\Ch 20

"No rest for the wicked."

Minerva bit her lip. It was New Year's Eve and she was determined to disprove Sybil's prediction. Unfortunary she didn't count on the McGonagall's stubbornness mixed with the Dumbledore's sense of humor. The contractions had started around seven in the night just as she sat down for dinner. This in itself wouldn't have been be expect she was currently hosting a dinner for fifteen people including her future in-laws, Harry's friends and her two nieces. The only saving grace was her brother-in-law couldn't make since it was the Hog's Head's busiest night. She tensed and hoped no one notice. Two people did.

"They are getting stronger." Apollo commented to his Aunt.

Poppy nodded. "I'll slip off and get the room ready. Why would a cat would want to give birth in a tub of water is beyond me but oh well."

Poppy whispered something to her wife who glanced at Minerva covertly. Pommie's eyebrow rose and she whispered back,

"This is going to blow our plans for tonight, isn't?"

"Sorry babe."

Pommie then turned to Minerva and gently begins to rub her back. Minerva gratefully and took a deep breath. She kicked Albus in the shin. As Albus turned to look at her, Minerva sent a message to him. It's time! Get me out of here without people noticing! Albus jumped up and look around the room as if seeing the room for the first time. Minerva wanted to go through the first part of labor in private without anyone but him.

"I think I'll help Minerva to bed. Excuse us." Albus scooped his wife up and winced as he felt the bit on his shoulder.

Harry raised an eyebrow. Summoning a notebook, he asked,

"Any one want to bet on what time the kittens will arrive?"

The room erupted into frenzy.

Albus slipped into the shower, holding his wife.

"This feels familiar." Albus smiled. "Didn't this start here? Oh, love another one?" Albus rubbed his wife's back. Minerva moaned and started to cry.

"It hurts." She whimpered.
"I know. Just need to relax for now." Albus did a spell Poppy taught him. "This will tell us when the contractions get closer. When do you want to call Theoriski?"

"Hmmm…sooner than later. Albus! We don't have names yet! The cribs aren't set up! I'm not ready!" Minerva panicked.

"Love, I'm going to call Theoriski and as soon as he comes I'll get some of your Gryffindors to set up the nursery ok? Just relax." Albus turned off the shower and helped Minerva into the bed. "The contractions are twenty minutes apart yet. Just relax."

Albus called Theoriski who came right away. While he checked Minerva, Albus returned to the dining room with a grin.

"Apollo, Theoriski would like your help along with Poppy. They are twenty minutes apart. I guess it's almost time."

"What should we do Papa?" asked Aurora.

"Harry tell Bill his future in-laws are being born and he needs to watch the tower tonight. Then get some people to the quarters to set up the nursery. Minerva will be in the room of requirement so go there. Aurora call your Aunt Mara at the club."

"Albus, your wife needs you. " Theoriski stuck his head out.

"Drugs! I want drugs!" Minerva wailed.

Apollo tried not to snicker at his mother's demands from where he was setting up the cribs for the kittens. Poppy held a cup of catnip tea and help Minerva sipped it. Albus held his wife and made the protype of the queen from Minerva's life size chess set glow different colors. "Mina look at the queen. Focus." He coached.

"Minerva you are seven centimeters. You need to be ten or more." Theoriski assured. "I think if you walk around you'll get the last centimeters."

Harry took one arm and Aurora took the other and together they walked their mother.

"Albus!" Minerva wailed . Albus came over and held his wife.

"Shh..I know, I know." Albus kissed her forehead.

"The hell you do! It feels like cruciatus." Minerva dropped to her knees and moaned. "You! You did this to me! Where's my wand?"

"Mom, you know Aunt Poppy took that away." Apollo stated calmly as he checked the vitals." Here comes another one."

"Holy Godric!" Minerva shrieked.

"Minerva, calm down. I want to check you but you need to calm down." Theoriski soothed his patient. Minerva sat back down on the bed. "Excellent. Minerva you are fully dilated. Now all you have to do is push."

"All have do?" Minerva hissed. "GET OUT!"

"Minerva?" Albus asked.

"Get him out of here!" Minerva said through clenched teeth.

Albus, Theoriski, and Poppy exchanged confused looks.

Theoriski finally said "If it will make her calmer, have Poppy deliver the twins. But I imagined she will deliver in the next hour. It's eleven-twenty now."

Poppy nodded. Harry and Aurora were trying to comfort their mother while the discussion went on. Suddenly Harry cried, "Mom's in a lot of pain!"

Minerva was grunting and moaning. Poppy positioned her on the bed and checked her. "Min, give me your hand. Feel that? That's a head. Now push slowly."

Albus held his wife and breathed with her. Slowly the head emerged, followed by arms, body and legs. A piercing cry filled the air.

"She sounds just like her mother. Born at eleven forty-nine." Poppy announced.

Albus smiled. "My girls. My sweet girls."

Poppy laughed "Ok I hate to break this up but let big brother check her out and I think Minerva should start to feel contractions soon. But just in case I want make sure Minerva isn't laboring for long. "

"Sounds good." Minerva grunted.

Poppy asked, "Have you start already?"

"grrrr…."Minerva answered.

"Spoken like a true Gryffindor. O.k. Lean back, let me check you."

Minerva took a deep breath. One last time.

"Min, I need to turn the baby but then you should be fine." Poppy gently turned the baby. " O.k. the baby is in the right position. Now you should be able to push the baby right out."

Minerva pushed and nothing happened. Panting hard, she tried to relax her muscles and encourage her last kitten to enter the world.

"Poppy, what's wrong?" Albus asked panickingly.

"Nothing. The baby just needs to want to be born. Maybe if you encouraging him,."

"Come on, Son, Papa wants to meet you." Albus cooed.

"Little brother, I'll give you Wheezes." Harry tried to bribe his little brother. Minerva rolled her eyes at the bribe.

"Please, baby boy." Aurora, Apollo and Poppy tried.

"Oh, of Merlin's sakes! " Minerva moaned. "Stubborn McGonagall genes. Look, McGonagall daughter number three, your lease's up. Get out, get out, get out!"

With that remark, labor progressed quickly. Everyone stared at Minerva, who shrugged. "She was offended to be called a boy."

Poppy manveruned the shoulders out and the rest of the body soon follow. "Twelve oh three." Minerva made a face.

"Hello kitten. We've waited for you." Albus touched his daughter. " she has your nose."

"Thank Merlin!" Minerva laughed.

"Papa, let me check her out. Here's kitten number four." Apollo switched babies with his father. "Hello, kitten. How are you? Oh what a big yawn. You know what I think you and your sister might be identical. Yes, I do. " Apollo waved his wand and his suspicions were confirmed. "Oh, you are going to be a handful."

Harry was amazed at the overwhelming protective and loving feelings he had towards his sisters. "Do they have names?"
Albus and Minerva looked at each other.

"Well, I think Sirius is out." Minerva said thoughtfully.

"Definitely" Harry laughed.

"Mina, name them for the sisters. I still like Athena. Athena and Aphrodite."

Minerva nodded. "Perfect. Oh, wait. We still need a Scottish name. I was so sure it was a boy."

"I'll bring a book tomorrow. Rest for now." Albus smiled mischievously. "Mina, I just realize two things."

Minerva was distracted. "What?" She cooed at the baby in her arm. "Are you Athena or Aphrodite?"

"We have redhead identical twins."

"Yes?"

" Remember the other redhead identical twins we know?"

"hmmm…Fred and George, Fabian and Gideon, and of course you and Abe. Oh…."Minerva closed her eyes. Redheaded twins seems to enjoy making trouble.

"Well, maybe your genes will even things out. But then again you did killed a professor…"

Minerva glared at her husband. "Perhaps this set will redeem us."

"Perhaps." Albus agreed.

Poppy smiled. "The kittens need to be clean up. Minerva do you want a shower?"

Minerva shook her head. "Just a nap."

"Congrats, mom."

"Thanks." Minerva was eagerly looked forward to seeing her daughters.

Albus helped his wife into a clean nightgown. They shared a short loving kiss. "When does Theoriski wants to the other procedure?"

"Two weeks." Minerva felt relieved not to have to go through pregnancy again.

"Ok. Thank you. I love you so much."

"I love you, too." Minerva closed her eyes and dreamed of the future.