Hey, guys. I told you I would get this next chapter out quickly and here it is!
So, now, sit back, relax, and enjoy!
Chapter 16
The next few months had gone by quickly for the residents of Hogwarts. Classes for the 5th and 7th years got a lot harder as O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s got even closer. There was now a three-way war between the females, and a few males, about who was hotter, Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, or Legolas. It didn't matter how many times it was explained or shown that they were off limits, it did nothing to end the war. Of course, the girls vying for Legolas were quieter than the others. Most didn't want to upset the now very pregnant hanyou. Although a few of the bolder girls had found out firsthand what an enraged, hormonal hanyou was like and lived to tell the tale.
As the weeks went by, everyone had started to walk on eggshells around Inuai, not wanting to cause her any stress. Even Dumbledore had stayed clear of her, knowing that she was still upset about Harry staying with the Dursleys.
Legolas had been called back to Mirkwood on urgent business a month before so, Inuai had taken over the overseeing of her brothers with her class. Which was where she currently found herself.
Inuai sat quietly at the front of the class as her brothers put the students through their warm-up exercises. Stupid, dumb, betarded pregnancy. She thought to herself. She was currently six months along and due any day now. It was only a matter of waiting, but, unfortunately, Inuai was short on any type of patience.
Inuyasha turned around, hearing the disgruntled growl from his twin. "What's the matter? Is the ittle whale tired of sitting around all day, watching the big, strong men do her job?" he asked in his best baby voice.
"I may be pregnant, baka, but I can still kick your ass." Inuai replied with a barely suppressed growl. Inuyasha merely glared at his twin. Whether or not he chose to like it, Inuai was right. And if she chose to bring out their swords, he would definitely lose as Tetsusaiga was no match for Sou'unga in her hands.
"If you two children are done with your little staring contest," Sesshomaru said smoothly, "we need to continue with the class before the students suspect something." Inuyasha turned a lovely shade of red, causing most of the girls to start giggling.
The class continued to drag on for a half hour before Inuai started to feel very uncomfortable. "Inuyasha, do me a favor." Inuai said quietly enough so that only the two demons could hear her.
"What is it, sis?" Inuyasha asked, concern creasing his forehead.
"Don't overreact, but my water just broke, and I need you to dismiss the class immediately, if not sooner." Inuai whispered.
"The class is almost over, Inuai. I'm sure you can wait a bit longer." Sesshomaru commented.
"If you don't dismiss this class right now, I'm going to scream." Inuai intoned quietly.
"Why on earth would you..." Inuyasha started but was cut off my a blood curdling scream coming from Inuai. "Oh, shit. Ummmm... Class dismissed!!"
"Please head to your dormitories in an orderly fashion." Sesshomaru ordered as stoically as possible, given the circumstances. "Inuai, if you don't stop that infernal screaming this instance, I'm ..." But he never got to finish his sentence, as both Kagura and Kagome came screaming into the room to see what the hell was going on.
"What's going on? Did a student get hurt? Should I get Madam Pomfrey?" Kagome shot off the questions as if she were on a game show of 20 questions.
"Inuai has gone into labor. No and yes." Sesshomaru replied for a still dazed Inuyasha. He and Kagome had been mated for well over 500 years, but he still couldn't fathom how the hell she talked so fast sometimes. "Kagura, my love. I need you to send word to Legolas, as I'm sure he'd want to be here for the birth." Kagura left immediately with just a nod of acknowledgment. Sesshomaru's tone of voice left no room for argument and those in the room knew it.
As the family got Inuai to the Hospital Wing, Kagura quickly made her way to the owlery. I just hope Mist will get through to Legolas quickly. She thought to herself. She knew Mist was the only owl that was able to get through to Mirkwood. No one was quite sure how he did it, and all Inuai would say was that Mist was special. As she rounded the last corner to the owlery, Mist came flying toward her as if he knew he was needed.
"Mist, I was just coming to find you." Kagura said a bit shocked. "I need you to take this message to Legolas. It's imperative that he get it immediately."
The small owl hooted affirmatively before grabbing the message and flying down the corridor. As the owl flew away, Kagura sighed to herself, hoping Mist understood the urgency of the situation, before turning and making her way towards the Hospital Wing. Just as she turned her back, the little owl dissolved into a fine mist before disappearing completely.
Back in the Hospital Wing
"Inuyasha, I think it would be best if you waited outside." Kagome said as she pushed her mate towards the doors.
"Why? I was only trying to fucking help!" cried the confused hanyou.
"You were trying to drown me, baka!" yelled an enraged hanyou from behind the curtain. Inuyasha looked timidly at the curtain before deciding to make a hasty retreat.
"How is she?"
Inuyasha turned at the question to see Legolas striding purposefully toward the Hospital Wing, with what appeared to be worry etched on his face. "She's got a bit of a temper, but is doing okay. I think she's holding out, waiting for you." he said as he held open the door for the elf.
"Thank you for taking care of her and being here when I couldn't. I'd better get in there." he said warily as a scream issued from within the ward.
Inuyasha winced sympathetically at his brother-in-law before remembering, "Take away her wand!" he yelled. At Legolas' confused look, he explained. "You don't want to be on the receiving end of one of her bludgeoning hexes. Trust me." He winced at the memory.
"Thanks." Legolas replied before going to his mate's side. "I'm here, sivamet." Inuai looked to her mate as the worry was erased from her tired face and replaced by the love shining in her eyes.
"It's about time you got here, young man." Madam Pomfrey bristled. "She should've been pushing ten minutes ago." Legolas looked at his mate, shocked that she had endangered, not only her life, but their unborn child's life as well.
"Sivamet, you must bring our child into the world." he softly commanded. "You should not have been so stubborn to wait for me." Inuai had the decency to look ashamed for her actions and nodded to her mate and to those around her, signifying her readiness.
"Alright. Legolas, you're going to encourage her and help her push." Madam Pomfrey ordered. "Kagome, Kagura, you will help me."
Most of the students couldn't help but wonder where their Muggle Defense teachers were the next morning. They had never missed a meal in the Great Hall. One, if not all three, made an appearance every meal time. So, it was quite out of the ordinary that none of them showed. Which immediately set the rumor mill a buzz. Many of the stories were so far from the truth without being ridiculous, and the rest were just down right stupid. Only one teen and his two friends had the right idea about the strange absences. And so, right after breakfast, the three friends made their way to the Hospital Wing to see if their hunch was right.
"I'm so glad it's Saturday." Hermione said as the trio walked down the corridor. Harry and Ron looked at their bookworm friend, wondering where she was going with this. "At least we don't have to worry about getting to class on time. What?" she asked, turning around to see why her boys had stopped.
"Do you think he's sleeping?" Ron asked timidly, pointing toward the Hospital Wing doors. Hermione looked and saw Inuyasha sitting against the doors, apparently asleep, with a rusty, old sword leaning against his shoulder.
"Umm, maybe we should come back later when he's not there." Hermione whispered, hoping it wouldn't wake the hanyou.
"Don't bother." Inuyasha said, opening his bright amber eyes to look at the trio. "She's been expecting you." The three teens looked skeptically at each other before shrugging their shoulders and making their way into the Hospital Wing.
They stopped just inside the ward and looked around the larger room. "Looking for someone?" The three teens jumped and spun around to face a laughing Legolas. "Come on, she's in a private room." he said as he led them off to a room by Pomfrey's office. "We're trying to keep this to ourselves for now." he said by way of explanation.
Legolas opened the door to reveal Inuai sitting in a rocker with a bundled blanket in her arms. She looked up at the small gasp from Hermione. Inuai quickly conjured some comfortable chairs and motioned for everyone to sit. "Would you like to see her?" she asked, smiling at the teens.
"You had a little girl?" Hermione nearly squealed. Inuai simply nodded and pulled the blanket from her pup. She had a shock of black hair and two little floppy, black ears on top of her head. But the most shocking feature came when she opened her eyes, they were ice blue.
Harry inhaled sharply at the color of the eyes and fought to keep the tears at bay. She looks so much like Sirius. He thought. "What's her name?" he choked out.
"Well, since she looks quite a bit like Sirius, we thought that, with your permission, Harry," Inuai said, resting her hand on the young man's knee, "we would call her Siri Ophelia." Harry could no longer hold back his emotions and let his tears flow freely.
"I'd like that." he said through his tears.
"Oh, and Harry," Legolas started, causing the young man to look at him, "we'd also like you to be her godfather."
Harry looked between the elf and the hanyou for a moment. "I'd be honored." he finally managed. Everyone smiled before Siri was passed to Harry to meet her new godfather.
It was an hour later before Madam Pomfrey came in to shoo the trio out saying that the new parents and baby needed their rest. As everyone was saying their good byes, the headmaster stepped into the room.
"Hello, Headmaster. Is there something we can do for you?" Inuai asked a bit coolly.
"Ah, yes," Dumbledore started uncertainly. "I was just coming by to say that we were planning a feast to celebrate the birth of your little one." he said, leaning over to catch a glimpse of the pup. "So, if you could tell me when you are to be released, I'll get the house elves on it." The twinkle shining brightly from his eyes as he looked at the new family.
"Tell the elves that they can plan the feast for tonight. Then you are to stay away from my pup and family." Inuai said as calmly as possible.
"Very well. Thank you, Inuai." Dumbledore said turning to leave the room.
"One more thing, Albus." Inuai called out, causing the headmaster to stop and turn back. "Harry will be staying with us this summer. He will not be going back to the Dursleys." Dumbledore simply nodded, knowing that Inuai would not be dissuaded.
"Really?" Harry asked, not daring to hope it to be true.
"Yes, Harry. Really." Inuai said softly. "I don't want you to have to go back there ever again."
"Thank you!" Harry cried, hugging Inuai tightly.
"Alright, young man. Off with you now. We'll see you at dinner." Inuai said, wiping a tear from her eye.
A/N: I know I forgot to put this in last chapter so, I'll put it in here.
Sivamet – my love; Csitri – Little one or little slip of a girl
Both of those endearments are from the Carpathian language and are not mine. They belong to Christine Feehan. She also owns Natalya and Vikirnoff from chapter 13.
Disclaimer for A Hanyou's Life:
I don't own anything you recognize. Otherwise, I'd never have to work again.