Draco was beginning to despise hospitals. Or at least mediwizards. They never told anyone anything. He found himself pacing back and forth. He had fainted an hour ago when he witnesses his child being born, but he was rushed out practically immediately afterwards. Now he was left in the dark.
He practically fell over when Madame Pomfrey rushed out to tell him that Ginny was asking for him. He slipped on the freshly waxed floor when he started to quickly head for the door.
Walking in the dimly lit room, Draco saw a faded Ginny. So weak looking and pale. Her normally full eyebrows could barely be seen and her normally clean and nice stature was lazy. Except her arms.
So strong were her arms. Protective arms. Motherly arms. Those powerful arms held a tiny creature. Everything about it seemed unknown, but then everything about it seemed so familiar. The pale blue eyes that mirrored his own, and the dark, auburn hair glazed over the almost bald head of the child. Draco seemed to fall in love with the child in an instant.
"Meet our daughter." Ginny's dry voice came from weak lips. Draco shuffled over to her side and smiled.
"I'll let you name her...I've grown out of that other name I liked before..." Ginny's smile seemed forced and as Draco moved closer, he noticed the twinkle of tears in her eyes. He sat down next to her.
"I've always liked the name Artemis..."
Ginny smiled, "That sounds like a good name. Artemis Malfoy..."
"What's wrong?" Draco finally asked her after cooing at the baby for a moment or two. Ginny frowned. She handed the baby off to the nurse that was standing nearby, and she lifted up her gown to show him her stomach. The Dark Mark was still there. Bright as ever; darker. Draco bit his lip and sighed, looking down.
"Why?"Ginny asked suddenly, her rough, raspy voice shouted in a whisper, "Why is this happening?"
He hugged her deeply.
"I wish I had the answers, Gin..."
Ginny pulled away and she shuddered.
"Did you see our daughter?" She whispered, scared, "Did you see her little arm?" tears rolled down her face. Draco looked at the newborn's outstretched arm. What he saw horrified him. On the tiny arm, was the Dark Mark.
Draco's eyes grew wide, then he turned to Ginny, who's eyes were already red and her cheeks were tear stained. He couldn't find himself to say anything. Not a word. He looked as though he was about to say something, but no words came to him. The nurse took the baby away, and Draco got up on Ginny's hospital bed. So tired she was...so tired. Tears of melancholy were in her eyes, and he held her close to him.
"I thought everything-would be done with...I thought...it would go away..." Ginny said as she sobbed into his shirt, "I thought it would be a new beginning..."
Draco was still silent, rubbing his soft hands against her warm back. He was her comfort now, and soon she sobbed herself to sleep. Draco lay awake, just thinking. Thinking of how stupid he was, and is. Thinking of how he could make Ginny's dream come true. Is it possible for them to start anew? Is it possible for them to have a new beginning, and everything would be okay?"