Thicker than Blood (Draco Malfoy love story)

Chapter twenty-one: We Have History

"Just a little more! Push, honey! I know it hurts, but you have to push!" I say loudly, trying to be heard over Darllen's screams of pain.

I'm answered with a louder scream as she pushes. I try not to gag at the smell of blood and other bodily fluids that accompany the birth of a house elf. Not just regular gross smells either. No, their blood alone smells like vinegar and battery acid, and the rest... I'll save you the details.

"Draco! Get over here and hold her shoulders down!" I scream over Darllen, towards the tree that he's been hiding behind since he first heard her screaming.

"I- I can't!" He screams back, looking like he might be sick.

Just then, Darllen screams again. This one isn't like the others, a mix of effort and pain. No, this one was pure, unimaginable agony. I look at her, thinking I might be sick myself.

She tore something in her... Lower regions. The smell of blood is stronger than ever, and now it's on my shirt. Like it's not bad enough I'm already elbow deep in this shit.

Then I see a tiny head. "Darllen, give me a few more! I can see it, Darllen! I can see your baby!"

She freezes for a second and smiles, before the contractions overwhelm her again. She pushes with renewed strength.

"Darllen doing good! Darllen push for Phoenix." Dobby says beside me. I jump, having forgot he was there, holding her hand. He hadn't said a word the entire time.

Finally, she goes limp and collapses in Dobby's arms. I smile and hold the tiny baby up, giving it a sharp swat on the bottom. It immediately starts crying, very loudly, in my ear.

I laugh and pull it away a little. I give a quick glance, determining its gender.

"Well, I have to say, your baby girl has a very healthy set of lungs." I say proudly, picking my jacket off the ground and wrapping the little baby in it.

Both Dobby and Darllen have tears in their eyes. Dobby holds her first, since Darllen doesn't look very stable at the moment. I pull out my wand and subtly begin to heal her birthing wounds. It doesn't take long, but it was long enough for Darllen to talk Dobby into handing her the baby.

I smile, but I'm a little worried that she might drop the baby. Not on purpose, but this whole thing seems to have taken a lot out of her.

I reach out and gently take the baby, explaining that I need to clean the blood and stuff off of her.

I try to distract Darllen when she starts to cry. "What are you going to name her?"

Darllen stops crying and gets a bright sparkle in her eyes. She looks at Dobby, who nods. "I was thinking... Phoenix."

I freeze, then feel tears threatening. "R-really?"

They nod. "You've done so much for us. My little girl wouldn't have even made it if it weren't for you. It's the least we can do." She says, squeezing my hand.

I smile, thinking about when I saved her baby. About three months into the pregnancy, Darllen's original master died. They didn't have any family, so she was sold to a rich family. They didn't want her reproducing, so the Master of the house kicked her in the stomach and threw her outside, waiting for her miscarriage to end.

I had just been walking around my neighborhood when I heard her crying in their front yard. She was covered in blood and her expression... I couldn't even fathom the pain, not yet. I wouldn't understand until I lost my parents.

I ran over to her, desperate to help. I had just discovered my powers, and I wasn't very skilled with them yet, but I knew I had to help.

When I got over to her, I saw her tense in fear, having smelled my... Abnormality. Then she grabs my shirt with a tight grip and a determined expression, and said, "save... my baby. Do not...spare me. Just...my...child..."

I remember looking at her with wide eyes, unable to understand why she would die for a baby that she wouldn't have gotten to raise. I was so awed by her courage. I felt the warm, golden energy of healing spreading through my body and pooling in my hands.

I placed my hands on her belly and imagined the baby being cushioned in the light. Pictured that light spreading and healing everything it touched, infusing them with energy.

I didn't want to save the baby. I needed to save them both.

"So, how do you two know each other, anyway?" I hear behind me. I jump and turn, surprised to see Draco watching the baby affectionately.

I smile. "We have history." I explain simply.

He looks confused, but I just look back to Darllen.

She places a hands over mine and smiles, that familiar mischievous glimmer burning bright in her eyes.

"That we do, child. That we do."