Don't view me any differently -- Summer 2001

I was at home, waiting for my siblings to come to me.  Al was still too young to be graduated from Hogwarts, so he was back in his bedroom still.  Ellie had moved out with Max Taylor.  I was waiting for her to get here and then I would call Al out.  I needed to tell them what was going on.

I was getting kind of hungry and I thought I heard one of my sisters in the living room.  I walked out and saw that it was Maisie -- which I figured since she still lived there.  "Hey... I'm going to make a sandwich... want one?" I asked her, wanting to be nice.  She seemed easily upset lately... so I figured I would try to give her some more brotherly love than usual.

I ha gotten Maisie's owl that she wanted me to come to teh house so she cold talk to me and Al.  I figured it was nothing major, but I still made sure I got there decently quick.  I heard Alfred's offer to make a sandwich and grinned, walking up behind him.  "I'll gladly take one, Al, thanks for asking," I said, giving him a hard time.

"Oh, thanks," I said to Alfred right before Ellie started to give Alfred a hard time.  I hoped that she would not start anythign with him... I needed them both to be happy to hear this news.

I sighed, rolling my eyes at Ellie.  She had gotten more... obnoxious since she's been with Max.  I was not entirely sure I liked it, but oh well.  He was my brother in law now.  I still did not agree with how fast things were moving with them, but Ellie was happy with everything.  I made us all sandwiches and went back to the living room.  I could see that Ellie had gotten big since the last time I saw her -- she was seven months along after having gotten married only about that long ago as well.  I sat down and after we all had eaten at least half of our sandwiches, I decided to break the silence.  "So Maisie... what'd you want us here for?" I asked, knowing that she called Ellie to get here.

I thanked my brother for making me a stomach.  I was sitting on the couch and leaned back, not entirely finished wiht my sandwich but the baby was saying otherwise.  I looked over at Maisie.  "Yeah, you look a bit worried," I said to her simply.

I sighed, biting my lip -- which was my nervous habit.  "Well... erm... I have some big news to tell you guys," I said, telling them before our parents.  I hoped that they would help me with that part.  "It deals with Evan."  I knew that part might not go over well -- espeically with Al.

I pursed my lips and stared at Maisie.  I had been told by Ellie numerous times that I needed to try to be supportive of her relationship with Evan Potter.  I took a deep breath.  "What is it exactly, Maisie?" I inquired as politely as I could.

I flashed my brother a warning look before returning my gaze to my little sister.  I eyed her closely, trying to figure it out before she spoke.  My eyes went to her finger, but there was no ring.  Then I realized that she had a slightly different look about her.  "Maisie... you nee to tell us before my mind gets going..." I said, though it was already gone.

I could tell that Ellie knew exactly what I was going so say, which did not surprise me. She was pregnant,t oo, after all.  She could notice the signs.  "I'm pregnant," I said, feeling kind of bad for ellie.  She did not even have her baby yet... and I hoped that she did not think that I was trying to steal her thunder or anything.

I stared at Maisie and looked towards my eldest sister to try to get an idea of how I should react rather than the reaction that was going through my head.  I could see Ellie getting really excited, so I tried to plaster on a smile.  "That's... something, sis," I said to Maisie, trying to not get upset by the fact that her and Evan were going to have a baby.  "I'm assuming it's with Evan?"  Merlin, I hoped my sister was not sleeping around.

I jumped up as quickly as my pregnant, round belly would allow me to and went over to Maisie.  She got up and I hugged her tightly.  "Oh, that's excellent!" I said, not caring if they were not married or anything.  I knew how she felt about Evan.  I pulled away, but kept my hands on her shoulders.  "How is Evan taking it?" I asked at the same time as Al asked his question.  We both threw our younger brother a look.  "Al!  Don't say it like that!" I could not believe him; I wanted to smack him.

I laughed at their two reactions; basically what I had been expecting from the two of them. Alfred was always reserved and anxious about my relationship with Evan while Ellie was always excited about it.  She could see the change in Evan as much as I could.  "Yes, it's Evan's, Al," I said to my brother, giving him a look.  Then giving my sister my attention, I sighed.  "Well, it's come as a bit of a shock to him.  He seems sort of excited, but I know he's having to fight his own inner demons."

I rolled my eyes.  Of course Evan was fighting his inner demons.  We only heard that excuse every day from my sister.  I sighed and crossed my arms.  "I bet it was a shock," I poitned out.  "it's a bit of a shock for us as well, Maisie.  I can't believe this... with Potter!"  I shook my head, avoiding Ellie's look.

I glared at Alfred and even hit him.  "Enough," I hissed at him.  Then I looked at Maisie, grinning.  "You've just got to give Evan a chance.  He'll end up being alright with everything.  You know more about him than us, but I even know that he had a hard life growing up.  And, you know, since you're not married... it's a bit more of a shock than normal."  I gave Maisie another hug because this was cause for celebration nothing else.