Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Hogwarts UnderExposed - A New Girl in Town
There are a lot of things you two can do to please each other that won't set off any alarms," Kim suggested. "You guys just have to be a little more creative."
"Yeah! The problem is that once you start, it's hard to stop. I can't risk losing her, but on the other hand I haven't seen her fully nude in months. Maybe I will go up and give her a prodding."
Kim laughed. "Just be careful what you poke her with."
Tyler didn't respond to Kim's quip, but instead hurried down the passage to the third year girls' dorm.
Kim had scarcely turned around when Tyler came running back into the common room, his face white as a sheet. "Kim!" he screamed over the racket of the party. "Hurry and get Madam Pomfrey! Emily has passed out and I can't rouse her."
Chapter Seven
Hard Decisions
Although Claudia weighed only seventy-five pounds soaking wet, by the time they reached the castle entrance Matt was starting to have misgivings about carrying her up seven long flights of stairs to the Room of Requirement.
"Matt, really, it isn't necessary that you carry me," Claudia said, feeling extremely self-conscious.
"I know it isn't necessary," Matt agreed, "but I like holding you in my arms."
Claudia had to admit that she enjoyed the sensation of being held by Matt. What she didn't take pleasure in was the amount of spectators they were generating. As they passed by a group of Slytherins, the two first-year boys that Claudia had crossed the lake with on her first day at Hogwarts pointed merrily at her and Matt and hooted and hollered with glee.
"What are you doing carrying that reject?" Jason Hendee called out to Matt. "Did you lose a bet?"
"I know Gryffindors have weird taste, but you can't possibly be attracted to that scrawny crippled midget?" his friend, Peter Weis added, laughing and shaking his head in wonder.
Matt was geared up to perch Claudia on her cushion and try his best to 'cripple' one or both of the cheeky duo, but hesitated when Claudia kissed his cheek tenderly. "Please, Matt," she begged. "Ignore them. They're not worth your time. I don't want them to ruin our day."
Reluctantly, Matt turned his back on the two and proceeded up the first flight of stairs.
"I thought Gryffindors were purportedly brave," Hendee shouted loudly after them. "How the hell did you get in with that yellow streak down your back."
Matt wanted to turn around, go back and thrash the twerp, but Claudia kept pleading, "Ignore him. Please, just ignore him."
Matt became more fatigued with each flight of stairs they climbed. One blessing was that the nearer they got to the seventh floor the less people they passed. At first this tended to relax Claudia slightly. It did, at least, until she remembered where they were headed and for what reason. Then she began to shiver with each step Matt took.
He seemed to sense her nervousness. "I've never done this before, either," Matt admitted. "I'm as apprehensive as you. We'll just take it nice and slow. I promise not to hurt you."
"I know you won't," Claudia replied, trying desperately to relax.
Finally, sweating profusely, Matt reached the seventh floor. "Now where?" he asked, breathless.
Claudia pointed. "That stretch of blank wall opposite the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy trying to train trolls for the ballet. Caitlin said to walk past this bit of wall three times, concentrating hard on what we need."
They did so, turning sharply at the window just beyond the blank stretch of wall, then at the man-size vase on its other side. After their third pass a highly polished door appeared in the wall.
"This must be the place," Claudia said, reaching out to seize the brass handle; Matt's hands and arms were occupied with still holding her.
The door opened to reveal a tastefully decorated bedroom along with a spa-sized bathtub filled with hot bubbly water.
"Did you wish for the bathtub?" Claudia questioned.
"I thought it might relax us a little," Matt replied. "Besides after that freezing rain and trudging up all those steps, I feel a bit clammy."
"You want us to take a bath together?" Claudia asked, trembling. "I thought we'd just get under the covers, turn the lights off, and do it."
"That doesn't sound very romantic," Matt stated. "What's more, if we turn out the lights, I won't be able to see how beautiful you are without your clothes."
"Matt, I'm very frightened of you seeing me naked," Claudia confessed. "I'm afraid that you'll be so disappointed that you'll turn tail and run."
"I'm not going to be let down," Matt insisted.
"But you've seen Kim, Emily and Caitlin nude," Claudia continued uncomfortably. "They all have great figures. I'm skinny and my breasts are nonexistent; just two puffy little nipples."
Matt moved over toward the bed and sat Claudia down on the edge of it and then positioned himself next to her. "Claudia, before this goes any further, I think it's important that you understand something. I'm not doing this because I'm some hyper sex starved teenage boy jumping at an opportunity. I've liked you since the day we first met and the more I've gotten to know you the more my feelings for you have increased. People utilize the word far too frequently these days without meaning so I'm hesitant to employ it, but the fact is that I sincerely think I'm beginning to fall in love with you."
"You… Me…, but my body. Matt, you're a very good-looking guy. Why would you want to settle for someone with the figure of a little girl?"
"I hardly consider it settling," Matt affirmed. "First of all, it's not the wrapping that counts, but the package inside. I'd be attracted to you even if I didn't find you physically appealing."
Claudia grasped Matt's hand and squeezed it tightly. "I'm so afraid that you'll be disappointed when the wrappings removed."
"I don't think so," Matt said assuredly. "You see I have a pretty good idea of what you look like nude."
"How?" Claudia asked, scandalized. "You haven't been sneaking around the girls' shower room in an invisibility cloak, have you?"
"No, I'm not a pervert," Matt insisted, "but I do have a ten year old sister who is built very similarly to you. She isn't a naturist like Emily and Caitlin, but she's not exactly shy either when it comes to her body. I doubt that Lori would ever consider going out-of-doors or being around strangers naked, but on a hot summer day, she thinks nothing of lounging about the house in her birthday suit.
"She's my sister, so obviously I try not to gawk, but it's hard not to notice something that's flaunted right in front of you. I'm assuming that you'll look comparable to her."
"And the thought of that doesn't turn you off?
"Honestly, I can't wait to see you out of your robes," Matt replied. "What say we stop talking about it and take that bath?"
Claudia sat watching aghast as Matt slipped off his trainers and socks and then quickly stripped down to his boxers.
"I'm not going any further until you at least take off your shoes and socks." Matt insisted.
Claudia blushed. She hadn't realized how fixedly she had been watching Matt disrobe. She undid her shoes and dropped them to the floor next to the bed and then removed her socks. If given the choice, she'd really much rather take off the remainder of her garments in a dark room under the covers.
"Do you need any help," Matt asked, hopefully.
"No, I can manage," Claudia said, standing up carefully next to the bed. "My legs are little by little getting stronger. I can stand on my own now and take a few steps, but walking is still a problem."
Claudia slipped off her robes and then debated what to remove next. She never wore a bra since she had nothing to support and since she was actually fifteen, she simply refused to still wear little girl undershirts. That meant she had three garments on: her shirt, her skirt and her panties. She was terrified to remove any of the three, but Matt was looking at her so expectantly. Slowly she slipped out of her skirt. She was pleased to see that her shirt was long enough to hide her panties.
"Are you sure you don't need any help?" Matt said anxiously.
Claudia was mystified by the fact that Matt actually seemed eager to see her laughable body. She looked at the large tub with all the humongous bubbles covering the surface. Once in the water, Matt wouldn't be able to see her body, but how could she get in without exposing herself. She took a deep breath and slipped her panties off, thankful that her shirt was long enough to hide her modesty.
"Matt, will you help me into the tub? I'll take my shirt off once I'm in the water."
"Your shirt is wet enough," Matt declared, approaching her. Slowly he began to undo her buttons. Claudia quivered at his touch, but didn't stop him or push him away. One by one he undid the buttons until they were all open. Then Matt kissed her, but it wasn't a quick friendly kiss on the cheek; rather it was a long passionate kiss on the lips.
As their lips parted, he slipped the shirt off her arms and allowed it to fall to the floor. With one hand he dropped his boxers to the floor and then without a word scooped up Claudia in his arms and carried her toward the tub. At first she thought he was going to step into the water with her in his arms, but instead he stopped at the edge and kissed her again fervently.
"I'm sorry," he said, letting her slip gently from his arms. "I have to feast my eyes on you just once prior to us getting in the water." He stepped back a few feet so that he could see all of her.
No boy had ever seen her nude before this and Claudia wanted to run and hide; at the very least cover her chest and lower region with her hands and arms, but she resisted the urge. Instead she closed her eyes and held her breath, waiting for Matt's disappointed reaction.
"You're more beautiful than I could have ever imagined," he said hungrily and from the tone of his voice, Claudia could tell that he was genuinely sincere.
"I thought for sure that you'd be let down because of my not having any breasts," Claudia said, feeling slightly relieved.
"I'm more interested in the abundantly positive qualities you do possess, than I am in some missing fatty tissue." Matt reached down and swept Claudia back up into his arms. "I love holding you. Are you ready for me to give you a bath?"
Matt stepped into the tub, holding a stunned Claudia.
"What do you mean, give me a bath?" Claudia asked, uneasily.
"Wash you, of course," Matt replied. "I think we should get familiar with each other's body before we make love; don't you?"
"I… I guess so," Claudia stuttered nervously wondering just how familiar Matt intended to get.
Nervous as she was, Claudia loved being held in Matt's arms. The feel of their bare skin touching gave her a tingly sensation throughout her body.
"I didn't expect the water to be this deep," Claudia said in surprise. "If it wasn't for all the bubbles, we could almost swim in here."
"Are you able to swim?" Matt asked, surprised. "Are your legs strong enough?"
"They improve everyday," Claudia replied. "However, it will be a long time before I'm able to run and climb stairs. Before I came to Hogwarts, I exercised daily in a swimming pool. It's good therapy plus the water helps support my weight. I can actually stand and walk around fairly well in water this deep."
"Will you show me?" Matt asked encouragingly.
"Sure," Claudia answered, "but you'll have to put me down."
"I knew there'd be a catch," Matt grumbled , once again reluctantly letting Claudia slip from his arms. He watched blissfully as Claudia took five steps away from him and then return. "Then the healers think that you will regain complete use of your legs in time?"
"In time. I'll probably never be able to enter a marathon race, but I will be able to eventually chuck that floating cushion." Claudia sighed. "But I'll never grow physically. Until the day I die, I'll look exactly as I do today."
A tear came to her eye. "I can't even gain weight. Even if I eat like a pig, I don't gain an ounce." She wiped the tear from her eye. "Darn, now I got soap in my eye."
Matt reached for a towel. "Can I help?" he asked
"No, it's better if I don't touch it," Claudia said. "Rubbing may cause my contacts to aggravate my eyes."
"I didn't know you wore contacts.
"Most people don't notice," she explained. "They are permanent, I never have to take them out."
"What if your prescription changes?" Matt inquired.
"It won't. I'll always have perfect vision."
Matt looked at Claudia, a confused expression on his face. "Why do you wear contacts if you have perfect vision?"
Claudia hesitated and then answered honestly. "To change the color of my eyes. I really have a weird color eyes; I always have."
"The contacts make them look dark brown, almost black. What color are they really?" Matt asked.
"Promise me that you won't get all creepy and run away thinking I'm some kind of monster," Claudia pleaded.
"Nothing you say or do is going to get me to leave this room until I make love to you at least four or five times," Matt declared.
"Four or five times," Claudia gasped. "Why so many times?"
"I want to get it right and make it perfect for you," Matt replied. "I did some reading last evening and it seems that most girls don't get pleasure from the first time they're with a guy. Guys have a tendency to react too fast and it's all over before the girl has had time to fully enjoy it. I don't want you to ever forget our first time together. I want it to be special and perfect."
"It already is Matt," Claudia declared, throwing her arms around Matt and hugging him tightly.
* * * * * *
Deleted Scene available only on group site. You will miss no information important to the story by not reading this scene. Just consider it a fade out. If you want to read the intimate details of Claudia and Matt afternoon together then Join Hogwarts Exposed.
* * * * * *
Although Matt had promised five times, they only made love four times that afternoon. Matt's excuse was something
about man not being able to live on love alone and that they had already missed lunch.
Claudia didn't complain. She was the happiest she could ever remember being. "If only dreams didn't have to end."
Claudia even let Matt talk her into another bath and this time she actually allowed him to wash her. It was the most embarrassing and complete bath she had ever had in her life, perhaps a little too inclusive. But she was too happy to complain even when Matt mischievously insisted on inspecting every nook and cranny of her body for missed dirt.
"Claudia, are you and I now officially a couple?" Matt asked expectantly.
"Matt, I really appreciate you having sex with me," Claudia explained. "It was an experience I'll never forget. You were absolutely wonderful, but you're not under any obligation to be seen with me from now on. I hope you continue to be my friend, but the sex didn't come with any catches. You're not obliged to be my boyfriend."
Matt shook is head in both frustration and anger. "Did you ever once consider that I might truly like you? Claudia, despite what you might think, that wasn't a mercy fuck. I wasn't just having sex with you; I was making love to you. I don't want to be your boyfriend out of obligation. I want to be your boyfriend because I actually care for you. Damit Claudia! I think I'm in love with you."
"You can't be!" Claudia proclaimed loudly. "Look at me!"
"Look at you? What do you think I've been doing all day?" Matt retorted. "The more I look at you the more certain I am about my feelings toward you. I love every part of you from the top of your head to the tips of your toes and everything in between, especially the parts in between. Even your little anus is cute."
Claudia had blushed before, but never like she was at this very moment. Matt had obviously checked her out far more meticulously than she had imagined.
Once she regained her composure, Claudia said, "Matt, I like you too, but you have to be rational. We're both fifteen, but while you actually look your age, I have the appearance of a ten-year-old girl. You heard those Slytherin first year boys earlier today. People will relentlessly ridicule you if we date."
"Not everyone," Matt insisted. "Our friends will support us. Beside, I don't care what people say or think."
"Maybe not now, but it will only get worse," Claudia persisted. "Ten years from now we'll both be twenty-five, but I'll still look ten. You're certainly not going to want to marry a little girl that can't ever give you children. And think how ridiculous we'd look together. People would take me for your daughter unless we kissed in public. In that case they'd judge you to be a pedophile."
"People who love each other can survive all sorts of adversity," Matt voiced calmly. "At this very moment the thought of being married to you some day gives me goose bumps, the nice kind. We have plenty of time to worry about the future and what people will or won't think. At the moment I'd like to concentrate on here and now. I'd very much like to be your boyfriend, if you'll have me."
For a short time Claudia simply stared uncomprehendingly at Matt, tears in her eyes. She had long ago given up on the likelihood of a boy every being attracted to her, much less asking to be her boyfriend. Therefore, Matt had caught her completely off guard. Obviously, it would be best to say no. There was no way on earth that their relationship could possibly survive. And when it ended, she would in all probability lose Matt as a friend; teenage romances always seemed to work that way. Then there would also be the sadness and depression that followed the breakup to deal with. There was no doubt about it; the smart thing to do was to say no and avoid all the pain and agony.
Then she thought about the last few hours and how it had felt to be held, caressed and kissed by Matt. They hadn't merely had sex; they had definitely made love. Today was the most glorious day of her life. How could she turn her back on the possibility of having more days like today, even if it only lasted for a brief time? Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
Claudia cupped Matt's face in her hands and kissed him deeply allowing her tongue to seek out his. "Matt, I'd be delighted to be your girlfriend, but only on one condition," Claudia declared.
"Condition?" he first questioned. "I'll accept any conditions. What is it?"
"There is no commitment," Claudia stated. "If you wake up tomorrow or any other day and decide that this was a big mistake, just tell me and I'll understand. You can walk away at any time."
"I'm not going to want to walk away," Matt replied adamantly and then he faltered for a moment. "I understand your reluctance to us making a long term commitment to each other, but could we at least agree on a short term commitment."
"Why?" Claudia asked, confused.
Matt eyed Claudia sheepishly. "I want to be assured of having the prettiest date for the Yule Ball."
"You want to take me to the Ball? But I can't even dance?"
"Maybe your legs will be strong enough by then," Matt said optimistically. "If they aren't, I can always hold you."
Claudia smiled widely. "Okay, I'll agree to a short term commitment and going to the Yule Ball with you if you'll agree to another condition."
"Another conditioned," Matt whined. "Okay, what is it?"
"We keep visiting the Room of Requirement of a regular basis."
"You drive a hard bargain," Matt protest facetiously. "I imagine that you'll expect me to make love to you on those occasions, too."
"Only if the spirit's willing," Claudia teased.
Matt looked deep into Claudia's eyes. "I guarantee you that the spirit will be willing. You know what? You never did tell me the natural color of your eyes."
"Are you sure you really want to know?" Claudia asked hesitantly.
"Yes, I'm sure," Matt said fervently. "And don't worry, I'm not canceling our date to the Yule Ball even if their some wickedly evil color like red."
Claudia's smile faded from her face as she slumped her head. "They are red."
* * * * * *
While Claudia and Matt had been pacing the corridor in front of the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy, Caitlin and Evan
were hurrying toward the teachers' quarters.
"What if your parents are in?" Evan asked apprehensively.
"Then you won't get to scrub my back," Caitlin replied disappointedly. "Either way, I have to get out of these sodden clothes and take a hot shower."
As they entered the Potters' quarters, Evan was frustrated to hear voices.
"Sorry," Caitlin said earnestly. "I really expected them to be in the faculty lounge rehashing the Quidditch game with the other teachers."
"Hi! Mum, Dad." Caitlin said brightly as she began to strip out of her clothes. "I'm drenched to the skin. We … I just stopped by to take a quick shower and do a drying charm on my clothes. Will you entertain Evan? I'll only be a few minutes."
As Caitlin scampered naked out of the room, Hermione watched her calculatingly, then picked up her daughter's clothes and did a quick drying charm on them.
"Evan, you're soaking wet, too," Hermione exclaimed.
She bit her lip and then said, "Get in there and take a hot shower with Caitlin."
Evan didn't move, but rather stared at Professor Granger incredulously.
"Don't stand there gawking at me," she barked. "Get in there before I change my mind and toss out your clothes so I can do a drying charm on them."
Evan did as ordered though thoroughly bewildered.
Harry watched, speechless, as Evan ran into the bathroom and then quickly tossed out his clothes. Finally, he turned to his wife. "Have you gone mad? You just told that boy to take a shower with our little girl!"
"I know," answered Hermione guiltily. "Perhaps you haven't noticed, but our daughter isn't a little girl any more. She's developed into a beautiful young woman."
"I've noticed," Harry replied, sounding extremely uncomfortable with the idea. "That's all the more reason for them not to be showering together. They're not little children. I realize that Caitlin is a naturist and that the two of them have seen each other nude on numerous occasions, but taking a shower with someone is poles apart from seeing them naked."
Harry hesitated uneasily. "That shower stall is cramped. What if they rub against each other and get overly excited?" Harry flinched at the thought. "Caitlin could get pregnant if they have sex."
"Harry, I doubt very much that they'll even think about having sex with us sitting out here waiting for them." Hermione faltered briefly. "Besides, Caitlin is on a birth control potion."
"She's on a birth control potion?" Harry repeated aghast. "That means she's been considering having sex and worse; you've known about it!"
"Please, calm down, Harry," Hermione said, taking his hand in hers. "This is the wizard world. Less than a century ago witches entered into prearranged marriages before they even reached puberty. Caitlin is an intelligent girl; she knows what she's doing."
"And you condone this?" Harry asked, outraged. "Evan isn't even of legal age. They'd be breaking wizard law."
"No, I don't condone it, but I accept it," Hermione said, sighing deeply. "Like you, I'd opt that Caitlin remain frozen in time, my little girl forever, but that's not going to happen. She loves Evan and is convinced that they are destined to be together. Only time will tell if she is correct or not, but nothing is going to stop them from pursuing their feelings for each other.
"Harry, we can either support Caitlin or fight her on this. If we support her, their first time together can be a beautiful occasion and our relationship with our daughter can remain as strong as it is. If we fight her, they'll end up doing it anyway in some dirty broom closet and her attitude toward us will be damaged."
Harry hung is head in defeat. "Then I guess we don't have much choice, especially with her natural father entering the picture. When are we going to tell her about him?"
"As soon as they get out of the shower," Hermione suggested. "Caitlin will undoubtedly appreciate Evan's support."
"I knew our girls would grow up some day," Harry sighed. "I just didn't think it would be this soon."
_ _ _ _ _ _
When Evan tapped shyly on the shower stall, Caitlin opened it wide without hesitation, thinking it was either her Mum
or Dad. "Evan! What are you doing in here? Where are your clothes? Did Mum and Dad leave?"
Slowly Evan explained all that had ensued after Caitlin departed the room.
"You mean that they're still out there and that you're in here like this," Caitlin said, astonished. "They've actually given their blessings to us taking a shower together?"
"It was your Mum's idea," Evan said, shivering slightly. "Your Dad didn't say anything. I think he was sort of in shock that your Mum even suggested it."
"My Mum is the most unique person in the world," Caitlin said, a tear escaping her eye. "Her perceptiveness never ceases to amaze me."
Evan shivered more severely.
"I'm sorry Evan. You must be freezing," Caitlin said concernedly. "Get in here under the hot water and I'll try to warm you up."
Evan was petrified. He was about to take a shower with the girl he loved while her parents, his professors, sat waiting in the very next room. Tentatively he clutched Caitlin's hand and allowed her to guide him into the stall. He couldn't believe this was happening. Caitlin put her arms around him and pulled him tightly against her wet soapy body.
"Is that any better?" she asked. "Do you feel any warmer?"
Better and warmer just weren't adequate words to describe Evan's feelings at the moment.
"Evan, is that you pressing against my leg." Caitlin asked excitedly.
"I…I… I'm sorry," Evan stammered. "It just happened."
"Don't apologize," Caitlin said. "I'm relieved to know that I have that kind of an effect on you. Would you mind if I touched it? I've never touched one before. Well, except for my Dad's and that doesn't really count; it was only an accident. I want to touch you."
"Sure! If you really want to," Evan replied nervously. "Are we actually going to wash each other?"
"Yes."
"All over?" Evan questioned.
"Every place," Caitlin replied, contentedly. "I'll start down here. Why don't you start with my breasts?"
They had only begun to wash each other when the door to the stall suddenly flew open. Harry hadn't thought about what he would see when he opened the door, but he certainly hadn't expected to see Evan caressing Caitlin's breasts while she adoringly soaped his willy. At first he just stared speechlessly and then finally pulled himself from the mind-boggling trance.
"I'm sorry," he said, rubbing his hand roughly over his face. Although his words were apologetic, his voice sounded angry. "Caitlin, there's been an accident. Emily passed out and was taken to the Hospital Wing. Jamie is already there. Your Mum and I are headed there now."
Without another word, Harry turned and ran from the bathroom leaving Evan and Caitlin frozen in shock.
* * * * * *
When Hermione and Harry entered the Infirmary, they were surprised to find a smiling Emily sitting and talking avidly
with Jamie.
"What happened?" Hermione questioned. "Is everything okay?"
"I don't know," Jamie answered. "Poppy refused to answer any of my questions until you two arrived. All I know is that Tyler went up to Emily's dorm to urge her to hurry down to the Slytherin after game party and found her lying unconscious on the floor. I was here waiting to speak to Poppy when Emily was brought in.
"Poppy had her in stasis; did a lot of tests with her wand and then revived Emily, but she refuses to talk to either of us."
At that moment Caitlin burst into the room clutching her robes shut, her hair stll wet and soapy.
"You could have taken time to rinse your hair and put some clothes on," Emily laughed. "I wouldn't have died without you being here."
"That's not funny," Caitlin shouted. "Don't ever joke about dying."
"I just passed out," Emily insisted. "You know me. I hardly ate any dinner last evening and I can never eat breakfast on the day of a Quidditch match. I probably bought it on myself."
"No you didn't," Madam Pomfrey said somberly as she approached Emily's bed. "Harry and Hermione, will you please step into my office."
"I'm coming, too," Jamie insisted. "She's my sister."
"She's my sister, too," Caitlin added.
"Mum, Dad! I thought we had a family policy of openness? If something is wrong with me, I'm old enough to know about it," Emily protested.
Harry stared uneasily at Hermione who finally nodded her head. "Poppy! We're a family. No secrets."
"Are you sure?" Poppy asked, extreme doubt evident in her voice.
"Yes," Hermione answered, fearful of what she was about to hear.
Madam Pomfrey cleared her throat and then gazed at the ceiling as if looking for strength. "Emily has juvenile hemochromatosis," Poppy said. When everyone looked at her questioningly, she continued. "Hemochromatosis is the most common form of iron overload disease. It's an inherited disorder that causes the body to absorb and store too much iron. The extra iron builds up in organs and damages them. Without treatment, the disease can cause these organs to fail."
"You said it is inherited?" Jamie questioned. "Does that mean I have it, too? Our parents were never sick."
"Hemochromatosis is hereditary," Poppy explained. "The cause of juvenile hemochromatosis is unknown. I'd like to run tests on you just to be sure, but chances are good that you don't have the disease."
"I don't understand," Caitlin interjected. "I thought iron was good for the body. Don't Muggle women even take iron supplements?"
"Yes, Iron is an essential nutrient found in many foods," Poppy clarified. "The greatest amount is found in red meat and iron-fortified bread and cereal. In the body, iron becomes part of hemoglobin, a molecule in the blood that transports oxygen from the lungs to all body tissues.
"Healthy people usually absorb about ten percent of the iron contained in the food they eat to meet the body needs. People with hemochromatosis absorb more than the body needs. The body has no natural way to rid itself of the excess iron, so it is stored in body tissue, especially the liver, heart, and pancreas."
"Poppy, you've regrown every bone in my arm. Surely, you can cure Emily," Harry insisted.
"Apples and oranges, Harry. Apples and oranges," Poppy repeated. "You can live and function with bones missing. You can not live without a heart."
"But Muggles have learned to do heart replacement surgery," Hermione insisted. "Couldn't we go to a Muggle surgeon?"
"You could," Poppy said, but her voice didn't sound optimistic. "If the iron overload is diagnosed and treated before organ damage has occurred, a person can live a normal, healthy life. In Emily's case the disease has gone undetected for years and has led to many serious problems. Besides her heart abnormalities, there has been damage to both her pancreas and liver along with a number of other complications."
"I'm just a fucking walking time bomb, aren't I," Emily shouted, feigning laughter. "If I'm so sick why haven't I had any symptoms before today?"
Everyone gazed at Madam through misty eyes waiting for her answer.
"You're magical genes," she replied. "We can't replace organs like we can bones, but we can mask pain. Muggles might suffer the painful effects of a disease for years, even decades before finally succumbing. Magical beings simply live until their time is over and then they die."
"Do you mean that I'll wake up feeling fine one day and then just die during History of Magic class without even the slightest warning?" Emily asked.
Madam Pomfrey nodded sadly. "That is a possibility. It can be rather shocking, especially to friends and relatives. Therefore it is best that you warn them all ahead of time and say your good-byes."
"But I don't want to say good-bye," Emily cried out, breaking into uncontrollable tears. "I'm only thirteen; I don't want to die."
Hermione, Jamie and Caitlin all rushed to console Emily as best as they could. Harry sat, shaking his head, in frustration, his eyes moist with tears.
Poppy brushed a tear from her eyes. "Emily can return to her dorm whenever she wishes. I'll be in my office if there are any further questions." She made to leave and then turned back. "Miss Thatcher and Mr. Bancroft have been waiting outside. Should I insist that they leave?"
Hermione started to nod yes, but Emily stopped her. "They're my best friends. I've been hiding this from them because I didn't want to believe it was true. Now that I have confirmation, I have to tell them. I just can't up and die on them some day without warning."
"Are you sure you want to do this now?" Jamie asked.
"Kim's my best friend and Tyler… Tyler is so much more than a friend. There will never be a good time to tell them. The sooner they know, the sooner they can get on with planning their lives without including me."
Caitlin made as if to protest, but Jamie stopped her. "Not now," she whispered.
"We'll wait outside," Hermione said hugging her youngest daughter tightly.
"It's not necessary," Emily insisted. "I know my way back to the teachers' quarters. And don't look at me like that Dad. I'm fine with this; I'm not about to jump off the Astronomy tower. I'm going to live every day that I have left to its fullest."
"Do you want me to stay?" Caitlin asked shyly.
"I wish you would," Emily answered nervously. "This won't be easy. Just promise me one thing, please."
"Anything."
"Please keep you robes closed," Emily ordered. "For whatever time I have remaining Tyler's still my boyfriend. I'd rather not die watching him ogling you."
"You needn't fear that. Tyler has eyes for you and only you," Caitlin insisted.
"I know," Emily admitted fearfully. "I think that's what worries me the most. Sometimes I'm afraid he loves me too much. I want him to be happy. I don't want him spending the remainder of his life thinking about what could have been."
Tyler and Kim entered the room and without delay hurried to Emily's bedside.
"Are you all right?" Kim asked, anxiously.
Tyler didn't waste time on words, but rather leaned over and kissed Emily fervently.
"You had us so scared," Kim exclaimed. "Are you okay now?"
"For the moment," Emily replied dismally.
"What do you mean, 'for the moment'?" Tyler questioned.
"Exactly what I said," Emily snapped resolutely. "You best both sit down."
Kim and Tyler shared a concerned look and then took seats next to Emily's bed.
Emily reached for their hands and then with a resolute look on her face said, "I'm going to die. I have a disease called hemochromatosis that has gone unchecked for years. It has caused severe unrepairable damage to my pancreas, heart and liver. It's just a matter of time before one of them fails and I breathe my last."
"That can't be," Tyler replied angrily. "Madam Pomfrey can fix anything. And if not her, what about Caitlin? She's a god damn Hyperempath isn't she?"
"Even Hyperempaths have their limitations," Caitlin interjected sadly. "I can fix most physical wounds inflicted on the body, but when it comes to diseases, I can't even cure an ordinary cold. Madam Pomfrey can only do so much with magic and potions. The damage the disease has inflicted on Emily is far beyond what a Pepper-up potion will cure."
"There must be something that can be done," Kim cried out.
"No there isn't," Emily responded, sadly. "I had a vision, actually a premonition, last summer. In it I died."
"But surely it was just a bad dream," Kim insisted.
"That's what I tried to convince myself into believing," Emily admitted. "But I knew it wasn't true. Finally, Caitlin persuaded me to tell Mum and Dad about the vision. Like you, they thought it was just a bad dream. That was until we spoke with our magical mirror; it can see a persons possible futures. I have no future beyond late spring or early summer."
"Maybe the mirror simply malfunctioned," Tyler insisted.
"Tyler, I love you, but it's time we all accept reality. My vision, the mirror and now my medical tests all point to the same conclusion. Sometime between now and early summer, I'm going to die. In our hearts we can refute it all we want, but in our heads we must accept that this is my last year at Hogwarts. Our last year together."
* * * * * *
Emily had made Kim and Tyler promise to keep her secret. After all, she didn't want the entire school looking at
her as if she were on her deathbed. Although Poppy had said that the end might possibly come as a sudden surprise, she
felt there was a good chance that Emily would have a warning when her time was nearing an end. Emily's magical
genes would protect her from feeling agonizing pain as her organs weakened, but that weakening could well end up
confining her to bed for the last few days or weeks of her life.
Obviously, with their concerns over Emily's health, Harry and Hermione forgot all about Caitlin's father's request. It wasn't until the next morning that Harry even broached the subject.
"We promised Seamus that we'd get back to him promptly with our decision," Harry said tentatively.
"I know," Hermione replied, cuddling closer to Harry.
"I just feel so overwhelmed and helpless at the moment," Hermione sighed. "Our little girl is dying and we're powerless to help her. It's just so wrong. Parents should never have to bury their children."
"I know," Harry agreed acquiescently. "It's unfair on so many levels. Haven't you and I suffered enough? We're good people. We've fought steadfastly to save the wizard world from evil and our reward evidently is to lose our little girl; a little girl whose life is barely begun." Harry hesitated. "Hermione, perhaps we shouldn't tell Caitlin about her father. We can't risk losing her, too."
"Harry, we discussed this." Hermione admonished. "We have to tell her and trust Caitlin to make the right decision."
"Trust me to make the right decision about what?" Caitlin asked, walking unannounced into her parents' bedroom alongside Emily, Ben toddling close behind them. The girls were both attired in the favorite outfits, zilch.
As Ben settled down on the floor and began playing with Crookshanks and Arthur, Emily and Caitlin flung themselves on the bed and quickly wiggled their way under the covers between their mother and father.
"Girls! Your father and I are naked," Hermione protested.
"Big deal!" Emily scoffed. "So are Caitlin and I. If I recall correctly, we're all naturists."
"That's not the point," Hermione disputed. "Certain things just aren't considered proper. You two are much too old to be in bed with your parents, especially when all of us are nude."
"Then I assume this is improper too," Caitlin said. She embraced her dad in a tight hug and kissed him affectionately on the cheek. Simultaneously, Emily did the same to Hermione and then as if choreographed the two girls rolled over each other and switched parents.
"Caitlin and I have decided that life is too short to worry about what is right and proper," Emily declared. "We're going to be more spontaneous and act on our feelings."
"Right!" Caitlin concurred. "We have the two best parents in the world and there is nothing improper about showing them how we feel. I love you Mum." Caitlin said, cuddling even closer to her mother.
"I love you Dad." Emily nestled herself equally secure in Harry's arms.
Both parents had tears in their eyes. The hell with decorum, their daughters loved them and they loved them in return.
"Ben bed, too," Benjamin pleaded, reaching up to his dad.
"The more the merrier," Harry said reaching out keenly for his son and lifting him onto bed. Crookshanks and Arthur seemed to take this as their cue and jumped onto the foot of the bed.
Hermione looked around at her family through misty eyes. If only this moment could last forever.
"What did you want to talk to me about?" Caitlin asked, breaking the silence. "Is it about Evan and I and what Dad saw us doing in the shower?"
This comment had both Hermione and Emily quickly sitting upright. Harry had not yet mentioned the scene he'd witnessed to Hermione. Emily, of course, was entirely caught unawares.
"You and Evan took a shower together!?" Emily questioned, partly shocked, party envious. "Where? When? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Yesterday," Caitlin answered guiltily. "I was going to tell you, but what with everything else it seemed rather trivial." Caitlin went on to explain everything that transpired after she and Evan left the Quidditch pitch.
"You actually gave Evan permission to shower with Caitlin?" Emily asked, staring at her mother with astonishment. "What about Tyler and I? Would you give us permission to be intimate?"
"Caitlin is of age," Hermione debated. "You and Tyler are only thirteen."
"Evan isn't of age," Emily protested. "Caitlin and Evan have their entire lives to be together. Tyler and I have little more than six months."
Emily shook her head angrily. "I'm sorry, Mum," she moaned. "I promised myself that I'd never use the 'going to die' card to get my way and here I am already doing it. It's just so hard. There are so many things I wanted to do, so many plans I had for the future and now…. How do you cram a lifetime into six months?"
No one spoke. No one had an answer. Finally in desperation to change the subject, Harry said, "Caitlin, what happened yesterday in the shower isn't what your Mum and I wanted to talk to you about. It seems that after fifteen years; your father has decided that he wants to meet you."
End of Chapter Seven
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