A New Frontier

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Chapter Two

August, TA, 3016

It was nearly midnight when Harry and Daphne were unceremoniously woken with news that Gabrielle had finally gone into labour. For a moment, they'd both shared a silent sigh of relief - this day had been a bloody long time coming. Then, without adieu, they'd clad themselves quickly in dressing gowns and slippers and darted out the door, headed for their friends' quarters deeper within the place they now called home. No doubt, Draco and Gabrielle would both need them before the night was through and despite their turbulent past, both Daphne and Harry intended to be there for them.

The valley of Imladris, and the last homely house east of the sea, was a truly breathtaking sight and in truth, Harry didn't think he'd ever get over it's grandeur. They'd been welcomed with open arms by Lord Elrond, his family and his subjects and at once, they'd found the peace none of them had known for years. Rivendell was a safe haven from the rest of the world and regardless of the goings on beyond it's borders, Harry could sleep easily knowing that for the time being, he was safe. As he and Daphne rounded the doorway into Draco and Gabrielle's living quarters, however, Imladris was the last thing on Harry's mind.

In Draco and Gabrielle's small sitting room, the Malfoy scion paced an agitated circle around the furniture, his hair a platinum disarray and attention singularly focused on the closed door to the master bedroom. Beyond it, Harry could hear the sound of Gabrielle's laboured breaths and the soothing tones of two elven midwives. More surprising, however, was the presence of Lord Elrond, his twin sons and one daughter, seated calmly on the neglected furniture as Draco paced holes around them.

Draco had gotten to know Lord Elrond during his work in the infirmary. He had begun to help out there whenever necessary and in the process, had begun to learn new forms of healing from the wizened scholar. In turn, Lord Elrond was ceaselessly curious about the ways of healing from Tera that Draco taught him in return. Harry, however, had not realised that their friendship would equate to the elder's presence at the birth of Draco's first child. Whatever the case, it wasn't his business and so he bothered not to question it. After all, the more moral support, likely the better.

Daphne slipped into the bedroom, locked the door behind her and Harry heard her greet Gabrielle with a kiss to Gaby's crown and a series of mumbled words in French that Harry didn't bother deciphering. Instead, he approached his friend, clapped the blonde on the shoulder and gave him a smile.

"Are you ready for this, mate?"

Draco carted a hand through already tousled hair and gave a tremulous exhale. he managed a wan smile, but Harry saw right through him. Draco hadn't looked this anxious since he and Gabrielle's bonding ceremony three years earlier.

"I'm so nervous, I might be sick."

Harry chuckled, squeezed Draco's shoulder and guided him towards the sole remaining armchair still available. He couldn't do much else but be there for his friend though, and so harry took up place beside the mantle and began to wait out what would end up being a twelve hour vigil. Lord Elrond and his children were in and out of the quarters and they brought offerings of the edible variety every time they visited, but for the most part, they were silent, anticipating Imladris' newest arrival.

At one point, Elrohir broke the silence with a question. "Have you chosen any names yet?"

Draco nodded his confirmation from the armchair he'd not moved from, gaze still fixed on the bedroom door. He'd at least eaten and had some tea, but Harry sardonically wondered if he was trying to make himself appear as wrecked as Gabrielle surely would be once their child was born. He was certainly on the way to succeeding.

Before anything else could be said, one of the midwives opened up the door and informed them all that it was time. She shut it directly afterwards and Draco jumped to his feet, only to begin pacing once more. Harry dropped into Draco's vacated chair, cast his gaze over the sunlit courtyard below and grimaced at the sounds emitted from the bedroom. Childbirth resulted in something beautiful, but by Godric did it sound awful.

Twenty agonising minutes later, the wail of a newborn baby wrenched the air and smiles lit up everyone's faces, none more so than Draco's. He waited anxiously, but it was only moments later when the midwife appeared with Draco's son in her arms, swaddled in a baby blue blanket tailored for that very purpose.

Draco took the newborn into his arms with a small, reverent smile on his face and mumbled to the boy, though all the elves in the room heard it. Harry, however, was the only one to understand the words said.

"Bienvenue dans le monde, Espoir Phénix Malfoy."

"An apt name, my friend," harry complimented. He approached on silent steps, glanced down at the sleeping infant and huffed a silent laugh to himself.

There was something inordinately precious about the baby, but Harry couldn't deny that the boy, that Espoir, looked like a pink, shrivelled potato. He chose not to announce that observation, however, lest the elder Malfoy feel it necessary to punch him in the face in an overprotective, paternal response.

"Welcome to the world indeed, Espoir Phénix Malfoy," Harry murmured, a finger pressed tenderly to the little one's hand, "May your days forever be green and golden."

Translations

Bienvenue dans le monde: French for 'Welcome to the world'.

Espoir Phénix: French meaning 'Hope Phoenix'.