MAY 1978

I had woken up later than usual that day. It was the day of the most high-stakes Quidditch match of the year: Ravenclaw vs Gryffindor. The winner would determine who snagged the house cup that year and I had decided to make my last year at Hogwarts the most memorable. It was so far, so good. Quidditch and passing my dreaded N.E.W.Ts were all I had left.

I had also decided when I woke up that morning that I was going to end things with my very long-term, very-serious, very-Muggle girlfriend. If I was going to move to London and work at a magical hospital in the midst of a war I needed to leave her behind. It wasn't that I didn't love her or wished ill on her in any way, I just needed to move on and couldn't bear dragging her into the mess of a world I was about to enter.

Putting on my robes was not something I normally did before heading off to breakfast but with my late start to the morning and my scheduled Head Boy meeting later that day, I threw them on with urgency. I sort of despised wearing them most of the time but especially on Saturdays when nobody else was. Luckily my Head Boy meetings were only once a month so I wasn't often making a fool of myself.

I rushed to breakfast because I knew I was going to need my strength for the day ahead. I was happy to see that Remus and Sirius hadn't yet left the table. James was probably preparing for the match and Peter might have still been in bed.

"Nice to see you, Sleeping Beauty," Remus joked, burying his nose into a mug of coffee (probably his fifth of the morning).

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes and sat across from them. "Did I get any mail?"

Sirius had a big, goofy grin plastered across his face and nodded. He tossed me three letters and a copy of The Daily Prophet. I didn't even check each of the return addresses before ripping the envelopes open. It seemed I was off to a good start though when my first letter was a confirmation that I had secured a flat in London very close to where I wanted to work. Then I opened one from said workplace that informed me I would be hired as soon as my N.E.W.T results came back.

I mean, I was thrilled. If we had lost the match that night I would have been perfectly fine. My life was falling into place and suddenly I had a lot less to worry about. The last letter I examined before I opened. The return address was Christine's, my girlfriend's, and my expression changed. I let out a sigh and put the envelope down.

"What's that one? Is it a letter confirming you're actually not the most attractive man alive?" Sirius teased. "I can't think of something else that would drop your smirk so suddenly."

"Ha ha. It's from Christine."

Remus furrowed his brows. "Your girlfriend? How's that a bad thing?"

"I sort of want to break up with her," I confessed. Their eyes widened but not in a way that indicated they were surprised at what I said, just that I had said it at all.

"Maybe that letter is her breaking up with you." Remus shrugged. "Also, eat up." He nudged over a plate of toast with jam on it and a cup of orange juice.

I rolled my eyes and took a harsh bite of the toast, knowing I would have to open the letter eventually.

"I'm surprised you're still with her, to be honest. You are an absolute dreamboat to every bird here and yet you're exchanging love letters with some Muggle from Liverpool. I overheard some girls under the smoking staircase the other day say that Dealla has fancied the pants off of you since first year. She has got the nicest — " Sirius was cut off by Remus harshly kicking him under the table.

I ignored his comment and opened the envelope with less enthusiasm than the other two. I wasn't sure what I was expecting to be written on the paper in my hands, but what was actually on it would have been my last guess.

Dear Andy

I wanted to let you know that you're the first person I'm telling this news to. It isn't easy for me to say but I know I have to. I've ignored the problem for long enough. You deserve to know sooner rather than later.

I'm pregnant.

There was more to the letter, but my eyes physically couldn't move past the three-syllable sentence that would forever change the trajectory of my life. I was seventeen years old in every way you could be seventeen. Sure, I had plans for the future but I was still immature at times and completely stupid when it came to making decisions (clearly).

"You alright, mate?" Remus asked.

"Yeah, you look ill. Did you knock her up or something?" Sirius was joking, completely unaware that that was the reality of the situation.

I looked up from the letter and glared at him long enough for his goofy expression to turn somber.

"Holy shit. Andy... Christine is pregnant?" Sirius gasped, covering his mouth with his hand.

I couldn't muster a response, but they knew the answer already.

A million thoughts were going through my head at the time. There was no way I could break up with her now. She would have to move to London with me and I was going to have to tell her about magic. We would probably have to get married as well.

I felt as if I was going to be sick. I couldn't bring myself to read the rest of the letter. So, I handed it to Remus and asked him to finish it for me.

It seemed he was reluctant, but knew that there was no way I could finish it without his help.

"I know this may come as a shock to you as it has for me. However, I have already decided that I'm going to keep the baby. Every child deserves a chance at life and I intend to give him or her a happy and fulfilled one. I won't be going to University. I know once I tell my parents that they won't allow me anyway." Remus paused and took a deep breath. "I am giving you the choice to be a part of this child's life. I know your mother will be a great support system for us as she always has been. You have a bright future ahead of you, one that I would like to be a part of. Please write back. I understand if you are confused or need time to process but I feel so alone and would like just anything from you. Love, Christine."

"Wow," Sirius sighed.

"Well, shit," I replied. "Shit shit shit shit."

Remus put the letter down and looked at me with worried eyes. "What are you going to do, Andy?"

"I'm going to go to my Head Boy meeting and have a nice healthy lunch before the match and then I'm going to have the best sleep of my life and when I wake up, I'll sign my youth away and send a letter to the mother of my child that I'll happily help raise our baby. I don't see what else I can do."

"You're handling this much better than I would have," Sirius shook his head.

"Good morning, Andy!" A singsong voice came from behind me. I knew it was Dealla. She always greeted me in the same beautiful, enthusiastic way. I turned around and felt as if all my troubles had melted away when my eyes met hers. She had very deep brown ones that complimented the mane of brunette curls that sat just below her shoulders.

"Hey, Dealla," I said. She sat down next to me just as close as Sirius and Remus were.

"Morning Sirius, Remus. Everything alright? You all look like you've seen a ghost... well, a ghost you weren't supposed to see."

I shook my head and Remus casually put his elbow over the letter in case she peaked.

"We're fine. Let's go to that stupid meeting, yeah?"

Dealla was my Head Girl. Well, no. She wasn't my "head girl". My head girl was Christine... Anyway, Dealla was the Head Girl of Hogwarts and I was the Head Boy. We were a team and worked great together. It was just work though, really. She was always dating some boy who wasn't good enough for her and racking up nasty nicknames along the way. She was probably my best friend at school aside from Remus.

I didn't mind that people teased me for being such good friends with the "school slag". I liked Dealla. She was kind and genuine and made me laugh. So what if she slept around or dated lots of guys? I was one to talk. Only one of us was going to be a parent in nine months.

She was able to pull me away and get me going to Dumbledore's office for our meeting. I hadn't even realized we were cutting it so close until she jokingly scolded me about the time.

We stood outside his office and she spoke the password. It was some sort of sweet, I was always shit at remembering them.

He was sitting behind his desk like he always did. We took our seats in front of his desk like we always did. McGonagall was there as well, standing behind Dumbledore. 

"I hope things are going well with the two of you. I've heard nothing but great things from your Professors. It's gotten to the point in the term where these meetings feel unnecessary. It's been a dull month. Today is going to be a bit different."

I looked over at Dealla and she just shrugged. It seemed she was just as confused as I was.

"As you're well aware, we are in the middle of a war. I've created something in hopes of winning this war. Something some of the greatest witches and wizards I've ever known are part of. Given that the two of you are the brightest and bravest in your year, I thought I'd invite you to join. It is called The Order of the Phoenix. They meet as much as they can which is daily for some. It's exactly what you'd expect... They go on missions and act as protectors for those who cannot defend themselves. Once you leave Hogwarts I encourage you to write to me and — "

I had to interrupt him. I was so angry.

"Sir, I'm seventeen. I'm sorry but my biggest concern in life should be the Quidditch finals tonight or my Divination homework that's due Monday. Being a child soldier isn't on my to-do list. I'm just a kid."

"Mr. Harrison, please —" Dumbledore seemed persistent but I didn't care.

"I'm not Mr. Harrison, I'm just Andy. I can't fight in a war or... or be a father." It was pathetic. I began crying and stormed out of his office. Dealla followed me closely.

"Andy... Is everything alright?" She asked while I slid to the ground in an empty corridor.

I shook my head and tucked my knees in like the child I was.

"Christine is pregnant," I said quietly.

Dealla gasped and took a seat beside me, her hand rested comfortably on my arm. She was supportive and made me feel safe in that moment.

"Holy shit," she whispered.

I collected myself and dried my eyes to the best of my abilities.

"I just got a letter from her at breakfast. I - I don't know what to do. I can't leave her or the baby. I've always wanted to be a father, you know? Just not when I was seventeen. I can't even imagine how Christine is feeling, she's probably terrified. I bet she'll get kicked out of her house too. Fuck. I can't do this."

"I always believe that things happen for a reason. You might not know that reason for a while. Someday you will though," Dealla nodded. "You can do this, Andy."

"Thanks, Dee."

"Do you want me to come with you when you tell Dumbledore and McGonagall?"

I said yes and together we reentered the office. I was much more comfortable with her by my side and I said everything I needed to the best I could.

A/N:
heyyyy!!!! welcome to yesterday! this is so fun to write so far, i hope you enjoy the first person POV! lmk what you think so far hehe