Disclaimer:I still don't own it.
The small hospital room in St. Mungo's was cramped, and smelled of antiseptics and Skelegro, but Bill Weasley could not have cared less. In only a few moments he would be a father.
He sat behind his wife with his legs around her, murmuring encouragement and soft nonsense to ease her pain. But Fleur clenched his hands and screamed as another wave of agony swept over her. She moaned over and over again, wishing it would just all end, that it would be done…
It had been over 14 hours.
Outside in the waiting room, all Weasleys and Delacours gathered like a giant cluster of bees. Most were sleeping. Gabrielle, almost 13, was sprawled out across the laps of both her parents. Hermione was resting with her head nestled under the chin of Ron, who snored softly. George and Percy were out on each other's shoulders. But Arthur was sitting straight up, not looking at anything or anybody. He remembered many nights like this, waiting in St. Mungo's for an event that was likely to alter his life forever. It was scary and exciting. But this was the first time that Molly was peacefully sleeping next to him. Arthur thought back to the day Bill was born; he thought back to how he felt on that night. Bill was quite a man, old enough to take care of himself and others. But the paternal side of Mr. Weasley wondered how his firstborn child was suddenly about to have his own firstborn. Wasn't it only yesterday that Arthur had held him in his hands for the first time? How was it that he and Molly were about to become…
It was just then that Harry awoke with a start. He was sweating, and breathing heavily. Arthur looked over.
"Nightmare?" he asked Harry casually.
"The usual," the younger replied. He passed a hand over his sweaty fringe, over the faded scar. It had not pained him, though the movement was now automatic after a nightmare like that. He looked at his watch. "What day is today?" he asked, suddenly alert.
"It's…" started Arthur, trailing off and straining to get a look at the calendar on the far wall. Then he stopped short.
"The anniversary. One year," Harry said resignedly. They both sat in silence for a long while. Then Arthur spoke.
"I'm going to be a grandfather."
"Just one more, Fleur," said the Healer encouragingly.
"Ahh, mon Dieu!" she cried, pushing as hard as she could. A final shout from the woman, and the cries of newborn life rent the air. Bill began to cry as well, as another healer took the child, severed the umbilical cord with his wand, and began to clean off the child.
"You did it," Bill murmured into Fleur's hair, caressing her face and kissing away her tears.
"Congratulations, it's a girl," the Healer said, smiling and handing the baby to it's mother. Already she had fallen into a stupor. The baby cooed gently in her sleep, and Bill felt his heart melt away.
"I think my hands are too rough for her," Bill whispered, tracing her forehead with one finger. Fleur laughed. Then she cried, cradling the child close to her, while Bill gathered them both close.
Just then, the grandparents walked into the room. Molly collapsed into Arthur's arms at the sight of her granddaughter, weeping. He held her strong, but tears made tracks down his face too. M. and Mme. Delacour smiled wide, holding hands.
"Maman! Papa! C'est une fille!" Fleur cried happily, holding out her daughter. M. Delacour took her with trembling hands, and brought her close to his body.
"Have you thought of a name yet?" asked the Healer, holding her quill above the parchment of the birth certificate. Bill's eyes widened. It was the only thing they had forgotten.
"We…oh, ma fleur, we didn't get around to that," said Bill uneasily. The Healer looked annoyed.
"Today is the anniversary," said Mr. Weasley, quietly. Everyone grew silent and stared at him.
"Le victor!" Mme. Delacour murmured.
"Non!" countered Fleur. "La Victoire!"
A/n:This is like, a teaser chapter. Hopefully the rest will be much longer!