(A/N: Well this is the end. The last chapter of An Undying Relationship. Seemed to take a lot longer to put out then I had hoped, but I wasn't exactly so enthusiastic writing this one as my last one. My next story will be a short one that is not exactly a prequel to this one, but more of an account of how Draco and Hermione got together. Then after that I'll start posting the sequel to You'd Never Expect This! By the way, I'll be using the same Graduation format as I did in YNET!)
Beautiful Gradu/Birth Day
The next month passed by fast enough. This year just flew by! Well finally Graduation Day arrived. We were all gathered in the Great Hall waiting to file out to the front lawn to our waiting parents. I looked around the room for my sister. I didn't see her anywhere. I asked her friends, and the ditzes didn't know where she was. How she could hang out with those airhead valley girls I'll never know. Finally Terry Boot told me he saw her going to the bathroom in the hallway. A Ravenclaw with sense!
I went to the bathroom to find Padma leaning over the sink, sweating bullets, and breathing heavily. "Hey! Graduation jitters getting the best of you?" I asked. She shook her head. I noticed she was shaking. "What's wrong Padma?" I started to get nervous.
"I'm fine." She stated halfheartedly and tried to stand up straight, but nearly collapsed with the effort. I rushed to her side.
"Are you all right?" I asked.
"I said I'm fine!" Padma said fiercely. She staggered to stand up again, and succeeded, although she was gripping the sink counter so hard her knuckles were white. Realization suddenly dawned on me.
"You're in labor aren't you?" I asked, but it sounded more like a statement. She shook her head again, and went to walk out the door, but she was holding her stomach. "You are! When did this start? Should you see a doctor?" Questions started pouring out of my mouth. She didn't turn around to face me.
"I'm not going to a doctor now! I'm going to get my Wizarding Diploma, and I don't care if these kids come out as soon as McGonagall is about to give the damn thing to me! I'm becoming a fully fledged witch today!" She said this with such force, I didn't reply for about a minute.
"But, are you going to be all right? I don't think this is healthy at all. For you or the twins." I said. She stood up straight with no problem now and turned around.
"I'll be fine. The contractions are only coming every forty-five minutes. They give out the diplomas in an hour and a half. I'll be out of there and in a hospital right afterward. Don't worry about me." She replied.
"But when did this happen? How long has it been since your water broke?" I asked. I was really concerned.
"It started two and a half hours ago, but please! Don't worry about me. I'll be OK. Now come on. They're going to start lining up soon, and we don't want to lose our place." She said heading for the door again.
"All right, but if you feel one of the heads coming out your vagina, you're going to see a doctor! Even if I have to drag you by one of the kid's umbilical chords!" I said following her. She just waved a hand at me.
Later we filed out the big oak doors outside to a beautiful summer day. All our parents were waiting outside in the specially conjured bleachers on either side of the seats that was set up for us. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep my mind on what's ahead, instead of my pregnant sister in front of me.
After we sat down, and the introductory speeches were made, Dumbledore presented our class's little choral group to sing "Ben" by Michael Jackson. Then Hermione said her valedictorian speech. Finally Dumbledore started to give out the diplomas.
"And now, it is my great honor to present this year's Graduates of Hogwart's their Wizarding Diplomas." Albus Dumbledore announced. "When I announce your name, please walk up to Professor McGonagall to receive your diploma." He paused so that we could get in line along the podium. Padma was in front of me, and Harry was not far behind. "Abbot, Hannah." The blond pig tailed girl walked up to McGonagall and received her diploma.
Professor Dumbledore read off the names slowly so that the families of the recipients could get plenty of photos. I looked for my parents in the bleachers. I found them sitting near the front on the bleachers to the left of the podium. My grandma was there too. Wonderful. My grandma will be there for her great grandkid's birth. I'm sure she'll love to stay for that! I nudged Padma in front of me. "Look. Grandma's here too." I said and pointed to where they were.
Great was all she could say. I noticed now that Padma was shaking again, and breathing heavily. She had beads of sweat on her forehead that was saturating the roots of her hair. "Hey are you all right? Are the contractions coming in faster?" I asked.
"A little faster, but not by much. I'll be fine." She replied. I had a feeling she was lying. Dumbledore was up to the 'Ls' now.
"Just hold out a little longer Padma. He's not that far off from the Ps." After a few seconds I added. "And keep your legs closed." She chuckled feebly at that.
A little while later he finally got up to the Ps. "Patil, Padma!" Dumbledore called out. Padma didn't move.
"That's you, Padma…Padma?" I said looking at the back of her. Suddenly she collapsed to her knees holding her stomach. "Padma! Are they coming now? Oh God! Come on!" I picked her up to support her up and take her to the school, but she held out an arm to stop me.
"No! I'm getting my diploma now! Help me up the podium." She said turning around. Reluctantly, I helped her up the stairs to McGonagall.
"Uhh…Congratulations Graduates!" Professor McGonagall said giving me two diplomas. She looked utterly bewildered. I then hurried Padma up to the school. Madam Pomfrey was chasing after us.
"What's wrong with her?" I heard her call to me.
Well now's as good a time as any to tell her. "She's giving birth!" I yelled back.
"She's pregnant?!" She yelled out in surprise. "Take her to the infirmary immediately! I'll meet you there!" She said.
I chanced a look back and saw the entire assembly with shocked looks on their faces. My parents were running after us, as well as Lavender and Hermione from the other side of the podium. I also caught a look at Blaise at the back of the line. His face was that of surprise and distress, and he ran after us as well. We got into the school and I stopped. "Can you make it up two flights of stairs?" I asked her. Her breathing was heavy and ragged, but she nodded.
I then half supported, half carried her up the two flights of stairs to the hospital wing. I heard Madam Pomfrey running up the stairs behind us muttering something about kids having sex too young these says. I agreed with her. We got to the hospital wing and I kicked the door open. I took Padma to one of the beds and laid her down in it. Less then a minute later Madam Pomfrey came in followed by my parents, Lavender, Hermione, and Blaise. "Move out of the way! I'm sorry, but I can only allow one other person in here while the child is being born. So clear out!" Madam Pomfrey said grabbing a few towels and a basin.
"Well you heard the nurse, now move out of here!" My mum said waving her arms around.
"Wait a minute, I should stay! I'm the father!" Blaise shouted. "Padma, why didn't you tell me you were pregnant? I would have been supportive!"
"So you're the one who knocked her up! I aught to kill you!" My father yelled out and lunged at Blaise. That's when I stepped in between them.
"Will all of you calm down? Can't you see Padma's in pain?" That shut everyone up.
"I…I want everyone out except Parvati. She's the…the only one who's been supporting me throughout this whole thing." Padma said through clenched teeth while Madam Pomfrey attended to her. The rest left the room grudgingly. I moved next to her and took her hand in mine. "Now what?" I asked.
"Well if she had come to me earlier, say when she first found out she was pregnant, we would have planned all this out. As for right now, you have to push Miss Patil. Your cervix has dilated fully, and the baby is ready to come out."
"There's…there's two of them." Padma uttered.
"There's what?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"She means she's having twins." I said.
"And just how did you find this out?" Madam Pomfrey asked us.
"It's a long story. Can we get back to me now?" Padma practically yelled. She was holding my hand in some kind of kung fu death grip, and it really hurt!
"Oh yes, now when I say, push with all your might. Those kids cannot come out by themselves." Madam Pomfrey told her. "Parvati, you can help her by encouraging her to push. Ready?" Padma nodded and bit down on her lower lip.
"Ok now! Push!" Madame Pomfrey shouted. Padma gripped my hand even harder and pushed with all her might. I chimed in now and then, and really helping her along.
While all this was going on, images flashed through my mind. Images of when we were young and going to primary school. How our teachers could hardly tell us apart. Then it skipped ahead to our very first day of Hogwarts. The Sorting Hat placing Padma in Ravenclaw, and putting me in Gryffindor. We were separated for the first time. Next it skipped to me persuading Padma to go to the Yule Ball with Ron, and how both he and Harry pretty much ignored us the entire night. But we certainly had fun with a few Beauxbaton boys anyway. Then it skipped to when Padma told me she was pregnant. Then moved to when I helped her get through some days. But then it moved to places where Padma was there, but I wasn't. Scenes of her going through morning sickness, and fatigue. Then she was curled up in a corner crying silently. Afterward it showed her making her way to that doctor's office in Green Row and the doctor telling her she had twins. She looked shocked and even sadder then before. It finally ended on Padma seeing her water break and going into contractions. And the suffering she went through all during the graduation ceremony.
It was then that I realized that I was seeing what Padma was going through right now. I was feeling was she was feeling through some connection that we had. And then I thought how stupid I was when all I was thinking throughout the entire year was my own feeble problems, when Padma's were so much worse. I resolved right then and there that I would always be there for her, no matter what.
I was snapped out of my reveries by Madame Pomfrey yelling out. "I see one of the heads!" Padma opened her eyes to look and smiled for the first time for many months. Madam Pomfrey got one of them out.
"Do you see Padma? Only one more to go!" I said happily. I didn't feel the pain in my hand anymore. Padma let one more smile flit across her face before shutting her eyes and clenching her teeth with effort again.
Those images started to flash through my mind again. This time more vividly. As if I was really there. And they kept repeating in an endless cycle. I'll never forget that day. Who could after this? It was the most memorable graduation one could go through.
Then Madam Pomfrey saw the second head. "Ok Padma, just a few more big pushes, and you'll be done. Can you do that for me?" I asked her. She nodded.
A few minutes later, Madam Pomfrey got the second baby out. While Madam Pomfrey cleaned them off, Padma let go of my hand and collapsed on the bed thoroughly exhausted. "You did it Padma. You're done. You did great today." I said softly to her.
She opened her eyes and looked at me. "Thank you Parvati. Thanks for everything. I couldn't have gotten through this whole mess without you."
"All right. You've gone through enough for today Miss Patil. I suggest you get some rest now." Madam Pomfrey said cleaning up.
"Don't get I get to see them?" Padma asked.
"You'll see your new boys later after you've had some rest."
"I've had two boys?" Pad asked with a smile on her face.
"Yes, congratulations! But nonetheless, giving birth to two babies is hard work and exhausting for someone of your age. You're body needs to revive." Madam Pomfrey. "Here. Take this. It'll help you fall asleep faster." She said handing Padma a vile with a sleeping drought in it. Padma took it in a few gulps, lay down, and said thank you to me one last time before falling asleep.
I went to the see the two newborns then. It was true, they weren't identical. In fact, one of them was the spitting image of Padma, while the other one had the blond hair of Blaise. "I suppose the others can come in now." I said to Madam Pomfrey. She obliged and let them come in. I sat down on the bed next to Padma's and let them look at the babies. Unfortunately, Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall came in too.
"I believe you have some explaining to do as to how this could have gone on without our knowledge for the entire year." Dumbledore asked me. I didn't have a choice, so we went into Madam Pomfrey's office and I explained everything. From when Padma first told me she was pregnant to seeing those flashbacks in my mind. Dumbledore and McGonagall stayed silent throughout the entire thing, and after a pause, Dumbledore spoke up.
"Padma's little trip to Green Row broke about every school rule ever thought up. Not to mention a few Ministry of Magic Laws as well. But, seeing as how I think the birthing process was punishment enough for Padma, and how she already received her diploma, she's out of our jurisdiction. And I won't press charges to the Ministry of Magic." I looked hopeful at what he said. It seemed we were getting off! "But…" Oh no. "But as for you, I commend you for keeping your word to Padma, and I respect your loyalty, but you should have told us. We have policies at this school should this problem arise." He finished.
"Sorry sir, but I did give my word." I said looking at the floor.
"Very well. You can go now." Dumbledore said with a wave of his hand.
"Thank you professor." I said and left the office. Hermione and Lavender were gone. I assumed they went back outside. My parents were talking to Madam Pomfrey in a corner of the room. Blaise was sitting on a bed next to Padma and watching her with his head resting on his hands. I walked over to him and sat down.
"Why didn't she tell me? Why didn't she tell me she was pregnant? I would have helped her, supported her. And all this time I thought she just didn't like me anymore." He said to me.
"She didn't tell you because she was afraid. She was afraid to tell anybody. I had to tell our parents. She wasn't even going to tell me about it until I forced it out of her. It's not you. Believe that." I told him.
"One of the boys looks just like me. Has my blond hair and everything." He didn't say anything for a few minutes. "What now?" He asked.
"I don't know. Padma will decide when she wakes up." I answered him.
* * *
Blaise and I stayed by her side for the rest of the day. Professor Dumbledore told the rest of the graduation assembly that Padma had been seriously ill and is doing fine now. He also modified their memories so that they didn't hear me shouting Padma was giving birth, or Madam Pomfrey yelling out "she's pregnant." Thank the lord for Dumbledore. He saved Padma a lot of bad judgment. The rest of the class received their diplomas, took pictures, and left the school that night. Normally, there would have been a big party in the Great Hall, but given the circumstances…
Padma woke up around 3:30 in the morning. I was catnapping in the bed next to hers. Blaise was on the other side of the room fast asleep. She started to get up from the bed as silently as she could, but the squeaking noise woke me up. However I didn't make it known that I was up. She walked over to the boy's cribs and saw them for the first time. She looked over each of them for a few minutes taking in every detail. "Beautiful aren't they?" She asked me not turning around. I was surprised she knew I was awake.
"Yes." I answered. "How did you know I was awake?" I asked getting up to stand next to her.
"I saw your eyes open." She said. We didn't say anything for a few minutes.
"So…what are you going to name them?" I asked. She didn't answer right away. I assumed she was thinking about it. Finally she answered.
"How about Thelonious and Thaddeus? I've always liked those names. They sound so eloquent. What do you think?" She said.
"They sound perfect. Which one's which?" I asked. She pointed at the blond haired one.
"He will be Thaddeus, and he will be Thelonious." She replied. Padma then went back to her bed and sat down on it.
"So what about Blaise? What will happen with him?" I asked sitting down next to her on the bed.
"To tell the truth, I like him..." She started.
"But…"
"But I don't want to marry him. I don't love him in that way, and if we do get married, then it would only be because he got me pregnant, and it wouldn't be real. I believe we would only get divorced in the end anyway."
"I see your point, and I agree with you. But I think you have to explain it to Blaise yourself." I said.
"I know." She replied.
"So how are you doing? Are you feeling all right?" I asked.
"I still feel a little worn out, but other then that, I'm fine. I still can't believe I gave birth to two boys just a few hours ago. It seems so much like a dream." She replied.
"I know how you feel. So do you still not want them now? Or vice versa?" I asked.
"I'm going to keep them. I know it'll be hard raising them by myself, but like you said. There are day care centers and such. Plus you said you would watch them sometimes. Didn't you?" She gave me a sly smile.
"Of course I would! I'll always be there for you. No matter what." I said and moved to hug her. She accepted.
After a minute, Padma said what I was thinking of right at that moment. "You know…it was the weirdest thing. While I was trying to push out Theo and Thad…"
"Oh so they're Theo and Thad now?" I asked jokingly.
"Yes. WHILE I was trying to push out Theo and Thad, these images kept flashing through my mind. Images of when we were kids back at Stonewall and how our teachers couldn't tell us apart. Then it went to our first day of Hogwarts to when the Sorting Hat separated us. And then It had you convincing me to go with Ron to the Yule Ball back in Fourth Year. And it went on and on and on. Isn't that weird?" She asked me.
"Yeah. Especially since I was seeing the exact same things." I said getting up. "Well you better get some more sleep. Get you feeling back to normal again."
"Wait! You saw the same things? Why do you suppose that is?" She asked.
"I guess it's because we have a special bond." And I had nothing else to say on the matter. I didn't tell her that I saw her life during the past nine months as well as our own memories.
* * *
Later that morning, Padma told Blaise how she felt, and he completely understood. They still see each other every now and then, and he sends child support payments every month. This brings us to today. It's been about seven and a half years since then, and Padma has never told the boys who their father is. I suppose she will tell them eventually.
It was nearing 4:30, and Padma was supposed to pick up Theo and Thad fifteen minutes ago. Where the heck is she? And then a knock at the door…
I opened the door to my apartment in London. "Well you finally decided to show up." I said to Padma.
"Ha ha. Sorry I'm late, but there was terrible traffic. Well? Were they little devils or little angels?" She asked me.
"Oh they were fine. Just put permanent indentions of their hands into the Gamestation's controllers." I said. Theo and Thad ran past me and into their mother. "Same time next week?" I asked.
"No, I'm off next week, so I'll be able to watch them. But you can come over too if you want. We can play Monopoly!" She said.
"Sounds like fun, but I have a life too you know." I said.
"Awww…come on Aunt Parvati! Play Monopoly with us!" Thaddeus said.
"Yeah it's no fun without you!" Thelonious chimed in.
"Come on Parvati! We need you to play!" Padma also cut in.
"All right! All right! I'll come over and play! You talked me into it!" I said defeated. Shouts of yays from Theo, Thad, and Padma were probably heard down the hall and downstairs. "See you then Padma."
They waved and left. Yep just another week in my life. I always get talked into going over to their place, but I don't mind. In fact I look forward to it.
(A/N: There! Finally finished! I hope my two readers enjoyed this, and my next project will be a short 1-chapter story of how Hermione and Draco got together. Then I will start posting the sequel to YNET! Until then…)
