WARNINGS: Graphic sexual scenes (including non-con/rape), Sexuality, Implicit drug use, Explicit drug use, Alcohol abuse, Underage drinking, Self-harm, Depression, Anorexia, Language

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter. Any canon characters or situations are property of J.K. Rowling and her affiliates. I do not make money from writing or posting this story, and do it only for my own and my readers' enjoyment.

Chapter 5

January 5 - August 21

The others were livid after hearing the truth of the girls' destination when they went to London and what they had found out. Molly burst into tears and went to coddle Aria when she heard her plans to keep the baby. She sobbed, consoling her and making sure that she knew she had all the support she needed with the people who surrounded her. For the next few days before the children all returned to Hogwarts, everyone was wary around her. But Draco was unrelentingly there. While the others seemed panicked, he acted as if nothing was out of the ordinary. It was as if the rest thought she'd explode any second, though.

"Guys, I'm fine. I'm still me! It's only been two weeks," she'd say. But no one except Draco, Molly, Hermione, Ginny, and Arthur heeded her words. It was probably because they were the only ones who understood that her words were true.

On the day that they were going to be leaving Grimmauld Place, Aria got a call on her cell phone. "Dr. Bruce," she said cheerily when she picked up. "I'm doing great, actually. But I'm kind of busy at the moment. You know, packing up to return to school," she said.

"Yes, I figured," the man said from the other side of the line. "That is why I'm calling actually. I wanted to make sure that you'd have proper medical care at your boarding school. I'd hate to see you or your baby go without proper attention," he said worriedly.

Aria laughed musically, being in a much better mood now that she was sure of what she was doing. "The nurse there is excellent, Dr. Bruce, and we can request that an obstetrician make visits if there's anything out of the ordinary," she assured him. "Of course I'll be well taken care of." He seemed to accept it after a few more times of her reassuring him. They hung up, signing off with their typical, teasing "be good" that they had adapted over the years.

The rest of the school year went very smoothly for Aria, except for the fact that Umbridge, her OWL examinations, and of course her friends' adventure to the Ministry stressed her out. Mood swings barely affected her, but she did get extremely pissed off at Harry when he wouldn't let her continue participating in Dumbledore's Army meetings.

The hardest part to hide of Aria's pregnancy was the morning sickness, since she very rarely vomited before but was doing so almost constantly while in delicate condition. She dealt well with the cravings, having had Fred and George's help when they informed her where the kitchens were. Her stomach barely grew and you could only tell that she was pregnant at six months along if you knew (which no one did, excepting those who were at Grimmauld Place for the holidays).

Throughout the year, Aria spent more and more time with Draco and their friendship grew exponentially. He and her other friends still didn't get along as much as she was hoping, but it was encouraging to see how hard they really were trying.

She spent the summer before her sixth year at the Burrow (as she had for the previous four summers), sharing a room with Fred and George again, as had become their tradition. Molly had taken good care of her, obviously knowing what a pregnant witch's limits were.

Aria got very upset one day in July, when Molly wouldn't allow her to ride her broom around their secret pitch with Fred, George, Ginny, Ron, and Bill (who was visiting for the summer.) It actually brought her to tears, not being able to fly anymore. She was a Beater on the Slytherin Quidditch team and was so used to having practice several times a week on top of their games. While Molly calmed her down, all but George decided to sneak out and go ahead without her. The others, being used to Molly and knowing that she wasn't going to change her mind, didn't want to waste any precious time out in the sunny breeze. George stayed behind, helping his mother calm the overly-emotional girl.

About a month after the Quidditch incident, Aria's stomach had swelled to the size of a person who was only about fifteen or twenty weeks pregnant, while she was at thirty-two weeks. She was taking a shower when she felt horrible pains in her lower stomach. The pain was so great and sudden it made her dizzy and her eyes water. Luckily she didn't fall, but hurriedly got out and got dressed. With her hair still dripping and soaking the back of her shirt, she approached Molly, who was cleaning up the kitchen after the supper they shared with Harry (who arrived the previous day) and Hermione (who got there about a week prior).

"Molly," she said, clenching her teeth as another pain shot through her. "I think... I think I need a doctor," she said nervously. She was very worried that the pain meant something was wrong with her baby.

Aria's maternal figure whipped around dropping the towel she was holding. "Why dear? What's wrong?" she inquired, her voice slightly panicked. She hurried to Aria's side, resting a hand on the small bump that occasionally tightened underneath her skin.

Aria shook her head. "I just... have been having pains in my lower stomach. They just started about half an hour ago and didn't hurt then but I'm scared that something is wrong now that they do cause pain." Nodding, Molly untied her apron and tossed it on the table.

"We'll Floo into town and you can lead the way from there," she assured her.

"Hermione! Come down right away please," Molly called up the stairs.

The girl in question joined them only a moment later. "Yes, Molly?" Hermione asked. She looked very confused, looking between her tense best friend and the ginger witch worriedly.

"I need to get to my doctor, in London; would you come with us?" Aria asked, her voice hopeful. The older girl's eyes flickered with worry and she nodded eagerly. Hermione ran down the last few steps and slipped on sneakers, following Molly and Aria to the fireplace.

They all stepped into the green flames in succession, arriving at the Leaky Cauldron. Aria dug in her purse and handed Hermione the keys to her Jeep Wrangler. "I can't drive like this, Mia. But you have your license now," she said simply, leading them out of the pub and out to the cobble-stoned street. She led them into Muggle London, to a nearby parking garage reserved to witched and wizards like herself who frequented the Muggle side of town. Hermione took a deep breath and unlocked the doors. Molly let Aria go in front while she sat in back. The pureblooded witch was used to Aria's car by now, since she took her in it several times before.

Hermione, surprisingly, was speeding the whole time. Aria was also a reckless driver (much more so that Hermione) but was still a little shocked. "I'm just taking you to St. Mungo's. It's closer and I'm too frazzled to remember the way to your doctor's," she admitted, her tone sharp enough to keep any complaints at bay.

Aria shrugged."I just want to make sure the baby's okay," she muttered, clutching her bump gently as another wave of pain came. Her breath came in a hiss. "Just hurry," she muttered, her mood turning sour again.

Hermione pulled into a parking space only a few miles from the parking garage. She parked as close as possible to the hidden entrance and hopped out, going to help Aria get out. The blonde smiled tightly in thanks and they headed in. The receptionist sent them up the enchanted elevators to the second floor, where she was handed the customary clipboard with all the medical history assessments. The papers were handed back just under ten minutes later.

A gentle and kind nurse led her to a room further down the hallway and beckoned for her to get up on the bed that was covered in a sheet with sanitation wards all over it. She did a quick check on Aria's vitals with a few quick spells, then did a few diagnostic charms over her belly. "I'll send a Healer in right away," she promised with a sweet smile.

Within fifteen minutes (which was very fast compared to what Aria expected), an aged female doctor who was overseeing the Maternity Ward entered her room. "Alrighty then. Let's see what's going on, shall we Aria?" she said, her voice low and sounding a bit overused. Aria smiled weakly and whimpered a bit, the pain returning, sooner than it had before.

The doctor had her change into one of the hospital gowns while she stepped out. Molly and Hermione waited on the other side of the curtain. "Ugh, Mia? Can you tie this for me?" she called to her best friend. She heard the younger of her party giggle before the brunette slipped around the mint green curtain and helped Aria. A few minutes later, her doctor returned, knocking before she entered.

"I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself before," she said, sitting on the stool. "I'm Liza Emmerson, the Maternity Healer on duty. But it looks like you're in quite a bit of pain, so let's get you checked out. Your file says you are eight months along in your pregnancy, is that correct?"

Aria breathed deeply through the lasting pain, replying, "Not quite... I'm thirty-two weeks today," she said, just realizing that fact. The doctor nodded and set to work. Healer Emmerson started casting some diagnostic spells, repeating a couple that the nurse had used along with some more advanced ones. Between charms, she asked about her symptoms and how long ago they had started. The final spell was a three-dimensional hologram-like projection, first of the baby to check its health, and then of her uterus as a whole.

"I've concluded that you've gone into premature labor, Aria," she announced after the procedures were complete. She gestured to the hovering image of her uterus. "See how it's tensing up? Those are your contractions," she explained.

Aria's eyes widened. "You've gotta be fucking kidding me," she muttered. The doctor chuckled and for once, Molly didn't reprimand her for swearing.

"Honest," she said with a smile. "You're dilated to four centimeters already. We can see that down here," she added, rotating the image so that it was facing the opposite direction. "This here is your cervix. You've dilated to four centimeters already." The girl took a few deep breaths. She nodded in agreement and let out a soft breath. "Usually, we try to delay labor in any way possible, but from what I've seen and heard so far, this baby wants out now," she said with a shocked chuckle. "It's odd to see, especially in first pregnancies, that the labor goes so quickly. Should you have come in as soon as the contractions began- before they were even painful- we could possibly have given you some potions to hold it off at least until you got to full-term."

"Molly, Mia," the patient said to the women around her. "This is going to take longer than I thought," she muttered. They all laughed lightly and Healer Emmerson stood to exit.

"I'll go and have them prepare a proper labor and birthing room for you," she informed them before stepping out.

Aria chuckled, tears streaming down her cheeks already. "Guys, I'm going to have a baby," she whispered in shock. Despite the surprising diagnosis, she was grinning from ear to ear. While they waited for the staff to return, they discussed whether they thought it was going to be a boy or girl (Aria wanted to keep it a surprise). Hermione was arguing with Mrs. Weasley that she expected it to be a girl.

Molly shook her head. "It's been kicking so much! It's gotta be a boy," she retaliated.

Just then, two nurses, one of which was the one who showed them in, came to bring Aria down the hall. "We have a great maternity staff," the woman from before assured the still-crying mother-to-be. "And I was told to in your sector. I'll be the head birthing nurse during your stay here," she informed them.

"That's exciting," Hermione said with a grin.

"Yes, very. It'll be my fourth time in the birthing room, participating," the young woman said eagerly. "And just so you know, my name is Emily. Just call me whenever you need something, got it?"

Once Aria was settled in her new room, they suggested they hook her up on a fluid stream and to begin her dosages of pain potions. Aria pitched a fit, refusing any medication, but allowed the magical version of a needle-less IV. When they were alone in the room, with the door shut, Molly sent a message via Patronus to the Burrow. She informed the men and Ginny of Aria's condition and promised to keep them updated. After about fifteen minutes of begging, the patient finally guilt-tripped the other to also send one to Draco, who would be just as concerned as everyone else. Probably more, since he seemed to like Aria a lot, much to Molly's disdain. She was hoping to set the Slytherin girl up with one of her boys- most likely George, as he already seemed to have taken a fancy to her. Molly completely blocked out how enamored Aria had become with her housemate, despite how Hermione and Ginny gushed over how adorable the two were together.

Every so often, someone would pop their head in to say hello and offer their services while checking on the patient's status. Aria usually refused, only caving once or twice to request a certain food or drink. Then the contractions grew to less than a minute apart and Aria needed to start pushing. Only being allowed to have one person in the delivery room, she asked Hermione to stay. The Gryffindor gladly agreed, saying she was honored. Molly took the time while she was kicked out to wrangle up the whole gang and happily announce that the baby was coming.

After seven and a half hours of intense labor and exhausting pushing, Aria gave birth to a baby girl. Once the baby was cleaned and quickly examined, she was handed to her mother. Even though she was completely spent, Aria's face lit up with the biggest smile she'd ever worn. "Hello, my love," she murmured, kissing the tiny baby's forehead gently.

Hermione grinned and sighed. "I have to go rub it in their faces that it was a girl! I'll be right back," she squeaked, rushing out to inform the others.

Over the hours, the party in the waiting room had grown exponentially- much to the distaste of the receptionist. When Hermione went out to announce the new arrival, eleven eager faces snapped up. "It's a girl," she cheered, her smile never leaving her face. She noticed Fred, George, Harry, Ron, Bill, and Draco all exchanging money, obviously having placed bets. Hermione talked with the group in the lobby for a few minutes before returning.

Back in the maternity ward, Aria had to give up the sweet, puny baby after their first nursing session, just half an hour after birth. Her daughter was relocated to a long-term room to be treated for her prematurity. They had constant diagnostic and sanitation charms cast on and around her, one wall behind her bassinet constantly projecting her vitals. They also had her receiving fluids as Aria had through the needle-free IV charm and filtered air, with extra oxygen, was pumped into their room. Being a whole eight weeks premature was evident in her size. She weighed four pounds, seven ounces- about half a pound under the limit to get sent home after the typical two-day observation. Unfortunately for her, she'd be in hospital at least a couple weeks, until it was proven that she could function fully on her own and had held her weight above five pounds for three consecutive days.

Aria looked up at the clock as she relaxed into her clean, softer bed in their new room. It read seven minutes after twelve, midnight. Her eyes felt heavy and she was finally starting to come down from the adrenaline rush. Emily, the nurse, popped in a few minutes later, grinning excitedly. "Congratulations, mommy," she murmured, stopping to coo over the infant softly. Aria smiled weakly as she took her from the bassinet. Once Emily left to tell everyone that it was getting late and it was time to leave, Aria unwrapped the baby from her swaddle. Very gently, she kissed all ten fingers and all ten toes on her baby. She laid the tiny form against her ample chest (which had swelled more than her stomach during the pregnancy) and kissed her head. She draped the hospital blanket over the baby, to keep her warm. "Happy birthday," she whispered, her lips on the baby's soft, nearly invisible hair.

A very soft knock came from the door and Emily peeked in once more. "Aria," the young woman murmured, smiling apologetically. "There a boy here. He insisted that I let him see you," she explained, opening the door a bit wider. Draco stood next to her, smiling sheepishly.

Rolling her eyes, Aria nodded. "He can stay," she said approvingly. A boyish grin spread across his face making him more handsome than ever and he slipped into the room.

He quickly went to sit in the reclining chair next to her bed, scooting it closer. They were silent for a few minutes, both watching the baby as she slept. Draco spoke first, laying his head on his forearms by her shoulder. "I won my bet with George," he whispered, his cool breath tickling her neck.

"What bet?" she asked curiously.

He chuckled. "I knew she was going to be a girl," was his reply.

Aria looked at him, smiling faintly. "I would've thought it was the other way around," she replied, her voice dropping to a whisper, matching his tone.

Draco shook his head. "Does she have a name yet?" he inquired, reaching over cautiously and trailing a cool finger on the baby's arm lightly. He smiled in wonder, loving how soft and warm she was.

Aria nodded slowly. "Lorraine," she murmured, kissing the crown of the baby's head again. "Lorraine Lillian Lucetta Klein. But 'Raine' for short..."

Draco smiled up at the girl he found himself falling in love with. "Your daughter is beautiful," he murmured sincerely, his eyes twinkling joyfully. "And I can honestly say that after being in labor for hours and hours, I still think you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen," he added, holding his breath while he waited for her reaction.

She bit her slightly quivering lip and smiled. "Draco, you're so sweet!" she whispered, her voice barely audible. He lifted his head slightly, reaching up to wipe away the single tear that overflowed. Aria chuckled and looked away from him, feeling foolish, while her right hand started to rub Raine's back.

A cool finger turned her chin, making her meet Draco's silvery eyes once more. She smiled a little at him again. Swallowing hard, the boy leaned in slowly, pressing his lips to Aria's. She gasped softly, a little surprised, but kissed him back lightly. Warmth and tingles shot through her body all the way down to her toes and goosebumps rose on her skin. After a few seconds, Draco pulled away. "Get some sleep, darling," he whispered, running a hand through her hair, which was surprisingly soft and clean after they had used some cleansing spells on her. She took a deep breath, luxuriating in the sensation.

Her body was exhausted and she knew she should go to sleep. But having her baby in her arms and an amazing guy sitting next to her (who just gave her the best kiss she'd ever had) made it impossible to imagine being able to sleep for the next century. She shook her head. "You just ruined all chances of me getting any sleep tonight. Visiting hours start at eight in the morning, I think, so even if I do fall asleep it'll be too late and everyone will already be coming to see me," she explained, her voice soft.

Draco chuckled and shook his head. "If you're not asleep in two hours, I'll make sure that no one wakes you up tomorrow. I promise. No one will be allowed in here until you wake yourself up... Unless they're hospital staff," he added, glancing up at the various numbers and symbols projected on the wall.

Aria giggled softly and rested her icy palm on his cheek. "You are amazing. I can't believe I'm lucky enough to have you as a friend," she murmured. She brought his face closer, kissing him halfway on the lips and halfway on the cheek. He chuckled and took her hand off his cheek and wove his fingers into the spaces between hers. Her cheeks flushed with pleasure, making his smile brighten. Tingles were running up the fingers of both their hands and they held each other's gaze for a long, silent moment.

Raine sighed softly on Aria's chest, her back lifting more than normal and she let out a soft, squeak-like noise. It was the most adorable thing Aria had ever heard. "Oh my gods," she giggled, looking down at the baby with a gentle smile.

"That was so– I can't even find words to describe how cute that was," Draco agreed, taking a vulnerable moment to cast all masculinity out the window.

Aria's eyes started to droop a little and she yawned widely. Looking back up at the mother instead of the baby, the boy hesitated a bit. "Aria? Can I hold your baby?" he asked in a whisper. She looked up a him for a few seconds before nodding. She lifted the infant carefully and re-wrapped the blanket around her before setting her in Draco's arms. He smiled widely down at her, kissing her nose gently. He traced the baby's soft skin for a minute before looking up at her mother, finding her fast asleep. Smiling serenely, Draco kissed Aria's forehead.

This had been the best night of both their lives, filled with many of those good kind of surprises.