A/N This is my last prewritten chapter. Expect more around Thanksgiving most likely
Ch. 64
Playhouse
3 May 1999
As they came in the door, Harry leaned down to whisper, "Let's get you settled."
"Okay but do I have to be alone?" she whined. She was tired and grumpy. Yes, she was done with her NEWTs, so the babies couldn't interfere with that, which was a
great relief. However, she hated sitting down unless she was reading. Usually, she was very busy. Now–not so much.
"Dobby!" Harry asked as he settled her into bed and everyone found seats around the bed.
"Yes Master Harry." Dobby popped in.
"Can we have family meals in our sitting room?" Harry asked as he rubbed his hair in frustration.
"I can arrange that, Master Harry." Dobby squeaked. "I can also expand these rooms so we can add a dining room and a game room." He suggested.
"Thanks Dobby." He grinned. Dobby closed his eyes and the room expanded and became two separate spaces. The main bedroom. Then the sitting room opened up to the bedroom and became the game room.
"So this will become our new common room." Sirius laughed.
"Guess so." Nev agreed.
HP
The next morning was interesting for Hermione. She had spent most of the night rubbing her belly and trying to talk the kids into falling back asleep and not trying to
get out. Harry spent most of the morning dead asleep, so she was really surprised when she woke and Harry was still in bed.
This was really strange for Hermione because for the length of her pregnancy, Harry seemed to get up before her. That was only one of the changes the day brought.
For instance, everyone was talking in whispers and the little ones were kept out of her room. She was left alone. While that was good in some ways, she got a lot of
reading done, she was bored.
However, when Penny came home from school, she insisted on a cuddle. "But Harry said not to bother you." Penny let the cat out of the bag.
"Well, I'm getting bored and if I don't talk to someone, I'm going to go barmy." she responded as Penny got up on her bed while giggling. "So, what happened at school today?"
Aaaaand she was off like a rocket, telling Hermione all that she learned and everything that happened that day in excruciating detail. This went on for 45 minutes and
Hermione didn't see Penny take a breath. By the time she actually took a breath, Harry had come through the new playroom. It was another fifteen minutes before she
finished her story and Harry sent her to Uncle Nev to entertain him. If it was a little revenge on Nev trying to get him eaten by a plant last week, all the better.
"So how is my pregnant beauty doing?" Harry asked as he kissed Hermione.
"Bored stiff." She sighed. "The only things keeping me from going mental are my books. At least now I can catch up on some reading."
Harry just laughed at that. They had dinner in the game room that night and every other night. The family lived in the Playhouse and did not return to the Madhouse in
Crawley until after the babies were born.
Everyone in the family took it in shifts to keep Hermione from going mental. She hated bed rest. Jaime wouldn't even let her start organising the trips for next year,
which she could have done from bed. They did not attend the Alliance meeting that month–at least the Heads and Sirius. Augusta hosted it at Longbottom Manor.
Dobby and Mitzy were extremely careful with Hermione's movements and food intake. When Dobby was going to Elf Pop (which is easier on pregnant women than
apparition) her to the loo, Hurricane Hermione swept through and nearly scared the elves to death.
Sometimes, Sirius would just pad into the room as Padfoot, hop on the bed and snuggle with Hermione. Padfoot's nose was curled into Hermione's neck, his paw
covering her belly protectively. Emma thought it was so cute, she took several photos.
When she was shown them, Hermione couldn't help but think Just like his godson, so overprotective. When Padfoot saw them, he looked sad. "Your dad took one of Lils
and me like that." he told Harry.
Around 15 May, Hermione began saying things like "I just want this over." Or "I wanna walk somewhere." It was Luna that reminded her that no, she really didn't want
that.
30 May 1999
Playhouse
At breakfast that Sunday morning, Neville looked at how stressed Harry seemed to be. As everyone gathered as usual, Nev suggested, "I was thinking that Harry and I
would go out to dinner tonight. We haven't spent much time together and I thought this might be our last chance for a while."
"Sounds good Neville." Hermione smiled. Even she could feel how nervous her fiance was.
"What about us?" Mark and Sirius said in unison.
"You guys can come too."
"Good. We will." Sirius nodded in emphatic agreement.
Everyone in the family knew that Hermione was expected to go off the potion to prevent labour that week. Therefore, as had been explained by Healer Axel, birth could
come any time after that. He also told them to expect it sooner rather than later.
HP
That evening, the men left for the evening and
3 June 1999
Playhouse
Hermione woke up to the largest contraction she had had in months. So she grabbed Harry's arm as she groaned loudly. "Gods this huuuuurts."
Harry bolted upright in bed."I'm up! I'm up! Are you having contractions?" He asked as he wiped his eyes of sleep and he came to attention. "Do you need Axel?" he
asked frantically. At her fervent nod, he ran to the fireplace to call Hr. Axel.
Hermione looked at her fiance with admiration in her eyes as she noticed how calm he was. After hearing from everyone from Augusta down to Suzann and Sirius to
Dora, how panicked the males were in the birth process, she half expected Harry to go mental. Although she really shouldn't be surprised. When Harry gets into a tight
spot, like duelling Voldemort, he gets really focused.
"Dobby!"
"Yes mistress." The little guy popped in
"I'm going into labour, I think." She explained to the excited elf. "Could you wake up Luna and Nev. I'm having their godchildren ton-this morning." She looked at the
clock and realised it was half three.
"Of course Mistress." He said as he hugged her leg.
A minute later, Luna popped into the room in her pyjamas. "What is going on?" She asked her best friend.
"Dobby didn't tell you?" Hermione asked, Luna shook her head.
"Ouch. That hurts." Hermione put her hand on her hard belly. As the pain ebbed, she grinned at Luna. "Your godchildren are coming."
"We need Emma." Luna declared as Harry joined them.
"Axel will be right here. He says you don't have to go to hospital if you don't want to. At least, until it gets closer to the time."
There was a woosh in the fireplace and Axel came out with his bag.
"Hello Hermione." He greeted everyone as he came over to the bed. "It looks like little James and Lily will be here soon." He commented as he took a visual of the womb
with his wand. "Yep. It looks like James is trying to push Lily out. See his foot there? And his leg flexing?" and the four did as they watched as Lily pushed his foot away
with her hand.
"They are so funny." Neville laughed.
Soon, there was another woosh and Emma stepped out of the floo. "Hello, luv." She smiled at her daughter. "Looks like the babies want out." She laughed as Hermione
found herself trying to get comfortable. Then she sighed. "This is your first labour so it may be a long process."
"Yes." Axel agreed. "What's your pain level during a contraction?"
"Two or three." She answered.
He nodded at that. "You are almost two centimetres dilated. This won't be happening for a while. I would suggest you try to sleep. I'll be back in two or three the contractions start getting to be 10 minutes apart, come get me." Axel looked at the parents seriously. "This is a marathon not a sprint. There's nothing to worry about yet, Hermione. Everything is going to be alright." He said in a very calm voice that helped her relax a bit. As she did, the pain lessened.
Harry sat next to Hermione and stroked her hair. Eventually, everyone else in the house fell back to sleep, either in their own room or the attached game room. Harry just sat there holding his fiancee as she fell into a doze.
Eventually, Hermione woke up around her usual time. Harry looked over at her, he had stayed awake, too nervous to relax enough to sleep. He spent most of that time pacing their suite of rooms. "Relax love." He smiled at Hermione.
"What time is it?"
"Six. Axel should be here to check on you soon." He said quietly as his eyes flicked over to the couch with Emma and Dan waking up.
Over the next half hour, everyone woke up and began congregating in the master bedroom. Dobby brought her a tall glass of pineapple juice (her most prominent pregnancy craving). "Mitzy and I are making breakfast." He said as he disappeared.
"Guess our morning routine got screwed up." Hermione chuckled as she moved around uncomfortably.
Axel came in then. "So, how's my favourite patient?" He asked, smiling as he sat next to Hermione. "I know you slept a bit. I came by round five and you were in Morpheus' land.
"Yeah, she was able to doze." Harry said.
"I think Hermione can speak for herself." Axel said jokingly as he looked between the two–needing to see how coherent his patient was.
"Yes I can." Hermione said irritably as Harry sat back sheepishly.
"Sorry love." Harry mumbled.
"So, how're you feeling, Hermione?" Axel continued.
"As Well as can be expected." She sighed. "Tired of waiting for them to come."
"Well, shouldn't be long. You're at 5 centimetres." He smiled at the young couple who saved magical Britain. He was so pleased to be their healer. It was his way of giving back to the couple for ridding them of Voldemort. "Stand up, walk around. I'll be back in an hour."
"Okay." She replied.
"Make sure you eat a bit. When you go into active labour, you really can't eat and don't want to most times." He grinned as Emma and Augusta laughed.
"Pushing the child out is hard so you need all the energy you can get." Augusta explained.
As Penny came in, she was talking to Emma. "I don't wanna go to school today. I'm having a baby sister and brother today."
"Pumpkin, Mummy can't be worried about you and where you are. She needs to concentrate on giving birth. If you're at school she can do that without worrying about you." Daniel explained as he took her into her room. "I'll pick you up straight away. Ok?"
"Fine," She said dejectedly as she left.
After she left, Padfoot came in and crouched on Hermione's other side as he laid down. "Good doggy." Hermione seemed to calm down as she pet her Uncle. "I'm so scared, Pads. What if they hate me?" Pads growled at that. Hermione laughed.
HP
Harry and Hermione stayed in their suites of rooms walking and talking for the next few hours.
"This is almost mind numbing for me." Hermione commented. "Yes it hurts when the contractions come but they're over quickly and I don't need to worry about the next step."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"Well, I don't need to worry about an unexpected obstacle. Like figuring out about how to get out of the Devil's Snare or how to save Pads. I've spent the last month researching about labour, so I know what to expect."
Harry grinned and joked, "So this is your easiest end of year adventure?"
Hermione snorted delicately, "Yes, this is the most relaxing end of year puzzle you've given me."
"Well, we'll have to do more of this now that Riddle's gone."
"Hmmm." She huffed good-naturedly. "We'll see."
Around half one when everyone but the Heads and the Grangers were in classes, Hermione felt water running down her leg. "My waters just broke." She said in a scared voice. She then doubled over until the contraction passed.
"Dobby!" Harry screamed.
"Yes master." Dobby pops in
"Get Sirius from class. It's happening."
"Yes Master" Dobby popped off. Then he popped in with Sirius.
"It's happening." is all Harry said as Hermione gripped his hand tightly.
"Okay." Sirius said in a calm voice. "No need to get upset. She's been through worse."
Harry looked at him as though he was mental as Hermione screamed bloody murder on Harry through the latest contraction. Sirius flinched as he listened to his daughter's howls.
Eventually, the contractions got closer and closer and it became time to push. It was at this stage that Harry got more worried. He whispered to Nev, "She's never doing this again. It looks like it hurts."
"I'd trade places in a heartbeat, Harry." Hermione grumbled as Luna fed her ice.
"I'm sorry Mya. I'm so sorry."
Nev pulled him away as he saw the irritated look on Hermione's face. Harry was finally starting to crack. "Pull yourself together mate. She doesn't need you to apologise, she needs you to be there." He said harshly to his brother in all but blood.
At the look on Neville's face, he sighed. Nev could see him take stock and settle down.
Nev merely smiled as he let Harry go. "Thanks Nev."
"You okay, son?" Daniel asked.
"Yeah, now I am."
"I could see the meltdown you were building up to." Hermione's dad said. "Glad it's over." He squeezed Harry's shoulder in support.
"Are you sure you don't want the pain potion?" Axel reaffirmed with Hermione, they had discussed this in the past.
She nodded. "All the literature says the kids will be less fussy if we do it withou- aaaack. Shit, that bloody hurts." Then she paused. "I think I feel her." Hermione groans.
Axel, who is sitting in position to catch the baby, says "Okay, Hermione, now PUSH"
Hermione screams as she pushes one, two, three times. "I see her head. One more big push Hermione."
"You can do it love." Harry said softly as he kissed her hair. It calmed her as he knew it would.
"Aaaaaaaak!" she yelled as she gave another push
"I got her! It's a girl." Axel stated excitedly. "Come here Harry." Harry moved on auto pilot as there was a sudden wail from the newborn. "There she goes." Axel said in satisfaction. "Take your wand and cut the cord, Daddy." Then he started to laugh uproariously. "Hermione, look." Axel said. As she looked up, she saw this poleaxed look on Harry's face as he mechanically took out his wand and cut the cord. All the time, his eyes remained on his daughter as she was cleaned, she had his mum's red hair and Hermione's chocolate irises. Hermione began to laugh as Padfoot bounded in at top speed, changing into Sirius as he skidded to a stop.
"Holy Merlin!" He yelled as he looked at his granddaughter. Harry looked down at the girl placed in his arms after a few wand movements to clean her up. "She looks like
baby pics of your mum." Sirius whispered. He watched as Harry felt each one of her fingers and toes and kissed her copper hair.
"You are beautiful, little one. I love you so much, you can't believe it." He smiled as he held his little bundle even closer.
"Mr. Potter, please hand your little girl over to be checked out." Poppy said as Harry turned away from her.
"No. She's mine." He growled as Hermione yelled. Concern for Hermione took over as he promptly handed her to Poppy. "What's wrong, love?"
"James." She groaned out as she grabbed his hand. She also grabbed Sirius with her other hand. "Oh my god this hurts." she said through groans.
Luckily James came faster. After the first push, he crowned. "How far apart are they?" Sirius asked as Harry was holding James and Hermione was holding Lily.
"Ten minutes." Axel said as he cleaned his area. "Looks like she's 2.63 kilograms and he's 2.72. Good sized for preemies."
"Can you watch them, Axel? I have to get Moses baskets for them."Sirius asked as he looked worriedly at his family.
"Of course. I don't think they'll notice you being gone." The new family were in bed with a kid with each parent. Hermione's head was on Harry's shoulder as they stared
at their new sprogs.
Sirius laughed at the content look on his kids' faces.
He looked again at his best friend's namesake. There was the trademark Potter hair and bright green eyes on the little one. He was sad that James couldn't be here to
see this. "Yeah." Alex answered as the moses basket appeared. Apparently, someone had enchanted them to hover at bed height. Sirius looked at Luna, who just sighed.
"Thanks." He mouthed, nodding his head to the basket. She just smiled and nodded back.
Jaime, who was at the door, was amazed at this the far side of the room were Emma and Dan, keeping a watchful eye on their daughter but not getting in the way. Next
to the bed were Luna and Neville. Luna was in Nev's arms and he was holding her tummy protectively. Jaime's husband was conferring with Dobby that the family would
have whatever they needed as the afternoon wore on. Jaime couldn't believe how the other members of the family were not only arranging things but staying out of the
family bonding time that they needed.
This was why she was staying in the UK. They were a close family but knew their limits. As much as she loved her mom, Jaime couldn't imagine having her around when
she had kids. Her mom was a forceful woman and could be very domineering at times. She liked the way this family, her new family, respected boundaries, something
her mom was still working on.
HP
Eventually, Harry and Hermione came out of their baby-induced coma and looked around at everyone. "Luna, want to hold your goddaughter?"
Luna bounced over to her sister. "Yes please." She held out her arms and Hermione situated her. When she looked over to Harry, he was doing the same with Nev. She
noticed both pairs were glowing a pale shade of lavender.
"Huh?" She looked at Sirius.
"The glow?" he asked as she nodded, her arms feeling empty. "It's the Godparent bond in the first stage of bonding. It will be completed at the Godparent Ritual. Harry
glowed when he held Teddy last year before the ritual. The ritual has to be done before the kid's third month to make it seal. That's why they did it right before the three
month mark with Teddy."
"Oh. Then that means we've got to plan that for this summer as well." she sighed tiredly.
Sirius looked over at Luna and the children. "Why don't you feed the babies and go to sleep. I'm sure they're tired and you look horrible."
Hermione slapped him. "Thanks loads."
For the next forty minutes, Poppy taught her how to breastfeed and the twins fell asleep again. "Go to sleep guys." Emma said as she stroked her daughter's hair after
their first feeding. "We'll take care of the twins."
"Yes mum." They both said as they fell asleep in each others' arms.