Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
A Mothers Love
Neville's letter hadn't informed the difficulties Ginny had undergone. Though the labour had started smoothly in the hospital wing things had taken a turn for the worse, the baby's heartbeat had dropped dangerously low and it was declared by Madam Pomfrey that Ginny would have to go to St Mungo's immediately if there was any chance of delivering the baby alive. Upon her arrival to St Mungo's she was rushed into surgery where she underwent an emergency caesarean. The operation went smoothly and they were relocated back to Hogwarts hospital wing under strict instruction that she'd remain bed rest for a couple of days to allow the opening to heal. However the scar had become infected a day later. This then involved a nurse from St Mungo's who specialised in caesarean scars to enter Hogwarts to check over Ginny. She was given a selection of potions to reduce the inflammation and one for the infection. The nurse instructed Madam Pomfrey that Ginny wasn't allowed out of the Hospital wing until the scar had healed. The healing only took a few days but it was a few days too many for Ginny who was becoming agitated and unhappy trapped in the Hospital wing.
After a long eight days Madam Pomfrey declared her fit enough to leave the Hospital wing but she was informed that she must return if the infection appeared to be returning. Frankie in her arms, Ginny was pushed through the halls of Hogwarts in a muggle wheelchair back to their home. The infection hadn't returned but it had been tough for the first few days, no position was comfortable, standing was painful, sitting was painful, she couldn't lift anything above a certain weight because of the pain. She had gone from being fit and healthy to a cripple in days.
"Things will get better, once you've healed inside the pain will go." Sympathised Hermione smiling back at Frankie who had just graced her with a large toothless grin.
"I know I just want it to be fine now. Mum had six pregnancies and all of them went smoothly, I've been through one and it was the most stressful and terrifying experience of my life. I just couldn't do it and she started to get stressed and then the next thing I knew I was being injected in the back with this potion thing and I couldn't feel anything from my chest down." Said Ginny shaking her head as she sipped her pumpkin juice.
"Don't blame yourself Ginny, she's beautiful and she's perfectly fine. Not all labours are text style. Some can be traumatic and require surgery like yours others can be breached and some just slide straight out in a couple of pushes. My mother always said no pregnancy was the same." She told her as she stroked Frankie's cheek.
Frankie was officially 22 days old and it was the first time Hermione had seen her out of the hospital wing. She had kept her distance allowing Ginny to settle in to being a mother, she had sent an Owl inviting Ginny over whenever she was ready, a few days later Ginny had owled back and the date had been set. Hermione had leaped at the response though there was no way she could actually leap she hadn't only acquired the waddle but the ability to take an hour to get out of a seat. It had only been the other day that she had sat in the bean bag chair to read a book and had gotten stuck. The chair had moulded to her frame and with her stomach being so large now she couldn't get out. She had resorted to calling Draco for help but the blonde had spent five minutes laughing at her and another five minutes teasing her before she huffed and called for Blaise. The Italian had been as much use as Draco but he did help her up while he teased her. The bean bag had been thrown at the back of the sofa until she was able to sit in it and get out on her own.
Lucius and Narcissa had come to visit on the 13th and Lucius had joked that he saw her stomach enter the room first and the rest of her following a minute later. Narcissa had hit her husband on the arm and offered her apologies to Hermione before turning to Draco, asking him if he had been taking good care of his wife. The death glare she had sent had resolved in only one answer from Draco but Hermione had laughed good natured at his answer.
"Are you excited for the birth of the twins, it can't be long now surely." Said Ginny as she raised Frankie from her cot, reaching for the bottle of cooled milk on the side she fed her daughter who greedily sucked on the teat.
"Someone is hungry," chuckled Hermione watching enviously at the scene, she couldn't wait to be holding her children, cradling them to her chest, pressing her lips to their smooth skin, witnessing their toothy grins and hearing their high squeals of laughter.
"I'm not excited for the actual birth but I am for everything that comes after."
"Even the sleepless nights?" Ginny teased but Hermione just grinned.
"What do you think Blaise and Draco are for? Do you really think I'd have kept them around for so long for any other reason?"
"Nice to know," chuckled Blaise as he entered the living room. He peered at the baby in Ginny's arms. "Cute kid Red," he said before kissing Hermione softly. Ginny rolled her eyes before looking down at Frankie.
"You excited Blaise,"
"For the sleepless nights, don't be silly that's what Draco's gonna be for." The two girls laughed and shook their heads.
"No I meant for the birth of the boys,"
"Oh, yeah it'll be great. As soon as there big enough gonna teach them how to ride a broom."
"You'll do no such thing Zabini!" Hermione cried in horror, swirling around to face him but not quick enough to see the wink he sent to Ginny who bit her lip to hold in her laughter."
"They'll be little wizards, and all wizards from pureblood families learn to fly a broom stick before they start Hogwarts. My boys will be the same."
"As they won't be purebloods it seems that tradition won't be upheld."
"Mione love, good luck in trying to stop that tradition." He placed another kiss on Hermione's lips and left the room.
"I'll kill him one of these days," she muttered angrily wincing as her stomach tightened slightly. It only lasted a few seconds before it vanished completely.
Ginny completely missed it and they continued to talk about Frankie, she had slept through the night for the first time the previous evening and Ginny was excitedly informing her of this. The tale was simple but Hermione smiled all the way through, happy for her friend.
As the rest of the day continued Hermione continued to feel tiny little movements inside of her but she quickly pushed the thought to the side, the twins were probably shifting and by doing that they were pushing a little more than normal. It was only when she was getting in the bath that evening did she gasp in pain. She glanced down at her stomach with a frown, worry started to seep into her. She lowered herself carefully into the bath trying to remember when she first felt the little bit of pain.
"Ginny was here and Blaise, he'd, he'd just left the room." She muttered to herself as she sat motionless in the bath, her hand resting on her protruding stomach. That had been midmorning, when Ginny had left she had fixed herself a sandwich and that was just after noon.
It was now half past seven, eight hours had passed since the first one and she could recall at least six since, the last four been in the last two hours. She had read enough books to know what was going on, she was in the early stages of labour.
Shakily she reached for the bottle of shampoo on the side and slowly slid down the bath to wet her hair. The contractions were still too far apart for anything major to happen. She still had time to have a bath and get dry, maybe even get a few hours sleep before it got serious. She washed her hair with shampoo and conditioner, grabbed her shaver and removed the unwanted hair from her legs and bikini area as well as under her arms before she lathered herself in more soap. She gripped the railings on the side of the bath and pushed herself into a kneeling position. With a firm grip she slowly rose from her knees on to her feet and reached for the sink on the side. Holding tightly to that she stepped out of the bath and grabbed a towel. Wrapping tightly around her body she sat on the toilet to control her breathing. She was no way unfit but the belly was making things seriously difficult.
Using her wand she quickly dried her hair and then waved her clothes into the wash basket.
She waddled into the master bedroom and reached for a pair of knickers. Sliding them on, she reached for the large maternity bra. Pulling it over her head she winced as the twins kicked her. "I know, you'll be here soon. Sooner than I had planned," she says stroking her hands over her stomach. "You're going to terrify your daddies when I tell them you're ready… Ow!" This one was stronger than the one in the bathroom, closing her eyes she rid out the pain and looked down at her large belly. Maybe sleep wouldn't be an option. She reached for a long summer dress and hobbled to the door. She slowly climbed down the stairs and entered the ground floor. Holding on to the railing Hermione scrunched up her face as a third contraction hit her. They were closer than they had been and it worried her. She knew closer the contractions were the closer she was to giving birth. Whining in pain Hermione searched for one of the two boys. The kitchen was empty as well as the living room and study. She pushed open the back door and sees lights in the library. As quickly as she can she waddles to the library.
"Draco? Blaise?" she calls as she pushes open the door. Both boys are seated in the chairs books spread around them.
"What's up love?" Draco asks glancing from his book.
"Think it's time to go to the hospital wing, your sons are eager to arrive." Two books fell on the floor, Hermione would have scolded them for the improper treatment on book handling but another contraction hit her. "And I think we need to hurry upp! She screamed as she found herself being lifted into Draco's arms.
"Hospital wing now," he says as he begins to jog down the garden. Hermione doesn't know whether to scream or laugh at the situation but judging by the expressions on both Draco and Blaise's face neither would be a suitable option.
Draco by-passes the back door and hobbles to the garden fence. "Bloody hell Mione you're heavier than I expected." He pants lowering her to the ground.
"I'm pregnant you idiot of cause I'm heavier. Now will one of you get the hospital bag and meet me and whoever is coming at the hospital wing.
"Blaise you go and I'll get the bag." Draco says and Hermione is secretly grateful for this, as much as she loves the blonde, quiet and calm Blaise is what she needs now. Blaise says nothing and nods. He reaches around her waist and together they make their way to the hospital wing, stopping twice as the contractions hit.
In fifteen minutes all three had reached the hospital wing, Draco having caught up half way there.
"Madam Pomfrey!" Blaise suddenly shouts, "Madam Pomfrey!" The little witch hurries around the corner and spots the trio, neither of them need to tell her what the problem is, as she quickly guides them to the east corner of the hospital wing.
"Okay Miss Granger, how long have you been having contractions?" Hermione ignores the use of her Maiden name and answers the question.
"About nine hours or so."
"What!" snaps Draco, shock is covering his paler than normal face. "Nine hours and you tell us now?"
"I didn't think much of them until one hit me while I was getting in the bath. I thought back and it clicked what was going on. I thought I had ages to go but then suddenly they got closer together."
"We need to time the contractions so we know how close they are to one another." Hermione nods her head, just then a contraction hits her and she cries out reaching for a hand. Madam Pomfrey lifts up Hermione's legs checking to see how far dilated she is.
"The positive news is your progressing quite well, you're around 6cm dilated, but you need to reach 10cm before you can begin to push."
Hermione groans burying her face in her pillow but she quickly looks up with a gasp as liquid streams down her legs. She stares at Madam Pomfrey in shock but the Medi-witch just grins.
"Well that's your waters breaking."
"Draco pass me the bag please," Hermione asks, she reaches into the large blue bag and searches for her phone. She had managed to get it to work in Hogwarts. She clicked on to the messages and types "In labour, it hurts! Can you get Malfoys and Zabinis and come to Hogwarts" she sends the text and drops on to the bed. Praying her mother gets the text before she has to start pushing.
"What time is it?" Hermione asks later on, her mother had replied to her text saying they were on their way but it seemed ages ago since the reply. Her contraction had stayed a steady 8 minutes apart and she hadn't dilated any further. The sudden rush from earlier had slowed significantly.
"It's quarter to nine love." Said Draco leaning against the chair. "How you feeling?"
"Shit, I just want them out now. The pain is awful and I'm not even close to pushing yet."
"Looks like we're here for the long haul then," admitted Blaise from the other side of her. "Hermione, you need to decide who you want up here and who you want down there helping."
"Don't care, one do it for one and then swap. Decide among yourselves."
"Well I think I'd like to stay up here to start with, you're on the opening Malfoy." Smirked Blaise, Draco stared horrified back at him before glancing at Hermione. Her brow was sweaty and she was groaning from the pain. Wisely he kept his mouth firmly closed and wandered out of the room. The doors to the hospital wing opened and he sighed in relief as he spotted both his parents, as well as the Granger's and Zabini's.
"Hey you made it," he called with a grin.
"How is she?" Mr Granger asked with a grimace.
"Erm, fed up. She's not even close to pushing and her temper is beginning to flare. I think she wants her mum." He said glancing at Mrs Granger. The older woman smiles and enters the room.
"Nervous Draco?" his father asks smirking.
"Shut up," Draco replies as both Lucius and Marco laugh.
They watch as Madam Pomfrey re-enters the birthing room. "I best go in and see what's happening."
"We'll be out here dear." Draco smiles at his mothers and enters the room. He avoids watching Madam Pomfrey checking to see if she's further dilated and sits on the bed beside Blaise.
"Good news my dear, your not far off being fully dilated, it shouldn't be much longer now," and she was right, twenty minutes pass and the contraction were stronger and lasted longer, the gap between the next one shrinking to a few minutes. Madam Pomfrey handed Hermione a potion for the pain. The potion worked in seconds and then she felt the uncomfortable feeling in her lower abdomen.
"Madam Pomfrey," she cries crushing Blaise's hand.
"Push down on the next contraction." Hermione nods her head and tries to think of her breathing but everywhere hurts, when she feel the spike of pain in her abdomen she pushes. "4,3,2,1, good girl." She sags on to the bed breathing heavily. This is awful and she doesn't want to ever do it again. On the next contraction Hermione pushes again, harder and she listens to the count down. She continues this for another few minutes until she hears her mother's cry.
"There is the head, you're doing well sweetie. It won't be much longer now. Big push!" Hermione screams as she pushes down she can feel herself stretching as the head is forced out.
"Oh god, oh the heads... it's out" Draco cautiously reaches forward to touch the head.
"One more big push like that and he'll be out." Hermione nods her head and squeezes her eyes tightly shut and pushes. She can't hear anything, she just feels blinding pain travelling through her and then it ends. A small high pitch cry fills the room and she opens her eyes. He's tiny but alive screaming his little head off and wiggling his toes as he cries and its love at first sight. He's gorgeous and he's hers.
"Draco do you want to cut the cord." Draco nods and follows the instruction and just like that Hermione and baby are separated. He's placed on to her stomach and she gently strokes his cheeks. He's covered in blood and her but she doesn't care.
"Born at 10:03 on the 23rd of August. Let us weigh him." Hermione nods and her eyes never leave her son as he's placed on the scales. "6lb 2 ounces. A little small but he's perfect. What you going to call him?"
The trio look at one another, all three are smiling. A contraction suddenly hits Hermione and she gasps in pain. She's got it all to go again. With a groan she nods to Blaise.
"Adrian Lachlan Malfoy-Zabini." Madam Pomfrey smiles and jots the name down on a piece of parchment.
"Hermione's he's beautiful but we need to meet his brother, let's put him in the crib over there." Mrs Granger carefully takes the baby from the weighing scales and lowers him into his hospital crib.
"The second is usually quicker so when you feel the need to push you do so," Hermione is instructed and she nods her head.
Another 10 minutes pass and she begins to push, for another 40 minutes she continues to push until Blaise declares the same things as Draco.
"The head's out!" she's so close to this all been over and she knows it. One final push and it's all over, she grips Draco's hand hunches forward and screams as she puts everything she's got into the final push. A second cry fills the room and she collapses on the bed.
"Let me see," she whispers forcing her eyes open, and he's as beautiful as his brother. Blaise cuts the cord and Hermione is handed her baby, she instantly notices the top of his head is filled with dark hair, the very opposite to his brother whose head was entirely hairless.
"Born 10:59 on the 23rd of August," Hermione hands him over and smiles at her mother, silent tears fall down the new grandma as she surveys the people in the room. "A little smaller 5lb 11ounces. What are you naming him?"
"Alexander Hagan Malfoy-Zabini"
He's wrapped in an identical pale blue blanket like his brother and the twins are handed to Hermione. She's a mess but she doesn't care as she catches her mother with the camera in her hand. Draco and Blaise are seated around her and she smiles as the camera flashes. The other grandparents enter the room and they all coo at the twins, two little boys so very different yet equally beautiful. One with skin darker than Draco's but paler than hers with dark brown eyes and a round little face and a button nose. Another with dark hair and skin, with identical dark brown eyes and the same little button nose as his brother.
As she wipes away the tear that trickles down her face Hermione smiles. Looking down at her children fast asleep and oblivious to what was going on around them to the two men besides her staring loving at their children, Hermione feels power for the first time because the power of love is the strongest and most sacred bond in existence and it'll keep their family safe and sound no matter what's thrown at them.
Well that's it. I really hope this chapter does it all justice and I hope you the final paragraph works, I must have rewrote that several times.
If any of you have stuck with this from the very beginning then I owe you all a huge thank you, for all those who have joined this story as it's progressed over the years then he's a big thank you to you all. It's a strange feeling when you complete a story you've been writing for so long. Before I actually started this chapter I couldn't wait for it to be over but as soon as I got half way through it got a little sad. This is and will always be my first Fanfiction story and it's finally complete. Something I wasn't expecting to see three years ago when I was seriously stuck with it.
Though this chapter marks an end to this story I still have so many more story ideas to go so if you've enjoyed my writing, or this pairing then check out my other stories and keep an eye out for future ones.
With that I say another big thank you to everyone and for the last time please Review and make my day.