Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my ideas. Everything else belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Author's Note: thank you so much for sticking with this story! your reviews mean everything to me, love to you all! good luck to all those who are starting school soon! PLEASE READ AND REVIEW! xx

Chapter Twenty-Four: Cross Your Fingers

"Miss. Malfoy?"

Meredith looked up from her seat in the St. Mungo's waiting room to find a kind looking Mediwitch smiling softly at her. She just blinked, waiting for the witch to speak again. She didn't have the energy to answer - she needed to save all the strength she had not to fall apart.

"You're welcome to go in and see him now." the witch explained.

"Thank you." Draco said from the seat on her left.

Draco was holding her one hand, while Teddy was holding the other. Her mother was sitting across from Hermione, holding the hand of Astoria Greengrass along with her husband Theodore Nott, both of whom were shaking.

Meredith looked at Astoria, finding her face pale as silent tears streamed down her cheeks. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to speak.

"Astoria, would you like to go first?" Meredith croaked out.

Astoria shook her head immediately. "Not yet. You go."

Teddy stood up and pulled Meredith with her. She cast a look at both of her parents who were watching her with concerned eyes, each nodding their support at her. Teddy wrapped his arm around Meredith's shoulders and she leaned into him as they walked down the halls, heading for Leo's room.

"Meredith, all I ask is for you to keep breathing, alright?" Teddy whispered.

Meredith nodded as Teddy stopped just outside a closed door. He stood in front of her, placing both hands on her shoulders. She looked at him as she bit her lip, willing herself not to burst into tears.

"Are you ready?" he asked softly.

Meredith shook her head. "I can't... I can't lose him. Not him, too, Teddy."

Teddy smiled softly at him. "You haven't lost him, Mer. He's in there. He's just unconscious. He's gonna be just fine."

"You don't know that." Meredith whispered.

"You're right, I don't. But, all we can do is hope." Teddy said.

Teddy reached out and took her hand, squeezing it tightly as he opened the door. She gripped onto Teddy tightly as she caught sight of Leo. He was lying in the hospital bed, appearing as though he was only sleeping - though quite more pale than Meredith had ever seen him.

"Oh God." she whispered.

She let go of Teddy's hand and hurried to Leo's side, sitting on the edge of the bed to steady herself. She felt the tears leak from her eyes as she took Leo's cold hand in hers. She brought it to her lips and kissed each knuckle softly before resting it in her lap.

"Oh, Leo..." she whispered.

As she stared at Leo, all she could think about was Ava and the moment she...

She shook her head, leaning down to rest it on Leo's chest, letting herself softly cry.

. . .

Hermione clutched Astoria Greengrass's cold hand as Draco sat down beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Hermione leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"What can we do, Astoria? Is there anyone you'd like us to call?" Hermione offered.

She could see the helplessness in Astoria and Theo's eyes. Even though they weren't Leo's true parents, they had raised him for almost his entire life. The look in their eyes was reminiscent of the look in Hermione and Draco's eyes when Meredith had been missing all those years ago - she knew it. It was the same look in Meredith and Leo's eyes as they had discussed the death of their daughter - almost.

"No. There's no one. There's just us." Astoria whispered.

"Do you think this is because of...?" Theo asked.

Astoria nodded slowly. "I don't know what else could have happened."

Hermione looked up at Draco who just shrugged his shoulders at her, staring back at Astoria and Theo.

"What do you mean?" Draco asked.

Astoria took in a shaky breath. "Leo's mother... my sister... she died of an undetected heart condition. There is a chance it could be genetic. Leo didn't want to get tested for it, and we didn't push him to. Though, now..."

Hermione leaned closer to her. "Hey, this is not your fault."

Astoria just nodded, looking down as she continued to cry. Just the look on Astoria's face - as well as Theo's, and especially Meredith's - made Hermione want to cry as well. She felt tears brim in her eyes and she looked back at Draco, who leaned close and kissed her temple.

"It's alright, Angel." he whispered.

Hermione nodded. She didn't understand how things could go from wonderful to gut-wrenchingly terrible in just a matter of moments. One minute she had been learning Ginny's news, and the next...

She didn't want to just sit there. She wanted to help take her daughter's pain away - but she knew that there was nothing she could do. There was nothing that could take away the pain of losing - or almost losing - someone that you loved. Hermione just prayed that Leo would make a full recovery, and soon.

"Mum?"

Hermione looked up, finding James and Marley walking into the waiting room, still in their party clothes, as were the adults. Hermione sighed, dropping Astoria's hands and walking over to them.

"What are you two doing here?" Hermione asked.

Hermione recognized the redness in Marley's eyes as her daughter looked at her, her lip quivering.

"I couldn't just stay home, Mum." Marley whispered. "Not when Meredith needs us."

"But what about the children?" Hermione asked.

"Aunt Ginny and Uncle Harry are on their way here. The twins and Lily are with Grandma Cissa, and Jeremy and Albus are somewhere. They're fine on their own." Marley explained quickly. "I just couldn't not be here."

Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but shut it, taking in Marley's expression once more. She pulled her daughter into her arms and held her close, petting her dark hair.

"Thank you for coming, sweetheart." Hermione whispered. "Thank you to both of you."

She pulled James into her arms along with Marley, holding him as close as she could, even though he towered over the both of them. She let them go and was pleased as Marley immediately leaned into him, as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Where is she?" James asked.

"Her and Teddy are in with Leo right now." Hermione explained.

"And how is he?" Marley asked.

Hermione heard the fear in her voice and she reached out, guiding the two over to the waiting room chairs across from Astoria, Theodore and Draco.

"We haven't heard anything, yet. They're still running tests." Hermione explained.

"God, Mum this is awful. Meredith's been through so much already." Marley moaned.

Before Hermione could open her mouth, James had pulled Marley close to him, pressing his lips into her hair.

"And she's strong enough to get through this. I can't promise you Leo's going to be fine, but I can hope like hell. All you can do now is be there for your sister." James whispered, cupping Marley's face gently with his hands.

Hermione pressed a hand to her chest as a different kind of tears began to fill her eyes. She was suddenly overwhelmed by the love between James and Marley. Of course, she had always known it had been there - it had always been obvious. But now, Hermione was getting to see it in a new light, and she could tell just how pure and beautiful it truly was.

She turned back to Draco, Astoria and Theo. Draco had resumed the hold of Astoria's hand, but was now on his feet, stepping towards Hermione. He cradled his arms around her tenderly and she gazed up at him.

"Don't worry, angel. Don't you worry." Draco whispered.

Hermione rested her head against Draco's chest and let herself relax momentarily. She closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around his waist and letting herself for a moment hope that everything would turn out okay.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

. . .

Draco looked up from Hermione at the harsh tone of Marley's voice. Suddenly, he felt his cheeks grow hot as his insides filled with rage.

Ron Weasley was walking into the waiting room, with a very surprised looking Harry and Ginny Potter following quickly along behind him. Draco was speechless - what could Ron Weasley possible be doing here? This had absolutely nothing to do with him.

"Did you lot bring him here?" James asked, addressing his parents.

"No, James. We ran into him in the other room." Ginny sighed, crossing her arms.

Hermione turned around in his embrace, but Draco kept his arms protectively around her waist, keeping her close to him. They may have smoothed things over with Ron Weasley, but Draco still didn't want him anywhere near his family.

"Relax. I didn't know you lot would be here." Ron said, holding up his hands defensively. "I have an appointment."

"An appointment? This late at night on New Year's Eve?" Draco scoffed.

The tone of his voice surprised himself. It was much like the way he used to speak to Harry, Ron - and even Hermione - back in Hogwarts. It was defensive and dark.

"Yes. My doctor is only at St. Mungo's on the last day of every month now, and I have to come and see her. The appointment is always late at night now, since I know the kids will be in bed and they won't ask where I'm going." Ron explained, sitting himself down in a chair a few over from James and Marley.

Draco dropped his arms from around Hermione as she turned around to look up at him. She was telling him to calm down with her eyes, he could tell. Draco nodded, trying to take a deep breath.

"Why are you lot here anyways? If-if I can ask." Ron said.

The uncomfortableness in his voice was alarmingly evident. Draco watched as he clenched his hands into fists tight enough to turn his knuckles white as he bounced a knee up and down rapidly.

At Ron's question, Astoria burst into extremely loud sobs behind them. Draco turned around bewildered to look at her, as did everyone else. Before anyone could move, Hermione was back in the seat next to her, taking her hand.

"He's my boy... I've raised him almost his whole life... I can't lose him..." Astoria moaned.

Draco's heart broke for Astoria as she weeped, leaning on Theodore who was remaining entirely silent. He knew that Theo and Astoria had only been married for about seven years or so, so he didn't play as big of a role in the raising of Leo.

"Well, you haven't lost him yet. There's still hope, Astoria. We're all here for you, no matter what you need." Hermione said, her voice soft and gentle.

"I know I'm not his mother, but..." Astoria whispered, looking up at Hermione.

Hermione nodded slowly. "But you're as good as. It doesn't take giving birth to be a mother. Harry and Ginny have raised Teddy Lupin about as long as you've raised Leo, and they consider him one of their children, don't you?"

Both Ginny and Harry nodded immediately and Draco watched as Ginny leaned into Harry, tears in her eyes.

"I'm not Teddy's mother and I've never tried to be, but... he's my boy, too." Ginny whispered.

"I can't lose him." Astoria repeated.

Hermione stood up, taking Astoria's hand and pulling her to her feet.

"Where are we going?" Astoria choked out.

"We are going to see Leo. It's going to hurt to see him like this, but... but I know you'll feel better after having seen him. Trust me." Hermione explained.

Draco knew that Hermione was recalling on her experience with Meredith and he knew that she was right. He thought of when he had seen Hermione in the hospital after being attacked by Ron. Even though it had been absolutely heart-wrenching to see her so hurt, it had helped - just knowing that she was still out there, fighting as hard as she could.

"Okay." Astoria whispered.

Draco stepped forward and pressed a kiss to Hermione's forehead before stepping back and letting Hermione wrap an arm around Astoria to guide her down the hallway.

"Well, that's something I never thought I'd see." Harry said in a low sigh.

Draco nodded immediately, turning back to everyone. He looked at Ron, who was sitting awkwardly, still bouncing his knee as he stared incredibly intensely at the floor. He looked at Harry and Ginny, immediately noticing the torn expression on Ginny's face as she stared up at Harry. Harry stayed silent, merely kissing her on the forehead for a moment before stepping back.

"What are you here for, Ron?" Ginny asked.

Ron looked up, his eyes wide in surprise at being addressed. "Um, every month I have to have a checkup to make sure that... that I'm not ill again."

Draco raised his eyebrows. For some reason, he hadn't even considered the possibility that Ron could get sick again, although of course it made perfect sense.

"Ginny, there's been nothing for a long time. Take that look off your face." Ron said with a small smile.

Ginny sat down next to Ron, patting the seat between her and James for Harry to sit. Harry sat, and Draco took it as a sign to sit down next to his daughter, who was still curled into James. Theo sat across from them, looking seemingly lost in his own thoughts. Draco hadn't a clue what he could do for the man.

"Daddy?"

He looked at Marley, surprised by how young her voice sounded. She was looking at him with tears in her eyes, James' arm still wrapped around her.

"Yes, love?" Draco asked.

"I'm really scared for Leo. For Meredith." Marley whispered.

Draco crooked his head to the side and smiled sadly at his daughter's huge, huge heart. He reached out and grabbed her hand, squeezing it in his own.

"Thank you for coming. Both of you." he said.

James and Marley smiled weakly at him and he squeezed Marley's hand again, taking a deep breath.

It was going to be a long night.

. . .

"Meredith." Teddy called out softly.

Meredith lifted her head off of Leo's chest and looked behind her, finding her mother and Astoria standing together, Hermione's arm wrapped around Astoria. She looked back at Leo, who had still yet to make a move or a sound. She knew that Astoria would want to spend time with her nephew, but Meredith knew that she couldn't make herself leave.

"Meredith, love. Come here." Hermione said.

Meredith shook her head, knowing she was still sobbing. She didn't want to leave Leo's side. She didn't want to let go of his hand.

"Darling, you don't have to leave. Just come here and give Astoria a minute." Hermione said.

She felt Teddy's presence next to her. His hand came down atop her's and Leo's, beginning to gently pry her's away.

"No, don't make me." she whispered.

"Mer, we're just standing back here for a minute, okay?" Teddy whispered back, leaning close. "I promise you you don't have to leave."

Slowly, she let go of Leo's hand and let Teddy guide her to the back of the room where Hermione was standing. Astoria made her way to the bed and sat down in Meredith's previous spot, picking up Leo's hand.

"My boy..." Astoria whispered. "My sweet, sweet boy. It's not your time yet. It's not even close."

Meredith felt herself tremble at Astoria's words and immediately both Hermione and Teddy had their arms around her, supporting her.

"She's right, my darling. It's not his time yet." Hermione whispered in her ear.

Meredith's eyes filled with more tears as she let out a deep sob. "It wasn't Ava's time either and she..."

The room went silent, only the sounds of Astoria and Hermione's sniffling heard. Meredith held her breath - she hadn't wanted to say it out loud, but she hadn't been able to control herself. She let out another sob and Teddy pulled her against him, pressing her face into his chest. Hermione's hands came to rest on her back and Meredith felt her press her lips against the back of her head.

She hated that she couldn't hold herself together. She wanted to be strong - to be strong for Leo. She wanted to be strong for Ava. Seeing Leo this way made every memory of Ava's death that much more vivid in the front of her mind, and it was destroying her.

She stepped away from Teddy and Hermione, making her way to the other side of the bed. She sat down, taking Leo's other hand and reaching across the bed to grab Astoria's free one.

"You're not losing him. We're not losing him." Meredith whispered.

Astoria looked up at Meredith, nodding slowly. "He loves you so much. You and your daughter... more than anything in the world."

Meredith took in a deep breath. "I know. I feel the same. He's everything to me. He and Ava... they were my everything. We just finally got back on track and..."

She couldn't continue. She just shook her head and looked back at Leo, focusing on his chest until she was sure that she could see the rising and falling of his breathing. Meredith heard the opening of the door but couldn't bring herself to look up.

"Ms. Greengrass? Miss. Malfoy?"

Meredith knew it was the doctor. She looked up from Leo at the Mediwitch, who was already standing next to Astoria.

"What can you tell us?" Astoria asked.

"The tests we ran show that it is the inherited condition from Leo's mother. Luckily, he got here much sooner than she did and we were able to perform the necessary spells." she said.

Meredith felt her heartbeat quicken. The heart condition that Daphne had died of? The mere thought of Leo having that broke her heart even more and introduced a kind of fear she didn't even want to acknowledge.

"All we have to do now is wait for him to wake up. We don't know how long he was unconscious for, and that's our biggest worry." she continued.

"But, he is going to wake up, right?" Meredith squeaked out.

The Mediwitch smiled kindly. "That's up to Leo. All we can do now is wait."

She murmured that she would be back to check on Leo later and then left, softly shutting the door behind her. Meredith looked back at Astoria, and then Leo. She focused on his breathing again, watching his chest rise and fall. Leaning down, she kissed his forehead.

"Please wake up, please wake up, please wake up..." she whispered.

She let out another sob, and closed her eyes, knowing that all she could do was hold his hand and wait.