Shock

Anna was sat in her office in the hospital flicking through files when a knock came from the door.

"Sister Anna someone is here to see you!" Nurse Louise Clarkson said sticking her head around the office door. Anna nodded and smiled at the young midwife.

Louise was a skilled midwife and nurse with exceptional promise. Anna had a close relationship with Louise since, Louise had been the one to care for Anna when she was pregnant.

Narcissa walked into the office looking nervous. Anna noticed this and gestured for her to sit down on the examination bench before passing her a glass of water.

"So what brings you here Cissy, you look worried," Anna asked her in concern.

"I think somethings wrong with the twins, normally there both kicking but I can only feel one!" Narcissa said wiping her eyes. Anna squeezed her hand before she told Narcissa to part her legs so she could be examined. Narcissa followed instructions, and waited wearily for the verdict. Anna withdrew her hand and wrote something down on her file.

"I need to give you a scan, ok I'll  be back in a minute!" Anna said walking out of the room, returning moments later with an ultrasound machine. Anna applied to cold gel before proceeding with the scanning process.

Anna paused with a worried look on her face. She turned off the machine so she could turn to look at Narcissa.

"I'm so sorry Cissy!" Anna said looking up at Narcissa who's lip was wobbling.

"Anna what's wrong?" Narcissa asked.

"The girl has a brain impairment!" Anna said.

"I don't know what to say!" Narcissa said. Anna pressed her Dark Mark summoning Lucius and Bella. The pair arrived looking surprised until they saw a crying Narcissa, Anna explained the tragic news, Lucius was equally as shattered as his wife. Bella comforted the pair.

Anna walked out the office and down the corridor to the Matrons office. She knocked on the door before entering.

"Sister Snape is something wrong?" Matron Beatrice Franklin asked looking at the distressed women.

"I'm sorry if this causes any inconvenience but am I ok to leave early today, Mrs Malfoy has just found out that her child has a disability amd I want to be able to comfort her, she needs to come to terms with this and I think her being at home would help," Anna asked guiltily knowing that St Mungos was already short staffed as it was, and she was head Sister so she knew they would struggle but what else could she do.

Trixie paused looking at her colleague and close friend. Anna looked dreadfully tired and drained  no matter how much makeup she put on to cover it up.

Trixie favoured Anna because of how much she did. She worked hours a week to help others. She would work hours over her shift time to see a women through her entire labour. Anna went above and beyond for her patience but rarely received the recognition she deserved.

"Anna you didn't need to ask just go, I'll get Louise to cover an extra shift, go home to your family, and your husband and child!" Trixie exclaimed. "Take some time off we'll manage fine. Now go before I kick you out myself!"

Anna nodded gratefully and rushed to her office.

"Cissy come on let's get you home!" Anna exclaimed. Lucius put his arm around his wife before they stepped into the floo net work. Bella and Anna apparated. The group appeared in the lounge of Malfoy Manor. Severus looked everyone in surprise. Narcissa fainted onto the floor. Anna caught her laying her down on her back.

Anna placed a hand on Narcissa's burning forehead.

"Lucius get ger up to bed, I'll bring her a cup of lemon tea up on a minute!" Anna muttered walking into the kitchen. Severus picked up his daughter and carried her towards her mother.

"Hey hunny, what's wrong?" Severus asked as he handed Mia to her mother.

"Cissy's daughter, has a brain impairment, she might not live long after she os born or she could have something like Down's syndrome!" Anna said wiping her eyes. "Look let me take this Cissy then I'll come back down, take Mia!" Anna said hurriedly handing Mia back to her husband before grabbing the cup of tea and practically running out the room and up to Narcissa's room. Anna walked in to find the Malfoys in deep conversation.

"We can't look after a child that's backwards Cissa!" Lucius said.

"But Lucius!" Narcissa cried.

"Cissy, Lu, you don't need to start making hasty decisions just yet, wait till tomorrow, now Cissy drinking this , it will help you get your strength up, Lucius I'm leaving Cissy in your care ok!" Anna said as she walked out the room. She walked down to her and Severus' room. Severus was sat down with Mia in his arms. Anna glanced at her watch, quarter to 8. Anna walked over to her closet and pulled out a silk night dress. She dropped her mid-witching dress and removed her bra pulling the nightdress over her head.   She walked over to the bed and crawled under the covers. She cradled her daughter in her arms before she began to nurse her. Burping her daughter gently she began to sing her a lullaby.

The soft snores of the baby was all Anna needed before she gently climbed out of bed so she could place Mia in her crib. Anna lay back down beside her husband.

"We are so lucky to have Mia, it's times like this I realise how lucky we are!" Anna whispered looking up at her husband. Severus smiled down at her and placed a loving kiss on her lips. "What did I ever do to deserve you?"

Severus smirked stroking his wife's forehead.

"I'm the fortunate one in this relationship!" Severus muttered.

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"Lucius how can you ask that of me!" Narcissa asked.

"We can't look after a child that is disabled!" Lucius replied.

"I will not have my daughter adopted Lucius!" Narcissa said.

"What about my sister?" Lucius asked.

"What about Gayle?" Narcissa asked confused at the mention of her sister in law.

"She could take her?" Lucius replied.

"Ok!" Narcissa replied not seeing any other option.