Fire burnished golden ties
Gwen’s Arrival
Title: Fire burnished golden ties
Summary: Dean and Pavarti finalise their marriage with the final rites of a Hindu marriage due to Pavarti's family being Hindu. Due to the closeness of Pavarti and Padma as well as their mutual pregnancies and the family's superstition against having twins married separately they are going share the house Dean inherited from his deceased wizard father Caradoc Dearborn.
A/N: Star-crossed Lovers or not series [Snake and Eagle, I did not sleep with that wizard! and Rise of the Cannonites compatible. I could have skipped this but I found Hindu marriage quite interesting and I had to write it. The title comes from the Hindu belief that married couples are tied together as partners by invisible golden ties.
Gwen’s Arrival
September 19, 1996
Because Lavender lived between Pansy and Pavarti’s apartments, they usually ended up studying together.
It wasn’t uncommon for Lavender to fall asleep on one of their couches; neither witch or their bonded had the cruelty to forcibly send her back to her empty apartment.
Pavarti had been half-tempted to ask her to move in so she wouldn’t be alone all the time.
There was a daybed in the nursery after all.
Pavarti had always been a morning person, she woke early carrying Parisa out of the bedroom she shared with Dean and headed downstairs.
Lavender was curled up, her arms cradling her baby bump as she moaned in her sleep, a moan of pain.
Lavender had always been a sound sleeper, but Pavarti was worried. She’d learned a labour detection spell from Andromeda just to be safe since she was spending so much time with Pansy, Padma and Lavender.
Lavender glowed blue and then green.
Pavarti panicked slightly, summoning a Dearborn elf to inform Andromeda. She put on her expressor ordered breakfast and conjured a stretcher to levitate her best friend on.
Pavarti left a note with an elf for Dean, letting him know that she had Parisa with her and that he ought to go to class for the both of them.
Pavarti felt as if she had to look after her friend as she let herself into the infirmary.
Waiting for her were Andromeda, her medi-witch Aednat and her apprentice Deborah…
“Lavender’s always been a sound sleeper but she’s sleeping through her labour, that can’t be normal.”
“You did the right thing bringing her here. We’ll look after her.”
“You don’t understand…I have to be here. Lavender is alone, Ron won’t come and Pansy shouldn’t miss class.”
“In that case, you may stay. She’ll need a friendly face after I wake her.” Andromeda said before casting the appropriate charm.
The first thing Lavender was sit up and gasp, her eyes filling with tears. “Merlin…what is that…ow! Did I fall?”
“You in labour Lav, Gwen’s coming…” Pavarti said as she held onto her hand.
“I’m…”
“Going to be a Mum…Parisa and I are going to stay with you the entire time.”
“She’s already half dilated, it shouldn’t be too much longer…” Andromeda announced.
XooooooX
Shouldn’t be too much longer was about four hours…
It was nearly lunchtime when Lavender began to push.
Pavarti had been there not too long ago, she told Lavender how brave she was and soon she would be holding Gwen.
Everything would be a bit brighter for that even if Ron had no interest in Lavender…
Lavender was going to stay with Pavarti in the nursery; she would need help and comfort.
Soon the room was filled with the sound of a baby crying, Parisa began to cry as well.
Lavender was cleaned up after delivering the after birth while Medi-witch Aednat was cleaning up and weighing Gwen.
Once Lavender was in a clean nightgown and covered in clean bedding, a meal was delivered for them.
It must have been lunchtime because Pansy and Dean poked their heads in the infirmary.
“Is she here?” Pansy asked nervously.
Pavarti nodded.
Lavender’s cousin slipped in with Dean.
Dean came around to wrap his arms around Pavarti, “You’re a good friend.”
Pavarti blushed, “She needed someone and I knew you could take notes for us. I am almost certain that Healer Andromeda would have me excused for the morning.”
“I will let Filius and your professors know.” Andromeda said as she sealed away the afterbirth.
Pansy had to hold Gwen but Lavender weakly insisted that Pavarti hold her first.
The two friends took turns holding the tiny girl, she had bluish eyes and whisps of strawberry blonde hair.
Then Gwen began to whimper and Lavender shyly went to feed her.
Dean turned his head to give her privacy.
Unfortunately, Gwen pulled away and the three teenage witches were surprised to see no milk dribbling.
Lavender began to panic. “How will she grow up if I can’t nurse?”
Andromeda handed Gwen to Pansy, “Go find Mal, get her to nurse Gwen. She just gave birth the other day. She should have plenty of milk; she’s been dripping for a week and shared some with her niece Mishel.”
Dean took Parisa, “Take care of her…I’ll take Pari.”
Pavarti gave him a weak smile before slipping into bed with her weeping friend.
“Why?” Lavender sobbed. Why can’t I feed my baby?”
Pavarti had no words; there was nothing she could say to make this better.
Hadn’t Lavender suffered enough? Pavarti would do what she could, but her milk wasn’t the right sort for a newborn…
What do you think? Outstanding? Exceeds expectations? Acceptable? Poor? Dreadful? Troll?