Author's Notes: I want to thank everyone for all the comments so far. Big hugs to everyone! I've gone back and edited all stories I've put up so far so that they are now legible. I don't know what happened, but they looked fine one day and then suddenly they weren't. Hopefully it's all been fixed now. As a side note, for those wondering where Harry is, this is a very long fic, patience.

Chapter 10

Draco returned to Ireland before mid afternoon. Making him rest, Heather finished bundling Cassiopeia up for the trip. She'd already mapped out a course for them. It was best if they left the British Isles that day before Lucius found out which midwife Draco had chosen. France was too obvious and too close, but Spain wasn't. They were heading for Madrid.

"From there we'll take Muggle transportation ta America. My niece, Colleen Kelly is studyin' in New York City. I've already sent an owl ta her about puttin' us up fer a few days," Heather said, pointing out the flight path she'd drawn on a map.

"I don't know," Draco muttered not liking the idea of using Muggle transportation.

"Yer in no shape ta be flyin' across an ocean and I canna carry a baby that far. If we use a Portkey, yer father could track us easily. A Muggle airplane is perfectly safe. I've been on one before," she informed, him folding up the map. "We'll just have ta exchange some o' our wizard money fer Muggle money, buy the tickets an' we're on board. A spell on the customs agents at the other end an' we're home free." Heather smiled as if they were going on holiday instead of running for their lives. Her confidence though, was uplifting. Maybe we can do this, Draco thought as the redhead stuffed the map in her cloak.

Taking one last look at her home, Heather grabbed her traveling bag. Instructing Draco that he'd be taking it with him, she sent him outside. Moments later she joined him with broom and babe in hand. Checking to make sure Cassiopeia was snug in the sling she was wearing; Heather took a deep breath and walked towards Draco.

"Is she safe in that?" he asked hesitantly peering at the baby sling fitted across her chest.
"Of course. Mothers have been using this type o' carrier fer generations. Now, let's go before it's too dark. There's a hotel room in Madrid with our names on it an' I aim ta be sleepin' there tonight," she replied, straddling her broom.

They kicked off into the sky and headed south. Heather flew hard and fast. It was difficult to keep up with her, Draco soon discovered. His battered body wasn't up to her whirlwind pace. Glancing over her shoulder at him, Heather slowed and dug something out of her pocket. Attaching a rope from her broom to Draco's, she ensured they'd stay together. If he started to slow too much, she'd just pull him. Cassiopeia remained asleep throughout the flight; warm milk and small drop of sleeping potion keeping her still in the sling.

Crimson and orange clouds signaled the end of the day as they approached the Spanish capital. Heather knew where she was going. She'd traveled all over the world before setting up her midwifery practice. When Draco asked her if she'd ever married, she'd simply said yes and nothing more.

The hotel Heather had picked was comfortable and affordable. It was near a branch office of Gringotts so all they had to do was run across the street in the morning. Cassiopeia stirred and woke, starving for her bottle. Warming up some formula magically, Draco waited while Heather changed the baby's diapers. As Cassiopeia ate, he tried to stay awake, but eventually the midwife had to take over. Falling into bed, he was asleep in minutes.

The next morning, Heather was up and over to Gringotts before Draco finished giving the baby her morning bottle. Returning a bit later, Heather informed Draco that her niece had sent a letter. Colleen was willing to let them stay in her flat in New York City for as long as necessary. This was excellent news and Heather explained that she needed to go out again. Giving him a few instructions on infant care, she once more left him alone. She reappeared several hours later with shopping bags and airplane tickets.

"We canna go 'round in the clothes we're in," Heather explained, pulling several pairs of slacks from one bag. "They're too flamboyant fer Muggles. An' since we're travelin' as Muggles we should dress like them. Not ta mention the lass has only been wearin' diapers an' a blanket since she was born." She continued tossing a few one-pieces on the bed beside Draco.

He picked up one of the baby's garment and looked at it skeptically. It was pastel pink with little white sheep on it. The other two weren't much better. Pastel appeared to be the only color scheme Muggles could come up with for newborns. He seriously doubted his parents had made him wear such things when he was a baby.

"Well, let's get'er dressed an' then us. Our airplane leaves in three hours an' we need ta be at the terminal before then," Heather said, picking out what she was wearing.

His choices seemed drab compared to what he was used to wearing, but Draco eventually found something that would work. The gray slacks were a little long in the leg and tight in the hip, but were workable. The navy sweater was soft and warm, which made him feel instantly better. Giving in to the sheep, he with Heather's supervision, dressed Cassiopeia in the pink one-piece before wrapping her in the dark green blanket again. Finally ready, they paid for their room and left for the Muggle area.

Somehow they managed to arrive at the airport without being killed, despite their taxi driver's efforts. Draco decided that automobiles were insane pieces of Muggle machinery obviously made as a form of population control. He'd never seen people run so quickly across the road before.

The crowds filling the airport almost made him turn around and get back in the taxi though. Heather held his hand all the way to their gate to make sure he didn't get lost. Scores of Muggles were standing around talking; greeting people, saying good-bye to loved ones. Draco felt very out of place, like a mouse in a dragon's lair. He was certain they'd be caught, but Heather marched right up to the counter, handed the woman their tickets before hauling him to the waiting seats. Cassiopeia cried wanting her next bottle as people chatted in an unfamiliar language. Draco thought he was about to lose his mind, but Heather patted him on the knee and told him everything was fine. Maybe to her it was, but he was having serious doubts.

Once on the airplane, he tried to calm down. There were fewer Muggles and therefore quieter. Taking Cassiopeia, Heather urged him to take a nap. They had a long flight ahead of them. After some protest, he gave in and welcomed the chance to sleep. Merlin knew Cassiopeia hadn't let him do much of that the night before. Six hours later they landed in the United States.

Colleen was waiting for them. After giving her aunt a hug, she introduced herself to Draco. Marching them to her automobile, Colleen opened the driver's side door, which at once made him nervous. He noticed her driving skills were much better than their taxi driver's though, as they wove in and out of traffic with no threat to bystanders. Upon reaching the flat, Colleen insisted on cooking for them. Her version of cooking was calling for Chinese take out.

"Everyone uses Muggle take out here," Colleen explained as they waited. "It's not always the best, but it's fast."

Sighing, Draco curled up on the couch. The women stayed in the kitchen cooing over Cassiopeia, giving him time to himself. He felt tired and overwhelmed. His body was beginning to ache as his feminine parts diminished and the loss of the hormones they produced left him vulnerable to melancholy. Worry over what to do next, how he was going to support a baby, and stay alive filled his mind. What am I going to do? I have no idea how to raise a child. It's only been four days and already I'm tired of her crying. I can't do this. I'm crazy to think this will work even if Heather does, he thought miserably as his daughter let out a wail. By the time the food arrived he'd managed to work himself into a depressed state.

"Draco, the food is 'ere," Heather said coming over to him, Cassiopeia asleep on her shoulder. He grumbled. "Come on, ya need ta eat a little." She gently touched him on the shoulder.

Lifting his head, Draco caught a whiff of the Chinese food. It smelled good. He had no idea what it was, but the blend of spices urged him off the couch and into the kitchen. Collen was busily dividing up the food on to separate plates for everyone. Draco stared at the mountain of rice and then at the strange mixture of vegetables and meat she was pouring over top of it.

"It's good, I promise," Colleen assured.

Apprehensive, but starving, Draco sat down and waited for Heather to rejoin them. She'd put the baby on Colleen's bed for a nap. Returning just as the teakettle on the stove whistled, Heather sat as Colleen poured everyone some hot water and gave them a choice of teas before sitting down herself to eat.

"Livin' with the Yanks isn't too bad." Colleen said, trying to be helpful. Smiling, she deftly picked up a slice of sweet and sour pork with her chopsticks. Draco stared at her wondering how she could do that. He carefully picked up his pair and tried to mimic her actions with no luck. "You could stay in one o' the wizarding communities 'round here."

"It's too close lass." Heather replied shaking her head while Draco gave up trying to use his chopsticks. "His father aims ta murder Cassiopeia. It's just a hop across the Pond an' he's at our doorstep."

"You could try the West Coast. I hear they've got lot o' nice weather in California. If you'd prefer somethin' closer ta Ireland's weather, Oregon or Washington State are good," she suggested.

"No offense ta the Yanks," Heather glanced over to where Draco was searching for a fork. "It's in the left drawer." He seized the left drawer and found the utensil. "But I donna think this is the best place. Even on the West Coast, it'd be easy ta spot us. His father's a tenacious one. No, I think we need ta get as far from Britain as possible."

"New Zealand." Colleen said firmly. Draco looked up from his meal.

"What?" He asked.

"I said, New Zealand. It's next ta Australia. It's small an' unobtrusive. It'd take shear luck ta find you there." Colleen nodded, happy with her suggestion. After describing what she knew about the country, Heather and Draco realized she was right. It was the least likely place for them to live. Who would ever think they'd go that far south and that far away from the European wizarding world?

Over the next few days they researched conditions, economy and regulations for living there. It was a tight country to apply for citizenship in, but they were determined to go. Colleen helped where she could, asking friends for advice, but Draco didn't want to continue dwelling on her charity.

A week after they'd arrived in the States, they were once again on an airplane. This time it was heading to Australia. It was their back up plan if they were denied access to New Zealand citizenship. Heather figured they should live there while they waited. It would help them all acclimatize to the Southern Hemisphere.