AN: I don't own Harry Potter.
Thank you to those who reviewed, followed or favorited this story. It means a lot that people like what I write.
This chapter is a bit longer than the others. I couldn't decide on a good spot to stop.
I hope I did it justice. If all childbirth is anything like what I've seen, I salute all you mothers out there.
So, enough of my rambling. Go read!
Enjoy!
''What do you mean your water broke?'' Ron asked. As usual, he was clueless and only focused on the food in front of him. ''What does that mean?''
''You dolt! That mean she's having the baby!'' Ginny yelled as she went to Hermione, making Ron drop his fork.
''No, I can't be! I'm not due for three weeks!'' Hermione said, her eyes still wide.
''I'm sure it's no big deal, love. We'll just go to St. Mungos and get you checked out.'' Helena said calmly. She went to help Hermione stand up, trying to keep calm and keep her daughter calm.
''O..okay, mum.'' Hermione said as Helena led her out of the room, followed by everyone else. ''Severus?'' she asked, looking around.
''I'm here, love.'' he said from the back of the crowd. ''Move out of my way, Weasley.'' he said, pushing Ron out of his path.
''How about if I stay behind with Fred, George, Angelina, Katie and Audrey to watch the kids?'' Percy asked.
''That's fine, Percy, dear.'' Molly said. ''We'll let you know what's going on.'' she added as Hermione and Severus stepped into the floo.
''Good luck, Hermione.'' Angelina and Katie said, trying to be heard over the noise from everyone talking.
''Thank yooooooooou.'' Hermione wailed as a contraction hit her. After it passed, she and Severus disappeared with everyone else following.
''Okay, Mrs. Snape. Breathe through the pain until I can get the Healer in to look at you.'' the medi-witch said as Hermione laid down on the bed and covered up with the blanket. ''It shouldn't be long. He's just next door with another mummy-to-be.''
''Alright.'' Hermione said. ''Thank you. And, I'm sorry for calling you a rotten old woman earlier.''
''That's alright, Mrs. Snape. I've been called worse.'' the medi-witch smiled. ''Just try to relax for a bit.'' she said, leaving the room.
''Do you need anything, Hermione?'' Severus asked, grabbing her hand.
''No, no, I'm fine. Don't go anywhere.'' Hermione said.
''I'll be right here.'' he said, kissing her forehead.
''We're not ready for this yet, Severus.'' Hermione said softly, a tear running down her cheek. ''The nursery isn't put together yet. All his furniture is just pushed against the wall, nowhere specific. We were going to organize it next week, remember? Luna isn't done with the mural yet, either.'' she cried. ''Oh, Severus! We haven't even picked a name for him!''
''Hermione, it'll be fine.'' Severus said.
''No, it won't be! I don't even have my bag here with his little outfit to take him home in! We're not ready for this!'' Hermione wailed.
''Calm down, Hermione. Take a deep breath.'' he said, breathing deeply with her. ''Trust me, it will be fine.''
''Ooooooooooh!'' Hermione yelled, gripping Severus' hand as another contraction ran through her. ''Where is the Healer?'' she asked, just before someone knocked on her door. Hermione wiped her face on a handkerchief Severus handed her as she called for the visitor to enter.
''Hello, Mrs. Snape. I'm Healer Jenkins.'' the Healer announced as he walked in. ''Let's take a look at you, shall we?''
After a few moments of examining her, Healer Jenkins smiled. ''Well, you're definitely going to have this baby today. You're going to be here a bit longer, though. I'll have the medi-witch bring you a pain potion.'' he said, making a few notes in the chart. ''Any questions?''
''How long do you think that potion will be? Because this really hurts.'' Hermione said, gripping Severus' hand.
''Just a few minutes, madam.'' Jenkins said as he left the room.
''Do you need anything, Hermione?'' Severus asked.
''I want mum in here.'' she said.
''Alright. I'll go get her from the waiting room.'' he said, kissing her hand before letting go of it.
''And tell everyone they can go and enjoy their Christmas. They don't need to be in a waiting room boring themselves to death when they could be at home having a nice Christmas.'' Hermione said, sniffling. She was trying not to cry again.
''I will. Since Helena's going to be in here, I'll pop home and get your bag.'' Severus said as he walked to the door. ''I should be back soon. I love you, Hermione.'' he said, looking at her.
''I love you, too, Severus.'' Hermione smiled.
Out in the waiting room, Severus walked over to where Helena and Lucius were anxiously waiting. Helena, Molly, Harry, Ron, Lucius, Draco and Ginny all ran over to him and started shouting questions at him, each wanting their question to be answered first. Severus held up his hand and everyone went quiet.
''Hermione is fine. The Healer was just in to see her. Helena, she would like to see you in her room. She's in room 312." he said.
''How is she, really?'' Lucius asked as his wife ran off to see Hermione.
Severus sighed. ''She had a minor 'freak out', as I believe you would say, Ginny. She doesn't think we're ready for this.''
''That's just silly.'' Harry said. ''She was practically a mum to everyone in Gryffindor Tower during school.''
''Yeah. Hermione was made for this.'' Ron said.
''She didn't mean that. More like we're not exactly prepared.'' Severus sneered. ''The nursery wasn't going to be finished until next week. Also, we were going to have a night where we picked out his name, and obviously, we have not.'' he said. ''Hermione also wanted me to tell you all to go and enjoy your Christmas, and come back later.'' Severus said, looking around.
''We will not!'' Molly exclaimed. ''I have already owled Percy, and in a few hours, with the help of Mitzy and the medi-witch, we'll be having our Christmas here, with you and Hermione.'' she said. ''And that's final!'' she added as he opened his mouth to protest.
''Yeah, we can't miss the birth of the first 'Golden Trio' child.'' Ron said cheekily.
''I..thank you. Hermione will appreciate it.'' Severus said. ''As do I.'' he added quietly.
''Shouldn't you be getting back in there?'' Lucius asked.
''No. I need to go home for a few minutes, and get her bag and the baby name book.'' Severus said.
''Well, I'll come with you. I can put the nursery to rights for you two.'' Molly said. ''I was going to come over with Helena and help in a few days, anyway.''
''I'll come as well, sir. I can use my wand and finish the mural I was painting.'' a voice said from Severus' right.
''Mrs. Longbottom, I didn't see you.'' Severus said.
''That's alright. Neville will be down here shortly. We came with Gran to visit his parents.'' Luna said.
''Can we go see Hermione?'' Ginny asked.
''Yes. She'd like that. But, do not tell her about this. This is going to be a surprise.'' Severus said. ''Tell her I'll be back shortly.''
''We will.'' Draco said, as Ginny grabbed his hand and led him off, with Harry and Ron following.
''You know, if you wanted to name your child 'Lucius', I wouldn't object.'' Lucius said, making Severus laugh.
''Hi, honey.'' Helena said as she walked into Hermione's room.
''Hi, mum.'' Hermione smiled.
''If you need anything, Mrs. Snape, just pull the string behind you.''
''Thank you, Madam Rollins.'' Hermione said, as she left.
''Are you in any pain, love?'' Helena asked, giving Hermione a cup of ice from the table.
''No, not anymore. Madam Rollins just brought me the epidural potion.'' Hermione said, smiling. ''I feel much better.''
''Good.'' Helena said, stroking Hermione's hair.
''I'm sorry your Christmas is ruined, mum. Everything looked so nice.''
''Honey, nothing is ruined, trust me.'' Helena said, smiling down at her daughter. ''Besides, you and Severus are going to be making this the best Christmas ever.'' she laughed.
''Well, he was going to be a late birthday present for Severus, actually, but I guess he couldn't wait that long.'' Hermione said, smiling as she rubbed her belly.
Ginny and Draco, along with Harry and Ron entered just then. Ginny ran to Hermione and hugged her.
''Oh, this is so exciting! A baby on Christmas. And not just any baby, but yours! How do you feel? Does it hurt? It hurts, doesn't it? Do you need anything! I can get Draco..''
''Ginny, calm down!'' Hermione laughed. ''And to answer your questions I feel fine now, yes it hurt, bad, and no, I don't need anything.''
''Sorry. I'm just excited. We finally get to meet the little guy!'' Ginny said, and burst into tears.
''Ah, the pregnancy hormones.'' Hermione and Helena said together.
''I remember those days.'' Helena said. ''I once burst into tears at the grocery store because they were out of chocolate ice cream until the afternoon.''
''I know. I cried for three hours one day because I finished the book I was reading.'' Hermione said, smiling.
''Didn't you used to do that anyway?'' Harry asked with a laugh.
''Ha ha, Harry. No, I didn't.'' Hermione said, throwing a piece of ice at him.
''Aaahhhhh!'' Hermione yelled as she had a contraction. ''Where the hell is Severus?''
''I'm sure he'll be back, love.'' Helena said as she smoothed back Hermione's hair.
''Well, I hope for your sake it's soon. You're going to be having this baby in just a little while.'' Healer Jenkins said. ''I'll want you to start pushing in fifteen minutes. You're fully dilated, and we can't wait for long.''
Hermione took a deep breath as the contraction passed. ''HARRY!'' she yelled.
''Yeah, Mione?'' Harry asked as he stuck his head in the door. He had a bit of a scared look on his face.
''Go find Severus! Our house, Mum and Lucius' house, the bloody Leakey Cauldron! Check everywhere! You better find him, Potter!'' she yelled.
''O..okay.'' he stuttered. ''Should I tell him..''
''You tell him if he isn't here by half past, I'll feed him his bollocks for breakfast!'' she yelled.
''Right. I'm off, then.'' Harry said, before scurrying away. ''Never thought I'd feel sorry for Snape.'' he mumbled to himself as he ran down the corridor. Getting to the apparition point, he disapparated with a quiet pop, headed for Hermione's house first.
''Okay, Severus. That's all done.'' Molly said, looking around the nursery.
''Thank you, Molly. Hermione will appreciate this. As do I.'' he said.
''SNAPE!'' they heard Harry yell from downstairs. A second later, Harry appeared in the nursery. ''You..need..hospital..Hermione..baby.'' he panted.
''Breathe, Harry. Then speak.'' Molly said.
Harry took a deep breath and looked at Severus. ''Hermione's going to have the baby soon, and she sent me to find you. I quote 'He better be here by half past, or I'll feed him his bollocks for breakfast.''' he said, still breathing hard.
''Oh, Merlin.'' Severus groaned. ''I better go.'' he said, picking up Hermione's hospital bag. ''Mrs. Longbottom, are you done yet?'' he asked Luna.
''Almost, sir. I can stay and finish this before I come visit Hermione.'' Luna answered, still working on the mural.
''Very well. And Molly, could you..''
''I'll stay and finish up in here. Give the clothes a final wash and put them away. Get the bookshelves cleaned. Things like that.'' Molly said. ''Now you better get going. We'll be there soon.'' she said, and surprised him with a hug. ''Congratulations again, Severus. Give Hermione my love.'' she said, patting him on the cheek.
Severus nodded, and left the room.
''Eight..nine..ten. Deep breath, Hermione.'' Healer Jenkins said as she pushed.
''God! Where is Severus?'' Hermione asked, panting.
''I don't know, love.'' Eileen said from her right. ''But I'll kill him myself if he misses this.'' she mumbled.
''Don't worry about that right now, Hermione.'' Helena said from her left.
''Then when, mum? I'm having his baby, and he's missing it!'' Hermione said, tears starting to run down her face. She was tired, and hot, and in pain. ''He can't miss the birth of his first child!''
''I'm sure he will be.'' Helena and Eileen said.
''When? It better be soon. Not like I can hold this kid in, you know!'' she yelled.
The door burst open, and Severus ran in. He went to Hermione's side, standing behind his mother, and taking her hand.
''Where the hell were you?'' Hermione yelled.
''Mr. Snape, I need you to sit behind your wife and help her sit up.'' Healer Jenkins said. ''Hermione, you need to push again, love.''
Severus moved to sit behind Hermione and put his hands on her shoulders, helping her sit up. Helena had hold of her left hand while his mum retook her right hand. ''I'm sorry I was late. I got a bit sidetracked.'' Severus said.
''Bloody hell!'' Hermione yelled. ''I'm here..having your..baby..and you..get..sidetracked?'' she asked as she pushed.
''Relax, Hermione. You've got about 20 seconds until the next contraction.'' Healer Jenkins said.
''You just wait until I have my wand, Severus Sna..Fuck! 20 seconds my ass!'' Hermione yelled as she started pushing again.
''Come on, Hermione. You're doing great.'' Helena said.
''Stop pushing, Hermione!'' Healer Jenkins yelled. ''Matilda, I need you over here.'' he said to the medi-witch.
''What? Is something wrong? What is it?'' Hermione asked frantically.
''Yes. He's breach.'' Healer Jenkins said. ''Hermione, you're going to have to push harder to get him out.''
''I can't.'' she moaned. ''I can't, I can't.''
''Hermione, push harder. You can do this.'' Severus said sternly. ''I know you're tired, love, but you need to do this.''
''Not even born yet and he's as stubborn as his daddy!'' Hermione moaned, getting a snort from Severus.
''Come on now, love. Deep breath..and push!'' Eileen said.
''Push, push, push, Hermione.'' Helena said.
''Eight..nine..ten. Relax.'' Healer Jenkins said.
''How the hell did Molly do this six times?'' Hermione asked, leaning her head against Severus' shoulder.
''None of her babies were breach.'' Helena said, stroking Hermione's hair.
''Yes, but that means you just have to be tougher to get him out, love.'' Eileen said.
''You can do this, Hermione.'' Severus said. ''I know you can.'' he said, kissing the side of her head.
''Okay, Hermione. Push again.'' Healer Jenkins said. ''Push harder! Come on, Hermione! One last deep breath and push!'' he yelled.
Hermione bore down as hard as she could and pushed with every ounce of strength she had left, gripping her mum's hands so hard she was sure she broke a bone. Severus was telling her she could this. Helena was telling her to push. Eileen wasn't saying much, just had tears in her eyes. Whether it was from emotion or pain, she didn't know. She pushed as hard as she could, gritting her teeth. As soon as she felt him being born, she fell back against Severus.
''He's here! Hermione, relax. You did great!'' Healer Jenkins said. A second later and a cry was heard throughout the room.
Hermione began crying, as did the two grandmothers. She wasn't sure what Severus was doing, but she could feel him shaking behind her.
''I'm so proud of you, Hermione.'' he whispered. ''I love you so, so, so much.'' he said in a hoarse voice.
A minute later, Healer Jenkins handed her a little bundle, all wrapped up in a blue blanket. ''Congratulations.'' he said.
Hermione looked down at her newborn son. ''He's perfect.''
Review please.
Aww..the baby is here!
I've never had a baby, so I hope I did the whole hospital room scene justice. I just know that when she was giving birth, my sister, who's the sweetest person ever, turned into the she-devil, and started cursing like a sailor. So, that's what I loosely based this on.
Till next time!
XOXO-Onyx Obsidian