A Fork in the Road

Disclaimer: I own NOTHING Harry Potter besides MY characters and plot...



WARNING: INCEST...what else do you need to know?



A/N: Enjoy!





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Chapter 25: St. Mungo’s



“What do you mean? You mean…it’s…I’m…”



“Yes dear, you’re going into labor,” Madam Pomfrey said seriously. “Now, I have to report to the headmistress. Lay right there, I’ll be right back.” The little nurse scuttled out of the room as Avery began feeling more and more pain in her stomach. She could definitely feel the effects taking over her body. She felt herself breathing harder and she felt hot. Poppy was back instantly and brought with her a glass of ice and some water.



“Here, drink this and suck on some of these,” she said holding out the two glasses. “The headmistress is on her way.”



Avery gulped down some of the water then plopped an ice cube in her mouth. It was cold, but somehow, it helped redirect her mind away from her pains…but Harry suddenly came to mind. She was about to have her baby…her father’s baby…their baby.



“Miss Potter,” McGonagall said aloud. “I’ve just informed your father and he is to meet us at St. Mungo’s. We will transport you in this bed via appparation. It’s the safest and most convenient way to get you there, so just hang in there. Professor Snape will be coming along as well to ensure a safe travel.” Avery nodded and sucked more fervently on the ice cube.



When they had apparated to the hospital, Snape had charmed the bed to have wheels, like a hospital bed. Poppy pushed her on the bed and McGonagall talked to the witch at the front desk.



“Yes, I’m here because Miss Potter is in labor…” Avery overheard her say quite formally.



“Dr. Fletingdale is on his way right now, so if you’ll just step over there, thank you,” the young witch said indicating to a corner in the waiting area. Avery was wheeled around to the corner when the doctor showed up almost in the next instant.



“Hey there, sweetheart, how are you feeling?” The doctor asked Avery. She looked up at him and shrugged.



“Well my name is Richard Fletingdale and I’m going to be delivering your baby today,” he said holding out his hand to shake. Avery rested the cup she had for ice by her side and took his hand and shook it, smiling weakly. He began walking quickly in the opposite direction down a corridor, and motioned for Poppy, Snape, McGonagall and herself to follow him. Poppy pushed her into the room in which the doctor entered, and she positioned the bed properly, facing the entire room.



“I’ll send the nurse in, momentarily,” Dr. Fletingdale said. He smiled at everyone and then left. No sooner had he gone did a middle-aged witch enter the room.



“Hello, dear,” she said politely to Avery. “I’m Nora Benson and I’ll be taking care of you until Richard is needed for your delivery, alright?” Avery nodded, suddenly feeling very afraid. Where is Harry?



“And you are?” The nurse asked motioning toward the others.



“I am Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress at Hogwarts and this is the school nurse, Madam Pomfrey, and my advisor, Severus Snape.”



“Oh, pleasure to meet you all. I’m going to ask you three to step outside so that I can carry on with my procedures in order to get this young girl ready. Where are the parents?”



“Her father is to arrive shortly,” Snape said sternly, taking a step closer to the nurse and whispering in her ear, “and I highly suggest you take very good care of her since she is the daughter of the Minister for Magic, Harry Potter.”



With that, Snape, McGonagall, and Poppy left Avery alone in the room with the nurse. The nurse turned to Avery and blushed.



“Oh, my! I had NO idea that your father was…Harry Potter.” She relished the words on her tongue and made a dreamy face, blushing even more.



“Yes he is,” Avery said growing suddenly angry seeing the dreamy look on the nurse’s face. “Are you going to be able to even do your job with him in here or will he be too much of a distraction for you?” Avery bit. The nurse turned to her and scowled.



“You have NO right asking that sort of question, young lady!”



“Don’t treat me as though you’re my mother!” Avery spat. The nurse turned red with anger.



“Well now that you’ve gotten all upset, it is going to delay me being able to take your blood pressure,” the nurse hissed. Avery took another ice cube in her mouth and crossed her arms.



“Well that’s not my fault…it seems to me that if you would have done your job correctly, you would have already proceeded to do your tasks in a professional manner, without getting flustered about my father. So, if it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to request a different nurse.” The nurse looked a rage and stormed out of the room. A few minutes later, the Headmistress, Snape, and Poppy entered the room.



“What was all that about?” Snape asked looking angry.



“She got all disconcerted about my father and I figured she wouldn’t be able to do her job properly if she was getting all goggled about him, so I requested a new nurse. I don’t want something to go wrong, you know…” Avery said smartly.



“I see,” Snape drawled, looking the least bit entertained. “Well, I’ll have to fetch the doctor then…please Minerva, Poppy, would you mind?”



Poppy and McGonagall nodded and came forward and stood next to Avery. Madam Pomfrey was rubbing her forehead as McGonagall refilled Avery’s ice with a flick of her finger.



“Are you feeling alright dear? Anymore pains?” Poppy asked.



“They come and go. But I suppose that’s how it is?” Avery said looking up at the graying witch. Madam Pomfrey nodded and Dr. Fletingdale entered with Snape following.



“I apologize for Nurse Benson’s behavior,” the Doctor said professionally. “I will be sending in another one of our best nurses, and it is highly suggested that you keep your temper down so that your blood pressure will be more accurate. You still feeling alright, pumpkin?”



“Yes, sir,” Avery said smiling at him and nodding.



“Alright, I’ll be back in a little while…press that red button next to you if you need me.” He turned and left the room once more and another witch entered.



“Hello everyone, I’m Kiera Banks, R.N. for Doctor Fletingdale,” the nurse said shaking Poppy, McGonagall, and Snape’s hand, then turning to Avery. “And this must be…” she looked on her clipboard, “Avery Virginia Potter, daughter of Harry James Potter and Virginia Molly Potter, is that correct?”



“Yes, ma’am.”



“Alright, well it’s nice to meet you, dear,” the nurse said finally shaking Avery’s hand. “I’m going to take your blood pressure, and if you three could step outside it’d be most appreciated,” she said to the three adults in the room.



“Clearly…” Snape muttered on his way out.



“So, how old are you, Avery?” The nurse asked using her wand to fasten the blood pressure device on Avery’s arm.



“I’m…” Avery paused, suddenly embarrassed. “I’m seventeen, ma’am.” The nurse didn’t seem to think it a big deal whatsoever, and continued asking familiarizing questions, making Avery feel more comfortable.



“When’s your birthday?”



“I turned seventeen this past April. My dad threw me a big party and some friends of ours came over and it was a really fun time,” Avery said, trying to relax for the blood pressure device. The nurse unfastened it before she could even think about relaxing and smiled.



“Well, your blood pressure is very good 186 over 30. Now I just have to ask you a few questions regarding the past nine months, so just answer as accurately as possible.” The nurse grabbed a quill and sat down next to Avery on a chair.



“Have you been taking any medications?”



“No.”



“Have you used any negative substances, such as alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes?”



“No.”



“Good, good…have you been under high stress?”



“Somewhat.”



“Have you had any abnormal pains or trouble sleeping?”



“I’ve slept fine and the only pain I’ve had is in my lower back once in a while. It has happened more frequently in the last month or so,” Avery said.



“Ok, and have you slept with anyone besides the father of your child since you have gotten pregnant?”



Avery thought of Riley in the beginning when Harry had told her to sleep with him to make him think the child was his. She shivered.



“Y-yes,” she said timidly.



“How many times?”



“Just once?”



“And when was this?”



“It was around the third week,” Avery replied. “Err…why exactly do you have to know that?”



Nurse Banks smiled and answered, “It’s just procedure so that we know to check for any diseases or illnesses that may have been transferred to you or the child, IF the child or you are to be sick at all during the delivery or after.”



“Oh, I see,” Avery said, still feeling weary.



“Alright, and when was the last time you had sexual intercourse?”



Avery suddenly flushed and thought of Harry. She couldn’t even speak she was suddenly so nervous and embarrassed.



“Um, it was…err…” Avery stuttered. The nurse looked up at her with a raised eyebrow.



“Do you remember, dear?”



“Yes, it was…um…it was about a month ago.”



“Oh, good! The more recent, the easier the birth will be on your body,” the nurse smiled.



“Really?” Avery asked. The nurse smiled and nodded.



“Now, I’m going to attach you to some liquid,” the nurse said holding Avery’s hand in hers.



“Ow!” Avery gasped, looking down at the I.V.



“Now let’s check on your contractions…” The nurse hooked Avery up to a machine and viewed the green bars going up and down in a slow rhythm. “You’re not very dilated yet, so I’m afraid this is only the beginning stage of your labor. Now, if you need anything, just press that red button next to you. I’m going to go turn in this file and make a copy. I’ll be right back. I’ll send in your accompanied headmistress, nurse, and professor.”



“Yes, ma’am, thank you,” Avery replied as the nurse smiled and left the room, shutting the door behind her. Avery’s stomach pains had increased somewhat but they weren’t unbearable. She finished gnawing on her ice cube when the door opened slightly. Her eyes lit up, as did her smile when she saw Harry standing in the doorway.





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A/N: Soooo? Whatdya think? I LIKE IT...nice cliffhanger for me to TORTURE you all with (evil laugh) haha. JK!