Chapter 45: Babies and an Amazing Change

I seemed to have fallen asleep after Andy gave birth. It was the most wonderful thing I have ever seen. I wonder if I would feel the same when I get pregnant and give birth. The thought of this strengthened my determination to help fight the Dark Lord or whatever that megalomaniac git addressed himself.

"Hey," Viktor gently shook Ianthé awake, "It's time for dinner."

Ianthé squinted beneath the thick blanket and pillows, "Already?"

Viktor removed the blanket and offered his hand to Ianthé, "I already talked to Edmond. He's still with his….. children. It's still unbelievable every time I say it."

Ianthé got up with Viktor's help, "Yeah, it seemed like yesterday when we first met in Durmstrang, and now he has a family of his own."

They both went downstairs to find Ianthé's mother and aunt whispering to themselves in rapid French.

"Where's Edmond?" Ianthé asked.

"He's in the nursery."

Ianthé nodded, "I'll be back, okay?" she whispered to Viktor, who nodded back.

She went upstairs to a room adjoined to the master suite. She gently opened the door and peered in.

Edmond was looking at the two bundles inside a large crib.

"They're not going anywhere, you know…"

Edmond looked at her and smiled, "I know, but somehow, I don't want to leave my sight from them."

"Don't you want to come down for dinner?"

"I'm not yet hungry."

"Come on, let Aunt Josephine fuss about her grandchildren!"

"Alright, alright…" he walked towards the door.

"Aunt Josephine, could you look after the twins for a while? Edmond needs to eat," Ianthé pushed her cousin towards an empty seat.

Aunt Josephine and Ianthé's mother got up and went upstairs.

"So what is it like? Being a father, I mean," Viktor opened the topic.

Edmond shrugged, "I'm still amazed…"

"The huge question is, who's gonna name them," Ianthé grinned.

"Andy and I talked about it and we agreed to switch roles. I'm gonna name my little princess, and she's gonna name our prince."

"Any ideas?"

"Aurora Emily… Aurora for her mother, Emily for my mother."

Viktor looked at Ianthé with a confused face.

"Let me explain. Andy's full name is Amandine Aurore Lucie. Edmond's mother is named Aemillia."

Viktor nodded in comprehension, "What about your little boy?"

"Andy always wanted the name Augustus Constantine, after the two Roman emperors."

"Quite a powerful name you got there…." Alexander Herze walked into the dining room.

"Thanks, Uncle Alex."

"Congratulations, Edmond," the older man placed his hand on Edmond's shoulder, "Twins? Who would've known? If those children of yours would be like Ianthé when she was young, be ready for anything!"

Ianthé blushed, "Father! No need to bring up such embarrassing topics!"

"Are you ready to go back to school tomorrow?"

"I'm not sure… The Healer left instructions to me. Can I go back on early morning of Monday?"

"I have to write to your headmaster about the matter."

"Daddy?" Ianthé looked at her father.

"Oh dear…" Edmond whispered to Viktor, "She uses that tone on Uncle Alex when she wants something and hell-bent on kissing up and getting it."

"Is there something you want, dear?"

"Daddy, the Healer told me I have the makings of a good Healer. Perhaps I could reconsider my career options?"

"Whatever you want to pursue is not in my hands anymore. Technically, you are under your betrothed's care and protection and I no longer have authority in such matter…"

"But Daddy I want your opinion. It means a lot to me."

"Very well then. I think it's a good choice and surely you will bring further glory to our family names."

"Really?" Ianthé's eyes misted.

"Yes, of course. You'll be saving lives. It's a noble profession, I suppose."

Ianthé got up and hugged her father tightly, "Thanks Daddy. You don't know how much this means to me."

Alexander Herze was surprised by his daughter's sudden gesture.

"There there now…" he patted his daughter's back, "I'll buy you some books on Healing when I get back to London."

Ianthé cried more.

"I must get back," her father was released from her hug.

"Thanks very much Daddy," she kissed her father in the cheek.

Viktor approached Ianthé and placed his arms around her.

Alexander Herze walked out of the house and Disapparated.

"You okay, cuz?"

Ianthé nodded, "I'm just surprised at Dad."

"You call him Dad now, eh?

Ianthé punched him playfully in the arm, "It's just that… he changed drastically. Remember when he used to lecture us on the purity of blood and rubbish?"

Edmond nodded, "Not just him, though. All of our relatives are beginning to accept the concept that the wizarding world cannot function with just purebloods running around the place. I mean, look at You-Know-Who. He's a demented half-blood!"

Ianthé laughed at him, "Oh you're gonna be in so much trouble!"

Viktor laughed along with them while holding Ianthé close.

"By the way, Viktor, Théa," Edmond called their attention as they headed upstairs.

Both of them turned around.

"You're going to be the godparents of our children. Andy and I talked about it. We moved the baptismal rites tomorrow."

"Really?" Ianthé asked, amazed.

Edmond nodded, "I know you'll take care of them. Just in case something happens to me or Andy or us both."

Viktor nodded and placed his hand on Edmond's shoulder.

"The chosen godparents, walk forward," an elderly man instructed.

It was the baptism of Edmond and Andy's children. Only Ianthé, Viktor, Margeaux Herze and the twins' grandparents were present.

Ianthé and Viktor walked towards the elderly man.

"Place your hands on the infants' forehead."

The two of them followed.

"You will be the guiding light of Augustus Constantine and Aurora Emily Herze. You will be these childrens' second parents."

As Ianthé and Viktor nodded, the twins' foreheads began to emit a faint glow.

"As much as we want to stay, Ianthé here needs to get back to school," Viktor patted Edmond's back.

"I'll miss you, Eddie," Ianthé hugged her cousin tightly, "I saw the twins and Andy to say goodbye." She stepped out of the house with Viktor, their trunks levitating on his side.

"Come on, we've got thirty seconds," Viktor held an old rusty kettle.

Ianthé nodded and stood in front of him. She held the kettle handle.

"Eight, seven, six," Viktor looked at his watch, "Five, four, three, two, one…"

Ianthé felt she and Viktor were spinning endlessly. She was getting dizzy when she felt solid ground.

Viktor landed effortlessly, while he caught Ianthé who toppled over the trunks.

"Damn Portkey…" she muttered.

They were standing in a street in Hogsmeade. The sun was still up when they arrived.

"Come on, let's get you to school," Viktor grabbed her trunks and walked towards Hogwarts.