After the Healer pronounced Rose okay to rest on the sofa or in a chair, things improved a bit. She was able to do some translations for Gringotts from home, which helped to keep her occupied. There were also frequent visitors to the flat, and Rose decided not to inquire if Scorpius had scheduled them or not.
On a Saturday morning two-and-a-half weeks later, Scorpius rolled out of bed to intercept the owl tapping madly at the glass of the bedroom window. –It’s Sinclair,†he said, recognizing his mother’s owl. He handed Rose the letter while he hastened to the kitchen cupboard to find the owl treats.
When he came back, she read him the short missive:
Dear Scorpius and Rose,
It was lovely to spend the morning with you last week, Rose. Thank you for having me over.
Rose snorted. –As if I were doing her the favor instead of her coming to relieve my boredom.â€
–Mother is ever polite. But she was probably smiling as she wrote that,†Scorpius interjected.
Rose continued reading:
Your father and I find ourselves with a whole Saturday free. Your grandparents went off to the Continent. Their Portkey got moved up, so they ended up leaving today instead of Monday. I know that Rose isn’t able to Apparate, Floo, or Portkey right now, which does make visiting difficult, but I thought she might want to get out of the house anyway.
–That would be nice,†Rose muttered before finishing the letter:
We still have the magic carpet that my grandparents brought back from Arabia many years ago. I can send Tally over with it if you would care to fly out for a visit. I’ll await your Floo call.
Love,
Mother
Rose and Scorpius stared at each other for a moment. –Aren’t flying carpets illegal?†Rose finally inquired.
–Technically, yes, but only because they are large and easier for Muggles to see. And because the broom companies conspired to pass legislation against them,†Scorpius informed her, –not because they’re actually dangerous. When I was little, we used the flying carpet sometimes. Father just put strong invisibility and Muggle-repelling charms on it.â€
–So I could lie down on the carpet,†Rose mused, –and even bring pillows. It would be like I’m still in bed! Oh, please, let’s go! I have got to get out of this room. I swear it gets smaller every day. I think the walls are moving closer.â€
–Well,†Scorpius paused thoughtfully, –I guess there’s no real harm, is there? You won’t be under any strain. If Father is rude, we can leave right away.â€
–Even if he’s rude, he’s better company than my own thoughts, which are really what I’ve been spending most of my time with,†Rose asserted wryly.
–All right,†Scorpius said as he headed towards the fireplace, –let’s do it. It’s a beautiful fall day.â€
Rose did some cleaning spells on herself and stood to get dressed, grimacing at a strong cramp in her back. After it passed, she pulled on one of Scorpius’s old school jumpers since none of hers would fit anymore. Then she put on robes, reflecting that even these were getting a bit tight around the middle.
After she had finished getting ready, she sat down in the chair, ignoring another twinge in her back and watching Scorpius as he raced around the apartment, setting it to rights and gathering pillows. Tally the house elf appeared a moment later with her tiny arms stretched around a large rolled carpet. She curtsied bashfully and disappeared again, leaving Scorpius to unroll the carpet in the living room, carefully cover it with spells, and then escort Rose out.
–I feel a little like a princess being born on a litter,†she giggled as Scorpius got on, pulled up both sides, and urged the carpet out the doorway.
As they flew over London, Rose snuggled beneath the blankets that Scorpius had piled on her. He was wrapped in his cloak, eagerly pointing out different sights. Rose reveled in the feeling of the sun on her face and shifted to find a more comfortable position. She hoped her back wasn’t going to hurt like this all day. She really wanted to enjoy the time away from London.
A few hours later, the carpet touched down just in front of the front porch of Malfoy Manor, and Scorpius reversed the charms that had been hiding it. Tally appeared at the door and waved them around the house to the back garden where, she squeaked, the Master and Missus could be found drinking lemonade. Scorpius flew the carpet around and landed them gently next to the burbling fountain. His parents had already set out a cushioned chaise lounge for Rose, he noticed in appreciation.
After he had helped her settle in, he turned to kiss his mother and hug his father. –Thank you so much for sending the carpet!†he grinned.
Rose agreed, –I really, really appreciate it. I was starting to go crazy in the flat.â€
–I suspected as much when I visited last week,†Astoria responded.
They chatted a bit about Scorpius’s job, some of Rose’s recent translating work, and a particularly valuable shipment of unicorn hair that Draco was expecting from South America that week. As Scorpius and Draco launched into a complicated discussion of the most effective use of unicorn hair in brewing protective potions, Rose stood, stretching her back, and excused herself to go to the loo.
–Do you want to take the carpet? Or I could help you in?†Scorpius broke off his discussion long enough to ask.
–No, no.†Rose waved her hand. –I’ll go slowly. It’s just a few steps and down the hall.â€
–Would you like some food?†Astoria called after her as Rose climbed the stairs. –I’m going to request some lunch from Tally.â€
–Maybe just a little something. And some tea,†Rose called back.
Just as she entered the hallway inside, a contraction almost doubled her over. She clutched the doorframe to keep from falling. Breathing heavily, she straightened slowly. That was strange. She hadn’t really had any contractions since the day she had gone to St. Mungo’s, and she had taken potions regularly each morning to prevent early labor.
Except that she hadn’t this morning, she realized. She had been too busy getting ready for the carpet ride.
Maybe it wasn’t labor, just a pesky cramp, she reasoned as she made her way to the loo. Once inside, though, she clutched at the counter as another one rolled through her body. Gasping, she stood, trying to collect her thoughts.
She was in labor. She was several hours’ drive from St. Mungo’s, not supposed to Floo, Apparate, or Portkey, and she was pretty sure flying an illegal carpet into the heart of London would be frowned upon.
–Thank you, Tally,†Astoria said, gracefully relieving the elf of the lunch tray. She set everything out on the table, enjoying listening to her husband and son partake in such an animated and mutually engaging discussion. She had been right to invite Scorpius and Rose out today, she thought with satisfaction. Draco had gradually been softening towards Rose, even mentioning last week something he wanted to be sure to do –when the grandchildren are here.â€
Astoria had seized the opportunity to make things better in their relationship with Scorpius and Rose. Lucius and Narcissa had left town at just the right time, and now Draco could get to know Rose a little better without being influenced by their dark comments.
As she finished pouring out the tea, it occurred to her that Rose had been gone quite a while. Perhaps fifteen minutes? Twenty?
–I’ll be right back,†she interjected softly, and Draco nodded.
When she entered the house, she was startled to hear a whimper from down the hallway. Rose was sitting in a straight-backed chair next to the drawing room doorway with both hands pressed against her swollen belly.
–Rose?†Astoria called.
–Yes,†Rose gasped.
–Are you in labor?â€
–Yes.â€
–Oh dear.â€
–My thoughts exactly,†panted Rose as the contraction eased and she was able to relax again. –And the worst part is that I really don’t think I can get out of this chair without some help.â€
Their eyes met, and suddenly they both started laughing, stopping only when Rose stiffened in pain again. Astoria put a hand against Rose’s stomach, looking at her watch. When the contraction ended, Astoria stated calmly, –That was about thirty seconds. Has your water broken?â€
–I think so,†Rose responded, sounding a bit dazed, –I think it did while I was in the loo.â€
–Tally?†Astoria called out.
–Missus wanted Tally?†the elf squeaked, appearing in the hallway.
–Yes, thank you, Tally,†Astoria replied. –Rose is in labor. Would you go out and inform Draco and Scorpius?â€
–Of course, Missus. Missus should have called Tally sooner,†Tally scolded.
–Yes, well, Missus just realized what was going on,†Astoria muttered, slipping an arm under Rose’s and helping lift her to her feet. –You’ve been in here for a while, but it only just occurred to me that you might need help.â€
Rose clutched at Astoria through another contraction while Astoria checked her watch. –And they’re about three-and-a-half minutes apart. That came on fast.â€
–Well,†Rose gasped, –my back’s been cramping all morning.â€
–Ah,†Astoria nodded in understanding. –You’ve probably been in the early stages of labor since this morning then. It just now got bad enough to notice.â€
–Rose!†Scorpius was yelling from down the hallway, skidding toward them. –Rose, Tally just said…â€
Astoria cut him off, saying succinctly, –Rose is in labor. She’s okay right now, but we’ll probably need a Healer here because I don’t think there will be time to make it back to London.â€
Draco had followed Scorpius at a slightly more sedate pace. –I’ll Floo St. Mungo’s,†he offered. –What’s her Healer’s name?â€
–Hazelwood,†Scorpius replied, chewing on his lip as Rose bent under the onslaught of another contraction. Astoria swayed slightly, her small frame struggling to hold Rose up. Scorpius finally realized he should probably be helping to support his wife and put an arm around her. –Should we take her to a bedroom?†he asked doubtfully.
Nodding, Astoria said gently, –Rose, sweetheart?â€
–I’m okay,†Rose responded.
–We need to get you down the hall to the bedroom. Scorpius is going to carry you.â€
At Rose’s nod, Scorpius gently lifted and carried her into the first floor guest room, opulently decorated in blue. –Ravenclaw!†Rose exclaimed as Scorpius laid her on the bed, helping her settle comfortably against the pillows.
–What?†Scorpius looked confused.
–The babies can be born in the Ravenclaw room,†Rose stated.
–Right.†Scorpius’s mind was on other things. –Mother, can you stay here with Rose? I think I should Floo her parents.â€
–Is that all right, Rose? I’ll be right here with you, and Scorpius will be back as soon as possible.â€
–Fine,†Rose ground out as she focused on the next contraction. She gripped Astoria’s hand.
Scorpius fled the room, listening to his wife’s moans and berating himself for agreeing to this trip.
After Scorpius left and the contraction ended, Rose asked Astoria, –Why does Mr. Malfoy hate me if he doesn’t care about blood purity?â€
Astoria was taken aback. She had thought Rose would be too focused on labor to think about anything else. Then again, perhaps this conversation would help distract her daughter-in-law from the pain, so Astoria responded slowly, –It’s not hatred, sweetheart. It’s guilt.â€
–Guilt?â€
–He wishes he had made different decisions during the war.â€
–But his parents and his whole family pushed him into helping Voldemort, right?†Rose protested.
–True. But he never liked the torture or the killing that happened. He was not a murderer, unlike some of the Dark Lord’s followers who were doing it for pleasure. And yet he never stood up against any of it, never followed his true convictions, always let others dictate how he would act. He regrets it.â€
–Doesn’t make sense,†Rose panted through another contraction, squeezing Astoria’s hand hard. –Why would that set him against Scorpius marrying me?â€
Astoria sighed. –It’s probably your parents you should hear this from.â€
–Just tell me!†Rose demanded. –I know there are secrets being kept.â€
–Rose, you look very like your mother, even though your hair is a different color.â€
–What does that have to do with anything?â€
Astoria paused for a moment and then explained. –Your mother and father and Harry were held here during the war as prisoners.â€
–Here?â€
–Yes. The Dark Lord used this house as one of his bases of operation. They were captured and held here. And tortured.â€
Rose gasped. Astoria touched Rose’s stomach to time the length of the contraction, but then she realized Rose wasn’t in pain; she was just shocked.
–And Mr. Malfoy feels guilty that his house and family were involved?†Rose asked at last, ending with a gasp that did indicate a contraction this time. Rose groaned as the pain intensified from tight cramping to a grinding ache deep in her pelvic bone.
When the pain was over, Astoria brushed the hair off Rose’s forehead and returned to their conversation. –Draco feels guilty that he was there watching it happen and never stood up against it.â€
–Oh,†Rose whispered, wrung out by the pain of the contractions and the shock of what Astoria had told her.
–He still has nightmares about it,†Astoria confided, –though he would be furious if he knew I had told you that.â€
–So he doesn’t hate me?†Rose asked, sounding hopeful. –I’ve thought a lot about our children being part of our families. I want them to know both of their granddads.â€
–And you thought that Draco might not want to accept grandchildren from a family he hated?â€
–Yes,†Rose acknowledged.
–Family is of utmost importance to Draco, which was a curse when his parents sided with the Dark Lord but a blessing when it came to Scorpius and me. And,†Astoria added, smiling, –it will be a blessing in the case of his grandchildren too. He would never reject his own blood.â€