Disclaimer: I own nothing dealing with Harry Potter and all that rot!
A/N: Well, let me tell you all how surprised when I can home from school today and it was like a rush of reviews, like a wave. You all are so nice to me and I thank you all. As a reward, here is my update! Love you all. Oh, and you'll get to see what happens! To Minerva and the baby, so I hope you guys will finally be satisfied.
Bigkihap: Yes, it keeps on piling up, doesn't it? Hermione does not die, though I do think that would certainly be sad. That would be pretty ironic if Albus choked on a lemon drop right as Minerva was giving birth. On the other hand, at least he would go with her at the same time, right?
TartanLioness: Yes, it is a bit tragic, isn't it? Albus is at the ministry and Minerva is in labor. Don't you worry, though, he's not going to miss too much! ;-D.
Quill of Minerva: Yes, I have been told many, many times that my cliffhangers can be absolutely horrid at times. Well, here is my update! Hope you like it.
Lenora: I KEEL YOU TOO! And in your next review, I expect you to make sure Draco, Vegeta, Lil 'Geta are at home! Over and out, Mad Eye Monty!
Lady Henrietta: I'm glad that you enjoyed this chapter. I'm also glad that you enjoyed the bit of advice that Minerva gave to Hermione. At first, I wasn't quite sure if it was good or not, but then I thought I would put it in anyway. Thanks for reviewing and I hope to see more of your reviews.
Cherokee girl: First off, I'd like to say that I appreciate your review. It made me very happy. Second off, I agree with you that Albus deserves some happiness after all that he is going through.
Girl from Iceland: Thank you for calling me an amazing writer. I never thought I could be called anything like that. And if you really are so excited, then here is the next chapter!
Alexandra: Well, here is the next chapter. I updated as quickly as I could. Thank you for reviewing.
Mollisk: Of course it isn't my last cliffhanger! It isn't! And thank you for that compliment of the subplot! No, Hermione was dating neither Ron nor Harry. But there will be something in the next few chapters! Oh dear, I've said too much!
Chapter Seventeen: In The Hospital Wing…
At first, Hermione was too shocked to say or do anything once she heard Minerva say that she was in labor. But it only took a few moments for her to recover and quickly take matters into her own hands. So, she jumped to her feet, pulled Minerva up to her feet, and took her as quickly as she possibly could to the hospital wing. The few students who were left in the castle looked at her and the brighter students knew that it was time.
Minerva could not believe this was happening. She wasn't due for at least another week, yet now she was having contractions. The baby was on its way and Albus was not even here with her. Oh no, she thought. Albus! He was down at the ministry and was supposed to be there all day.
"Her-Hermione," Minerva huffed as they climbed the last few steps before they reached the hospital wing.
"Yes, what is it? What can I do? What is it?" Hermione shot each question rapid fire. Minerva took a deep breath before she spoke again. She was already sweating and she had only been climbing the stairs for a few moments.
"Once you drop me off at the hospital wing-," Another sharp intake of breath. "-I'll need you to-to-to go to the owlrey and send Albus a letter telling him… Telling him, ouch!" Minerva grabbed at her abdomen as another searing pain rushed through her. Hermione nodded and tried to ignore the crushing feeling she was getting from Minerva's tight grip.
"Yes, yes, I understand. You want me to send Albus an owl about the baby. Don't worry, I will." Hermione opened the door to the hospital wing and let Minerva go through first. Once in, she called for Poppy.
"Madam Pomfrey, we need your help!" It was a matter of seconds before the medi-witch appeared from behind a curtain and let her jaw drop.
"Good Lord, it can't be time already, can it?" Minerva let out a yelp of pain. "Oh, I guess it could be. Come on, quickly." Just as she was about to help Minerva into a bed, a pool of water fell to Minerva's feet. "Oh dear, and there goes your water breaking. Hurry, hurry."
"I'll go send that letter," said Hermione, rushing out of the hospital wing and to the owlrey. Poppy helped Minerva into a gown and then onto a bed. A few of Minerva's students wanted to come in and help out, but Poppy quickly ushered them out. She walked over to Minerva and placed a wet cloth on Minerva's forehead.
"Now all we have to do is wait for Albus to show up. And after that, we'll be waiting for little Dumbledore." She smiled warmly at her friend who smiled back.
Ooooooooooo
Albus rubbed his temples and sighed. He was so tired of the ministry and the blundering fools who worked for it. But no matter what happened, he just had to remember that at least he no longer had to deal with that fool Cornelius Fudge. At least he was gone now and Albus would not have to deal with anything that fool of a wizard had to hand out.
He was interrupted when a large barn owl came swooping down through the air and landed on his shoulder.
"Well, hello," he chuckled. "What is it that you have brought me?" He took the piece of parchment from the owl and after handing it a lemon drop, he opened the letter us and read what it said. His eyes widened when he read the scribbled handwriting told him and he was sure his heart had skipped several beats. Dropping the parchment, Albus rushed out the door, ignoring all the odd stares and questions which were fired at him. He didn't even answer the newest minister of magic when he asked him where the fire was. All he knew was that he needed to get back to the castle before Minerva went into any heavy labor. He didn't want to miss a moment of the miraculous birth of their child. It was a rare thing, indeed, to be blessed with a child at his age and he wouldn't miss it for all the galleons in the world.
Ooooooooooo
"Just breathe, Min, you're doing great. Deep breaths, Minerva, just keep on taking deep breaths." Poppy held Minerva's hands as she coached her through another contraction. When it was complete, Minerva fell back on her pillow, already tired.
"I tell you, Poppy, I have no idea how I'm going to get through this birth. This is just too hard and the baby isn't even about to come out. You said so yourself it could be at least an hour before my baby decides to even start to come out, and these contractions are already getting to me."
"Don't worry, dear, you're doing fine," whispered Poppy. Hermione, who had long since come back from the owlrey, was holding Minerva's other hand and was patting her head with the damp cloth.
"You can do it, Professor," she said reassuringly. Minerva looked at her and smiled.
"I wish I could believe that," she whispered. Then, the doors burst open and a frantic man rushed through to the back.
"What's happening? What's going on? Have I missed it?" He didn't even wait for anyone to answer before rushing to his wife. Hermione let go of Minerva's hand and respectfully stepped aside to allow man and wife to be together. Minerva smiled as her husband grabbed her hand and squeezed.
"Oh, Albus, I am so glad you made it," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "No, you haven't missed a thing."
"I am so glad, Minerva," Albus smiled. He kissed the back of her hand and proceeded to wipe the tears away from her face with his hand. A few minutes later, the baby made it known that it was ready to come out.
"Oh, Min, I suppose the baby didn't want to wait an hour as we thought," said Poppy as she hustled to the end of the bed. "Now, you're gonna have to start pushing in just a moment. Albus, Hermione, hold her hands." They both obeyed. "Ready, Min?"
"No, I'm not," frowned Minerva, shaking her head furiously.
"Well, you're going to have to be, because here it comes. Push!" Minerva pushed with all her might. After a few seconds, she was allowed to rest. But her rest seemed to last even less than the time she had to push. Before she knew it, she was told to push once again and she did. It took all her strength to do it.
What felt like eternity, which was actually only a few moments, passed before Poppy told her,
"Just one last time, Min. I promise, just one more time. Now push!" Minerva, summoning all her Gryffindor courage and strength, pushed with what was left in her and did not stop until a wail could be heard.
"You did it, Minerva!" cried Albus. "You did it!"
"Congratulations, you two!" exclaimed Poppy, a huge grin on her face. "You have a baby girl!" She wrapped the girl in a blanket and handed her to a very happy, very exhausted, Minerva. She smiled wearily as she looked at her baby.
"She has beautiful blue eyes, just like her da'," she smiled, kissing her on the forehead.
"I have no doubt she'll have your hair," Albus countered. Poppy motioned to Hermione to follow her away in order to give the two some time to themselves. They stayed, just in case they were needed, but made sure to stay near, just in case they were needed. Minerva laid against her pillow and looked sorrowfully up at her husband.
"Albus?" she whispered.
"Yes, Minerva?" he answered, looking back up at his beloved wife. He felt the air come out of his lungs when he saw how pale she had suddenly become within the past few seconds.
"You'll take care of our child, will you?" she asked. "You'll make sure she'll always make the right choices and that she will do well in school?" Albus smiled.
"Of course I will, darling, you know that." Minerva smiled as she handed their child to him.
"Good. Because I fear these are my last moments with you." Albus' heart sank as he shook his head. He clutched their baby girl to his chest and, with his free hand, took Minerva's right hand.
"No, Minerva, their not. You're just tired. All you need is to rest." He choked back his tears as she shook her head slowly.
"No, Albus. I can feel it. The life is going slowly out of me. In a few moments, I'll be gone." Albus shook his head furiously. He didn't, he could, and he wouldn't want to believe it. Minerva smiled and looked down at their daughter. She placed a kiss on her fingertips and placed it on the child's head. "You take care of your father for me, will you? Don't let him eat too many of those Lemon Drops." She looked back up at her husband and placed her hand weakly upon his cheek. "I love you both so very much." Without another word, she gently lay back upon her pillow and closed her eyes.
"Minerva? Minerva, no!" exclaimed Albus. Tears flowed freely down his cheeks now. He picked up her hand where she had dropped it and placed it back on his cheek. "Don't leave me, don't leave me. Stay here with me! I need you! Don't go!" He watched as her chest went up and down one final time and then stopped suddenly. He pulled back, sat down in a chair, and cried. He looked at their daughter, the only link he now had to his beloved wife. Poppy walked up and, taking the baby into her arms, hugged him. He rose from the chair and clung to Poppy.
"I am so sorry, Albus," she whispered, shedding her own tears. "We can get through this together. Now, you must remember that Minerva was a lady, and a lady always knows when it's time to leave."
"But why now, Poppy? I need her; I love her!" Poppy just sighed.
"I do not know, Albus. I just don't know." She left to stop the clock that lay next to the table. Hermione just stared at her favorite professor, remembering all that she had learned from her. But the most important lesson was the one she had taught on her last day in this world. And now, she was gone. Never would she walk through the halls of Hogwarts of Witchcraft and Wizardry; and never again will she say to her eager first years, "Welcome to Hogwarts…"
Albus looked down at his now sleeping daughter and said, "Welcome to the world, little Athena Minerva McGonagall…"
To Be Continued…
A/2: Well, tear sniff, there it is. I hope you guys don't hate me forever for doing something so horrible. I love you all for reading this far. And I am sorry for taking that quote from Fried Green Tomatoes. If you don't know which line I am talking about, then no harm done. Please review. Love from California. Always Hopeful
