Chapter 44: Poisons and a Career in Healing

The term went on with a little mishaps and I still couldn't get into what Draco was planning. I already talked to Dumbledore about what I guessed what was the reason why he still didn't confront Draco. My guess was right. I also told him about my father's plan and he fully agreed with him. He told me it won't be long before the whole wizarding world will be in total chaos. He told me he will officially introduce me to the Order of the Phoenix when summer comes. I agreed with his decision.

"Did you hear what happened to Ron Weasley?"

Ianthé shook her head.

"He apparently drank poisoned mead in Slughorn's office. It's his birthday today."

Ianthé got up and left for the hospital wing.

"Hey, wait for me!" Nikki sprinted after her.

When they neared the hospital wing, they saw two identical red-haired men.

"Fred! George!" Nikki waved frantically.

The twins ran towards them.

"We heard about what happened."

"No worries, princess. Our ickle brother is safe now, thanks to the Chosen One…"

Ianthé frowned, "You mean Harry?"

"It was his stroke of brilliance that saved Ron. Harry shoved a bezoar down his throat!"

"Thank Merlin!" Nikki sighed.

"So how are you guys?"

"Well, we're supposed to give his present in Hogsmeade, but you lot aren't allowed to go out."

"You plan to buy the Zonko's shop in Hogsmeade like planned?" Ianthé asked.

"Yeah, but we need to discuss about it. The return of investment won't be fast because of the security measures of Hogwarts. Students cannot go to Hogsmeade unlike before so we have no market here…."

Ianthé walked with them down the stairs, "You're right. Just postpone the whole Hogsmeade branch until al of this is over."

"Until what is over?" George asked.

"The war…."

"You believe that the good side will win?"

"What kind of question is that? Of course! I have faith in the Order!"

The twins gasped, "You know about the Order?"

"You're facing a future potential member…"

"Cool! So when are you going to the headquarters?"

"In the summer."

"We'll see you there, ok?"

Ianthé nodded. She hugged the twins before they departed, "Take care, okay?"

The twins smiled and waved goodbye.

"I'll be gone only for the weekend," Ianthé told Nikki as she carried a small trunk, "Just for Andy's birthing."

Nikki nodded, "Bring me back a souvenir, will you? Where exactly in France are you going?"

"In Aix-en-Provence."

"That's a beautiful place, especially in spring and summer. Bring me back a bunch of lavender, okay?"

"Yeah…"

They walked towards the school gate where Viktor is waiting for her.

"I've missed you…" Ianthé hugged her fiancé.

"Me too… Ready?"

Ianthé grabbed her trunk and held Viktor's arm with her other hand.

They quickly Disapparated.

The first thing I sensed upon arriving in France was the wonderful floral smell. It was intoxicating. As I looked around, there was nothing but vast flower fields around us except for a single solitary white cottage in front of us. It seemed like Edmond and Andy preferred the quiet life, after all.

"Cherie!" a tall graceful woman ran to Ianthé and Viktor.

"Aunt Josephine, how's Andy?" Ianthé hugged Andy's mother.

"She's having contractions, although not strong," Josephine Dreyfuss spoke with an understandable French accent.

"Is mother here?"

"She's coming tonight. Now, let's get you inside."

They went inside the cottage that seemed to have enlarged from the inside.

"Amandine asked if you wanted to help the Healer," Ianthé's aunt motioned for them to sit down the couch.

"I'll be glad to be of help, but I don't know anything regarding Healing and stuff…."

Aunt Josephine patted her shoulder, "The Healer will orient you on what to do."

"By the way, Aunt Josephine, I forgot to introduce my fiancé Viktor."

"Glad to meet you, Madam," Viktor bowed his head.

"Just call me Aunt Josephine, cherie. You're part of the family now. Ianthé, go on upstairs. You'll find the Healer there talking to Edmond."

Ianthé nodded, "Are you gonna be okay here?"

Viktor smiled, "I think Edmond will need some support later. I'll just bring our bags to our room."

Ianthé went upstairs to the largest room in the house. She knocked gently.

Edmond opened the door, "Thank Merlin you're already here!" He grabbed Ianthé inside the room where a stout woman in white robes checked on Andy, who was walking around the room.

"Théa!" Andy weakly exclaimed.

"Just continue on walking, dear…" the Healer instructed.

"So, what's my role in all this?"

"When the babies come out, you have to remove all the blood from them and keep them warm by using a Warming Charm on the blankets. Place them on the bassinet and then do the Lumos Charm. They need all the light they can get from your wand light."

Ianthé nodded at the precise instructions of the Healer.

Andy let out a weak groan as she walked slowly around the room.

"You should clean your hands first and wear these Muggle sterilized gloves. Once you wear them, do not, I repeat, do not touch anything else. After you received the babies, remove the glove from your wand hand to perform the charms."

The Healer gave her a packet of Muggle surgical gloves.

Andy let out another groan, "Erm…. Excuse me…"

The Healer and Ianthé looked at Andy. Beneath her was a puddle of fluid that seemed to stream down from her legs.

"Healer Jansen, I think her bag of waters just broke…"

"Well, what are we waiting for? It's show time."

Edmond looked at them, ashen-faced.

The Healer looked at him, "Don't just stand there! Help me get her on the birthing table!"

Edmond quickly helped Andy, who was wincing because of the contractions she's currently experiencing.

Ianthé readied herself for what would happen. She cleaned her hands and wore the gloves after placing her wand on her back pocket.

Andy let out a scream.

"Honey, deep breaths just like we've practiced," Edmond coached her. He breathed deeply and exhaled through his pursed lips. Andy imitated what he was doing.

The Healer gently massaged Andy's belly.

Andy let out another whimper and quickly swiped Healer Jansen's hand away.

"Oh dear, she's on the uncooperative stage. They're getting near now."

The Healer did an internal examination on Andy and nodded, "Yes, one is near."

Ianthé saw something bulging, "Is that the head?"

The Healer positioned herself, "Okay dear, when I say push, you push."

Andy gave a quick nod.

"One, two, three, push!"

Andy pushed as hard as she could.

Edmond grew paler by the second.

"Eddie?" Ianthé called out to check if he was fine.

"I'm okay…"

"One, two, three, push!"
Andy gave another push.

Ianthé saw a small head appear.

"Dear, you can stop pushing."

The Healer pulled out the baby. She conjured a pair of scissors. She tied the umbilical cord twice, and cut it in the middle. She gave the baby to Ianthé.

"Edmond, it's a boy!" Ianthé quickly wrapped the baby in a blanket and gently rubbed off the blood. She removed the baby and wrapped it in another already-warmed blue blanket.

"Dearie, you need to push more for the other baby."

Andy pushed and pushed until the other baby came out.

The Healer did the same and quickly gave the baby to Ianthé.

"Edmond, you have a princess!" Ianthé squealed, dried the baby and wrapped her in a pink blanket.

The Healer muttered spells on Andy after she removed the placenta.

"Did she lose a lot of blood?" Ianthé inquired as she pointed her wand light on the babies' bassinet.

"I'm afraid so…"

Edmond paled even more, "Is my wife going to be okay?"

"Oh yes, yes. Just two days rest and a large batch of Blood Replenishing Potion."

Ianthé nodded.

"Are my babies okay?" Andy asked weakly.

"Andy, they're absolutely adorable!" Ianthé gushed. Her wand light illuminated the pinkish faces of the twins.

Ianthé helped the Healer change Andy's clothes and Edmond carried her on the master's suite.

"Where do you study, dear?" the Healer asked Ianthé.

"Hogwarts. I'm on my sixth year."

"You should consider Healing. You have that talent and presence of mind. What subjects are you taking?"

"Tons. I have Defense, Potions, Herbology, Arithmancy, Care for the Magical Creatures, Transfiguration, Charms, and Ancient Runes."

The Healer nodded, "I happen to know Poppy Pomfrey. You should ask her to teach you some useful Healing spells."

"I never really considered Healing, but now that you've suggested it…. It might be dead useful…"

The Healer stopped and conjured a quill and parchment and wrote something on it. She handed the parchment to Ianthé, "Here. Give this to Poppy. She knows what to do. Are you willing to sacrifice your free time for this?"

Ianthé nodded, "I think I could squeeze it in…"

"Jolly good. I better get to those adorable babies. I will stay here until tomorrow to check up on Amandine and her twins."

Ianthé nodded and left.

"Is Andy okay?" Viktor waited outside.

Ianthé nodded, "Yeah, she had a boy and a girl."

"Who came out first?" Uncle Alfonse asked.

"The boy."

Uncle Alfonse clapped Uncle Hiero's (Andy's father) back.

"We have a little prince and princess!" Aunt Josephine gushed as Ianthé's mother hugged her.

Ianthé leaned her head on Viktor's shoulder.

"You need to rest," Viktor placed his arm around Ianthé and led her towards the bedroom.

"Childbirth is the most wonderful thing…"

It was the last thing Ianthé said before her head hit the pillows.