How many years was it now? Harry thought one night as he and his wife were putting their youngest child to bed. Thoughts about the past were becoming a recurring theme inside his head lately, and he tried his best to hide it from his kids. They didn't need to know about his childhood, especially when his youngest wasn't even in school yet. Ginny did know about some, but he still hid some of it from her, although she was a pretty strong legilimens and could pry it out of him if she really wanted to. Neither of them had ever used legilimancy on each other, each respecting the other's mind as the one place that was truly private. The only people that he truly hid nothing from were Ron and Hermione. Thankfully, they had reconciled and were now at least amicable, even though Ron still didn't understand what Hermione saw in Draco Malfoy. Hermione had, of course, given her blessing for Ron and Luna's marriage, even after Ron's and hers had fallen apart a few years back. Now, all three were best friends again, just as it had been during school, which, Harry now realized, had been twenty years ago. His and Ginny's little girl would be going off to Hogwarts next year, and everything was finally falling into place.
Once Ginny had left the room and it was only Harry tucking his little girl into bed, she looked up at him and innocently asked, "Daddy, how did you and Mum come up with our names?" Every night she would ask him a question. Sometimes, it was out of a natural childlike curiosity, and other times it was a way to avoid going to sleep for as long as possible. Tonight, Harry suspected, was a combination of both. Many nights he would deflect her questions with a quick, "Ask me about it in the morning," or a, "That's not a topic for right now, sweetie," but tonight he decided that he would indulge her. Harry thought carefully, and then began as a smile crept on his red-haired daughter's face.
"Hm. Well, there's a story behind each of your names. As you know, Lily, you and James were named after your grandparents, my parents. They were both true Gryffindors, brave and wonderful. Even though my mother knew that Voldemort was probably going to kill me anyway, she still gave her life to save me, just like Mum and I would do for you and the boys.
"James got his middle name from your grandfather's best friend, and his godfather, Sirius Black. He was a wonderful and funny man, and a huge jokester, just like Uncle George is and how James is as well, although he tries very hard to deny that he's anything like anyone else.
"You got your middle name from your Aunt Luna, of course, although Mum and I loved that name anyway. She has always been a true friend to me, even before Uncle Ron and her got married. Of course, you probably had that one figured out already, being the super-smart cookie that you are." Harry tickled her tummy lightly as he said this, and she did her best to stifle a laugh. "I wouldn't be surprised his you get put into Ravenclaw, just like Aunt Luna.
"What about Albus, Daddy?"
"Hm? Oh, yes. Albus Severus was named after two Hogwarts headmasters. I have told you all about Albus Dumbledore, of course. Severus Snape was the Slytherin head when I was at Hogwarts, and he was one of the bravest men that I've ever known. He was in love with my mother for his whole life, and he tried to protect her, and me in her name, until the very end. None of us liked him very much while we were in school, but once I learned the whole story, a lot of that changed. I would definitely not be alive right now to tell you all of this if it were not for Snape."
Harry paused for a bit before getting off of the end of Lily's bed. "It's time to go to sleep now, sweetie. I love you."
"Thanks, Daddy. I love you too."