Chapter 99

"You're the youngest Seeker in a century, this is your last possible year to play for Gryffindor, and you've suddenly decided not to play? What in God's name is going on Yetao?"

"Erm…" Hu Yetao's heart pounded and his palms were sweaty as he gazed back at his Head of House as she stared at him from across her wide desk with narrowed, disbelieving eyes. "I... I can't play because I, uh…" Hu Yetao trailed off, mouth dry, regretting his decision to decline Oscar's offer of moral support on this one; his mate was always a lot more articulate under pressure. The right words just weren't coming to him. He really should have planned his speech. Why the fuck didn't he write it down beforehand?

Mrs. Amber sighed and waved a hand, summoning a silver tray loaded with a steaming pot of tea, two cups, and a plate of shortbread. "Here Yetao, have a drink and a biscuit."

Hu Yetao reached for one of the crumbly biscuits while she poured tea for the both of them. "Thank you," he mumbled, pulling his cup towards him but leaving it on the surface of the desk, afraid he might spill it in his nervousness.

"Is Mr. Wang behind this unexpected decision?"

Hu Yetao choked on a laugh, trying not to spray crumbs all over his lap. "No, he's not. I promise." He swallowed and looked at her with a raised brow. "Do you think Oscar could make me stop playing Quidditch just so Slytherin could have a win?"

Mrs. Amber smiled into her tea, acknowledging his statement with a slight nod.

Hu Yetao lifted his teacup and carefully set it on his knees, hands wrapped around the delicate blue and white china. He sighed as he stared into his cup. "The reason I can't play anymore is…" He took a fortifying breath. "Is because I'm pregnant."

Professor Mrs. Amber's lips parted in shock and her teacup fell from her fingers and dropped onto the desk, not shattering but splashing hot tea all over the place.

Hu Yetao was about to reach for his wand but the Professor had the mess cleaned up and a fresh cup of tea in front of her before he could put his tea down to help.

She leaned back in her chair, gaze assessing as she swiftly schooled her expression into something a little more neutral. "And…" she cleared her throat. "This was a planned decision between the two of you?"

Hu Yetao flushed as he shook his head. "No, er… it just sorts of happened." He quickly shut his mouth, realizing that prattling on about this particular subject could turn rather awkward.

Mrs. Amber arched a brow, unperturbed. "I would've thought the two of you would be more responsible than that Hu Yetao. Especially as this will place both you and your unborn child at risk from your attackers should they decide to make a second attempt."

"It truly was an accident Professor," Hu Yetao argued, feeling a sharp pang of unfairness. He hated talking about his issues but knew his head of the house would have to be told the whole story or else she would think less of him, and that was something he couldn't stand the thought of.

"I sort of have trouble with small spaces," he continued after taking a breath. "And when I went into heat, Xinyao took me to that small heat room attached to our bedroom and locked me in. I've never really talked about it so it wasn't Xinyao's fault. I've spoken to Oscar about it though, so when he found out, he quickly came and released me." Hu Yetao paused, lifting his chin slightly, gaze strong and uncompromising. "Unfortunately, it happened the way it did, but we're both excited to be fathers and have been taking extra precautions ever since; such as not playing Quidditch."

The Headmistress nodded slowly, pensively. "And who else knows of this? I assume not many as I have not seen it in The Prophet."

"Only a few close friends," Hu Yetao affirmed, his anxiety easing a little as it appeared Mrs. Amber wasn't about to scold him. "Xinyao and Jing Long, Professor Mika, and Oscar's parents. Oh and Madam Chen of course."

"Professor Mika?" Mrs. Amber repeated in surprise. "You've grown rather close with the professor then?"

"He's a friend of Wang's family," Hu Yetao replied carefully. "And yeah, I like him. He's a brilliant DADA professor."

Mrs. Amber was beginning to look a little less gobsmacked now. "Yes, he does seem quite popular with the students," she noted.

Hu Yetao grinned and took another biscuit. "Yeah, that's because he's fit. Oscar doesn't like me saying that though."

A faint smile finally broke through Mrs. Amber's stern façade and Hu Yetao felt the last of his nerves melting away.

"And how is your health Mr. Yetao?" she inquired before taking a sip of her cooling tea.

Hu Yetao smiled, giving in to the urge to slide one hand over his stomach. His jumper still adequately covered the bump but in a thin t-shirt, it was now quite noticeable.

"I'm great," he replied enthusiastically. "Bit of nausea in the morning but it doesn't last long, and Madam Chen said the baby is healthy."

Mrs. Amber's expression softened. "You seem very happy Hu Yetao," she finally surmised in one of those rare occasions when she used his given name. "In light of this news, I suppose I will have to accept your resignation from the team. It's a real loss for Gryffindor."

Hu Yetao smiled ruefully. "Yeah, I know. I wish I could've played but the baby comes first," he said unapologetically. He paused and his eyes sparkled impishly. "If it helps, I forced Oscar to step down as Slytherin Seeker as well."

The Headmistress laughed, looking inordinately pleased by the news.

Hu Yetao popped the rest of the biscuit into his mouth and chewed, enjoying the flavor of the delicious Scottish shortbread now that he wasn't gripped by anxiety.

"Have you thought about when - or even if - you will announce your pregnancy?"

Hu Yetao washed down the shortbread with a sip of tea before replying. "I'd like to keep it a secret for as long as possible until they catch those two men if possible. Though that doesn't seem likely anymore," he ruminated with a sigh. "I don't want to stop attending class so… I guess as soon as I can't hide it anymore, I'll just let the news spread on its own?" Hu Yetao frowned thoughtfully as he stared down into his cup. "I don't want the publicity or people trying to push their noses into my family's business. They already judge Oscar in nearly every article written about us and I don't want it to bother him." He looked up into Mrs. Amber's sympathetic gaze. "We've thought about finishing school and then going away for a year or two; leaving the country until things calm down a bit."

Mrs. Amber clasped her hands together on her desk's stained ink blotter and leaned forward with a serious expression on her lined face. "People will always be interested in you Hu Yetao; I'm afraid leaving the country and then returning - with a child no less - will be of interest regardless of how long you stay away."

Hu Yetao sighed heavily as he placed his empty cup back on the desk. "Yeah, I guess. It'd be a nice break for us though. Then we can come back when we feel ready to face the media circus again."

The Headmistress nodded, gaze flicking downwards as Hu Yetao reflexively placed a protective hand over his stomach. "That sounds like a sensible plan," she said with approval.

Hu Yetao smiled a little. "It was Oscar's idea."

"You certainly have a wise Alpha," she remarked sincerely. "I always believed Mr. Wang had the potential to be an exceptional wizard once he was away from Chong Li's influence. He seems a much stronger man these days; unafraid to think for himself or to make his own choices."

"He is." Hu Yetao smile grew as he nodded in agreement, the press' harsh criticisms of his mate ringing in his ears as he added, "and despite what some people think, he cares about me, more than I could put into words."

Mrs. Amber smiled. "I assume he is ensuring you take extra precautions with your safety elsewhere, not just on the Quidditch pitch?"

"Yeah, him and his father," Hu Yetao replied with a roll of his eyes. "I wear my father's Cloak everywhere outside of Hogwarts and I don't go anywhere on my own. The only time I'm alone is in the loo."

Mrs. Amber's thin lips twitched with amusement. "And even that small mercy will be taken from you once you have a child Mr. Yetao. I hope you're ready for it."

Hu Yetao laughed. "Is anyone ready to be a parent?"

Mrs. Amber smiled in response and then seemed to shake her head in wonder. "I must admit Mr. Yetao, I can hardly believe that I am sitting here discussing the fact that you will soon be a father. It seems like only yesterday that your father was announcing Muren's pregnancy. " She paused, the memory playing in her mind. "They were overjoyed at the prospect of becoming parents," she recalled, tone gentle. "Much like yourself Hu Yetao."

Hu Yetao swallowed past the sudden lump in his throat and nodded.

Mrs. Amber cleared her throat and straightened in her chair, the ancient wood creaking as she shifted her weight. "Forgive me Yetao; I must be growing sentimental in my old age. Do keep me apprised of your progress and if you have any problems, please notify me immediately."

Hu Yetao stood, brushing the crumbs from his trousers, recognizing a dismissal when he heard one. "Thank you, professor," he said sincerely, and then added with a smile, "I'll let you know if it's a boy or a girl in February if you want."

"Thank you Yetao, I look forward to it."

Hu Yetao smiled and turned to leave her office.

"Yetao?"

Hu Yetao turned to glance back over his shoulder.

"You're not about to wander the corridors alone, are you?" she asked pointedly.

Hu Yetao smiled and shook his head. "No, Oscar is sitting just outside the door."

Mrs. Amber pursed her lips, attempting to stop the responding smile as she nodded in acknowledgment. "Enjoy the holiday break Yetao; sounds like you're going to need it."

Hu Yetao grinned and turned away, eager to let Oscar know that everything was all right.