Chapter Twenty-Eight

Hermione was about to kill Clopin.

Overall, she supposed he hadn't really been too bad during her pregnancy, a little overprotective but nothing like what the older women had told her their husbands had been like. However, if she found another fucking puppet on the floor she was going to scream. She asked him constantly not to leave things on the floor, because she couldn't pick them up! Slowly bending her knees, she tried to pick the blasted thing up but just wasn't able to. Luckily for her, Djali snatched it up before standing on the bed, letting her take it from him with a smile.

Hermione's stomach was incredibly pronounced. In all honesty, she often wondered if there was just the one child in her stomach but the medi-wizard had reassured her that there really was only one in her womb. Rubbing her stomach soothingly when she felt a kick, Hermione made her way out of the tent. She was on a mission to brutally murder her husband.

Eventually spotting him with his friends, she strode over with a fierce look in her eye. She spotted Duke gulp at the sight of her and quickly nudged Clopin. When he looked up at her, she could have sworn he sighed but stood up all the same. Tensing her jaw, she had to bite back the tears. Her hormones had really been all over the place over the past month and it was really hard for her to suddenly switch between being angry, then upset, then happy before going back to angry within the space of a minute. She knew that it wasn't her fault, as did Clopin, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt whenever he sighed at her or rolled his eyes.

Turning her features to stone, Hermione pushed his puppet against his chest, forcing him to grab it before it hit the floor.

"If I find anything else on the floor from now on, I'm burning it."

Without another word, she spun on her heel and headed back to their tent. Easing herself down on to the bed, she allowed her tears to fall. She really couldn't wait until this baby was born. Her hormones were making her feel like shit, she couldn't stand up without someone helping her and she was in absolute agony constantly. A twinge of pain shot through her back, as though to remind her.

Huffing loudly, she gave Djali a small smile when he rested his head on her lap. Petting his head gently, Hermione sighed heavily. A light tapping on her tent drew her attention. Allowing whoever it was entry, she really wasn't surprised to see Selina all but burst in. She gave Hermione a sympathetic smile and held up a plate.

"I brought cheese."

Hermione promptly burst into happy tears at the sight. Wiping them hastily away, she held out her arms and gestured for a hug. Selina obeyed quickly before sitting next to her.

"Why is it you understand me better than my fucking husband does at the minute?"

Selina chuckled as she watched Hermione devour the cheese.

"Because I'm a woman. I know all about mood swings and cravings already.' Hermione chuckled as Selina continued. 'What did he do this time?"

Hermione's eye twitched but she let out a sigh.

"He left another fucking puppet on the floor. I can't bend down to pick shit up anymore! I threatened to burn anything that's left on the ground from now on. I ask for one fucking thing. You should have seen them, Selina. Duke looked terrified of me whilst Clopin just sighed and stood up as though he was just going to take whatever rant I had for him and ignore it. I already feel like shit, I don't need it off of others too."

Selina wrapped her arms around Hermione and let her cry on her shoulder. Practically sobbing hysterically, Hermione was getting really pissed off with all these mood swings. She knew her husband meant nothing by it, he was just looking forward to the pregnancy ending as much as she was. It didn't help her calm down though.

Backing away, sniffling, Hermione wiped her eyes once more and shook her head.

"Sorry, Selina. I don't mean to be so emotional." Selina was already shaking her head before she finished her apology.

"Don't be daft, Esmeralda. We know you're going through a lot. Even some of the elders have admitted that you seem to be going through quite a painful pregnancy. You're more than deserving to have a good cry and shout whenever you please! Let's face it, all husbands deserve being shouted at. At least once a day in my opinion."

Selina threw her a wink, trying to perk her up. Allowing herself a watery chuckle, Hermione sighed. She felt really tired. She felt Selina massage her head, making the young witch smile and slowly relax.

"Have you two finally decided on names?" Hermione huffed.

"We've decided to name them after Clopin's father if it's a boy. Clopin wants to name them after my mother if it's a girl but I don't want that. I just can't think of any girl names I particularly like." She felt Selina's hands freeze against her hair before she whispered.

"What about Kezia? Why don't you name her after our friend?"

Hermione slowly sat up and turned to look at Selina. The woman was looking down at her splayed hands. Smiling softly, Hermione reached over and grasped her hands.

"Non, mon amie. I was hoping you would name your future children after our friend. It would mean so much to her. It would mean a lot to me if you used her name."

Selina frowned and shook her head.

"Non, Esmeralda. You might have a little girl in your stomach now. You use it."

Huffing, Hermione mock-glared at her before smiling.

"How about the first to have a baby girl gets to use her name?"

Hermione watched Selina contemplate her compromise. The young witch had a feeling she was having a boy but she really did want Selina to use Kezia's name. Whilst they had been really close, Selina had known Kezia all her life, it only made sense to Hermione for her to use their dear friend's name. Selina slowly nodded and pulled Hermione back so that she could continue to massage her head.

The pair of them continued to chat into the evening. As much as she would have loved to continued their chat, Hermione felt a small trickle come out of her. She almost felt as though she had pissed herself. Only just holding back a groan, Hermione turned to Selina.

"I'm sorry, Selina. This one's restless. I'm going to go for a walk, would you mind letting that idiot I call a husband know?" Selina smiled in understanding as she helped Hermione stand up.

"Of course, enjoy your walk but be careful."

Smiling as Selina left the tent, Hermione groaned loudly and quickly waved her wand over the mess on the bed and the back of her skirt. Of all the times for her waters to break. Huffing, she grabbed her beaded bag and urged Djali to stay where he was.

"It's alright, Djali. I'll be back soon."

Leaving the tent, Hermione winced in pain as small contractions wreaked havoc on her back. Doing her best to breathe through the pain, she headed up to the surface before slowly making her way to the statue of Pythia. Slowly waddling through the dark streets, Hermione was cursing not being allowed to apparate during pregnancy when she had to pause for a moment when she was half way there.

Edging into a small alley, she pressed her forearms up against the stone wall and pushed her arse out, stretching her back as she slowly breathed through the pain. Her contractions were getting worse with each breath. Groaning, she suddenly felt a pair of warm hands on her back, trying to massage her lower back.

"Mm, don't know who that it but keep doing that."

She heard Clopin snort from behind her but he kept moving his hands. The pair of them could recognise when the other was near instantly. Not to mention everyone was terrified of the pair of them, so it would only be Clopin who touched her like that. Hermione was just trying to be funny. She was glad that he had remembered their code though.

She had made it clear that she wanted to give birth in the wizarding hospital, not in their tent, for their first child. Therefore, they decided that if she was to go into labour, then she would 'go for a walk' and Clopin would take her to the wizarding world. If she genuinely wanted to go for a walk then she would say 'stroll' instead.

Slowly standing up, Hermione rested one hand on her lower back and the other on her stomach. She was so tired. Casting her gaze at Clopin, she tried to smile but knew it was a grimace as a wave of pain shot through her. Clopin ushered her closer to the statue and the pair ducked inside.

Clopin looked like he was about ready to pick Hermione up and carry her when she pointed to the hospital. Entering the building, Hermione paid absolutely no attention to anything other than the receptionist.

"My waters broke, where do I go?"

Hermione knew she was being rather blunt and cold but for fuck sake, she was in a lot of pain. She was amazed she didn't swear at the woman. Breathing through her next contraction, Hermione was relieved when the receptionist told her to go to the fourth floor. Grabbing Clopin by the arm, she barely thanked the woman when she made her way to the lifts.

She had been surprised by them but grateful, especially right at that minute. Entering one, she had no time for Clopin's bewildered look and all but threw him in alongside her. Closing her eyes, she felt his wrap his arm around her. Pressing her face into his shoulder, Hermione tried not to cry but was fighting a losing battle. Arriving at the right floor, she lifted her tear-stained face and shuffled out onto the floor.

Making her way to the next receptionist, Hermione didn't even need to open her mouth when the woman spotted her.

"How long have the contractions been going on for, mon cher."

"Oh, thank fuck. At least an hour before my water broke so about two hours now. They're increasing in speed and intensity."

Ignoring the startled look on her face for her swearing, Hermione leaned on the counter and stretched out her back once again. Clopin tried to massage her back again but a healer arrived fairly quickly.

"Bonjour, I'm Healer Nilks. I'm afraid Healer Jenkins isn't here so I'll just take you to your room, madam Trouillefou."

Nodding, the couple followed the healer as quickly as Hermione could allow and entered a sterilized room. Hermione wasn't bothered if their healer was there or not, as long as the baby came out of her quickly. Clopin was looking around in wonder whilst Hermione practically launched herself onto the bed. The Healer left them for a moment, allowing Hermione to power through another contraction.

"Why didn't you tell me about the contractions, mon amour?"

Hermione sighed heavily as she looked to her right. Clopin was frowning at her as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"I was still pissed with you for leaving shit on the floor. Again."

Clopin looked like he was about to argue with her but was interrupted when the Healer returned. Performing various different tests, the Healer startled and angered Clopin when he moved to see how dilated she was. Chuckling, she grabbed his hand and pulled him back up to her head.

"Only the Healer goes anywhere near there whilst I'm popping out your child, mari. It's alright, he's checking to see if I'm anywhere near close to pushing." Clopin grumbled under his breath but not quietly enough.

"You weren't saying that at the conception."

Slowly, Hermione turned to face her husband, expression completely blank whilst he eyes promised a slow death. As though he had realised what he had just said, he quickly tried to backtrack but knew he was in trouble.

"I'm sorry, mon amour. Bad thing to say."

"You. Fucking. Think?"

The Healer chuckled at her simplistic explanation as well as the couple's arguing before smiling.

"It'll be soon, I believe. You're already eight cm."

The Healer left them alone whilst he moved to do fuck knows what else. Hermione leaned back against the pillow and squeezed Clopin's hand.

"I'll apologise in advance if I break your hand."

Clopin chuckled but squeezed her hand back. He brushed some of her hair off her face and whispered.

"Do you want to remove your glamours for this, mon amour?" Hermione shook her head.

"Non, I don't think that would be a good idea. We've spoken about this, we'll explain to each child we have when the time is right."

Nodding, Clopin agreed to his wife's request. They had both spoke about the possibility of telling their future children where their mother came from and how she came to the past. It had been the cause of a few rows between them but overall, they ended up making a firm decision and they were sticking to it.

Hermione suffered contraction after contraction within the space of half an hour. Clopin's hand was kept in a death grip whilst she started screaming for pain relief. Luckily for Clopin, the Healer arrived with three different vials. Immediately syphoning them into Hermione's bloodstream, she calmed down instantly. Sighing in relief, Hermione let up on her grip of Clopin's hand.

"I believe it's time to push, madam Trouillefou."

Nodding, Hermione shifted slightly and followed the directions of the Healer, pushing only when encouraged. Whilst it had been a rather painful and uncomfortable pregnancy, she could honestly say that the birth was a lot worse. Shaking her head, Hermione was sure her face was a bright red from holding her breath as she pushed as well as the effort it took to push the child out of her.

Throwing her head back against the pillow, she could feel the pain relief fading. She turned to Clopin and shook her head as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I don't think I can do it, amour."

Clopin smiled at her as he kissed her fingertips. Wiping some of the sweat from her brow, he nodded.

"Yes, you can, chérie.' He leaned down to whisper in her ear. 'You survived a war and Frollo, you can do anything, Hermione."

Offering him a small smile, Hermione screamed as she felt another contraction. The pain relief had completely worn off and for some reason or another, she hadn't been paying any attention, she wasn't allowed any more. Tensing her jaw, Hermione kept on pushing when told but it seemed to be lasting forever.

Huffing and puffing, Hermione was getting really sick of the Healer saying 'one more push' when it clearly wasn't just one more! Sending Clopin a look, she knew he was getting sick of it as well.

"One more push."

Taking a deep breath, Hermione was sick of this shit. This child was coming out. Now.

"AHH! FUCK!"

Hermione screamed as she pushed for all she was worth, she was almost worried she'd end up shitting herself but decided she didn't particularly care at that moment in time. The baby was coming out, one way or another. Hermione sagged back as she felt something pop in her vagina. Unsure what it was, she looked down at the Healer, concerned.

"The head's out now, one more push and you'll be able to meet your baby."

Nodding in determination, Hermione readjusted her grip on Clopin's hand, giving that one last push and was met with the sound of crying. Practically melting into the bed, she looked up at Clopin who was beaming at her. He leant down and pressed a quick kiss to her lips before looking up at the healer. He passed Clopin his child after they had been wrapped up in a white cloth. The healer then began casting a few spells to make sure Hermione was going to heal properly.

Hermione could only stare as Clopin gave their baby his full attention. She had never seen such a soft look on his face. Smiling sleepily, she was grateful when the Healer let her put her legs back down.

"Everything has healed nicely. I believe an hour or so and you can go home. Oh, congratulations, it's a boy."

The Healer left the couple with their new baby boy. Tears streamed from Hermione's eyes as she beamed up at Clopin. She spotted some tears in his eyes as well but didn't say anything. Gulping passed the lump in her throat, she sat up and opened her arms when Clopin handed her their baby boy.

Looking down at him, Hermione could see he would take after his father. The thick black hair and chin told her everything. Although, he did have her nose but wasn't sure about the eyes until he was ready to open them. Smiling softly at her son, Hermione let the tears continue to fall. Wiping some of them away, she whispered.

"Hello, Blake. I'm your mummy. This is your daddy. We love you so much."

Hermione felt Clopin press a kiss to her hair before sitting down next to her. Smiling at him, she knew everything was going to be just fine.