✧SHARING THE NEWS✧

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Nothing in the book could warn Rabastan as to what it would be like for his wife. It was utter agony in the morning for Aurora, as it turns out it was simply morning sickness, but Rabastan couldn't help but theorize that there was something wrong with his wife.

Her body was changing and making alternations to house and produce a child, it was going to be tiring in any regard.

Luckily the days in telling family came sooner rather than later, it was decided that they would tell his parents first. As she was a Lestrange and their heir is going to be having the name as well.

They excused it as a simple tea with the in-laws, and it didn't matter on either side in terms of suspicion.

Seemingly enough Aurora had entered her two and a half mark fairly quickly, her stomach was fairly noticeable if one were to look. So she layered strategically and whenever she would leave or attend a Death Eater meeting it would be covered.

Granted, Rabastan's simple actions just screamed overprotective now.

But he left to grasping his wife's small swollen tum with his hand for at home only, and every time he did it earned him an adoring smile from his wife.

Even with the horrors the morning brought, her appetite for sex hadn't left like he had feared, only he was more than worried of hurting the baby while performing such an act, causing her to laugh.

It took a whole book and an additional explanation to get him comfortable, but the first time they managed wasn't anything to talk about considering he was scared and worried.

Now they attempted as though nothing had changed, just not venturing as far as to his birthday actives.

Clarissa had graciously set out a large array of sweets and small sandwiches, and though they looked pleasant, they were entirely gastley in Aurora's mind, and it took all the convincing in the world to calm her senses.

There was nothing left to throw up, nothing at all.

"Your father was just finishing up some paperwork, I hope you aren't ignoring Cassiopeia dear...You take after your father when it comes to work ethics." Aurora chuckled behind her cup as she took a side eye off towards her husband. 

"Of course not, recently Aurora has joined me in the study to read...Think someone is missing their garden." It took the conversation to a different but more comfortable turn as they awaited for Rabastan's father.

A part of him worried that he was being seen in trying to upstage his brother and sister in law, it's what prompted him to counting down the days...But then weren't they badgered by Walburga countlessly since they kissed at the altar to have children?

All these underlining fears spiked when the head of the Lestrange line had entered the room. Both of the guests stood up, and since Aurora had been closer she kissed her father in law on the cheek to greet him.

Attempting to forget about Lydia.

"Lovely for you two to join us this afternoon how have your studies been Cassi?" Rabastan hated it when anyone in the family called her by Cassiopeia, but at least his parents took to the more friendly approach with the shortened first name.

But she explained that she was taking it easy after the strain the classes had left on her, some assignments here and there and consulting.

But she was more or less labeled a potion mistress.

They were happy with hearing all of this, and Rabastan mentioned that they were planning to venture to America for a bit so he could visit the states and see the school that took her away for an accepted two years.

"We did have something to tell you both..." Rabastan started, reaching for his wife's hand. And both his parents had been thinking outside the realm of her being pregnant, especially after the potion incident.

"I'm with child." She smiled, and both his parents had gawked at her words...But on account three long second later Clarissa had burst into tears. Coming directly to sit beside her daughter in law, wrapping her arms around her.

This motherly love was exactly what Aurora needed at the moment too.

The mother had always hoped in secret to have a daughter, but blessed with two boys was ideally enough and she couldn't complain. And when Bella married out of duty rather than love or passion it had fell down straight from there.

Though Clarissa was very much respected in the eyes of Bella.

Though with Rabastan and Aurora, everyone had known that there was something more, obviously underlining the true love that they had for one another.

"Truly?" Clarissa said through tears, and when Rabastan had pressed his hand onto the swell of her growing womb both parents had instantly came closer to the couple. It was then when it was visible. 

One thing Aurora always did like about the Lestrange parents were that they were affectionate, especially considering Clarissa had pulled her into a hug as she sobbed, happy tears of course.

They discussed simple things, and Rabastan had scolded himself for not asking a few of them. But his mother had been so focused on where the baby would sleep to the ideas of whom the godparents would be...The master of the house was the one to question if they were going to discuss with the Blacks after this.

"We wanted to tell the two of you first..." 

"We'll be dropping by after, if Rory still feels up to it at least." She nodded along, but Clarissa had worried on how her morning sickness had been and recommended a few tonics that Rabastan had taken the liberty on making sure she would take them.

"Love you were miserable this morning, let mother help you." As father and the father to be had left the room for a few moments to let the women have their personal talk, he knew Aurora would value another women's opinion, especially for something like this.

But the master of this house had never been prouder of his son, he was more than prepared to be a grandfather but suggested a few godparents and writing an updated version of a contract.

"You said the two of you wanted a few? I don't suppose the Malfoy's will have more than one once Narcissa gets pregnant." Rabastan had remained quiet, he's witnessed the woman crying to her cousin over the stress of not being able to get pregnant at all.

He knew Bella seemingly gave up and decided to dedicate herself properly to the cause. Same with his brother as well but they claimed to still be trying.

With Aurora set with more than enough information, they had left as her husband had taken the liberty in apprenting to the Alley he always used when visiting over.

"Are you alright love?" She nodded but she refused to open her eyes. The two waited in the small ally for a few more moments as Aurora sorted through the spinning street.

"Rory let's save this for another day then, it'll be—" 

"I'm showing more already, I'm sure my seamstresses already have me guessed Raba. I'm mending my own dresses." He sighed, kissing her crown before escorting her to her family home.

The March breeze surely reminded them both of how bitterly cold this house was, not minding the fact that Rabastan despised the living lights out of Walburga.

And now even Orion seemed to have wronged Aurora in more than a few ways, being oblivious for one.

As they arrived at the front door it was Aurora who knocked, it was her family and not for her love for her father then Rabastan would've called this entire visit off.

But then again, he always had trouble saying no to his wife.

Kreacher, on the other hand, looked just as shocked as expected. 

"Hello Kreacher, is mother and father home?" She questioned, and with how blinded the little elf had been. It was Rabastan's clearing throat that properly put the old elf back into his place.

"Of course Mistress! Come in, come in. Kreacher get mistress and master...Mistress be so pleased to see young mistress!" He cheered, racing to the woman's personal room to get her.

"Cassiopeia...What a lovely surprised." She smiled, and Aurora returned it with ease. "Rabastan and I were going to France for two weeks, I wanted to see you and father before we head off." It was an easy on the spot lie, one of which had Rabastan smirking down at his wife.

The mother clapped her hands and hurried along upstairs to her husband's study to invite him downstairs. And one look at his daughter and son in law told him a few things...

That Rabastan did not live up to the promise.

But he humored his wife and daughter, he wanted to know about his daughter's health and mistress statues, she owled him a few times but it was never the same as an in-person visit.

And no part of him really wanted to interrupt the newly wedded couple at their estate.

"It's good to see you my little light...Off in celebration after your classes hmm?" Granted their celebration was weeks ago, this was more of an escape from their parents as they wanted to enjoy their lives before a child comes into the mix.

Whatever the reason, this had much more of a strain on her than telling the Lestrange family, never the less it was a given conversation that slowly caught along quickly. Even if both Rabastan and Walburga had remained silent.

"There is actually a reason why we came today..." She started out, almost mimicking to what Rabastan had said to his own parents. But since this was her parents and her body, Rabastan quizzed her hand tightly in hopes of giving her some more confidence but her smile seemed casted out to her parents already.

"I'm with child." She offered, and Mrs. Walburga Black, the women of the highest pureblood family had dropped and spilled her cup of tea.

"Merlin mother...Really?" Aurora chuckled, but it still didn't render any to unfreeze. Kreacher rushed over to clean up the broken glass while Walburga stilled battled for control of her emotions.

Orion had been as well, but more so out of anger than anything else.

"Pregnant...You're pregnant?!" Her mother whispered frantically, and so Aurora breathed out once again a vocal agreement.

"Yes mother, about eleven weeks or so." The tears began to burst out from the mother, and she was unable to stop herself as she moved to sit beside her daughter...While it was Orion that stared directly to Rabastan.

"A word." Was all Mr.Black had spoke, and in an instant had Rabastan kissed his wife and hurried to follow along after his second father.

Sweet Salzar was he afraid.

The sobbing fool that Aurora couldn't believe was before her was continuing to share far too much emotion, even the daughter could swear that her mother was possessed or something of the sort.

"I prayed, I prayed that you would be one day Cassi...After that god awful incident that had you—" 

"We're passed that mother, they're here, safe and sound." It was a very intimate offering that she had only allowed Clarissa so far outside Rabastan.

Her mother's dirty hands had touched the swell hiding under her dress, causing her to smooth the material downward. From there her mother asked a line of questions, about mornings and all of that. Aurora was able to be truthful like she had been with Clarissa, both of the woman of course been through it...Why lie?

"I'm sure you've read up on the wonders of Jasmin...What I did is drop a bit of mint into it as well, awful taste but it works wonders." The girl nodded in regard to her mother's offerings, she'd be sure to try that in the morning.

At this point she prayed that anything works.

"I don't know how open Raba is to it, but I did want to have Irish twins like you had mother...To have two in the same grade. They're expected in September so it could work out." Although it was the closest mention of Sirius the household has had in a while, her mother had remained silent and at least took the idea that Aurora was looking ahead for another child after this one.

However, on the other side of the Black manner, Orion was holding a dark glare to his son in law and Rabastan sighed. "Sir, we were both caught surprised by—" 

"Accidental. Rabastan I had more faith in you, as well as more trust that your wife, my daughter's health is important as well." The husband's shoulders had fallen as he looked entirely regretful.

"I'm sorry sir, but Rory is beyond excited. She's been talking about children...I didn't want my wife to feel scared in telling me that she was with child." He stood his ground, not entirely in defense but Orion stood his own entirely.

"She barely finished school Rabastan, her career—" 

"I value her career as well. I helped her study for her final exams at three in the morning when she was worried she was going to fail. No part of me wants to take that away from her, her study is filled with ideas." It wasn't aiding his stance, but he could tell deep down that Aurora wanted children.

She craved them.

"Otto has told us countless times that she's healthy." 

"Are you excusing the trauma her body has faced? You know nothing about children." His eyes widened in offense. 

"I don't sir, but your wife is a perfect example of what not to do." He bowed his head and dismissed himself, and Aurora could already sense that there was something wrong.

Her empathy working well in the situation as she stood to her feet and reached for her husband.

But one look at her father instantly made her emotional. Was he not happy? 

Had he said something wrong?

Orion hadn't been near a pregnant woman for quite a while, but this was clearly sending him in a realm of flashbacks.
If Walburga was emotional and demanding during her own three pregnancies, he couldn't even begin to understand his daughter's.

Nor how awful it's been so far.

But the sheer look of disappointment rendered on her face as she looked away, hiding her tears and nodding her head as though she understood.

"No Cassi wait, it's—" She didn't want to hear anything more, she bid her goodbyes and continued back out towards the street into the muggle world.

Rabastan right behind her.

He made it a rule of her not teleporting on her own unless it's through a floo. "Rory it's not what you think, not at all it's—" 

"Home. Just let's go home." He nods, wrapping his arms swiftly around him in a protective hold and automatically find their way into the warm foyer.

A drastic change in temperature, but his wife threw off her cloak and hurried along up the stairs. "Rory...It's nothing to do with—" 

"So it doesn't include the child inside me? Please, I'm not an idiot, my father was glaring at you the entire time!" He huffed, she had interrupted him and caught his lie.

"Love I swear his anger is with me...The promise surrounding your career is what caused the chat." In pure disdain did Aurora hold her forehead, as a migraine was already sprouting from it.

"It's like everything I do is wrong!" 

"Kitten you know that isn't true, your father—" 

"I'm a girl not a boy, a Ravenclaw not a Slytherin. I'm pregnant but at the wrong time." She sniffled, bending down to sit at the bottom few stairs. Her wrist covered her nose as she shook her head.

"Rory...This child isn't for anyone but us. This child is ours love, we had this conversation before. We wanted a child after your classes, don't take your father's anger with me personally. It's directed to me for a reason." 

"But you're not at fault, I haven't been taking any potions because of all the others I've been taking...It just...Happened." A soft smile began to etch on his face as he nodded, a hand going to either her stomach and her cheek in a very intimate position.

"Yes love, he's here. Little Romulus." Her eyes brightened instantly but she shook her head. "You should name him, he's the—" 

"He is as much my son as he is yours...Don't you dare forget that." She nods into his cheek, this sudden use of emotion. Which had him offer a bath, though he knew she was going to read in bed anyway.

"When did you want to tell Regulus?" Her mouth parted for a moment. "I...I haven't even thought about telling him?" 

"And why not? He's going to be an uncle." Her excitement returned and he begged anyone listening that Regulus share some excitement.

Anything.

*

The news spread quickly, too quickly. Once Regulus knew in the form of a letter Rabastan was far too excited to tell his brother.

And Bellatrix?

Merlin had she known her pregnancy was going to prompt a celebration raid, she would've waited or warned the Order. But it was too late, when she messaged Sirius he informed her that it already happened.

They lost two members.

They didn't know what caused this raid, and with Rabastan working from home to stay closer to his wife. It gave her little to no time to head to the Order.

So on a night that she knew wouldn't be any raids did she plan her escape, it was difficult. More so than she realized as she stunned her husband with a small sleeping hex, if he realizes that she left the manner she rightly wouldn't know what to do.

But right now?....Right now she needed to go and see her brother.

She went straight to the new safe house without any stops or detours, she wasn't even supposed to be apprenting on her own in the first place. So nobody would think twice in that regard. However what did take a moment was settling the spinning room.

"Every bloody time." She hissed, allowing the sensations to fade while soothing her little babe back into a calming state. Her tum was more visible than before, though the cloak did wonders to take attention away or even the thought of the truth.

She'd just keep it on for the duration of seeing her brother.

However, knocking on the door prompted an almost immediate response from Alastor. "Password?" 

"I didn't come with a password, trade you information?" She questioned with a wiggling brow. Moody grumbled and allowed her entrance.

She whispered a given few spots of planning attack as he would pass it further to Dumbledore. "Aurora Lestrange..." Turning over her shoulder she saw Sirius with the rest of the Marauders and Lily.

They got the message.

Sirius came rushing forward to take his little sister into his hold, her head resting against his chest. Though she was entirely careful to the fact that of her stomach.

Luckily he had missed it. But not the prominent glow she was sporting, so he took it as a sign of better health.

"How...How were your classes? You said—" He babbled all the questions he wanted to ask but didn't want to annoy her with. All the while she played with his hands and offered the best smile she could.

"I aced everything, I actually spent a few days in Salem to teach the kiddos. My license is still processing, but I'm finished. H-how is everyone?" She looked around the room to see the same concessions in smiles.

Tired. They were tired.

"I did come here with a purpose Siri...And I know you're going to be upset, but I swear it comes with some sort of blessing." He chuckled. 

"Seeing you alive is enough of a blessing, hit me." She closed her eyes, knowing it was going to blow up as she whispered the words 'I'm pregnant' into the air.

It stilled her brother to the bone, and he let go of her hand to curl his hand into a fist. He hated knowing that the man he despised the most was sleeping with his sister, showing love and comfort.

Slamming his fist to the table did he rise to his feet and leave to the other side of the building. Leaving her in the room with the same sort of shocked expression.

"You're pregnant?" Remus whispered, and it couldn't have been louder than her own admission to the secret. So she nodded, but this was the wrong crowd to hear congratulations to.

"That's why the raids have been so close together, they're celebrating. They've gone rightly crazy with everything that has been happening, but whenever Rabastan leaves I'll send one of you a patronus. I'll do what I can from—" Lily shook her head. Sharing a glance between her best friend's eyes to the growing stomach.

"Rory, you have a child to think about now...You can't—" 

"I can't let them live in a world like this. I am still for this cause and I just..." Seeing a crying pregnant woman broke the surrounding male's hearts. But Alastor calling upon Dumbledore settled it all, she requested to see him.
And it was the perfect time to tell him about the Dark Lord coming to an end.

"We can use this to our advantage...Alastor, a moment?" The two left to contemplate an addition plan, somewhat unethical thinking an innocent child could be affected by this.
But either promised that nothing would harm the child.

Because that mere factor could sway Aurora to the other side fully for even trying to win the war...And neither wanted to risk that.

Sirius came back, but now since she told them about the pregnancy she could take off the cloak and nicked his head to the porch for the two of them to talk.

And her glare at the cigs was not enough for him to stop his movements. What was, was her ripping it out of his mouth. "Smoking in front of a pregnant woman? Really?" Instant regret flashed in his eyes as he stuttered an apology and tucked them away.

"Guess congratulations are in order?" She huffed, course her brother would get angry and try to find a way to apologize. 

"Could try being sounding a little happier about it, uncle." The title made him crack a grin, but it hadn't reached his heart.

"I am. Rory I am. But when would I ever be able to see your child...And seeing your husband flaunt you around?" She turned her head in confusion.

"What?" 

"He didn't tell you? Got caught in the crossfire, bastard almost killed me." Her heat dropped and she reached forward to grip the chair to steady herself, as her brother had rightly no clue in how to react when she was like this.

Only Rabastan was prepared for those falls.

"Not that bad Rory, it was a few months ago." 

"He said something, didn't he?... You're angry." He huffed into the air above, of course pregnancy would up her empathy.

"Fuck what'd he say... that you're keeping the bed warm...And that he'd—Rory it makes me sick, fucking sick to know you're with him." She was impressed with her husband's choice of words but gripped his hands again.

"Father was angry with him too." 

"Good. Fucking finally he starts acting like a father." Aurora narrowed her brow, their father got angry for all the wrong reasons. But she stayed silent from that.

"Reg's excited, he's doing really well. Think he's taller than you now." It brought back the dozens of taunts that Sirius would give to his little brother for being well...Little.

"When was that attack?" She questioned further, and he thought for a moment and named the week, only causing her to laugh. 

"I wasn't even home, we got into a fight." Sirius stared ahead to the rest of the city, Merlin did it feel better to hear her say that.

"And? What'd the bloke say?" 

"I saw Remus' dad in public, apparently as a wife it is my duty and obligation to make him look like the man in the situation." Sirius rolled his eyes, sure that went splendidly.

"Bet the bastard regretted that, throw a curse at him yet?" 

"No but I was about to." 

"Good, don't be afraid to do anything if it means protecting you and my lil nephew in there, alright?" She agreed, leaning her head onto his shoulder now as looked out into the distance.

"I said it Reg and to father, and I'll say it to you...Not for a moment will I let him control me. And certainly not where you think...Please...Just for that, I think I'm abstaining from sex." He groaned once again, although he liked the idea of his sister staying away from that dick for brains...But another part of him was entirely living for the fact that he'd be forced to live that life.

And he couldn't even imagine what would happen if Lestrange got caught committing adultery. Especially with a child now in the picture, oh Sirius would live to see Aurora's reaction.

"How far along? Is that what you ask pregnant woman, afraid I barely remember when that damnable woman was pregnant with Reg." 

"Three months, everyone is hoping for a boy...I think he's a he." Sirius chuckled, taking the seat just behind him, causing Aurora to turn in confusion.

"Now listen here you little bugger, I want you to give your mummy a break alright?... Once you come you can give all the crying to your father, deal?" 

"Corrupting my child while still in the womb?" Sirius' cheeks hiked up with the level of his grin.

"Of course, that's next generation marauder right there." He caught her forming tears and hugged her gently, careful of his nephew but enough to give his support. "You're the safest Rory, you and him." 

"Not at all, the Dark Lord—" Fear struck her as she remembered vividly on how her husband was tortured.

"He's not giving me the mark, ever...He's said that a personal seer deserves a higher rank." 

"Seer? What the bloody fuck does he mean seer?!" She shook her head and disagreed.

"You'll know in time, but for right now I need you to trust me...But it's making him scared. I told Rabastan and the Dark Lord tortured him to keep silent. To remember to keep silent." Sirius nodded, sure he knew his sister was deep into the cause...But now it's just jumped ten levels closer.

"This babe will help, won't he? He can't send you to raids or h-hurt you without—" 

"I've never been hurt. Rabastan has been punished a few times before, but never me." He hummed, good to know that their failure was pushed further than expected.

Before Aurora left she asked for a private meeting with Dumbledore, and he had never smiled so brightly at hearing the beginning of the prophecy. "It rejected you...It knew its place in front of Voldemort would be second-guessing the aid it represents." The woman nodded, but other than that there was nothing more to be said, she hugged her goodbyes and everyone gave their half-hearted congratulations.

But Remus didn't want to let her go.

Sirius tried to consult him, but everyone now knew Remus' true feelings about Aurora...And they wouldn't be able to disappear out of thin air, nor was Remus going to forget about her.

It was pure agony.

"Before you five go...I would like to run something by, we are going to confuse the Death Eaters."

"How?" Lily was the first to question, especially since he didn't share it while Aurora was here.

"We're going to try and capture their seer." Sirius shook his head instantly but Dumbledore stood his ground and offered a pausing hand.

"No harm will come to your sister Sirius, she will be safe. It's making them think we're after her." Everyone's eyes turned to look at their former headmaster, and Alastor nodded.

This was going to go well.

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Date Posted: 09-01-19

Time: 5:50

Words: 4788

It's already September 1st!
You know what that means, we're off to Hogwarts!

What house are you in and what pet would you bring?