Waiting... [PLOT]

[Horace Slughorn]

Horace was sitting on a bench, talking to one of the paintings hanging on the wall. "It all seems to be up on smoke Aunt Minerva" he said to the portrait of his Aunt. "Hermione is trying to keep things under control and she is still pregnant" Horace then walked over to the window. "God help us" He said and then he faced his aunt again.

"Well, this is all part and parcel of a magical child dear. Not to worry - Albus will help"

Horace then walked over to his aunt. "I need to say I'm worried too, about Anya. Something is wrong, she is not her usual self. I know the full moon is near but she was never this bad" Horace said as he took out his wand, and looked at it. You will be put into good use tonight, he thought. Then he heard someone come through the door.

[Deleted]

Anya had been down the corridors, pacing awhile as she contemplated over the events of the day. Ill as she may be, she kept a strong look about her when she passed by students. Though her mind was very much troubled, very worried about what would happen. Too many slip ups of the wizarding world had stressed her being. Also the illness that has taken over her so suddenly. It was too many blows for her to handle. But she wasn't one to show weakness, even in her weakest state.

Her pale face looked upon the door to the Alumni Hall, overhearing voices inside. One more familiar than the other, being that her husband was inside. She sighs as she grasps onto the door knob, slowly turning it until the door clicked open. Her pale face peeped in to see Horace and the portrait of Minerva McGonagall. She slips her fatigued figure past the entrance inside and closes the door behind. "Hullo Horace. I'm sorry if I have interrupted you." Her grey hazel eyes look over at the portrait of his aunt, giving a small faint smile to McGonagall.

[Horace Slughorn]

Horace turned around, and walked over to took Anya's hand. "It's OK" he said and gave her a kiss on the lips. Meanwhile Minerva was looking at Anya, in a funny sort of way. Then she cracked a wide smile. Horace looked at Anya, moving a strand of hair out of her face. "Every things going to be alright honey. I would never let anything happen to you"

Horace then took Anya into his arms, and hugged her tightly. "Oh I'm so pleased!" Minerva jumped up in her portrait with joy. "What are you talking about?" Horace said as he turned and looked at his aunt. But then she looked around. "Oh...erm...nothing dears. Anya my dear, I hope your....feeling better very, very soon. I must go" Then his aunt could be heard shouting something to the other pictures.

"Can't think why she is so happy" Horace said, pulling Anya into the hug again. "I love you so much, nothing will ever get to you. I will make sure of it" Horace said. It was almost like something from a muggle movie, but it was so real.

[Albus Dumbledore]

Albus strode quickly, reaching the Alumni Hall with ease, entering the room and closing the door behind him, seeing Horace and Anya side-by-side, Minerva on the wall behind them. "I'm afraid I have to break this up," he said, his voice to the point, leaving no room for argument.

"Hermione has just fallen into labour, and that means that all hell has broken loose. Anya, I need you in Hermione's office, we have nobody else qualified to give birth to the child. Horace, the responsibility of looking after the students and staff of this school falls on your shoulders. You need to round them up and take them to the Great Hall. The Professors can help you out."

He paused. "Anya, I suggest we give the Potters some time to console one another before we go upstairs again."[/font]

[Horace Slughorn]

Horace looked at Albus. "Oh my god..." He said and ran to the window. Looking outside, you could see that the magic was gone around the castle. Horace walked back over to Anya. "I love you, remember what I said, I will not let anything happen to you" Horace gave Anya another kiss, this time a more longer one. He smiled and winked his eye. "Everything will be OK"

Horace then looked at Albus, nodded and then left for the Great Hall. It was time to bring out a rather more, different version of Horace.

[Deleted]

Anya smiled as she kissed Horace back on the lips. Then following him to the portrait of his aunt's she looked up at the elderly woman with curiosity. However locked in Horace's embrace, she closes her eyes momentarily. Savoring this moment of peace within the school walls. "I hope so Horace. I'm just afraid." She shivers slightly from nervousness. What was going to happen to them? What was going to happen to the Potters and this school?

She then hears Minerva's comment and was slightly confused by it all. Glancing over at Horace, she shakes her head without a clue. But when faced at by Minerva, she slightly smiles to her condolences. "Thanks..." She trails off as the woman disappears from the portrait. Sadness was setting in on Anya as she held onto Horace. Praying that all would get through this. Hoping that this day would be over with. "I love you too..."

And just as her last words rolled off her tongue, the door opened to reveal Albus and his news of Hermione's labour and everything else. She controlled her frantic breathes as she nods to his instructions. Taking one last kiss and one last glance at her husband, she smiles, hopeful of his safety and seeing him again after all of this chaos. Once he disappeared from the room, she hurries to the door with Albus. "Alright, let's go." She says as she takes a big breath to calm her nerves.

[Albus Dumbledore]

Albus nodded at Horace. "Good Luck. Merlin knows, you'll need it" he then turned to Anya, nodding at her. "Let's go to the office, I'd imagine they are ready for us." he nodded at Minerva's portrait and opened the door for them to leave, striding down the hallways fast, hoping that they weren't too late. If everything worked correctly, they could just save themselves. But only just. It would be such a squeeze now, but Albus knew that this was the end. Every climax seemed to happen at Hogwarts, didn't it?[/font]