Chapter 6

Rodolphus was agitated big time. Rabastan and Harry had been away for two days. He gritted his teeth as another pain went through him, falling onto the bed. Two days ago, he had started experiencing false contractions, but now he thought they weren't fake as they ramped into something different.

Tom was sitting in the dining room with Lucius talking when Rodolphus showed up, huffing. "When are Harry and Rabastan coming back?"

Tom looked startled. "They will be back this evening. Are you okay?"

Rodolphus groaned. "Why can't they come back now?"

Lucius frowned. "Rodolphus, what's wrong?"

Just as another pain hit him, he grabbed the chair to keep from falling. "Shit," he muttered.

Tom jumped up, grabbing him. "Rodolphus, what was that?"

Lucius asked, "Was that a contraction?"

Rodolphus huffed. "I don't know. They just started getting stronger this morning. I've been having them for the last two days," he panted.

Tom's eyes widened. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Rodolphus huffed and moaned loudly. "Oh God," he collapsed on the floor, the searing pain that hit him put him on the floor getting sick.

Just as Harry and Rabastan came in, having finished early, they saw Rodolphus on the floor around vomit, which worried them. Harry ran over. "Rodolphus, what happened?"

Rodolphus, not hearing anything, cried out from another pain.

Harry looked panicked. "Rabastan, call the healer now!"

Rabastan called, and she popped in frantically. "Rodolphus, what are you feeling?"

"Pain wrapping around my back and stomach," Rodolphus replied. "Oh, there's another one so soon." He felt wet, blinking.

The healer said, "That was your water. You're in labor. How long?"

Rodolphus replied, "It started two days ago."

The healer said, "We need to move you to the bedroom. Do you think you can walk?"

Rodolphus replied, "Yes, Harry, help me up."

Harry pulled him up and held onto him tightly.

Halfway there, he felt another contraction, grabbing Harry's hand. He growled, "This hurts."

Harry held him.

"Rabastan, breathe through it."

Rodolphus glared at him. "Fuck you."

They made it to the bedroom as another contraction hit him full force, making him stumble, unable to stand on his own. "Fuck," he screamed. "This hurts."

The healer did a scan. "When you feel the need to push, push."

Rodolphus had two more contractions before that overwhelming feeling hit him. He pushed, grabbing Rabastan and Harry's hands, screaming.

They both comforted him.

"Good, another," said the healer.

He pushed until he felt the ring of fire.

He fell back in exhaustion. "No," he muttered. "No more," before he pushed again, feeling the baby slip out. He passed out from pain and tiredness.