Chapter 43
When he appeared in the room, Harry found Luna standing near the door, one hand resting on her rounded belly, the other gripping the doorframe for balance. She was barefoot, wearing only a blue nightgown, and her hair fell in messy waves.
"Harry..." she began, but a wave of pain cut her off, and she winced.
"Lu!" He rushed to her, placing one hand on her back and the other in hers. "Are you okay? How long has this been happening?"
"A few hours..." she replied, calmer now that the pain had subsided. "But only now my water broke.."
She glanced downward, and Harry followed her gaze, noticing her legs were wet, with some water dripping onto the floor.
"Right, let's get to the hospital," he said, his voice laced with a mix of dread and determination.
"No... not yet." She shook her head, her clear eyes shining with the same calm resolve that always amazed him. "I want to take a shower first."
"A shower? Luna, you're in labor!" His concern was evident.
"I know, but the contractions are still spaced apart."
He wanted to argue, but then he realized he was there to support her. If she wanted a shower, he would help her take one.
"What can I do to help?"
"Can you help me up the stairs?"
"Do you want me to carry you?" he offered, trying to mask his fear.
"No, just steady me while we go up."
"Alright."
Harry carefully helped Luna up the stairs, every step accompanied by words of reassurance and worried glances.
When they reached her bedroom, they headed straight for the bathroom.
"Can you help me undress?" She seemed slightly embarrassed to ask, but Harry responded immediately.
"Of course."
He lifted her nightgown over her head and helped her lower her underwear. Again, he found himself in a situation that, under different circumstances, might have felt intimate, but his focus was entirely on her well-being. He helped Luna step into the shower and stood just outside, watching her closely. She let the warm water relax her body, letting it run over her for a few moments. Harry kept an eye out for any sign of discomfort, which is how he noticed her belly tightening as another contraction hit. Luna groaned softly, and Harry opened the glass door, placing a supportive hand on her back despite getting wet. She waited for the pain to pass before turning off the water. Harry held out a towel and, as she stepped out, wrapped it around her body.
"Let me dry you off," he offered, grabbing another towel and crouching down to help.
"You don't have to, Harry," she began.
He met her gaze firmly. "I can't just stand by. Please, let me help."
She saw the determination and vulnerability in his eyes and nodded.
"Alright."
He gently dried her body and helped her to the bedroom, grabbing the bra and underwear she requested before helping her into a simple dress.
"I'll brush your hair," he said, picking up the brush and beginning to work through her damp locks gently.
Luna felt deeply cared for but stayed quiet as he continued.
They stopped by the twins' room to grab the hospital bag, then slowly made their way downstairs before stepping together into the Floo.
When they arrived at St. Mungo's, Luna was settled into one of the natural birthing suites, surrounded by healers who prepared the room. The space was warm and inviting, with a large tub in one corner, softly glowing enchanted lights, and calming music that seemed to ease the atmosphere.
The healers directed Harry to change into hospital scrubs. When he returned, Luna was sitting on a birthing ball, already dressed in a hospital gown, gently rocking back and forth with her eyes closed as she breathed deeply. When she noticed him, she opened her eyes, and he saw relief in them.
She extended her hand to him, and he took it immediately, holding it as she swayed.
"How are you feeling?"
"Alright... for now," she said, but before she could say more, her expression changed as another wave of pain overtook her.
Harry gripped her hand more firmly, trying to offer his support.
The first few hours passed in a near-hypnotic rhythm. The contractions came and went, with Luna breathing deeply and shifting between positions to manage the discomfort.
Time blurred into a series of deep breaths and encouraging words. There was an almost tangible connection between them. Harry didn’t leave Luna’s side for a moment, holding her hand and helping her change positions as the healers instructed.
At times, she leaned on him, her arms around his neck as he supported her waist, providing strength and balance.
"You’re incredible, you know that?" he murmured at one point when she stood, leaning against him.
She laughed softly despite the pain. "I don’t feel incredible right now. But thank you."
When she knelt into a more comfortable position, gripping the sides of the bed, he knelt behind her, whispering words of encouragement in her ear.
"You’re almost there, Lu. You’re doing amazing."
She only nodded, her face glistening with sweat, but her eyes remained bright and focused.
As labor progressed, the healers suggested Luna enter the birthing tub to relax. Harry helped her into the water, holding her carefully as she sank into the warm bath.
He sat beside the tub, dipping a cloth into the water and gently dabbing her forehead. She closed her eyes and sighed, finding a brief moment of relief.
"Harry," she said softly after another wave of pain.
"Yes?"
“Thank you for being here.”
He paused, surprised by the sincerity in her voice. “This is where I’m meant to be, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
She opened her eyes and looked at him, her gaze bright despite her exhaustion. For a moment, it felt as though the world had stopped, and all that mattered was her—vulnerable and strong at the same time, facing something monumental with a courage he could barely comprehend.
As the contractions intensified, Luna stepped out of the tub and returned to the bed, alternating between positions suggested by the healers. Harry stayed by her side, holding her hand, trying to shoulder her pain.
“Harry, I don’t know if I can do this…” she said at one point, her voice trembling and weak.
More than once that night, he wished he could take her pain for himself.
He leaned closer, gently touching her face. “You can, Lu. I know you can. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever known.”
She took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment before nodding slowly.
When the time came to push, the air in the room felt charged. Harry stood beside her, holding her hand as she summoned all the strength she had.
“It’s time,” one of the healers said. “Luna, are you ready to meet your babies?”
Luna simply nodded, her face weary but determined.
Harry didn’t know how to process what was happening. He held her hand tightly as the instructions continued—push, breathe, push again. He could see her effort in every fiber of her being, hear it in the cries that escaped as she gave it everything she had.
At one point, Luna, exhausted and red-faced from the strain, broke into tears as her voice faltered. “I can’t do this.”
Harry knew he needed to do more than just hold her hand. He climbed onto the bed behind her, straddling her with one leg on either side. Luna immediately leaned back against his chest as he gripped both her hands firmly.
“You’re so close, Luna. You’re doing so well,” he whispered in her ear, his own voice thick with emotion.
Luna found strength he hadn’t known was possible and began pushing again.
“You’re almost there, Luna,” one of the healers encouraged. “I can see the first baby. Keep going!”
Finally, a tiny cry echoed through the room.
A sharp, clear sound filled the space, and Harry felt something inside him break and heal all at once.
“It’s a boy!” announced the healer, placing the baby in Luna’s arms.
Harry looked at the small figure cradled in her arms, and tears flooded his eyes. It was as if the weight of the world had lifted, replaced by a joy so profound he could hardly breathe.
“We’re not done yet, my dear,” said the healer.
Luna closed her eyes and began pushing again. Harry wanted to say something, but he couldn’t find the words. Instead, he stayed close, holding her hands and silently willing her to succeed.
A minute later, another cry filled the room. The second baby arrived—another healthy boy, just as perfect as his brother.
Luna’s expression changed instantly. She collapsed against Harry’s chest, tears streaming down her face as the two babies were placed in her arms.
Harry looked at the two tiny beings in her embrace, feeling an overwhelming wave of emotion that left him breathless.
“You did it,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “You did it, Luna.”
Luna lifted her head to look at him, exhausted but with a soft glow in her eyes. “We did it,” she corrected, her voice weak but filled with something akin to hope.
“They’re perfect…” Harry murmured, his voice barely audible, as he watched Luna cradle their sons. He placed his hands over hers, which held the babies close to her chest.
She looked up at him again, tears streaming down her face, and he felt his own tears fall freely. In that moment, nothing else existed but the four of them.
“Thank you, Harry,” Luna whispered, her voice hoarse with exhaustion but brimming with sincerity.
He didn’t know how to respond. He simply leaned down and kissed her forehead, feeling a deep, inexplicable gratitude for being there, for being part of this moment.
“You’re incredible,” he said, his voice full of admiration.
As the babies slept in her arms, Harry sat beside Luna, who was resting. He couldn’t stop looking at her.
She was exhausted, her hair messy and her face still red from the effort, but to him, she had never looked more beautiful.
“You leave me speechless, Luna,” he whispered, more to himself than to her.
She opened her eyes and smiled, tired but serene. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Yes, you could have, but I’m so grateful I was here with you.”
Luna laughed softly, closing her eyes again. Harry stayed there, holding her hand, overwhelmed with gratitude—for her, for the babies, and for being by her side in that moment.
Despite all the uncertainties that still lingered between them, everything felt clear in that moment: Luna was the most extraordinary woman he had ever known, and he would never stop admiring her—or loving her, even if he wasn’t ready to admit it fully to himself.
In that moment, he made a silent promise: he would do everything it took to be the father those two little boys deserved and, maybe, if she ever let him, to be worthy of her love too.
Photos that inspired this scene: