Chapter 17 – Victoire's Baby

Teddy couldn't move. He couldn't think. He couldn't breathe.

The nurse ran off immediately, yelling hysterically at an extremely pale Louis. Teddy would have thought it an impressive sight, her cloak billowing around her ankles as she fled to wherever Victoire was, if he had been able to move his head.

He stood, rooted to the floor, certain the walls of Hogwarts would crumble around him, crashing to the floor like his insides seemed to be doing. It felt like barely seconds passed before a sea of unrecognisable people burst into the hospital wing. In a blur they rushed past him, not seeming to realise he was there at all.

"Should we take her to St. Mungo's?"

"No – No time!"

Teddy couldn't remember how to move. He felt as useless as one of the Hogwarts statues, or as if someone had cast 'Petrificus Totalus' on him. Somewhere to his left he could hear a loud buzz of voices – some extremely panic-stricken, some much more calm. He couldn't make out words anymore, just noise.

And then he heard the most heartbreaking noise – a high pitched yelp, crying in agony – and something stirred inside him. Teddy burst into action, finally breaking out of his terrified daze. He darted towards the crowd of people, huddled around a bed in a secluded area of the hospital wing. Bill, Fleur, Dominique, Louis, Professor Bobbin, Professor Longbottom, and the nurse were all gathered around. But the only person Teddy could see was Victoire.

She was lying helplessly on the bed, looking weaker than she'd ever done, with her face screwed up in agony. She was howling in pain, her face screwed up so tightly that tears were streaming through the creases. Her hair was hanging limp and bedraggled around her face – it was the only time she had not looked truly beautiful.

But Teddy didn't care one bit. As she continued to yelp, he felt completely useless. He couldn't help but realise that he was the one that had caused her to feel this pain. He was the one who had created the monster that was now struggling for freedom. He felt a bitter resentment, not only for himself, but for the demon in Victoire's womb. How could he love something that was making Victoire weep and howl as though she were being tortured?

Teddy wished it would end. He just wanted Victoire to be happy again. He would do anything to see her smile again. But the best thing he could do for her right then was to hold her trembling hand. Whether she knew or cared who was holding her hand, Teddy did not know. She clasped her hand so tightly around his that he felt an awful pain shoot up through his entire arm. He gritted his teeth, grateful that Victoire could transfer at least some of her pain to him. He wished he could take it all away from her. He would rather have the Cruciatus Curse used upon him until he went insane if it only meant Victoire's pain would be relieved.

"Can't you do something?" he croaked to nobody in particular. He was startled to hear how broken and high-pitched his voice sounded.

"We're doing all we can," Professor Bobbin replied calmly.

Teddy was too panic-stricken to scowl at her. Nobody was doing anything to help Victoire. Fleur was weeping softly, stroking Victoire's head soothingly. Bill was stood behind Fleur, an anxious look upon his face. He had gone incredibly pale, much like his son who was stood further away from the bed, unaware of what he should do. Dominique was stood by Louis, her eyes full of hatred, but Teddy didn't have time to think too much of Dominique's unexpected expression.

Professor Bobbin looked calm, but you could see the worry in her eyes. Professor Longbottom looked uncomfortable as though he wished he could apparate far away from the hospital wing. And the nurse was simply yelling instructions and reassurances to Victoire about how to keep her breathing even, and how she was doing just fine.

"You're not doing anything," Teddy croaked helplessly. "What about magic?"

The nurse glared at him for his incompetence. "Teddy, magic doesn't solve everything! Child birth is a natural thing – using magic to help such a helpless young child could be dangerous!"

But Teddy felt sick. Sick to admit he did not care what happened to the baby; he just wanted Victoire to be safe and happy.

Several hours passed, but to Teddy it felt like years. How long was Victoire going to have to endure this suffering? If he had to listen to her endless cries of pain any longer he was sure he would break down. And he really couldn't afford to at such a crucial moment.

He needed to stay strong and stable for Victoire, and he needed to prove to Bill that he was a good enough boyfriend for Victoire. Breaking down, fainting, or being sick would not prove that. He wouldn't let a single tear leak from his eyes.

And with this determination set hard on his face, the final moments of pain were approaching. The nurse was excited now, and everybody seemed to be leaning in with morbid curiosity, willing Victoire to hold out for just a few more minutes... seconds...

Teddy heard one final howl from Victoire – one utterly heart wrenching cry of distress, the most unsettling of all.

And then it was over.

"I'm so proud of you," murmured Fleur in her French accent, kissing the top of Victoire's head. Victoire simply smiled up at her mother, unable to speak. She looked completely exhausted, and much older than her eighteen years. But she was smiling. A tired smile, but a smile nonetheless. And her eyes shone with overwhelming happiness and love for the tiny being now cradled in her arms.

Teddy was stood awkwardly behind Victoire. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to be doing. Should he be congratulating Victoire? Comforting her? Praising her? Or perhaps he wasn't supposed to be there at all. Maybe after the agony she'd just been through Victoire would never want to talk to Teddy again. Maybe all the love she'd felt for him over the past months had now been transferred to her baby. Their baby.

But with a weak gesture she beckoned him forwards. His heart beating wildly, Teddy hesitantly walked to her side. He offered a weak grin, attempting to convey affection, sympathy and apology all at the same time. Victoire returned his smile, but her eyes were absolutely glistening, bluer than ever before, like a vast ocean.

"Would you like to hold him, Teddy?" she asked softly.

Teddy panicked, suddenly engulfed by terror. He couldn't hold the baby – he would drop it, or break it, or squeeze it too hard, or hold it wrong. There was an endless list of possible things that could go wrong if he took the baby. What if it cried the instant he was handed over to Teddy?

Victoire must have sensed his fear. She smiled at him reassuringly. "You'll be fine."

Trying to steady his shaking hands, Teddy slowly took the small bundle. Victoire moved his arms around for him so he was holding it correctly. Just like a professional, Teddy thought; like someone who'd been a mother for ten years, not all of ten minutes.

Teddy stared down into the peaceful face of his son. Babies were not supposed to be this quiet. They were supposed to be loud and exhausting, and this thought worried Teddy – was there something wrong with his son? But as he stared down, rocking his arms gently in what he hoped was a soothing fashion, his baby looked up at him too. Teddy couldn't help but feel a tear slip from his eye, as he saw the most beautiful deep blue eyes he'd ever seen – they were Victoire's eyes.

And suddenly all the regret and resentment of the pregnancy – all the heartache and bitterness Teddy had felt towards his unborn child had slipped away. Because he could never hate the tiny baby in his arms. Teddy had never felt more proud. He had never felt happier.

Startling him slightly, Teddy felt a firm tap on his shoulder. He turned and nearly dropped the baby in shock. Bill was stood there, with the colour finally returning to his chalky cheeks.

"Can I have a word please, Teddy?" Bill asked politely. Teddy gulped, and with a nod from Victoire, he agreed. He handed the baby back to Victoire as gently as he could.

Barely more than a whisper, Victoire murmured in Teddy's ear, "Good luck".

Straightening up and brushing down his robes, Teddy focused his attention back on Bill, who had been waiting patiently. Bill gestured to him, and the two men walked over to a secluded corner of the hospital wing, where they wouldn't be overhead. Teddy wasn't sure what to expect, so he expected the worse.

"Teddy," Bill said seriously, "I just wanted to say... I'm sorry."

Teddy blinked in surprise, unsure how to reply. He hadn't been expecting that at all.

"I know I was too harsh on you, back in the summer. But I mean, could you blame me?" he asked, a little pleadingly.

Teddy shook his head. "Of – Of course not, Sir," he added for good measure.

"I overreacted, and I didn't mean to get so angry in the way that I did. I've always liked you, Teddy – you know I've always liked you, right?" he asked quickly, waiting for reassurance.

Teddy nodded in confirmation, his throat dry.

"And what you said – about Victoire not needing protection – about her being able to make her own life decisions. I should have listened to you. She'll always be my little girl," he said quietly, breaking eye contact with Teddy and gazing out the window instead. "But I should have listened... and I need to set her free."

There was an awkward silence whilst Teddy thought frantically of whether he was supposed to say something or simply nod politely. He was scared that if he dared say anything Bill would suddenly start laughing manically and confess it was all a joke, and he was actually going to slaughter Teddy. But instead he extended his hand, beaming at him. Teddy took it gratefully, and as they shook, he beamed up at Bill too, seeing him as a father once again.

"I'm giving you permission," Bill said with their hands still clasped firmly "to date my daughter, as long as you promise me you will do all you can to protect her and love her for as long as you live."

"Thank you, Sir, I promise," Teddy replied. And he didn't even have to think about, he knew this was a promise he would be able to keep for as long as he lived.

"Just promise me one more thing, Teddy. Please at least marry my daughter before you get her pregnant again."

And with a roar of laughter from both men, Bill pulled Teddy into a fatherly bear hug, joyfully slapping him on the back.

From a distance, Dominique observed her father embrace the man she loved. The man whose baby her sister had just given birth to. And Dominique had had to witness the whole disturbing scene. Not once since she'd entered the hospital wing had anybody talked to her. For hours she'd been stood there, the permanent scowl fixed on her face.

She focused her attention on something other than Teddy, glaring through her narrowed eyes. She watched her perfect sister lying peacefully in the hospital bed, looking delighted with herself. Next to Victoire's bedside stood her mother, Fleur, gently rocking the baby in her arms. Fleur stared down lovingly at her grandson – Dominique's nephew.

Dominique had never seen her mother look at her with as much love as she looked at the baby.

It was impossible. There simply wasn't enough love in the family for both Dominique and the new-born baby, and as long as one was around, the other would never be loved in the same way.

Dominique made a decision.