HPNSA - BOOK ONE

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CANDICE PRONCIER

TIMELINE: JANUARY 11, 1998


The house was quite a distance from the main road. A pathway about 50 meters through a white forest of birch and fir ended in a garden that was covered in snow. The chimney belched a wholesome smoke that carried the aroma of fresh herbs and spices. Candice was home probably cooking her famous beef stew. Draco lowered his broom and helped Harry to his feet and they went through the garden and knocked on the door. Draco let Harry sit on the ground thick with ice and covered his head with the hood of Ron’s cloak.

“Coming!” A friendly voice said with a melodic tune. When the door opened Draco saw the same kind face that saved him nine years ago, though now it was older and the make-up on her eyes were paler. She smiled sweetly recalling the young boy whom she rescued from the bottom of a steep ravine in one of her many nature walks. “Draco!”

“Candice,” Draco said.

“Oh my you CAN talk! I knew you’d come back one day!” Candice said. Then her eyes strayed on the figure huddled on the ground grunting and groaning. “Oh! What is wrong? Who’s your friend?”

“We need your help,” Draco said.

“What’s wrong?” Candice bent over to look at Harry. He was drenched in sweat and his face streamed with tears - a vision of pain and fatigue. “Is he sick?”

“No Candice,” Draco said. “He’s pregnant.”

“What?” Candice said.

Draco had to explain to her about his real identity and about Harry. “I am a wizard, Candice. We both are. In our world he is called a Nymphrodite – he’s half-male and half-female.”

“I don’t understand,” Candice said.

“I know you don’t, but we need your help and we haven’t got much time,” Draco said.

“Why did you come here then?” Candice said. “I mean, surely you must have someone who can tend to him much better than I can.”

“Yes, but It’s too far. And there are those that pursue us,” Draco knelt beside her and holding her arms he said, “You didn’t understand me either when you helped me nine years ago. I’m asking you for that same help now.” Draco said. “I’m begging you, please?”

Candice found the story incredible, it will take her months to fully understand it and accept it, even though proof of its realism was blindingly before her. But she has always kept Draco close to her heart even though he never spoke a word to her nor visited her after he left; she knew that deep inside him he loved her. She pursed her lips then said, “He’s pregnant?” Candice said.

“Yes, Candice, he’s about to give birth.” Draco said.

“Been a long while since I’ve assisted in one. My sister in London would have done a better job.” She sighed then swallowing hard she said, “Right, bring him inside, take him to my room and take this blasted thing off of him.”

“Oh thank you! Come on Potter,” Draco said. Grunting Harry placed his arm around Draco and they slowly made their way to the room. It was the only one in the house and the bed though not so big was comfortable. Draco laid Harry on it and took off the cloak and placed it on the floor.

“Draco!” Harry said. “They killed Ron!”

“We don’t know that. The Order came just before you were attacked. Let us hope they got to him in time.” Draco said.

“We need hot water. Draco can you do that?” Candice said coming in with clean cloth and a large blanket.

“Of course I can.” Draco said smiling. “I’ll be back Potter, it’s going to be fine, and she knows what she’s doing.”

“Yeah, it’s not her I’m worried about.” Harry said with difficulty.

“Have a little faith in me, Potter.” Then he went to the kitchen and filled the kettle with water and started the stove. As he waited for the water to boil, Draco heard Harry’s screams getting louder; he was now calling his mum. Draco found it annoying to hear Harry being in his words so damn pathetic. He also got irritated by the amount of time it took for a muggle kettle to boil water, but he would not risk using magic - the amulet he wore will only work if no magic was used.

After about fifteen minutes the water boiled and Draco poured it in a basin then took it to the room. He tried not to look at Harry who was in a half-sitting position with only a blanket covering his legs.

“The water’s ready, what next?” Draco said. “What are you doing?” Candice was wrapping a belt with cloth.

“He needs to bite on this, a lot of screaming might invite others here,” Candice said. “What’s his name?”

“Pot…Harry. His name is Harry. Harry Potter.” Draco said.

“Harry, bite on this.” Candice said placing the belt in his mouth. “Draco you need to hold him,”

“He’ll crush me!” Draco said.

“He needs someone beside him, as the father,”

“I’m not the bloody father!” Draco said.

“Well, he still needs someone!” Candice cried. “It’s not easy, Draco, believe me, you need to hold him,” Candice said; Harry was now grunting and twisting in pain.

Hesitantly Draco went to Harry and sat behind him holding out his arms for Harry to cling onto. When Harry reached out for him Draco felt a searing warm sensation filling him inside. He closed his eyes tightly and said, “It will be fine, Harry. Everything will be alright.”


***

“EXPECTO PATRONUM!” Dumbledore had escaped the confines of his office and got to the Gryffindor tower just in time – a Dementor very nearly succeeded in giving Ron their fatal kiss. The room cleared of Dementors was now mangled beyond recognition and Ron lay on the floor lifeless. Slowly the small orb of light went back into his mouth and he gasped for air.

“Albus!” Cried Molly who came up with the twins. “Ron!”

“He’s alright, Molly. I came just in time.” Dumbledore answered.

“Ron!” George cried. “Lay him on the bed.”

“Why not the hospital wing?” Fred said.

“It’s overflowing with injured students.” Molly said her tears silently falling. “First time it’s ever happened.”

“The Knights have arrived. They are killing the demons, not much left now.” George said.

Dumbledore swooned and sat on one of the beds.

“Albus!” Molly said going to the old wizard.

“They have taken Harry,” Dumbledore said. Molly slowly sank on the floor.


Slowly the sound of the attack died down but the noise that followed was even more horrifying. Some of the students were killed and the castle was filled with cries of pain and grief. Hermione was helping Madam Pomfrey and Professor Hooch tend to the injured and to the fallen – the only members of the staff that were not severely hurt. Many members of the DA were badly injured but only two of them died – Dennis Creevey, and Parvati Patil. The DA mourned them greatly.

“You’re luckier than I am, Padma,” Collin said sobbing loudly; his arm was in a sling. “You’ll be able to see her again just by looking into a mirror. Oh Dennis!”

“Have you found Ron yet?” Hermione asked Fred as he slowly walked up to her.

‘Yes.” Fred said. “Professor Dumbledore and mum are with him.”

“And Harry?” Hermione said. Fred shook his head and Hermione bit her lower lip and let a deluge of tears run down her face. Fred pulled her close and hugged her tight.

Rio approached them and said, “We’ve killed the last demon alive.”

Fred let go of Hermione and looked at the Knight. “I thought you said the borders were clean of them? Before your people left these shores we were assured that there was no more threat.”

“We were sure of it. The Knights will not leave unless we are sure of the bearer’s safety.” Rio answered.

“Well, the bearer has been taken! And the Defender, the one you trained for a month and a half, is up there fighting for his life!” Fred shouted.

Rio lowered his eyes. “We understand your grief,”

“NO YOU DON’T!” Fred yelled.

“Fred,” Hermione said.

“But we were not just dealing with the Incubi. It was the job of your Ministry to help us with the enemy you face here. We know nothing of them. They kept us in the dark all the time my brothers were here, no one told us of what this Dark Lord and his Death Eaters were capable of.” Rio said.

Fred could not say a word. He knew how convoluted the Ministry was and all it’s annoying laws and regulations. That’s why Dumbledore had to organize the Order of the Phoenix for there were things that the Ministry would not do.

“We traced where they were all coming from, and it’s from the lake. Now, is there a portal there?” Rio said.

“Yes, I saw them coming from that direction too.” Hermione said.

“Then let’s go and search the area.” Fred said.


Ron slowly opened his eyes. His body ached all over. When at last his vision cleared he tried to recall what had happened.

“Ron?” Tonks was beside him. “Ron? Can you hear me?”

Ron nodded slowly then he looked around and found that of all the concerned faces surrounding him he missed the most important one – Harry was not there. Then the memory of their final stand came back in full force. His heart racing he tried to stand but Tonks stopped him.

“Harry! Where’s Harry?” Ron cried.

“Ron you need to rest,” Molly said holding him down.

“Mum, where is Harry?” Ron said. His eyes swam and no one would tell him the answer. He knew the answer already and it terrified him. “I’m going to look for him.”

“They’ve taken him,” Remus said.

“NO! NO!” Ron cried. He pushed their hands away and tried to stand, but his knees buckled and he fell down. Molly embraced him tightly.

“Ron, please rest for a while. You almost died,” Molly said.

“I should have died!” Ron cried. He tried to stand again. “I’ve got to go, where’s my uniform?” He staggered but no one was able to stop him and as he put on his uniform, Arthur came up.

“Where are you going?” Arthur said.

“I’m going to look for Harry.” Ron said.

“The Knights are already doing that, Ron you are not well.” Arthur said.

Ron walked a couple of feet and then he fell into his father’s arms. They placed him back on the bed and Molly poured a small amount of rejuvenating draught in his mouth.


***

“PUSH!” Candice cried. “Push! One last time! The head is already out, I need you to push one last time. PUSH!”

Harry was now squashing Draco’s arms as he took a deep breath and pushed with all his might.

“Here he comes! Go on! Go on!” Moments later, as Harry cried loudly with the force of the labor, the sound of a small voice filled the room. “It’s a boy! It’s a boy!” Candice cried amidst her tears. Harry was breathing hard and slowly sank into Draco’s arms exhausted.

“You did it, Potter!” Draco said. “Harry you did it! He’s out! He’s crying!” Draco was also in tears overwhelmed by the moment.

“I want to see him,” Harry said weakly.

“Yes, I’ll clean him first. And you need to be stitched up.” Candice said.

“Stitched up?” Draco said.

“Yes, a good three inches. The boy is about six pounds. Nice size.” Candice said.

Draco wanted to faint when Candice took out a needle and a surgical thread then started sewing.

“You are very brave Potter.” Draco said.

“I feel numb.” Harry said.

“You lost a lot of blood, Harry. It’s natural.” Candice said.

“It’s a good thing she’s a nurses’ aide and has these things handy.” Draco said. “Now, if you don’t mind I’m going to get some ice.”

“What for?” Candice said.

“My arms. I’ve never been squashed so hard in my entire life.” Draco said.

Harry laughed a bit. Then Candice placed the child at his side after she cut the umbilical chord and wrapped the placenta in a cloth. Harry was exhausted but he reached down and kissed the strands of red hair on the small head that was lying beside him. Tears were running down his face. Candice changed the blanket that covered him and opened up a window to let some fresh air inside – it was now late in the afternoon and though there was snow outside the sun was shining brightly and it made the air refreshingly cool. Harry began to feel his body giving in to weariness.

Draco came back bringing with him a cold compress and when he saw Harry he sat on the chair beside him and said, “Sleep Potter. I’ll stay and watch over you two.”

Harry smiled at him and closed his eyes.


***

“Hermione, is it?” Rio asked. Hermione nodded her head. “You need to talk to Ron, he has been out searching for almost five hours now.”

Hermione went outside and she and Rio found Ron coming up from the Lake. He was drenched in ice-cold water and was trembling all over. He had waded in searching for the Portkey that the demons and the Death Eaters’ used to get to Hogwarts. But it was useless. The icy waters hid the bottom of the lake like a thick blanket they could not find anything that could have been used as a Portkey.

“Ron! Ron, get out of the water.” Hermione said. Ron was talking to himself, muttering something amidst his tears. Hermione went into the water she shrieked for the ice bit through her skin. “Ron!” When she reached Ron she forced him to look at her.

“They’ve used something here, I’ve got to find...” He kept repeating it as if Hermione wasn’t there.

“This is not helping Harry, Ronald!” Hermione cried. It was only then that Ron looked at her, his chin was shaking and his lips were now blue. “It will not do him any good if you die here!”

Ron nodded but said nothing. Then he and Hermione waded out of the water and went back to the castle where Molly gave them both new clothes and hot soup.


***

“Draco,” Candice said softly. “Draco, look,”

Draco woke up and realized he had dozed off it was now dark and snow drifted softly outside. Harry was still asleep but the baby was not and his hand was stretched out and Draco saw that a mitten was floating in mid-air. He smiled and went to the child.

“Show off.” He said softly. “Just like Potter.” Then he took the mitten and placed it back on the small hand and kissed it.

He then stood and asked Candice for the time. “It’s half-past seven” Candice said. He rubbed his neck then felt the chain around it. Then it hit him – the baby was emanating a magical aura. He went to Harry and found that Harry was wearing a similar amulet – they were both hidden but the baby was not.

“We need one more,” Draco said nervously. “We need another amulet.”

“What’s wrong?” Candice said.

“We have to leave.” Draco said reaching for his cloak.

“What is wrong?” Candice said again, her voice was now alarmed that something was scaring Draco and it started to scare her too.

“They’ll find us, they’ll find us Candice.” Draco said. “Harry? Harry?” He said waking Harry up.

“Don’t wake him, he needs to rest.” Candice said.

“We need to get him and the baby out of here or they will die!” Draco said.

“Die? What do you mean?” Candice said.

“Remember I told you there are those who pursue us? They are wizards and they can detect anyone who is a wizard because we emit a magical aura. That’s why I have this,” Draco said showing her the amulet around his neck. “It blinds them making us look like muggles,”

“Muggles?” Candice said.

“Ordinary folk!” Draco said. “The baby is magical and you saw what he did, he is conjuring magic without a wand, he is magnet for them!”

Candice’s jaw dropped. Not until now did she fully understand the trouble Draco and Harry were in. And she realized that her life was now in jeopardy.

“Harry! Harry!” Draco yelled. Harry slowly opened his eyes. “You need to get up!”

“I can’t’ Harry said weakly.

“You must! Candice do you have a car?” Draco asked. Candice was in shock. “CANDICE!” Then he went to her and grabbed her by the arms and looked into her eyes. “Candice! Do you have a car?”

Candice nodded.

“Alright.” Draco then took off his amulet and placed it around the baby’s neck. “You and the baby will ride on the car.”

“He will die if we move him,” Candice said slowly.

“He will die if we don’t!” Draco said. “Harry come I’ll carry you to the car.” Draco tried to carry him but Harry bled when he moved him. “Oh Shit!”

“Take my amulet and get my son to Hogwarts.” Harry said.

“No, I’m not leaving you behind!” Draco yelled. “Candice get the baby,”

“Draco,” Candice said. “If we move him, he’ll bleed to death.”

“If we don’t he’ll die anyway! I’d rather bring your body to Weasley than go back there empty handed!” Draco said.

“Draco, get my son to Hogwarts.” Harry said.

“I have a friend not far from here, we can take my car there and you can come back here to get Harry.” Candice said.

“Candice, those that follow us are trained killers, I can’t handle them on my own! We have to get Harry and the child to safety.” Draco said.

“Draco, please,” Harry pleaded.

“I’m not going to leave you, Potter! Not like this!” Draco said.

“You’re running out of time,” Harry said.

Draco hit the walls with his fist. Rubbing his hair with his hands. He turned here and there and shook his head. Then cried, “BLASTED! Alright! I’ll get the baby out of here but I’m coming back for you. You hear me? You stay alive, until I get back here.” He then took the amulet from Harry and wore it. Then he covered Harry with Ron’s cloak. “I’m coming back, Potter.” Then he turned to Candice and within minutes they were out of the house.