Desperate Measures

Chapter 31 - Birth & Babies

The party landed – in various states of gracefulness – in the large hall of Draco's manor. Many noted that the place appeared to have acquired a few decorations since the last time they'd been there.

Harry calmed somewhat upon seeing that he was in familiar and safe surroundings but then noticed the group around him and hissed in warning.

Every person quickly stepped back a good ten feet. Harry hissed again and, while it wasn't quite as violent as his first warning, everyone nevertheless stepped back another five feet. Harry twittered in satisfaction before relaxing into Draco's embrace. There was only a moment of silence before another contraction hit and Harry let out another screech.

Neville winced and looked around frantically. The healer was supposed to have come with them. Where was she? He watched in relief as an older woman stepped forward towards Harry.

Harry screeched in denial and swiped at the woman before reaching in Neville's direction as much as he was able while now being constrained by Draco.

Neville jerked in surprise and said reassuringly, "You'll be all right, Harry. The healer will take care of you."

Harry screeched again and struggled to reach a hand out to Neville.

The healer stepped back and said, "It seems to me, young man, that Harry wants you to deliver the chicks. Surely there is no reason why you cannot do this." The woman's tone was far from questioning. She was commanding Neville's acquiescence and everyone knew it.

Neville stared at her in shock then shifted his gaze to Harry. "You want me to be midwife?" he asked in disbelief.

Harry screeched yet again and Neville took a tentative step forward.

"You know, Harry," he said softly, "I've never done anything like this. Are you sure?"

Harry twittered and extended a now-released arm.

Neville looked over to Draco and said, "Malfoy? Is this acceptable to you?"

Draco let out an affirmative tweet.

Neville quickly stripped off his outer robes and dropped them on the floor then closed the distance between himself and Harry. "I've no idea what to do," Neville said urgently as Harry grasped onto him in obvious relief. "Somebody tell me what to do." He'd been prepared to be part of the surrounding protection and support circle, not to be the midwife!

The healer spoke quietly from her position halfway between the trio and the attendants who were now joining hands. "I will talk you through everything as the others maintain the magic of the support circle," she said. "The first thing you need to do is get Harry stripped. Draco, too, so that the skin-to-skin contact can provide additional magical support."

Neville nodded then was surprised to be given an entire armful of laboring Veela but did his best to support Harry through another screeching contraction as Draco quickly stripped, tossing his clothing aside haphazardly. Draco then used his claws to rip off Harry's clothes.

"Well, I suppose that's one way," Neville said as he transferred Harry back to Draco. "What next?"

"Blankets," the healer said simply. "A nest. And the bath for the chicks."

Neville looked around for blankets and tub, certain that Draco would have left them nearby.

A blond-haired young man – Neville could only presume it was some Malfoy cousin – said, "I see them." The young man left the circle and returned to his place half a minute later with a couple of folded blankets. "There're others."

"Get them," Neville said and the young man dropped his armload before retreating once again. Neville quickly retrieved the blankets and brought them to where Harry and Draco were standing. He winced as Harry screeched again but unfolded first one blanket then another and laid them flat upon the floor.