Two weeks had passed since the incident with Jordan Townsende, yet
Charlotte still couldn't bring herself to talk about that day. Draco had
pushed and pushed until Charlotte stormed out of the room in anger. He was
trying to get it out of her again in the library.
"Charlotte, just tell me what happened." Draco sighed in desperation. He so badly wanted a reason to hex that boy's ass. "Why can't you tell me?"
"Because I...I just can't!" Samantha was tired and her back hurt considerably. Next week they were going to brew the second potion in Muggle studies that would rid them of pregnancy and produce a life like baby for them to care for. She put her head in her hands and listened to Draco's incoherent mumblings.
Without warning he burst out, "Charlotte, you are being ridiculous. I have been as patient as I can. I want to hurt him so bad for even daring to talk to you. PLEASE! Just tell me what happened that day and what made him hit you!"
Charlotte jerked her head up and looked at Draco who was towering over her in anger. "Why can't you just accept the fact that I don't want to talk about it? Why can't you just accept the fact that it still hurts to think about it. Every time I even think about telling you I remember his fist connecting with my jaw." She stood and faced him. "Do you know how bad that hurts? DO YOU?!" With this a sharp pain struck her abdomen and coursed through her body forcing her to sit back in the chair and clutch her swollen belly. And just as quick as it shook her it was gone.
Draco watched as her faced contorted with pain as she fell back into the chair, "Are you ok?"
Charlotte just breathed a sigh of relief and spanned both hands across her, now huge, stomach. "I think so--" Her left hand clutched the table as another wave of pain shot through her belly and up her spine. "OH MY GODS!" she gasped out as the pained subsided. Her right hand, still on her belly, moved with a slight kick of the child within.
Draco's face had turned sheet white by now. "What's the matter?" Charlotte grabbed one of his hands and placed it on her belly. Closely watching his expression as he felt the baby kick. "Wow. That was a strong one. Has he been kicking like that for long?"
"No just gentle pushes here and there. Nothing too bad, but these hurt."
"Well, come on, let's go see Professor Bradford. Maybe she'll know what's going on."
Draco helped Charlotte up and out of the library. They made their way up several flights of stairs, down several curvy corridors, and into the Muggle studies classroom. Charlotte had to stop as another wave of pain shot through her. She clasped Draco's hand in hers for reinforcement, hoping to draw some of his strength out. Draco was steadily becoming worried. This was not supposed to happen. She was not supposed to feel any pain. Except for in her back because of the weight change. Draco called out for the teacher, "Professor Bradford, are you in here?" he started to help Charlotte sit down but she waved him away. Bracing her hands oh her back to support the weight of the child in her stomach she began to pace. He watched her for a moment before going back to search for the professor. "Professor Bradford, are you in here?" He stepped into a back room to find her silently organizing supplies for the next weeks and taking inventory on parchment with a muggle writing utensil.
"Yes, Mr. Malfoy, what can I help you with." She turned to look at him over simple silver framed glasses.
"It's Charlotte, she's like having contractions or something. I don't know what's wrong with her."
With a gentle smile the short professor walked out of the small closet, "She can't be having contractions. The baby inside her is a magical creation, not actually having been conceived."
"Are you saying it isn't really real?"
"Oh no, Mr. Malfoy, it is indeed real. But it cannot be born, unless there are complications with the baby and the second potion cannot be brewed in time. Then it is possible. Though extremely rare."
Charlotte let out a slight moan as she clutched the table in pain. The professor looked up and her brows drew together in concern. "Are you ok dear?"
Charlotte straightened and looked at the professor. Her face stained with tears and a look of worry across her face. "I think I'll be ok. The baby's just kicking harder that normal today." Draco rushed to her side and helped her to a chair where she sat down.
"What kind of complications, Professor, would cause this kind of reaction?"
"Well, I'm not sure. All cases are unique. Has anything happened to Miss Fitzhugh to, perhaps, upset the child? Upset as in hurt it or such?"
Charlotte and Draco looked at each other in worry. "I was beaten by a boy in the common room a couple weeks back. He kicked me and bruised me up a bit. But nothing much."
Professor Bradford hurried back to her office. She came out a few minutes later. "Okay Charlotte, we are going to go to the infirmary and let Madame Pomfrey have a look at you. Just to be safe."
Draco helped her out of the chair and slipped an arm around her waist to help support the weight. They made their way down the corridors. Every few minutes or so they would stop as Charlotte faced another dose of pain. By the time they got to the hospital wing Charlotte was shaking and Draco was supporting almost all of her weight with the help of Professor Bradford. Draco finally just picked her up in his arms and carried her to the bed waiting for her. He held her hand as the contractions came more often. Madame Pomfrey checked her out and after interrogating her, suggested she walk around a bit.
Draco left the room as Professor Bradford and Madame Pomfrey changed her out of her blue jeans and shirt and into a knee length nightgown. She walked out with the aid of Madame Pomfrey and into the arms of Draco. "If you'd excuse us Madame Pomfrey, I'd like to talk to Charlotte alone."
Madame Pomfrey nodded, "Don't go too far Mr. Malfoy. Just keep her walking." With that she retreated back through the swinging double doors.
Charlotte buried her head in his shoulder and cried. Her small frame wracked with sobs as his hands roamed over her back soothingly. "Jordan kicked me hard enough to upset the baby. They say I'm going to have it tonight. And if my water doesn't break before midnight they'll have to induce the labor." She shook with tears and pain, "It was just a simple assignment. How could this have happened?"
Draco shushed her and walked with her. His arm around her waist, her hand clasping his, he spoke gently, "What do you want to name it. We'll have to pick out a boy and girl name since you didn't want to know the sex." Draco leaned over and wiped the tears from her face and smiled gently.
"I don't know. Well, if it's a boy its middle name will be Draco because yours is Lucius and it runs in the family I'm guessing." Charlotte looked down at the floor as she walked slowly.
"We don't have to if you don't want to."
"Oh no, I want to. I do. What do you think his first name should be?"
"Well, I haven't really thought it over. I suppose Aidan is a good one. It means Fire. Aidan Draco Malfoy. What do you think?" Draco was happy he just gotten her mind off the pain for a bit.
"Oh yes! That is lovely. And if it's a girl?"
"You pick. I don't know many girl names. What's your middle name?"
"Oh my middle name wouldn't work. I hate it. But there is a name I have always loved. How about Rosalind Michelle Malfoy?" She looked up at him expectantly.
"We'll just have to see if the name fits the face. Ok?" Draco smiled down at her and leaned in for a kiss. His lips had barely brushed hers when he felt Charlotte grip his hands and an unexpected gush of water spill over their feet. Draco immediately scooped her up in his arms and carried her into the infirmary.
He laid her on the bed and went to find the professor and Madame Pomfrey. "She just...well...her water broke." The two women jumped up from where they were sitting, sipping tea, and rushed into the main room.
"I'm sorry Draco but I'm going to have to ask you to leave now." The crestfallen professor Bradford eased Draco through the door, all the while trying to keep him distracted from the moans of anguish coming from the young girl in the bed. "If you would please find Miss Samantha Rhinehold and bring her here. She is Charlotte's closest friend and it would certainly be easier. I have already contacted Mr. and Mrs. Fitzhugh so no need to worry about that. I have explained to them the situation and what will happen when this is all over."
"What will happen Professor Bradford?" Draco tried to look around the seemingly short, thin professor but could not see Charlotte for the life of him.
"Never you mind now, dearie. Please go now and find Miss Rhinehold." Professor Bradford shut the door behind her and left Draco standing there.
Draco hurried to find the girl. He stumbled into the Slytherin common room with such a racket several people poked their heads out of their doors to see what the commotion was. He quickly made his way over to the Residence board where everyone's dorm room number was listed. With the help of his lighted wand he quickly scanned the page and found the person he was looking for. He hurried up the stairs and turned into a dark hallway where he quickly found room number 9. He knocked loudly on the door until a girl with blonde hair came to the door.
She cleared her throat at the sight of the handsome young man and squinted her eyes at the light emitting from the tip of his wand, "Can I help you?"
"Yes. I am looking for Samantha Rhinehold. Is she here?"
"Yeah, but she's asleep. You can see her in the morning. She was particularly tired this night and asked not to be disturbed. I'm sure you can understand. You are doing the muggle studies project aren't you?"
"Yes, I am, but it is an emergency. Could you just tell her that Charlotte Fitzhugh is having...complications that require her assistance?"
"Charlie?! What kind of complications? Where is she? Townsende wasn't involved was he?" The girl's brow knitted with worry and a hint of anger.
Draco was amazed at how many people knew about the unfortunate event, "No. It has nothing to do with Jordan. Could you please just get Samantha for me? Tell her that I will be waiting downstairs and time is of the essence."
"Of course." With this the girl turned and Draco was once again face to face with a door. He sighed and went to wait downstairs.
Several moments passed before he turned at the sound of someone coming down the stairs. A heavily pregnant young woman with dark auburn hair and fair skin, wearing silky pajama pants and a t-shirt was pulling a black kimono on as she hurried down the steps.
"Draco? What's happened? Where's Charlotte? Sarah said there were complications and time was of the essence. I know you wouldn't wake me if it wasn't important so what's going on?"
"Charlie's run-in with Jordan Townsende a couple weeks back produced complications with the baby. Her water broke a few minutes ago and you're needed in the delivery room?"
Samantha's eyes widened, "Delivery room?" Draco just nodded solemnly as Samantha put a protective hand to her own swollen belly. "Ok then. Let's go."
A hundred yards from the infirmary the yelling became audible. Samantha began to hurry her gait when she heard her friend's pain filled yells. Draco winced, as he got closer. He never would have left Charlotte alone if he knew this could happen. Hell, he never would have even partaken in helping brew the potion if he knew this was a possibility. Knowing he wouldn't be let in until it was over, he stood outside and paced. An hour passed and no one had even peeked out to see if he was okay. He produced a chair to sit in but jumped up every time it was the least bit quiet. Hoping to see some form of life come from behind the door.
It was a little after four in the morning before the yelling and cries of distress stopped. The only thing heard from the room now was the soft cry of a baby. Draco stood slowly and waited. Samantha opened the door and allowed Draco to walk in. Charlotte lay in the bed with the baby in her arms. Her face was ashen and her hair damp against her forehead.
Her voice was hoarse and scratchy, "Draco, I would like you to meet Aidan Malfoy. The newest addition to the Malfoy family." With this she winked at him and beckoned him forward.
"He's so--" Draco stared in amazement as the blonde haired baby snoozed against his mother's breast.
"Beautiful?" Charlotte sighed in contentment.
"Real is what I was thinking but yeah, he's amazing." Draco touched Aidan's hand. "Ten fingers, ten toes, one nose that looks like his mother's, a perfect little mouth--"
"Of his father's." Charlotte smiled at Draco.
"And," the child then opened his eyes and Draco sucked in his breath, "two eyes." The color of the eyes was what made Draco practically gasp. They were a mix of Charlotte's forest green and Draco's steely gray. The child then started crying loudly, "What's the matter with him?" Draco was panicking.
"He's just hungry." Samantha piped in, not wanting to interrupt the moment but wanting to keep Draco from getting upset or worried in anyway.
Professor Bradford walked in at hearing the child cry. "Is he alright? Breathing okay and all that?"
"Yes ma'am but I believe he's hungry." Charlotte looked up from the crying child into the eyes of her teacher.
"Oh right. Draco could I ask you to leave the room please?"
"Of course. How about I go and get Mom something to eat?" Draco looked at Charlotte. "What can I get you, your Queenliest?"
Charlotte giggled a bit, "Just some fruit or something to that effect. Would you like anything Samantha? Professor Bradford?"
Both women declined and Draco went on his way. Charlotte undid the front of the gown, exposed her breast where the child began to nudge around impatiently for the nipple before finding it and sucking hungrily. Charlotte winced a bit before getting used to the slight pain.
"Did you tell my mother?" Charlotte looked up at the professor.
"Yes m'dear. And I just received a letter back from your parents saying that they are going to be arriving here around midday. It's about five o'clock now so you will have time to sleep and clean up before they arrive. You will need to stay in the infirmary for at least three days before moving about and getting back to your classes." The professor looked at the child lovingly, "I must apologize for not warning you about this possibility at the beginning of the assignment. I truly did not think it would be an issue here. And I certainly did not want to worry any of you. You know that Hermione Granger and how peevish she gets." She smiled gently.
"No harm done. I'll just be a little sore for a few days right?" Charlotte smiled. "Thank you for all your help in getting through this. I really appreciate it."
"Anytime. Now if you'll excuse I have classes today. The three of you will be excused from classes today but Miss Rhinehold and Mr. Malfoy will need to get back to their studies tomorrow. You on the other hand, Miss Fitzhugh, have as long as it takes to get up and running again. I'm sure you and Aidan will have many visitors throughout the day so get some rest."
"Thank you again." Professor Bradford took her leave and Samantha busied herself with fluffing the pillows and adjusting the blankets. "Sam, sit down. You must be exhausted. You're bigger than I am. You don't think its twins do you? It'll all be over next week and then you'll have one, or two, of these." Charlotte looked down at Aidan who was still eating. She brushed a hand across his down like blonde hair and sighed, "Isn't he just beautiful?"
"Adorable." Samantha smiled at the two of them and sat back in a chair next to the bed, "Samantha I have never been so scared in my life. Seriously. I thought you were going to die. I don't know what I would do if you died." With this she began to cry.
Charlotte put a hand out to her and pulled her in close, "Hun, I would never leave you here alone. I swear to you."
Samantha nodded and wiped her eyes, "I better get back to bed. Little Tristan Rose is kicking like no other. She's sleepy." Samantha laughed softly and kissed Charlotte on the forehead. "Get some sleep Mama, it's going to be a busy day for the two if you."
Charlotte nodded and watched the retreating form of her best friend. Aidan was through eating and was snoozing against her bare breast. She laughed softly, making him wake slightly, and pulled her nightgown back up, buttoning it back together.
"Charlotte, just tell me what happened." Draco sighed in desperation. He so badly wanted a reason to hex that boy's ass. "Why can't you tell me?"
"Because I...I just can't!" Samantha was tired and her back hurt considerably. Next week they were going to brew the second potion in Muggle studies that would rid them of pregnancy and produce a life like baby for them to care for. She put her head in her hands and listened to Draco's incoherent mumblings.
Without warning he burst out, "Charlotte, you are being ridiculous. I have been as patient as I can. I want to hurt him so bad for even daring to talk to you. PLEASE! Just tell me what happened that day and what made him hit you!"
Charlotte jerked her head up and looked at Draco who was towering over her in anger. "Why can't you just accept the fact that I don't want to talk about it? Why can't you just accept the fact that it still hurts to think about it. Every time I even think about telling you I remember his fist connecting with my jaw." She stood and faced him. "Do you know how bad that hurts? DO YOU?!" With this a sharp pain struck her abdomen and coursed through her body forcing her to sit back in the chair and clutch her swollen belly. And just as quick as it shook her it was gone.
Draco watched as her faced contorted with pain as she fell back into the chair, "Are you ok?"
Charlotte just breathed a sigh of relief and spanned both hands across her, now huge, stomach. "I think so--" Her left hand clutched the table as another wave of pain shot through her belly and up her spine. "OH MY GODS!" she gasped out as the pained subsided. Her right hand, still on her belly, moved with a slight kick of the child within.
Draco's face had turned sheet white by now. "What's the matter?" Charlotte grabbed one of his hands and placed it on her belly. Closely watching his expression as he felt the baby kick. "Wow. That was a strong one. Has he been kicking like that for long?"
"No just gentle pushes here and there. Nothing too bad, but these hurt."
"Well, come on, let's go see Professor Bradford. Maybe she'll know what's going on."
Draco helped Charlotte up and out of the library. They made their way up several flights of stairs, down several curvy corridors, and into the Muggle studies classroom. Charlotte had to stop as another wave of pain shot through her. She clasped Draco's hand in hers for reinforcement, hoping to draw some of his strength out. Draco was steadily becoming worried. This was not supposed to happen. She was not supposed to feel any pain. Except for in her back because of the weight change. Draco called out for the teacher, "Professor Bradford, are you in here?" he started to help Charlotte sit down but she waved him away. Bracing her hands oh her back to support the weight of the child in her stomach she began to pace. He watched her for a moment before going back to search for the professor. "Professor Bradford, are you in here?" He stepped into a back room to find her silently organizing supplies for the next weeks and taking inventory on parchment with a muggle writing utensil.
"Yes, Mr. Malfoy, what can I help you with." She turned to look at him over simple silver framed glasses.
"It's Charlotte, she's like having contractions or something. I don't know what's wrong with her."
With a gentle smile the short professor walked out of the small closet, "She can't be having contractions. The baby inside her is a magical creation, not actually having been conceived."
"Are you saying it isn't really real?"
"Oh no, Mr. Malfoy, it is indeed real. But it cannot be born, unless there are complications with the baby and the second potion cannot be brewed in time. Then it is possible. Though extremely rare."
Charlotte let out a slight moan as she clutched the table in pain. The professor looked up and her brows drew together in concern. "Are you ok dear?"
Charlotte straightened and looked at the professor. Her face stained with tears and a look of worry across her face. "I think I'll be ok. The baby's just kicking harder that normal today." Draco rushed to her side and helped her to a chair where she sat down.
"What kind of complications, Professor, would cause this kind of reaction?"
"Well, I'm not sure. All cases are unique. Has anything happened to Miss Fitzhugh to, perhaps, upset the child? Upset as in hurt it or such?"
Charlotte and Draco looked at each other in worry. "I was beaten by a boy in the common room a couple weeks back. He kicked me and bruised me up a bit. But nothing much."
Professor Bradford hurried back to her office. She came out a few minutes later. "Okay Charlotte, we are going to go to the infirmary and let Madame Pomfrey have a look at you. Just to be safe."
Draco helped her out of the chair and slipped an arm around her waist to help support the weight. They made their way down the corridors. Every few minutes or so they would stop as Charlotte faced another dose of pain. By the time they got to the hospital wing Charlotte was shaking and Draco was supporting almost all of her weight with the help of Professor Bradford. Draco finally just picked her up in his arms and carried her to the bed waiting for her. He held her hand as the contractions came more often. Madame Pomfrey checked her out and after interrogating her, suggested she walk around a bit.
Draco left the room as Professor Bradford and Madame Pomfrey changed her out of her blue jeans and shirt and into a knee length nightgown. She walked out with the aid of Madame Pomfrey and into the arms of Draco. "If you'd excuse us Madame Pomfrey, I'd like to talk to Charlotte alone."
Madame Pomfrey nodded, "Don't go too far Mr. Malfoy. Just keep her walking." With that she retreated back through the swinging double doors.
Charlotte buried her head in his shoulder and cried. Her small frame wracked with sobs as his hands roamed over her back soothingly. "Jordan kicked me hard enough to upset the baby. They say I'm going to have it tonight. And if my water doesn't break before midnight they'll have to induce the labor." She shook with tears and pain, "It was just a simple assignment. How could this have happened?"
Draco shushed her and walked with her. His arm around her waist, her hand clasping his, he spoke gently, "What do you want to name it. We'll have to pick out a boy and girl name since you didn't want to know the sex." Draco leaned over and wiped the tears from her face and smiled gently.
"I don't know. Well, if it's a boy its middle name will be Draco because yours is Lucius and it runs in the family I'm guessing." Charlotte looked down at the floor as she walked slowly.
"We don't have to if you don't want to."
"Oh no, I want to. I do. What do you think his first name should be?"
"Well, I haven't really thought it over. I suppose Aidan is a good one. It means Fire. Aidan Draco Malfoy. What do you think?" Draco was happy he just gotten her mind off the pain for a bit.
"Oh yes! That is lovely. And if it's a girl?"
"You pick. I don't know many girl names. What's your middle name?"
"Oh my middle name wouldn't work. I hate it. But there is a name I have always loved. How about Rosalind Michelle Malfoy?" She looked up at him expectantly.
"We'll just have to see if the name fits the face. Ok?" Draco smiled down at her and leaned in for a kiss. His lips had barely brushed hers when he felt Charlotte grip his hands and an unexpected gush of water spill over their feet. Draco immediately scooped her up in his arms and carried her into the infirmary.
He laid her on the bed and went to find the professor and Madame Pomfrey. "She just...well...her water broke." The two women jumped up from where they were sitting, sipping tea, and rushed into the main room.
"I'm sorry Draco but I'm going to have to ask you to leave now." The crestfallen professor Bradford eased Draco through the door, all the while trying to keep him distracted from the moans of anguish coming from the young girl in the bed. "If you would please find Miss Samantha Rhinehold and bring her here. She is Charlotte's closest friend and it would certainly be easier. I have already contacted Mr. and Mrs. Fitzhugh so no need to worry about that. I have explained to them the situation and what will happen when this is all over."
"What will happen Professor Bradford?" Draco tried to look around the seemingly short, thin professor but could not see Charlotte for the life of him.
"Never you mind now, dearie. Please go now and find Miss Rhinehold." Professor Bradford shut the door behind her and left Draco standing there.
Draco hurried to find the girl. He stumbled into the Slytherin common room with such a racket several people poked their heads out of their doors to see what the commotion was. He quickly made his way over to the Residence board where everyone's dorm room number was listed. With the help of his lighted wand he quickly scanned the page and found the person he was looking for. He hurried up the stairs and turned into a dark hallway where he quickly found room number 9. He knocked loudly on the door until a girl with blonde hair came to the door.
She cleared her throat at the sight of the handsome young man and squinted her eyes at the light emitting from the tip of his wand, "Can I help you?"
"Yes. I am looking for Samantha Rhinehold. Is she here?"
"Yeah, but she's asleep. You can see her in the morning. She was particularly tired this night and asked not to be disturbed. I'm sure you can understand. You are doing the muggle studies project aren't you?"
"Yes, I am, but it is an emergency. Could you just tell her that Charlotte Fitzhugh is having...complications that require her assistance?"
"Charlie?! What kind of complications? Where is she? Townsende wasn't involved was he?" The girl's brow knitted with worry and a hint of anger.
Draco was amazed at how many people knew about the unfortunate event, "No. It has nothing to do with Jordan. Could you please just get Samantha for me? Tell her that I will be waiting downstairs and time is of the essence."
"Of course." With this the girl turned and Draco was once again face to face with a door. He sighed and went to wait downstairs.
Several moments passed before he turned at the sound of someone coming down the stairs. A heavily pregnant young woman with dark auburn hair and fair skin, wearing silky pajama pants and a t-shirt was pulling a black kimono on as she hurried down the steps.
"Draco? What's happened? Where's Charlotte? Sarah said there were complications and time was of the essence. I know you wouldn't wake me if it wasn't important so what's going on?"
"Charlie's run-in with Jordan Townsende a couple weeks back produced complications with the baby. Her water broke a few minutes ago and you're needed in the delivery room?"
Samantha's eyes widened, "Delivery room?" Draco just nodded solemnly as Samantha put a protective hand to her own swollen belly. "Ok then. Let's go."
A hundred yards from the infirmary the yelling became audible. Samantha began to hurry her gait when she heard her friend's pain filled yells. Draco winced, as he got closer. He never would have left Charlotte alone if he knew this could happen. Hell, he never would have even partaken in helping brew the potion if he knew this was a possibility. Knowing he wouldn't be let in until it was over, he stood outside and paced. An hour passed and no one had even peeked out to see if he was okay. He produced a chair to sit in but jumped up every time it was the least bit quiet. Hoping to see some form of life come from behind the door.
It was a little after four in the morning before the yelling and cries of distress stopped. The only thing heard from the room now was the soft cry of a baby. Draco stood slowly and waited. Samantha opened the door and allowed Draco to walk in. Charlotte lay in the bed with the baby in her arms. Her face was ashen and her hair damp against her forehead.
Her voice was hoarse and scratchy, "Draco, I would like you to meet Aidan Malfoy. The newest addition to the Malfoy family." With this she winked at him and beckoned him forward.
"He's so--" Draco stared in amazement as the blonde haired baby snoozed against his mother's breast.
"Beautiful?" Charlotte sighed in contentment.
"Real is what I was thinking but yeah, he's amazing." Draco touched Aidan's hand. "Ten fingers, ten toes, one nose that looks like his mother's, a perfect little mouth--"
"Of his father's." Charlotte smiled at Draco.
"And," the child then opened his eyes and Draco sucked in his breath, "two eyes." The color of the eyes was what made Draco practically gasp. They were a mix of Charlotte's forest green and Draco's steely gray. The child then started crying loudly, "What's the matter with him?" Draco was panicking.
"He's just hungry." Samantha piped in, not wanting to interrupt the moment but wanting to keep Draco from getting upset or worried in anyway.
Professor Bradford walked in at hearing the child cry. "Is he alright? Breathing okay and all that?"
"Yes ma'am but I believe he's hungry." Charlotte looked up from the crying child into the eyes of her teacher.
"Oh right. Draco could I ask you to leave the room please?"
"Of course. How about I go and get Mom something to eat?" Draco looked at Charlotte. "What can I get you, your Queenliest?"
Charlotte giggled a bit, "Just some fruit or something to that effect. Would you like anything Samantha? Professor Bradford?"
Both women declined and Draco went on his way. Charlotte undid the front of the gown, exposed her breast where the child began to nudge around impatiently for the nipple before finding it and sucking hungrily. Charlotte winced a bit before getting used to the slight pain.
"Did you tell my mother?" Charlotte looked up at the professor.
"Yes m'dear. And I just received a letter back from your parents saying that they are going to be arriving here around midday. It's about five o'clock now so you will have time to sleep and clean up before they arrive. You will need to stay in the infirmary for at least three days before moving about and getting back to your classes." The professor looked at the child lovingly, "I must apologize for not warning you about this possibility at the beginning of the assignment. I truly did not think it would be an issue here. And I certainly did not want to worry any of you. You know that Hermione Granger and how peevish she gets." She smiled gently.
"No harm done. I'll just be a little sore for a few days right?" Charlotte smiled. "Thank you for all your help in getting through this. I really appreciate it."
"Anytime. Now if you'll excuse I have classes today. The three of you will be excused from classes today but Miss Rhinehold and Mr. Malfoy will need to get back to their studies tomorrow. You on the other hand, Miss Fitzhugh, have as long as it takes to get up and running again. I'm sure you and Aidan will have many visitors throughout the day so get some rest."
"Thank you again." Professor Bradford took her leave and Samantha busied herself with fluffing the pillows and adjusting the blankets. "Sam, sit down. You must be exhausted. You're bigger than I am. You don't think its twins do you? It'll all be over next week and then you'll have one, or two, of these." Charlotte looked down at Aidan who was still eating. She brushed a hand across his down like blonde hair and sighed, "Isn't he just beautiful?"
"Adorable." Samantha smiled at the two of them and sat back in a chair next to the bed, "Samantha I have never been so scared in my life. Seriously. I thought you were going to die. I don't know what I would do if you died." With this she began to cry.
Charlotte put a hand out to her and pulled her in close, "Hun, I would never leave you here alone. I swear to you."
Samantha nodded and wiped her eyes, "I better get back to bed. Little Tristan Rose is kicking like no other. She's sleepy." Samantha laughed softly and kissed Charlotte on the forehead. "Get some sleep Mama, it's going to be a busy day for the two if you."
Charlotte nodded and watched the retreating form of her best friend. Aidan was through eating and was snoozing against her bare breast. She laughed softly, making him wake slightly, and pulled her nightgown back up, buttoning it back together.