The Birth -
"You're. . . You're in labor?" Harry asked, wide eyed at his wife. "As in this moment, you're in labor?" he asked again. Ginny heaved an exasperated sigh and rolled her eyes. "Yes Harry, that's what I believe just came out of my mouth," she said, holding back the strong urge to kick him at the moment. "We should contact the healer," Harry said, looking around the room as if expecting to see the healer standing there. "We have time Harry," Ginny said patiently, as her husband looked to be concentrating hard as he studied the room. "Your mum, I'll floo your mum!" Harry said, rushing over to the fireplace. "Really Harry, you don't have to contact her yet," Ginny said, feeling annoyed that Harry wasn't listening to her. Harry had already thrown the powder into the grate where a fire was burning from Ginny's use of it earlier and had called out the Burrow's address. Ginny shook her head, watching Harry's back.
"Molly!" Harry shouted a few moments later, "Molly, its Harry!" he shouted again. "Harry you're going to wake all of Britain," Ginny hissed at her husband's back. A few moments later she heard her mother's voice, "Harry dear, what is the matter?" Ginny reached up and began to rub her temples with her finger tips. The storm continued its angry rage outside, flashing a bright line of lightning that reflected off of the wall. Lex moved over to curl up against Ginny's feet; he licked her ankle before resting his head on top of her foot. "Ginny's in labor Molly," Harry said, excitedly. "How far apart are her contractions?" Ginny heard Molly ask. "They're less than twelve minutes apart now," Ginny called out before Harry could try to answer. The wall clock let off a half past chime, Ginny looked up seeing that it was now twelve-thirty. "You two sit tight, I'll be over as soon as I get dressed," Molly said, before Harry pulled his head out of the fireplace.
"Let's get you to bed," Harry said, standing up and making it to Ginny's side in two long strides. "Harry, the healer said it would be better to walk, to encourage the babies to move further into the birth canal," Ginny said, taking Harry's hand to stand up. "Oh, right," Harry said nervously. Ginny placed a delicate hand onto Harry's strong arms, "It will be ok Harry, I promise," she said, giving him a smile. Harry looked down at his wife and relaxed slightly, "You're right," he said, taking her hand and squeezing it gently before brushing the back of it with a quick kiss. "Fancy a walk then?" Harry asked, placing Ginny's hand into the crook of his arm. "It would be my pleasure." Ginny said, giving his arm a squeeze.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Molly entered through the front door after a quick knock. Ginny was standing near a high backed chair, hands gripping the head of the chair as she bent forward, head hanging low. Harry, who was now fully dressed, stood next to her rubbing her back gently as Ginny rocked slightly side to side. "How far apart are they now?" Molly asked in a hushed voice. Ginny raised her head up, heaving a deep sigh, "Ten minutes," she answered. Molly sat her bag down on the side table and shrugged off her wet cloak; thunder continued to crash angrily outside as the rain beat down. "They are moving quicker than I anticipated," Molly said, stepping to the couple. Harry gave her a nervous smile before turning his attention back to Ginny. "Harry, perhaps you should have Ginny walk in the master bedroom," Molly politely suggested. Harry gave his mother-in-law a quick look, catching her eye before leading Ginny towards the hall. "I'll be right there Harry, I want to use the floo," Molly said, heading towards the den.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ginny groaned, the pain slowly gripped her stomach again; it was almost unbearable now. She began to take a deep breath in before blowing it out through parted lips. She stood near the nursery entrance holding onto the doorway. Instantly she began to sway, countering the pain that was growing in intensity as her uterine muscles contracted. Deep within her mind she began a chant for each contraction, 'It's almost over, it's almost over, it's almost over," she thought to herself. The storm outside grew only stronger in its wrath. As the wind rattled the windows, she could catch glimpses of trees bending towards the storm's will. The thunder overpowered any other sound until it chose to pass. Ginny felt her contraction hit its peek, she gasped as a flood of warmth began to trickle down the inside of her legs.
Harry who was only a step away at all times caught her reaction and was instantly there, "What is it?" he asked. "My water, it just broke." Ginny said, looking at the small puddle that began to form at her feet. She groaned at the mess she was making. She felt one of the twins shift within her as more fluid flowed out quicker this time. "How embarrassing," she groaned into the door frame.
Clark and Lex had followed Ginny into the bedroom earlier and were perched on top of Ginny's dresser, well out of way, keeping a close eye on their mistress. "It's alright Ginny, it's perfectly normal," Molly said, waving her wand to clean up the mass of the mess. Molly turned back to the queen size bed straightening out the special birthing sheets she had just put on them. She smoothed out a small pad of material, "Come, you should lay down for a bit," Molly said, patting the pad. Ginny waited until the contraction passed before slowly walking to the bed.
"Their five minutes apart now," Harry said quietly as Ginny settled into the bed. Molly flicked her wand and the remaining trail of fluid was cleaned up. With another wave of her wrist the back of the bed raised so Ginny was in a comfortable sitting position. "Let's get your gown changed dear," Molly said, walking over to Ginny's dresser and pulling out Ginny's favorite white gown. After helping Ginny change Molly gathered up the soiled cloths. "Try to relax dear and get some rest between contractions," Molly soothed as she lightly rubbed Ginny's arm. Ginny nodded her head and closed her eyes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
There was a knock at the bedroom door; Ginny looked up to see Hermione peek her head in. Ginny gave her a weak smile as another crash of thunder struck. "Mind if I come in?" Hermione asked. Harry has sunk down on the edge beside Ginny on her side of the bed, gently rubbing her leg. Ginny patted the free side of the bed and extended her hand for Hermione to take. Hermione sat on the opposite side of the bed and took Ginny's hand. "Where are Ron and the children?" Ginny asked. Harry reached up and tucked a stray lock of damp hair behind her ear. "Oh, Ron took them upstairs with Arthur to one of the spare bedrooms to lay them down," Hermione said, rubbing the back of Ginny's hand with her thumb. Molly bustled around the bedroom straightening up items. "Ron contacted the Fred and George, they should be here shortly," Hermione said, reaching over to wipe away a bead of sweat that began to fall down Ginny's temple. Ginny groaned and chuckled at the same time, "Lovely," she muttered.
"Gin, where's the stone?" Harry asked, gently stroking her leg. "My vanity," Ginny answered, nodding her head towards the table. Molly stepped over and looked on top of the vanity table, she quickly found the stone and picked it up bringing it over to Ginny. A loud rumble of thunder passed as another knock came to the bedroom door. Hermione stood up from the bed and made her way over to the door. She opened it, looking a bit stunned for a moment, around the door two identical heads appeared, grinning like mad. "You do know it's four in the morning," said Fred. "Nice timing you've got there runt," said George. Ginny closed her eyes for half a second shaking her head against her pillow. When she looked at her brothers again a third head appeared below Fred and George's, Ron had peeked in too. "You need anything Ginny, we'll be there to get it," said Ron.
Fred and George nodded with serious expressions on their faces, "We're here for you runt," said Fred. "And we've got presents waiting for 'em," chimed in George, the mischievous grin reappearing. "Alright you three, out!" Hermione sternly said, one hand on her hip while the other held the door. "We love you runt!" shouted Fred's retreating head. "Yeah, love you!" shouted George and Ron. "Honestly!" Hermione grumbled, shutting the door before turning back to face the room.
Molly shook her head, looking at the closed door before dropping the milky translucent stone into Ginny's hand. "Here goes nothing," said Ginny, squeezing the stone as she closed her eyes. Ginny felt the now familiar stirrings of a contraction as she tried to concentrate on Nynaeve's name. She groaned, pressing her head back against the pillow. "Relax Gin," Harry tried to soothe. "Shut up Harry," Ginny snapped while in the middle of her contraction. Harry's eyes about popped out of his head, staring slack jawed at his wife who had her eyes closed again, panting through a contraction. "Harry, she doesn't mean it. It's the pain of the contraction talking," Hermione gently reminded him. Molly reached out and patted Harry on the back, giving him a reassuring smile.
They were distracted a few moments later by a vertical slit of blinding white light from the corner of the room. Harry instantly jumped off of the bed, wand in hand. Hermione and Molly had both reacted by pulling their wands out, facing the light that began to fatten, spreading into a large dark hole surrounded by the blinding white beam at the edge. Before Hermione could shout for the men to come healer Nynaeve appeared standing at the portal wearing a stout woolen skirt of pale green that reached the floor, her customary yellow shawl was draped across her shoulders. Her long braid hung down the middle of her back. They caught a glimpse of a private sitting room on the other side of the portal. Nynaeve looked around the room at the raised wands pointing at her and frowned, tugging on the ends of her yellow shawl. "Well I certainly didn't expect this form of a welcome. Put those things down," Nynaeve commanded sternly. Hermione and Molly looked at the healer as if slapped by her words. The portal closed quickly behind Nynaeve after she stepped through it.
Nynaeve quickly walked over to the side of the bed, brushing Harry aside. "How far apart are they," the healer asked. "Five minutes," Harry answered, looking down at his wife from behind Nynaeve's shoulder. "How long has she been in labor?" Nynaeve asked, stretching her hands out over Ginny's stomach and closed her eyes to concentrate. "Before midnight I believe," Harry muttered, watching the healer work. Ginny remained quiet with her eyes closed, her body already felt worn out, she was beginning to wonder how she was ever going to get through this. Molly walked around to stand beside Hermione as they watched the healer; both women looked at each other with a frown, noticing the lack of a wand. "You're almost fully dilated Ginny," Nynaeve said, dropping her hands to her side. The healer reached up and took her yellow shawl off and laid it on a near by chair. "Soon it will be time to push." she said looking around the room at the other occupants. "Is the nursery prepared?" Nynaeve asked Harry. "Yes everything is ready," He answered as he sunk back to the edge of the bed and began gently rubbing his wife's leg. Ginny growled, peeking through her closed eyes at Harry, "Don't touch me," she hissed, jerking her leg away. Harry jumped back as if he had been stung. Molly walked over quickly and rubbed Harry's arm, bending low she whispered, "It's ok dear, just the pain talking." Harry nodded, trying not to look too hurt.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lightening flashed as thunder shook the windows, "I haven't seen a storm like this in years," Molly muttered to herself, looking out the nursery windows through the bedroom doorway. Ginny let out a scream of pain as another contraction began to grip her. Harry stood by the head of her bed and dabbed a cool wet cloth on her forehead. Suddenly outside of the door you could hear muffled voices of the twins, "Ginny? Is she alright?" said Fred through the door. "What is that quack healer doing to her?" said George. Hermione was leaning against Harry's dresser with her arms crossed in front of herself jerked forward off of the dresser and went for the door. Healer Nynaeve was leaning over Ginny at the moment. She looked up sharply at the twins words, an angry look crossed her features as she reached up to her long braid and gave it a sharp tug. Outside you could hear Ron come up to them and speak, "Everything is fine, let's go play billiards."
Hermione grabbed the door handle with a stern frown, "I am going to go check on everyone. I'll be back." Ginny was panting through her worst contraction yet; she looked over at Hermione and nodded. "Ginny," Nynaeve said softly, "It's time to start pushing with your next few contractions." Ginny groaned as her contraction ebbed. Licking her lips she looked up at Harry with pain clouded eyes. Harry bent forward, placing a gentle kiss on her sweat slick brow. "I love you," he whispered against her hot skin. Ginny reached up and caressed Harry's stubbled cheek with her hand. "You need to shave," she chuckled. Harry grinned against her forehead, "I'll go do that right now love."
Harry walked back out of the bathroom after quickly going in to shave. "Harry, I want you to climb into the bed with Ginny," Nynaeve said as she pulled the top sheet back from the bed. Molly hurried over and took the sheet away. "Ginny, I'd like to call in my assistants." said Nynaeve, straightening out the bottom sheet beneath Ginny. Ginny looked at the healer as another contraction began to take grip of her. She cried out in pain again grabbing a hold of Harry's hand as he kicked off his shoes and climbed in the bed to kneel beside his wife. "I want 'Mione and Mum," Ginny growled as she began to pant through the contraction. Nynaeve looked over her shoulder at Molly and assessed her with her eyes. "I know what to do," Molly said, looking directly at the healer with her head held high. "Very well, would you please go get the other," Nynaeve said. "Hermione," Harry said. "Hermione," Nynaeve said, nodding her thanks to Harry. Molly quietly went out the bedroom door in search of Hermione. Ginny's contraction ended and she rested her head against Harry's shoulder inhaling deeply to release a heavy sigh. "You smell good," she mumbled, noting that Harry had put on aftershave. The subtle sweet mossy tones blended with spices and amber played on her senses bringing a bit of calm to the back of her mind. Harry chuckled placing a kiss onto her forehead, "Isn't that my line?" he said, reaching up and brushing a lock of her hair off of her forehead. Ginny grinned up at him.
Hermione and Molly entered a few moments later. "Have the towels ready," Nynaeve said to the two women. Molly nodded and waved her wand, a stack of thin yellow towels appeared on the corner of the bed. "Ginny I need you to move closer to the edge of the bed," the healer said as Ginny began to squirm down further. "Now Harry, On Ginny's next contraction I want you to help support her as she pushes," Nynaeve said. "Ginny, let me move your legs please," the healer said gently. "We need the bed reclined back a bit," Nynaeve ordered as she busied herself with parting Ginny's legs and bending her knees up. Molly waved her wand as the bed began to lower. "Harry, I want you to position yourself behind Ginny to better support her," Nynaeve commanded. The group quickly moved with her every order.
A bright flash of light flickered through the windows of the nursery a second later the lightening was followed by a boom of thunder so loud you could feel it within your chest. All sound was covered for a few seconds, as it grew quiet again Ginny groaned loudly feeling another contraction begin. "I think lightening just struck," Hermione said, looking towards the nursery. "Ok Ginny, you need to push," Nynaeve said. Harry positioned himself so that Ginny's sweat soaked back was against his chest, with his leg bent at the knee, his foot resting against the inner thigh of his other leg. The opposite leg was stretched out along side Ginny. Ginny grabbed her knees instinctively and took a deep breath before pulling forward as she began to bear down. The pain she felt was only intensified by the amount of pressure she added while trying to push. Hermione softly counted to ten as she stood beside the healer at the end of the bed. Molly stood on the side of the bed beside Ginny, "Good, take a breath Ginny," Molly said gently, stroking Ginny's wet hair. Ginny took another deep breath and began to bare down again. "Good, good," Nynaeve said, feeling the top of Ginny's stomach. After Hermione finished counting to ten Ginny let out her breath and fell back again Harry. "You're my world. . .I love you," Harry whispered into Ginny's ear. Ginny closed her eyes, snuggling her head against his shoulder as she let her body rest between contractions.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ginny's tired mind blurred as she rested with closed eyes. She could hear murmuring of voices but didn't feel the desire to try and figure out what they were saying. She had been pushing for over an hour now and felt like there would be no end to the exhausting work. The storm had begun to lessen as dawn crept closer to the world. Once again the unimaginable pain waved over her as another contraction bore down upon her frail form. At some point in time her mother had pulled her wet mop of hair into a ponytail to keep it out of the way. Her thin white gown clung to her sweating body as the overwhelming urge to push took hold of her. She could hear Harry encouraging her onward as she gripped her knees until her knuckles were white. She took a deep breath in holding it as her face scrunched up with the pain and pressure she was putting upon herself. She could feel with each push her body being opened wider as the head slowly made its journey out of her body. 'And this is only the first one!' she thought to herself as the hum of voices coaxed and urged her on. 'Light what did I get myself into?' she thought again as she gasped for another breath after she heard Hermione say the word ten before she began to push again. She could feel Harry help support her up as she tried to force her child out of her womb. After Hermione said 'ten' again Ginny collapsed back against Harry, panting for breath. "Ginny," Nynaeve said, "On the next contraction you'll be able to feel the baby's head if you want to."
Ginny opened her eyes looking up to her side, Molly smiled down at her reaching out to brush her daughter's cheek with the backs of her fingers, "You're almost there Ginny. You're doing beautifully." Ginny's eyes scanned around to look at the healer who was concentrating on the lower part of Ginny's body. "Ginny I'm going to cast a spell so you don't tear," Nynaeve said. The healer closed her eyes; Ginny could see her lips moving as she said a spell beneath her breath. A cool tingling sensation came over the opening of Ginny's birth canal. Hermione stood next to the healer, watching her closely as she worked.
"Oh Gods," Ginny said as another contraction quickly came over her again. What she had to do became as natural to her as breathing after doing it so many times already. "Ginny! Open your eyes," Harry said into her ear, "Look, I can see the head!" he said excitedly. Ginny opened her eyes and looked down between her legs to see bulging out of her the top of a head covered in black hair. She took her hand off of her knee and reached down as she pushed; feeling her child's head as it made its way out of her body. Hermione stood transfixed beside the healer, a look of excitement and awe on her pretty face. "Ginny! It's coming!" Hermione cried out. "Come on Ginny, push!" Molly said holding onto Ginny's leg for her while she touched her baby's head.
With all that was in her, Ginny took a deep breath and bore down again, pushing with all her might. Slowly more of the baby's head emerged until it she could see its entire face. "Ginny! Oh my God Ginny look!" Harry cried as he held her up. Ginny threw her head back against Harry's shoulder, gasping for breath. Hermione quickly reached down and laid a thin yellow blanket across Ginny's stomach before handing two over to Molly. "Ok Ginny, here comes the hard part, but you can do it. Just give me a good push and we'll have the shoulders out," Nynaeve said as she worked quickly to clear the baby's mouth and nose out as she cradled its head in her hands. Ginny felt her stomach began to squeeze again as she took one more deep breath and pushed, pulling every ounce of her reserve to give her extra strength. "Almost there!" Nynaeve said, concentrating on working the shoulders out. "Come on Ginny!" Harry cried, holding onto her shoulders, roughly kissing her temple.
Ginny felt as if she couldn't be stretched any further then she felt a sudden release as the baby slipped out of her body. Instantly Nynaeve placed the infant on Ginny's stomach and began to rub it down with another towel. Within seconds the tiny purple creature let out a lusty scream. Ginny began to cry and laugh at the same moment wrapping her arm around the baby as the healer rubbed its extremities, her other arm reached up and wrapped around Harry's neck. Hermione laughed through her tears. "It's a boy!" Harry shouted excitedly. "Oh Ginny!" Molly called out and kissed the top of her daughters head. "Ginny!" Harry shouted, "It's a boy!" Ginny could only cry at the moment looking down at the messy little creature on her stomach. The healer quickly cut off the umbilical cord and scooped up the baby, swaddling it in more yellow towels. Ginny watched as the healer handed her child over to Molly. Harry was kissing Ginny's cheek gently as they watched Molly hurry off into the master bathroom where items had been set up to clean the baby.
Nynaeve made quick work of using her magic to make the placenta disappear after Ginny passed it. Soon Molly walked back out of the bathroom with Ginny's son clean and swaddled. A thick patch of downy black hair peaked out over the yellow blanket; a tiny pink face was scrunched up with eyes closed. Molly tenderly kissed his cheek, smiling proudly at her daughter. "He's perfect," Molly said. Molly walked over and held the baby down close for Ginny and Harry to take a better look. Ginny leaned up, gingerly kissing his forehead. Harry reached up with shaking hand and brushed at the black hair on the baby's head. "Ok Ginny, this time should be much quicker." Nynaeve said. Molly walked over and handing the newborn over to Hermione so she could come back to Ginny's side. Hermione took the newborn to the nursery to lay him in the crib. Lex and Clark had been silently watching from the top of Ginny's dresser the entire time, not moving once. As soon as Hermione walked into the nursery with the newborn Lex darted off of the dresser and quickly followed her. Ginny was beyond tired, her body was weary and all she wanted to do was to hold her son and sleep. As she worked to bring her second child into the world minutes after its brother was born, the storm passed and dawn's morning rays were beginning to peek across the horizon as the earth began to awaken. "Come on Ginny, we're almost there," Harry coaxed softly in her ear. "We? I don't see you trying to squeeze a Quaffle out of a hole the size of a snitch," Ginny growled irritably. "It's alright Ginny," Molly soothed, mopping Ginny's brow with a cool wash cloth. "You're almost done," she said, touching the cool cloth to Ginny's neck. Nynaeve smirked at Harry but otherwise didn't say anything.
The next contraction came and Ginny again began to push, feeling the baby slowly work its way down the birth canal again. "I see more black hair Ginny!" Molly said excitedly. "Ginny, one more good push like that and the baby's head will be out," the healer said. "Come on honey, I know you can do it," Harry gentle encouraging words washed over her as she leaned back against him, gasping for breath. With the next push Ginny fought to keep her eyes open so she could watch her child's head emerge from her body. As before Nynaeve worked quickly to clear out the baby's nose and mouth. "Ok Ginny, just like last time," Nynaeve said, holding onto the baby's head. Hermione stood at the edge of the nursery doorway so she could keep an eye on the newborn and watch. "Please be a girl," Ginny grunted out before she bore down again, pushing with all her might. She felt one shoulder slowly work its way out with the healer's coaxing and then the other as the baby quickly slipped from her exhausted body. Again the baby was placed onto Ginny's stomach that Molly had covered with a towel. "It's another boy!" Harry shouted, squeezing Ginny's shoulders in a fierce hug.
Outside the bedroom you could hear the whooping and cheering of her brothers who had come to listen at the door. Her second son let out a howl twice as loud as her first one. Ginny fell back against Harry; weary and spent as Molly whisked the baby off to the bathroom to be cleaned and tended to after the healer had cut the cord. "Ginny I need you to hold still," Nynaeve said, holding her hands against Ginny's stomach as she closed her eyes. Ginny felt a great cooling sensation wash over her as the healer cast several mending spells to Ginny's body. With a wave of the healer's hand any mess was instantly cleaned.
Ginny turned her head up to look at Harry; his eyes were full of tears as he watched Molly through the open door of the bath. He looked down at his wife and stared into her eyes. For a moment he was at a total loss for words, his face scrunched up as he began to cry while laughing with joy. Harry pulled Ginny into a tight embrace, kissing her firmly on the forehead then on the cheek before finding her lips. "Thank you," he whispered onto her mouth. Ginny smiled against his lips, wrapping a hand back behind his neck to pull him closer into their kiss. "I love you," he whispered tenderly against her full lips. "I love you," she whispered back.
"You're. . . You're in labor?" Harry asked, wide eyed at his wife. "As in this moment, you're in labor?" he asked again. Ginny heaved an exasperated sigh and rolled her eyes. "Yes Harry, that's what I believe just came out of my mouth," she said, holding back the strong urge to kick him at the moment. "We should contact the healer," Harry said, looking around the room as if expecting to see the healer standing there. "We have time Harry," Ginny said patiently, as her husband looked to be concentrating hard as he studied the room. "Your mum, I'll floo your mum!" Harry said, rushing over to the fireplace. "Really Harry, you don't have to contact her yet," Ginny said, feeling annoyed that Harry wasn't listening to her. Harry had already thrown the powder into the grate where a fire was burning from Ginny's use of it earlier and had called out the Burrow's address. Ginny shook her head, watching Harry's back.
"Molly!" Harry shouted a few moments later, "Molly, its Harry!" he shouted again. "Harry you're going to wake all of Britain," Ginny hissed at her husband's back. A few moments later she heard her mother's voice, "Harry dear, what is the matter?" Ginny reached up and began to rub her temples with her finger tips. The storm continued its angry rage outside, flashing a bright line of lightning that reflected off of the wall. Lex moved over to curl up against Ginny's feet; he licked her ankle before resting his head on top of her foot. "Ginny's in labor Molly," Harry said, excitedly. "How far apart are her contractions?" Ginny heard Molly ask. "They're less than twelve minutes apart now," Ginny called out before Harry could try to answer. The wall clock let off a half past chime, Ginny looked up seeing that it was now twelve-thirty. "You two sit tight, I'll be over as soon as I get dressed," Molly said, before Harry pulled his head out of the fireplace.
"Let's get you to bed," Harry said, standing up and making it to Ginny's side in two long strides. "Harry, the healer said it would be better to walk, to encourage the babies to move further into the birth canal," Ginny said, taking Harry's hand to stand up. "Oh, right," Harry said nervously. Ginny placed a delicate hand onto Harry's strong arms, "It will be ok Harry, I promise," she said, giving him a smile. Harry looked down at his wife and relaxed slightly, "You're right," he said, taking her hand and squeezing it gently before brushing the back of it with a quick kiss. "Fancy a walk then?" Harry asked, placing Ginny's hand into the crook of his arm. "It would be my pleasure." Ginny said, giving his arm a squeeze.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Molly entered through the front door after a quick knock. Ginny was standing near a high backed chair, hands gripping the head of the chair as she bent forward, head hanging low. Harry, who was now fully dressed, stood next to her rubbing her back gently as Ginny rocked slightly side to side. "How far apart are they now?" Molly asked in a hushed voice. Ginny raised her head up, heaving a deep sigh, "Ten minutes," she answered. Molly sat her bag down on the side table and shrugged off her wet cloak; thunder continued to crash angrily outside as the rain beat down. "They are moving quicker than I anticipated," Molly said, stepping to the couple. Harry gave her a nervous smile before turning his attention back to Ginny. "Harry, perhaps you should have Ginny walk in the master bedroom," Molly politely suggested. Harry gave his mother-in-law a quick look, catching her eye before leading Ginny towards the hall. "I'll be right there Harry, I want to use the floo," Molly said, heading towards the den.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ginny groaned, the pain slowly gripped her stomach again; it was almost unbearable now. She began to take a deep breath in before blowing it out through parted lips. She stood near the nursery entrance holding onto the doorway. Instantly she began to sway, countering the pain that was growing in intensity as her uterine muscles contracted. Deep within her mind she began a chant for each contraction, 'It's almost over, it's almost over, it's almost over," she thought to herself. The storm outside grew only stronger in its wrath. As the wind rattled the windows, she could catch glimpses of trees bending towards the storm's will. The thunder overpowered any other sound until it chose to pass. Ginny felt her contraction hit its peek, she gasped as a flood of warmth began to trickle down the inside of her legs.
Harry who was only a step away at all times caught her reaction and was instantly there, "What is it?" he asked. "My water, it just broke." Ginny said, looking at the small puddle that began to form at her feet. She groaned at the mess she was making. She felt one of the twins shift within her as more fluid flowed out quicker this time. "How embarrassing," she groaned into the door frame.
Clark and Lex had followed Ginny into the bedroom earlier and were perched on top of Ginny's dresser, well out of way, keeping a close eye on their mistress. "It's alright Ginny, it's perfectly normal," Molly said, waving her wand to clean up the mass of the mess. Molly turned back to the queen size bed straightening out the special birthing sheets she had just put on them. She smoothed out a small pad of material, "Come, you should lay down for a bit," Molly said, patting the pad. Ginny waited until the contraction passed before slowly walking to the bed.
"Their five minutes apart now," Harry said quietly as Ginny settled into the bed. Molly flicked her wand and the remaining trail of fluid was cleaned up. With another wave of her wrist the back of the bed raised so Ginny was in a comfortable sitting position. "Let's get your gown changed dear," Molly said, walking over to Ginny's dresser and pulling out Ginny's favorite white gown. After helping Ginny change Molly gathered up the soiled cloths. "Try to relax dear and get some rest between contractions," Molly soothed as she lightly rubbed Ginny's arm. Ginny nodded her head and closed her eyes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
There was a knock at the bedroom door; Ginny looked up to see Hermione peek her head in. Ginny gave her a weak smile as another crash of thunder struck. "Mind if I come in?" Hermione asked. Harry has sunk down on the edge beside Ginny on her side of the bed, gently rubbing her leg. Ginny patted the free side of the bed and extended her hand for Hermione to take. Hermione sat on the opposite side of the bed and took Ginny's hand. "Where are Ron and the children?" Ginny asked. Harry reached up and tucked a stray lock of damp hair behind her ear. "Oh, Ron took them upstairs with Arthur to one of the spare bedrooms to lay them down," Hermione said, rubbing the back of Ginny's hand with her thumb. Molly bustled around the bedroom straightening up items. "Ron contacted the Fred and George, they should be here shortly," Hermione said, reaching over to wipe away a bead of sweat that began to fall down Ginny's temple. Ginny groaned and chuckled at the same time, "Lovely," she muttered.
"Gin, where's the stone?" Harry asked, gently stroking her leg. "My vanity," Ginny answered, nodding her head towards the table. Molly stepped over and looked on top of the vanity table, she quickly found the stone and picked it up bringing it over to Ginny. A loud rumble of thunder passed as another knock came to the bedroom door. Hermione stood up from the bed and made her way over to the door. She opened it, looking a bit stunned for a moment, around the door two identical heads appeared, grinning like mad. "You do know it's four in the morning," said Fred. "Nice timing you've got there runt," said George. Ginny closed her eyes for half a second shaking her head against her pillow. When she looked at her brothers again a third head appeared below Fred and George's, Ron had peeked in too. "You need anything Ginny, we'll be there to get it," said Ron.
Fred and George nodded with serious expressions on their faces, "We're here for you runt," said Fred. "And we've got presents waiting for 'em," chimed in George, the mischievous grin reappearing. "Alright you three, out!" Hermione sternly said, one hand on her hip while the other held the door. "We love you runt!" shouted Fred's retreating head. "Yeah, love you!" shouted George and Ron. "Honestly!" Hermione grumbled, shutting the door before turning back to face the room.
Molly shook her head, looking at the closed door before dropping the milky translucent stone into Ginny's hand. "Here goes nothing," said Ginny, squeezing the stone as she closed her eyes. Ginny felt the now familiar stirrings of a contraction as she tried to concentrate on Nynaeve's name. She groaned, pressing her head back against the pillow. "Relax Gin," Harry tried to soothe. "Shut up Harry," Ginny snapped while in the middle of her contraction. Harry's eyes about popped out of his head, staring slack jawed at his wife who had her eyes closed again, panting through a contraction. "Harry, she doesn't mean it. It's the pain of the contraction talking," Hermione gently reminded him. Molly reached out and patted Harry on the back, giving him a reassuring smile.
They were distracted a few moments later by a vertical slit of blinding white light from the corner of the room. Harry instantly jumped off of the bed, wand in hand. Hermione and Molly had both reacted by pulling their wands out, facing the light that began to fatten, spreading into a large dark hole surrounded by the blinding white beam at the edge. Before Hermione could shout for the men to come healer Nynaeve appeared standing at the portal wearing a stout woolen skirt of pale green that reached the floor, her customary yellow shawl was draped across her shoulders. Her long braid hung down the middle of her back. They caught a glimpse of a private sitting room on the other side of the portal. Nynaeve looked around the room at the raised wands pointing at her and frowned, tugging on the ends of her yellow shawl. "Well I certainly didn't expect this form of a welcome. Put those things down," Nynaeve commanded sternly. Hermione and Molly looked at the healer as if slapped by her words. The portal closed quickly behind Nynaeve after she stepped through it.
Nynaeve quickly walked over to the side of the bed, brushing Harry aside. "How far apart are they," the healer asked. "Five minutes," Harry answered, looking down at his wife from behind Nynaeve's shoulder. "How long has she been in labor?" Nynaeve asked, stretching her hands out over Ginny's stomach and closed her eyes to concentrate. "Before midnight I believe," Harry muttered, watching the healer work. Ginny remained quiet with her eyes closed, her body already felt worn out, she was beginning to wonder how she was ever going to get through this. Molly walked around to stand beside Hermione as they watched the healer; both women looked at each other with a frown, noticing the lack of a wand. "You're almost fully dilated Ginny," Nynaeve said, dropping her hands to her side. The healer reached up and took her yellow shawl off and laid it on a near by chair. "Soon it will be time to push." she said looking around the room at the other occupants. "Is the nursery prepared?" Nynaeve asked Harry. "Yes everything is ready," He answered as he sunk back to the edge of the bed and began gently rubbing his wife's leg. Ginny growled, peeking through her closed eyes at Harry, "Don't touch me," she hissed, jerking her leg away. Harry jumped back as if he had been stung. Molly walked over quickly and rubbed Harry's arm, bending low she whispered, "It's ok dear, just the pain talking." Harry nodded, trying not to look too hurt.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lightening flashed as thunder shook the windows, "I haven't seen a storm like this in years," Molly muttered to herself, looking out the nursery windows through the bedroom doorway. Ginny let out a scream of pain as another contraction began to grip her. Harry stood by the head of her bed and dabbed a cool wet cloth on her forehead. Suddenly outside of the door you could hear muffled voices of the twins, "Ginny? Is she alright?" said Fred through the door. "What is that quack healer doing to her?" said George. Hermione was leaning against Harry's dresser with her arms crossed in front of herself jerked forward off of the dresser and went for the door. Healer Nynaeve was leaning over Ginny at the moment. She looked up sharply at the twins words, an angry look crossed her features as she reached up to her long braid and gave it a sharp tug. Outside you could hear Ron come up to them and speak, "Everything is fine, let's go play billiards."
Hermione grabbed the door handle with a stern frown, "I am going to go check on everyone. I'll be back." Ginny was panting through her worst contraction yet; she looked over at Hermione and nodded. "Ginny," Nynaeve said softly, "It's time to start pushing with your next few contractions." Ginny groaned as her contraction ebbed. Licking her lips she looked up at Harry with pain clouded eyes. Harry bent forward, placing a gentle kiss on her sweat slick brow. "I love you," he whispered against her hot skin. Ginny reached up and caressed Harry's stubbled cheek with her hand. "You need to shave," she chuckled. Harry grinned against her forehead, "I'll go do that right now love."
Harry walked back out of the bathroom after quickly going in to shave. "Harry, I want you to climb into the bed with Ginny," Nynaeve said as she pulled the top sheet back from the bed. Molly hurried over and took the sheet away. "Ginny, I'd like to call in my assistants." said Nynaeve, straightening out the bottom sheet beneath Ginny. Ginny looked at the healer as another contraction began to take grip of her. She cried out in pain again grabbing a hold of Harry's hand as he kicked off his shoes and climbed in the bed to kneel beside his wife. "I want 'Mione and Mum," Ginny growled as she began to pant through the contraction. Nynaeve looked over her shoulder at Molly and assessed her with her eyes. "I know what to do," Molly said, looking directly at the healer with her head held high. "Very well, would you please go get the other," Nynaeve said. "Hermione," Harry said. "Hermione," Nynaeve said, nodding her thanks to Harry. Molly quietly went out the bedroom door in search of Hermione. Ginny's contraction ended and she rested her head against Harry's shoulder inhaling deeply to release a heavy sigh. "You smell good," she mumbled, noting that Harry had put on aftershave. The subtle sweet mossy tones blended with spices and amber played on her senses bringing a bit of calm to the back of her mind. Harry chuckled placing a kiss onto her forehead, "Isn't that my line?" he said, reaching up and brushing a lock of her hair off of her forehead. Ginny grinned up at him.
Hermione and Molly entered a few moments later. "Have the towels ready," Nynaeve said to the two women. Molly nodded and waved her wand, a stack of thin yellow towels appeared on the corner of the bed. "Ginny I need you to move closer to the edge of the bed," the healer said as Ginny began to squirm down further. "Now Harry, On Ginny's next contraction I want you to help support her as she pushes," Nynaeve said. "Ginny, let me move your legs please," the healer said gently. "We need the bed reclined back a bit," Nynaeve ordered as she busied herself with parting Ginny's legs and bending her knees up. Molly waved her wand as the bed began to lower. "Harry, I want you to position yourself behind Ginny to better support her," Nynaeve commanded. The group quickly moved with her every order.
A bright flash of light flickered through the windows of the nursery a second later the lightening was followed by a boom of thunder so loud you could feel it within your chest. All sound was covered for a few seconds, as it grew quiet again Ginny groaned loudly feeling another contraction begin. "I think lightening just struck," Hermione said, looking towards the nursery. "Ok Ginny, you need to push," Nynaeve said. Harry positioned himself so that Ginny's sweat soaked back was against his chest, with his leg bent at the knee, his foot resting against the inner thigh of his other leg. The opposite leg was stretched out along side Ginny. Ginny grabbed her knees instinctively and took a deep breath before pulling forward as she began to bear down. The pain she felt was only intensified by the amount of pressure she added while trying to push. Hermione softly counted to ten as she stood beside the healer at the end of the bed. Molly stood on the side of the bed beside Ginny, "Good, take a breath Ginny," Molly said gently, stroking Ginny's wet hair. Ginny took another deep breath and began to bare down again. "Good, good," Nynaeve said, feeling the top of Ginny's stomach. After Hermione finished counting to ten Ginny let out her breath and fell back again Harry. "You're my world. . .I love you," Harry whispered into Ginny's ear. Ginny closed her eyes, snuggling her head against his shoulder as she let her body rest between contractions.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ginny's tired mind blurred as she rested with closed eyes. She could hear murmuring of voices but didn't feel the desire to try and figure out what they were saying. She had been pushing for over an hour now and felt like there would be no end to the exhausting work. The storm had begun to lessen as dawn crept closer to the world. Once again the unimaginable pain waved over her as another contraction bore down upon her frail form. At some point in time her mother had pulled her wet mop of hair into a ponytail to keep it out of the way. Her thin white gown clung to her sweating body as the overwhelming urge to push took hold of her. She could hear Harry encouraging her onward as she gripped her knees until her knuckles were white. She took a deep breath in holding it as her face scrunched up with the pain and pressure she was putting upon herself. She could feel with each push her body being opened wider as the head slowly made its journey out of her body. 'And this is only the first one!' she thought to herself as the hum of voices coaxed and urged her on. 'Light what did I get myself into?' she thought again as she gasped for another breath after she heard Hermione say the word ten before she began to push again. She could feel Harry help support her up as she tried to force her child out of her womb. After Hermione said 'ten' again Ginny collapsed back against Harry, panting for breath. "Ginny," Nynaeve said, "On the next contraction you'll be able to feel the baby's head if you want to."
Ginny opened her eyes looking up to her side, Molly smiled down at her reaching out to brush her daughter's cheek with the backs of her fingers, "You're almost there Ginny. You're doing beautifully." Ginny's eyes scanned around to look at the healer who was concentrating on the lower part of Ginny's body. "Ginny I'm going to cast a spell so you don't tear," Nynaeve said. The healer closed her eyes; Ginny could see her lips moving as she said a spell beneath her breath. A cool tingling sensation came over the opening of Ginny's birth canal. Hermione stood next to the healer, watching her closely as she worked.
"Oh Gods," Ginny said as another contraction quickly came over her again. What she had to do became as natural to her as breathing after doing it so many times already. "Ginny! Open your eyes," Harry said into her ear, "Look, I can see the head!" he said excitedly. Ginny opened her eyes and looked down between her legs to see bulging out of her the top of a head covered in black hair. She took her hand off of her knee and reached down as she pushed; feeling her child's head as it made its way out of her body. Hermione stood transfixed beside the healer, a look of excitement and awe on her pretty face. "Ginny! It's coming!" Hermione cried out. "Come on Ginny, push!" Molly said holding onto Ginny's leg for her while she touched her baby's head.
With all that was in her, Ginny took a deep breath and bore down again, pushing with all her might. Slowly more of the baby's head emerged until it she could see its entire face. "Ginny! Oh my God Ginny look!" Harry cried as he held her up. Ginny threw her head back against Harry's shoulder, gasping for breath. Hermione quickly reached down and laid a thin yellow blanket across Ginny's stomach before handing two over to Molly. "Ok Ginny, here comes the hard part, but you can do it. Just give me a good push and we'll have the shoulders out," Nynaeve said as she worked quickly to clear the baby's mouth and nose out as she cradled its head in her hands. Ginny felt her stomach began to squeeze again as she took one more deep breath and pushed, pulling every ounce of her reserve to give her extra strength. "Almost there!" Nynaeve said, concentrating on working the shoulders out. "Come on Ginny!" Harry cried, holding onto her shoulders, roughly kissing her temple.
Ginny felt as if she couldn't be stretched any further then she felt a sudden release as the baby slipped out of her body. Instantly Nynaeve placed the infant on Ginny's stomach and began to rub it down with another towel. Within seconds the tiny purple creature let out a lusty scream. Ginny began to cry and laugh at the same moment wrapping her arm around the baby as the healer rubbed its extremities, her other arm reached up and wrapped around Harry's neck. Hermione laughed through her tears. "It's a boy!" Harry shouted excitedly. "Oh Ginny!" Molly called out and kissed the top of her daughters head. "Ginny!" Harry shouted, "It's a boy!" Ginny could only cry at the moment looking down at the messy little creature on her stomach. The healer quickly cut off the umbilical cord and scooped up the baby, swaddling it in more yellow towels. Ginny watched as the healer handed her child over to Molly. Harry was kissing Ginny's cheek gently as they watched Molly hurry off into the master bathroom where items had been set up to clean the baby.
Nynaeve made quick work of using her magic to make the placenta disappear after Ginny passed it. Soon Molly walked back out of the bathroom with Ginny's son clean and swaddled. A thick patch of downy black hair peaked out over the yellow blanket; a tiny pink face was scrunched up with eyes closed. Molly tenderly kissed his cheek, smiling proudly at her daughter. "He's perfect," Molly said. Molly walked over and held the baby down close for Ginny and Harry to take a better look. Ginny leaned up, gingerly kissing his forehead. Harry reached up with shaking hand and brushed at the black hair on the baby's head. "Ok Ginny, this time should be much quicker." Nynaeve said. Molly walked over and handing the newborn over to Hermione so she could come back to Ginny's side. Hermione took the newborn to the nursery to lay him in the crib. Lex and Clark had been silently watching from the top of Ginny's dresser the entire time, not moving once. As soon as Hermione walked into the nursery with the newborn Lex darted off of the dresser and quickly followed her. Ginny was beyond tired, her body was weary and all she wanted to do was to hold her son and sleep. As she worked to bring her second child into the world minutes after its brother was born, the storm passed and dawn's morning rays were beginning to peek across the horizon as the earth began to awaken. "Come on Ginny, we're almost there," Harry coaxed softly in her ear. "We? I don't see you trying to squeeze a Quaffle out of a hole the size of a snitch," Ginny growled irritably. "It's alright Ginny," Molly soothed, mopping Ginny's brow with a cool wash cloth. "You're almost done," she said, touching the cool cloth to Ginny's neck. Nynaeve smirked at Harry but otherwise didn't say anything.
The next contraction came and Ginny again began to push, feeling the baby slowly work its way down the birth canal again. "I see more black hair Ginny!" Molly said excitedly. "Ginny, one more good push like that and the baby's head will be out," the healer said. "Come on honey, I know you can do it," Harry gentle encouraging words washed over her as she leaned back against him, gasping for breath. With the next push Ginny fought to keep her eyes open so she could watch her child's head emerge from her body. As before Nynaeve worked quickly to clear out the baby's nose and mouth. "Ok Ginny, just like last time," Nynaeve said, holding onto the baby's head. Hermione stood at the edge of the nursery doorway so she could keep an eye on the newborn and watch. "Please be a girl," Ginny grunted out before she bore down again, pushing with all her might. She felt one shoulder slowly work its way out with the healer's coaxing and then the other as the baby quickly slipped from her exhausted body. Again the baby was placed onto Ginny's stomach that Molly had covered with a towel. "It's another boy!" Harry shouted, squeezing Ginny's shoulders in a fierce hug.
Outside the bedroom you could hear the whooping and cheering of her brothers who had come to listen at the door. Her second son let out a howl twice as loud as her first one. Ginny fell back against Harry; weary and spent as Molly whisked the baby off to the bathroom to be cleaned and tended to after the healer had cut the cord. "Ginny I need you to hold still," Nynaeve said, holding her hands against Ginny's stomach as she closed her eyes. Ginny felt a great cooling sensation wash over her as the healer cast several mending spells to Ginny's body. With a wave of the healer's hand any mess was instantly cleaned.
Ginny turned her head up to look at Harry; his eyes were full of tears as he watched Molly through the open door of the bath. He looked down at his wife and stared into her eyes. For a moment he was at a total loss for words, his face scrunched up as he began to cry while laughing with joy. Harry pulled Ginny into a tight embrace, kissing her firmly on the forehead then on the cheek before finding her lips. "Thank you," he whispered onto her mouth. Ginny smiled against his lips, wrapping a hand back behind his neck to pull him closer into their kiss. "I love you," he whispered tenderly against her full lips. "I love you," she whispered back.