The Project Chapter 9-Keep Breathing-

Previously-

Rose breathed hard. She had never felt pain like this before. Something did not feel right...and she knew it.

Present-

Madame Pomfrey bustled around Rose, checking how she was progressing, things like that. A strong contraction hit her and she squeezed Scorpius's hand.

"I'm sorry, Scorpius. I don't want to break your hand."
"It's fine, Rosie. You're in alot of pain, I understand."

The worst contraction possiable hit her and Rose cried. Scorpius hated seeing her like this. If he could do anything to stop it, he would. She'd been in labour for just over four hours now, and she just wanted it all to end. Madame Pomfrey placed her wand on Rose's stomach.

"Oh, dear..."
"What?"
"Miss Weasley, I'm going to have to call for a Healer. I'll be back in a moment." She scurried out of the room.
"Healer? S-scorpius! what's wrong?"
"I don't know. You'll be fine. I promise." He kissed her forehead, hoping what he just said was true.

A moment later, Madame Pomfrey arrived back into the room accomponied by two Healers.

"Hello, Rose. I'm Healer Anderson, this is my collague, Healer Cane. We're just going to check a few things." He placed his wand on her stomach. After a few moments of discussion, Healer Anderson spoke up.

"Rose, it seems that the cord is wrapped around the baby's neck. We will have to do a C-Section."
"A what?" Scorpius exclaimed.
"A C-section. We'll have to cut into the lower part of her stomach in order to safley deliver the baby."
"What?"
"Prepare her for surgery." Healer Anderson called.
"Scorpius! Stay with me, please." Rose cried.
"I will." He kissed her hand.
"We'll have to ask you to leave, sir." Healer Cane started pushing him towards the door.
"No!"
"Scorpius!"
"Mr. Malfoy!" Madame Pomfrey dragged him out of the room. "I will be with her the entire time. I am not leaving her side. She will be fine."
"But-"
"I'll be by her side. She won't feel a thing." She walked back into the room. As the door closed, his last glimpse was of Rose. She had on what looked like a clear oxygen mask, and a screen was being put up. She looked at him, a tear sliding down her cheek, as the door clicked shut.

Scorpius sank down against the wall, where he was now crying. He wanted to be beside Rose, holding her hand. But...he couldn't...

Almost an hour later, Scorpius decided that it was best to send Rose's parents a Patronus informing them of what was happening. A beautiful wolf in the form of a Patronus appeared. He gave it the message, then it ran off. Scorpius tilted his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. How much longer? That he didn't know...

"Mr. Malfoy?" Scorpius stood up quickly at the sound of his name. Madame Pomfrey stood in the doorway. She heald a baby wrapped in a pink blanket.

Pink...

He and Rose had a daughter. She looked just like Rose. Small, ginger tufts of hair topped the baby's head. Madame Pomfrey handed the baby to him. Scorpius just stared at his little girl with love in his eyes.

"She's perfectly healthy."She told him
"How's Rose?" He asked after a moment.
"She's sleeping. She should be up soon. We'll leave you for a few moments." Madame Pomfrey and the two Healers walked out of the room, closing the door behind them. Leaving Rose, Scorpius, and the baby to themselves.

Scorpius conjured up a chair and sat beside Rose's sleeping form. He looked down at their baby girl as she subconsiously grabbed his finger in her hand. He smiled.

"Hi, sweetie." She ywaned as he spoke. "Tired? Daddy is, too. God, you're beautiful."
"She really is." He looked up and saw Rose wide awake. "Hi. She kissed him.
"Here, hold her." Scorpius passed Rose the baby, rocking her as she whimpered a bit.
"I can't believe how small she is." Scorpius said.
"I can't believe it's possiable to fall in love with someone this tiny. Because I just did." Rose smiled sweetly.

"How are you feeling?"
"Alright."
"How did it feel? Going through all that?"
"The last thing I remember is Madame Pomfrey telling me I would be alright. That I wouldn't feel a thing, and that you were just outside the door incase anything happened. After that...well, I only remembered hearing scattered voices. The prepping me, saying...spells, maybe? I didn't feel anything. But I knew when it was over. It was when I heard her crying." Rose kissed the baby's head.
"I'm glad you're both alright." Scorpius smiled.

A sudden knock came from the door.
"Sorry to inturrupt." Madame Pomfrey walked in. "But I would just like to give you a few heads-ups. First off, Miss Weasley, you will have to be on bed rest for the next few days. You two will also be getting very little sleep for the time being, so I do suggest you take shifts. But it's all up to you. Other than that, you don't need much else. You can read this pamphlet if you need." She handed them the folded up parchment and left.

"You know," Rose said about a half an hour later. "we still need to pick a name for her."
"Really? I thought she came with a name tag."
"Very funny."
"I think that we should wait until she opens her eyes to find a name that fits her." Scorpius said.
"It doesn't look like we'll have to wait much longer." She pointed out. The baby's eyes fluttered open, reavealing big, grey orbs. They stared up at Rose and Scorpius with great curiosity. They smiled at their baby girl.

"Claire."
"What?" Rose looked up at Scorpius.
"Claire. For her name. I think it suits her."
"It does. Claire. It's perfect." Scorpius kissed Rose's forehead.

He then got up realizing the owl that was tapping the window for entry.

"Who's it from?" Rose cuddled Claire closer to her.
"McGonagall." He handed her the letter.

It read-

Dear Miss Weasley,
Madame Pomfrey has informed me of what had happened during the delivery of your daughter early this afternoon. We haven't a clue as to what has triggered this to happen, however, I do have a theory. Sometimes, when brewing the potion used, it could lead to mishaps if the instructions are not read correctly. For instance, if a potion says to stir counter-clockwise three times, someone could mistake it and stir clockwise.
Tomorrow, we are going to have our monthly meeting, but I would like it for you to stay and rest. Mainly, we will be digussing what is to be expected. Feeding and sleeping times, handling the school schedule, and other events.
You will be alternating days on who takes care of the baby and who attends their classes. (We have rearranged your schedules so that you don't miss lessons, as they do move on.) Also, please note that you will both be off for the next week to get used to the schedule. Please rest and congradulations.

Signed,
Headmistress McGonagall

Rose folded up the letter and set it aside. "Well, at least now we know what to expect."
"I guess so." Rose watched as Scorpius stared at Claire as she looked around the room. Their daughter's eyes seemed to pull you in. She smiled and kissed him.

"What was that for," Scorpius asked once they pulled away.
"No reason. Just...felt like it." Scorpius smiled as Rose laughed.

(A/N: Raise your hand if you're happy I FINALLY posted this chapter! I know I am! It's about freaking time and I was growing impatient with myself. I just wanna warn you all that I procrastonate...alot...Oh well! As always if you have questions, please ask! I'm all ears! Please review!

-Potterwise xx