Jack was successfully holding Hermione back from attacking Draco while Narcissa was desperately trying to get ahold of Andromeda. There was so much chaos in the birthing suite that the occupants hadn't heard the door open until a voice spoke up, "Minister?"

"What?" Hermione turned, anger dripping from her tone. "Oh," she softened when she saw it was one of the nurses who went back with Bella. Then fear crept in when she saw the amount of blood on his scrubs. "What happened?"

"Can we have a moment alone?"

"They can stay. We are all family whether we like it or not. How is Bella? Our baby? Is it a girl?" She tried to keep the hope out of her voice.

"There were a few complications during the birth."

Hermione reached out and grabbed her father's forearm for support, "what do you mean complications? Is my wife okay? My baby? Did she make it? I need to see them. What can I do?"

"Minister," he started and was cut off.

"Call me Hermione. It's fine."

"Your daughter was born at 4:54pm, 3lbs, 14 ounces and 16 inches long. There was fluid in her lungs which is to be expected with the trauma she experienced in the birth canal. We aspirated her and cleared her lungs but there is still fluid she will have to work out in due time. From Dr. Montgomery's initial check, your daughter seems to be doing very well for a baby born at 30 weeks. She has quite the cry on her. They took her to the NICU for monitoring, oxygen and to do a full work up."

Hermione had tears running down her face. She had a daughter. A very small nugget of a daughter that she wanted to hug and kiss and tell her everything would be okay. "Okay," she let out a long breath that she had been holding onto since he started talking. "And Bella? How is she?"

"Your wife was the one who experienced the complications. I'm afraid I don't have much information at the current time. Dr. Montgomery is with her in surgery."

"Surgery?" She stumbled, lightheaded and dizzy. "What happened?"

"Madam Black had a uterine tear. During the laboring process, her uterus was separated from her wall causing a mass amount of blood loss. During the c-section, she went into shock and Dr. Montgomery found her hemorrhage orienting from the tear. She rushed the baby out and started surgery on your wife."

"Will she lose her ability to have children in the future?" Katherine asked when she saw her daughter was too stunned to speak.

"I can not say. That's impossible to know at this stage. Dr. Montgomery will have more answers once she stops the bleeding."

"Can she see her baby?"

"Someone from the NICU will be down to get Minister Black when the baby is stabilized."

Hermione nodded, furiously wiping tears from her cheeks. She noticed he had a stack of papers, "do I need to sign something?"

"Because your wife lost a lot of blood we are going to have to do a couple of transfusions."

Hermione nodded and took off her blazer, "okay. I'm ready. Take as much as you need."

The nurse grimaced, "it would appear that Madam Black hasn't updated her files here at the hospital for quite some time."

"What are you getting at, sir?" Jack asked, reaching his limit with dancing around the problem.

"Her paperwork says that she will only accept blood from another Pureblood."

"You've got to be kidding me," Hermione looked downright murderous.

"Surely that's something we can work around," Katherine squeezed her daughter's hand.

"Do you not know who I am? I'm the fucking Minister for Magic," Hermione shouted, startling everyone in the room, "and my wife is bleeding out on an operating table. You are standing here, telling me that I can not donate my own blood to my wife because of some paperwork she signed years ago?!"

"What's the date on the paperwork?" Narcissa asked, coming into the picture, snatching the files from his hands. "She signed these in 1998."

"Right when she started with Minerva?" Hermione grabbed the papers. "You can't let these stand?!"

"I'm sorry Minister Black but there's nothing we can do about this."

"Cissy? Draco?" Hermione turned with pleading eyes. "You are the only purebloods here."

"Bella is an A- blood type. She would need blood from another A- pureblood or an O-. Draco and I both have A blood."

"Then what are we meant to do? I have the universal blood type. I can't help it that my parents are muggles."

"Andy has the same blood type as Bella if she would just answer her damned phone," Cissy pulled her phone back out, checking for messages.

Hermione turned towards Draco who finally came out from behind Harry, "go get Andy and bring her here right now."

"Of course," he nodded. "Text me if anything changes."

"Should I go with you?"

Draco shook his head and nodded to Hermione, "probably best if you stay here, mate. It looks like she's going to need you."

Harry turned around to look at his best friend. She was breathing heavy, tear stains down her cheeks and she looked like she could murder someone. When the nurse was trying to explain the paperwork to Hermione he swore he heard her say, "semantics," and wave him off. Harry watched her walk away to the other side of the room and start pacing while Cissy and the Grangers got the needed information from the nurse. He turned back around and nodded at Draco before the blonde apparated out of the hospital room and off to find Andy. He sighed and dropped his shoulder, slowly approaching the brunette, "Hermione? Do you want to talk about it?" She shook her head not looking up. "Do you want to punch me?" Her steps faltered and he swore he saw the corner of her mouth turn up slightly. "It could help."

"No," Hermione spoke quietly, "I don't want to punch you, Harry."

Harry led Hermione over to the two seats on the far end of the room and waited as she rolled her eyes and dramatically sat down. The stress was indeed turning her into her wife and Harry was sure to bank that information away to bring it out at a later date. "Bella's going to be fine, Hermione."

"You can possibly know that," she whispered.

"She is a strong woman. I think she would be offended hearing that you think she wouldn't survive," he smiled.

"How did she do it? When I was in the hospital? I can't see how she didn't murder everybody when I was in my coma. How did Bella survive that? I think this may truly kill me if she doesn't come through."

"She had the help of her friends and family. Plus," Harry smiled again, taking his friend's hand and tapping her ring. "She had this in her pocket the whole time. She was determined to give it to you."

"And what can I possibly offer her as an incentive to come back to me?"

"Are you joking? Hermione," Harry wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Bella loves you more than life. And now, you two have a daughter. If that isn't reason enough for her to fight then I don't know what is. Dr. Montgomery has probably done this procedure thousands of times. Once Andy gets here and Bella's body can be replenished with her blood, watch out. Though," he conceded, "if she isn't immediately given the opportunity to see her daughter, someone might die."

"And that's another thing," Hermione let out a little sob. "I'm so worried about Bella that I haven't even had time to think or worry about Cassiopeia. I'm a horrible mother."

"Hey," Harry sat up and grabbed Hermione's shoulders so he could look at her. "I never want to hear you say those words again. You are an excellent wife and already an amazing mother. The nurse said someone will be along to fetch you to see the baby. You can't do anything about that now." He kissed her forehead and wiped a few tears from her cheeks. "Now," he turned to look over his shoulder. "Should we go see what information your parents retrieved from the nurse?"

Hermione shook her head no, "I just need a minute. Can we sit here a little longer?"

"Of course," he sat back and Hermione's head immediately went back to his shoulder, silently weeping her worries onto his shirt.

An hour had passed with only one update on Bella, the nurse said that everything had been going as expected and that it would be another hour or so before Dr. Montgomery would be out to speak with everyone. Hermione and company had been moved out of the birthing suite and into a private waiting room because Bella would be taken to a recovery room after the surgery. Once she was moved into her final room they would be able to see her.

"How's Bella?" was the first thing the middle Black sister asked when she popped into the room accompanied by Draco.

Hermione didn't know whether to smack the woman or hug her. She chose the latter, sweeping Andy into a big hug, releasing a new stream of tears, "didn't Draco tell you?"

"Oh Hermione," Andy kissed her forehead, "I'm so sorry."

"She needs your blood, Andy."

"Leave it to my sister to forget to update her paperwork, hmm?"

"Oh," Hermione wiped away tears. "She'll be hearing about this for the rest of her life."

Andy looked around, "where's my grandson?"

"At my house," Harry came over. "Luna is watching him. She picked him up from school today."

"Can you maybe go fetch him? I could really use a hug from him after all these months," Andy gave Harry a small smile.

"Of course," Harry looked at Hermione. "You'll be okay?"

"Go on," Hermione nodded, "I think we need Teddy. Bella will be asking about him and he'll be sad if he misses out on seeing his cousin."

"He will be livid," Andy agreed. "Go on now," she saw the nurse coming in. "Don't bring him in while they are taking my blood. I'll text you when they are through."

Harry left to go retrieve Teddy while the nurse came by and took Andy down to a private room to get her hooked up so they could start drawing her blood for the transfusion. Cissy went with her sister to keep her company. "I'm sorry I got cross with you Draco. It's been a heavy day. You just got the worst of me," Hermione offered him a small smile.

"No worries. I get it. I would be the same if something were to happen to Astoria."

"This makes me so nervous," Harry admitted.

"Me too, mate," Draco grimaced.

"We will all be here when Luna and Astoria go into labor. Nobody has to do this alone," Hermione was beginning to offer them a pep talk when a woman in pink scrubs came in.

"Minister Black?"

Hermione looked up, "yes?"

"Would you like to come meet your daughter now?"

Hermione gulped but she wasn't sure why. She was nervous to see the baby and scared that she would miss Dr. Montgomery, "will you let Bella's doctor know?" When the nurse nodded, Hermione turned to her parents, "I don't know if I can do this without Bella."

"I think Bella would be more upset if you didn't go meet your daughter," her mother offered.

"We will make sure Dr. Montgomery knows where to find you, sunshine. Tell Cass that Pap Pap and Nana say hello," Jack kissed the side of his daughter's head.

Hermione stood and followed the nurse out of the room and down the hall, "it might be a little jarring when we go in the room at first. There are quite a few little warriors in there with your daughter. She's a tiny little thing but she's a fighter, really strong." Hermione just nodded and followed along quietly, "does she have a name yet?" When Hermione still didn't answer she added, "Minister?"

"Cassiopeia. Her name is Cassiopeia."

"Cassiopeia," the nurse repeated. "That's a beautiful name." They made it to the front of a small room with a lot of windows. Hermione could see a lot of medical equipment and various machines through the windows. There was a rainbow on the door with little clouds decorated with the baby names. She saw one that read, "Baby Girl

Black" and Hermione started bawling before they even went inside. "We can change the name now that we know it. If you need a few minutes to calm yourself, that's fine. We will go in when you are ready."

"I am ready now," Hermione nodded once and followed the nurse inside of the door that automatically slid open. She walked slowly looking around at the different plastic bassinets. There were quite a few small babies hooked up to various machines. It broke Hermione's heart to see these tiny fighters, most of whom couldn't breath on their own. "Oh Merlin," she whispered and clutched her hand over her heart. "Is this her?" She asked quietly when the nurse stopped in front of a bassinet in the corner of the room.

"Yes, minister. She's got oxygen in her nose but she isn't dependent on it. She's also hooked up to an iv running into her foot. We can get her out of there in a few minutes so you can feed her and hold her if you want."

"That would be nice. Thank you," she watched as the nurse left, clearing the way for her to get the first look at her baby girl. "Oh my heart," she moved to side of the bassinet and touched her for the first time. Softly she ran a hand across her forehead, down her cheek, over her chest and grabbed her hand. The baby curled her hand around her mum's finger and Hermione instantly fell in love. She had 10 fingers and 10 toes. Her eyes were closed so she couldn't see them but she had a few patches of black hair that managed to grow in utero. "You are gorgeous," Hermione bent down and kissed her forehead. "Mummy is going to be so happy to meet you."

"Is Madam Black planning on breast feeding?" The nurse came back holding the smallest bottle that Hermione had ever seen.

"No," Hermione smiled, not looking up from her girl. "She is not going to breastfeed. I was planning on it but this little girl had other plans and we didn't get a chance to brew the potion for my milk to come in so I think we are just going to use formula."

"We have a few formulas to choose from here. We usually start with the regular unless they seem to be lactose intolerant. Do you have a preference?"

"Whatever that is should be fine," Hermione smiled.

"You can take your shirt off if you want to do the skin to skin contact with Cassiopeia when feeding. It really helps the babies bond with their parents."

Hermione nodded and turned around, unbuttoning her shirt. She was wearing a cream colored bralette under and figured that would be okay to leave on. "Have a seat, get comfortable and just make sure your shirt is open enough, we will snuggle her onto you and I'll help make sure her wires are out of the way." Hermione just ended up taking her shirt off and sitting in the recliner. "Okay, here she comes, come here sweetheart," she picked up Cass and the little baby let out a mewl and a whine, sniffling at the change. "Mum is waiting, love," she walked the baby over to Hermione with her machines still attached.

"Oh my sweetness," Hermione's heart was facing one heart break after the other. "Come here my heart," she held her arms out as the nurse lowered Cass into her waiting arms. "She feels like nothing," her baby was so small. "I can feel her heart beating so fast."

"She's a fighter, ma'am."

Hermione kissed her baby's forehead once again, "are you hungry?" The baby was making small noises and started whining again. A high pitched little cry came out, "okay darling," she reached up and grabbed the little bottle, "mum has it right here." She rubbed the nipple over Cass's lips and watched her latch on and tentatively suck the liquid. "That's a good girl," she saw Cass trying to open her eyes as she took a first look at her mother, blinking her eyes for a moment. "Your eyes look just like your mummy. Gorgeous," she looked into the big brown eyes staring at her. She watched her daughter suckle from her bottle and sighed, "your mummy wishes she was here. You did quite a number on her. The doctor is fixing her up. I'm sure as soon as she meets you, I'll never get another chance to hold you. So, you better eat this up little one," she couldn't take her eyes off of her little girl. "Your mummy will never admit this but I think she's waited her whole life for you," she gave her daughter a knowing look, "and I bet you are going to give her a run for her money." Cass finished her bottle and let Hermione put her into a seated position to burp her with the help of the nurse. After she was buried, the nurse positioned the baby so she was laying belly down on Hermione's chest with her face in her mum's neck. She felt as if she could fall asleep with her little girl when the doors to the NICU opened and Dr. Montgomery entered. "Doctor, how's Bella?" The doctor pulled up a seat and sat across from Hermione and her stomach plummeted. "Doctor?"

"Call me Addison," she reached out and ran her hand down Cass's spine. "I saw the new cloud on the door. Cassiopeia it's pretty. Suits her."

"Addison?" The doctor looked up, "did something bad happen?"

"Bella's in recovery. She suffered a severe hemorrhage from pushing and there was a uterine tear post c-section. With that type of injury, we usually have to perform a full hysterectomy but thankfully we were able to persevere your wife's uterus; so, if there are more babies in the future she would have to have a c-section. There was also a lot of bleeding before the birth as well as after that's why she needed the multiple bags of blood. She's receiving her second bag right now and the transfusion seems to be going well. All of her stats look good and she is being monitored very closely. Normally, we would close up the wound with staples but a magical doctor came in and was able to close it up with a magical salve that I had never seen before. She'll have a scar but it'll be very minimal and faded. Now, we are just looking for any signs of infections but I'm confident Bella will make a full recovery." She took a breath noticing the relief wash over Hermione's face. "Your daughter also seems to be doing very well for 30 weeks. I've heard she's already the most advanced baby in the NICU."

"Don't tell Bella. It'll go straight to her head," Hermione laughed. "Thank you for everything doctor. I've never been more scared," she admitted quietly.

"It was my pleasure. You handled yourself very well today, Hermione," she reached out to touch the baby again. "Bella should be moved up to her room in about two hours. Unfortunately the baby will have to stay in the NICU for at least five weeks until we are sure she is strong enough to go home."

"I can already tell you that Bella won't leave without her daughter. And she will insist on seeing her daughter when she wakes up," Hermione shrugged with the one arm that wasn't holding Cass. "I've known her a long time."

"I'll see what I can work out for the three of you," Addison smiled. "Is there anything else you need right now?"

"Could you go deliver the news to the rest of her family?"

"Sure thing. I'll also have a nurse let them know where her new room is going to be," she got up and started walking back towards the door. "Congratulations again Minister. You have a beautiful family."

Dr. Montgomery left the room while Hermione stayed and held her daughter until she got word that Bella had been moved to her room. During the wait, the family had all come by to meet the baby; however, due to the sensitive nature of the NICU, they could only see her through the windows. It took everything in her to get the nurse to help her put Cass back in her bassinet. The baby cried a little when Hermione let go of her and she felt her heart break a little more, "mum will be back soon, my love." She gave Cass a kiss and exited the room. Surprisingly, Addison had pulled a miraculous set of strings and got Bella into the room next to the NICU. Hermione would have to thank her later. "Please let Bella be okay," she whispered quietly to nobody as she pushed the door open and saw the room empty except for Bella laying asleep in her bed. She looked very small, hooked up to two ivs. One looked like it had a water bag with medicine in it and the other one had a hanging bag of Andy's blood. She quietly made her way over and pulled a chair up to the head of the bed, kissed Bella on the forehead and sat down. She took her hand and squeezed. "If you didn't survive, I wouldn't have known what to do with myself. You are truly the other half of my heart," she squeezed her hand again and rested her head on the pillow next to her wife's head. Bella was breathing deeply, clearly sleeping from the anesthesia and pain medications. "I don't know how long you'll be out but I wanted to let you know that you gave birth to the most gorgeous little baby. She looks just like you and I got to hold her for hours. I didn't know it was possible to love someone so much but I guess that's what love at first sight is," she smiled and snuggled in closer. "You are going to be wrapped around that baby's finger, my love. You don't stand a chance against her." A few nurses had been in and out to check Bella's stats and make sure her bags were draining into her ivs and someone came in to help teach Hermione how to dress her wounds on her stomach. When she finally left, Hermione snuggled back down, "I suppose this is how you felt when I had my accident. I'm sorry you had to go through that. This is the hardest, most nerve wracking thing I've ever been through. I just love you so much even if you frustrate me at the best of times," she chuckled and kissed her wife's cheek.

"Forever then," came the raspy response a few moments later and Hermione's head shot up to see her wife blinking her eyes open. Bella turned her head and offered the brunette a pained smile. "Did I do it?"

"Oh my heart," she placed soft kisses all over her face, "you truly did it. You were amazing." She saw the look of worry cross her wife's face, "Cass is beautiful," Bella relaxed slightly. "She looks just like you."

Bella winced in pain but seemed content with the knowledge that her daughter made it through to the other side, "when can I see her?"

"Let me go find Dr. Montgomery," Hermione started to try to release her hand but Bella gripped it harder. "Okay," she smiled, "I'll stay."

"She looks like me?"

"She's gorgeous and so, so tiny. 3lbs, 14 ounces. The nurses in the NICU said she's the strongest baby there."

"What's that mean?"

"The NICU?" Bella nodded. "It stands for the newborn intensive care unit. The babies born prematurely usually have to stay there until they are healthy enough to send home. Dr. Montgomery told me she'll probably be here for at least five weeks until she can go home."

"Looks like I'll be here for five weeks, too."

Hermione chuckled, "that's what I told her."

"I wish I could hold her," Bella said softly.

"Here," Hermione pulled out her cell phone. "I know it's not the same but I snapped a couple of pictures even though they told me no. I reminded them that I'm the Minister for Magic and they looked the other way."

Bella watched as Hermione shifted through the various pictures. There she was, her baby. Cassiopeia Bellatrix Black had made her grand entrance into this world. She was tiny, beautiful and destined to be Bella's mini me. "We made that," Bella let out a little chuckle. "She's so cute. I want to snuggle the fuck out of that baby," she smiled. "That might be the drugs talking. Tell no one."

"Your secret is safe with me," Hermione showed her a few more pictures. Bella relaxed and listened as her wife told her of the time she spent with their daughter.