like the rest of the faculty. And the lack of his usual cheeky remark was a little concerning. However, the deep frown still ingrained on Olivia's face told her that something must have happened between the two. She figured they need to learn how to talk their problems through if they're planning to raise a child together.

She brought out something that looked like a simple mirror, tapping on it with her wand while the young parents-to-be watched her warily, wondering what it was for. "Ms. Kinsley, if you would lay on the bed and lift your shirt a bit."

Olivia did as she was told, unbuttoning her shirt a little to reveal her tummy, which was still flat. No one could see it but Olivia knew there was a tiny swell in there, one just by her abdomen. Her hand automatically went to touch it softly.

James stares at her stomach in awe, feeling his heart racing. He's not quite sure what he's nervous for but he's nervous nonetheless.

"This might feel a little startling because of the chill, but don't worry about it," Madam Pomfrey told them, pointing her wand at Olivia's stomach.

James stiffened in his seat, an unsettling feeling forming in his throat due to the pointed wand at his baby, at Olivia. He refrained from grabbing his own or pushing her hand away.

Madam Pomfrey muttered a quick spell and a cool sort of wind instantly touched her skin, causing shivers to erupt.

The soft gasp that escaped James made her turn to him but the boy's attention is solely focussed on the little mirror in front of them which now displayed black and white, a floating tiny ball-like figure in the middle of it.

Olivia felt her eyes water a little, hating herself and her hormones for getting emotional about something so small and simple but she wiped it away before it can have a chance to fall to her cheeks. James in the other hand let the tears fall freely as he inched closer to the screen. "Hey there, Little Nugget. I'm your papa."

The mediwitch watched the two awed teenager with a small smile. Perhaps they're struggling to deal with everything, struggling to get along, but the love on their faces are sincere and clear as day.Β 

James had reached out to touch the screen, softly tracing the image of the fetus. Then he turned to Olivia, the biggest smile on his face. "Look, Liv. There's our baby."

Olivia nodded, a teary laugh escaping her lips. "It's real."

James smiles, moving towards her and wrapping an arm around her shoulder, pulling the girl to his chest as he planted a soft kiss on her temple. "He's real, love. He's real and he's ours."

She nods again, burying her face deeper into his arms. "I can't believe he's real."

Madame Pomfrey smiles at the two. "He's very much real and from the looks of it, he's healthy too. Now, how have you been feeling?"

James let go of Olivia, grabbing a small notebook from the pocket of his quidditch robes which had obviously been forced to fit there. He tapped his wand at it and the creases disappeared before handing it to the older witch. "Remus said we should keep a notebook to write her symptoms at."

"Mr. Lupin is very smart," she praises, flipping through the pages. "It seems here that you've been feeling nausea a lot as well as constant vomiting which is completely normal."

"She's been eating a lot too," James adds.

Olivia narrowed her eyes at him. "Are you calling me fat, Potter?"

"Of course not! I just want her to know everything in case there's anything we have to worry about."

"Yes, Mr. Potter. Increase in appetite is indeed normal," the mediwitch said patiently. "Keep in mind that Ms. Kinsley is now eating for two. Speaking of eating habits, your body needs additional nutrients, vitamins and minerals. A diet lacking in key nutrients may negatively affect the baby's development. Poor eating habits and excess weight gain may also increase your risk of gestational diabetes and pregnancy or birth complications."

James and Olivia shared a look, neither of them fully understanding what was being said but not liking it anyway.

Madame Pomfrey continues. "Put simply, choosing healthy, nutritious foods will help ensure the health of you and your baby. I'd suggests eating dairy products, especially yogurt. It's a great choice for pregnant women. They help you meet increased protein and calcium needs. Probiotics may also help reduce the risk of complications. Legumes are also great sources of folate, fiber and many other nutrients. Folate is a very important nutrient during pregnancy and may reduce the risk of some birth defects and diseases."

Beside her, James dutifully took notes on their notebook, listening to the mediwitch's every word. Olivia on the other hand have heard most of it already from Remus and Peter. Before they knew it, Madame Pomfrey was giving them a list of foods for her to eat.

"Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of beta-carotene, which your body transforms into vitamin A. Vitamin A is important for the growth and differentiation of cells in your growing fetus. Salmon contains the essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which are important for brain and eye development in your growing baby. It's also a natural source of vitamin D. Whole eggs are incredibly nutritious and a great way to increase your overall nutrient intake. They also contain choline, an essential nutrient for brain health and development."

"She doesn't like eggs," James tells her. "It makes her throw up."

Madame Pomfrey nodded thoughtfully. "Sensitivity to smell is also normal. Yes, we can scratch off the eggs."

From beside her, Olivia saw James crossing out the eggs before motioning for Madame Pomprey to continue along with Olivia who stares at her, her brain malfunctioning with the amount of information she's receiving without having enough time to process them before moving to the next.

"Broccoli and leafy greens contain most of the nutrients that pregnant women need. They're also rich in fiber, which may help prevent or treat constipation. Lean meat is a good source of high-quality protein. Beef and pork are also rich in iron, choline and B vitamins, all of which are important nutrients during pregnancy. A single serving of fish liver oil provides more than the required amount of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D and vitamin A. Fish liver oil may be particularly important for women who don't eat seafood. Berries contain water, carbs, vitamin C, fiber, vitamins, antioxidants and plant compounds. They may help pregnant women increase their nutrient and water intake. And of course, probably the most important, water. Drinking water is important as your blood volume increases during pregnancy. Adequate hydration may also help prevent constipation and urinary tract infections."

Olivia clears her throat, Madam Pomfrey's instructions sounding a lot like jumbled up words to her ears. "I'm supposed to eat of all that?"

"Not necessarily all at the same time, but those are the foods that will greatly help your fetus' development."

"I'll take care of it," James assures her. "Is there anything else we need to know or do?"

"That's all for now. I want you to come to me anytime you feel like, even if it's just a minor inconvenience, I want you to come to me. Understood?"

Olivia sat up and nodded dutifully. "I will, I promise."

The mediwitch smiles softly at the two. "I want you guys to know that I'm always here for you, okay?"

"I knew you always had a soft spot for me." James teased cheekily but the smile on his face was sincere.

"Thank you," Olivia said. "Truly."

"I'd suggest going back to your dorms before curfew comes. Again, come to me if you need anything, feeling anything out of ordinary or just has some questions."

"You're the best, Poppy," James tells her.

The two left the healer feeling much lighter. Both teenagers are still in awe of what they witnessed. Olivia couldn't help but place a soft hand on her tummy. There really was something there. She had a baby. Her baby was real and she hasn't just imagined it all.

"Little Nugget really is on his way," James grins, his faced matching Olivia's feelings. He too couldn't believe it.

The child wasn't even born yet and he already had two people who'd die for him.

"He is," Olivia mutters softly.

James grins at her, swinging his arm around her shoulder. "My genes will make him the most good looking lad to ever walk these halls."

Olivia playfully roll her eyes. "He might be a she, you know. And please, Potter, do deflate your ego a bit. I fear it might no longer fit your shirts."

"Hey, I'm just telling the truth. It's a fact that I'm the most good looking man in all of London."

Olivia raised an eyebrow before shaking her head. "We're in Scotland, darling. I suggest reading a few books about geography first. You don't want to be like Black; pretty but completely useless."

"I knew we were in Scotland! I'm just used to being in London." He defends, cheeks slightly turning red.

Olivia hums as she walks past him, her shoulder slightly vibrating from silent laughter.

Then James realized her words and he smirked at her. "Did you just call me pretty?"

"Madame Pomfrey was right," she said, ignoring his question as she turns a corner. "We don't want to be out after curfew."

"Don't try to change the subject, Sweetheart." James laughs. "You definitely just called me pretty."

Olivia said the password to her dorm room and the door automatically swung open. However, before James could follow behind her, she blocked his way. "Goodnight, Potter."Β 

Then she shut the door to his face, ignoring the way her face had tinted pink. Even then, she can hear his laughter from the other side and Olivia herself couldn't help but smile. All annoyance from earlier that evening now lost in her mind.

Then James' laughter disappeared. She figures he'd already left as she kicked her shoes off but a few moments later, he's furiously knocking on her door.

She opened it a little, big enough for her to peak through. "What is it, Potter?"

"Did you just call Sirius pretty?"

She rolls her eyes before slamming it shut again.

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