Delphini Lestrange Ⅱ

The main drawing room remains quiet except for the deep breathing and snores of Dora and of the infant Aurora. Lucius is pensive in thought as he periodically glances at the clock and Edward (Ted). In strict confidence of his wife, Narcissa said the child had been conceived via the Surculus Potio Germen.

Frankly, Lucius was astonished for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, the potion is rare and is seldom if ever successful. Secondly, he would have never thought Andromeda would be willing to carry a child on behalf of her deceased elder sister Bellatrix, and her former brother-in-law, Rodolphus Lestrange. Most of all Edward had impressed him by accepting the child. Even pureblood men would not willingly accept the child and for a muggleborn to do so, it had greatly caused Lucius to admire his brother-in-law.

 Still, the thoughts of Lucius turn to his cousin, Bartemius Crouch Sr. Over two weeks ago, Bertha, Barty's wife gave birth to their child born in their twilight years, Lycoris. Bertha nor Barty ever expected to have another child after so many years. Yet in their twilight years, Bertha had become unexpectedly pregnant. The pregnancy had been going well until Bertha learned of the attack on Hogsmeade. Bertha's health took a turn for the worse. Under severe stress, Bertha went into labor much earlier than planned.

Barty confessed there had been moments when he thought he would lose Bertha. Yet somehow Bertha preserved and survived the birth of Lycoris. All seemed to be well, but Bertha remained weak even after birth. She did not even have sufficient strength to hold the babe and nor did her strength return even after bedrest.

Bertha was fading away from Pupera Medeis Sespis. Even mediwizards cannot say for certain why the illness occurs in some witches but what is certain is that a witch's magic is severely weakened after giving birth. It is a known fact magical core of the witch is somewhat debilitated during pregnancy. It is speculated that the magic of the mother (witch) and that of the child are incompatible with each other which severely damages (or rather drains) the magical core of the mother (by not permitting the core of the mother to rejuvenate due to the magical incompatibility between mother and infant).

With his head in his hands, Barty bitterly confessed to Lucius that Bertha was rapidly fading. The mediwitch tragically revealed that Bertha did not have much magic left. They would do all they could to stabilize Bertha, but Bertha would not live past the end of the month. There was nothing anyone could do except support Barty as much as they could.

However, a strange source of relief and concern in this situation is the closeness Barty (Jr.) had to Lycoris. For being born early Lycoris was extraordinarily healthy. The newborn was carried everywhere by Barty in a slinger carrier on his chest or back. The nanny and the nursing house elf followed Barty everywhere, but Barty would not set the infant down except in a crib. When asked, Barty always responded that he did not want Lycoris to feel unloved or alone. And no one really could think of an appropriate counter to that.

Lucius sighs and the clock strikes midnight, Lucius seeing the later hour offers to tuck in Dora along with Aurora. Tired and worried, Ted allows it. The minutes trickled as the clock steadily ticked away. Soon enough Lucius returned and poured Edward (Ted) a stiff drink along with one for himself.

It was past one o'clock in the morning and Lucius had begun to doze off in his seat when Dobby the house elf appeared with a loud pop. Moving excitedly on his tippy toes, Dobby squeaks, "Master Malfoy, Dobby has been sent by the Mistress and mother. The mistress's sister has safely delivered the daughter!" Before vanishing with a loud pop.

Ted leaps to his feet wildly, while Lucius rises much more calmly. Ted rushes off in a most undignified manner, while Lucius much more graciously follows his brother-in-law. Through the lavish halls and past the smug-looking portraits, Lucius arrives just outside of the quarters set up for Andromeda.

Waiting outside of the quarters is his beautiful wife, Narcissa, who looks elegant even at this hour. Lucius feels the love for his wife swell in his heart. Narcissa's eyes are warm as she steadies her mother, Druella, who looks tired on her feet. Lucius's mother-in-law, Druella's stomach is growing with new life as well.

"Mother, please rest now," Narcissa begged her mother. Her mother was not young anymore and was expecting a child with her new husband, Alastor Moody.

"Yes, yes," Druella shooed her daughter away. "I have birthed three daughters and a fourth won't be any different."

"There you are Lucius," Druella greeted her son-in-law with a pleased expression. "I was just telling Narcissa that at least Aurora will have plenty of playmates."

"Mother!" Narcissa protested in embarrassment. "Not in front of my husband!"

"Nonsense child, Lucius is better than that," Druella waved off her daughter's words, before rubbing her stomach. "Though I must admit this child will be a lively one. At least, they'll be close in age," she huffed and tiredly rubbed her aching back.

"I suppose I will rest after all," Druella suppressed a yawn. "I'm not as young as I used to be," she murmured under her breath and began to waddle tiredly down the hall back to her room.

Seeing her mother go, Narcissa presses a quick kiss to her husband's face, before hurrying to help her mother down the hall. Really, one's mother should not make them worry so much at this age! While other women her mother's age picked up crochet or stitching, her mother was going to have a baby!

Lucius watches his wife hurry after his mother with a fond expression. He turns and takes a seat at a chair set just outside the birthing quarters of his sister-in-law, Andromeda. As the Head of the Malfoy family, it is his solemn duty to properly greet the pureblood child born to the Lestrange household.

The sound of footsteps causes Lucius to straighten up expectantly to see an expression of warmth and relief on Edwards's face. Seeing the solemn expression on Lucius's face, Ted recalls what he needs to do. He politely says, "I greet the head of the House of Malfoy, please enter," he tilts his head in a small bow and steps aside to permit Lucius to pass.

Lucius boldly steps into the chamber to find his sister-in-law, Andromeda, in exhaustion resting against a bed of pillows. Her brown hair is spread across the pillow and her face covered in sweat has been cleaned by a spell. Her gray eyes are weary but full of love. Cradled in her arms protectively is a small bundle.

"I greet the Head of the Malfoy household," Andromeda croaked. "I present Delphini Lestrange, the heir to the Lestrange household."

Lucius leans closer to peak at the tiny face of the swaddled infant. The little girl's face is pale like that of her mother and father. The baby has long eyelashes like that of Bellatrix. The baby eyes flutter open to reveal a heavy-lidded dark gaze so much like that of Bellatrix before closing shut. The child will be beautiful like Bellatrix but touches of Rodolphus Lestrange can also be seen in the firmness of the lips or the pointy chin and sharp cheekbones of the infant. The only cause for surprise is the silvery hair the infant possesses. An oddity considering both parents are dark-haired.

"I, Lucius Malfoy greet Delphini Lestrange," Lucius earnestly said as he gently reached out to touch the baby's pudgy cheek. "And welcome her into this world as her godfather." The baby did not seem to mind the touch of her uncle/godfather and sleepily snuggled against his finger.

Lucius had the privilege of being asked to be the godfather of Delphini Lestrange, while Molly Weasley would be the godmother. Andromeda had not been able to do so for her firstborn, Dora, but she greatly desired to do so for her secondborn child. And with the way things were, perchance, there would be a need for it in the future.

Gently withdrawing his finger, Lucius bows to Andromeda. "Rest now," he sincerely said before turning on his heel. He briefly nods to his brother-in-law before departing to his personal quarters to send the birth announcement to be printed in the Daily Prophet. Early in the morning, the entire family (including all the Black family relatives) would gather for the official presentation of Delphini Lestrange. It was best to get some rest.