Hey, Everyone! It's that day you've all been hoping for! Harry and Draco's babies have arrived! Let's see how they got here...
******** ******** Chapter 34 ******** ********
Pansy had stayed at Hogwarts with her fiancé and his son for the holiday but they had promised to visit all the time.
Bill and Fleur delivered their daughter, Victoria Adelaide, just hours after Ron and Hermione came home to the Burrow. It was June nineteenth.
Arthur Weasley brought Selene over to the Manor near the end of June. It was July before they knew it, and Charlie Weasley's husband gave birth one month to the day from Draco's birthday. July fifth was a sunny day and the whole family gathered at St. Mungo's for the arrival of Corvus Frederick. Harry made a quick visit but didn't stay long as he hated to be away from Draco.
Even though Harry had the dog and his friends come for regular visits, all he knew was that his husband was more beautiful than ever. The poor blond still suffered from mood swings and his cravings had accumulated since the end of the school year. In addition to the salsa-eggs, pickles, apple sauce and ice cream sundae, Draco now needed all sorts of fruit at random times of the day. So, Harry had Dinki make a fruit salad. Apples, plums and apricots, as well as peaches, bananas and mangos were included, as were all manner of berries. After a while, Draco had also added pineapple, kiwi and watermelon but cantaloupe, avocado and guava were among the items he hated with passion.
Potions Master Loveday had come to visit and talk several times since they'd left Hogwarts. Harry asked the man's help in adding to the list for Draco's apothecary. The older man was also able to get the brunette in contact with his friend who taught at the nearest Wizarding University. Windyvale University was the closest one to Kent with a correspondence course in business. Only once Harry had passed this course would he be allowed to take the one offered by the ministry, so he planned to take it seriously.
On the morning of the twentieth day of July, Draco called Harry's name in a very panicky tone. He was in pain. He'd spent half the night tossing and turning in bed while trying to find a comfortable position and yet not awaken Harry.
At some point after Draco found the desired position, Harry had gotten up and gone to take a shower.
The only reason Draco knew this was because he didn't have his doting husband in bed next to him and he heard the water running in the bathroom. After a second, slightly stronger and longer lasting pain, he shouted for his husband again.
The brunette rushed into the room. He was half naked and dripping wet but he just knew he'd heard Draco's voice calling his name. So, of course he'd gone running.
With a quivering voice, Draco informed Harry of the discomfort he'd felt during the night and the pain that was currently plaguing him.
Harry spelled himself dry and quickly climbed into bed to comfort Draco but the pain only got worse. In response to this, Harry quickly had Dinki fetch his in-laws while he flooed the healer and then activated the coin so his and Draco's friends would stay informed. A simple spell determined that the birth canal was beginning to re-form. The Malfoy-Potter twins would very likely be born within the week.
It took several days of nearly constant cramping, but the birth canal was fully formed and functional by the twenty-sixth. All they could do at that point was wait to see when Draco would be ready for the surgery because he'd told Harry that he didn't want to try squeezing two small watermelons out of a hole the size of a lemon. During the waiting period, which was only around six hours, Harry was very disappointed to find that wizarding tradition didn't allow the father of the children into the birthing room.
Much to the dismay of Narcissa and the Healer, Draco was insistent upon Harry's presence at his side and they could do nothing to dissuade him. The Healer and her assistant agreed under the condition that he not get in their way or interfere with their actions. They also warned that he would be asked to leave if there were any complications.
Harry readily agreed and sat where they told him – behind Draco. This would allow him to hold and comfort the blond but it would also serve to support him when it was time to push.
Harry frowned at Draco. "I'm confused, Dragon. I thought you said you were having the muggle procedure."
"I sort of promised my father I'd try it the natural way first," Draco said as he leaned back into Harry's chest.
Harry's temper flared but he kept his voice soft so as not to alarm the Healer. "Draco, I don't like this. It's dangerous. There is no natural way for a male to birth a child."
"Please, Harry?" Draco shuddered in his arms. "Please don't fight with him over it today?"
Cradling his husband, Harry fought to keep his fear at bay, "When shall I argue with him about it then, Draco? When you begin to experience the complications the healer spoke about and I'm kicked out of the room?"
"No, don't fight at all! I need you!" Draco clung to Harry's arms. "I can't do this alone, Harry. You can't leave me!"
"You heard them, Dragon," he explained in a soft voice. "I won't want to, but I'll have to leave the room if there are any complications."
"Mr. Malfoy-Potter?" The Healer's assistant was saying.
"You're going to be poking around in a very private place," Draco snarked. "I'd think you could use my name."
"Sorry," the assistant said with a grimace. "Draco, we need you to relax. You're muscles are very stiff and tense."
"I'm sorry," Draco said, taking a deep breath. "I'm suddenly getting nervous about this."
Harry started feeling guilty, so he started stroking Draco's arms and rocking him slightly. "I'll stop worrying, Draco. I promise. The Healer has been with your family for years, right? She knows you and she's treated you before?"
"Yes, Harry," Draco took another deep breath. "She's been my family's Healer for ages, though not long enough to have been here for my birth."
"There now. That's better, Draco. Now, I want you to tell me when you feel the pain begin again," the Healer told him. "I'll just visit your parents and assure them you're alright. Casey will stay with you."
Harry's arms tightened slightly but Draco nodded. If the Healer had faith in her assistant then he would too.
Harry kept quiet and whispered soothingly to the blond man in his arms. A sudden pain shuddered through Draco.
"Casey, get the Healer," Harry said tersely.
A quick examination of Draco had the girl sending off a quick spell and soon the Healer was hurrying in.
"Alright Draco, it's time to push. You're ready," the Healer said encouragingly. "Take a deep breath first and then bear down!"
The blond tried several times but the babies were just not cooperating. Draco began to cry. "It hurts, Harry! I should never have tried this! You were right! Healer, please just switch to the surgery?"
"Shhh…it's not about who is right or wrong, love," Harry drew a careful breath as he fought tears. "It's about a safe delivery."
The Healer gave Draco a sedative potion and then had Harry leave the room for the surgery. As soon as they saw him, Harry found himself sitting between Molly and Narcissa while glaring at Lucius.
"You just couldn't leave it alone, could you?" Harry growled. "Was it just because a Cesarean section is a muggle procedure?"
Lucius looked troubled and began to say something but Harry cut him off.
"No. He doesn't want us to fight today, so I said I wouldn't…" Harry took a deep breath as Hermione and Ron came hurrying into the room.
"How is he?" Hermione asked, setting herself in Harry's view. "Are they here yet?"
"He tried the non-surgical route first. It didn't work so they're operating now," Harry explained, shaking his head.
The Weasley kids and their spouses all gathered in one of the large parlors while Blaise and Luna as well as Pansy and Marcus took up a tour of the garden. Molly and Arthur, along with Harry and Draco's parents, stayed in the sitting area of Harry's and Draco's suite which was closed off from the bedroom where the birthing was taking place.
Harry paced for a while and then tried not to worry as he played chess with Arthur.
Neville and Seamus ended up joining the Weasleys when they arrived while Lavender and Theo took Selene to join the group in the garden.
Narcissa had the elves bring everyone tea and sandwiches, but they didn't arrive before the Healer poked her head out of the birthing room. "Harry, everything went well. Draco is asking for you."
Before she finished the second sentence, Harry was halfway through the door. He stopped at the foot of the bed. Draco looked drained and pale but he was beautiful and alive and holding their children so Harry let relieved tears flow down his face.
"Is that really how you're going to meet our children for the first time Harry James Malfoy-Potter?" Draco scolded mildly. "You're all wet and if you think I'll sympathize with how tired you look, think again. I'm more tired than you've ever been…except maybe after the duel with Riddle."
"I'm just so glad you're alright, Draco," Harry said, swiping away the moisture as he slowly came closer. He leaned down and placed a light kiss on his husband's lips before looking at the babies. They were bundled inside colored blankets but Harry knew which was which without being told. He smiled as he took the little mint green bundle from Draco's arms. "He's got my skin coloring…"
"Maybe he'll have my eyes and hair," Draco whispered.
Harry nodded with a grin. "Hello, Little Caelum. Our sweet little prince…"
"If you give him back, you can say hello to Lyra," Draco smirked. "She was first, you know."
"Was she?" Harry asked, eyes shining as he lowered his son back into the crook of Draco's arm. "Was Papa's princess eager to meet him? That makes her first in everything, you know, because when Madam Pomfrey cast the spells, the cloud turned pink first and then we named her first, too."
"The Healer says her feet got tangled in his cord and that's why neither of them were able to be delivered the other way," Draco told him once Harry had their little girl comfortably in his arms. He was glad she wasn't fussing for him in her mauve colored blanket. He'd picked out the birthing blankets ages ago because he didn't want to have the predictable pink and blue. They were Malfoy-Potters and they would be as unique as possible, if Draco had anything to say about it.
"Are you going to take after my old friend Tonks? She was always so clumsy," Harry commented as he kissed his daughter's brow. "You know, little Lyra, Daddy's and Papa's friends are all gathered to meet you and your brother. They've been waiting for hours."
"Let's start with Molly, Arthur and my parents, shall we?" Draco sighed, holding out his arm to welcome his daughter back. "But first, could you cast a cleansing charm for my face and hair? I look a mess!"
"Still so vain," Harry chuckled as he lay Lyra back down with Draco and drew his wand to cast the spells his husband had requested. When Draco looked presentable, Harry walked to the doors and stepped out into the sitting area. "Narcissa, Lucius, Molly and Arthur, we'd like you to be the first to see the twins, who are both healthy and beautiful. After that, I'll be calling everyone else in by groups of four so Draco doesn't get too tired or agitated."
As Harry closed the door behind him, he saw Ron and Hermione share a smile. He knew they were as proud of him as a brother and sister would be because they'd known that Harry would thrive with a close-knit family backing him up. They'd told him so many times, they just hadn't expected it to be the Malfoy family.
"Welcome to the family, Caelum Orion Malfoy-Potter," Lucius said softly.
Hearing the tone of Lucius' voice, Harry turned to see what was going on. Narcissa was kissing her son's temple while Lucius cradled the mint green bundle. Seeing his son in Lucius' arms was a bit surreal, as was the complete lack of fear at the sight, but Harry shook off that strange feeling as he reached his husband's bedside and took Lyra from Draco's arms. He gently nudged the blanket away from her face. "This is Lyra Zinnia Malfoy-Potter." He was speaking to Molly and Arthur, but Lucius gently handed Caelum to his wife and joined them.
"Girls are very rare in the Malfoy line, Harry," Lucius spoke softly.
"Does this mean she'll be spoiled beyond reason?" Harry asked as Molly held her arms out for the baby.
"That is very likely." Lucius' lips curved slightly before straightening back into a thin line. "My suggestion put them in danger, and I find myself once again needing to apologize. I'm sorry for the worry I caused you and the pain I caused my son."
Neither man looked away from the other's eyes until Harry nodded silently before meeting Draco's pleading gaze.
Molly passed Lyra to Arthur and walked over to stand beside Narcissa and Caelum. "You did a wonderful job, Draco…and Harry, of course. They're so lovely. Thank you for including us." The infants were passed around again until everyone had held each of them once.
"Harry, do you think you could take Lyra and Caelum out there to meet everyone? I'm awfully tired…" Draco yawned behind a hand as Lucius handed Lyra back to Harry and began to walk toward the door.
Harry nodded and asked Molly to take Caelum while he carried Lyra. "It's a good thing the Healer's assistant is staying on for a few days. You need your rest, Dragon."
Draco nodded sleepily and his eyes drifted shut just as the door closed.
Molly handed Caelum over to Harry after the door shut.
Ron and Hermione stood and hurried over as fast as an eight months pregnant woman can hurry. "I thought you were going to bring us in there, not them out to us!" Hermione grinned.
"Is there something wrong, mate?" Ron asked.
"He's just tired," Harry smiled at them. "He wasn't feeling well enough for visitors but he let me bring these two out to meet and greet!"
"Aren't they beautiful?" Hermione teared up and dabbed her eyes with a tissue from her pocket.
"If you sit, I'll let you hold one at a time," Harry motioned with his head toward the smaller sofa. "Molly, would you tell George and Charlie to come in with their spouses? This room is big enough for all of us as long as a few keep going in and out."
She nodded and hurried out of the suite while Hermione sat and held her arms out. Harry handed Lyra to the closest thing she'd ever have to an aunt. Ron placed his pinky into her palm and her little fingers barely made it around the digit but she had a good tight grip.
"Seeing that Cissa and I live here and will see you, as well as Draco and the children, quite often, I think we'll take our leave for the moment." Lucius tipped his head and led his wife from the room.
"What was he talking about, Harry? In the room when he apologized. What did he mean?" Arthur asked softly as Molly came back in with their sons and spouses and Selene. How she'd gotten back inside was a mystery to him, but the black pup came directly over to Harry's side and sat.
Still cradling his son, Harry related the events that led up to his expulsion from the birthing room. "Lucius couldn't know that Lyra's legs were tangled with Caelum's cord. As much as I want to blame him, I know it's not his fault."
Arthur nodded thoughtfully, looking at the baby boy. "Good of you to understand that, Harry, though that is the more dangerous of the ways for men to give birth."
"That's why I acknowledged his apology but didn't reply. He did actually put them in danger, so I don't feel able to completely forgive him yet," Harry grimaced. "When Draco wakes up, he'll come up with some bloody reason to make me forgive his father but until then, I'll continue to be mildly cross about the whole thing."
"Hey there, mate," George smiled at Harry, distracting him while Charlie swept in and scooped Harry's infant son out of his arms and across the room so Gus could take a look.
Harry gave a token protest as soon as he realized what had happened, but ducked away with a short word to Arthur about checking on Draco. He opened the door slightly and peeked in. The dog scurried through the door and over to where Draco's arm was hanging over the side of the bed. She sniffed, licked, and then got comfortable on her cushion. Draco was still asleep and the Healer's assistant was cleaning up so when neither of them objected to Selene's presence, he smiled and backed out of the room.
He was quite glad the black pup had taken such a liking to Draco. It made him feel secure in a way he couldn't even understand. Still thinking of the exhausted blond, Harry looked around to find his daughter in the arms of George's wife, Katie. Hermione had Caelum while Ron seemed to be twitching to hold one or the other of them.
"Ron. Relax, mate," Harry chuckled as he clapped a hand on the redhead's shoulder. "You'll soon have a bundle for this lot to be passing around too."
"I haven't even held one yet, Harry." Ron's pout wasn't nearly as cute as Draco's, but it did make Harry laugh.
He walked over to Katie. "Katie, I'm dreadfully sorry but may I borrow my daughter for a moment?"
She smiled up at Harry. "Of course, Harry. I'll get to hold her again later and I've got my own two on the way, so I'm not worried."
"Thanks," Harry grinned back as he lifted Lyra up to his chest. "Your uncle Ron wants to see you, young miss," he whispered to the infant.
Ron's eyes grew large as Harry placed the tiny bundle of mauve blanket in his arms. "She's lovely, Harry. She'll be a heartbreaker, that's for sure."
Harry thought his heart would burst as he watched his family interact with his children.
Moments later, Molly took charge of the room. She nudged people out the door and had them sending in others. Bill and Percy, along with their wives, came in as Charlie and George guided their spouses back to the parlor. After that, Neville joined them with Seamus. Narcissa had sent the elves to fetch the guests from the garden, so Pansy and Marcus came too. Theo and Lavender came in last with Blaise and Luna. To Harry, it seemed that there was a new group every ten to fifteen minutes and he guessed that he had Molly to thank for keeping things moving.
Harry was getting a little antsy to be with his sleeping husband, but there was apparently one last audience that he needed to supervise before the babies could be fed and put down for a family nap. When all the guests had gone, Lucius and Narcissa rejoined Harry, who gave Caelum to Narcissa while he kept Lyra in his arms.
Lucius used the same clapping code as he had at Christmas to call the Malfoy elves into his presence and they appeared. As soon as all fifteen of them arrived, Lucius began to speak. "Your young Master Draco has given birth. His Dominant husband, Harry, holds their first-born, Lyra Zinnia Malfoy-Potter." He made a motion for Harry to stand.
Harry did so and each of the elves came close to see her.
Dinki was the first elf to approach and didn't leave Harry's side. She watched the rest of the elves as they came forward to meet the little baby girl. Harry noticed that the other elves seemed to show her a different level of respect now that she was going to be the caretaker of the newest members of the family.
"Her position as first-born notwithstanding, it is her brother who is the official Malfoy heir." Lucius went on motioning to his wife.
Narcissa stood, "Caelum Orion Malfoy-Potter is the first male born from the union of Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter."
"By tradition, gender alone determines the order of inheritance." Lucius intoned. "This does not mean Lady Lyra is any less important than any other member of this family."
Harry watched in fascination as the elves bowed and curtsied to his son.
"Dinki, you are the elf who will assist in the childrens' care. Your orders remain as they were: care for each and every member of the household under the name of Malfoy-Potter." Lucius looked at her with decisive authority.
"Dinki be obeying, Master." She curtsied to him before turning to Harry and repeating the gesture. She moved to stand in front of Narcissa. "Mistress, please be giving little Master to Dinki for feeding?"
Narcissa nodded to the creature and lowered the infant into her arms.
The humans and elves watched her use one arm to hold the infant and the other hand to summon a bottle and several ingredients which included a number of of the potions the Healer had left to supplement the baby formula. She mixed things together the way Harry and Draco had been taught by the Healer and then used a heating charm to warm the bottle. When she was finished, she duplicated the bottle and mixture and handed one of the bottles to Harry.
He tested the temperature on his wrist just the way the Healer had demonstrated before placing the nipple to his daughter's lips.
Dinki did the same and, in silent synchronization, both infants latched onto their bottles. Apparently seeing that the new additions to the family were in good hands, the elves bowed and curtsied on their way back to their own duties.
Lucius and Narcissa peeked into the bedroom to see that Draco was still asleep.
"We'll see you all tomorrow, Harry," Draco's mother said softly.
Lucius nodded at him as they passed.
Harry just nodded back, not wishing to disturb his childrens' meal. "Dinki, I'll be joining my husband when Lyra is finished. If you can watch over them for this first span, we will be more help tomorrow, or in a few hours, I guess."
"Masters be needing sleep after a busy day such as this. Dinki be perfectly suited to watching little Mistress and Master." The elf looked to be the happiest Harry had ever seen her and they sat, him on a sofa and her on the floor, feeding the tiny bundles of joy.
It wasn't long before both infants were full and Harry laid Lyra into her bassinet which was next to the bed he shared with Draco. As he lifted the covers and settled himself next to his beloved husband, he was vaguely aware of Dinki placing Caelum in his own bassinet. Harry carefully cuddled up close to Draco, who sighed in his sleep and moved unconsciously into the space Harry wanted him.
A little while later, Harry was awoken by a frightened and flailing Draco. "Where are they?" he shouted, his arms crossing over his stomach as he searched for the bump that had been there for so many months. "W-Where are my babies?" His hands gingerly touched the sensitive area that had just been operated on. "It happened? I gave birth? I thought it was a dream…"
Harry gasped at the sound of Draco's distress. "Not a dream, love. The twins were born just hours ago. Our family and friends have all met them. Even the elves have had a presentation ceremony."
"I missed that?" Draco sounded so disappointed. "I always wondered what happened with the elves after children were born but I was never allowed because 'I wasn't old enough' or 'I wasn't family'."
"We'll do it again," Harry offered quickly. He didn't know why they hadn't waited for Draco anyway.
Draco sighed. "No, that's alright, just show me in a Pensieve sometime. Maybe I'll be awake the next time we have a baby."
Harry smiled and kissed the blonds cheek. He was so happy to see that this experience hadn't put him off of having more children. "Would you like to see your children, my Dragon?"
Draco bit his lip and nodded so Harry got up and looked into each bassinet before slowly lifting Caelum up and out. He placed the tiny boy in Draco's arms and sat at the edge of the bed.
"He's amazing, Harry," Draco whispered softly as he counted the baby's fingers. When he finished, he pulled off the baby's soft white socks and counted his toes. "He's beautiful. Where's Lyra?"
"She's there. She's still asleep but Caelum was cooing when I peeked into his bassinet, so I thought we'd let her rest a bit more," Harry grinned. "I'm so proud of you, Draco. You were brilliant yesterday."
"Of course I was." Draco's cheeks took on a pale pink hue. "Now let me see my little girl."
Harry's eyes sparkled with his chuckle. "Our sweet princess will adore seeing you." He stood and turned and, as he gazed down, his eyes met their mirror. He gasped. "How soon are an infant's eyes supposed to change color, Draco? What color are Caelum's?"
"Uhm, his are pale shimmery blue. I read a muggle book that said it would take anywhere between nine months and three years for a baby's eyes to change into their permanent shade," Draco said in a slightly sing-song voice as he tickled their son's feet. "Why?"
"When I saw Lyra's eyes yesterday, they were the palest shade of blue, like Caelum's, but just now she's staring up at me with eyes like…" He paused. "Like mine."
"Really? Bring her here." Draco seemed breathless at the prospect of seeing Harry's eyes on their beloved daughter's face. "The Wizarding books say that the faster the child's eyes change the more powerful their magic will be."
Harry scooped the baby girl up into his arms. "Papa's going to bring you to Daddy, Princess, and Daddy is going to look at your gorgeous green eyes and then he'll count your fingers and toes like he did with your brother. Daddy likes to do that sort of thing."
Draco shook his head at Harry's antics. "I don't 'like to do that sort of thing', Harry. It's part of my job. Ask Mother. It's something all bearers do."
Harry wondered, as he placed Lyra on the bed next to Caelum, if his mother had done that for him. He smiled as he watched Draco repeat the ritual with Lyra. He knew there were ten fingers and ten toes on each of his children. Harry knew his daughter had two amazing eyes and an adorable button nose with a slightly pointed chin. He knew his son had two eyes, his nose and lips that would look perfect when twisted into his husband's devilish smirk. He also knew that the babies would fall if he didn't cast a ward to catch them so he tapped the side of the bed with his wand.
Draco sighed happily as he felt the protective magic settle into place.
Caelum began to fuss not long after Lyra joined them on the bed.
Dinki didn't need to be called, she simply appeared and quickly took the baby to the changing table. When he was in a clean diaper, she summoned the proper ingredients for his bottle and mixed it to perfection before gently handing both the baby and the bottle back into Draco's care. With a peaceful smile, she did the same for Lyra before placing her tiny charge into Harry's arms and popping away.
Harry went over with Draco the Healer's instructions for holding and feeding the babies while Dinki dutifully demonstrated the changing process the first several times.
It took a few days to get the whole family settled into a rhythm that worked and since Draco, Harry and the babies couldn't leave the Manor to attend dinner for the Weasley's annual celebration of Harry's birthday, Lucius graciously allowed the Weasleys to bring the celebration to them. Molly and Narcissa made sure the elves brought the new parents their share of food.
Harry was pleased as punch – to borrow a Muggle saying – that Penny took the occasion to announce her new pregnancy. It turned out that she was twelve weeks along but hadn't wanted to say anything until the Healer said she was stable. This time, rather than waiting to see, they'd been told by the Healer that it was a boy, and they had yet to decide on a name.
Andromeda and Teddy joined the festivities as well. Teddy stared at the newborns quietly as Draco and Harry fed them, but seemed overjoyed when Harry paid almost as much attention to him as before they had been born. Selene sat quietly at Draco's side when she wasn't following Ron's brothers around outside.
After a while, the cake was cut in the suite but served in the dining room. To provide Draco with a pleasant view while George and the other non-pregnant members of the Weasley clan set off the traditional fireworks, Harry opened the doors to the balcony off of their sitting room.
It was the last night of peace the pair would have for several weeks since their friends were all due to have their children during August and into September.
I hope you all loved it as much as I do. I can't wait to see the rest of this group have their kids!