Tom Riddle woke with a sharp jolt, a cramp pulling him from sleep. He winced softly, careful not to disturb Harry Potter, who was curled up beside him. His hand instinctively moved to his lower abdomen, rubbing gently as he tried to ease the discomfort.
The cramps came in waves, each one causing his muscles to tighten with increasing intensity. Tom shifted in bed, trying to find a more comfortable position, but the cramps persisted, relentless in their pressure. When the pain seemed to ease just enough, he carefully slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Harry.
In the soft glow of early morning light, Tom made his way to the kitchen. Each step felt deliberate, his body moving with an awkwardness that was foreign to him. He leaned against the cool counter, hoping for some relief. Despite the momentary comfort, the cramps didn't stop—they grew more rhythmic, more demanding.
He found himself pacing the kitchen, each step met with a sharp pang of discomfort. Grasping the edge of the counter for support, he tried to steady his breath, but the pain wasn't relenting. The kitchen, a place that usually brought him peace, now felt disorienting as he struggled to cope with the persistent ache.
Desperate for some comfort, Tom reached for a glass of water, but it offered little relief. He shifted his weight from foot to foot, trying to ease the growing discomfort. His mind raced as the familiar space around him felt suddenly foreign, like a battleground he wasn't prepared for.
As the first light of dawn crept in, Harry stirred, sensing something wasn't right. He blinked awake and immediately noticed Tom's distress. "Tom, are you okay?" Harry's voice was soft but filled with concern as he reached out to Tom.
Tom turned toward him, his expression strained. "I've been having these cramps, and they're getting worse. I think something's happening."
Harry quickly moved to his side, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder before resting it gently on Tom's abdomen. "We need to get you to the hospital," he said, his voice soothing, his concern evident.
Tom nodded, a mix of anxiety and relief washing over him. As Harry helped him back to the bedroom, another sharp contraction hit, and Tom gripped Harry's hand tightly, his breath catching in a soft gasp.
Once on the bed, Harry checked on Tom, but then something unexpected happened—a gush of fluid soaked through the sheets. Tom's eyes widened, the reality of the situation settling in. "Harry… I think my water just broke."
Harry's eyes widened, but he quickly composed himself, his focus sharp. "Okay, let's get you to the hospital." He helped Tom to his feet, offering steady support as they moved to prepare to leave.
As they made their way to the car, Tom couldn't shake the mix of nervousness and anticipation coursing through him. The contractions were coming closer together now, each one a reminder of the significant moment unfolding. But with Harry's steady presence beside him, Tom felt a surge of strength and readiness for the journey ahead.