A Fork in the Road

Disclaimer: All I own is my new characters and my sweet plot...all other HP related things are owned by J.K...



WARNING: This story contains INCEST...but if you\'ve read up to this point, you would already know that...hehe



A/N: I do hope you enjoy this chapter! So, please REVIEW!!





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Chapter Thirteen: Inconvenient Reality



A little over a month had passed since Avery had come back to Hogwarts. It hadn’t been as bad as she expected. She missed Harry thoroughly, but she still managed to be content with the pleasures that came along with learning and Quidditch.



Notices had been placed up all over the school about the Valentine’s Day dance that would be held in three day’s time on the evening of February the 14th at 7pm in the Great Hall. The dance was for fifth, six, and seventh years only, so fortunately, Avery was able to go. She was walking down a corridor with Maria talking about their potions final coming up when Riley came trotting up behind them.



“And what are you two birds up to?” He asked as he ran around to face them and then began to walk backwards.



“Just talking about potions, why?” Avery asked.



“Well, I know the dance is in three days, and I’m sure you already have a date, but if you don’t, I was just wondering if you’d like to go with me…?” Avery stopped walking and Maria copied her.



“That sounds fine,” Avery replied, smiling. She watched as Riley’s face lit up.



“Great! Alright, well, I’ll see you then.” He turned and began running down the corridor.



“I swear he’s in love with you,” Maria said watching the figure turn the corner about twenty yards away. Avery rolled her eyes.



“He likes me, I’ll give you that,” Avery said as the two started to walk again.



“I wish Jack would ask me,” Maria sighed.



“Why don’t you ask him to go with you?” Avery suggested. Maria stopped dead in her tracks and turned to face Avery.



“Are you mad?! I don’t want the man to think I’m desperate!”



“Well, you are aren’t you?” Avery joked. Maria snapped her tongue before she opened her mouth in a big ‘O.’



“You really are rude,” she retorted playfully. Avery giggled to herself and continued walking, unable to stop her mind from wishing that Riley would be Harry the night of the dance.



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Sooner than not, the night of the dance arrived. Avery had encouraged Maria to ask Jack to the dance after all and he had said yes. Both girls were excited and were up in their dorms along with the other girls getting ready. Avery had curled her ebony hair and allowed it to fall onto her pearly white shoulders. Her dress was a deep maroon that sparkled like the snow on Christmas Eve night. It was a halter, entirely closed in the back, but the front had a diamond shape cut out on her chest, exposing some cleavage. It was a beautiful gown, but Maria was having trouble getting the zipper up.



“It’s not zipping up, Av!” Maria grunted from behind her as Avery felt her dressed being tugged and pulled on.



“What do you mean it’s not zipping up? I tried the dress on right before I left for the holidays and it fit perfectly!”



“Well, all that Christmas and New Year’s food must have went right to your gut, because it’s not closing!” Maria said struggling to get it to zip.



“Well try ‘Engorgio’ or something,” Avery said sounding desperate.



“Alright.” Avery watched over her shoulder as Maria pointed her wand at the maroon material. “Engorgio,” Maria muttered and Avery felt the material expand. Avery felt as Maria began to fondle the zipper again and felt it close all the way up her back.



“There!” Maria said satisfactorily. “It’s closed.”



“Whew! I thought for a second that I might have to go to the dance wearing normal robes or something,” Avery laughed.



“Yeah, well, good thing we’re not muggles because you would’ve been what they call S.O.L.” Avery gave Maria a puzzled look.



“It means ‘shit out of luck’,” Maria giggled. “Mum taught me that one.” Both girls laughed as they continued dressing.



When they were both finished, they headed out down into the common room. Avery saw Riley standing in a corner talking to another wizard. As she reached one of the lower bottom steps, he had turned his focus on her and Avery watched as he scanned her entire body. He walked over to her, eyes wide with admiration.



“You look…absolutely stunning.” He could barely speak.



“Thank you, you look wonderful as well.” She allowed him to take her hand that had a long black glove covering it and he escorted her out of the portrait and down the steps to the Great Hall. Maria followed behind them, but all Avery could think of was the night of New Year’s Eve when Harry had escorted her through the Ministry of Magic.



The Great Hall had been assembled to look like a giant heart. There were red, white, and pink streamers and balloons everywhere. There was confetti on the tables and the juices that were being served were also red. The tables were shaped into hearts and they were covered with pink tablecloths.



“Shall we sit down?” Riley asked trying to sound grown up and formal. Avery suppressed a laugh.



“That sounds great. But, Maria, don’t you have to find Jack?”



“Oh, he said he’d meet me by the door, so I’ll go wait. You two find a seat, I’ll catch up later.”



“Alright,” Avery said, not wanting to be left alone with Riley. They made their way to the table and he pulled out the chair so that Avery could sit. She sat down and smiled.



“Thank you, Riley.”



“No problem, would you care for a refreshment?”



“I’d love one, thanks.”



Avery didn’t want to be around him all night, but knew that at the moment she had accepted his offer to be his date that evening, it would be hard to get a moment alone. She wished Harry were there, sitting next to her. She wanted to feel his leg brush up against hers and smile at each other slyly, knowingly, and cravingly.



She looked around and saw Jack and Maria making their way over to them. Maria’s bright green dress stood out against the sea of red.



“Hey you,” Maria said, pulling Jack forward. He was wearing a tux with a green tie and had his hair pulled back into a ponytail. “Avery, I would like you to meet Jack, my date. He’s a seventh year,” Maria said beaming and blushing all at once.



“It’s a pleasure,” Avery said holding out her hand. He took it and kissed it as a gentleman would.



“No, the pleasure is entirely mine,” he said. His voice was deep and hoarse. To Avery, he sounded as though he were in his late twenties. She could see why Maria liked him, but he was no match for Harry. Not even close.



“Well have a seat, Riley’s just gone to get some drinks,” Avery said motioning for the other two to sit down next to her. They took their seats and momentarily, Riley had returned.



“Here you are, my love,” he said handing Avery a glass of sparkling red juice. He had just noticed the company. “Oh! Hi, would any of you care for a glass?”



“I think I can summon some over here, but thank you,” Jack spoke up. He took his wand out of his suit coat and waved it into the air. Shortly, two glasses landed right in front of him and Maria. Avery watched as Maria became flustered.



“Oh my! You do wonderful magic!” She smiled broadly at her date, and Avery covered her mouth to giggle.



The music had just begun and Jack had asked Maria to dance, leaving Avery and Riley alone at the table.



“Do you want to dance?” Riley asked, taking a sip of his drink.



“I do,” Avery said not making a move to get out of her seat.



“Well, are you going to go out there or what?”



“Are you asking me to dance with you or do you want me to go out there and dance by myself?” Avery smiled and watched as Riley chortled slightly.



“Well, will you dance with me, then?”



“Sure,” Avery said allowing him to lead her to the dance floor. As they began to dance, Avery noticed how insecure she felt in his feeble arms. They weren’t nearly as strong and protective as Harry’s were. She felt as though she were a baby being carried by her two-year-old brother: wobbly and uncontrolled. They danced a few songs, and then Avery grew tired.



They went to go rest at the table and Riley went to get more drinks. As she sat there rubbing her feet, Maria and Jack came back to join her at the table.



“This is just a blast, isn’t it?!” Maria squealed with enthusiasm. Avery smiled slightly, feeling a bit light-headed.



“It’s pretty fun, I suppose,” Avery said acknowledging Maria’s comment. She smiled at Jack who suddenly leaned in towards Maria. He muttered something and Avery saw Maria nodding fervently. Jack stood up and then walked around the table and held out his hand to Avery.



“Would you care to dance with me?” Avery was pleased that she wouldn’t have to dance another dance with such a frail boy like Riley, and took his hand gratefully. He led her out onto the dance floor and it was a slow song, so he placed his left hand on her waist, securing her, and took the other hand in hers. At least Maria’s date had form. He began to shift his feet slowly on the ground leading her and holding her back, supporting her. He was a good dancer; that was for sure.



“Maria tells me that you’re not very fond of your date,” he said beginning the conversation. Avery nodded.



“Well, I used to be his girlfriend, but things just weren’t working out, so I broke it off. He’s still crazy about me, though,” Avery admitted following his dance steps.



“I can see why he’d still be crazy about you. You’re very lovely.” Avery couldn’t help but blush.



“Thank you.” The music continued to play and Avery glanced at the table to see Maria sitting with Riley. His face was contorted into a bit of a grimace. Avery just rolled her eyes.



“What is it?” Jack asked.



“Riley. He’s staring at us. I think he’s jealous that I’m dancing with you.”



“Either that or he’s just jealous that I can dance better than he can. The bloke has no posture at all, sorry to say,” Jack said shrugging as he continued to turn Avery around. Avery giggled.



“I think we’re both probably right,” she replied. “He’s not a good dancer, at all.” Both of them laughed and suddenly Avery felt extremely flighty. It must have been from all the twirling. Jack must have noticed because he suddenly stopped and looked into her eyes.



“Are you alright?” It took Avery a second to answer.



“Mm hmm, fine.”



“You don’t look fine, here…let’s go sit back down,” he said leading her off the dance floor. She allowed him to take her, but the more she walked the dizzier she felt. As soon as she got to the table, Riley and Maria stood up with concern on both of their faces.



“What’s the matter with her?” Riley asked.



“She looks sick,” Maria said.



Avery’s vision was becoming blurry.



“We should take her to the hospital wing,” Maria said, helping Jack sit her down in the chair. “Avery, darling, are you alright?” Maria asked quietly, looking into Avery’s face. Avery could make out a figure in front of her, but suddenly felt sick to her stomach. “Avery?” Maria asked, but before Avery could think or answer, she turned to the side and heaved close to Riley’s feet.



“Oh Av!” Riley yelped, backing away from the liquid coming out of Avery’s mouth.



“We have to get her to the hospital wing!” Maria cried. “Jack! Help me!”



“We have to get her a bucket or something first,” Jack said scanning around the room, “otherwise she’ll make a mess all over the place.” He summoned the wastebasket, and put it in front of Avery as she continued retching.



“Oh, poor girl. It’s ok, Av, I’m right here,” Maria said, rubbing Avery’s back. Avery couldn’t remember the last time she had felt so ill. She sat up after she was done and wiped her mouth on a napkin.



“Are you alright?” Maria said as she sat up, still looking faint. Her face was drained of most of its color. Avery was about to speak when suddenly, her head lolled to the side and her eyes closed as she fainted, sliding down the chair a bit.



“She’s fainted! She’s fainted!” Riley screamed. “Quick! Bring her to Madam Pomfrey!”



Maria, Riley, and Jack all helped carry her up to the hospital wing, and once they reached it, they burst through the door to find Madam Pomfrey taking care of another student.



“Madam Pomfrey!” Maria cried, “It’s Avery! She’s fainted!”



The school nurse scuttled over to where the three were holding Avery’s limp body.



“Oh gracious! Lay her down here,” she said motioning towards a bed. All three of them laid her down and stood there watching to see if she’d stir. Madam Pomfrey all gave them looks.



“Well you can’t expect me to examine her with all you three hawks around, do you?” All of them, but Maria, made for the door.



“I’m going to wait in the chair over there. I want to make sure she’s alright,” Maria said. The little nurse nodded and began to check on Avery.



After a good half hour, Avery opened her eyes. She looked around the room and couldn’t figure out where she was. She noticed Maria sitting next to her and sat up.



“Where am I?” She asked groggily, rubbing her eyes.



“We’re in the hospital wing, Av. You fainted, remember?” The last thing Avery remembered was throwing up and getting a really agonizing headache.



“I fainted?” Avery asked. Maria nodded.



“Riley, Jack, and I brought you up here and Poppy made sure you were ok, then gave you some sort of tonic. Are you feeling at all better?”



“Yeah, a little,” Avery said taking deep breath.



“She wanted me to make sure that you drank this when you woke up,” Maria said handing Avery the glass that was sitting on the side table.



Avery took it and gulped it down. It was sweet and it warmed her throat. It tasted like a mixture of butterscotch and caramel.



“Did she say what was the matter with me?” Avery asked. Maria shook her head and frowned.



“Why do you look so upset?” Avery asked.



“I’m worried, Av. She said that she wanted to tell you herself. It didn’t sound good.” Avery thought a moment, then suddenly had a terrorizing thought, but as soon as the thought came to mind, Madam Pomfrey had come back to check on her.



“How are you feeling, dear?” She asked smiling kindly, straightening Avery’s pillows behind her back.



“Fine. Uh…Poppy? Do you mind telling us what’s the matter with me?” Avery asked dreading the answer. The little nurse’s smile faded. She took Avery’s hands in her own and looked down at her like a grandmother would. Avery’s heart was pounding.



“My dear…it looks as though you are going to have a baby.”





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A/N: Hope you enjoyed! Please Review!! :)