When Evil Returns
This is a little re-post of the chapter now that author alert is working again. Also please go and check out the other fic I posted called Mon loup-garou. It is an NC-17 side story about Remus and Luna and the week they shared after Hunter's attack on Remus and Sirius. You can find it at
This is going to be the final chapter of When Evil Returns. In the next few weeks a new part of this epic will be born. It takes place a few years (2 or 3) in the future and will explain some things that happen in this chapter. Thanks you Amy (w&m_law) for listening to me BITCH about this chapter and giving me the courage to not just dump the whole thing. She is wonderful.
If you want to re-read Draco's Secret or any of my stories while ff.net is down, they can all be found in the files section of this group.
And now, here it is the long awaited….
When Evil Returns….
Chapter Seventeen: Having my Baby…….
After they all came in from the snowball fight, they dried off, celebrating late into the night. Some of the older children were allowed to stay up as late being it was a Friday night and such a happy occasion was being celebrated. Hunter, Sirius and Remus would be staying the rest of the weekend before going back to Hogwarts on Sunday afternoon, thus making sure they would be back in plenty of time for Monday morning classes.
As the adults talked and laughed, the children who stayed up amused themselves by playing parlor games. Hunter and Melina had suddenly become best friends since the night of the transformation a month ago and were sitting quietly playing wizard chess, talking in low whispers, giggling about their cunning victory in the snowball attack. Sirius walked over and overheard them.
"So you two think you are clever, do you?" Sirius asked as he looked at the chessboard. "You think you can take on the adults again and win?"
Hunter looked up at his father, eyes twinkling with mischief. "I know we can win, any place, any time," he said sniggering as he looked across to Melina who was trying desperately to stifle the giggle that was threatening to erupt.
"Aahhhh, and is that a challenge, my boy?" Sirius inquired happily, looking down at his son, pride swelling in his chest.
"Yep," Hunter and Melina laughed in unison as they burst into uncontrollable giggles upon seeing the look on Sirius' face.
"You two actually think you can beat us, don't you?" Sirius laughed as he called to Charlie who was standing talking to Remus, Draco, Harry and Ron. "Oi, these two think their little group can beat us again in a snowball fight. I think we have been challenged, gentlemen."
"They can, and the ladies are going to help them," shouted Ginny, who had come to Hunter's and Melina's defense.
"Oh you are?" laughed Harry, coming over and draping his arm around his wife. "Bunch of bloody traitors I think."
"No, Harry, if our woman want to desert us then so be it. We can still beat them and this couple of rotten kids," Sirius chuckled, winking at his godson.
Harry grinned, knowing instantly that, Sirius being Sirius, had to have something up his sleeve.
"You pick the time and place and we will be there to beat you soundly yet again, scar face," added Hermione jokingly as she joined the conversation.
"This afternoon, Granger. Out front and come prepared to suffer," Harry instructed teasingly, leaning over kissing Hermione on the cheek.
"Do you think it a good idea for you ladies to be having snowball fights in your conditions?" asked Draco concernedly as he rubbed Hermione's rounding tummy protectively.
"Oh I see how it is," chimed Anna, "just because you guys got all of us pregnant, we are unable to participate in more than one snowball fight? I can think of something more strenuous, do you want us to stop that too?" she finished with a mischievous gleam in her eyes.
"Well… no," stumbled Draco as he looked to Hermione for support.
"Don't look at me lover, you are the one that just put your foot in your mouth," Hermione laughed as she scanned the group seeing five of the six women in the family that were expecting standing and tapping their feet.
Hermione, Ginny, Lavender, who was home with Vincent, and Patricia, Ron's wife had all discovered at breakfast one morning four months ago, that they were all pregnant when the smell of breakfast had made them all make a mad dash for various bathrooms. Today they stood united, these strong women, ready to join forces against a bunch of over egotistical men. They were going to destroy them in this snowball fight, no matter what it took; they vowed to win.
"So let me get this straight," quizzed Charlie, looking at his grinning wife, "You and the ladies are joining these two and you actually think you have a chance against this group of wonderfully sexy men?" he asked smiling broadly.
"That's right my love, we are going to beat you and your band of yummy men," laughed Anna as she hugged Charlie.
"Well, I think there should be a penalty to the loser," added Ron, "makes it more interesting."
"Really…what kind of penalty?" Patricia asked Ron with mounting interest.
"Something like…when the men win, you serve us breakfast in bed for a week. Anything we want," Ron laughed as he saw the look on his sister's face.
"And when the women win, we want the same thing plus Sirius and Remus have to announce to the whole of Hogwarts that they were bested by a bunch of women and children. Deal?" asked Hermione as she looked around the room at a bunch of very smug men. They have something planned, she thought. Well we will just see about this.
"You have a deal," agreed Remus, "One o'clock good for you?"
"Perfect, we will see you on the battlefield," replied Ginny. "Ladies, I think we should go and make up the menu we want served after we win. Gentlemen, we will see you at one." They laughed as they left the room, Hunter and Melina following in their wake, whispering conspiratorially, looking back at the gaping men, giggling as they left, leaving the men behind to plot their strategy for the battle ahead.
At one o'clock, Remus, Sirius, Harry, Ron, Charlie, and Draco met the challenging team out in front of the manor. Hunter, Melina, Hermione, Patricia, Ginny, Anna, Narcissa and Luna were already there and waiting.
"Rules?" inquired Draco.
"There are no bloody rules," laughed Ginny as she threw the first snowball, hitting Harry right in the face.
"Aaagghhh, you asked for it Red," he laughed as he threw one back at her.
Ginny ducked out of the way, just in time. Suddenly there were snowballs flying from every direction.
As they ducked behind their various snowdrifts, a barrage of snowballs came hurling through the air at Hunter and company.
"Hey, they are cheating," complained Patricia as she threw a couple of snowballs in retaliation.
"And we aren't?" laughed Hermione as she waved her wand over the pile of snowballs in front of them.
"Hermione, you are an evil witch," giggled Narcissa. "And I am proud to call you family," she teased, waving her wand and tripling the amount of snowballs to the pile.
"Now remind me when the effect of our snowballs will start to show?" sniggered Ginny.
"It will show up by supper on Sunday and will last until sometime Tuesday morning, the best part being there is no counter charm to reverse it. I only wish I could be there to see it," laughed Hermione. "I guess it is a consolation that we will get to see the ones here. Hunter, we will have to rely on you for a full account of their reactions. It will be priceless."
The war raged on for hours, everyone becoming soaked to the skin. At dusk when the women showed no sign of tiring or slowing down, the men raised a white handkerchief is surrender.
"We give up," they cried in unison.
"Are you sure?" inquired Narcissa from their side of the snowdrift. "You aren't trying to trick us are you?"
"No, you win, can we please go inside now?" demanded Harry, trying to keep the shivering out of his voice. "We're freezing!"
"I guess they should have conjured one of these bluebell flames like we did to keep warm," whispered Hermione triumphantly.
"WooHoo! We won," yelled Hunter excitedly as he grabbed Melina, kissing her on the cheek. "You were fantastic."
When he realized what he had done, he blushed, his whole face turning red. Melina giggled and said quietly as she blushed herself, "You were too."
"Thanks," he replied shyly as they trudged up to the Manor.
Once inside, Hunter turned to his father and smiling broadly asked, "Since all the ladies get breakfast in bed here, what do I get at school? I don't really want to be served breakfast, Dad."
"And I think it should be something extra special Sirius, your son has been through a lot lately," added Narcissa. Clapping her hands in glee she exclaimed, "I know, how about we buy you that owl that you have been wanting. You can stop off in Diagon Alley on your way back to school tomorrow and get one. What do you think?" she questioned as Hunter stood there staring excitedly at his Mother.
"You mean it? Really?" he asked excitedly.
"Yes son, I believe that you have earned your owl," Sirius replied, receiving a big hug from Hunter.
~~*~~
Later that evening, Hunter was waiting for Sirius to join him in a game of chess when Basil, one of Percy's sons came strolling up.
"Hunter, where's your girlfriend?" he asked teasingly.
"I don't have a girlfriend," stated Hunter firmly.
"Hunter and Melina sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g," he sang merrily.
"She's not my bloody girlfriend so shut it," Hunter yelled at Basil furiously.
"Oh yes she is, I saw you kissing her this afternoon," he announced smugly.
Hunter stood abruptly, knocking over the chess set. "I told you to shut up!"
"Are you going to marry her Hunter? I bet she would. You know she loves you, you are all she ever talks about," Basil kept taunting as he made kissing noises.
"That's enough Basil," came Sirius' firm voice as he entered the room.
"Well it's true," laughed Basil as he got in the last word before walking away laughing.
"I can't stand that stupid git. He is so annoying," exclaimed Hunter, picking up the chess pieces, placing them back on the board as they grumbled.
"When did you kiss Melina?" Sirius asked with curiously.
"Oh Dad, it was a victory kiss on the cheek, it didn't mean anything, she is a sweet little girl and we had just won. It's not like I am going to marry her or anything like that," Hunter said exasperatedly.
"Hunter, quit being so defensive. I don't care that you kissed your friend. She is very nice," Sirius stated with a smile. "Are you ready to lose in chess?"
"Yeah right! If I can beat you in a snowball fight, I can beat you in chess. I'm white pieces," laughed Hunter as he made his first move.
Melina was about to walk into the room when she heard Hunter. Just a little girl and the kiss meant nothing. Hunter's words echoed in Melina's head repeatedly as she ran to her room. Devastated, she shut her door, throwing herself on her bed and bursting into tears.
After Sirius and Hunter had finished their fourth game of chess, Anna and Charlie walked into the room.
"So," said Sirius with a smile, "How is the newest witch in the family?"
"Tired," replied Anna as she sank down onto the sofa, followed by Charlie.
"We are going next week to get her wand. Hermione said she would be more than happy to teach her everything she needs to know about being a witch," Charlie said as he patted Anna's leg lovingly.
"Well if anyone can teach her it would be Hermione. She was top of her class at Hogwarts every year she was there," stated Sirius as he started putting away the chessboard.
"Hunter, are you feeling all right?" asked Anna, noticing his still flushed cheeks from his encounter with Basil.
"Yeah, I am just really tired. I think I will head to bed. Would you please tell Melina I said goodnight, we were supposed to play a few games," informed Hunter.
"Sure will, have a good sleep. Goodnight," Anna smiled as Hunter hugged Sirius before heading off to bed.
Once Hunter was out of earshot, Anna said to Sirius, "He is one special young man."
"Yep and all though he won't admit it, he has a very soft spot in his heart for your daughter," Sirius added, shaking his head in amusement.
"Don't we know," laughed Charlie as Anna laid her head on his shoulder, quietly gazing into the fire.
"It was that soft spot that Melina has for Hunter that almost got her killed," Charlie whispered flatly to Anna after Sirius had left the room.
Anna patted Charlie on the leg reassuringly, "She's fine Dad, trust her."
~~*~~
"Is Melina still asleep? I wanted to say goodbye before we left," Hunter asked Anna at breakfast the next morning.
"No, I saw her a little while ago on her bed reading. I asked if she was coming down but she said no she wasn't hungry," explained Anna.
"Do you think it would be all right if I went up to say good bye?" he asked shyly.
"Oh course it would. I'm sure she wouldn't want to miss your leaving."
When Hunter reached Melina's door, he found it closed. Knocking he called her name.
"Melina? It's me Hunter, may I come in?" Hunter asked leaning his head against the door.
"No go away," was her reply bitterly.
Frowning he asked, "Are you okay?"
"What do you care? I'm nothing but a little girl. Just go back to Hogwarts, to your older friends and leave me alone," she yelled scathingly.
"Melina? What are you talking about?" he asked puzzled.
"Never mind! Just leave me alone. I don't want to talk to you right now," she said as her voice caught in her throat. Hunter was almost certain he heard her crying as he walked away, his head hanging.
When he reached the stairs, he sat, trying to figure out why Melina would talk to him that way.
Fred and Laura's daughter Skye was walking up the stairs when she saw Hunter sitting there looking sad. "So what's the matter with you?" she asked rather coldly.
"I think Melina is mad at me and I don't know why," he explained.
"Just like a guy," she stated flatly.
Hunter looked up at her, confused as to why she was insulting him. "What is that supposed to mean," he asked hotly.
"Well. It seems that you hurt her feelings last night," she informed him facetiously.
"But I didn't see her last night, she never came down."
"Oh yes, she did. She heard what you said about her being a little girl and how the kiss you gave her meant n-o-t-h-i-n-g. You really should watch what you say, you never know who may be listening," Skye finished as she walked away very annoyed at Hunter.
"Great," he said aloud to himself, "Just bloody great."
~~*~~
As Sirius, Remus, and Hunter left for Hogwarts, Sirius noticed Hunter's sad face. "I know you don't want to go back to school but you are getting a really cool owl today, one would think you would be at least a little happy," muttered Sirius as he looked at the frown his son wore.
"It's not that," Hunter told his father, "Melina is mad at me."
"What happened son?" questioned Sirius.
"Well, it seems that my mouth has gotten me into trouble. She overheard our conversation last night, hearing me say she was a little girl and that the kiss I gave her meant nothing. She was crying this morning, now I feel so bad. I would never intentionally hurt her. She is one of my favorite people in the world," Hunter finished sadly.
"Maybe you can send her a letter when you get to school with your new owl. Explain to her just like you did to me and tell her you are sorry. And," Sirius said smiling, "maybe a little gift would cheer her up. What do you think?"
"I can get her a gift?" he asked starting to get excited.
"Yes, pick her out something and send it to her with your owl. Women can never resist a letter of apology and a gift. At least that always helped smooth things over when your Mum is mad at me," Sirius laughed, divulging this prized information with a smile and a pat on his son's back.
~~*~~
When he arrived back at school, Hunter immediately went to his room to pen a letter to Melina.
Melina,
I really hate myself for being such an insufferable git the other night. I was upset with Basil because he had been teasing me when I said those things. I realize now how cruel they were to you. I don't think you are just a little girl. You are one of my most favorite people in the world and I would never do anything to intentionally hurt you. You helped me so much during my time as a wolf and I appreciate it more than you know. I feel closer to you than I do to my twin. You were there when I needed you most and I apologize profusely for being so mean. I hope that you will forgive me. If you are so gracious and do forgive me, I need your help once again. My new owl needs a name and I thought if you had any suggestions I would love to hear them. Please think about it and let me know. Well I need to go now; they are about to serve dinner.
Oh, I also bought you a small gift. I hope you like it; I picked it out special for you.
Your friend
Hunter
Hunter, quite pleased with his letter, attached Melina's gift and told his new tawny owl, "Miss Melina Weasley." As the owl soared out the window, Hunter was filled with anxiety, hoping that when she received his letter and gift she would like it and forgive him.
During dinner, Hunter was talking to Martin, laughing that his sister Kyleigh was as of late, inseparable from Jamie and how Neona and Thaddeus, had been seen discretely holding hands under the table, when Professor McGonagall stood. "May I have your attention please," she asked, as the room became very quiet. "I have some very exciting news. As you know, Professor Lupin has been gone for the last few days and I would like to explain why. You see, thanks to the diligent work of Anna Weasley, who for those who don't know it, she is Thaddeus Weasley's mother, anyway, through her hard work and expertise, she created a cure for lycanthropcy."
As they stood, a murmur rippled across the room. Clearing his throat, Professor Lupin began to speak.
"We," he paused, gesturing to Sirius, "were home for the last few days and during that time Hunter Black and myself, along with another affected with lycanthrope were given a serum and it has worked. We are cured," he explained as more applause erupted from the hall. When the room quieted down again, Sirius stood to talk. "It was our misfortune while at home to be tricked into a snowball fight with my son Hunter and his band of women. We," he stopped indicating Remus before continuing, "and the other men of the house were trounced by said woman and Hunter…" Sirius trailed off because as he was talking, a smattering of giggles started to flutter about the room. Sirius looked to Remus for support to find him also laughing. "What's so funny?" Sirius asked in confusion.
No sooner the words were out, Sirius started to laugh too as he saw what was so funny. Remus Lupin's hair had turned hot pink. Putting his hand to his mouth, Sirius whispered to Remus, "My hair is pink too isn't it?" Remus couldn't say a word, only nod his head as gales of laughter spread throughout the room. As everyone continued to laugh, flashes were seen going off as Thaddeus took pictures, saving this wonderful moment for his mother.
"Thaddeus Weasley," yelled Sirius, looking somewhat angry, "I want one of those pictures for my office."
Thaddeus laughed, walking across the room to the head table. "Do you want one too Professor Lupin?"
"Definitely. But I want one with Hunter too," he smiled, winking at Sirius who nodded his head.
When Hunter came to stand between the two professors, a bucket of water appeared over Hunter's head. As the water started to pour, it was diverted, spilling instead onto Sirius and Remus, drenching them just as Thaddeus took the picture.
Kyleigh looked to Severus, who was sitting at the head table trying to suppress the urge to laugh, gave her a nod of his head and a discrete thumbs up sign.
Over the next few days, Hunter became quite popular because of Sirius' and Remus' pink hair. Everyone thought it was just great and congratulated him on having such a clever mum. Sirius and Remus even joked about it, luckily both enjoying receiving a prank as much as they enjoyed pulling them. By Tuesday at breakfast, their hair was back to normal. When the morning owls came baring their mail, Hunter received his first letter from his owl. Hunter put the letter in his pocket to read later. At lunch, Hunter ate fast then excused himself saying he needed something from his dorm. When he entered the common room, it was empty so he went and sat in an overstuffed chair, taking out the letter to read.
Hunter,
I am sorry for not seeing you off. I understand now what happened and am glad we're still friends. Anyway, I want to thank you for the wonderful gift. Wherever did you find such a beautiful wolf charm necklace? I love it and will wear it always.
I was thinking about your owl's name and came up with a few suggestions. Feathers, wolf, butterscotch, honey, or goldie. If you don't like any of these it's okay. She has to have a perfect name.
You should have seen my Dad, Draco, Harry, and Ron on Sunday evening. It was hilarious. Right in the middle of dinner, their hair turned bright pink. Draco looked especially festive, having that normally white hair; he was actually quite pretty. Please don't ever tell him I said that. Oops! Sorry I smudged that; I started laughing just thinking about it! I am enclosing a photo that my Mum took of them. They were all really good sports about the whole thing. Dad even hung the photo up in his room. What happened with Remus and your Dad? When did they change? I wish I had been there.
Well, I need to get down to breakfast. Thanks again for the great gift, I love it.
Have fun at school and let me know what you name your owl.
Still your friend,
Melina
At the beginning of February, word came that Laura, with Fred's assistance delivered a healthy baby girl, naming her Annelle Weasley. Laura and baby were fine, however, Fred had been handing out joke cigars, concealing some in his artificial leg when one went off nearly taking the limb with it. Laura made him promise that he wouldn't put anything explosive in the secret compartment again but knowing Fred won't listen, she is waiting to see what he will think of next to blow up. That is if their triplets don't beat him to it.
Over the next few months, Ginny's, Hermione's, Lavender's, and Patricia's pregnancies went along well. They knew that they were all due within days of each other so they would need help with the deliveries. Luna came home early from Beaubatons to the small house that she and Remus shared with their children. Since she would no longer be teaching at Beauxbatons in light of her pregnancy, she returned home in early June, ready to help in any way she could. Anna also came back to Malfoy Manor in later May. She and Charlie had sold their house in Romania to a lovely couple and had been invited to live at Malfoy Manor so Anna could be closer to Hermione who was teaching her to be a witch. Charlie also had been commissioned to teach the Care of Magical creature's class at Hogwarts as Hagrid thought that the class needed someone younger to handle the unique creatures.
Life was starting to settle down for everyone as they prepared for the arrivals of all the babies.
June 30th dawned with severe thunderstorms. The rain was tumultuous causing a lot of flooding at the Manor and surrounding areas. Storms were common in England, however these were different. Britain was experiencing the worst weather is had in over 100 years.
When everyone came down for breakfast, Ginny noticed that Lavender was on edge and looking rather strained.
"Lavender, are you alright? You aren't having any pain are you?" asked Ginny, placing a comforting hand on Lavenders shoulder.
"I'm fine, just a little heartburn and tired. I reckon that is because I am upset that Dumbledore would send Vincent on a mission out of the country so close to my due date," she complained exasperatedly.
"Well, he must have had an excellent reason," returned Ginny as she scanned the room, noticing that Hermione didn't look very well.
"I know, it's just they wouldn't even tell me where him and Severus were sent and why."
"I am sure we will know in time. Let me know if you feel anything else okay?"
"Sure, I am going to go up to my room and lie down," Lavender said as she rose from the table.
"If you need me send Trevor and I will come," offered Ginny as she walked over and sat down next to Harry as she kept an eye on Hermione, who was looking a bit nervous. Ginny took her seat next to Harry as the conversation switched to the weather and then eventually quidditch. Ginny watched Hermione closely, noting that every five minutes of so, Hermione would start breathing through her mouth slowly. Ginny got up from her chair, walking over to Hermione. When Ginny reached her, she squatted down next to her and asked quietly, "How long have you been in labor?"
Hermione just smiled and whispered back, "Since early this morning."
"I think we need to get you to the hospital now," Ginny demanded sternly.
"Yeah, I think that may be an excellent idea," replied Hermione as another pain, a stronger pain ripped through her body.
Looking around to Hermione's other side, Ginny got Draco's attention, whispering to him that it was time. Draco turned white as he rose from his chair.
Ginny stopped next to Anna's chair, bending to say something softly to her. Anna immediately got up from her chair, nodding to Luna as both followed them out of the room.
By the time they got to the infirmary, Hermione was in full labor, excruciating pain was tearing through her body.
Labor was long and hard for Hermione this time. Kyleigh and Martin both had been hard labors but relatively short. Draco was an excellent coach, helping her breathe and concentrate. Six hours later, an exhausted Hermione delivered a little boy. Three minutes later as Hermione was delivering her daughter, Ginny's let out a strangled cry as the first hard labor pain hit her.
"Oh this is bloody great," she exclaimed painfully, handing the baby to Luna. "Someone needs to get Harry, my water just broke and this baby isn't going to wait."
"I'll get him," said Anna, handing the baby boy to Draco. As she started to leave the room, Harry came running in ahead of Lavender and Charlie. "Lavender isn't feeling well, she started having pains a few minutes ago," he announced before noticing that his wife was being helped into a bed.
"Ginny are you in labor too?" he asked in a panic.
"Yes and you are going to have to deliver our child. Anna and Luna are busy with Hermione and now Lavender too. I bet this storm has something to do with it," Ginny stated with a laugh.
"I just don't know about that Ginny. I have never done the whole delivery before. What about Charlie?" he asked excitedly as he took her hand in his.
"Don't look at me, I can't deliver my sister's baby! Besides, not wanting to see…well, that," Charlie stammered, a faint blush creeping into his cheeks, "I have to see if I can find Vincent. Lavender is starting to panic that he won't make it though the storm in time to see the baby born. I never knew Lavender could curse in so many ways," Charlie smiled before looking around the room. "Who can I get to help?" Charlie asked them.
"Go to my mother's chambers," suggested Draco, laughing, "I believe she was having a bit of a lie in this morning. Every since Sirius came home you can't keep her out of bed."
"Great, now I have to disturb snogging. Why did Mum have to pick today to go and see Dad?" Charlie muttered, leaving the room on his quest.
"Harry, please you are going to have to deliver this baby. I can help you. This baby isn't going to wait. I need you...please," she cried out as another excruciating pain tore through her body.
"Just hang on for a few minutes until Narcissa gets here," Harry pleaded as Ginny squeezed his hand so tightly he though it was going to break.
"Harry," Ginny growled in a loud, intense voice, as she looked into his eyes, displaying all her fears and pain. "You need to deliver this baby, it isn't going to wait. Do you understand me? You helped make him, you can help deliver him!"
Harry looked at the pain in her eyes, realizing the severity of the situation. Taking a deep breath, he gathered his will power. "Ok, we can do this…" he stated calmly as he switched into super Harry mode. This made Ginny smile, this was the Harry she fell in love with. Within five minutes, Harry had delivered his child, a screaming, pink, little boy named Sebastian, with a tuft of red hair that stuck up everywhere just the way his Dad's did.
Narcissa came running into the infirmary, holding her side. "I'm here Ginny, how…" but she trailed off as she caught a glimpse of Ginny lying on her bed, holding a tiny baby as Harry looked on with the biggest grin on his face.
"Harry, you did this?" asked Narcissa in amazement, reaching out to touch the baby's sweet face.
"Yes I did. Start to finish," he laughed. "If I ever need another Patronis,
"I think I can answer that," chimed in Anna as she walked over to Ginny's bed to admire the baby. "You see, during a storm as bad as the one we have been experiencing, the barometric pressure takes a drastic drop, causing women who are in their last weeks of pregnancy a better chance of going into labor. In the States, if a woman in 38 or 39 weeks into gestation and a hurricane is approaching, the doctors will put them in the hospital, just in case the barometric pressure causes labor. Many babies are born during a storm such as this. It is also a fact that more babies are born on the full moon," Anna finished explaining as she rested a protective hand on her rounding tummy.
"I didn't even think about that," smiled Ginny, cuddling Sabastian to her tenderly.
It was then that Narcissa realized that she was a grandmother again. She walked over to Hermione's bed seeing the new mother was taking a well-deserved nap. Turning, she walked over to where Draco was standing, looking at his new babies in awe. Reaching out he stroked the cheek of his daughter's face, tears in his eyes. Narcissa placed a hand on his back to let him know she was there.
"Mother, Hermione has given me everything. I now have the daughter I have always wanted," he said as he continued to stare at the baby. "Look at her Mother, she's perfect, so is he," Draco sighed as he looked to his little boy.
"You now have two daughters, Son," said Narcissa as she also gazed at the sleeping babies.
"Oh mother, I know that and wouldn't trade Kyleigh for the moon. She is my daughter in every sense but one. I love Kyleigh with all my heart and she is going to be a great older sister. I can't wait for her to see the babies," Draco said quietly, noticing a pained look on his mother's face.
"What's wrong Mother?" he asked frowning, noticing Narcissa had tears in her eyes.
"I believe that Kyleigh heard what you said about your newest daughter. She walked in when you said you have the daughter you have always wanted. She then abruptly left," Narcissa explained sadly.
"Oh gods," Draco swore angrily, "how could I be such an idiot? I have to find her. If Hermione wakes up tell I went to talk to Kyleigh. I hope I can sort this out," he finished, quickly heading out the door.
When Draco reached Kyleigh's room the door was closed. Draco knocked, opening it enough to see her on her bed.
"Sweetness, may I come in?" he asked quietly from the doorway.
"Suit yourself, " replied Kyleigh flatly, not looking up as she stroked her cat Crackers.
"I think we need to talk about what you may have overheard," he continued gently as reached out to touch her hair.
"Don't you think you have said enough?" she spat bitterly, pulling out of reach. "I don't really have a lot to say. Why don't you go back to Mother and your precious new babies?"
Draco uttered flatly, "Kyleigh, look at me." She glanced up, tears streaming down her face and looking hurt beyond reason.
"What you overheard…. I didn't mean it the way it sounded," Draco expressed as his voice faltered, tears of his own threatening.
Kyleigh viciously wiped the tears from her eyes, causing Crackers to hiss and vacate Kyleigh's lap, asking angrily, "Then what did you mean to say, Draco?"
This cut Draco to the quick. Kyleigh had always called him Daddy. He sat down heavily on the bed, tears now visible in his eyes. "Kyleigh, I am so sorry," he sighed as a single tear trickled down his pale face.
Feeling somewhat guilty, Kyleigh continued, regretting the she had said that.
"I have always felt I was your daughter, that is until today. I know you love me, but now that you have your own daughter… All I am to you is Lucius' child. I'm not yours and I will never be able to live that down. But… I don't want him to be my father...I want to be your daughter, not his!" her voice cracked as she buried her face in her hands, sobbing.
Draco reached over, pulling Kyleigh into his arms. "Kyleigh, I have told you before, I am your Daddy," he whispered softly to her, gently stroking her hair.
"I know that, but you can't tell me that there wasn't some kind of truth in that statement you made to Grandma. I'll never be your daughter, no matter how much we wish I were... Nothing will ever change that. You have always wanted a daughter of your own and now you have one. Where does that leave me?" she asked shakily, searching his eyes for some kind of answer as her tears spilled again.
"Kyleigh, I would give anything to take that statement back. You didn't stay long enough to hear the rest of the conversation. If you don't believe me ask Grandma. There is nothing in this world I want more right at this moment then for you to be my blood daughter. You aren't and I can't change it. I am so very sorry for hurting you and making you so sad. This should be a happy day for you and I have ruined it. I am sorry," he said apologetically, wiping a stray tear from her face.
"Oh Daddy, I know you think I am being silly. And I realize I am being horrible for thinking this. I know you love me, but I can't help but be afraid that you won't love me as much now that you have another little girl to love," she confessed sadly.
"Sweetness, no one will ever take your place in my heart. I won't love you any less because of your sister. What we have is so very special. Nothing between us is going to change. However," Draco paused, wiping more tears from her face, "your little sister is going to need a lot of help, help only a big sister can give her. She will need training from a powerful witch and I was hoping that you could help guide her to be the best witch she can be. There is a part of you in her too. She needs you. And... she needs a name," Draco drawled, smiling down at his eldest daughter. "Your mother and I were hoping that you would help name the twins. With all the kids around, we've run out of ideas," Draco explained, finally seeing a spark of excitement coming from Kyleigh.
"You want me to help name them?" Kyleigh asked eagerly, smiling through her tears.
"Yes, both of the newest members of the family need names and we're stumped. Do you have any suggestions?" Draco inquired, happy that Kyleigh looked so interested.
"Well, I have always liked the names Aiden and Arianna," she relayed quietly.
"Oh Kyleigh, they are perfect names. Aiden Malfoy, I like that," he said as he tested the name aloud. "And Arianna Malfoy, it's like music. I think your mother will be pleased. Would you like to go and see your new brother and sister now?" he asked, his arms still wrapped protectively around her.
"Can we just sit here for a little while, Daddy? I don't wish to share you just yet," she pleaded, looking at him with those big brown eyes that reminded Draco so much of Hermione.
Laughing, Draco sat back against her headboard, Kyleigh wrapped securely in his arms, enjoying the knowledge that she still considered him Daddy.
By the time Kyleigh and Draco made their way back to the hospital wing. Patricia and Ron had another daughter. Payton Weasley made her way into the world shortly after Harry delivered Sabastian. Ron had survived relatively unscathed, though Patricia very loudly declared that this would be their last foray into parenthood.
Lavender was still hanging on, refusing to deliver until Vincent got there. Suddenly in a flurry of raindrops, Vincent came running into the infirmary, drenched to the skin but there nonetheless.
"Vincent," screamed Lavender, as a powerful pain subsided, "Get your arse over here so I can have this baby!"
Vincent had arrived just in time, for a scant fifteen minutes later, Hannah Rose Inkinsoot made her debut, screaming loudly as her proud father hit the floor.