All of Harry Potter and anything related to it are the sole property of J.K. Rowling.
(Each title is derived from a song that, I believe, complements the overall narrative, if not the individual chapter.)
Somewhere on the edge of London, July 1997
Hermione's Point of view
"Oh, I really don't feel well. You don't think there was anything wrong with the food, do you?" I asked everyone with a worried tone. My parents had us all sitting at the kitchen table playing Monopoly, a Muggle board game that Draco had never seen before. He seemed to really like it once he understood the rules, and he was winning by a large margin. He smirked every time he collected rent from someone who landed on his properties.
"Mine was fine," my dad said absently as he had his turn with the dice. He moved his piece to the nearest railway station and paid Draco a hefty sum. "You did eat a large amount tonight." I noticed Draco give him a sharp look at the comment, but he refrained from commenting. I felt a wave of nausea wash over me, and I swallowed hard. I got up from my seat and raced for the downstairs bathroom, one hand supporting my large belly even as the other was over my mouth. I barely made it to the toilet before I threw up everything I had just eaten, just a little while ago.
"Hermione?" Draco managed to croak out. He followed me into the bathroom and closed the door over behind him. He dampened a washcloth for me and then held it to the back of my neck. I had had my hair up in a messy bun all day because of the heat, but now it felt like a heavy weight on my head.
"What time is it?" I asked lethargically when I was done. I flushed the toilet and rinsed my mouth with the water that Draco handed me with the glass that sat on the sink. He then waved his wand, and 'Thursday 7:16 PM' glowed into the room in fiery letters just as the light bulb exploded in the light shade. "Too early for bed, then?" I muttered, too tired to worry about Draco's accidental use of magic once again.
"If you are tired..." he started, but his voice failed him. He had only had it back for a day. My mum knocked on the ajar door then and came in too, letting more light into the now darkened bathroom.
"Are you alright, sweetheart?" She asked with concern, putting her hand on my forehead. "You don't have a fever, do you?"
"Tired," I said, and strangely, I felt like sleep was trying to drag me down even as I was leaning on the toilet bowl.
"How about you go upstairs for a quick bath? Then you can have an early night," she suggested, smiling gently at me.
"Yeah. Yes, I think I would like that," I agreed, but my eyes were already trying to close. Draco picked me up a moment later, and I realised they really had closed. He carried me up the stairs in his arms, and I vaguely heard my mum saying something to my dad, but I was asleep before we reached the top.
Hours later, I lay dozing. I had been having a restless sleep because my back was bothering me. It felt like a dull ache that spread across my lower spine, making me toss and turn. I felt Draco lift the covers and slide in behind me, wrapping his arm around me. His body was warm and comforting, and I snuggled closer to him. His usual scent of sandalwood surrounded me, making me feel soothed.
"What time is it?" I murmured in a tired whisper.
"Two. Go back to sleep," he whispered back, and I felt him place a gentle kiss on the back of my neck. His lips were soft and tender, and they sent a shiver down my spine. I didn't need to be told twice. I was asleep again in moments, feeling safe and loved in his arms.
By six, I was up and feeling good. I really wanted to get things done. Draco was still asleep, so I took myself off to the toilet and also got dressed, just a shirt of my dad's and clean underwear. Everything else was becoming too uncomfortable if I was just staying in the house, and a bra was a torture device that I was sure should be burned, so I didn't bother with that either. I had also become adept at the messy bun that kept my hair off my neck in this heat.
When I got back to my bedroom, I spotted all the baby things my mum had dragged me and Draco out to get the afternoon before. All the little clothes still had tags and stickers on them, and that seemed wrong. I picked up the bag as quietly as I could and took them down to the laundry to start them in the washer, but then I frowned and wondered if the detergent would be too much on a baby's skin.
"Jomny?" I called. He popped in a moment later. "I hope I didn't wake you." I told him. He was looking at me quizzically.
"Jomny is always available to you, My Lady. If Jomny may, what are you doing?"
"I was going to wash Aiden's clothes, but I wasn't sure if the detergent is right," I told him, showing him the bottle of liquid soap that I had grabbed from the shelf. It was the same one my parents had used for years, but now I was fretting that maybe it was too strong or had some chemicals that could irritate my baby's skin.
"Jomny will take care of that, master," he told me, and then added on, "My Lady," when I narrowed my eyes in annoyance.
"I am perfectly capable of starting the washing machine," I told him. I didn't want anyone to think I was helpless. I sighed and rubbed my belly gently, feeling Aiden kick inside me. He seemed restless this morning, or maybe he just wanted to get out of the cramped space.
"Jomny has some cleaning flakes that will be perfect for your little fire dragons' clothes," he replied at once, and seemed to pull a package out of thin air behind him.
"Hermione?" I heard called out a moment later, his voice still sounding hoarse, and I rolled my eyes. Draco sounded so worried. 'Throw up once and fall asleep, and suddenly you're an invalid', I thought to myself.
"I am just in the laundry," I called out as I turned to put the little clothes, minus tags and stickers, into the machine. Jomny handed some of the cleaning flakes to me, and I sprinkled them over the clothes. They didn't have a scent, but I liked that.
"What are you doing?" Draco croaked out as he came into the room and looked at the machine as if it were an alien creature. He frowned and crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned against the door jam, clearly disapproving of my actions.
"Cleaning," I said, smiling at him brightly so he would stop looking so worried. He watched quietly while I got the wash going.
"Let's get you some breakfast," he told me, holding out his hand to me even as his voice got worse. My stomach seemed to revolt at that idea, so I shook my head.
"No, nope. Not hungry," I said. I turned back and headed for the stairs again, his arm wrapped around me the entire ascent.
Once up in the bedroom, I pulled out the cute baby bag we had bought—it was dark blue and had stars and moons on it—and started packing it with all the essentials I had made a list of. Draco stood inside the doorway and watched me as though I were a crazy person, but I just ignored him.
I spotted an old teddy of mine that had been sitting in the donate pile. Jomny had made sure all the toys were clean and repaired, but looking at the little brown stuffed bear now, I really wanted it. I felt a surge of nostalgia as I remembered how I used to cuddle with it every night and read it stories when I was barely old enough to read. A heavy box of books was sitting between me and the teddy I had once named Fred, so I started to push it out of the way.
"What are you doing?" Draco asked, pushing his voice again, and rushed over to take it from me.
"I want Fred," I told him, and his eyes widened comically as he put the box down, away from me.
"I hope that is a reference to something I don't understand. Or am I finally going to get to kill a Weasley?" He asked in the longest speech he had managed so far. I wondered if the wince was in pain or just annoyance.
"You're in a bad mood this morning," I said without concern and pointed at the teddy. "I want to give Fred to Aiden," I told him. He looked relieved and embarrassed as he gingerly rubbed his neck, but he went over to pick it up and hand it to me. I placed the teddy in the bag, even though it really was too big for it.
"Do you think my mum would totally freak out if I put an Extension Charm on this?" I mused out loud. Draco just shrugged. "Where's my wand?" I said, looking around, just realising I didn't have it. Draco frowned at me again. "Help me up," I said, holding my hands out to him. He came over at once and helped me stand up from the floor where I was sitting. I waddled over to the bed and found my wand under my pillow. I turned to go back to the bag, but Draco brought it to me.
"Thank you," I said happily, kissing his cheek. He smiled slightly, but his stomach rumbled then, and I chuckled. "Go have breakfast. I am perfectly alright on my own."
"What will you do if I leave the room?" he asked suspiciously, and his voice was barely there. I looked around, trying to decide.
"I could put the bassinet together," I said brightly, suddenly finding it an amazing idea.
"And I will be remaining right here to make certain you don't hurt yourself," he said at once, his voice down to a whisper.
"How would I hurt myself?" I asked in genuine confusion.
"Hermione, you just attempted to move a box of books," he told me in more whispered words. The frown told me how serious they were, though.
"You need to rest your voice, and I was only pushing them out of the way," I said, waving his silly worry away. "At least ask Jomny to bring food for you here," I said as I went over to start opening packages for the bassinet. I heard him sigh behind me, but ignored him.
I stood triumphant almost an hour later over the beautiful cream-coloured basinet with its little brown bears. Draco and my mum had wanted to buy all matching items for Aiden, but I thought that was boring and wanted him to be stimulated by more than one colour and design.
Draco had tried to convince me a number of times to use magic to put it together or let him or Jomny do it, but I really felt as if this was something I needed to do. I suppose I felt guilty because I knew I would be leaving him just days after he was born. I hoped I had at least days anyway. I rubbed my sore back that was niggling at me again and tried to twist a bit to alleviate the pain.
"You did too much," Draco said softly as he came up behind me, but he started to massage my lower back, and I gave a little moan at the relief it brought. He chuckled and kissed my neck. "A new way to make you moan. I love it." I looked at him over my shoulder with a grin, and he kissed me quickly on the lips. I was getting tired again but didn't want to sleep.
"I think I might have a bath. My back really is sore," I told him. He nodded and escorted me to the door, but with my parents around, he didn't dare come inside.
"Leave the door slightly ajar in case you require anything. Shout for me or Jomny if you do," he told me protectively, but was keeping his voice down to save it. I nodded, not wanting to tease him by laughing. He was really worried, and he was finding that hard today. It was hard getting into the bath without help, but the water was warm and soothing, and soon I drifted to sleep again.
I woke when the water was cooling, and the pain was worse, making me frown and bite my lip in concern. Draco came in a moment later, and I made sure my face was relaxed so he didn't get upset.
"You've been up here for a while. Did you fall asleep?" He asked, his voice stronger again as he grabbed a towel.
"Yes," I agreed, and let him help me stand up. "Where are my parents?" I asked.
"Gone out to a food store," he told me with a grin. I grinned back, knowing why he looked so happy now.
"Well, I guess we shouldn't waste a moment," I told him, wrapping my arms around him. He laughed and wrapped the towel around the back of me, but then just lifted me the rest of the way out of the bath, his clothes getting wet, and turned at once for the bedroom. My back made me frown again.
"Everything alright?" he asked, looking down at me.
"Prefect," I told him as he laid me down. I rolled onto my side at once because this mattress really was not as nice to lay on as the ones at Hogwarts. I heard him undressing behind me, and then he was behind me, kissing my neck and running his hands over my sensitive breasts. Soon I was distracted from any pain as he rubbed me gently down below. He didn't waste any time pushing his penis inside of me, and I moaned. He knew we wouldn't have long before my parents returned. Still, he didn't rush and moved slowly in and out of me. It was feeling really nice, but then my belly contracted sharply, and we both froze.
"Hermione?" Draco asked, startled.
"Don't stop," I said.
"Are you certain?" he asked.
"Yes," I replied at once. I had been getting Braxton hicks contractions for weeks now, and this just happened to be a big one. He started to move again, but was really cautious. I pushed myself back against him impatiently, and he chuckled, finally relaxing. He picked up speed, and the pleasure returned at once. It didn't take either of us long to climax.
"You scared me for a moment," he said, his voice strained again.
"We still have a few weeks yet," I told him. He kissed my neck again and started to rub me again.
"Do you suppose we have time for one more?" He asked, but he was already moving slowly again.
"I don't care," I said on another moan, and he chuckled. I was getting close to another climax when my stomach contracted again, and I felt my muscles clamp down hard on Draco. He orgasmed, but I wasn't sure it was in pleasure, if the swearing was anything to go by.
"That was not normal," he said at once, pulling out. He stood and looked down at me. His eyes were huge, and he looked around as if he didn't know what to do.
"I'm sure it was fine," I told him, strangely unconcerned. Apparently, that was the wrong tone to use because he suddenly turned around, ripped the door open, and fled. "O-KAY," I said, drawing out the word in confusion.
Draco's Point of view
'That had fucking hurt, and she merely said it was fine,' I thought as I cast my gaze down at her. Something was wrong, and either she was oblivious or she was in denial. Feeling a surge of panic and fear and forgetting everything else, I sprinted out of the room, determined to find someone sane who could help. I had suspected all day that she was no longer sane, but this… this was too much.
I shot out the front door, not comprehending my own actions, and ran right into Sev. He gave me a once-over, his face bearing a curious yet bland expression.
"Sev, Sev, come quickly. Something is wrong," I said, dragging him into the house and up the stairs.
"Draco, calm yourself. Why…? No, I will not ask that; just please put some pants on," he said, even as I dragged him with me. I pulled him into the bedroom and Hermione had herself covered with a sheet.
"Another conversation, Miss Granger?" Sev inquired snarkily.
"Get out!" she screamed at him, and I frowned at both of them. Clearly, insanity was going around today. I spotted my pants and pulled them on, not listening to them as they argued. I heard a car, so I raced down the stairs again, pulled open the door, and saw the Grangers getting out of it.
"Why does he only have pants on?" Daniel Granger muttered to his wife, who shot him an amused glance.
"Hermione. I need… please come quickly," I said, turning to run back up the stairs again. Sev was waving his wand over her when I went in. "What is it? What's happening?" I demanded, ignoring the way she was scowling at the man.
"Nothing that requires this much panic, I assure you. She is having a baby," he told me.
"I'm aware of that," I said in frustration, running my hand through my hair in agitation. "But why is she…?" I questioned, waving my other hand, not even certain of my own meaning at this point. 'Insane' was definitely on the top of the list, but then I was feeling pretty insane myself at the moment.
"She is in labour, Draco," he informed me patiently. "And has been for many hours, from what I can discern." I cast a terrified glance at her. I was unsure if I was prepared for this. I knew I wasn't ready for her to be in pain.
"No, I'm not. I still have a couple of weeks," Hermione disagreed and pushed herself up in the bed, keeping hold of the sheet, but then blanched as both her parents came in. Her dad turned back around at once and left the room.
"My tests show you are 39 weeks and 5 days pregnant. That is the correct time frame for this to happen," he told her condescendingly.
"Cut. The. Tone!" I growled at him, and he turned a raised eyebrow at me and a slight smirk.
"I came to talk to you about that book you gave me, but if this isn't a good time, I could try come back next week," he suggested.
"Take him out of here right now, Draco Malfoy, or I am not sure you will be invited back," she threatened. I swooped down, taking her face in my hands, and kissed her.
"Never happening, Love, but I will take him out of the room," I told her. Emma Granger chuckled as Hermione frowned at me. I went to follow Severus out of the room.
"Draco?" Mrs. Granger called, stopping me. I turned to find her holding the rest of my clothes out to me. She didn't say anything, but amusement was on her face.
"Thank you," I said, and grimaced a little. My throat was still not happy with me, and I was acutely aware I needed another Pain-Relief Potion. I went out into the hallway, and Sev and Mr. Granger were both waiting. I dropped my shoes and put my shirt on.
"I thought I told you to keep your hands off her," Mr. Granger groused as I redressed.
Sev scoffed and said, "bit late for that." Earning a scowl from the man.
"I never agreed to that." The man gave his own scoff at that.
"Your silence implied it," he said, and I was aware that Severus and I were casting him the same bland glance. "Is she alright?" he queried me, but then shifted his gaze to Sev when I didn't have a response.
"She is in labour," Severus said, sounding like he really wished he didn't have to impart it. The tension in the air was instantly palpable.
"Shit!" her father said with feeling, and I totally agreed. Mrs. Granger came out of the room and rushed downstairs.
"Maybe we should summon Madam Pomphrey," I said to Sev. Mr. Granger made another scoffing noise.
"Not an option. She is out of the country visiting family," Severus said.
"We need somebody. I don't want Hermione going to those barbarians they dare to label as healers," I told Sev, panic evident in my voice.
"Doctors," Mr. Granger hissed, glaring at me, "and we are hardly barbarians."
"Merely these things in the skin of my neck prove how barbaric you people are," I argued back.
"Enough! Draco, enough!" Sev snapped at me.
"You're a cocky little bastard now you have your voice back," Daniel Granger said to me, ignoring my godfather.
"I assure you that his attitude has nothing to do with his voice," Sev said.
"Did I neglect to mention I proposed to her? She accepted," I informed Hermione's father with a triumphant smirk.
"And I told you I won't let you stand in her way. She can do so much better than you," he replied, poking me hard in the chest with his index finger. His face was red with anger, and his brown eyes piercing.
"I won't stop her from doing anything," I said, smacking his finger off me with a loud slap. I felt a surge of adrenaline in my veins, and my heart was pounding in my chest. I glared at him defiantly, not backing down from his challenge.
"You're not the smartest cookie in the jar, son," he said condescendingly. "Who knows what you think her ambitions are."
"I'm fully aware of how intelligent she is and what she is capable of. I will help her rule the world if she wants that. I also don't give a Nundu's arse about your opinion of me," I told him heatedly.
"I think you are a seventeen-year-old boy who was careless. Who got his girlfriend pregnant because you are irresponsible. I also think you are in over your head," he told me with disdain, spitting out the words like venom. His gaze bore into me with contempt, as if I were the lowest of the low.
"I am an adult and Lord Malfoy, Marquess of Malfoy, and I don't appreciate you making assumptions," I retorted, my voice dripping with superiority and returning his gaze with an air of arrogance. Mr. Grangers' mouth dropped open, making me smirk. He then narrowed his eyes and pointed at me, but whatever he was about to say was cut off by Severus.
"As entertaining as this is, you were reminded how many times to use the Contraceptive Charm?" Severus inquired in a flat tone, but I could hear the censure. I was fully aware there was no point in attempting to explain what had happened; I doubted I would believe it if somebody told me.
"You are not helping," I snapped at him.
"Not trying too," he replied without concern.
"My god, how many other girls have you been with that you need to be reminded so often?" Mr. Granger accused insultingly. Sev emitted a sound that could have been interpreted as either a chuckle or a cough.
"None!" I snapped back.
"All of you, stop arguing this instant! I could hear you all from all the way down in the kitchen," Mrs. Granger said in a furious whisper. She had appeared next to us as if out of thin air. "The doctor wants Hermione taken to the hospital," she told us angrily, then moved past us and disappeared back into the bedroom.
"Yes, even though I am sure this is doing wonders for the two of you to relieve your stress, I did, in fact, come here for a purpose, and once again, my time is short. Somehow, I have wasted it listening to a fruitless exchange," Sev said snarkily. I ran my hands through my hair again while taking a few calming breaths, and Mr. Granger appeared equally as ruffled as I felt as he paced a bit.
"That book you gave me. If you have a few moments more, I would like to discuss something I found," Sev added, sounding calmer himself.
"Is this another private conversation, or can I stay this time?" Daniel Granger queried with annoyance still in his voice.
"The last wasn't private; I just assumed you would rather I didn't blow up all the lights in your home when I used my wand," Sev replied in a bored tone. Mr. Granger grunted at that.
"What is it?" I questioned. He pulled the tome from his coat pocket, making Mr. Granger's eyes widen in awe.
"A marriage rite," he said.
"Why the rush? They are still young?" Mr. Granger said at once. I felt like rolling my eyes at the tone.
"How will a marriage rite protect Hermione?" I inquired, taking the book from him.
"It won't," he said at once, and both Mr. Granger and I went to speak, but Severus cut the air with his hand, silencing us. "The Dark Lord has been asking after you. He is eager to get you back. I have convinced him, for now, that you are at death's door. It is breaking your mother's heart further, I might add," he added, laying on the guilt, and it was a low blow that silenced any protests I might have had. Even Mr. Granger appeared reluctant to add anything after that.
"The marriage rite will sever the tie he has on your soul and tie yours to Miss Granger's. I have marked the page, and I want you to study it carefully. You also need to share it in detail with her and your House Elf. You will see why. It is important that they both have all the details. I have taken note of all the ingredients needed and will be back in a week to help you with it if it is your desire to proceed with it. If not, I will have to think of something else," he said.
Hermione's Point of view
"I should go call the doctor, sweetheart," my mum told me.
"If you want to, but I don't trust a thing that man says. Not now," I told her, looking towards the door that Draco and Snape just stepped through. My grief for Professor Dumbledore was decidedly hostile and directed at the person who had brought about his death.
"Jomny," my mum called out softly. She was really getting used to the little House Elf.
"Yes, ma'am?" he asked at once with a little bow when he popped into the room.
"In my nightstand, bottom draw, you will find a nightgown wrapped in tissue paper. Could you please bring it here?" She told him. He popped away.
"I don't need a nightgown, just a shirt," I said, completely unconcerned for some reason that I was naked with only a sheet on after having had sex with Draco, and my mum obviously knew.
"It's for you to wear at the hospital," she said, and then rushed out of the room. Jomny popped back in.
"Put it in the baby bag, please, Jomny. Oh, and could you please bring it to me and the shirt sitting in the hamper? I'll just put that on for now," I told him.
"Jomny will get you a clean one," he disagreed, popped away, and was back again a moment later. He clicked his fingers a few times, and the baby bag flew to me even as I found myself partially dressed.
"I could have done that myself," I told him with a frown.
"Do you require anything else?" he asked, obviously choosing to ignore my statement. Everybody was acting decidedly strange today, I decided.
"Yes. I need Aiden's clothes. Did you dry them?" I asked, remembering that I had left them in the washer this morning.
"Yes, My Lady, Jomny will just get them," he said, and then popped away again. While he was gone, I noticed that niggling back pain again and decided I needed to stand up and stretch. Jomny popped back in while I was twisting from side to side. "Where would you like them?" he asked me.
"Do you think I should put all of them in the bag or only take a few outfits?" I asked him.
"You added an Extension Charm, Jomny can tell. They would all fit, but taking two or three would suffice," he said.
"Alright," I said, and then I had to stop moving and close my eyes as a contraction tightened my belly painfully.
"Breath, My Lady," I heard Jomny say, and then his little hand with its long fingers took mine.
"Shit!" I said with feeling. 'I guess it was true,' I thought, and was annoyed that Snape was right about anything.
"Yes, My Lady," Jomny agreed, and I smiled down at him. He smiled back.
"Let's pack four. I want the green onesie Draco picked out for when we bring Aiden home," I told him, feeling calm and surprisingly happy suddenly.
"Yes, My Lady," he replied happily, and went to do as I asked.
"Oh, and don't forget you are picking up Hedwig today," I reminded him.
"Of course, My Lady. Jomny will put her in with Aquila," he replied, still smiling.
My mum came back through the door then and said, "Huh," with a look of wonder on her face. Then looked at Jomny with approval and said, "Thank you, Jomny."
"You're welcome, ma'am," he said at once. I didn't know what they were talking about, and it didn't seem important as I packed Aiden's clothes away.
"How are you doing, sweetheart?" she asked.
"Great. Fabulous." I smiled, truly meaning it. "When are we leaving?"
My mum gave a little chuckle and said, "As soon as I can wrangle the men folk." We both laughed at that.
"What about you, Jomny? Will you be coming with us?" I asked him.
"Jomny will accompany you, but you won't see him. Once Jomny knows where you are, Jomny will come back here if that is alright?" He asked my mum.
"Of course it is," she told him. "We should get you into some different clothes for the car, sweetheart," she told me.
"I have to wear a bra, don't I?" I whined.
"Only if you want your dignity later," she told me with amusement, going over to my dresser.
"Dignity feels overrated right now," I told her.
"Trust me. The need for modesty will return, and you will be glad for the little things. This is not a dignified thing you are about to do," she said, returning with a bra. Neither of us had noticed Jomny leaving the room, but he had, so I was able to change. She then helped me put on leggings, socks, and shoes. It wasn't a quick process.
Draco's Point of view
The drive to the hospital was stressful, especially when Hermione would suck in a breath on a hiss of pain, but she would always smile at me, and I wasn't certain what to make of that. I thought she should have been much more upset at the increasing pain and perhaps even angry with me for causing all this. Instead, she appeared casual and serene, which was entirely uncharacteristic of her and scared the life out of me. Even her parents appeared distressed by her quiet but calm demeanour.
I hated the hospital with all its strange sounds and smells. Walking down the hall of the delivery suites was like something from a nightmare as the sounds of women screaming reached my ears, and the glance Mr. Granger shared with me confirmed he thought the same way. I found the overly cheerful manner of the nurse highly inappropriate in such surroundings. Yet, Hermione and her mother appeared perfectly at ease with the woman, and Hermione squeezed my hand with comfort.
Hermione and her mother disappeared into a bathroom for a few minutes so Hermione could change into a white nightgown that was tied together on her shoulders and had buttons all the way down the front. The nurse had her get on the bed and tucked blankets over her lap, and then had her expose her belly to put strange devices on her with belts.
"What is that? Will that hurt her?" I inquired, my voice scratchy, holding tightly to Hermione's hand.
"This will allow us to hear the baby's heartbeat and monitor the contractions. Nothing to be alarmed about," the nurse responded kindly. She cast a curious glance at my bruised and stitched neck but made no comment; she simply continued her work. A minute later, a fast heartbeat could be heard around the room. "There you go. Sounds perfect," she said with a smile and patted Hermione's other hand. "The doctor will be in to see you in a few minutes."
"Thank you." Hermione smiled back at her.
"I think I might go find some coffee," Hermione's dad announced, sounding uncomfortable, but I didn't spare him a glance. "Draco, would you like to come along?" he inquired, and it didn't exactly sound like a suggestion.
"No," I said at once. I heard a whispered conversation between the older Grangers, but my eyes and everything else were completely focused on Hermione. "Are you alright?" I queried with worry.
"I am perfect," she told me, turning to smile at the machine that was making all the noise and then down at her belly, rubbing it lovingly.
"Good morning, folks, or afternoon now, I suppose," a man said with a chuckle as he walked in the room. He was wearing a pink outfit, but I recognised him as the same healer Hermione had seen during the Easter holidays. "How are you doing, Miss Granger?" He queried, coming over to talk directly to Hermione.
"Hermione is still fine," she told him with a friendly smile. "I am good; thank you."
"The reason I asked your mother to bring you in so soon is because of your history of placenta previa and high blood pressure, but I don't seem to be able to find any further details or your medical records," he explained.
"Oh," she said, and then turned that happy smile back on me. "Draco, could you go into Aiden's bag? Madam Pomphrey gave me some papers she thought the doctor might like." I smiled at her for once again being brilliant and kissed her forehead before doing as she requested. I came back and handed a folder of papers to the Muggle man. He sat on a stool on wheels for a few minutes as he read.
"Well, everything does look as though it was going well, except for the occasional bout of high blood pressure. I see we also both miscalculated your due date. I had been concerned we were about to have a premature birth, but you seem to be a few weeks further along than initial scanning suggested. Not to worry though; it happens sometimes," he told her with a comforting smile. "I also see that the placenta previa seems to have solved itself, but to be on the safe side, I think we will do a scan if that is alright?"
"That's fine," Hermione agreed. He turned to the nurse and gave her some instructions before she pulled over a large machine from the corner. He then used a strangely shaped wand, like in her memory, and, with some gel, rubbed it all over her lower belly.
"He looks good," he muttered, peering intently at the screen. "He is in the correct position, and I can see the placenta is out of the way of the birth canal," he explained, and then handed the wand back to the nurse, who took it back away, as he went to wipe the goo from her belly. I quickly took the towel and wiped it up myself. Hermione smiled at me in reassurance again.
"Were you planning on a natural birth, or did you prefer a c-section? Usually, I wouldn't ask, but with your history, a c-section is the preferred method of delivery," he told her. I had no idea what that was, and frowned further.
"I would like to try natural if I could," she told him. He smiled and patted her hand again.
"This is your journey, Hermione, and we will accommodate you any way we can," he told her. "Now I have to give you an internal exam to see how you are progressing. If that's alright?" He queried. I froze and gazed at her in horror, fervently hoping I had misunderstood his statement.
"Come here," she told me, paying no mind to the healer, who was in the process of donning his gloves. "Draco," she said, invoking my name and dragging my eyes off the man. "Come here," she repeated, pulling me closer to her. Out of the corner of my eye, I could perceive him raising the blanket, and every territorial response I had within me surged, compelling me to stop him from what he was about to do.
"He is touching you," I whispered, leaning closer to her and shaking in anger. "If we were at St. Mungo's, they wouldn't need to touch you."
"St. Mungo's isn't safe right now," she whispered, pulling me closer. "Shhh, it's alright. Kiss me," she said, pulling me down so she could kiss me, taking my face in her hands. I felt magic tickle across my skin and felt myself calm.
"Did you just…?" I began in surprise as I gazed back at her.
"Shhh," she whispered again, her eyes alight with happiness. "We are going to have a baby. Isn't that amazing?" I smiled at her beautiful face, convinced she had no idea she had just cast some kind of calming spell on me. I then took her face in my hands too and kissed her deeply.
"I love you," I told her, resting my head on her forehead. And she was right; it was amazing and terrifying, but I couldn't help but smile back at her happiness when I leaned back up.
"I love you too," she said, and her eyes were sparkling with more happiness than I had ever seen.
"You are progressing beautifully. Already three centimetres dilated," the healer said, snapping the gloves back off. Hermione had successfully distracted me from what he had been doing, and thankfully, the Muggle man conducted himself with the utmost professionalism.
"Thank you, Doctor," she said to him.
"I'll leave you to the midwife for now, but will be back to check on you often, okay?" He told her.
"Thank you," she said again. I cast my gaze to where Mrs. Granger was sitting in a chair and appearing calm. She smiled back at me, and that made me feel as if, so far, everything really was alright.
Hermione's Point of view
For hours now, I had been feeling magic crawling all over my skin, and I reasoned that somehow I was creating a field of calm. It wouldn't surprise me; I had a strong desire to be calm for both Draco and Aiden. If I could be calm, my blood pressure would stay down, and I would have a better chance of having him naturally.
I fell asleep often during the day. Draco rarely let go of my hand, and my mum had dragged a chair over to sit by him. Every so often, I would hear them murmuring softly, but they didn't disturb me. My dad had decided to go home after my mum promised to call him when it looked like Aiden would be arriving. My labour was incredibly slow, but nobody seemed concerned about that yet.
When I woke, night had fallen, and I had an IV in my arm that I didn't remember being put in. Draco kept frowning at it and rubbing my hand.
"Hello," I said to him, and his eyes jerked up to mine. He stood suddenly and kissed me, making me laugh. "Is everything alright?" I asked, putting my hand on his cheek. He closed his eyes and took a few calming breaths.
"Yes," he managed, but I didn't believe him. I looked at my mum, she looked tired but smiled at me.
"He wasn't pleased when the nurse put the IV in, but I explained that it is just fluids for now and a way to give you pain medication when you need it," she explained, but I knew she was really reinforcing it with him. "I have been trying to convince him to accompany me to the cafeteria for something to eat. Even just a drink," she said to me with meaning, and I smiled again. I knew how stubborn he was.
"How about you help me up so I can go to the bathroom, and then you can go get me a drink as well?" I told him. He just looked worried, but helped me sit up. My mum unclipped the IV, so I didn't have to take the whole stand with me. Draco helped me stand and then walked me to the door. While I was in the bathroom, I realised my mouth really was dry, even though I wasn't particularly thirsty. The IV would have kept me hydrated. I came back out to see Draco pacing in front of the door while my mum watched him indulgently.
"I am convinced he is trying to wear a hole in the floor," she told me with amusement. He rushed back over to me and steered me towards the bed, but I shook my head.
"I think I would like to sit for a few minutes," I told him, and he guided me to his chair instead. My mum reclipped the IV. "Would you please go to the cafeteria? I want you to get some food, and I would love some apple juice," I told him. He looked panicked at the thought of leaving the room. "I promise I will be fine here for a little while," I told him, and dragged him down for another kiss, which seemed to calm him.
"We will be fast," he told me.
"Alright," I agreed. My mum gave me another amused smile but led him away. Once they were gone, I got to my feet and, grabbing hold of the IV stand, started to walk the room. I felt restless, and my back was bothering me. I had to stop once and hold on to the poll as a particularly strong contraction gripped my belly. I was left breathing heavily for a minute but was quite calm again when my mum and Draco came back in.
"Should you be up?" he asked, dropping everything in his hands on a little table just past the doorway.
"Yes," I smiled at him. He wrapped an arm around me and started walking with me. It was nice, and I smiled at him again. We walked around for about half an hour in a little circuit as he told me of the gardens at Malfoy Manor and some of the smaller magical creatures that made their homes there when his stomach gurgled loudly. "Food for you," I told him, and I allowed him to help me back on to the bed. I had my apple juice in little sips while he had the food and drink that had been bought for his late dinner. My mum had already eaten her sandwich.
Later, the doctor came back in to check on my progress. I really was getting sore now and having trouble hiding it from Draco. The doctor injected something into my IV, and the relief was instantaneous. I felt sleepy again. A nurse brought in a cot for either my mum or Draco to rest on, but Draco refused to leave my side, so my mum settled down for a rest.
"Put your head on the mattress, Draco," I told him, patting the bed by my hip. He looked so sleepy but was refusing to rest, afraid something would happen if he took his eyes off me. He studied my face for a moment, but then did as I suggested, even as he watched me. I ran my hand over his white-blond hair in soothing strokes and occasionally ran my finger over his eyebrows, causing his eyes to flutter close. I smiled softly at that. He kept opening them, but it seemed to take longer every time I did it. I did it again, and he let out a sigh. By the time my hand was back in his hair, his breathing had evened out, and he was asleep.
"Remember that trick for when you need the baby to sleep," my mum whispered into the quiet room. I hadn't realised she had been watching me. We shared a smile, and then she reclosed her eyes. I was tired too, and I even closed my eyes, but my mind was spinning with thoughts. So many thoughts, I couldn't even catch onto them. For some reason, it felt as if I should have had access to every piece of information the world contained right now.
It wasn't long before the midwife was back, and she moved around the room so silently and performed her tests that neither my mum nor Draco woke.
"Up to seven centimetres now," she whispered with an encouraging smile. I must admit I was disappointed; I had hoped to be closer to the end.
By three AM, the pain was back, and the contractions were much more regular but still more than five minutes apart. It was my humming loudly in pain that woke the two, and Draco looked instantly panicked.
"I am fine," I said immediately, and he frowned at me.
"No, you're not," he disagreed, rubbing the back of his neck in distress.
"Nothing that is happening here is wrong, Draco," I told him firmly but breathily. He nodded but didn't look any happier.
Just after five AM, my water broke, and if I thought Draco looked panicked before, it was nothing compared to now.
"Kiss me," I demanded. He looked at me like I was crazy but complied, and even as I kissed him deeply, I felt every muscle in his body relax. I wondered then if he was being affected by my magic. If so, I decided it could only be a good thing.
"Are they always like this?" I heard the doctor chuckle as we continued to kiss.
"From what I have observed," my mum said with amusement. If there was anything further to that exchange, I had no idea because I was too focused on keeping Draco calm. And if I was enjoying keeping him calm, that was just an added bonus.
"Better?" I asked him when he pressed his forehead to mine.
"Don't leave me," he said, confusing me. He opened his eyes, and there were tears there.
"I'm not leaving you," I said with confusion. He stared at me and then seemed to pull himself together but otherwise didn't say anything more. "You are marrying me, Draco Malfoy. You are not getting rid of me that easily," I joked, and it made him grin, so it must have been the right thing to say.
"Yes, I am," he agreed smugly, and he kissed me again. A throat clearing had us both turn to look at the amused doctor, and I noticed my mum wasn't in the room.
"I should check how things are progressing," he told us.
"Alright," I said. Draco stiffened again but turned his body, so he didn't have to watch.
"Nine centimetres," the doctor said. "A bit longer yet."
When we were alone again, just the three of us—my mum had stepped out briefly to ring my dad and returned promptly—I encouraged Draco to do his Occlumency mediation. He took a breath and then nodded. He kissed me quickly and then went to kneel on the floor with his eyes closed. My mum watched him with curiosity for a moment and then sat closer to me in his chair and took my hand.
"How are you doing?" she said softly. I watched Draco to make sure he didn't open his eyes even as I answered.
"Tired. Sore. Unbelievably happy," I told her truthfully.
"I remember feeling like that with you," she told me with a grin. She reached up to brush some hair out of my face. "It has gone by much too fast," she said with melancholy. "I seemed to blink, and it all just happened. But I would have done it all a hundred times over if I could have gotten more just like you. You were such an easy, happy baby."
"I hope not a hundred," I joked, not commenting on my parents' fertility issues.
"Maybe not," she agreed. Another contraction hit me, and I sucked in a breath. "Breath, sweetheart. It will be easier if you don't hold your breath." I looked at Draco, and he still had his eyes closed. I really didn't want to cause him distress. "No," my mum said, making me look back at her. "This isn't about him anymore. You need to breathe," she said. I let it out as she said and then had to pant through it, tears coming to my eyes with the pain. "Do you want me to call for pain medication?" she asked.
"No," I said, and it sounded like I was crying even though I wasn't. When it was done, I leaned my head back with my eyes closed, just so I could compose myself. When I looked around again, I found Draco still meditating, so I felt better too.
A little before seven, the doctor said I was at ten centimetres, but I didn't feel like pushing yet. I was tired, and even Aiden didn't seem to be in any hurry; his heartbeat still calm and steady. Draco was back by my side and looked calmer and more himself than he had in days. He sat and talked to me again, but now he was calm enough to make me laugh about silly things that he thought of. He also rubbed my back, helping me with the contractions. I was so happy that he was with me, and I knew that this whole experience was always going to be beautiful and perfect to me. My dad had arrived a while ago and was standing looking out the window, but otherwise he wanted to be close by. My mum leaned against him, and they had their arms wrapped around each other.
Half an hour later, things changed drastically, and the pressure on my body was immense. Draco held my hand tightly and didn't even turn away as the doctor sat between my legs, getting ready to help me.
"You can do this. You are the strongest person I know," he told me, and I leaned up to push and groaned at the pain. I felt like nothing had really happened.
"That's good," the doctor told me. "Use the contractions to help you, and rest when they are over." I just nodded, and then another was upon me. This time I knew things were happening as I felt pressure on my opening. "Good," the doctor repeated. They were coming fast now, and I barely had time to breathe before another had me needing to push, and I felt like I was on fire as I felt myself spread wide.
"I can see him, Hermione. You're doing it," Draco said in wonder, having finally turned to look. My mum came over to help hold my other hand. My dad was avoiding looking at me as my legs were up in stirrups and I was bare to the world. I didn't care, I just wanted this done. Another contraction and more pushing, but once again, barely anything happened. I took a few calming breaths, and when I was as calm as I could get, I heard Draco talking to the doctor. "Can I touch him?" He asked with wonder still in his voice.
"If it is alright with mum," the doctor said, and it took me a second to realise he meant me. Draco looked at me hopefully, and I just nodded.
"I will be right here, Love. You need me, and I'll be right back," he told me.
"Go see our son, Draco," I told him even as another contraction was on me, and I cried out as I pushed. My mum's hand tightened on mine, and suddenly my dad was on my other side, taking the other hand tightly. Draco went around quickly, and the doctor was explaining to him where to place his hands.
"You are doing so good, Love. Push," he said to me, and I met his eyes even as I pushed with everything I had. My eyes widened in shock as I felt Aiden's head pop out. Draco just grinned at me like I had done the greatest thing ever.
"Harder part now," the doctor was saying, but I barely heard as I needed to push again. I let out a cry of pain as a larger part slid out, and suddenly everything seemed to slide out at once, and Draco had his hands full of a crying baby with blood and fluid all over him. Draco placed him on my stomach but kept a hand on him. He looked up at me, and his eyes were red rimmed from the tears that were threatening to fall.
"Look what you did; look what you've created. You are extraordinary," he was saying to me with a huge grin, and a tear fell then. The doctor nudged him to get his attention and then had Draco cut the cord. The nurse quickly wiped the blood off the baby and then handed him back to Draco with a blanket around him. Draco then came around and laid him across me even as he kissed me and said, "Thank you, thank you," over and over again between kisses, making me giggle. I hadn't even noticed my parents had moved out of the way.
"You're welcome," I said with a smile of my own when he finally gave me a moment to speak. He laughed loudly at that.
"You are perfect," he told me, taking my face in his hands, and kissing me deeply again. I really liked this kiss. Then we both looked down at our little miracle to see him watching us with unfocused, ocean-deep, new-born blue eyes. He looked as sleepy as I felt.
"Hello, Aiden," I said to him.
"There's my little fire dragon," Draco said, running his hand lovingly over our son's little bald head. Aiden Drake Malfoy was born on Saturday, 12 July 1997, at 7:46 AM and weighed 7lbs 4oz, and was 49cm long.
Author's notes: - There is a fantastic Salazar Slytherin as Harry Potter story called 'Courage and Cunning' by preciousann that I would highly recommend. Sadly, it was never finished, but it is truly one of my favourites that I go back to when all else fails to entertain me. Happy reading to all who love the magical world, no matter what it looks like to you.
: - To the guest reviewer and OCansino, thank you so much for reading, and I am trying my best to deliver the ending you hope for.