Unofficial Portkey Archive

Just One More Thing

Chapter 14

****

"Your water broke?" Seamus asked, just to be sure he heard his wife correctly.

Lavender leaned forward on the bed, and started taking deep breaths. "Yes."

Seamus did his best to remain calm, the last thing Lavender needed was to see him panic, even though on the inside that was exactly what he was doing. Seamus had been told by countless healers that he had seen with Lavender during her pregnancy, that a baby with magical parents often came early, and it wasn't anything to worry about. But she wasn't due for another six weeks, that couldn't be good news surely. Regardless of what he was thinking, Lavender didn't need to hear him voice his fears at that moment, she needed to hear positive comments.

Seamus walked over to Lavender, and rubbed her back in an effort to calm her. "Don't worry petal, I'm sure everything is fine."

"Of course everything is fine, why wouldn't it be?!" she said in a fast voice, feeling scared out of her wits.

"Right then," Seamus said, trying to organize the hundreds of thoughts going through his mind. "We'll get the bag we got ready for when the baby came, and we'll get you to St Mungo's."

Lavender nodded. "I think that's a good idea."

Seamus took her hand, and gently helped her out of the bed. Fetching a robe form the wardrobe, Seamus draped it across her shoulders, and smoothed her hair out of her now sweaty face.

"When we get to St Mungo's, I'll make sure your settled, then I'll go owl everyone to tell them it's time," Seamus said unbelievably calm.

"Okay," Lavender said, taking deep breaths.

Seamus stated to leave to go and fetch the bag they had packed for St Mungo's, when Lavender caught his arm. "Everyone but Harry and Hermione."

"What?" Seamus said perplexed. "Lavender, they'd never forgive us for that and you know it."

"They're on a well deserved holiday and I don't want to spoil it for them," Lavender said, before exhaling softly.

"Lavender…"

"No Seamus!" Lavender shouted. "You really want to argue with me now?"

"No of course not," Seamus went to fetch the bag not wanting to cause Lavender any more distress than she was already going through, and decided to leave the matter, for now.

A few months into Lavender's pregnancy, they had been in the café talking to their closest friends about how they were going to prepare for the birth. Somewhere in the conversation, Harry and Hermione along with Draco, Ginny, Neville and Dean, had made the couple promise that when Lavender went into labour, they would contact them immediately. Come morning, noon, or night, their friends had made it clear that they wanted to be at St Mungo's with them, so they could support them in any way they could, and also be amongst the first to see their bundle of joy.

It was a promise that Seamus intended to keep for both he and his wife, despite her protests at that moment.

Seamus approached his wife with a stuffed duffel bag in his hand, and put an arm around his wife. "Lets go have a baby."

Together they left for St Mungo's hospital.

****

"Can I get you anything else babe?" Draco asked softly, putting down a cup of tea on Ginny's bedside table.

Ginny smiled up at him from their bed. "You don't have to do this you know."

"Do what?" he said, sitting down beside her.

"Waiting on me hand and foot," Ginny replied, reaching for the tea Draco had made for her. "I'm pregnant not an invalid."

"All I did was make you a cup of tea before bed, what's wrong with that?"

Ginny laughed. "You've been making me cups of tea all day, not letting me pick things up, not letting me lift a finger. No offence sexy, but you've never been this attentive before."

"I'm new at this Ginny, I really don't know how I'm supposed to act, all I know is that I want to look after you the best I can," he said quietly.

Before her eyes could water, she cocked her head to the side, and put her tea back on her side table. "Give me a hug, softy," she said, opening her arms.

Draco leaned in and wrapped his arms around his girlfriend. Just as they were leaning in for a kiss, both abruptly pulled back when a noise at the window disturbed them.

"That's Seamus's owl," Draco said, walking over to the window.

Ginny scrunched her eyes in confusion. "Why would he be owling us at this time of the night."

Draco opened the letter, and began reading. As he got further in, his eyes started to widen.

"What is it?" Ginny asked, seeing the look on Draco's face.

"Lavender's gone into labour," he replied softly.

Ginny jumped out of bed. "We have to get to St Mungo's!" she stated, leaving no room for argument.

****

Healer Bluetooth, a tall middle aged man with grey hair and glasses placed his hand on the expectant fathers shoulder, and gave him a reassuring smile. "Like I told you before Mr. Finnegan, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. These magical babies have no sense of patience, yours is particularly eager to meet you and his mother."

Seamus closed his eyes briefly in sheer relief. "So everything is ok?"

"Everything is fine, we of course prefer the baby to keep in it's mummy's tummy for as long as possible, but I can assure you that your case is nothing out of the ordinary."

"Oh, thank Merlin," Seamus said blowing out a breath.

The healer couldn't help but chuckle to himself. "Trust me Mr. Finnegan, I know exactly what you're going through. I have four of my own, and I'm afraid that worrying is part of the parcel of being a parent. I can't tell you not to worry, you'll do that anyway. I just have a few more patients to check on, and I will be back with you and Lavender shortly."

"Thank you," Seamus said gratefully.

"Of course," the healer replied, before leaving to tend to his other patients.

Seamus watched the healer leave, and took some calming breaths. A little later, after checking on his wife, Seamus returned to the waiting room to see Ginny, Draco, Dean and Neville waiting for him.

"Shay, what's happening?" Ginny asked in a calm voice.

"She's fine," Seamus told them. "The healer has assured us that everything is as it should be, and it shouldn't be too long before son is here."

"I can't believe you're going to be a dad mate," Draco said in wonder.

Seamus smiled. "It's incredible, but hey, your turn will be here before you know it."

Draco and Ginny shared a smile.

Neville began to look around. Something seemed to be missing. "Erm Shay, where are Harry and Hermione?"

The rest of them looked at Seamus expectantly. "Lav told me not to contact them, she said she didn't want to spoil their trip."

"That's ridiculous," Ginny said. "We all made a pact to be here, Harry and Hermione will be crushed if you let them miss it, holiday or not."

"I know that Ginny," Seamus agreed. "But I don't want Lavender pissed with me while she's giving birth to our baby."

"Fine," Ginny said, before turning to walk away.

"Where you going babe?" Draco asked, although he had a good idea.

"Seamus said he didn't want Lavender to be pissed with him, she didn't say anything about me!" Ginny blew her boyfriend a kiss, and went to contact the missing friends.

****

Harry collapsed on top of Hermione, keeping most of his weight on his forearms to avoid crushing her, still trembling from his orgasm, his breath shaky. Hermione wrapped her arms around him, whispering his name over and over as he tried to recover. Harry was hit with a wave of devotion, affection, tenderness, and aching need, he knew then that he could never let her go. This was now his favourite place to be in the world. Hermione's arms. He would never get bored of showing her just how much she meant to him.

Eventually he found the strength to pull out of Hermione, and lay down beside her, still breathless from his climax. Hermione pressed herself against him, kissing him deeply. He sighed when they parted, his breath blowing at her hair, causing her to smile warmly at him.

"It just keeps getting better and better," Hermione said before taking a deep breath.

"You're not just saying that," Harry asked with a slight smile.

"Of course I'm not just saying it," she replied adamantly. "Every time with you is never ceasing to surprise me."

Harry started grinning like an idiot. "I'm happier that I can at least hold out a bit longer."

Hermione tried to snuggle even closer to him, laying her head on his shoulder, and throwing an arm across his chest. "I love it that we're learning all of this stuff together, makes our relationship even more perfect."

Harry kissed the top of her head, and laid a hand across Hermione's that was currently playing with his chest hairs. "I think so too."

Just as they were about to drift off into a peaceful sleep, Hermione's mobile phone that was on the bedside table began to ring.

"Urrgh," Hermione mumbled, disentangling herself from Harry's arms Reaching for the phone on the bedside table, her eyebrows rose when she discovered the call was from Ginny.

Flipping up the phone lid, she answered it. "Gin, what are you doing calling so late, is everything ok?"

Harry was concentrating on Hermione's ever changing facial expressions, and mouthed, "What?"

Seeing that Harry was curious as to what was going on, Hermione nodded. "Ginny could you hang on just one second?" Hermione looked at Harry, but he spoke before she could say anything.

"What's going on?" Harry asked concerned.

"Lavender's gone into labour," she replied softly.

At hearing the news, Harry sat up in bed abruptly. "Well, how long do we have to get there?"

Hermione smiled, she was worried that he would be disappointed at the thought of cutting short their holiday, and that he would be resistant to do so, but this was Harry, why was she surprised at his understanding? "A couple of hours at least."

"Okay, well, you start getting our things together, and I'll get the documents ready to check out," Harry started to get out of bed. "Tell Ginny we'll be there as soon as we can."

"You don't mind?" Hermione asked, still not believing Harry's reaction.

Harry leant on the bed, and over to kiss her forehead. "These are two of our best friends we're talking about, and we made a promise to them, what do you think?"

Hermione raised her mobile phone to her ear. "Ginny, tell Seamus and Lavender we'll be there within an hour."

****

Seamus had again gone to check on Lavender while Ginny had gone to contact Harry and Hermione, leaving Dean, Draco, and Neville sitting in the waiting room twiddling their thumbs.

Dean was cocking his head from side to side, and looked to be in deep thought, motions that were noticed by Draco.

What?" Draco asked.

"I was just thinking," Dean replied.

"What about?" Neville questioned quietly.

Dean folded his arms and shook his head before answering. "I'm just wondering who was the one that looked at a chicken and said, 'You know what, I'm gonna eat the first thing that comes out that chicken's arse.' I wonder if he had any friends."

Neville looked at Dean strangely, and Draco just closed his eyes, praying that Ginny wouldn't be too much longer. His prayers were answered, Ginny appeared with a triumphant smile on her face.

Draco stood up at the sight of his girlfriend. "Did you get hold of em babe?"

"Yeah, they should be here within an hour."

"Did they sound pissed off?" he asked.

Ginny shook her head, "I only spoke to Hermione for a minute, but she sounded fine. They'd be even more pissed off if we let them miss it, you know they would."

"Yeah, you're right," Draco said nodding, and looked curiously at Ginny when she began grinning. "What's with the grin?"

"Hermione sounded out of breath," Ginny answered, still not able to wipe the smirk from her face.

****

Hermione took one last look around the hotel suite, to make sure she and Harry hadn't forgotten anything. She had packed all of their belongings, and was now waiting for Harry to return. After levitating the final piece of luggage into the living room, Harry walked through the front door.

"All set?" Harry asked, closing the door behind him.

"I think so," she replied in a soft voice. "Was there any problem with us checking out early?"

"No, not at all," Harry said. "I explained the situation and they were fine with it, refunded us for the last two nights too."

Hermione gave a brief nod. "Well, we're ready to go then."

Harry approached her, and gave her a soft kiss. "I'll bring you back here one day, I promise."

"I'd like that."

It went without saying that both were a little disappointed that their trip was cut short, but they had made a promise to their friends that they had every intention of keeping. There was no way they were going to miss being there for the birth of their friends first child. But neither could hide the emotion of having to say goodbye to the hotel suite, where they had engaged in acts that changed both of them. They had given up something to each other that could never be given again, and it was because of that, they both had difficulties leaving the spot that they were currently rooted to.

Hermione cradled Harry's face in her hands, and felt instant warmth when she felt his arms circle her waist. "I just want you to know, that these last few days have been the best in my life so far."

Harry let his forehead rest against hers. "Well then, hopefully you'll let me spend the rest of my life, trying to better them."

Hermione closed her eyes and smiled widely. Both knew full well what Harry's last statement insinuated. Nothing else needed to be said, it was enough for them right now to know where their relationship was heading. It was more inevitable than anything else. Harry's statement was a tester, a 'round the houses' wonder, and Hermione's smile, was the silent reply he had hoped for. When the time was right, the question would be asked clearly, and the only answer that would be given, would be a resounding yes.

****

Harry and Hermione portkeyed back to their apartment to drop off their belongings, and apparated straight to St Mungo's. After finding out what room Lavender and Seamus would be, they quickly made their way to the floor, and found Ginny, Draco, Dean and Neville in the waiting area.

Upon seeing their friends arrive, Ginny rose from her seat and embraced Hermione in a hug. "Girlfriend, it's so good to see you!"

"Good to see you too," Hermione said, with equal enthusiasm.

Draco approached Harry. "I take it you had a good time?"

"It was the best," Harry said with a big smile.

Dean also walked up to him, and spoke in a hushed voice. "So, did you manage to pop a fruit or two while away?"

Before Harry could tell Dean fuck off, Ron and Luna appeared. "Hey you guys," Ron said happily. "I didn't think you were back till Wednesday."

"We weren't going to miss this for the world," Hermione said hugging Luna.

After a few more exchanges between the friends, Neville spoke up. "So did you enjoy your trip away?" he asked, referring to Harry and Hermione who simply looked at each other and smiled shyly.

"I think their silence speaks volumes," Ginny said.

Draco pointed to them. "I know that face, that's the same face I had when me and Ginny first…"

Draco was cut off by his girlfriend. "Draco and I have some news that we would like to share with you."

"What news?" Ron asked.

Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Neville still didn't know about Ginny's pregnancy. They all glanced at the couple with expectant faces.

"We're having a baby," she announced.

"Oh my goodness!" Hermione exclaimed, wrapping Ginny in another hug. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Well I didn't want to interrupt your holiday, and besides, I only found out a couple of days ago," Ginny replied.

Harry shook Draco's hand while Hermione and Luna engaged in conversation with Ginny. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," Draco said.

"But you guys aren't even married!" Ron said his voice slightly raised.

"Thanks, for pointing out the obvious Ronald," Ginny said sarcastically.

"Ginny! How could you let him, let off…"

Luna raised a hand to interrupt her boyfriend. "Ron! Not now."

Ron sat down and folded his arms like a spoilt child. Ginny went and sat beside him, and Draco stood in front of him.

"Ron," his sister started gently. "It was a huge surprise to us too." Reaching up to take Draco's hand she continued. "But you have to know that Draco and I are really happy about this. Please be happy for us."

After a while Ron looked Draco in the eye. "Are you going to marry her?"

This question caused everyone to look at the blonde closely, waiting for his reaction, no one more so than Ginny.

Draco looked down at Ginny, and stroked her hand affectionately. "If she'll have me," he said softly.

Soft gasps emitted from the room, and everyone's attention turned to Ginny. But before she could say anything, Seamus ran into the waiting area with his arms in the air.

"He's here!" he shouted triumphantly.

"Who's here?" Harry asked.

"How come you're here?" Seamus asked puzzled, his arms still in the air. "Didn't think you were back till Wednesday?"

"Like we'd miss this," Hermione said, clasping Harry's hand with hers.

"My son," Seamus whispered. "He's here, all 5 pounds and 4 ounces of him."

Everyone broke into smiles. "Are they both okay?" Ginny asked, dropping Draco's hand to approach Seamus.

"They're both perfect." he replied, finally putting his arms down. Ginny, Hermione and Luna all went to hug him tightly.

Dean and Ron went to stand by Harry. "Man she pushed that out fast," Dean commented.

"The sex must have been short," Ron added, before walking up to Seamus. "So do we get to see him or what?"

Seamus nodded, and lead the way to the room where Lavender and his son were. Everyone followed but Ginny and Draco.

"You coming?" she asked softly.

"I meant it you know?" he said getting closer to her.

Ginny briefly looked down. "We'll talk about it when we get home ok."

"Ginny…"

"When we get home," she repeated, leaving no room for argument. With that she left to follow the others, with Draco walking slowly behind her.

****

When all of them entered the room, they found a tired looking Lavender holding her small bundle of joy in a white blanket She managed a big smile when her friends appeared, but when she saw Harry and Hermione, her eyes narrowed, and she gave Seamus a glare.

Seamus threw his hands up in defence. "It wasn't me."

Ginny walked over to Lavender's bedside and kissed her forehead before peeking at the little baby in her friends arms. "It was me, Harry and Hermione would never have forgiven you."

"I'm so glad your all here," Lavender said softly.

"Right then," Dean said clapping his hands together. "Lets play pass the parcel, or baby, or whatever you want to call it."

Seamus went over to Lavender, and carefully lifted their son into his arms. "Everyone, this is Roots." Turning to his friends, "Roots, this is everyone."

After Roots had made his rounds, he was finally placed in the last pair of arms to hold him. Harry's.

Harry gave Roots one of his fingers to grip, and looked down at his friend's son in amazement. He started to wonder when had he and his friends grown up. It seemed like only yesterday that they were all in Hogwarts getting detentions, and dealing with teenage angst and anxiety. Now, two of them were married with a child, and even Ginny and Draco were expecting a baby. He couldn't help but get ahead of himself. He knew holding Roots in his arms, that this was exactly what he wanted. Marriage, and a family. And he wanted all of that with Hermione.

"He's beautiful, isn't he?" Hermione mused from the side of him.

"Yeah, he sure is," he replied softly.

Hermione studied his face before whispering. "It will be us one day, I promise."

Harry simply looked at her briefly and smiled. The cute interaction between the newest couple, not missed by any of their friends in the room with them.

Harry handed Seamus's son back to him. "You guys must really want some alone time, so we're going to head home okay?"

"Thanks Harry," Seamus said. "We're really glad that you're were here, all of you. It means everything to us." Lavender nodded in agreement.

"So we'll see you tomorrow?" Luna asked.

"Definitely," Seamus replied, not able to take his eyes from his little boy.

Everyone bid farewell, and left Lavender and Seamus alone. Seamus sat down on the bed beside his wife, and kissed her tenderly on the lips. "Thank you," he said softly.

Lavender smiled, and laid her head against his shoulder closing her eyes. "Don't mention it."

****

In the waiting room, the rest of them were saying their goodbyes.

"Well, I've got to go," Neville said yawning. "I'm at work in four hours."

"Yeah, I've got an early start too," Luna said also looking tired. "Are you staying at mine tonight hun?" she asked Ron.

"Yeah sure," Ron replied. "I'm sure Harry and Hermione will want to be alone, seeing as they still haven't officially finished their romantic getaway." Ron winked, and added, "But I will be home at about 9.30, just so you know. Wouldn't want to walk in on anything."

Ron was desperately trying to embarrass both Harry and Hermione, but what he didn't know was that due to the sexual encounters they had shared on their trip, Hermione had actually become quite confident, and was no longer shy when it came to taking about the act itself.

Folding her arms, and smirking, Hermione decided to beat him at his own game. "What would you be possibly walking in on Ronald?"

Ron went red, Harry looked at Hermione proudly, and the rest just snickered.

Seeing Ron opening and closing his mouth like a goldfish, Dean thought he'd come to the rescue. "Oh come on Hermione, even I've noticed that you've been walking differently."

Harry gave Dean a murderous glare. "Dean, go home."

But Harry needn't have worried about Dean's comment, and looked at Hermione strangely when she began chuckling.

"Don't worry about it Harry," she said rubbing his chest. "Dean's just jealous, because the same can't be said for his dates."

Everyone laughed, and Draco was the first to comment. "Ooooh Hermione, I'm impressed."

"Yeah Dean, chew down on that fucker," Ginny said amused.

Dean grinned, and nodded in defeat. "Good one. Come on Nev, lets go before I dig myself even deeper."

Neville and Dean dissaparated, leaving the three couples alone.

"Harry, just what have you done with our sweet, innocent, Hermione?" Ron asked giving a grin.

"Something tells me she's not sweet and innocent anymore," Draco said.

Before Ron could say anything else, Luna took him by the hand. "We're going home, we'll see you guys tomorrow."

Ron and Luna turned to leave, but not before he gave one last pointed look at Draco. "You, I still want an answer, and I want it sooner than later." With that, they left.

Remembering that they still had to talk about what was said earlier, Ginny took Draco by the hand. "We need to be making tracks too, is it okay to drop by and see you tomorrow?"

"That will be great," Hermione said. "We can talk babies."

The two girls hugged, and Ginny couldn't help but whisper into Hermione's ear. "Amongst other things, I want details." Pulling back, she gave Harry a peck on the cheek. "See you later stud."

Harry blushed, and put his arm around Hermione, as they watched Ginny and Draco leave.

"So," Harry said, when they were alone. "Everyone knows we've had sex, great."

Hermione wrapped her arms around his waist, and nibbled on his ear. "You know Ron was right, we're still officially on holiday, and we're yet to christen our apartment."

"We should go and do something about that right now," he whispered leaning towards her lips.

"My thoughts exactly," she said.

Harry leant back and looked around the maternity ward, before taking a deep breath. "Hermione?" he looked into the brown eyes of his girlfriend, and smiled.

Hermione tilted her head the side and began to giggle. "No."

Harry laughed, lifted her into his arms, and dissaparated them with a pop.

****

When Ginny and Draco arrived back into their apartment, an uncomfortable silence surrounded them. Both of them just stood looking at the other, not really knowing what to say.

"Draco…"

"I meant it," Draco said adamantly.

"I know that you were put on the spot," Ginny said. "Ron had no right to ask what he did."

"I meant it," he repeated.

"It was very sweet of you…" she started to say, but was interrupted again.

"Damn it Ginny, will you stop trying to give me a way out of this," he said frustrated.

Ginny raked both hands through her hair. "How do you want me to react? We've never even discussed marriage, you've given me no indication in the past that this is something that you'd want."

Draco moved closer to her. "You're right, but what Ron said, I looked at you, and realised at that moment…"

"What?" she asked, urging him to continue.

Draco took a calming breath. "I know I don't have a ring, Ginny I don't even have the frilly words that most women want to hear. All I can say, right now, is what's coming from inside here," he said, pointing to his heart.

"Okay," Ginny said in almost a whisper.

"I want to marry you," Draco said confidently.

Ginny closed her eyes, and tears began to drop on her cheeks. "Draco…" she opened her eyes to see Draco on a bended knee. "Oh god…"

"Ginny, I love you so much," he said in almost a pleading voice. "Please, marry me."

****

Harry and Hermione had apparated into the living room of their flat, intent on going straight to the bedroom, when they were confronted with a small problem.

"Mine smells better," Hermione said.

"Mine's further away from Ron's room," Harry argued.

"We both know how to use the silence charm."

"My window has the better view."

"In your opinion."

Harry narrowed his eyes and smirked. "My bed is much bigger than yours."

Hermione closed her eyes in defeat. "Fine, we have a winner."

Harry scooped her up into his arms, and carried her off to what was now going to be called, 'their' bedroom.

****

And there you have it. I'm sorry this chapter was so short, but I really wanted to get one posted in January. Christmas was so hectic, but now I'm back on track. The next chapter will be more to your liking. Harry and Hermione will finally reveal to her parents the new nature of their relationship, and hopefully the quidditch game too. Hope you all had fantastic Christmases, and are so far enjoying your new year. Please, please, please, please read and review. Bye for now. xxx