Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed my story. Hope you continue to do so.
Please review good or bad. Well here is chapter 6 enjoy.
Chapter 6 – Babies and bombshells
"Oh, Billy boy" Lavender said breathlessly as another contraction took over. They were getting overwhelming now. She was actually moaning, something she swore she wouldn't do. And a little bit of doubt as to whether she could pull this off was creeping in.
"You're doing great Lav, muggle women do this all the time," Hermione told her bracingly. "And many don't have medical experience like you love" she added reassuringly.
"I don't think I can do this Mione," she whimpered. "Sure you can, Luna is getting Seamus right now, and then they'll meet us here"
"Hermione" she moaned. "Hmm?" "Do you think I'll be a good mother?" she asked gritting her teeth.
"No Lav, I don't," she stated. The look on Lavender's face made her chuckle "I think you'll be a great mum"
Lavender smiled slowly, taking hold of Hermione's hand, "Thank you Hermione, you're the best friend anyone could ask for," she said closing her eyes.
"I can't wait to have everything you and Harry have," she whispered before gently dozing off.
Hermione was glad Lavender feel asleep before she witnessed the look of sadness on her face.
"No Lavender, it is I who wishes for what you have," she whispered to herself. Sighing she thought of the day she and Harry decided to get married. Everything was so simple. Their marriage had been made with their heads and not their hearts. Clearly, she was afraid of love. Did not trust it. Could not risk it again.
Yet she did, she allowed herself to fall in love and she hated it. Sighing as she watched over Lavender, Hermione felt pretty foolish. How many women complained about loving their husbands?
Lavender moaned in her sleep, causing Hermione to abandon her thoughts of Harry and gently stroke her arm. Glancing up at the clock she wondered what was taking Luna so long.
"This is a outrage sir" Harry barked pacing the office of the minister. "I mean really Draco Malfoy working here and in my department. He's a death eater for crying out loud" "You put a death eater in my department minister"
The minister sighed with annoyance once again "Mister Potter, I don't see what the problem is? I admit Draco Malfoy may be overbearing and a little hasty with the wand, but a death eater? That's preposterous"
"Sir" Ron said "With all do respect, his father was a supporter of you know who for years, can you honestly say he hasn't followed in his footsteps"
"Yeah, I bet he pulled some strings to get in here. Mark my words he'll have his father out of Azkaban in no time" Seamus spat pacing along side Harry.
"You are all out of line" the minister bellowed, "Finnigan are you implying I could be bought"
"Of course he wasn't sir, but you have to see some logic in his words" Harry said forcefully. "Why would Malfoy want to work as a auror?
"I don't question one's motives for wanting to work Potter, only give them the job if I see fit to do so. Malfoy comes highly recommended and I must say with the new law your trying to pass; you could use another good man on your team"
Harry laughed with spite "Then I should be allowed to decide who joins my team" he pointed out.
Ron nodded "Harry is head of the department, doesn't he get a say in this?" he asked. "I can't think of one decent person who would recommend Malfoy" Harry spat angrily.
"Can you not think of anyone?" the minister asked softly.
"Listen Harry, I understand you aren't happy about this" "What was your first clue?" he said sarcastically.
"Dumbledore asked me to give Malfoy a shot and I trust in his judgment. If I'm not mistaken there was a time you did too" the minister smiled softly.
"Dumbledore recommended Malfoy" Shouted Ron "Okay it's official, Dumbledore has gone mad" he said
"Minister I'm asking you to reconsider this" Harry pleaded. "I'm sorry Harry, my mind is made up. Draco will report to you first thing Monday morning and I suggest to make the best of it"
Picking up his quill the minister began signing a pile of parchments "Good day gentlemen" he said not looking up.
Harry glared fiercely at the man behind the desk before stomping to the door. Standing in the doorway he turned one last time.
"You're not sorry, minister. But you will be" he said before slamming the door shut.
"I can't believe this, Malfoy working here. Right under our nose" Seamus said gruffly.
"Were going to stop that from happening" Harry said "How Harry? You heard the minister he wont back down"
Harry shrugged "Will Dumbledore recommended him, so he can UN recommend him." "I think we should go straightaway. Maybe we can fix this before Monday"
"SEAMUS" Luna screamed down the hall running toward the guys. Seamus raised an eyebrow "Ron is that your wife, screaming my name" he laughed.
"Hey, shut it Finnigan" Ron said slapping him on the arm.
Luna panted once she reached the guys "Seamus, I need you to come.." "Luna for god's sake" Ron gasped.
"Shove it Ronald," she gasped between words. "It's Lavender, need you to go to St. Mungo's right away"
He paled "What happened to her Luna?" he pleaded with her. Finally catching her breath she smiled "She's in labor, your baby is on his way" she grinned.
"She's having the baby now? Oh god, what do I do?" he voiced wavered in shock. "Well for starters get to the hospital you prat," Harry said laughing.
"Right, umm St. Mungo's you said" "Where else" laughing she patted his back. "Hermione's there with her now, but we better hurry"
The four apperated to St Mungo's, Dumbledore would have to wait.
Lavender moaned slightly as she opened her eyes. She felt another contraction hit and winced. She was so scared even with Hermione whispering soothing words of encouragement she didn't think she could do it. But when the need to push came, she would be ready to give it her all.
Once the baby started coming, she wanted him out and breathing as fast as possible.
"Oh!"
This contraction was like a vise. She was puffing away at the breathing and it wasn't doing any good at all. She wasn't sure she could handle this. It ended but another one started before she had time to catch her breath, and this one was even worse. She couldn't take it.
"Oh, Seamus!" she cried out in despair
And then, like a miracle, he was there.
"Lavender, lavender, my sweet Lavender" Seamus said taking over for Hermione "I'm here honey"
"Seamus, I'm scared" she cried, "I know baby, but you can do this. Just hold on, I know you're going to want to push. Try to hold it till the doctor gets here" he wiped her face gently, trying to hold back the tears that threaten to fall.
Hold it back! That would be like telling the earth to hold off on that next rotation thing. Nothing was holding this baby back. He was coming now!
But she did manage to put him off for a couple of contractions, much to her own amazement. "I cant," she told Seamus panting as the second one diminished for a moment. "I can't," she repeated just as the doctor came in.
He ushered the others out before coming to check Lavender "You're doing great Mrs. Finnigan. We've got the head crowned." He put a hand on her belly and nodded. "Here comes another one. You can push this time, I'm ready for him"
She pushed with a growl that must have shaken the walls of the place. "Okay, we've got the head. One more push."
She gave it everything she had left and felt the baby sliding out into the world. "Here he is" Seamus whispered as the doctor held him up where Lavender could see him. He was long and stretched and the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen. "Meet Mr. William"
"Billy," she reminded him weakly, reaching out to touch his tiny fingers. Pride and joy burst inside her.
"Billy Seamus Finnigan" He grinned at her. "Are you sure?" "I'm sure," she said.
He leaned down and kissed her. She wanted to respond but she was just too tired. Still, she was drowning in happiness.
She could hear the others coming back in "I want to see my beautiful godson" Hermione said coming up to the bed. She held the tiny bundle in her arms. She missed Ashlynn this tiny. She could remember the day she entered the world. Harry had been so wonderful through the whole thing. She doubted she would have made it through that night without him.
Deep down inside she knew nothing would ever be right without him. She closed her eyes as it all flooded back to her- Draco, Harry, the marriage, and the deal they made. It wasn't fair; she wanted a real marriage, she wanted everything Lavender found with Seamus. But in reality Ashlynn was a Malfoy and Harry didn't love her.
Hermione felt sick, she had to get over this and fast, before Harry found out and everything was ruined. Passing the baby to Luna, she sat down next to bed.
Harry smiled as he sat down next to her. He enjoyed seeing her holding the baby. It reminded him of the night Ashlynn was born. "Hey you look tired, why don't we go home," he said softly.
"I'm okay, I want to stay with Lavender a bit longer," she said.
"I knew you would say that" he chuckled "How about I pick up Ashlynn and head home. I'll see you when you get there" he offered.
"Sounds good, thank you Harry" giving him a beautiful smile. His heart fluttered making him feel uneasy. Everything about her seemed to get to him lately and he had to admit he loved it; hell he loved her. Now if only he could tell her.
"Ashlynn's with Ginny, tell her I said thank you, we did kind of load her without notice"
He grinned, "Will do" he fought the urge to kiss her right then and there. He knew it was against the rules they set, and he didn't want her upset. He would just have to be patient. Didn't they say all good things come to those who wait?
Harry made his way around the bed "Lav, how you doing" he asked "I have a baby," she said with groggy wonder.
"Yes, you do," he said, reaching out to take her hand in his. "You turned out to be a champ at this baby- delivery thing."
"Did I?"
"First class. And you produced one great baby. Eight pounds, four ounces, ready to rumble."
She laughed, and then stopped herself "Ouch. I'm really sore."
"No wonder. You ran a marathon Lav and you won the race." He chuckled clapping Seamus on the back. "Congrats to both of you. I'm going to get my Daughter and head home. Seamus I'll call you tomorrow"
"Sure thing Harry and thanks for coming" Seamus smiled "No problem, what are friends for. Well once again congrats"
"Ron, Luna, good night" he waved to his friends "Night Harry" they said. "Ron I'll call you in the morning" "Gotcha"
"And you, I will see at home" he looked at Hermione and softly smiled.
Draco raised the wine glass "A toast my friend" he chuckled "To the beginning of my wonderful employment"
Blaise raised his glass in sync. "Congrats man, but I have to ask why would you need a job? You're rich"
Smirking Draco sat down his glass "To get even with Potter, naturally" he shrugged.
"To get even with Potter? Come on Draco; We're not at Hogwarts anymore. We all grew up, moved on with our lives. Can't you do the same? For your own sake" Blaise questioned.
"Move on?" he asked. "Sure I'll move on" he said rising is voice a little. "Maybe I'll save the world from evil" picking up his glass he turned back to Blaise "Oh wait, Potter did that already. How about marrying the woman I love?"
"Maybe start a family with her? Wait POTTER DID THAT TOO," he screamed as he threw his glass at the wall. He stood there watching the wine run down the wall pooling into a mess on the floor.
"Alright, I get it, shit would you just look at yourself man" Blaise groaned. "I'm just saying give it up, what will it bring you?" "Nothing Draco, absolutely nothing" sighing he placed a hand on Draco's shoulder "Listen to what I'm saying, Hermione has moved on. You have to face the facts. Draco she's gone, you've lost her and she's not coming back. Not now, not ever. Let it go before you end up alone"
"Too late Zabini, I am alone, as long as she remains with him" Pouring himself another drink, he moved to the chair, taking a seat.
"And I don't see her leaving anytime soon" Blaise leaned on the mantle of the fireplace "She has a daughter, Draco and a husband, you cant waist your life away on a miracle that wont come"
"Yeah, about her daughter" Draco asked with interest "What do you know about her?" Shrugging blaise shifted to lean his back on the wall. "Nothing much why?"
Sighing Draco took a sip of wine "Just curious, she seems bright. You know from what I gathered at the store. What is she like one or something?" he asked. Draco didn't know a damn thing when it came to kids. He just knew they grew and they were a handful.
"Umm she's two I think, just turned two. Yeah I remember Hannah saying something like the Potter girl is two today honey the other day. Yeah she was born some odd months after the got hitched"
Blaise laughed, "I tell you one thing, she sure didn't waste no time" Draco spit the wine from his mouth in shock.
"How many odd months?" he choked out "Beats me, I don't remember" Blaise said casually. "Think you arse" Draco demanded roughly.
"I don't know" Blaise spat out angrily "Maybe seven or eight. Something like that" Scoffing he finished his drink in one gulp. "Why do you care?" he asked annoyed.
"She's not Potter's kid" he said numbly "I don't believe this" Blaise was starting to get worried. Draco was mumbling some nonsense and he didn't seem to understand.
"What?" he said stupidly "Have you finally gone mental?"
"Think about it" Draco whispered still trying to work it out, even though he knew it was true. "There's no way that girl is Potter's. The time doesn't add up. Hermione was with me before Harry"
"Yeah we know that but." "When did they get married?" he blurted out quickly "About a month later I guess" blaise said suspiciously.
"Right and how long after was her daughter born?" He asked, surprised in the excitement in his own voice.
"Seven months or eight" "Don't you see, One month after she left me, she married Potter, seven or eight months later she gives birth. Harry is not the father of that little girl Blaise I am" Draco drew in a shaky breath as Blaise looked on in surprise.
He was the father of Hermione's daughter. He almost gave in to the urge to pinch himself. All this time and she never told him. Harry Potter was parading his child around to the world. Where was the justice?
"Holy shit Draco, I don't believe this. This has to be a mistake" Blaise was shocked beyond belief. He wanted this to be a very bad dream. If it was true and this girl was Draco's daughter, he wouldn't rest till he had her. What would happen to his friend now? His mental state was unstable as it was. He had to talk some sense into him and fast. There was no telling what would happen if it didn't turn out the way he wanted. It would defiantly kill Draco for sure.
"She was there, today in the store" Draco said softly. "I was right there, talking to my own flesh and blood and I walked away from her like she was nothing"
"Potter's going to regret the day he crossed me" he spat.
This is exactly what Blaise had been afraid of "Draco what are you going to do?"
"First I'm going to get my daughter as far away from Harry as I can and then I'm going to marry Hermione. Well that is if I choose to forgive her."
"Draco you cant be serious, do you know what kind of publicity this will bring?" "Yes I do and I don't care," he said smirking "
"I'm going to get what I want blaise and you're going to help me" Draco told him, pouring himself another stiff drink.
"Hermione wouldn't forgive you, you know that"
"I don't give a damn what she will and won't forgive. She should be begging me to forgive her. She loves me still I know it. Nobody understood what we had. I never forgot what we had and my daughter is proof that we overcame every obstacle the war threw at us." He huffed.
"I'm going to find her, I need to talk to her. Let her know she can't deny me my own child. I wont let her"
"You're going now?" Blaise spat out. "Of course, you expect me not to? "You have to say something, I agree, I just don't think you should do it tonight. Your still angry and you need a clear head. Wait till tomorrow. Give yourself sometime to sort this out" Blaise pleaded.
"If not for you, then at least for your daughter. Imagine the scare you'll give her if you go barging in there claiming you're her father"
Draco growled, he hated to admit it but Blaise was making sense. "Fine, I'll wait but only for her"
Harry waited patiently on Ginny's front porch waiting for her to answer the door. He smiled when she hollered sounding very tired. He hoped Ashlynn wasn't too much trouble. He knew his daughter could be a handful.
Well folks there it is Chapter 6, hope you like it. Chapter 7 will be up really soon and I promise things are going to heat up with Harry and Hermione
Please review good or bad and I hope you enjoy….