***17 September, 1986-2:45 p.m. ***

Kenneth stood before his standing mirror, approving of the reflection before him. He was wearing his new midnight blue robes, tailored to perfectly fit his musculature. It was a colour that Lucy had always said favoured his eyes. His short blonde hair was quaffed and his smile was genuine.

He could not believe his luck that Albus Dumbledore had spoken on his behalf to Lucy. By feigning a desire to bond with the baby, he had managed to keep Lucy from completely slipping out of his life.

Kenneth had been truly outraged when Lucy wanted him gone. The whole point behind impregnating her was to reinforce her dependence upon him, but that obviously had backfired. Other than siring an heir and keeping Lucy occupied, Kenneth was rather apathetic about children. It would be Lucy's duty to raise them. If children kept her happy and at home…all the better.

Kenneth picked up his little insurance policy from off the side table. He had made a side trip to a discrete apothecary in Diagon Alley that morning. He felt little regret Amortentia would induce a miscarriage within forty-eight hours. It was an exceptionally potent potion but the abortive affects would be gone inside of a week and Lucy would become hopelessly obsessed with nothing and nobody but Kenneth for months. By then they would be married and hopefully another child on the way. He would take measures to assure she would never leave him again.

Obviously, she would be distraught over loosing the baby. But Kenneth would give Lucy the appropriate amount of sympathy and assure her there would always be more children…and he would see to it that there were more children. Besides, he was not one-hundred percent sure that the child was his. Next time, there would be no question.

He would need to make sure that he administered the potion after the Medi-witch examined Lucy. Kenneth could not risk the potion detected in Lucy's system during the examination and Lucy was so early into her pregnancy that a sudden miscarriage would scarcely raise an eyebrow.

Kenneth found his calm centre and focused on raising his Occlumency shields. It was an art he was fair at and was necessary to keep his opposition from second guessing him, one of his more hidden talents. He found it quite useful in negotiations. He had already made arrangements for the following year to learn Legilimency from a Master in the United States.

Kenneth wished for Lucy's sake that she would have seen reason before now. It was exceedingly bad form to resort to such measures, but Kenneth would have it no other way. She was going to forget all about her career. She was going to forget all about her American family and by Merlin; she was going to forget all about that son of a bitch, Snape. Come what may, Kenneth was determined that Lucy was coming home with him tonight.

*** 3:30 p.m. ***

Severus had just finished his last lesson of the day and found Aberforth Dumbledore awaiting him in his office.

"How did you get in here?" Severus said irritably. He was sure he had locked his office door.

"You don't think Albus is the only Dumbledore that knows that little trick…do you?" he smirked. "I have the address you requested."

Severus walked around to his chair behind his desk, taking the piece of parchment the old wizard offered him as he passed. "You could have sent this via owl-post…why deliver it personally?"

"I think you know why. I want to be there for Lucy and it is obvious to me that you do too," he said pointing to the parchment.

Aberforth had become acquainted with Severus the first year the young man came to teach at Hogwarts. Severus had become a regular fixture at the Hog's Head on weekends until he took over care of Harry Potter.

They were becoming reacquainted as Lucy had brought Severus and Harry along for tea twice since she moved into the castle and he and Harry had visited on their own this past Sunday when Severus came to inquire about some information. Aberforth had been out back with his goats and could not retrieve the information at the time.

That was the very bit of information that brought the goatherd to Severus' office now. He only now had the opportunity to bring it to Severus. Severus would take that information to Muggle London and use it the very next afternoon during his lunch break.

Severus shook his head. "Lucy has made it clear that our presence would make an awkward situation even more so. As much as I wish to do otherwise, I intend to respect her decision in favour of the 'jack-ass'."

"Come on boy…where's your sense of adventure?" Aberforth goaded. "We still have time to sneak into Pomfrey's office. At least we can hear the news first hand…What do you say?" He leaned forward in his chair and awaited an answer from the younger wizard.

Severus also leaned forward and lowered his voice, "Do you think Madam Pomfrey will rat us out?" He wasn't due to pick up Harry until between 5:30 and 6:00… plenty of time.

Aberforth grinned, "I'll bribe her with a year's supply of my medicinal soaps if I have to. She'll let us stay."

Severus pushed himself away from the desk and arose from his chair. "What are we waiting for, old man…we have just enough time to get ourselves down there before the jack ass."

Aberforth got up and followed Severus out of his office. "Which jack-ass are you referin'to, Albus or Kenneth?

Lucy was standing before the full length mirror she had transfigured from one of her office chairs. She stood profile with a throw pillow tucked under her robes. She sighed and bit her lip. This was not helping at all. She just looked like a witch with a pillow tucked under her robes. She took the pillow out and tossed it across the office.

She was glad to be alone. Binns had decided to go visit the library when he saw how moody Lucy was.

Lucy stood profile again and cupped her tender breasts in an effort to see how her bust would improve. If only that effect would remain permanent, she lamented.

She then rubbed her hands about her lower belly. She had not begun to show, but her uterus was defiantly hardening. It was hard to believe that right at this very moment a new life was growing inside her. The irony did not escape her that as angry as she was for Kenneth purposely impregnating her, she was eagerly looking forward to this baby.

Deciding that she needed to sit down now, Lucy transfigured the mirror back into a chair and plopped into it as she blew out a heavy breath. She knew Kenneth was in Uncle Albus' office right now having tea.

She should have been giddy with anticipation today, but instead she was as nervous as a Niffler in a room full of Kneazles. She knew it was right to have Kenneth with her, but it did not mean she was happy about it.

Lucy drew out her wand and Summoned the post she had received from home. It took over a week for owl posts to get across the Atlantic as they would have to fly from Iceland to Greenland and over, or go south and cross the Azores. Either way, it was a frustratingly long time to wait for a letter.

Lucy was misty eyed as she read it. Mama and Daddy were angry at what Kenneth had done. Especially Daddy. But she felt that in between the lines, they were disappointed with her too.

Mama and Daddy were not fools. They had encouraged their children to come to them with their problems at an early age. In fact, Lucy and Terri had been just as comfortable talking about girl problems with Daddy as they had been with Mama. So last year when Lucy had decided that she would become intimate with Kenneth, she would trust no one but Daddy to brew Kenneth's contraceptive and anti-STD potions.

Daddy had gone over with Kenneth the importance of him taking the potion responsibly. Lucy was depending upon Kenneth to do so. If for any reason Kenneth needed to stop taking the potion, he needed to tell Lucy. Kenneth had made a promise to do just that.

Lucy could not believe that her parents would be coming to visit the following month on the way to Daddy's Potions Symposium. Mama was going to help her shop for maternity robes and they would all discuss Lucy's plans for the future. Daddy also wanted to have a serious 'discussion' with Kenneth.

Lucy was a little worried for Kenneth. Daddy may be blind, but he was deadly accurate with his wand. He could make out an individual's breath from over fifty feet away and zap a fly mid-flight.

Lucy Vanished her parent's letter to her rooms, got up and steeled herself for the inevitable meeting with Kenneth.

Perhaps it wouldn't be too bad. After all…he did seem enthusiastic at the prospect of becoming a father. Lucy scoffed at herself. Of course he was excited about becoming a father. He had purposely impregnated her…had he not?

***4:25 p.m. ***

"Can you hear them?"

"If you shut up I'll cast a spell so we can hear what Madam Pomfrey is saying," Severus said tetchily. "And if you hold still, I'll do us one better."

Severus waved his wand over himself and Aberforth so they could be Disillusioned. That way they could crack the door open and see as well. He flicked is wand and Poppy's voice was amplified so the older wizard could hear the conversation better. He had cast the spell just in time. "…which would make you due April 7th, but you could deliver sometime between the last week of March and second week of April."

Severus let the door creak open. His heart froze as he saw Kenneth reach out and take Lucy's hand as she sat on the side of the hospital bed. He was relieved to see Lucy coolly take her hand back and put it in her lap. Severus was startled as he felt Aberforth pat him on the back.

"And how are mother and child?" Albus said as he smiled. He walked over from where he was standing on the other side of the bed. He bent over Lucy and she turned her cheek up as a placed a gentle kiss upon it.

Severus could tell Aberforth was agitated behind him.

Poppy gave a wide smile, "They are both perfectly healthy. Lucy, I will give you a list of do's and don'ts and a suggested diet. Take care of yourself and follow up with your check ups and I don't see any reason you cannot have a healthy pregnancy."

"Thank you, Poppy," Lucy said through her relief.

"Lucy…Kenneth…would you like to know the baby's sex?" Poppy asked.

Lucy looked up at Kenneth. He nodded his approval and Lucy gulped. "You can tell so soon?"

"Of course I can," The medi-witch announced, slightly insulted. "Unlike Muggles, we don't have to wait for the child to be large enough for pictures. We can tell by a signature the baby will emit…it is similar to an aura."

Lucy nervously shrugged, "I suppose so."

"Lie back down then," Poppy ordered.

Kenneth helped Lucy bring her feet up on the bed despite the fact she did not need the help.

"Now…" began Poppy, "As I cast the spell…if the light is gold it is a girl…if it is silver, it's a boy."

Lucy closed her eyes and held her breath.

Aberforth and Severus also held their collective breath from over at their hiding space.

Lucy felt a warm sensation envelope her womb. It was only a second later when Poppy said gently "If you want to know…open your eyes, child."

Lucy slowly opened her eyes. She clasped her hand over her mouth as her tears ran down her cheeks. "I didn't know I would be able to see her." Floating over Lucy's belly was a little golden orb. Within it was a tiny creature not much bigger than a kidney bean. It did not look much different than one either. But Lucy could make out her daughter's tiny arms and legs. Lucy was instantly in love.

"Hey, Kenneth…look what we made," she looked up at him with honest happiness. "Isn't she beautiful?"

Kenneth's only answer was weak smile.

The image disappeared as the spell phased out.

"I can't wait to tell everyone!" Lucy was practically jumping out of the bed with excitement. She arose from the bed and hugged Albus with all her might. "I'm having a girl, Uncle Albus!"

Albus embraced Lucy and merrily laughed. "I know, dear child…I saw for myself…Severus will be delighted to hear he's going to have a goddaughter."

Kenneth's eyes snapped with fury, but he deftly concealed his rage before anyone noticed.

"Oh…" It had just dawned on Lucy was Albus had said and she had not had a chance to discuss her decision with Kenneth. "Kenneth, I'm sorry. I was going to talk about this with you myself."

"There's no time like the present," Kenneth said calmly. "Shall we discuss this over tea?"

Poppy interrupted. "I have to go in my office and get that information for you, Lucy…you may stay here and talk if you like."

"Thank you, Poppy."

Poppy shooed herself away into her office to tell the two men within everything they had already heard.

Lucy turned to her ex-lover. "I must say, Kenneth, You're taking this better than I thought you would."

Kenneth gestured for her to sit and said, "You may be amazed to know that I can be magnanimous…do sit Albus. I'll pour out."

Kenneth had his back to Lucy and Albus as he poured. "Do you still take milk, Lucy?"

"Yes."

"And you, Albus?"

"Four lumps of sugar, if you please."

Kenneth turned and handed Albus his cup and then Lucy, hers.

For the rest of her life, Lucy would recall how the next twenty seconds went by in slow motion. Her fate and the fate of her child had been sealed within it.

Lucy smiled as she took the tea cup from Kenneth. She knew the conversation was about to turn to Severus, but she had the distinct feeling he was near. The manly smell of sandalwood permeated her nostrils. It really wasn't sandalwood, but the odour of the amalgamation of hundreds of different potions and the smoke of a potions lab. To Lucy, it reminded her of smoky sandalwood.

As she raised the cup to her lips, she was hit hard by a memory, nearly a decade past:

She was in her Daddy's potion's lab with Daddy and her younger brother Allen. Lucy had come home for the summer from her first year in University. Although Allen was a Squib and could not brew potions, he was still fascinated by them and had a keen theoretical understanding.

Both teens were blind folded. Daddy would often blindfold them so they could ascertain some of the more subtle properties of a brew.

Allen…you're totally off…It doesn't smell anything like coffee. It's more like dusty old parchment and…

"…honeysuckle on the vine," Lucy said almost into her cup. The 'milk' did not look right. It was pearlescent.

Lucy quickly withdrew the cup from her lips and her hand began to shake violently.

Albus placed his hand on Lucy's shaking arm. "Child…are you alright?"

"YOU UNIMAGIABLE BASTARD!" Lucy screamed as she jumped up. Her tea cup shattered on the floor. "He laced my tea with Amortentia!"

Poppy was obtaining information for Lucy as Severus congratulated Aberforth on the impending arrival of his great-great-granddaughter and Aberforth congratulated Severus on the impending arrival of his new goddaughter.

Their celebratory mood was broken by Lucy's terrified screams.

"YOU UNIMAGINABLE BASTARD! ...He laced my tea with Amortentia!"

Severus, Aberforth, and Poppy came running out of the office.

Albus had Kenneth pinned on the bed, his knee pressed into the younger man's ribcage and his wand against Kenneth's temple."

"Poppy…page Minerva…have her call the Aurors!" Albus ordered through clinched teeth.

Lucy was standing off to the side, protectively grasping tight to her belly. She was crying and shaking uncontrollably in disbelief of what Musgrave had just attempted.

Severus came around at placed a hand on her shoulder. She immediately threw herself into him and cried all the harder as he protected her in his embrace.

"I knew it…I knew it!" Kenneth spat has he struggled to raise his head from the bed. "DEATH EATER'S WHORE!" Kenneth dropped his head back down and began to sob. He continued to mumble about how she would pay...how they would all pay.

Poppy tenderly led Lucy and Severus into her office. "Come, Lucy…I need to make sure everything's alright." She would fire-call Minerva from her office.

"I warned you…Look at what he nearly did to Lucy," Aberforth growled. He looked as though he would feed Musgrave to the Dementors, himself.

"Now is not the time for 'I told you so', brother." Albus cast Kenneth into a body bind and arose from the bed. "The Aurors will come and he will go to Azkaban to await trial for attempting to kill the baby…Go to Lucy. She needs you."

Aberforth once again scanned Kenneth's prone form. He hocked back as much mucus as he could and spat in the young man's face. Phlegm streaked down the blonde wizard's cheek. "That is for Lucy."

Aberforth left the room to go and comfort his grandchild.