“Was that the third or fourth time she thrėw up?” Draco asks as he watches you wipe your mouth with the back of your hand.

“Fifth,” Enzo replies.

Pansy shakes her head. “She’s pukıng like mad and Mattheo’s standing there like it’s all part of some grand plan.”

“She can barely stand,” Theo snaps. “But sure, let’s send her into battle. Brilliant.”

“No one’s forcing you to come, Theo,” Mattheo says with a slight edge to his voice.

Theo scoffs. “Yeah, well, someone’s got to make sure you don’t do something stupid.”

You breathe through the nausea. “I can puke and fight. Any other questions?”

Mattheo steps forward, his voice soft so only you can hear. “You all right, princess?”

You look him in the eye. “Do I look like I’m not fine to you?”

“Relax, Riddle,” you sigh. “I’m pregnant. Not fragile.”

“Perhaps,” Draco mutters, “we could call in some backup. You know, just in case the vomıting gets out of hand.”

“You might be right about that, Draco.”

Surprised glances are exchanged since you never agree with Draco.

“I’ll be right back,” you tell them as you slip out into the corridor to make a call.

It only rings once.

“Before you say it—yes, I still look like hell, and no, I’m not backing down.”

A familiar voice answers. “Carrying a child and a plan. Bold combination.”

“I can multitask.”

He chuckles. “You’re hormonal.”

“I’m inspired. I’m focused. I’m—”

He cuts in. “About to hex a Ministry official.”

You frown. “How do you even know that?”

“I make it a habit to know things.”

Mattheo’s stepping out, catches the end of your conversation.

“Should’ve guessed it was him,” he mutters.

“She calls, I answer,” Tom says loudly. “And that’s all that matters, little brother.”

You hesitate. “If something goes wrong… will you be there?”

“I never left.” Tom promises. Then, the line goes dead.

You step closer to Mattheo. “Let’s go.”

Mattheo pulls out his wand. “Finally. I was getting bored of behaving.”