Mudblood on the Run

Chapter Eleven: And So It Begins

Two hours later, I was being sent out of the room to take Rose’s daughter’s old clothes and shrink them for the baby. I began to walk up the wooden stairs to the second floor. I heard Freya yell out in pain, and I winced. I made it to the top of the stairs, and I turned right, walking down the tiny hallway. I found the third door on the right, and opened it. There were stairs leading up to the attic, and I took them two at a time. I got into the attic, and I flicked the light on. I looked at all the boxes for the one labeled ‘Shawn’s Baby Things’.

Shawn and I were in the same year at Hogwarts, and we talked often. After graduation, we never spoke again.

I ripped open the box, and grabbed a dress that would fit a toddler. I knelt down, and put the tiny dress flat on the floor. I started muttering spells, and finally, it shrunk down to the size of an infant. I smiled at my work, and ran back into the room where Freya and Rose were.

“Please make it stop!” Freya yelled. Rose was tending to her.

“Just one more good push and I promise it’ll be over!” Rose pleaded. I turned on my heel, not prepared to witness child birth. Freya yelled out, and Rose laughed, in that motherly sort of way. There was a moment of silence, then the high-pitched scream of a baby crying. I walked back into the room, to see a baby covered in gunk, being cleaned by Rose. Freya was crying on the table.

“Freya! She’s beautiful!” I exclaimed as I handed the dress to Rose. Freya held out her hands for her daughter as Rose was dressing her. When she had finished, Rose handed the baby to Freya. Freya looked at her hungrily.

“Idona Bella Melson.” Freya said. I looked at her, stunned.

“Did you say Bella?” I asked her. She smiled, and nodded her head. I smiled too, feeling tears well up in my eyes. Idona was still crying.

“Can I hold her?” I asked. Freya handed Idona to me, and I took her, being careful to support her head. She stopped crying immediately. Idona opened her eyes, and looked at my face. She had the same eyes as Freya; intensely hazel. She had peach-fuzz on top of her head, that looked brown, clearly the color of her father’s hair. She had the same tiny nose as Freya, with the same mouth shape. I looked up at Freya.

“You should probably sleep.” I told her. She nodded, getting up, pulling pants on, then falling into a chair at the table.

“My legs feel like noodles.” She said with a small laugh. I handed Idona to Rose, who gladly took her. I went back to Freya, hooked one arm behind her knees, and the other behind her back. I picked her up, and realized just how small she was.

“You know, for just giving birth, you’re tiny.” I told her as I began to walk up the stairs with her.

“Yeah, that tends to happen when you go a few days without eating. Plus, I have a fast metabolism.” Freya said, her eyes drooping. I made it to the top of the stairs, and I kicked her bedroom door open. I walked over to the bed, and put Freya upon it. She was asleep before she hit the bed.

“Night, Freya.” I whispered, backing out of the room. I went back into the main bar room, to see Rose sitting at the table, holding Idona. Idona was asleep. When Rose heard me approach, she turned to look at me.

“There’s a retired Healer across the street. She agreed to see you, Freya and Idona for regular well-checks. I think all three of you are in need of one, if what you told me about the snatchers is true. She’s going to see you three at 5:30 tomorrow morning.” Rose explained softly, careful not to wake Idona.

“Thank you, Rose. You’re doing so much to support us. I have no idea how I’m going to repay you.” I told her, a slight smile on my face.

“I don’t mind. I like having company other than those damned Death Eaters.” Rose said, scowling.