The Search Is Over

Chapter 143

The tiny warm hand of his daughter on his cheek drew Regulus from the grips of the song and fully back into himself. He couldn't help smiling from ear to ear as his gaze lit on his daughter's beautiful little face.

"Familiar stranger," he murmured to her and she smiled at the sound of his voice.

That was a song he could sing to them that, while mysterious, wasn't at all grim. It was by a Muggle band called Jefferson Star Ship, but the song itself definitely had magic in each mysterious note. The concept of familiar stranger fit his children perfectly. Stranger because he didn't yet know them, and familiar because their perfect little faces were composed of his and Kreacher's.

"Would Master Regulus like to hold Loughness now," Kreacher asked and Regulus nodded, just as eager to meet his son as his daughter. Carefully he handed Hydra to Bera, who'd stepped forward to help with the exchange. Regulus carefully reached for Loughness, sliding a hand under the baby's head while the other cradled his body. The smaller size of the children somehow made it easier to hold them carefully. This was a relief for Regulus had worried that it would make it harder instead.

"She's so cute," Bera cooed as she extended Kreacher's daughter to him.

"She certainly is," Kreacher agreed softly as he carefully took Hydra into his arms.

"They are both truly a marvel. I can hardly believe it worked, but...it did and how wonderful they are," Albus said, tone as awe filled as his words.

Extraordinary magic was done that fateful day nine months ago when they were all gathered here along with Ariana.

"We couldn't have done it without you, Albus, and we won't ever forget it," Regulus said humbly, just as awed by the concept as Albus himself.

"Albus Dumbledore has accomplished yet another great achievement,' Kreacher chimed in and Albus blushed.

"I was just glad to participate and honored to be asked to do so."

Loughness, like Hydra, was wrapped in a white blanket. He was snuggled into it with half closed eyes that opened to peer up at Regulus when he held the baby close.

"Hello, Loughness," Regulus murmured.

"I'm your father. You just met your other father...Your life is going to be unique, but I promise it will be a good one. I will protect you with all I have and give you the best of everything, Baby, I promise."

Loughness grinned at the sound of Regulus's soothing tone and snuggled more deeply into his blanket.

"Are we permitted to take them home tonight," Kreacher asked eagerly and Gara nodded.

"I've checked them over and they're fine. If we had any concerns we would want to watch them for a few days, but we'll just stop into #12 Grimmauld Place tomorrow to make sure they're still doing well."

"Is there any reason they shouldn't be," Regulus asked with a stab of concern.

Gara shook her head.

"No. It's just they're literally the first of their kind so we want to make sure all continues as it should. It's only a precaution for them."

Regulus nodded.

The first children of two men where one of their sperms was thoroughly transfigured into an egg. They should be out of the woods when it came to the safety of that now that the children were born healthy, but perhaps the healers were concerned about how their development would progress.

"Could there be developmental issues in their general growth," Regulus asked and Gara shook her head, frowning thoughtfully as her gaze moved from the son in Regulus's arms to the daughter in Kreacher's.

"I shouldn't think so," she said.

"They've managed to develop perfectly in the womb, so things should continue to proceed as normal. I have no true concerns, but safe is always better than sorry so we will continue to monitor them."

Regulus and Kreacher nodded nearly as one.

"For now, though, you may take them home."

"We should feed them warm milk, yes," Regulus asked.
"We have small bottles that are suited to their size."

"We found them at the goblin market," Kreacher added.

They were both still nervous. This was evidently understood by Gara who gave them an odd look.

"Yes...that's fantastic," she said dryly.

"Warm milk is perfect."

"I have the birth certificates prepared if you are ready to fill them in," Grub said, approaching with a parchment in each hand.

"Gara and I can take the children while you attend to that."

Regulus and Kreacher reluctantly gave up their precious bundles momentarily in order to fill out the birth certificates with the full names of each child as well as signing their own names as parents. Regulus glanced at the time of birth on each, noting that Loughness was born an entire minute before Hydra. He would likely lord that one minute over his sister when they were a bit older, Regulus thought with a small amused smile. The way his and Kreacher's handwriting looked there together on the birth certificates was more right than he could put into words.

"We shall make copies to submit to the files at St. Mungos and return these originals to you shortly," Grub said, scooping the parchments up after returning Hydra to Kreacher.

"Then you'll be free to go home," Gara said.

"We'll keep Gergana here overnight to recover, and she'll be free in the morning.

"Gergana," Regulus said, feeling dreadful for nearly having forgotten her.

"Thank you so much."

He didn't pass beyond the curtain, uncertain as to the appropriateness of intruding into her privacy.

"It only hurt a little. It vas an interesting experience and the money has made me very happy," Gergana replied sleepily.

"You are both velcome. Be happy and enjoy your children."

"Oh we shall," Kreacher assured, sniffling as he blinked back tears.

"Kreacher and Master Regulus shall never forget what Gergana Karkaroff has done for them. If she ever requires aid in return she may seek us out. Money cannot ever fully repay what she has given us."

"Yes," Regulus agreed.

It was then that he felt a warm wetness dripping down his arm. Loughness had just wet his blanket, and as such, both himself and Regulus. It was apparently time to begin experiencing all the...fun parts of parenthood, Regulus thought, struggling not to panic.

It was alright. They had diapers at home. Small diapers for small babies, and very soon Loughness would be wearing one right along with his sister. How did he wet himself before he drank milk, Regulus wondered, momentarily flabbergasted. Well he was alive now and not overly thin, so he must have drunk something while inside of Gergana. He opened his mouth to ask the healers just how that worked, then shut it again, realizing as Grub approached with their copies of the birth certificates, that he probably didn't truly wish to know.