| INTIMACY | - HPxTMR

Chapter 11 [Dolphin]

If you hadn't noticed already, I've started naming my chapters :) Sometimes, one might be posted without a name, and that's because I didn't know what to name it- feel free to give suggestions

Anyway, Happy Birthday Harry Potter!~

This chapter hit somewhere in the region of 3.7k words [That's honestly mad to me, I used to struggle with 2k!] I don't know if I need any TW for this chapter, perhaps birth? Although, it's not described in any way, sooooo.

I've edited chapters 5 and 6- named Meetings and Jealousy- in the meanwhile. Please feel free to give me suggestions such as spelling, plot points, scenes that need expanding and all that- It makes me feel happy when I post something edited :)

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15th September 1997- Monday

Harry was awoken abruptly in the early hours of Monday morning to the sound of pounding on his front doors. He sat up in his bed, bleary-eyed as he scrabbled for his wand, which was kept under his pillow. Clambering out of his bed, he reached for the robe neatly hung up nearby.

A clamour of noise followed as one of his maids opened the doors, the intruder stomping inside purposefully. They slammed shut, and a man's voice could be heard, ordering his maids to call for him immediately.

Harry made his way down the stairs, having hurriedly thrown on the robe, wand in hand and stiff at the shoulders, wary of danger. The sight that greeted him at the bottom was a delighted-looking Eunuch who was proudly holding out a scroll that was embossed with gold. The sign of an Emperor's decree. Harry sighed, head spinning from having woken up so abruptly, gesturing with clear annoyance for the man to read it quickly. He cleared his throat. "Her highness, the Primary Consort Slytherin-Black, as of only a few minutes ago, entered labour. Noble Potter-Black, along with his Majesty's other concubines, is ordered to enter the Hall of Worship to pray for the healthy birth of his Majesty's child and the wellbeing of their royal mother. You are to stay there until ordered otherwise. Respect the decree!"

Without showing the varying emotions he was feeling, Harry respectfully bowed. "This is joyous news. This one will heed his Majesties orders and pray that the birth of his majesty's child is a successful one and that both my sister and her child are healthy."

This was huge. The first child of the currently highest ranked concubine, who had never carried a child past the first trimester before even within twelve previous pregnancies, was about to be born. Whether the child was a boy or a girl, Harry did not know because Bellatrix had requested for it to be a surprise for even herself, they would automatically outrank most of their sisters, and possibly the large majority of the rest of their siblings as well.

Harry straightened, still feeling dizzy as he linked his arms with Anya's. She gave him a worried glance at his tight smile. "Anya, please help me dress appropriately."

"Yes, Master."

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A little while later, Harry joined the crowd of concubines, in their pastel tones, as they knelt on the marble flooring of the Hall of Worship in neat rows. Every concubine was present, even Noble Jasmine who looked haggard and unhappy whilst staring down at the floor, the small teddy he had seen on the chaise before clutched tightly in her hands.

Before the group was an altar, covered with flowers signifying health and luck, as well as new life and royalty. In the middle, a candle glowed brightly, flickering gently every so often, a symbol of Bellatrix's well-being. If it extinguished...

The Hall was silent, as it usually was in such a place, but the air was heavy with a mixture of eagerness, anxiousness and jealousy. Not everyone was happy with the knowledge that another royal child was going to be born, especially due to who their mother was.