June 2006
Ch18: Birth
Lillian could hardly keep her eyes open. Professor Binns was droning about some long forgotten rebellion – she really couldn't care less about it. She still tried to listen, as opposed to most of her class mates who were fast asleep.
The monotony of the lesson was suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door. A third year Hufflepuff stood at the door. "I was asked to escort Miss Potter to the headmistress," he said timidly.
Professor Binns looked at the girl. "You may go," he told her and then continued in his monotone lecture.
"Do you know why she wants to see me?" Lilian asked the boy.
He shrugged. "I just happened to pass in the corridor when she came out of the office and asked me to fetch you. I know nothing else."
"I'm glad you're here," the headmistress told her. "Miss DePoitier and Mrs. Black should be here in a few moments as well."
Lillian was worried, "Is there anything wrong?" she asked.
The old lady smiled. "Nothing's wrong. On the contrary – we have a new cause to be happy."
Lillian couldn't ask for explanation, as the door opened, letting Narcissa and Dianna in.
"Well, now that you are all here I wish to congratulate you: Lady Potter has just given birth to a boy. I assume you would all like to visit her and the new addition to the family."
Both Lilly and Dianna jumped with joy. "We have a new brother!" while Narcissa asked: "Where are the mother and the newborn?"
"They are at St. Mungos. Harry informed me as soon as he could."
"May we use the floo to get there?"
"You may, but I believe your daughters have a better method," the headmistress replied.
Narcissa looked at the girls questioningly. They grabbed her hands and disappeared.
The three reappeared at the entrance hall of St. Mungos. "I don't know where Mom's room is," Lilly said.
Narcissa stepped to the reception desk and returned a moment later, leading the girls through the corridors until they reached the maternity wing. Harry was already waiting for them.
"Hermione is asleep at the moment, but you may go to that big window and see the baby," he told the girls, who immediately sprinted in that direction.
Harry looked at Narcissa now, smiling tenderly as his hand traced her swelling belly. "They will soon have another brother…" he said softly, as he led Narcissa to a padded bench and settled her comfortably down, before sitting by her side.
"How is Hermione?" Narcissa asked.
"Tired, sore and happy, as expected. She wanted to wait and see you, but the healers insisted that she must sleep to let the potions heal her body, as she knows quite well, actually. It won't be long, though. She will probably wake up in about half an hour to feed the baby."
Narcissa smiled. "I'm really anxious to be in the same position in a few months and I believe these two babies will be quite spoiled, with two doting mothers caring for them."
"And a doting father as well." Harry smiled at her.
"Daddy, Daddy! We've seen the baby! His aura is much stronger than the others'!" Both girls looked extremely happy and excited.
"Do you think he will have your talents?" inquired Harry.
Lillian's face fell. "No, he will be very powerful – more than James, I think – but not like me or Rose." She failed to notice the relief on her father's face.
"Where are James, Rose and Teddy?" she added.
"They are with Grandma and with Andromeda, respectively. Grandma is probably on her way here with the children. Would you like to wait for them at the entrance hall?"
The girls just ran away without even replying. "Our girls are fast becoming real sisters," Harry noted contentedly.
Narcissa only smiled and put her head on his shoulder. Although he was the same age as her son, Harry's presence seemed to sooth her relax her, quite unlike Draco's. She didn't have much time to relax, though. The girls returned a few minutes later, along with the three Grangers and the two younger Potters.
Lilly led the group to the viewing window to let everybody see her new brother. Narcissa also joined them. She was happy to see how well Dianna merged with the other children and somewhat surprised at the warm reception by the older Grangers, who were about her age.
"Hermione told us about you, Mrs. Black. I expected you would look my age, yet you look closer to hers," commented Mrs. Granger.
"Thank you for your compliment. Having found love and acceptance is sure to help. I believe that my pregnancy also helps me look younger. Please call me just Narcissa, or even 'Cissy' – as my sister calls me."
"Then I should insist you call me Jane." Both women smiled.
Mr. Granger introduced himself as well: "I'm Dave, Hermione's father. I must agree with my wife about your looks." His smile broadened as he noticed Narcissa blushing.
They were not allowed to see Hermione all together, once she woke up. Her parents went first, being too anxious to wait to see their daughter and their new grandson. Helen didn't join them, though. She was very busy talking in hushed tones with Lilly, Dianna and Rose.
Looking at the four girls, Harry felt as if the air was being charged with magic, as the four were clearly extremely powerful witches. He seemed to forget that he was quite powerful himself, especially since the binding on his magic had been removed, or else he would have not been able to sense the concentration of magic.
Eventually, the children were also allowed in, two by two, for very short visits. Lilly went in with Dianna while Rose was joined by Helen. James came in with Harry, but didn't stay too long. Unlike the girls, he found no interest in the bundle of cloth with just a tiny head peeping out. He only admitted his new brother was "cute".
Lilly, Dianna and Narcissa spent the rest of the week helping prepare the new room for the baby and then helping Hermione with the baby when they came home. Narcissa decided to move to a separate bedroom, so that Hermione would be able to rest better and would also not disturb her when waking up to feed the baby during the night.
The girls started spending many hours each day in the baby's room, until Hermione had to interfere. "He should learn to be alone sometimes. Your constant presence may make it difficult once you return to school." The girls agreed to limit their presence in that room, quite reluctantly.
They had some difficulty deciding the baby's name. Harry considered calling him "Albus Severus" commemorating the two last headmasters of Hogwarts, who fought the Dark Lord, yet Hermione felt such a name would be a burden for the child. She suggested another name – the name of her father – Dave.
Harry didn't like it. "I love your father, only it feels wrong to commemorate him while he's still with us. It is as if we can't wait for him to… Well, it just feels wrong to me!"
Hermione understood his feelings even if she didn't share them. "What about 'Sirius'?"
"You can't be serious…" he replied with a grin, reminding her of the deceased marauder. He then continued in a weighted tone. "I'd like this name to be given to the Black scion, if you don't mind."
Both Hermione and Narcissa nodded understandingly. Lilly, though, was tired of the name choosing discussions. "Why don't you call him Herbert? Your Evans grandfather had this name as well as the Granger grandfather. It will also fit your scheme of H.P. – Harry Potter, Hermione Potter, Herbert Potter. What do you say?"
The adults were left speechless while Dianna liked the name very much, as did James and Rose. Both her parents smiled at her. "Fine, if Herbert will ever have any problems with his name we shall send him to you."
It was a happy weekend with the whole family enjoying the nice weather, spending the time on the backyard. Even Kreacher came to congratulate and stayed to help serving the constant stream of guests. All the Weasleys came to see the newborn. Luckily they didn't all come at once. Many members of the DA visited or sent owls and many Wizengamot members as well, although not all their congratulations were really heartfelt.
Dudley arrived quite excited. "Millie wanted to come along, but she is under strict orders to stay in bed until she gives birth. I hope our children will become good friends." Harry hugged his cousin warmly while Dudley made sure not to hug too tightly – he was still a big, powerful man.
Sunday evening, Lilly was sorry to have to leave her new brother and go to Hogwarts for the remaining fortnight of school. She promised to "pop-in" as much as her free time would allow, though. Once back at school, both Lilly and Dianna went to the library to check the family tree. Sure enough, 'Herbert' was now written there as their new sibling.
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