Empty souls

Chapter 19. Ginevra.

“Calm down dear. It’s not even the beginning.”

“I know, Molly.”

“You just need to control the breaths.”

“Fine.” Growled Hermione and obeyed. Her whole being felt the tension spread all over her body with fear and excitement.

They arrived into the meternity ward in St.Mungo’s fifteen minutes ago. Angelina immediatly ran to look for her uncle, Healer Jacobson, while Luna flooed back to Hogwarts to bring Madame Pomfrey at Hermione’s request. When the healer reached them in the waiting room, he passed directly to the ward, where he checked on her. He said that it’d take at least four or five more hours until the real thing begin, so he left with the promise to get back every hour. Until then, Hermione would be walking around the ward to help when the labour comes. Minutes later, Luna and Madame Pomfrey came and the nurse oedered the rest to leave the ward, letting Hermione being acompanied by Molly and the nurse. Fleur, Luna, Angelina and Katie went back into the waiting room for the rest to arrive.

Since Hermione awoke that morning, she felt odd. Her belly was lower than the last day. For fear, she said nothing until Harry and his crowd left. She approached Molly and related to her what she was feeling. Against her thoughts that were filled with images of Molly getting excited, she was surprised to see Molly Weasley as if nothing happens. After giving birth to seven kids, she wasn’t alarmed or shocked. The soon-to-be-grandmother madde Hermione sit on a chair in the kitchen to have a talk as a preview of what was to come.

Being honest with Hermione was something that she didn’t like on the least, but agreed that it was needed. The baby’s movements of the last two weeks were increasing. Sometimes, Hermione felt the baby’s kicks so hard that she cringed, the rounded belly lowered and Hermione felt her entrance tingle.

Two hours after that talk with Molly, Hermione gasped and an instant later her water broke in Harry’s and her’s room. Trying to control her fear, she walked to the stairs and descended them one at the time until she got in to the parlor with her face flushing furiously. Molly, as if on cue, came out of the kitchen drying her hands with a towel and approached the girl that just arrived.

The rest of the girls yelled and ran in all directions when they found out, but Molly’s attention was fully on Hermione to let her know that everything’ll going to be fine as long as she pay them no mind. When the first contraction hit her, Hermione moaned in pain and her breaths came erratical; she couldn’t help felt worried, and Fleur, Luna, Angelina and Katie looked even more nervous and out of control until Molly, fed up by their childishness, yelled at the girls to shut up. Surprisingly, the most controled was Luna, and Molly let Hermione at her care while she contacted to St.Mungo’s anf then, Remus.

With that, they all took an emergency portkey that trasladed them directly in St.Mungo’s.

It had passed half an hour since they went inside the ward when Harry came out of the hospital’s fireplace and behind him the rest of the Weasleys, Remus, Tonks and Neville. The girls greeted them euphorically and the female auror, frowning, placed on them a silencing charm, except Angelina.

She barely could say where Hermione was when Harry was already making his way and, getting into the maternity ward, he spotted the girl walking holding Molly’s shoulder for support. Five steps later, he was huggin her and in that instant, a new contraction hit her. Harry, alarmed, excused himself profusely thinking that he’d hurted her, but after she recovered, she said that it wasn’t his fault.

The same mediwitch that kicked the girls out, strode towards the couple with the intention of threw Harry out too, but when she recognized hisw famous scar, left. It was maybe the only time Harry felt grateful to be a celebrity because the mediwitch supplied them with a private room after that.

It was almost midnight when Healer Jacobson and Madame Pomfrey checked Hermione and agreed that it was time: she’d delated ten centimeters now and ready to push, at which Hermione was grateful. With the order to lay down on the bed, Harry and Molly helped. They insisted on being in the whole process and Pomfrey and the Healer let them, much to Hermione’s relief. She was now covered in sweat (even her gown was soaked), with a pain that made her let out silent tears and her legs wide opened and her privates areas in full view. Molly and Harry held her hands with sweet words to console her but she wanted to yell. The contractions got more and more painful, threatening to tear her body in pieces at any moment... though, that wasn’t going to happen, but it’s what she felt.

“¡For the love of Merlin!” yelled Hermione “¡Give me drugs, damn it!” her sudden angry made her hands tight in fists, almost crushing the bones of Molly’s and Harry’s hands.

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” replied Pomfrey hurriedly, moving bottles in the corner of the room, helped by the Healer.

“Calm down, love.” Whispered Harry.

“Don’t-tell-me-to-calm-down” hissed Hermione spelling slowly each word in Harry’s face once she released Molly’s hand to grab his shirt from the collar. Harry had never been more scared of Hermione and gulped in fear.

“Dear” called Molly, caressing her drenched hair, attempting to soothe her “you need to control yourself.”

This infuriated Hermione even more and opened her mouth to retaliate, but another contraction hit her again and she groaned laying back while new tears replaced the ones that scurried down her face mixed with her current sweat. Madame Pomfrey gave her a painkilling potion that Hermione drank rapidly, almost choking. Harry was worried sick and scared to see Hermione this way and felt useless. Not only that, but the fact that he wished it was HIS baby that was fighting to get out of her, what was pained him. His thoughts were interrupted when tiny fingers caressed his cheek. He turned to see Hermione looking back at him with wide eyes.

“I’m scared.” Whispered the girl and Harry held her hands and approached them to his lips and kissed.

“Everything’ll be just fine, you’ll do great.” Whispered Harry lovingly.

“Are you ok?” asked Hermione breathing hard.

“I should be asking you that.” Smiled Harry and sighed “yeah... I’m ok, a bit awkward... it’s the first time that I find myself in this situation.”

They were interrupted when Healer Jacobson cleared his throat. “I’m going to lift the gown, Hermione... it’s time.”

Hermione gulped... and Harry gulped harder. Obvioulsy he’d seen... well, that femenine parts... but this was Hermione, the love of his life... giving birth to his best friend’s baby... and Harry blushed embarrassed. Though, he stood his ground nervous, sweating, trying to comfort his girl... and that didn’t stop him to see from the corner of his eye when the gown was lifted over her belly. Pomfrey removed the hair on her south... and he felt Hermione’s hand crushing his with a new wave of pain. When the girl was prepared, the healer positioned himself between her legs, Pomfrey right behind him.

By this moment, Hermione did not feel ashamed, embarrassed or fear, the only thing that she wanted at that moment was push because, even that the painkilling pition made it’s effect, her body claimed at her to do it, to push a new life into the world. Healer Jacobson told her to push when she felt the contraction and the girl did... Harry stared at her, her face contorted when she pushed and by the force in her hands, he realized the amount of energy that she used to do just that, revealing her full flushed face covered in sweat, and when that it passed, Molly dried her face with a towel and Hermione tried to regain tha air that left her lungs gasping. Her nature couldn’t allow her to yell because tha path that the baby was making, would get it back. This process continued for almost twenty minutes and the healer exclaimed.

“You’re doing right, Hermione! I can already see the head! Just two more times! Push!”

And she did, this time with more force than the last and when she finished, grunted. Molly and Harry never released her hands. “Come on, ‘Mione” encouraged Harry whispering in her ear while she was breathing deeply, but nodded.

“Once more, Hermione! Do it!” ordered Pomfrey. And with a last great hard effort, Hermione pushed, letting out a low scream, pushing the baby out the rest of the way and Pomfrey cut the lace with her wand and attended tha baby in her arms exclaiming. “It’s a girl, Hermione... well done!”

Hermione let her body slump against the bed tirefly, breathing profusely... but with a bright smile. “A... girl” she gasped “A girl... God!” she cried and moaned. Her happiness was more than all the process that the almost last seven hours she passed. No matter houw much pain she endured, the moment worth it... she could hear the baby’s cries, her wailings were loud and full of life.

Molly was crying at Hemione’s side and hugged the girl tenderly and released her to go with Pomfrey that took the baby to the end of the room for a proper cleaning. Harry bent down and kissed Hermione fully on the lips, broke it and hugged her too. “I’m so proud of you” said Harry while wipping off her tears with his thums and forefingers. She just breathed the better she could, and her eyes were threatening to close but refused when Molly approached the bed slowly... carring the baby girl in her arms. The baby was now silent and covered in a white blanket. The woman was crying silently but handed the bundle of joy to her mother, whom extended her arms desperatly to touch her little girl.

Harry and Hermione were in awe at the little being in her arms. The baby had her eyes closed but her tiny hands were curled in fists, moving them erratically. Hermione uncovered her to inspect her baby’s body... ten fingers in her hands, ten in her feet... her arms, her legs, her chest and stomach... all of her... ‘She’s perfect’ thought Hermione crying softly. Pomfrey walked to them.

“Even after all that you and the baby got through, she’s fine. I checked on her. She’s a healthy girl. Congratulations.”

“Thanks.” Replied Hermione, never her eyes left her baby.

“Now, I’ll take her while the healer finish with you.” Pomfrey took the baby girl carefully and Hermione felt the loss of her body against her chest with pain.

“You did great, dear.” Commented Molly while the Healer finished to attend her “You’re brave... thank you.”

“What for?”

“For give me my first grandchild... for give me and my family this precious gift... this happiness... for let Ron being a father, even if he’s not here.”

Hermione was touoched by Molly’s words and took her hands... and both women cried in happiness. Harry forgot anything else that’s crossing his mind minutes ago and focused on Ron’s memory. ‘Ron’s little girl... he’s a father now... wherever he is, I’m sure that he’s proud of both his girls.’ Harry couldn’t help but let his tears leak down from his emerald eyes.

Molly released Hermione’s hands when Pomfrey returned with the baby and gave her to her mother again. The healer lowered the gown and placed a sheet over her body when finally her tired legs dropped and closed on the bed. “How’re you going to name her?” asked the nurse. Harry and Molly looked Hermione’s face expenctantly at her sides, while the tired new Mom touched lightly her baby’s rosy cheeks.

“Ginevra... Ginevra Jane Weasley.”


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Molly came out from the private room with a wide smile anouncing to the rest that were still in the waiting room in St.Mungo’s, that a new Weasley girl came into the world. Loudly cheers and applauses greeted at the new grandmother. The few people that weren’t family and friends, turned to see the ruckus, making the receptionist in turn and Mediwizards approached to them and quiet them down.

The full pack of Weasleys and friends entered the room to see Hermione holding her daughter, and Harry sat on a chair at her side, looking at her lovingly and still in awe. All of them congratulated and took turns to hold the little girl. When they found out the baby’s name, all motions stopped.

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Half an hour later, the lot bid them goodbye to Hermione and Harry... and the baby of course, and left to their own homes. Fleur insisted Molly to go back to the Burrow and she agreed on the condition that Harry would cantact them immediatly if something happens. Harry assured them that he would take care of them.

It was dawn and Hermione was asleep, the baby in a crib at her side and Harry couldn’t close his eyes. His mind was running everywhere with different thoughts... that were broke when the baby started to cry again and Harry, that didn’t want Hermione to wake up because she’s drained, walked to the baby’s crib and took her up in his arms. Something similar to an instinct made him hold her head steady and rocked her back and forth slowly to calm her, pouring a tenderness to the little girl, humming at her. After a few minutes of this, the girl stopped her wailings and opened and closed her mouth and then, it happened: the baby girl blinked a few times and opened her eyes, evealing in a honey colour covered by what appeared to be a transparent plasma of the sort. Harry stared at the baby in her arms, so tiny, so fragil... a new life. In her crown had a patch of red curls like her father. She hand’t had freckles yes, but was almost her father’s face... except her eyes and nose, that were like her mother’s.

Harry’s face was unreadable while watching the baby moving and breathing. In the middle of his emotions, the more prominenet that was tearing him apart, was sadness.

“You know?” whispered Harry at the baby “you have a great mother... she loves you, she loved you even before you greeted us with your sweet presence... and you look so much like your father... I can tell... he was a great man and friend, and I know that he loves you wherever he is right now. If I just would bring him back to you...” Harry sighed while feeling his heart clench painfully and his eyes wattered “... but I swear... I swear that I’m going to protect you and your beautiful mother... I would like to be your father, you don’t know how much. I-I won’t take your father’s place, but I’ll love you as thought you were my onw. I already do. You really are beautiful. You’re whole family love you too... your granny... well, I’ll protect you from her... she’ll overprotect you and hug you until you stop breathing,” Harry chuckled “not to mention your uncles Fred and George... Merlin!” Harry here, laughed quietly “But maybe, the most closer will be your uncle Bill... he remembered me too much to your father... Ron, that’s his name... I miss him. No matter how much I love your mom, I would love for him to be here... he should be the one here, holding you...”

he couldn’t continue. A lump in his throat was closing the air channel and now his tears were cascading down his face. The emptiness in Harry was almost unbearable. It was constricting his heart. He placed quickly the baby in her crib, planning to run out of the room and cry but a hand stopped him and Harry almost jumped off his skin. He turned around scared, pulling out his wand only to lower it again. Harry was now face to face with Hermione, both with tears in their eyes.

“You’re awake” said Harry wipping his tears with his sleeve, but Hermione stopped him, placing her hand over his. He tried to speak the most normal but failed, he already had his voice craked by the feelings burning inside. “I-I’m sorry... it wasn’t_”

“Shh, it’s ok” interrupted Hermione wipping off the rest of his tears, while hers flooded.

“Why? How...? Did you...?” stutered Harry.

“The cries woke me up” replied Hermione at his first question “and I saw you holding her... and heard what you said... all of it.” This answered the other two questions.

That’s how well she knows him.

Harry didn’t know what to say. He felt overwhelmed and embarrassed to look at her and lowered his gaze. Hermione lifted his face placing both hands on his cheeks. “I know you loved Ron... but you need to let him go... you’ll go mad if you don’t.” New tears replaced thew ones that ran down from her eyes and landed in her chest. Harry used his thumbs unthinking to wipped them “What you’re feeling is what I’m feeling right now.”

“He should be here.”

“But he isn’t. I’m not looking for someone to replace Ron... you know very well as I do, that that it’s impossible... I’m not looking for a father either. Both, you and I, feel empty, and at the same time full... full of love for one another. All this months you were there for me... I felt it... and never thought that one day you would love me the way I do. Please, don’t feel like you’re taking a place you don’t have to... don’t feel like you ought yo... don’t feel guilty... because I want you by my side, because I love you... Ginny and I need you.”

“But_”

“You promised... no, you swore to Ginny that you’d break the barriers of the past... that you would go on.” Surprisingly, her tears stopped and a look of fear and devotion filled her “She won’t rest if you don’t. You won’t be happy if you don’t... I can’t replace her either and I won’t because Ron and Ginny were unique and special. I love you, Harry... and that fact will never change...ever.”

Harry hold her in his arms and cried... cried harder than ever in his life. He hold her harder and Hermione hold him back the same, because she knew what he was feeling. Empty souls and damaged hearts that were healing, both fighting to get back their lives, but couldn’t. When harry calmed down a bit, he withdraw himself a little, enough to look at her and mustered the best he could and slowly for her to understand.

“I love you, Hermione... you don’t know how much.”

“I love you too, Harry... with my heart and soul.”

Both faces approached slowly until their lips touched, sending a tingly sensation in both their bodies, making their hearts opening, releasing their emotions in a simple but strong kiss.

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The next day, Hermione and the baby were released and ready to go back to the Burrow, where they were recieved by a enormous poster that read: ‘WELCOME HOME HERMIONE & GINNY’ in bright pink printting tipes that seconds later changed to ‘CONGRATULATIONS’. The ceiling had ballons floating in white and pink colours and a pile of wrpped gifts in a corner of the parlor that reached the ceiling. Hermione’s tears floded again, touched by the crowd gathered: Molly, Bill, Fleur, Fred and Angelina, George and Katie, Luna and Neville, Remus and Tonks, Kingsley, Mad-eye, McGonagall, Pomfrey, Dean Thomas, Padma Patil, Oliver Wood, Denis Creevy, Hagrid, Justin Finch-Fletchy and Lee Jordan.

Harry was amazed to see so much people cuddled in a room aptly for only ten or twelve of them. He still had his face flushed at the fact that that morning he watched Hermione breast-fed the baby, even when he avoided the image, and for a second, he scolded himself for being jealous... now was even more flushed on the face when half of the invited people clapped his back with comments like: ‘You’ll be a great father’, or ‘I was told that you were there...’, or ‘I thought that you’d never realise that you love her’, or the most hurtful of them ‘I know Ron’s happy and proud of you three’. That last statement were from McGonagall and Hagrid, and they never knew how awful Harry felt by that.

Even when Harry and Hermione talked last night, and knowing that they both loved each other, he felt dearly the loss of Ron and Ginny, but promised to himself that he would remembered them with every memoty, whether was happy or sad... they’ll remain in his and Hermione’s heart.

When Molly stared at him, she hugged Harry and whispered motherly. “I know you” Harry stared back at Molly whose eyes sparkled “and I know you’ll be a good husband and father... you’re like a son to me... and no matter the circumstances, you have my confidence and support.”

“How do yo_”

“I know you... very well.” She smiled at him knowingly.

Harry was surprised. How could she possibly know what he was planning? Easy, Molly is a mother... and a good one.


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A/N: hope you all like it. I'm really trying to improve my skills as well as my grammar and spelling. Please, READ AND REVIEW !!!!!