Title: A Day Out and a New Life
Summary: Harry takes his family out during the school rush with dire consequences.
Pairing/Characters:Harry/Ginny
Rating:T
Warnings: N/A
Notes:Written for 100 word prompt collection (this whole collection is made for that collection) prompt: #14 life. Also written for Muggle Studies: Write about someone who suffers a traumatic child birth.
Diagon Alley was crowded this time of year. Being only ten days away from the start of Hogwarts, many parents and students were collecting the last of their necessities. Harry wasn't sure why they decided to go out as a family today of all days.
I only needed to pick up Hermione's birthday gift, Harry thought as he was shoved again. He had a tight grip of James' hand, and Albus was in his arms. He wished he could hold his pregnant wife as well, but he didn't have enough arms.
"Are you okay back there?"
Harry glared. "Fine," he huffed, hoisting his two year old higher up on his hip.
Ginny smiled and continued forward. Most people would move out of her way, her large belly clearing a path, but there were those few people that would accidently knock into her. Ginny wasn't letting it bother her, but Harry cringed every time it happened.
James tried to tug his hand out of Harry's hand, so Harry looked down to scold him. He was only looking away from Ginny for a second when a loud gasp ran through the crowd just before an ear-piercing scream. Harry seemed to move in slow motion. He turned his head up and stared at the woman he loved lying on the ground screaming with her arms wrapped around her stomach. His vision blurred, and he tried to move forward, but James tugging on his hand reminded him of his two boys.
Everything seemed to speed up after that as people rushed to help Ginny, and others crowded around him. Harry didn't acknowledge anything until he was guided to a portkey and whisked away to St. Mungo's.
"Harry!"
Harry didn't move towards the voice, but he felt his shoulders relax slightly at the familiar voice.
"Oh, Merlin. Harry, look at me."
Tilting his head up and pulling a sleeping Albus closer, Harry looked into the brown eyes of his best friend. "Hermione," he whispered. "You're here."
"Of course I'm here," she said, crossing her arms. "Where else would I be?"
Harry didn't bother answering. He turned his head away and buried his face into his son's hair. He made sure one hand was still in contact with James who was asleep on the seats next to him. "It was just a quick shopping trip," he mumbled into his son's hair. "It was meant to be easy."
"Oh, Harry." Hermione threw her arms around Harry, but he barely noticed.
Harry let a few tears leak out of his eyes, thankful that Albus was a deep sleeper and didn't notice the liquid dampening his head. "What happens if I lose them, Hermione?"
Hermione opened her mouth to answer, but she was interrupted by the healer entering.
"Mr. Potter?"
Harry snapped his head up and stood. With gentle movements, he handed Albus to Hermione and approached the healer. "Yes? Are they okay?"
"Your wife is out of surgery; would you like to see her?"
Harry hesitated and turned to lock eyes with his best friend. When she nodded Harry was able to move forward knowing his boys were safe. "What about the baby?" Harry asked as they walked down the hall.
The healer tilted his head to look at him before turning his head forwards again. "Oh, my, I'm sorry. Did I not mention earlier?" When Harry shook his head and leaned forward expectantly, the man continued.
"Your little girl is in a stable condition, but she is being monitored closely. The damaged your wife's womb experienced placed the baby in a state of shock. As she was being removed, the shock was starting to affect her systems. Thankfully we were able to stabilise her condition, but she will need to stay admitted for a while."
Harry was grateful when the healer paused for breath. He not only almost lost his wife, but his child as well. Harry took a deep breath and then another. He couldn't help smiling, though. They were both going to be okay. I have a little girl.
"Here we are," the healer said, interrupted Harry's thoughts.
Harry went to push the door open, but he turned to face the healer before entering. "She's okay, right? No complications?"
The healer smiled. "No complications, but she is going to be sore for a few days. She will also need to stay in the hospital for a few days to heal, but hopefully, by the time your wife is ready to leave, so will your daughter."
Harry finally let the wide smile appear on his face. He was practically jumping for joy. Hours ago he'd thought he'd lost everything, but now he was the father of a little girl, and his wife was just behind the door.
"Harry? Is that you hovering?"
Pushing open the door, Harry went to his wife. It may not have been the perfect birth, but it was no less memorable.
(w.c 820)
WolfWinks-xx-
