Chapter 3: At St. Mungos

Ginny didn't wait for Harry to come through the fireplace but made her way to the maternity wing alone. She knew the way there by heart having been there for the birth of booth of Bill's daughters Aurelia, two and a half, and Danielle fifteen months; as well as Charlie's son John, also two and a half, and Reginald who was just short of two months. Percy's son Edmund would be turning two in two and a half months and Penny, Percy's wife, was five months along with their next child, a little girl to be named Erika. Not to mention they had just made the trip to the hospital a short time ago for the birth of Fred and George's little girls Lona and Rowena.

Yes, Ginny thought as she took the last turn and saw her parents and Hermione's parents already waiting in the hall, this was definitely a common meeting place for the Weasley clan.

"Mum, Dad." Ginny called as she drew closer.

Molly and Arthur turned to greet their daughter with broad smiles. "Ginny." Molly opened her arms and wrapped her youngest child in an affectionate hug. "How are you dear?" She asked when she pulled away looking over her shoulder to the empty hallway. "Where's Harry?"

"He'll be along in a moment." Ginny handed Sirius to her mother so that she could give her father an affectionate hug. It had been only two weeks since she last saw them and her mother owled her nearly every day, but it still felt like forever since she had last seen them.

Ginny pulled away from her father's embrace and greeted the Grangers who had a nervous look about them.

"Has Hermione had the baby yet?" Ginny asked as she took one of the empty seats in the hall.

"No." Molly sank down beside her bouncing her year old grandson on her knee. "But you needn't worry, dear," she said as much for the Grangers benefit as she did Ginny's, "after giving birth to twins this baby will be nothing. After Fred and George Ron was nothing. It was almost laughable."

"Ginny." Harry called from the end of the hallway. "I need to talk to you." He said when her head whipped around to face him.

Sighing heavily she rose once again to her feet and turned fully to greet Harry who was already handing off Hero and Helena to the Drs. Grangers. Ginny smiled at Harry's intuitiveness. It was plain to see that Hermione's parents were worrying over much and needed something to distract them and their soon to be three year old grandchildren were just the ticket.

Taking Ginny's hand Harry excused them to the small group and tugged her far enough away where they wouldn't be over heard. Immediately upon stopping Harry took up Ginny's other hand and squeezed it tight.

"Gin, about what you said before did you mean…"

Ginny tilted her head up so that she could look deep into her husbands emerald eyes. "What did I say before? I don't remember."

"Gin, please don't do that." He released one of he hands so that he could take her chin tenderly between his thumb and fore finger. Ginny bit into her bottom lip as she tried to keep it from forming into a knowing smile. "What you said before, about me possibly jinxing you, is that because…I mean… are you…"

Ginny released her bottom lip and let the smile that had been threatening to come take over her gentle features. She nodded her head excitedly and was thrilled to see the ecstatic gleam that swept into Harry's eyes and his smile.

"Oh, Gin." Harry's other hand came to rest on the side of her face, cupping it lovingly. He pulled her towards him and captured her lips in a tender kiss. Ginny's arms swept up and around his neck allowing her to press herself closer to his body.

When the pair finally drew away from the kiss Ginny saw a twinkle in Harry's dark eyes. His hands swept down and gripped her tight about the waist. Suddenly Ginny felt herself leaving the ground and being tossed in the air to be caught securely in Harry's arms as he laughed and began to spin around so that her feet swung out behind her, all the while he kissed her hungrily.

When Harry finally set his wife on her feet he held her tight to his body, his forehead pressed to hers. "I love you, Mrs. Potter."

Ginny smiled as her heart still fluttered at the sound of her married name. "I love you too, Mr. Potter."

"Oy! There's no need for that in public places."

"Go off and find a room if you can't control yourselves."

Harry and Ginny, brows still pressed together, turned to see Katie and Angelina hitting the arm of their respective husbands. Making great show of rubbing their arms where their wife's had hit them they walked forward mumbling something about husband abuse.

Angelina rolled her eyes as she and Katie came to a stop in front of the pair both rocking their daughters in their arms.

"Hello Ginny. Harry." Angelina leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Ginny's cheek.

"Any news yet?" Katie asked as the child resting against her front started to sniffle.

Harry shook his head. "We only just arrived a few minutes ago and haven't had a chance to hear anything yet."

"But how are you two?" Ginny asked as Harry wrapped his am protectively around her middle, his hand making circles on her still flat, though slightly taught stomach. "We haven't seen either of you since the babies were born."

Angelina and Katie both beamed as they stared adorningly down at their one month old daughters who were quiet the joke amongst the Weasley family. Now more then ever it appeared that the twins did in fact do everything together. They were married on the same day, seemingly got their wives pregnant at the same time and had their first born child simultaneously. However, Rowena Kathleen Weasley, George and Katie's daughter was born fifteen minutes before Lona Elizabeth Weasley, Fred and Angelina's.

Rowena was pale and fair, taking after both of her parents. She got her straight, little nose from her mother as well as her grass green eyes. Her skin already showed signs of the pesky Weasley freckles and her head was already covered with a blazing crown of copper.

Lona took after her mother in most of her features. Her skin was a very light shade of bronze due to the fact that her mum was mocha coloured and her father was a very pale white. Her eyes were a brown so dark they almost looked black, and her hair was a curly mass of inky strands at the top of her head that unsurprisingly had the faintest tint of red in its strands.

"We're doing fine." Angelina assured them casting a knowing look at Katie. "I'd say Fred and George took to fatherhood quiet well."

Katie snickered along with Angelina. She turned back to Harry and Ginny rolling her eyes. "Those two. I swear they're convinced no child was ever born as special as theirs."

Harry and Ginny smiled. "Well isn't that the way it's supposed to be?" Ginny asked with a tender smile on her face. When Sirius had been born Harry had the same tendency to brag about his son and his accomplishments claiming that no child had ever done such a thing as well before him. Ginny had found it quiet enduring.

"Mummy." Ginny felt a slight tug on her shirt. She looked down to see Sirius extending his hands towards her. "Mummy. Up." He demanded.

Ginny was just crouching down to pick up her son when she heard raised voices coming from the other side of the hospital room door.


Hermione's sweaty hand reached out and clutched frantically at Ron's as another contraction hit her. "Oh god!" She cried out in pain as it felt like her body was trying to rip its self in half. "Ron." She released his hand to take a firm grip on his shirt and pull him down close to her face threateningly. "I'm never letting you touch me again." She seethed through her teeth before pushing him away.

"That's all right, love." Ron said soothingly as he stroked Hermione's sweaty hair out of her face. "I promise I'll never touch you again if that's what you want."

The painful contraction came to an end and Hermione slumped back on the pillow. Her tongue slid across her parched lips as she struggled to calm down her breathing. She looked up at her husband with wide brown eyes and reached out for his hand again. Ron slid his fingers between hers without hesitation and pressed the interlocked joints to his lips.

"I didn't mean that Ron." Hermione said with a gravely strained voice.

"Forget about it, Mione." He let his fingers trace her features gently. "I understand." He leaned forward and pressed a quick feather light kiss to her lips. Ron glanced at the clock as he pulled away and sighed as he braced himself. "All right love." He whispered. "Another contraction will be coming any moment now."

As if on cue another contraction hit her body and Hermione's body arched up off the bed. Her grip was so fierce Ron feared that she might break a few bones in his hand. He pushed the pain aside however as he focused on his wife. A few broken fingers would be worth it in a little while when another child would be added to their family. What was important now was keeping Hermione as calm as possible.

The contraction eased away and Hermione's body relaxed once again trying to prepare itself for the next excruciating wave of contractions. Ron leaned forward and pressed a tender kiss to her glistening brow. "See love, you're doing wonderful."

Hermione snorted as she turned her face towards his, seeking the comfort only he could give her.

"All right Mrs. Weasley" The Medi-Witch Ron had forgotten was in the room spoke from the end of the propped bed. "You've reached ten centimetres. On the next contraction I want you to push."

Hermione nodded and squeezed Ron's hand assuringley as she felt the first pangs of the contractions deep inside her.


The rest of the Weasley family had arrived and were gathered in a large mass outside Hermione's delivery room. The conversation was congenial as the family waited the adults standing along the walls and sitting in the chairs gathered in groups of two or three while the older grandchildren played in the middle of the hallway with the toys that Penelope had been clever enough to bring along.

Hero and Helena were playing with a pile of wooden blocks, stacking them up and sending them toppling down repeatedly. After a while they seemed to grow bored with their game however. If one was watching closely they would have caught the settle glance of understanding between the two sisters or the mischievous gleam that twinkled in their bright blue eyes. If someone had they might have stopped the girls before the sent the blocks flying into the air to tumble around each other with a stunning display of aerial acrobatics.

The adults gasped in horror as the blocks started to float their way down the hall catching the attention of not only the Weasley family but also the other visitors who were waiting patiently in the hall. Instantly Harry and Ginny jumped up from where they had been sitting and started summoning the blocks towards them. Fred and George, who were holding their sleeping daughters, leaned against the wall and laughed as the rest of the family jumped up and started casting their own spells to retrieve the blocks.

While the adults weren't looking the two two and a half year olds stood up and ran a safe distance down the hall until as one they summoned all the wands out of their older relative's hands. Hero and Helena burst into unhindered laughter at the shocked looks on their aunts, uncles and grandparent's faces.

Snapping out of her astonishment, Molly Weasley's hands sprung to her hips and her eyes narrowed with anger. "Hero and Helena Weasley. What do you think you are doing?" She said in a voice so low and calm that the laughter immediately erased from the twin girls faces. "You do not use magic." She snapped, her hand flinging out palm open and up. "Return the wands at once."

Not daring to enrage their grandmother even further the twins waited not a moment to send the wands flying back to their proper owners.

"Now the blocks." Molly ordered pointing a finger to the ground. Soon the blocks that had been tumbling over each other in the air were descending towards the ground to stack neatly into a pile.

"I don't want to see you two using magic like that ever again. And you two," she pointed a stern finger at her own twins. "Stop encouraging them. It's not funny."

Fred and George withered under their mother's penetrating glare. Even now, fully grown with their own children, they knew they stood no chance under the wrath of their mother's anger. It was a frightening thing and no Weasley in their straight mind went against her.

From down the length of the now eerily quiet hallway came the sound or running feat. Many heads up and down the length of the hall turned and watched stonily as three Medi-Wizards rushed down the hallway. Hearts ceased when they saw the bright blue bands that indicated that these were the emergency specialists.

"Get out of the way!" the leader of the group shouted as the passed through the first gathering and continued running. The Weasleys all grabbed their children and pulled back against the wall so that the healers could get past. But they didn't go past. Instead they made a sharp turn and burst through Hermione's door releasing the sound of her agonizing screams into the hallway.

"Ron," Hermione sobbed as her body spasmed again with pain, her body instantly contracting and pulling him closer to her. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know love." Ron leaned in close staring deep into her brown eyes. He continued to stroke her brow hoping that it would offer her some comfort. His eyes closed on their own volition when Hermione's body arched with obvious pain. Her small hand squeezed his so tight but he didn't even flinch, his only concern was for his wife and their unborn child.

"Damn! She's hemorrhaging. Get the Emergency team in here quick."

Ron's heart ceased in his chest at the Healer's words. He turned to Hermione who was staring up at him with panic in her eyes. Her breath came in short quick puffs as her panic started to take over.

"Relax Hermione." Ron tried to sooth to no avail. The tears streamed down her face in greater torrents. Another contraction came and Hermione screamed painfully. Her body felt like it was literally being torn in half from the inside. Her cry of anguish continued as the door opened and three other Healers rushed into the room.

The first Healer that had come through the door took the place of the Healer that had been chosen to deliver the baby.

"What's happened?" He asked as he pulled his wand out from his pocket."

Healer Nell, stepped up beside the doctor speaking over Hermione's cries of anguish. She pinned a pointed glare at the Medi-Student who was standing close to the wall, an ashamed look on her young face. "My student didn't give a thorough examination. It appears she missed the fact that the baby has not fully turned."

"What?" Ron's head snapped over to the group of doctors gathered at the ends of his wife's bed. "What does that mean?"

Healer Nell stepped sympathetically towards Ron as the three Emergeny Healers set quickly to work. "Mr. Weasley. Perhaps you should step outside and wait with your family."

"No." Ron snapped instantly, turning back to Hermione. "I'm not leaving my wife." Hermione who had seemed panicked for a moment at the thought of Ron leaving her relaxed when she saw the determination in his eye. "It's all right Mione." He assured. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Here." One of the emergency witches held out a yellow glowing vile to Hermione. "Drink this."

"Wh…"

Before Hermione could finish asking her question the Healer dumped the yellow potion inside her mouth and held it closed forcing her to swallow the potion.

Almost instantly the draft took affect. A dazed look replaced the panic on Hermione's features. Her head wavered from side to side for a moment until it tipped towards Ron. Her grip loosened on his hand but did not let go.

"Ron," she murmured with a voice so faint he almost didn't hear her. He leaned in close so that their faces were only inches away.

"What is it Mione?"

"Did we have the baby yet?" If the situation wasn't so serious he might have been tempted to laugh but his heart was beating so fast with worry that it seemed completely inconceivable at the moment.

"No love. Not yet."

"Oh." Hermione closed her eyes for a moment before snapping back open. "Will you tell me when we do?"

"Of course."

Convinced that Hermione was relaxed and comfortable Ron turned his focus back to the Medi-Witches and Wizards who were bustling about the room.

"Can someone please explain to me what exactly is going on?"

Healer Nell stepped in beside Ron again, feeling it her place being their primary Healer to explain what was happening. "Mr. Weasley," She began apologetically. "Mahon," She nodded to the young witch who was still pressed up close to the wall. "is a student Healer. During the examination of your wife's progress she forgot to check the position of the baby. I hope you understand that it's very rare for a baby to not be fully turned so it did not occur to Mahon to check for it."

"What do you mean the baby's not fully turned?" Ron asked his confusion and anxiety causing pressure to build behind his eyes.

"Normally upon delivery the baby's head is pointed down making for an easier more natural birth. Your child hasn't reached the full head down position. Now rarely a baby will come out feet first or even bottom first. However you child is about halfway turned in an odd position which is not allowing natural delivery. The emergency team is going to have to perform an emergency C-section, which is a type of Muggle form of Emergency delivery.

Ron's face grew even more ashen as horror stories of the crazy things Muggle Doctors did to their patience ran through his mind. Cutting people open, purposefully severing limbs, stitches.

"Isn't there another way?" He asked almost panicky.

The Medi-Witch shook her head. "The baby has become lodged in the birth canal. If we caught the state earlier we could have magically turned it. But at this point to try and do that magically could be both harmful to mother and child."

Ron had to take several calming breaths. "All right." he nodded as he turned back to Hermione, clutching her now limp hand even tighter. "Could someone go tell my family what's happened please?"

"Of course." Nell nodded at Mahon who pushed away from the wall and followed her into the hall.

In the hallway the family watched stone faced as the door began to open. Mr. and Mrs. Granger rushed forward with Arthur and Molly closing in close behind.

"What's going on?" Mrs. Granger asked fearfully as the two Healers stepped into the hallway. "What's wrong with my daughter?"

Healer Nell frowned apologetically at the tight knit group gathered close around her. "There's been some complications." The Grangers and Weasleys tensed as they listened silently to the Healer as she continued to explain Hermione's condition.

Healer Nell looked about the large group and was slightly humoured, despite the severity of the situation, at the variety of expressions on the masses faces. Most of the group had the look of object horror that usually marred witches and wizards' expressions when they were told that a Muggle technique was to be used on a loved one. However, three of the adults, one of which she instantly recognized as Harry Potter, had a worried but resigned look on their face as if they understood the procedure and it was quiet common to them. Most of her amusement however was resigned to the oldest looking male with balding red hair who looked like he was barley restraining himself from asking if he could be permitted into the room to watch the procedure.

"Do you have any questions for me at this time?"

The large group stood silently for a moment. Some of them too shocked to speak while others were too worried. Finally after several minutes Ginny stepped forward and asked tentatively. "Will this affect their ability to have more children?"

The Healer looked at her thoughtfully for a moment before shaking her head. "I don't believe so. Mrs. Weasley is young and strong and our emergency team is staffed with the most skilled Healers in their field. We caught the problem soon enough that there should not be any lasting damage."

Ginny nodded and turned away, seeking the comfort of Harry's arms. She closed her eyes as his arms slipped about her pulling her tight to him. A single tear slipped down her cheek and disappeared into the fabric of his shirt.

"Shh Ginny." Harry soothed. "Hermione will be all right. You'll see."

"I know." Ginny pulled away far enough so that she could look into his eyes. "It's just that… a few minutes ago everything was fine. A new Weasley was making its way into the world and we were getting ready to celebrate." She tucked her head into his shoulder, her eyes pinched shut. "What if something goes wrong with out baby?"

Finally understanding Ginny's real fear Harry wrapped his arms more securely around her and pressed a kiss to the crown of her head as he ran a soothing hand through the long strands of her hair. "Gin, you heard the Healer. It's very rare for this type of thing to happen."

"But it did happen." She insisted fretfully.

"Yes it did." He agreed. "But if it will make you feel better. We can bring you in to have a check up every week if you like."

"Really?" She asked without lifting her head from his shoulder.

Harry couldn't help but smile at his wife's irrationality. "I promise."

Ginny stood in the circle of his arms a few minutes more before pulling away violently brushing fiercely at the tears streaming down her cheeks. "This is ridicules." She pushed her coppery hair out of her face. "Hermione will be fine. The baby will be fine. Everything is going to be all right. I have nothing to worry about."

Bending down she picked her son up into her arms and snuggle him close to her chest. When Harry's arm slid around her waist pulling them both in close Ginny didn't object but instead tilted her head to the side so that it rested on his shoulder. After all, she knew for a fact that it could hold the weight of the world.