[Carter Nichols]

Tom let Carter out at the gate having had enough of the sixteen year-old boy's absurdities to last him a lifetime. Going home to a quiet house was a refreshing reprieve at this point. Like the calm after a storm. However, he knew he'd endure the torment that was spending time with Carter again tomorrow. He had too. Tom loved money.

Carter left his cohort just as happily. He thought Tom was stupid. A shocking thought to be had by such a boy. It was enough to make the world turn itself inside out. But that was the great thing about Hogwarts. It was so separate from the world. The world could come to an end and the students would never know it. Much how the world often ended inside Hogwarts, with little knowledge ever making it to the outsiders.

Carter tripped over his own feet and uttered a dirty word. He thought of Tom, but soon uttered another, a devilish grin on his lips as his thigh rubbed the wad of money in his front left pocket.

Oh...yeah. Life was good.

[Harper Hallows]

Harper needed some air. Unfortunately, she couldn't get the kind she wanted at the castle; so she left in a hurry, hoping no one would see her. It was kind of hard to ignore a silver and black werewolf with green eyes and a large belly, however.

Outside the gates, Harper reverted to her human form and pulled on her clothes that she had tied to her leg. That is what sucked about being a werewolf. Her clothes were shredded when she changed. Harper was getting better at changing since Aiden had been helping her out.

Harper sighed. In maternity jeans and a tank top that fit to her stomach, she wandered the nearby town barefooted. Her jet black hair tickled her waist, making her smile. Harper was exhausted from her pregnancy. Morning sickness wasn't helpful either.

Harper collapsed onto a nearby bench, yawning softly. Her eyes were only closed a moment when a familiar voice rang in her ears. "Hello, to you, too, Carter," she said, opening her eyes slowly.

[Carter Nichols]

"Whoa-whoa. You haven't popped yet?" Carter asked, obviously surprised at her size.

"Aiden's been worried sick. He thinks you had it and haven't let him know." Carter shrugged scratching at the back of his head.

"It's nice to know that's not the case...I guess." He sighed.

[Harper Hallows]

"I guess you can say I have been keeping myself hidden. I haven't been to, uh, pleasant to be around lately," Harper replied, her left hand instinctively reaching for her stomach.

"I was due last week, so maybe Lane just isn't ready. I still don't know if he'll be a werewolf or not. I haven't talked to Luca lately, or anyone else for that matter. I guess Lane just wants to surprise us all, huh?" Harper stood up, smiling gently at Carter. Maybe the could reconcile, for Aiden's sake.

"I was actually planning on finding Aiden today. I'm headed to my 'secret' apartment. I just needed a rest. Want to come with? It's nice and cozy and I have coffee, if you are up to it?" Harper offered, eyes wandering for a moment.

ooc: I HAVE A PLAN! MWAH HA HA! Let's just stay in this topic, okay?

[Carter Nichols]

"Lane's very smart. She's going to stay in there until you're old enough to have her." Carter shrugged sarcastically.

"Oh? What are you going on about?"

[Harper Hallows]

Harper ran her fingers through her hair and said, "Lane is a HE, not a she. HE, Carter. He. And I have just been avoiding everyone. People aren't too pleased to have a pregnant teenage werewolf around." A small pain flared up in her sides, but she ignored it.

"And about the apartment. My uncle is paying for it for me. And by secret, I mean keep it a secret, Carter. So do you want to come, or not?" Harper added, motioning for them to walk.

[Carter Nichols]

Carter shrugged. "Fine, I'll check it out. Least I can do is walk you home." He supposed out loud as he followed her.

"Aiden and I have been completely apart since I split up with him." He nodded.

[Harper Hallows]

Harper's apartment wasn't too far down the street. Harper really hadn't talked to Aiden in awhile. "Uh, so you don't know how he is? I, uh, I'm just worried about him. I heard he has been going through a lot, but I haven't really heard what exactly. I guess I have abandoned everyone that I love," Harper said, walking along. The pain fluctuated to her back.

Harper tried to hold in a gasp. It came out as a sort of squeal and inhale of air at the same time.

[Carter Nichols]

"What's wrong?" Carter asked, watching her with a curious look on his face.

[Harper Hallows]

Harper quickly gathered herself together and replied, "Just growing pains." She managed a smile. They reached her apartment and she unlocked the door. A large, spacious living room looked back at them.

"Uh, welcome to my place. Make yourself at home. Would you like some coffee?" Harper offered, walking to the side along kitchen.

[Carter Nichols]

"No, I'm fine. You should sit down. You didn't sound so good earlier."

[Harper Hallows]

"I'm fine. Are you sure you don't want anything?" Harper replied, putting on a happy face. She made herself a cup of sugary coffee and started the short distance to the couch. And then it hit her. Hard.

Harper stopped abruptly. It was like she had frozen in time. The cup toppled out of her hand and shattered into an array of broken glass. Harper inhaled deeply and cried out in pain. The extent of the pain sent her reeling to the floor.

The baby. Lane. What is wrong with my baby? Harper thought as she fell to floor. And then she knew. He was coming. Not in a few hours or days. Now.

[Carter Nichols]

"HARPER?!" Carter asked and jumped up. "It's okay! We'll get you to a hospital."

[Harper Hallows]

Harper should have paid attention to the signs. The water that had rushed out of her this morning was her water breaking, not a pee emergency. There was so many other things that could have told her, "Hey your kid is on his way." But no, she attributed all of it to being a new werewolf. Damn it.

Harper didn't know how or why, but she just knew that Lane was going to be born here. He was coming fast and she told Carter that. "There isn't time. He's is on his way NOW!" she shrieked at him. Those were definently contractions she felt earlier. Harper was kneeling on the floor amongst the shards of glass in extreme labor.

"I think you're going to be delivering a baby today, Carter," she added through a clenched jaw.

[Carter Nichols]

Carter got up the glass and pulled down a blanket from the couch. "Your water hasn't broken yet, Harper, we can still make it." He suggested.