Ravenclaw

Chapter 79- Ravenclaw-Gryffindor

Song for the chapter: Small Bump by Ed Sheeran

~
     The whispers in the castle accumulated as the students started to buzz with excitement, stupid little grins plastered on their faces. Not only that, but some of the teachers finishing up their classes were also in an elated sort of mood— it was good day today, and for a very good reason.
     Some of the classes had ended early, rather abruptly too— an emergency had occurred, but it wasn't one where someone had died or had gotten hurt; no, it was one where happy celebrations would erupt for the entire Gryffindor and Ravenclaw families.
     The rumours flew fast among students— "her belly had gotten bigger!" or "I saw her being rushed out!"— and pretty soon, news had leaked into the village as well. The hospital had remained quiet; the people of Hogsmeade were certainly respectable, they did not see fit to impose upon this special moment for the Four Founders.
     "A Ravenclaw-Gryffindor!" People cheered, raising mugs of Butterbeer high into the air, slopping some down the sides of their mugs. They rejoiced the unity of one of the two greatest wizards and witches ever, and were absolutely joyful at the news of their baby finally being welcomed into the wonderful wizarding world.
     However, as respectful as they may be, the people remained itching to see what went on in the hospital; whether or not Rowena was struggling with the birth or had the baby come out yet.
     One person in particular, on the contrary, wasn't looking forward to seeing the birth, even though he was entitled to.
"I can't believe it."
"Godric, you have to go."
"I still can't believe it."
Godric Gryffindor paced round the sitting room, a sheen of sweat on his creased forehead, hands fidgeting, once in a while running a hand through his perfectly tousled brown hair or feeling his stubble, which he hadn't shaved for a while now. But it suited him-- it made him fit the title of 'father', better.
"I don't think it matters whether you believe it or not; you should be there, now, because it could happen any minute now." Helena Lilac sat, poised on the Gryffindors' comfortable upholstery, eyebrow raised, slightly annoyed with her ex-student's behaviour. She had expected better from him-- to bail on his wife now was the worst thing to do.
"If it helps you to believe better, take a week off work, you'll need it. I'll need it" She added under her breath, rolling her eyes at Godric as he stared at her incredulously.
"Take a week off? Are you out of your mind, Helena?" He cocked his head to one side and glared at her, before quickly resuming his pacing. "I can't just... abandon my students and Rowena's, I must teach!"
Helena was finding it an uphill battle to not roll her eyes every few seconds. "You won't, Helga, Salazar, Raziel and I will take over your classes, of course. Even Muggles are sensible-- I've heard they have this thing called maternity leave; when their wives go into labour. For both the wife and the husband." She paused, surveying the man. "You are going to be a father now, Godric. You should be there for your son."
Godric threw his hands into the air. "I won't win this one, will I?"
Helena smirked, making her look younger as her eyes had a cheeky glint in them. "No, you won't, Gryffindor, and you never will." She quickly got up from her perch on the couch and swiftly exited the house, Godric having to jog to keep up with the surprisingly fast elder woman, who miraculously had a child at such an age.
They both walked briskly to the Hogsmeade hospital, so as to maintain their composure but also be quick at their arrival. The witch at the front desk didn't even need to check them in like she did the other wizards and witches; the teachers of Hogwarts already had quite the reputation, and didn't to 'check in' anymore.
Context is essential-- and this one is where Rowena's water had broken, and as Raziel, Helga and Salazar ushered Rowena to the hospital, Godric fled home under the pressure and shock of having to be a father in a few minutes time. Helena had quite angrily stormed after him and convinced him to be there for his wife, and as they rushed past the numerous white rooms of the hospitals, Rowena's cries could be heard.
Godric winced as another sharp shriek pierced the ears of almost everyone in the hospital; he rushed into the room and held the hand of his wife, who was red in the face and sweating profusely. Tears pooled round her brilliant eyes and she gripped Godric's hand tight, tighter, tighter still.
The Healer in the room waved his wand; Rowena groaned and moaned as her stomach trembled slightly. Helga held her other hand, and was almost white in the face at how tightly Rowena was gripping her.
"Almost," the stressed Healer whispered frantically, quaking under the steely glare of Salazar, who hated seeing his friends like this-- it was bad enough seeing Helga struggle tremendously with twins; if Rowena had them, he'd probably be traumatised.
Rowena let out one last, ear-piercing yelp, before everyone in the room swore they heard a pop-- as Rowena stopped yelling, a pale, blood-drenched, newborn baby started crying. The Healer cleaned it up with his wand and calmed the baby down with ease; he conjured a cradle out of thin air and after wrapping up the baby in warm clothing, placed it in the cradle and slid it beside its parents.
"A baby boy," Godric said, tears brimming in his own eyes. He looked down to see that the child had his gorgeous eyes, but had a tuft of Rowena's once blonde hair. He held the child close and it wrapped its hand round Godric's thumb, the father looking at it lovingly.
     Godric brought the child to his wife, who even after relaxing from all the labour, was knocked breathless at the beauty of their child. Immediately, all annoyance with Godric for running out on her earlier was gone— he came back just in time, he was here now, with her and their child, a complete family. The Healer shooed everyone out of the room so that Rowena and the baby could get some rest, and with one swift kiss goodbye for Rowena and a gentle kiss on the baby boy's forehead, Godric left the room with the others, certainly thinking about what Professor Lilac had said earlier.

~

     A window.
     It was not possible— the opening was never drafted in the plans and it was most peculiar to have a window on the outside, but nothing on the wall inside.
     The trick had confused students and teachers alike— it had been a joke for quite a while now. It was quite intriguing, but after a while it was blamed on the castle's intense magic and most thought that the window was just the castle's own version of a joke.
But Rowena and Godric knew what it was.
Rowena, still bed-ridden two days after the birth of their child, still stayed in the hospital, only to he discharge a day later. So, Godric took it upon himself to take the newborn, healthy baby to his aunt and uncle.
He cuddled the baby closer to his chest, feeling its steady heartbeat against his own, climbing up the moving staircases up to the seventh floor. He paced back and forth in front of the bare brick wall, and soon, the familiar oak door materialised in front of him. Swiftly, he entered the room and shut the door behind him again.
Flaura got up excitedly and rushed towards him; Ophichus held his own baby boy and approached Godric too. Flaura Mae squealed at the sight of her sister's beautiful, rosy-cheeked boy, falling in love with it immediately.
"What's his name?" She asked.
"Argus. Rowena's still not settled on his second name, though— she wants him to have one, but still hasn't found the 'right one', apparently." Godric rolled his eyes playfully and stifled a smile— he found his Rowena's quirkiness a bonus to do beautiful woman he married.
     Flaura laughed. "Well, that is Rowena, I suppose." She took the baby from Godric and cooed at it; she gazed at it for a while before returning him to his father and taking her own child, sitting next to the bed.
     Godric narrowed his eyes— but it wasn't Flaura he was looking at; no, it was the new design of the room that caught his attention.
     A window of the exact same build as the one that had appeared a few days ago was letting a good amount of sunlight in the room, Flaura and the child basking in the Vitamin D, the window pane blending in with the rest of Hogwarts' windows. Flaura and Ophichus must've asked for some sunlight, causing the room to conjure up a window leading to the outside.
     "The window is not safe." Godric blurted out.
     Ophichus cocked his head to the side. "How can it not be? It's been a few days, and everyone in the castle has given up on trying to find out where it is. No one bothers anymore," he said nonchalantly.
     Godric glared at him. "Yes, maybe the students have, but the teachers certainly have not!" Godric held the baby a little too tightly; it started to cry.
     "Do you think Salazar doesn't suspect anything?" He flared up. "He's not ignorant, Ophichus, the stares he gives me tells me so. It is quite obvious that he thinks we played a part in hiding you, and the window might make him think—"
     "Even if he did think, he wouldn't be able to get in, Rowena told us so!" Ophichus fired back. Flaura's own child began to bawl, and Argus' cries only grew louder. "Rowena knows magic more advanced than any of us, you think Salazar will be able to figure it out?" He scoffed.
"All I'm saying is that you are putting everyone in more danger than we already are!" Godric growled in response. "Have two learnt nothing, remaining to be selfish?"
"Selfish? How is being deprived of sunlight selfish? How is making sure we don't grow weak without the sun's rays selfish? How is making the smallest of windows in this humongous castle just so that we can see he outside world for once, and let our child live a healthy life, selfish?" Ophichus said exasperatedly, glaring at Godric.
The younger man stood his ground, with an equally fierce look, before turning on his heel and leaving. "Rowena'll deal with this when she gets here," he said before leaving.
With the baby still bawling, he slammed the door forcefully.

~