UNTIL I FIND A BETTER PART OF ME
Chapter Thirty Six
"It's too dangerous to apparate."
"How about floo?" George piped in. "Floo to our place in Diagon Alley and take the passageway leading to London?"
Bill nodded his head. "That could work-"
"If you were planning to have a baby on the streets of Diagon Alley or London," Hermione interrupted grimly. "She's too far along. Why didn't you tell anyone you were having contractions?"
Fleur blushed. "There was so much going on. Molly and Arthur had an announcement. I-I didn't want to spoil anything."
"Fleur," Bill said in a sigh.
"I kept having false alarms," she gasped. "I-I just thought this would be another one." She looked over at Hermione and hope sparked in her eyes. "But-But I'm in good hands. You're a healer. You can deliver this baby."
The conversation of hours before drifted into Charlie's mind. He remembered the look of shock wash over Hermione's face then apprehension. She looked as if she was about to protest until Fleur let out a cry and keeled over. If it hadn't been for Bill over supporting his wife's weight, she would've fallen to the ground. Charlie had watched his fiancée's face change to determination and nod her head. From there, she took control of the situation.
It was something that he thought he'd never have to witness. It seemed to be an entire family affair – birthing Fleur and Bill's first child. The absolute chaos and panic that overtook the family was in full swing as Hermione barked out orders. None argued. They just obeyed. When it happened, Hermione had Olivia assist her through the entire process.
Yes, call him a coward, he had left Bill alone with Fleur, Hermione, Olivia, and his mum. He had joined his dad, George, Ron, Ginny, Katie, Percy, and Penelope out in the living. It wasn't that he couldn't stomach it. He probably could, but it was more of knowing he was absolutely helpless. There was nothing he could do while his sister-in-law gave birth to the next generation. It was almost like he was invading a very personal moment. So he had stepped away from the open doorway of the room Molly had ushered Fleur into and walked back downstairs.
The moment they heard a baby cry out, Charlie exchanged looks with George. He glanced over at his dad and his heart clenched. There were tears in his eyes, but he was wearing a content smile. It wasn't until awhile later that they heard footsteps creaking on the staircase. Instinctively, his eyes glanced over and what he saw took his breath away. It had been completely unexpected – the feeling that accompanied what he saw.
Hermione standing there, holding a baby in her arms.
It was strange, because Hermione had always mentioned that she didn't want children. However, when she was standing there just cradling the child in her arms. It seemed so natural for her to have one in her arms. It was so contradictory that he couldn't take his eyes of his fiancée. Even when Hermione announced the newest arrival to the family, he still couldn't seem to move when everyone else seemed to flock towards her to welcome the newest addition to the family.
It was only when he felt a hand clutching his shoulder that he turned and looked over at his dad. There was now a knowing look in those eyes. His dad didn't even say a word just gave his shoulder a squeeze before he took his turn to walk over to Hermione. Charlie watched as Hermione looked up at his dad smiling as she passed the baby off to him. Why did that just seem so bloody right?
"Is Fleur okay?" Ginny asked, looking up the stairs.
Molly walked downstairs with bundles of dirty sheets. "She's resting right now. Fully expect her to fall asleep soon."
Olivia followed Molly as well with her own bundle. Charlie watched Hermione catch Olivia's arm as she made to pass her and lean in closely to whisper something to her. A bright smile crossed Olivia's blushing face as she nodded her head. He glanced over Ron and they both exchanged looks. He was starting to wonder if Hermione and Olivia were forming a friendship beyond polite formality.
When Molly and Olivia went into the kitchen, Charlie looked up to see Bill coming down the stairs. Arthur gently placed the baby in Bill's arms, who was more than ready to hold his daughter. Even under the hum of congratulation, Bill had only eyes for her. Charlie couldn't help but smile at the father and daughter moment as the baby reached up and grabbed a handful of shirt. He watched the baby fall asleep and Bill just waited patiently. He bounced about, cradling his daughter to his body. His family huddled around him, witnessing the special moment.
"Did you and Fleur decide upon a name?" George asked, clapping a hand on Bill's shoulder.
Bill nodded. "Victoire. Her name is Victoire."
Charlie watched his older brother break into a huge proud smile. A few tears escaped from the corner of Bill's eyes while he watched his daughter sleep in his arms. He looked finally over at Hermione and Olivia.
"It'll be fine, right? To wait until Fleur wakes up?"
"Yes." Hermione responded. Olivia nodded in agreement. "Olivia and I did a scan. Your daughter is perfectly healthy. I just think as a precautionary measure, both Fleur and Victoire should be checked out by Poppy. I already sent her an owl. She's expecting you tomorrow. She'll be able to help Fleur transition more and give her something for her symptoms."
"Thank you. I'll be sure to thank her for taking us in."
Bill decided to back upstairs with Victoire to check on Fleur with Molly accompanying him. Soon, Percy and Penelope had to leave. George, Katie, Ron, and Olivia were heading out, but not before agreeing to help Harry to completely finish Ginny and his chambers at Hogwarts tomorrow. With everyone leaving, Ginny finally had the couch to herself and she swung her legs unto it, letting herself get comfortable. Harry looked at her in concern.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, causing Hermione to focus her attention on Ginny.
"Exhausted," she admitted. "Glad we're staying for the night." She looked at Hermione. "Are you and Charlie leaving tonight?"
"No, we're staying."
Charlie eyed Hermione as she glanced over at him.
We have to, Hermione told him. I promised Bill and your mum. I mean… you don't have to stay if you don't want to. I have to stay though.
He nodded in understanding. That's fine. I'll stay. It's been a long night.
Hermione gave him a grateful smile. He sighed, leaning over and giving her a kiss on her cheek. When Hermione got in conversation with Harry and Ginny, Charlie excused himself, needing to get some air. This entire had been incredibly long… and so much had bloody happened! It was almost ridiculous with how much had transpired. There was still so much left unanswered.
After Fleur had gone into labor, everybody seemed to forget the announcement his mum and dad sprung. He didn't know how he felt about it. How was he supposed to feel about it? He was certainly not a child anymore. It wasn't like he resided at the Burrow anymore, but that slow heartbreak seemed to grip him finally as he stood alone outside. He barely noticed that he wasn't alone until Bill spoke, pulling him out of his thoughts.
"Stars are out tonight."
Charlie smirked, glancing at his brother. "Good day to be born."
"I wasn't expecting that this was how tonight was going to go," Bill told him as he passed him a butterbeer. "One thing after a one thing. Fleur giving birth to our first child. Ron bringing his new girlfriend and George too… Mum and Dad's huge announcement."
"Ah, so I'm not the only one that remembered that, huh?"
Bill shook his head. "I get it. I understand why Mum and Dad are moving, but it still doesn't feel right, does it?"
"No, it doesn't, but what can you do?" Charlie took a swig of his butterbeer before continuing. "It's not like either one of us are willing to take it."
"True… It's just going to feel a bit strange for the holidays after Mum and Dad move out of the Burrow."
"We'll all work something out."
Bill lifted his arm to check his watch. "It is now officially a new day."
"Bloody finally," Charlie muttered. He raised his bottle to Bill. "Let's toast to your new family and family happiness."
His brother chuckled, clinking his own bottle to Charlie's. "Let's toast to family and happiness in general."
"I'll drink to that."
Charlie gave nod as both he and his brother took a gulp together of their butterbeer. He glanced at his brother and paused for a moment. It was strange. He was young by a few years, but that didn't stop Bill and him from being close at all. In Hogwarts, they had their own groups of friends, but they had always made time for each other. Years ago, they stood here as little boys, but they were now grown men celebrating a birth of a daughter and toasting to happiness and family. He was getting married. Bill was already married. He shook his head, feeling himself getting a bit emotional. The Burrow held so many memories that it was tough not to get a bit emotional.
"I'm-I'm certainly going to miss this place," Charlie spoke aloud, glancing about the backyard and up at the Burrow.
Bill nodded slowly as he took his own survey of the land. "Me too, Charlie. Me too."
Hermione had accompanied Bill, Fleur, and Victoire with Charlie, Harry, and Ginny. Arthur asked Bill to update Molly and himself via owl with Poppy's results. Knowing that Ron, George, Olivia, and Katie would already be there at Harry's request, Hermione was happy to see Ron and Olivia standing at the entrance of the Hospital Wing. She drew Ron into a hug and she gave Olivia's arm a squeeze. Charlie and Ron decided to head to the DADA office after both herself and Charlie quickly dressed in fresh clothes.
She approached the small group surrounding Poppy. Surprised that Fleur had managed to make it, Poppy ushered her to lay down in a spare bed. Fleur didn't resist and Bill took a seat next to the bed she was occupying. Olivia was filling Poppy in on the situation. Poppy smiled proudly at Hermione as she joined the group.
"I see that you were good hands," Poppy remarked.
Fleur smiled, looking from Hermione and Olivia. "These two ladies and Molly made the experience tolerable."
"I'm glad to hear that. I'll be right back. Hermione and I will grab you some medication to take back with you," Poppy told Fleur. She turned to Hermione and nodded her head to the back area of the Hospital Wing. "I already checked her vitals as well as Victoire's," Poppy filled Hermione in as they walked into the office. "Your new assistant seems like a gifted lady."
"Oh, Olivia?" Hermione questioned and Poppy nodded as she passed Hermione some vials. "Yes, she's Ron's new girlfriend and has aspirations for the healer field." She paused for a moment before she decided to pitch the idea to Poppy. "She helped me a lot last night. She really is gifted and natural. I think she'd make a good candidate for the apprentice program."
Poppy eyed Hermione for a moment. "You recommend her?"
For a moment, Hermione kept silent before she nodded. "Yes, I do. She's driven."
"I am looking for a second apprentice," Poppy told her. "If you really think that she would be a good asset, I would like you to clue her in and see if she would be interested."
Excitement sparked through Hermione at the news. Olivia would be thrilled at that! Although she didn't quite known Ron's new girlfriend much, she knew what type of person she was just by how she helped her last night. She loved that Olivia was focused as well and definitely believed Olivia would be a great asset to Hogwarts.
"I can see if she would be up to it."
With that, both Hermione and Poppy left the back office to give Fleur the first doses of her medication. Poppy required Fleur to stay until the second round of treatment. Fleur and Bill agreed to the request. Poppy had ushered Hermione, Bill, and Olivia to get some breakfast. Minerva had started a brunch time meal in the Great Hall to cover late breakfast and lunch for the professors living at Hogwarts and the regular supper time. Bill only agreed to get something to eat at Fleur's request for food to be brought back as well for her.
It was only Olivia and Hermione left when Bill promptly gathered two plats full of food then started the trek back to the Hospital Wing. Hermione smiled at Olivia's expression when her eyes scanned the Great Hall. It reminded Hermione of when she first got to Hogwarts – the surprise, excitement, and wonder.
"I take it that you didn't attend school at Hogwarts."
Olivia flushed, shaking her head. "Mum was a bit paranoid with the war. She had my brothers and I privately schooled."
"Ah, like home schooled?"
"Yes," Olivia said. "I was so excited when I got my Hogwarts letter, but Mum insisted… and I was just a child. I feel like I missed out on a lot. What-What was it like?"
Hermione chuckled. "Well, Harry, Ron, and I… we all had to grow up fast unfortunately, but Hogwarts… Hogwarts is like my second home," she told her with a sigh. "We have a lot of memories here – good and bad."
Olivia nodded. "Ron started telling me all the stories."
"Mm, maybe it's time to have your own." Hermione watched Olivia frown at her statement.
"What do you mean?"
"Poppy thinks you are very talented and so do I." Hermione paused, watching the continued confusion cloud Olivia's face. She patted her hand. "Meaning… Poppy is offering you to start as an apprentice now." The confusion turned into shock as Olivia's eyes widened at piece of news. "That is, of course, if you're interested."
Tears started to fill Olivia's eyes. "Are-Are you serious?"
"You were a huge help to me last night. You more than proved that you are on the right path. Poppy can see gifted healers right away. Call it intuition."
Before she knew what was happening, Olivia engulfed her in tight hug. Hermione sat there frozen in shock, but she then returned it. She smiled, knowing Olivia was definitely somebody she wanted to get to know. Ron had chosen well. This girl clearly was grateful for the opportunities that were presented and humbled by them.
"We should eat," Hermione told her, patting her back. "I need to update Poppy and I'm certain you two will need to talk."
Olivia nodded as she refocused on the dishes of food now surrounding them. She quickly scooped food on her own. Hermione followed suit. They got along very well – Olivia and herself. She hadn't doubted it, but it was nice and welcoming fact that it was true. It was quite easy to talk to her. She filled her in on Charlie and even opened up to her about darker moments with Ron, herself, and Charlie. Olivia admitted that Ron had told her straight out about his behavior and was afraid that Olivia wouldn't date him. She had told him that it was in the past and she was glad he recognized his behavior for what it was.
Hermione never really had many friends that were ladies. Yes, she considered Ginny and Fleur her very close friend, but she also wondered if it had to do with more of being a part of the family. If they weren't all family… would they all really have become friends? Olivia seemed to be somebody she would've been friends without association with Ron.
"You really don't wish to have any children?" Olivia gasped in shock.
Hermione shrugged. "I guess I'm not against it, but I have so many things I wish to accomplish."
"Having children doesn't mean you stop living your life. I was homeschooled, remember? When there is a will, there is always a way. Why can't you go after your ambitions and make a family as well?" Olivia questioned, taking a sip of her pumpkin juice.
She frowned. She never really thought of it that way. She never thought having children was a possibility. She chewed her bottom lip. It didn't matter, because Charlie didn't want children either. She was completely fine with that. However, he was the one that said that if they changed their minds later on that they could negotiate. She was surprised how easy it was to hold Victoire.
As if knowing where her thoughts were taking her, Olivia spoke up. "You seemed like a natural taking care of Victoire."
"As a healer, I hoped I would be able to care for any person – child or adult."
Olivia nodded. "True. Very true." She then shrugged. "I just hope you don't use your career as the reason why you can't have a family or believe that having a family means that you can't have a career. Don't limit yourself."
"I won't, but I'm certain Charlie isn't interested in having children."
She just smiled. "Are you finished as well?"
Hermione glanced down, realizing that she had indeed finished. She just nodded her head and Olivia suggested they head back to the Hospital Wing. She really thought about what Olivia had said about children and having a career. It wasn't like it was impossible, but she didn't know if it was actually what she wanted. She took a deep breath, mulling it over. As she and Olivia walked back into the Hospital Wing, she stopped short in surprise as her eyes came across Charlie cradling Victoire in his arms. A foreign feeling of warmth washed over her at the sight.
She had never really seen Charlie like this… in a fatherly light. It took her breath away as she watched the joy on his face as he bounced Victoire and danced with her. Both Bill and Fleur smiled at the sight. It was rare to see Charlie like that and he hadn't even noticed that she was there. However, Olivia definitely noticed her as Hermione heard her chuckle and her eyes shifted to Olivia.
"Are you really certain Charlie or you don't want children?" Olivia teased. "Judging from how you were just looking at him, I wouldn't just shelf that idea. He looks like a natural too."
She blushed. "Hush you."
That's when Charlie looked up at her. She chewed her bottom lip as she studied his expression and tried not to give herself away. Her heart clenched and she wondered if maybe it could be possible if that is what they wanted. She gave him a small smile and he returned it. She walked over to him and gave him a light peck on the mouth before she grabbed Olivia's wrist to pull her towards Poppy's office.
Poppy was excited that Olivia accepted the offer. Hermione left the two of them to discuss details and specifics. She walked back to the room. The image of Charlie holding Bill and Fleur's daughter continued to haunt her thoughts. She chewed her bottom lip as she quickly wrote a quick note to Cheryl asking about how she deals with having a family when her husband has such a dangerous job. She watched the owl disappear and she sighed. She knew she was getting ahead of herself, but if there was a possibility that children may be in the future, she needed to be prepared with the facts.