Disclaimer:I do not own Harry potter nor do I own any of the characters with the exception of Nadia (stress the first a Naah-dia), her parents, Kyro (pronounced Kii like a long 'I' and roh) and a few others to come in future chapters
After much scolding and questions from my friends, everyone except Zarah decides to leave with many promises from me to see them later. We are outside the dilapidated building which is truly the ministry of magic in disguise. An owl flies by and drops a letter right on Zarahs head. It slides of. I reach out and take Ky from her arms and into mine while she bends down to retrieve the letter. She opens it and reads for a minute. She sighs defeated.
"What's the matter?" I ask.
"It's about Blaise. Remember how sick he looked?" She doesn't wait for an answer. "Well now they're really worried." She says her voice cracking and tears running down her face. I don't know if I can take any more bad news. I try to keep up a strong façade. I take her hand in mine and squeeze reassuringly. "I'm going to see him are you coming?" She asks and I nod. Immediately I feel an uncomfortable sensation when she takes me with her in side-long. We land in St. Mungos Reception area and as we do I feel a slight pinch in my finger. I look down and realize that I've been splinched, there are no pieces missing but there is a deep cut. I know Zarah didn't mean it, she's probably just worried about Blaise. I check over the still sleeping Kyro for any damages but he is completely fine. I quickly mend my finger and don't bother to mention it. Zarah walks over to the receptionist and speaks quickly and quietly. She then gestures me to follow her and I do.
-:):):)-
When we've finally arrived at our destination we are greeted by a rather young female healer. She's moderately tall with curly auburn hair, petite features, and bright blue eyes. "Good afternoon. My name is healer Murray I was newly appointed to Blaise Zabini due to his current condition." She smiles at us. "Okay Mr Zabini's heart rate has significantly lowered over the past few days and I'm sorry to say so far we have not found a cause. We've checked him over multiple times. He keeps losing weight; so we gave him more food during the day time but that did nothing to stop it, we've even simulated exercise as just an experiment to see if that would even do anything…I know it was a stretch but we are trying our hardest to find out what is going on with him."
"What do you mean you simulated exercise?" Zarah asks curiously.
"Well we actually controlled Mr Zabinis body in order for him to engage in physical activity."
"How in merlins name did you do that?" Zarah asks incredulously.
"We actually used the Imperious..curse."
"That's illegal!" Zarah shouts.
"Not when used in medical situations. Mr Zabini looks like… or rather looked like a man who took his health seriously. I just thought that it would help for when he does wake up for a better transition that he doesn't wake in a body he's not use to. I still have faith and I assure you we are doing everything in our power to help him." Zarah looks strangely at her but nods. "Would you like to see him?" Zarah then looks hesitantly at me and I nod.
"Yes" she says. The healer leads us to the room Blaise is kept in and I see him lying there looking nothing like the Blaise I have come to know. My heart hurts. Zarah nods towards Blaise with tears in her eyes telling me to go first. I hand Kyro to her and slowly make my way over to the bed. I hear a slow 'beeping' sound and look beside him to see that it is a heart monitor hooked up to him that is 'beeping' at an alarmingly slow pace. He's so pale. My heart clenches again. What have I done? Do you see this in front of you? I hope this haunts you. You monster! My breathing pick up significantly and I feel as though I'm about to have a full scale panic attack. I take deep breaths and try to calm myself. I can't help it…the tears begin to fall. Look at what I've done. I reach out timidly and brush my hand against his cheek. The 'beeping' sound beside me speeds up significantly. I draw my hand back in shock and the sound slows again. I look quickly behind me and the healer and Zarah look on completely confused. I turn back and look at my hand; it's covered in dry blood from my splinching earlier. I reach my hand back towards him and on his cheek his heart rate once again speeds up and that's when it hit's me. How could I have been so foolish? It's my fault he's in a coma and then I almost killed him again.
I concentrate on the skin of my wrist tearing and it opens up right before my eyes. I magically open his mouth and hold my wrist onto it and magically force him to swallow. I hear a gasp behind me. "What are you doing?" I hear the healer's voice coming closer. She grabs my shoulder.
"Leave her!" I hear Zarah shout and I know that like me he has remembered what Blaise needs…even though he is unconscious his body would still need it and with everything that has been going on I had forgotten and been stupidly depriving him of it. "It's what's wrong…It's what he needs." I hear Zarah say to the healer.
"I-Is he a vampire? Should we still feed him regular food?" I hear the healer ask sounding frightened now.
"No he's not a vampire and yes you should still feed him." Zarah replies.
"What is he then?" She asks curiously.
"Never you mind" Zarah answer giving nothing away. I hear the monitor next to me steadily picking up speed. I see some colour returning to his face and lips. He looks better already.
"I'll go call his other healer." The healer says and we don't comment. She leaves. We are both silent. I continue feeding him until I feel a little more than light headed. I retract my arm and quickly seal it. I feel woozy. I take a quick seat in the chair next to his bed and though I feel less than okay right now I'm happy to hear the strong 'beeps' from his heart monitor. When his other healer arrives we all discuss the new to them, old to us discovery. In the end the doctor agreed though I insisted every day would not be a problem that a small amount every three to four days should do him just fine.
-A few months later-
I stretch languidly or as languidly as I can with my huge tummy. I reach over to stop my alarm but my arm is a bit too short. I try my best to maneuver myself out of bed which takes me about two minutes. I grab my phone and cut the alarm. I take a shower and prepare myself for work. I slip on my ballet flats last and waddle my way to the door, down the hall, slowly down the stairs and into the kitchen. As I step in I realize my mother, aunt, Zarah and Kyro are already in there all with bowls of cereal.
"Morning." I say breathlessly. I try to take a second to catch my breath.
"I've been telling you for weeks now that you don't need to go into work, sweetie. Why must you be so stubborn?" My mother asks me.
"Carpe diem" I reply simply and she sighs. I waddle to the fridge and get some orange juice and an ice cream sandwich from the freezer. I then get a banana, an apple. The bottom of my belly tightens and the tightness ascends and my belly feels like it's having a serious muscle cramp. I groan.
"Are you alright dear?" I hear Zarah ask and I nod.
"I'm going I have to meet healer Murray in my office." I say and disappear immediately after directly into my office. I take a seat in my chair and reach for my office phone. I speed dial the number '3' "Whenever the healer gets here just send her in." I say into the phone.
"Sending her in now." Angela answers. It's a few seconds before the doors open.
"Good morning Ms Granger. How are you feeling today?" The healer ask.
"Really big." I deadpan. I pull the sleeve of my sweater up to give her full access to the veins in my arm and I place my arm flat on the desk the underside of it facing up. She tourniquet's my arm and like every four days she removes some blood to take back to St. Mungos for Blaise. My belly starts to cramp…it feels sort of like a cross between a muscle spasm and period cramps. I scrunch my face. Was that a contraction? No I'm probably just paranoid.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah my belly is just doing weird things."
"Oh merlin, are you having contractions?"
"I'm not sure, maybe." I take a deep breath and the feeling is gone.
"How far along are you?"
"I'll be 36 weeks tomorrow."
"Well you are having twins and it's normal for them to be born before 40 weeks…healthy even. Should I accompany you to St. Mungos?"
"No I'll just wait a bit. I don't want to rush there for no reason. I'll time them and if they get more frequent then I'll go." I say finally deciding that this is probably best. Don't want to get worked up for nothing.
"If you say so, but I'm still going to alert your healer just in case. You can never be too prepared." She says looking at me with pure concern. I nod with a grateful smile at her. She leaves shortly after and I promptly begin my work.
It's now 11:36 am. The spasm and pains have become more frequent. My last one was at 11.29 and another one wracks my stomach and like each time it hurts more than the one before it. It's definitely time to go. I pull out my cell phone and dial the one number who I know will notify everyone.
"Hello?" She answers.
"Mum I'm having contractions. I think it's time." I hear a scream of joy on the other end and I have to pull the phone away from my ear. "I'm heading to St. Mungos now okay?"
"Okay I'll be there soon. Oh my goodness I'm so excited!" I hang up the phone and use the speed dial number '3' on the office phone once again.
"Yes mam?"
"I'm headed to the hospital. Cancel everything I have today. I believe mom or dad can fill in tomorrow and take the rest of the day off if you please." I say to her.
"Okay good luck. I'll come and see you later." She replies and we say a quick goodbye. I try the best I can to stand and finally disappear to St. Mungos.
-17 hours later-
"Nadia listen to me. You need to push. I know it hurts but we all need you to push dear. Take a deep breath and push." The tears are streaking down my face and I shake my head almost lifelessly. "Come on push."
"I can't. It hurts!" I bawl. The pain is blinding. It feels like someone is literally taking knife and carving away at my uterus. It's like ten thousand period cramps bundled into one. I'm hysterically crying and I can barely catch my breath. I wish Blaise were here. With that thought I cry even harder knowing that it' my fault that he's not. I feel my mother tighten her hold on me while Zarah pats my hair softly and reassuringly.
"Darling listen to me." My mother says. "It's almost over. We just need a few more strong pushes. Once the first one is out the second won't be so hard. Now come on, I know you can do this." I shake my head. The healer finally addresses me.
"Nadia we have been at this for hours and I know you are tired. Would you like to get a Bonham procedure?" A bonham procedure is the same as a muggle c-section. The first healer to perform it was John Bonham. He got the Idea from muggle doctors. I shake my head. I need to try harder. I don't want to be cut open if it isn't absolutely necessary. "Are you ready to try and push again then?" I nod. "Push." I tense and push with all my might. I can feel the veins in my neck and forehead protrude and the blood rushing to the surface of my skin. I relax and catch a much needed breath crying the whole time. "Push" the healer instructs me again and again I give it all I've got. He instructs me to do so a few more times before Zarah shouts.
"There's the head." And I'm relieved because I don't know how much more I can do.
"Push" the healer says again and I can feel the baby move a little down my passage. I stop and hyperventilate from my extreme efforts. I feel like I'm going to pass out. "One more strong one. Make it count" the healer says and I put my all into it. I feel a painfully strange stretching feeling and see the healer quickly stand with a bloody covered baby in his hands. I hear gasps from both Zarah and my mother. "4:32 a.m!" The healer shouts to a trainee. The infant wails loudly and I don't know whether to smile or cry so I do both. Another healer takes the baby over to the corner and I'm looking to see where he is going with my baby. "Don't worry you will have him soon. He just needs to weight and run a few test quickly while we deliver the other one."
"He?" I ask.
"Yes he; it's a boy." I smile because I know exactly what to call him. "Come on we need you to push again." I commence the painful pushing and resting and twelve minutes later the healer is holding another screaming baby. "A girl" he says simply and I smile. He then turns to the trainee and says "4:44 a.m."
"Seven pounds, fifteen ounces" The second healer says to me as he brings over my son and I gasp. I didn't expect any of them to be so big. He places him in my arms and I look lovingly down at my little boy.
"He looks just like his father." I hear Zarah whisper in awe as she takes a look at the infant and I agree he is his fathers through and through. The healer comes back again toting my second born.
"Seven pounds, thirteen ounces" He says as he places my daughter in my other hand. I look down at her and I feel as if I'm looking at one of my baby pictures.
"This one is purely you my dear." I hear my mother say and I can hear the smile in her voice. I start to cry again but this time my tears are of joy and not pain. The following minutes the doctor removes the placentas and fixes me up while my mother and Zarah fawn over their new grandchildren.
-:):):)-
The day so far has been hectic. From trying to trying to breast feed the twins and the hoard of visitors we've received. My family and friends are still here and they all refuse to leave until I reveal the babies names.
"Mommy If I promise not to tell will you tell me?" Kyro asks being too curious now.
"Hmmmmmmm" I say
"Pleeeeeeease?" I nod and then whisper them to him.
"Do you like them or should I change them."
"They're great." He bounces up and down. He's been so happy ever since he heard that he had a brother.
"Great she's here." I hear my aunt say and I know they have all been dying for this woman to come in from the ministry for the kid's registration.
"Good afternoon" she says as she walks in with a slight nod. We all reply in kind. She makes her way over to me conjures a stool and pulls out some papers. "They were both born august 3rd?" She asks and I nod. "What are the sexes and who was first born?"
"A boy and a girl, boy being the first born I answer."
"Name?"
"Blaise- B-l-a-i-s-e, Alexander- A-l-e-x-a-n-d-e-r, Luciano L-u-c-i-a-n-o, Zabini." I don't spell the last part because I assume she already knows how to spell that. Zarah squeezes my hand in thanks a bright smile lighting her face. My friends and family with the exception of my mom and aunt look uncertainly at me but don't comment.
"And is this a junior?" She asks and I nod. "Next" she says.
"Olivia- O-l-i-v-i-a, Isabella I-s-a-b-e-l-l-a, Zabini." I say.
"Oh I love that name." I hear Ginny say while cooing at my baby girl. "We can call her Livy for short." I smile because I actually like it and for the first time in a long time I'm genuinely happy.
-:):):)-
It's been four years since the twins have been born and a year since everyone including Zarah encouraged me to stop dwelling on the past and move on with my life "You're young and yes you have responsibilities but have some sort of fun." They say. Kyro even said to me that he didn't like how quiet I had become. He told me that he wished I were bubbly and free like how I used to be and for everyone elses sake I plastered on the closest thing to my old smile and pretended I was fine. But I think if you pretend long enough whatever you pretend to be ultimately is what you become…sort of. I am by no means the bubbly fun loving person I used to be but I am no longer the shell of a person I've been in the recent years. I started pretending I was fine for everyone else and it took me a year. Yes a solid year to finally try and do it for myself. I had help along the way though. I found comfort in the arms of Emilia…who I used to know as Healer Murray. I don't know how it happened… we just started seeing more and more of each other.
-FLASHBACK TO TWO NIGHTS AGO-
"Nadia you need to let go." She pleads with me.
"I-I can't." I reply.
"Who knows when he will wake up if ever… I've been hurt by my husband so many times I'm numb to it now. You are hurting so much…let go and let me take care of you. I can make you feel better."
"No this is wrong." I say quickly.
"Do you really believe that?" She pulls me into her arms and the warmth I feel there is so close to the body I truly crave. Though there is a missing piece of me I still feel like I want to let go.
"This isn't right."
"Are you going to wait around for him your whole life?" We are both silent for a minute while what she has said sinks in. "No one has to know. We don't have to be public about it. We don't even have to have a title…this will be our little secret." She whispers in my ear. I start to hyperventilate a bit. What should I say? "This doesn't get beyond these doors. If you want it can just be this once."
"Promise, Just this once?" I ask her.
"Just this once, I promise." She says reassuringly connecting our mouths. I let go completely and let her take me for just that moment in time.
-Flash back ends-
-:):):)-
Two years later and that promise has been broken many times over. Sometimes I wonder if what we are doing is wrong but she has helped me heal so much that I convince myself that it couldn't possibly be wrong. The twins and I are standing at Kings cross waiting on Kyro. He has officially completed his first year of Hogwarts and I am all too excited. I look around the platform and I see the telltale sign of red hair. The twins and I head over to where I saw the hair and I realize Ginny, Harry, Draco, Hermione, Lavender, and Ron are all here to pick up their kids as well. The twins race off to greet their aunts and uncles. I make my way over and hug them all.
"You coming to the party later?" Ron asks me. They are all having a get together at the burrow just as a end of year feast for the kids all doing so well. The younger kids were not old enough to attend Hogwarts yet. Every one of my friends has at least one child going with the exception of Luna whose daughter is too young. Hermiones son Lukas is in his second year, Rose who is Lavenders daughter is also in her second year, and for Ginny James is in his second year, and Teddy his third.
"Definitely." I reply.
"I still can't believe that slick little bugger didn't get into Slytherin." I hear Draco comment about Kyro who was instead accepted into Ravenclaw house.
"That's because she gave him a wand before he was old enough." I hear Lavender say and I laugh because I know her statement will start up the old argument.
"I still think he could have waited like everyone else." Hermione says to me.
"You know my reason for doing it." They all do. I explained to them all what sort of witch I was and I answered many question.
"Yes but he was only eight." She says.
"Yes and the twins were two. They just started to use their magic properly and I didn't want him to feel left out." I think back to when I explained everything to Kyro and then I promptly got him a wand, some spell books, and lessons from my parents, Zarah, my aunt and me. He was too excited.
"I swear that's why he got in there. Kid knows almost every spell, and potion ever written…seriously. He reminds me of Hermione minus the hoard of annoying books. Know it all." Ron finishes quietly and Hermione slaps him over the head. We all laugh. I hear the train whistle blow not far off in the distance and we all stand and wait until it come to a complete stop. The kid's hustle and bustle trying to get off the train first. I finally see Kyro and once again the twins launch off. They almost take down their older brother from the impact. He simply laughs. I make my way over.
"Hey mum" he says and I can't believe it. In the short span of time he has grown a bit taller than me, and his voice sounds a little deeper. I am in shock…he'll be twelve in a few days and I don't understand. I didn't see him during Christmas because they had a trip first to third years could go on to another school.
"What happened to you?" I ask incredulously.
"What are you talking about?" He asks in a south London accent that he picked up from being best friend's for years with Teddy…I say best friends but they thinks it's too feminine. They refer to each other as 'bruv', 'bruvva', or just simply 'b' which I learned meant brother just with an accent. I thought it was just a phase when he started to mimic Teddy's accent when he was 6 turning 7, but I guess after doing it up until he was 9 it stuck. I don't mind they are both quite the characters. They are funny and sometimes the two of them together spells trouble. Their role models are Fred and George Weasley and knowing them I don't know if that's a good or bad thing.
"Honey you've gotten so tall! My baby is growing up so fast." I think about it for a second and a tear escapes my eye.
"Aww mum don't cry. Can't stay little forever now can I?" I shake my head and hug him. "Mum my friend are out here." I pull back a fake an offended look.
"Are you embarrassed by me?" I place my hand on my chest dramatically.
"Naw neva' come 'ere." He pulls me in for a hug.
"Ky, can I get a hug too?" I hear Livy asks and Kyro doesn't hesitate to hug her. Both he and Alex have a soft spot for their little sister when she bats her long lashes. He then fist bumps with Alex like they do always and I smile.
"Mommy I'm hungry." Alex says to me.
"Me too." Livy says.
"Yeah I'm starved. Let's get to the burrow." Kyro says.
-:):):)-
After lots of antics, games, and jokes at the burrow we all decide to retire home. I get the twins in bed after a bath and a few stories. I then go to check on Kyro who is passed out snoring on his bed shoes and all with the door open. I remove his shoes and shut the door then head off to bed.
-:):):)-
After work the next day I come home to see Kyro in the living room completely immersed in a game of Fifa. Normally he would let Alex have an unconnected remote-which Alex completely thought was connected and he was winning mind you- but I don't see Alex nor do I see Livy anywhere.
"Where are the twins?" I ask but to no answer. I call his name a few times to get his attention away from the game.
"Huh?" He says finally.
"Where are the twins?"
"Grams got 'em." He replies.
"Which one?" I ask because my mother is Nana, and Blaises mother is Nona. Only just recently has Kyro referred to them both sometimes as gram.
"Nona" he replies.
"Where are they gone?" I ask and he doesn't answer so I know it's to see Blaise who he hasn't seen since he asked me not to take him and I haven't seen since…the thing with Emilia which is around two years now. It''s silent for a bit but then I change the subject. "Alright I'm going to make some dinner. Anything special?"
"Some paella would be great. Haven't had that in a while." He replies and I smile because I remember when we all went to Spain so my mom could show Kyro and the twins our traditions and Kyro tasted our national dish and he wanted it every day.
"Alright sure." I say going upstairs to shower and change quickly then I head into the kitchen. As I begin to take out some of the Ingredients my phone rings. It's Zarah.
"Hello?" I hear sniffling and crying on the other end. I'm immediately panicked. Are my kids okay? "Zarah what happened?! Are the kids alright?! Are you okay?!"
"They are fine, I'm fine…great actually." I'm confused.
"Why are you crying?" my voice is coloured in confusion.
"Blaise….h-he's awake!" She says joyfully. "My baby is awake!" She begins crying joyfully again. I'm beyond shocked, my phone drops with a 'thunk' on the floor.