A/N: This is the third story in a series. The following are the briefest of summaries of the previous two stories to remind readers of previous events and set up Zirconia. By the end of the second or possibly the third chapter events should be well enough explained, however, that if someone were to start reading this story they would be able to comprehend the goings on without reading the previous two.

Summaries: Important/need to (should) know things from The Last Laugh: Lily and James get married and have Harry—never mind how. Important original characters: Angela Star, Lily's best friend and Sirius's love interest. Joshua Thompson, the man who steals Angie away and the two produce Kirsten Star. Plot: Voldemort acquires the Carbonated Crystal (an ancient and totally powerful weapon capable of a vast array of unknown horrors). James is descended from Slytherin in a complicated and twisted manner. Sirius, just because, is heir to untold millions which he is unable to attain until Awakening. A variety of drama leads to Sirius "openly" becoming secret-keeper for Lily and James and Peter actually becoming secret-keeper. Last bit of story: Sirius and Angie—a bit belatedly—declare their undying love for one another and are immediately married by Dumbledore. This happens, ironically, at the same time that Lily and James are being murdered. End story.

Awakening: This story is packed with subplot and I will endeavor to leave it out and only focus on important things. Hopefully the reader will find their memory sufficiently jogged. For those of you who are depending on this summary to tell you all you need to know, I will do my best. Awakening is set during Harry's seventh year. Angie is long divorced from Josh Thompson (she ignored her marriage to Sirius) and returns to Hogwarts with her daughter Kirsten. It is presently discovered that Kirsten is actually Sirius's daughter and news of Sirius and Angie's wedding becomes public knowledge for the first time. By the end of the story Sirius, who finally inherits, and Angie are remarried and they have a new baby named Ebony. (Obviously Sirius is cleared and Peter Pettigrew is accidentally murdered in the process.)

The plot is focused on Zirconia who is a reawakened spirit who was originally created by Slytherin. Ancient magic in the form of rings of the founders is wielded by their descendants (Harry Potter for Slytherin, Ron for Gryffindor, Kirsten for Hufflepuff and Hermione for Ravenclaw) is the way to combat her. The story focuses on Zirconia trying to reacquire her cubic zirconia necklace that Kirsten possesses. In the final battle Zirconia kills Voldemort. She is weakened but not defeated and escapes. Random character notes of great importance: Hermione's parents were murdered in her fifth year and she is adopted by Sierra, a friend of Lily's. Sierra later marries Bill Weasley. Kirsten and Ron are engaged by story's end, Hermione and Harry are dating, Draco and Ginny are also dating and unknown to anyone including the readers they are secretly engaged. Harry takes a position flying/playing quidditch for England and secretly becomes a spy for the International Auror Association. Ron works for the Department of Mysteries and so does Sirius, secretly. The last scene in Awakening depicted Zirconia resurrecting Salazar Slytherin in the form of James Potter and unleashing the two forces of evil on the world. There, you are now armed with the most basic and necessary knowledge to dive right into this story.

Let me set up Zirconia quickly: Fourteen years have passed since the end of Awakening. Zirconia starts out with a series of flashbacks/dreams from a variety of point of views. Each flashback explains/shows an important event in the life of the characters to explain what their current situation is. This first chapter is therefore like a prologue of sorts that catches up the reader on the important events of the last fourteen years. The story will then take off on Christmas Eve during Ebony's fourth year at Hogwarts.

Take a deep breath.

Steady.

Go!

Zirconia

Chapter One: Flashbacks

By: Stardust

The Art of Eyeball Catching

By: Ginny Weasley Malfoy

Does it ever end? Ginny thought to herself. I mean really, does it ever end?

She stormed down the castle steps, hoping to leave all her problems inside.

But, wouldn't you know it. It didn't work.

She slowed slightly as her feet carried her along the slippery green grass. She shivered as a breeze lifted up her fiery locks. With the wet grass, overcast sky, and chilly breeze, it may as well be raining again!

Ginny Weasley sighed, wishing the day would end. She knew it was going to be a long day when she woke up so late she had to skip breakfast… and then she was still late for Transfiguration. But obviously a detention on an empty stomach wasn't enough to satisfy the world's desire to make her day miserable. She was also dealt a failed Charms test, a disappointed letter from home, and a fight with her best friend Trinity.

She looked up, and realized she had wandered to the Quidditch pitch.

Maybe throwing a quaffle around will help, she thought. Now in fifth year, Ginny was on the quidditch team as a chaser. Harry, the captain, told her she was good, but Ginny knew she could do better. She just never got into Quidditch as much as the rest of them. Consequently, she played only half-heartedly.

Not that Harry would notice.

Don't think that! Ginny scolded herself. She had long since given up on Harry ever liking her, but sometimes remnants of her old crush would present themselves in her unwilling mind.

Potter and the girls. It seemed that in the last few years, the famous Harry Potter had acquired quite a fan club and had no shortage of giggling girls following him around the hall all day. Worst of all was Hermione! Again, not that Harry would notice.

Ginny ran onto the quidditch pitch, hoping against hope to leave the world outside. She ran to the hidden broom closet in the Gryffindor changing room and pulled out her broom. On her way to the field, she grabbed the practice quaffle Harry had gotten her for Christmas the first year she made the team.

She felt better as soon as she pushed off the ground. The wind whipped around her, and goose bumps formed up and down her arms, but she managed to ignore the cold.

She flew a couple of laps around the pitch to relieve stress. There was no feeling quite like this. She hovered in the middle of the pitch and summoned the quaffle from the ground. As soon as he had it in her hands she felt powerful and in control, for once. She studied the goal and flew toward it. Once she was in the scoring area she threw it with all her might.

Bull's eye! Maybe she should be mad like this for quidditch games.

She dived her broom to retrieve the quaffle and scored again and again. (Not that it was hard without a keeper) Half an hour later, she hadn't missed a single shot.

She felt a little better.

She was just studying the goal again, almost ready to take her next shot, when she suddenly heard… clapping?

"Not bad for a Gryffindor," A voice drawled. Ginny whipped around and dropped the quaffle.

Draco Malfoy was sitting smugly on his Nimbus 2001 a few feet away. That wasn't why she had dropped the quaffle; she had easily recognized his drawling tone. It was just seeing Malfoy… the wind whipping his silver hair around him, his eyebrows were arched and he was sitting casually on his broom.

He looked… cute. More than that, he was hot… in that cold Malfoy sort of way. A whole new light had suddenly been shed on Draco Malfoy, Slytherin. An appealing light, almost as if someone had just told her that he was a Gryffindor. It wasn't as if she had suddenly noticed him…but it in a way, it was. Draco smirked.

"And then, you dropped the quaffle, typical," He drawled and Ginny blushed. She quickly dived to retrieve it.

"I suppose you think you're pretty good," He said when she returned. He still had not moved.

"And I suppose you think you're better," She snapped. Ginny was surprised at the cruelty of her tone, but also privately pleased. She was afraid his looks had thrown her off.

However, her tone didn't seem to affect the ever cool and collected Slytherin. He smiled at her… well, a Malfoy smile, without mirth.

"Probably," He said coolly. Ginny's cheeks reddened.

"You're a seeker anyway, remember?" Ginny replied.

"I used to play chaser. I guess there's only one way to find out who is better," He said. "We'll see who can make more goals. Go ahead, you can go first,"

Ginny looked uneasily at him, wondering what kind of game he was playing. His face showed nothing. Typical Malfoy.

She turned and flew to the goal and threw the quaffle and she missed. This got a smirk out of Malfoy.

Ginny, crimson, tossed it to him. He tossed it almost lazily and scored through the goal.

Ginny had lost her streak. She kept missing really easy goals. There wasn't a keeper! Malfoy, however, remained perfectly calm, making every shot and still looking good.

Maybe his looks WERE affecting her.

Not that she liked Malfoy. I mean, he WAS a Malfoy. But, what did that mean? She found herself remembering lines from Romeo and Juliet… "A rose by any other name, would still smell as sweet…" And he was older, and he flew beautifully. She watched that long, lean body as he flew toward the goal. Slender fingers gripped the quaffle as he tossed it to her.

Her distracting thoughts caused Ginny to miss the goal by about two feet!

"I know you can improve your form," He said. Ginny swung around, brick red, with anger and embarrassment as her new best friends.

"Who died and made you chaser?" She snapped. She was about to teach him a lesson she had learned long ago: embarrassment, anger, and red hair never mix.

"You're going to die if you throw like that. Potter wants a winning team." He smirked. Ginny gaped at him in shocked rage. How did he know just what buttons to push to leave her absolutely speechless?

No, he didn't know. He was just lucky. Ginny assured herself. "I… you…" She tried desperately to come up with a come back. He laughed, throwing his head back. She was temporarily distracted by the muscles that moved distractingly under the skin in his neck.

"Really articulate, aren't we, Weasley?" He asked mockingly. Her blush deepened. She did not need this on top of everything ELSE that had happened today.

"Well?" He interrupted her thoughts, and rather rudely too! "Do you want my help?" He asked in an offhand sort of way, as if it were obvious. What kind of game was this Malfoy up to? She played for Gryffindor; he didn't need reminding of that fact. And why hadn't she turned him down yet? Why was she actually considering letting him help her? She lost herself in those cold gray eyes. WHAT WAS WRONG WITH HER?

Ginny quickly found herself wishing she could have been content to have a crush on Harry Potter and not say anything about it.

"I'm taking that as a yes," He swooped over to her before Ginny could say or do anything.

"Your problem is your posture," He said. "It's affecting your arm position. Here," He wrapped his arms around her and changed her position on the broom. A chill went down Ginny's spine and it was not remotely related to the cold.

He handed her the quaffle and directed her arm movement. It sailed lazily through the goal… just like Malfoy's.

"There," He said. "Now you'll catch Potter's eye,"

"Who says I want to catch his eye?" Ginny replied, much to her own surprise.

"Well, whose eye do you want to catch? Certainly not the Slytherin quidditch captain's."

Draco hadn't exactly realized what he was saying, seeing that he WAS the Slytherin quidditch captain.

Ginny indeed found herself perplexed. She looked down at the ground many feet below and then back at Draco, who had raised one eyebrow. As she watched, Draco leaned in to her, and Ginny found it automatic to do the same.

When the kiss had ended Draco made a comment. "Or perhaps you do…" Ginny smiled.

As Ginny waltzed upstairs to her dorm she had forgotten Harry what's his name?

Now she knew who's eye she wanted to catch.

Ginny shivered in the cold and for a split second thought she was still out on the quidditch pitch. She reached for her husband. A moment later Draco replaced her covers and she mumbled a thanks, remembering just how lucky she was to have married him.

Blinded by the Light

By: Ron Weasley

"I cannot BELIEVE I let you talk me into this, Ginny," Ron mumbled under his breath. He shivered and, pulling his cloak closer, quickened his pace. "C'mon, let's get this over with."

"Quit acting like I'm torturing you!" Ginny said irritably. "I KNOW you don't like Draco, but-"

"Don't LIKE him!" Ron interrupted, whipping around, his eyes fiery. "I HATE Draco Malfoy with a passion."

"Well, as long as there's passion," She replied grinning.

Ron hated to think of passion associated with Draco Malfoy as it may then also be associated with his sister. Their long lasting (had it been two years already?) relationship was starting to make Ron uncomfortable. It had not simply blown over or been forgotten once Draco graduated—oh no, quite the opposite.

Ron admittedly hadn't been paying much attention to his sister this summer as he had been preoccupied starting a new job, proposing and then getting married a month ago (not to mention dealing with Kirsten's family—a new baby sister and her parents' wedding. He wasn't even going to think about what had happened at the reception…) Ginny knocked on the mansion door, and it opened eerily. Ron realized he had been ignoring Ginny again.

He scowled at the door and followed Ginny inside. It was hardly warmer in the torch-lit stone corridors than in the bitter cold outdoors. Ron was muttering again.

"Dinner at the Malfoys…" He said, loud enough for Ginny to hear, followed by a long line of rude words. He hadn't wanted to come, but since Ginny had insisted he was determined to have an awful time. No matter what Ginny thought Ron would not be the first of her family to be converted into liking Draco. Two years or not he was still a bloody Malfoy.

"Oh honestly," Ginny hissed, "Draco's not THAT bad!"

"Oh excuse me while I go PUKE!" He was also determined to embarrass Ginny into oblivion. He watched her cheeks redden with satisfaction.

"Ron, they'll hear you," She whispered.

"Well that would just be the end of the world, wouldn't it?" Ron replied, sarcasm heavy in his voice.

"Ron-" She began worriedly, but a voice from behind them interrupted her.

"Ginny, I would think you would know that the dining hall is this way by now." The two red heads whipped around. Ginny smiled, and Ron's face contorted into a strange expression. He was POSITIVE Malfoy was going to break her heart. Ron scowl darkened as she linked arms with him.

Ron brooded over Draco's comment as he followed them down the corridor. How much time had Ginny been here this summer, alone with Draco, since his parents had been taken to Azkaban? Ron shuddered and felt sick.

I never thought I'd be here he thought darkly as one of Malfoys many butlers brought out the salads. He vaguely wondered if the salad was poisoned or enchanted in some way… Inspected the leafy greens closely he thought It appears to be normal salad, except for the fact that it looks like a handful of weeds and doesn't appear to be edible…it doesn't seem dangerous. Just to be sure Ron gave the nearest leaf a sharp jab with the fork a few times before tasting it.

Ginny and Malfoy were making lively conversation across the table from Ron, and they were sitting way too close for his comfort. It took all of Ron's willpower not to jump up when Malfoy touched her face. It was so wrong the two of them. Not only did all that was right and balanced in the world scream in opposition to the union Ginny was still in her seventh year at Hogwarts! She shouldn't be over here having dinner with a Malfoy, an older man, on her Christmas break!

Ron managed to make it through the main course without killing Malfoy, Ginny, himself, or the butlers.

"Interesting decorating Malfoy," Ron noted, casting a dark glance on the fireplace mantle which was adorned with a row of shrunken heads. Draco wrinkled up his nose, but managed to smirk faintly.

"Hunting trophies," He replied. His lips curled as he watched Ron sputter in surprise.

"He's only joking," Ginny said, giving her brother a look.

Draco shrugged. "I agree they aren't picturesque but I haven't the time or energy to bother redecorating."

"I could help you," Ginny piped up happily. Draco rolled his eyes and they continued to discuss at length redecorating. Ron ignored them and stuffed his face.

Ron finished his dessert and looked longingly at his sister's plate. As soon as she finished they could blow this creepy hell hole and escape back to earth. She put down her fork and Ron saw something glitter with a blinding force on her left hand. She moved it and he saw…

"OH MY GOD!" He screamed, standing up knocking his wine filled goblet to the ground. "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!" He pointed accusingly at the enormous diamond ring on her finger. She looked away guiltily.

"We were going to tell you tonight…" She said uneasily, shifting in her chair. Malfoy smirked and put an arm around Ron's baby sister's waist. This was too much for Ron. He sprinted to a deserted hallway.

"Please let this be a nightmare," He prayed.

Beeeeeeep! Ron hit the alarm clock angrily. How long am I going to have to relive that memory? He thought. His eyes fluttered open and he quickly sat up. Kirsten was not at his side.

With a sigh of relief he realized she was not far off brushing her hair. She saw him and smiled. "I got up a little early," She explained. "I figured I could help Dad get a jump on his decorating. You know how he starts to freak out around the holidays. Sleep in as long as you can…" She set her brush down and left the room as quietly as possible.

Ron rubbed his eyes sleepily and scenes of his memory filtered back into his mind. That night had been nearly as scary as the night James Potter had turned up at Sirius' wedding. Ron had decided later that Draco and Ginny must have chased after him and imperiused him or something. Looking back he couldn't imagine how they had ever convinced him not to tell their parents.

Ron always had wondered if he had told Mr. and Mrs. Weasley if Ginny wouldn't have gotten pregnant that New Year's Eve? As it turned out, nearly fifteen years in the future, everything was fine, but at the time Ron was convinced Ginny was setting herself up for clinical depression and suicide.

Fortunately, she found delight in being Draco's wife and raising their four children. In time she even started teaching Muggle Studies at Hogwarts. Sometimes Ron still had trouble looking Draco in the eye but not often. He saw how happy Ginny had become.

The Many Faces of Harry Potter

By: Draco Malfoy

"Mungary to Appledon, Appledon to Core, Core to Mun- NO it's a fake out! He passes to Appledon. She shoots-SHE SCORES!"

"Woo Hoo!" Ron shouted, pumping a fist into the air. Draco rolled his eyes and Ginny shot him a "look". Draco was still getting used to being a member of the Weasley family.

He was at a Cannon- Arrows quidditch game with Ginny (his recent wife) her brother Ron, and their friends Harry and Hermione. Draco and Ron had a little side bet: Ron on the Cannons and Draco on the Arrows.

"I can't see the game!" Ginny complained. She began to stand but Hermione and Draco put a hand on each of her shoulders, forcing her back down.

"The doctor said you need rest, Ginny," Draco exclaimed. "You shouldn't even be here; it's not healthy for the baby!"

"The baby will be fine," She said, looking down at her protruding stomach. Draco once again wondered how she had talked him into this. You don't bring your eight month pregnant wife to a quidditch game!

Ginny was stubborn as hell however and she felt her presence would be necessary to control her husband and her brother when the game got heated. Ginny had had a rough pregnancy and she wanted to finally get out of the house. Ron's wife, Kirsten, was nine months pregnant and she did NOT come to the game.

Draco gave Hermione a pleading look, and she sat down and distracted Ginny for while.

"Orange with the ball, passes to Hound, back to Or- NO intercepted by Core!" Draco groaned; the Cannons were back in possession.

"Core wide open!" The commentator continued. "She's going- she shoots- Curbson dives, CANNONS SCORE!" Ginny stood up and started cheering alongside her brother.

"That was brilliant, wasn't it?" She said. Draco turned to scold her, but she was doubled over, her hands on her knees.

"GINNY!" Draco cried, going very pale.

"I'm OK," She said, trying to stand. Then she put a hand on his shoulder "No, I'm not."

"What's wrong with her?" Ron asked frantically.

"Draco…" Ginny said. "It's time. The baby's coming…NOW!"

"Oh shit!" He exclaimed. He motioned to Hermione and in a nanosecond the two of them were supporting Ginny to help her walk down the stands. Ginny was at least a month early, but the doctor had warned Ginny that something like this could happen what with all the other complications she'd already experienced. Harry started magicking all their things into a bottomless bag, and Ron walked in front.

"Move aside, lady with a baby!" He shouted as he pushed his way through the crowd.

"Remind me, when this is over, to be mortally embarrassed." Ginny said, trying to grin. Hermione nodded, but Draco privately was grateful to Ron, because upon hearing his shouts, people moved aside for their little party.

Harry climbed into the driver seat of the Potter's little blue car. Ron got into the passenger's seat, and everyone else crammed into the floor of the backseat because Ginny, lying down, took up the whole seat.

(A/N: The Potter's have a car because they were both muggles and this is fanfiction and they need to have a car for this flashback! And naturally it has some interesting magical properties…)

"Step on it!" Draco shouted. He was jerked forward as Harry floored the gas.

"It'll be OK Ginny. Breathe." Draco looked up at Hermione in amazement. She was completely calm, although everyone else was panicked. How did she do it?

"Are we at the hospital yet?" Ron asked frantically. He was turned so that he could see his baby sister.

"Only a few blocks from St. Mungo's," Harry replied, turning so hard and fast that they left skid marks on the asphalt.

"What's that?" Hermione said. Draco heard it too…

Sirens.

"Holy shit!" Harry said. "Should I?"

"NO!" Ron and Draco cried in horror but Hermione said 'yes' with equal horror, so Harry obliged to his fiancee.(Naturally he doesn't have a death wish.) The policeman pulled up behind him, and took his sweet time, getting over to the car.

"Well now, you were going pretty fast, where's the fire?" He asked with that certain sneer that only policemen can truly carry off.

"Well, sir," Harry said being a calm gentleman. "My friend Ginny--"

"STUPEFY!" Draco yelled, shooting a jet of light from his wand at the heavy set officer. "Let's MOVE!"

"I don't think you should have done that…" Harry said vaguely as he slammed on the gas.

"You're going to be in so much trouble with the ministry!" Hermione scolded.

"Does it look like I give a damn?" He half-yelled in panic.

"Chill dear," Ginny said. "I'm fine." Draco bit his tongue in order to refrain from pointing out the obvious. The obvious, of course, being that Ginny was about to have a premature baby and that that couldn't possibly be 'fine'. Harry pulled down a hidden magical alley and parked right up in front of the hospital.

Ron ran ahead inside to warn the doctors while the other three pulled Ginny out of the back seat and helped her to the door.

"Hey! You can't leave this here!" Someone shouted as they reached the front door.

"TOW THE DAMN THING!" Harry shouted, becoming panicked himself.

"What's your name?" The blonde receptionist asked, cracking her blue bubble gum.

"Ginny Malfoy." Ginny replied, gasping.

"What's your ailment?" She asked in a bored sort of tone, as she inspected her bright green fingernails.

Draco nearly hit the roof! "SHE'S HAVING A BABY!" He shouted attracting curious glances and attention of most of the lobby.

"Keep your shirt on, honey," The receptionist replied lifting her wand. "Dr. Chang there's a baby coming." After a pause she then said. "Through the door," She pointed, rather rudely as she looked to the next person in line. (A wizard with a rather strange looking purple rash on his face).

Hermione made some comment about the door as they passed through it. Draco gritted his teeth and shook his head. She was being too calm for this!

"Mrs. Malfoy, lay down," The doctor commanded. Draco looked up at the doctor and started.

"Cho?" Harry asked in disbelief.

"Oh, hello Harry. What are you doing here?" She asked.

"I'm here with them." He said in a baffled sort of tone as he motioned to the rest of them.

"Oh that's great. I'm glad to see that you and Draco are getting along. And I must say, congratulations on getting married Mr. Malfoy. And the baby too-"

"While this little reunion is touching, I'm afraid I have to say, Cho, I'M THE ONE HAVING THE BABY!" Ginny shouted, red in the face.

"Oh right," She said rushing over to Ginny.

"OK Mrs. Malfoy, breathe in, breathe out. I'm going to give you some potion that will have that baby right out, OK?" Ginny could only nod wordlessly as Cho poured the liquid down her throat.

"Be careful, that's my son." Draco warned, going to Ginny's side.

Hermione couldn't help it. "What's if it's a girl?" She shot back quite on accident.

"My first will NOT be a girl." Draco informed her rather harshly. "I'm a Malfoy."

"Don't remind me," Ron mumbled. Harry glanced at Ron nervously.

"Quiet, or I'm going to have to ask you all to leave," Cho commanded, pulling on her gloves and taking out her wand. She was hardly paying attention to them, however.

"Draco!" Ginny cried holding out her hand.

"Oh right!" Draco said grabbing her hand.

"Ow, ow, OW!" Draco said, dancing around trying to lessen the pain of Ginny's grip.

"Dang girl!" He managed to yell. Out of Draco's few virtues, stoicism wasn't one of them.

"Push!" Cho commanded.

Ron looked away. "I think I'm going to be sick," He said.

"Don't be silly. Child birth is a beautiful thing." Hermione said, her eyes glued to the scene unfolding. Harry made a horrible face as he too found he was unable to look away.

"You'd think, with all the magic we know, we'd find a way to make it more…beautiful to the eye," He finished lamely. They were all just standing there watching when suddenly a short, nearly bald wizard, with plastic gloves and thick glasses came running into the room at full speed.

"Dr. Chang!" The man exclaimed, sliding across the floor up to Cho and Ginny. Cho glanced at him for a moment looking severely annoyed.

"Yes?" She snapped, refocusing on Ginny.

"We need your help! There's a woman in labor and she can't get a hold of her husband."

"It's called denial that he left her," Cho snapped as she rolled her eyes. "And, as if you couldn't tell, I'm in THE MIDDLE OF A DELIVERY!"

"No, Doctor, you don't understand!" The little man screamed in a high voice.

"And who is it you want me to pull out of thin air?" Cho asked, her voice cracking from annoyance as she was trying to deliver a baby.

"I didn't ask his name," The man replied curtly as if he had any right to be upset with her.

"Then how do you suspect to find him?" Draco snapped, annoyed that all the attention wasn't focused on HIS son!

"The woman is a Mrs. Kirsten Weasley," The man sulked. "She said her husband was at the Quidditch game, but—"

"Kirsten Weasley?" Ron cried, his eyes widening in alarm. "That's my wife!"

"Well, my man, she's in labor," The doctor replied cheerily slapping Ron on the back. "What are you doing here, anyway?"

"This one is my sister!" Ron shouted, looking as if he wanted to pound him senseless. The man sighed.

"Yes. It's like I've always said—"

"TAKE ME TO MY WIFE!" Ron bellowed, his face glowing scarlet.

"Oh yes…yes of course." He stammered. "Right this way, Mr. Weasley."

With that Ron left the room. Harry and Hermione were the future godparents of Ron's child, but the Potters stayed with Ginny, knowing Kirsten's baby wouldn't be born until after Ginny was done. Great… Harry thought, two for one; what a day!

"It's almost here!" Cho exclaimed.

"Come on Ginny," Draco coached. "Little Max is almost here," The head and shoulders were coming and Ginny was screaming.

"Oh God!" Hermione said looking away. "I can't watch." The faces Harry made were some of the most contorted, weird, hilarious, faces ever seen. Hermione would look up every once in a while and quickly look away. (With a "Yuck" or "Ew")

A sharp cry pierced the air. Ginny gasped for breath and Cho sighed with relief. Draco was positively beaming and Ginny was crying as the small baby was gently laid in her arms.

"Well, what shall you name you beautiful baby girl?" Cho asked, wiping her brow. Everyone looked at Draco, who suddenly cried out.

"She's so BEAUTIFUL!" He said beginning to blink fiercely. She's so…fuzzy. Harry thought, making a new face. Ginny started to laugh through tears.

Harry and Hermione quietly had a word. "That is so gross!" Harry said.

"Well, no…it was…" Hermione searched for words…

"Gross!" Harry replied. "Besides, we've got the newest member of the Weasley family on the way. Let's split!" And they slipped out of the room.

"Well, what are you going to name her?" Cho asked again.

"Cora," Ginny said, smiling lovingly at her daughter. "Cora Maribelle Malfoy,"

"It's perfect!" Draco said, deliriously happy. Cora was the most beautiful, fuzzy, little thing he had ever laid eyes upon.

He held her trying not to cry and only thinking, I'm a father! This baby girl is all mine.

It was too wonderful to be true. This had to be a dream…

"GOOD MORNING!" Two blonde-haired twins with an evil glint in their eyes shouted at the top of their lungs. They glanced maliciously at one another and each grabbed a corner of bed-sheets and yanked.

Draco howled pathetically in shock as he was suddenly woken from his dream by his twin daughters who were now laughing and high-fiving.

"Not so loud, I'm barely awake for Merlin's sake." For a moment Draco thought he had said it; he was definitely thinking it, but then he realized that Cora, half asleep and leaning against the door frame had muttered it.

"Draco, I'm cold," Ginny mumbled, reaching for her husband. Draco shot a look at his teenaged daughters who were now looking very sweet and innocent. "We've got to help Sirius with his party," Cora explained through a yawn as she pushed her tangled red hair from her face. The twins, bright-eyed, and cheerful nodded in agreement.

"I'll tell Sirius what to do with his party…" Draco muttered, reaching for his wand.

"Watch it!" Someone shouted, as Draco's three daughters started a mad scramble for the door. Satisfied, Draco refrained from hexing his annoying offspring and instead settled for magicking the sheets back on the bed.

Oblivious to recent events Ginny mumbled happily, "That's better, thanks…"

Commitment

By: Harry Potter

Even in a dream beating Ireland was still as vivid and heart-stopping as the day it had happened. It had been the first of Harry's great successes on the quidditch pitch for England and to think he almost didn't make it to the game.

They'd had a light practice the day before, so as not to overdo it. They listened to countless charged speeches from their coach and their captain before they were finally let go early. Harry was about to head out with his teammates to dinner when that familiar feeling gripped him and made his heart skip a beat. Feigning illness Harry answered the IAA's call immediately.

He was the closest one in the area. One of their operatives had been caught undercover trying to infiltrate the black market unicorn trade in London and Harry had to get them out. The details of that night were slightly hazy as most of his memories of these operations became. After debriefing at the IAA parts of your memory were removed and stored in archives.

He vaguely remembered a battle in the London underground that nearly resulted in him being hit by a train. He was shortly thereafter apprehended by a few ruthless business wizards who were thankfully too stupid to realize that he was Harry Potter. They were, however, intelligent enough to realize he was another IAA agent and promptly knocked him out.

When he came to the next morning Harry found himself and his colleague tied up. The situation seemed hopeless. Thankfully, however, Harry was able to enlist the help of a passing snake and break them free. Then, it was only a matter of time before their captors returned and were taken captive themselves. Unfortunately those villians had long since been paroled from Azkaban. (Apparently kidnapping and drugging an International Auror wasn't severely punishable by law.) The undercover agent Harry rescued, he was annoyed to discover, had not been able to sufficiently gather evidence to put the criminals away for black market activity.

This was just one in a list of many assignments Harry had done for the IAA and one of rather minimal significance, except for the fact that he nearly missed his quidditch match that afternoon.

Harry showed up about an hour before the match in rather terrible shape. He, of course, had to fend off his coach who only "remembered" what was going on when Harry temporarily triggered his "memory". His teammates were rather pissed. He'd missed all the morning practice and only had a chance at a brief warm-up before they flew on the pitch. That was the first time he was late for game day because of work—he'd had similar incidences during practices but never on a game day.

Harry knew what he had to do. He had to win the game fast because he was feeling terrible and he had to show his teammates that even if he was late he was still a valuable asset to the team. Winning fast proved more difficult than he had anticipated.

Ireland, at the time, was a very stiff competitor and they played rough. Players were getting injured right and left and penalties were called every five minutes at least. Harry was the target of many a stray bludger that day—on a day where he really could have done without the extra blows. He had a feeling his beaters were allowing it on purpose.

Of course, to top off a perfect day, it started to thunderstorm half hour into the game. When one of the referees came within just a few feet of being struck by lightning they were about to call the game—England would have lost and their contention for the World Cup that year would have been seriously damaged.

Morgan, their captain had pulled a nasty foul to prevent the refs from ending the game and Harry searched in vain for the snitch. He was flying all the over the pitch at top speed since he couldn't see very far in front of him. He could still hear his heart pounding in his ears, the crowd shouting, his team shouting at him to save the game. His whole body ached and his head ached from exhaustion.

His heart leapt into his throat when he spotted the gold ball and his condition wasn't much improved as he rocketed into a steep dive. Both bludgers came at him from either side but he was so close to the snitch.

He had to take evasive action—he remembered not really thinking as he had both hands outstretched toward the snitch he did a somersault to avoid the bludgers. Those, of course, smashed in mid-air where his body had just been. As he was falling off his broomstick he reached out and caught the snitch by a wing and was just able to hold on as his captain only just barely caught him before he had an unpleasant meeting with the ground.

Oddly enough, as he was falling through air, before his captain saved him, he was only relieved that the game was over and not at all worried about possibly breaking his neck and dying in the next couple of seconds.

Coming off a win like that was the only thing that could have made him forget the awful events of the night before. The locker-room was as loud as a circus as everyone celebrated. Harry, feeling light-headed and beaten was still able to laugh and carry-on with them. Their coach, teary-eyed and emotional came in to announce a full front page article in the Daily Prophet and they were all to report tomorrow in uniform for the interview.

"Huge, massive party!" Someone was shouting at Harry as he stumbled out of the locker room, a stupid grin on his face. Cameras snapped and people cheered. He had to fend off several hundred drenched people who all wanted autographs.

"Oy, POTTER!" A familiar voice shouted just as he was about to apparate. Reluctantly Harry turned around to meet the grin of one of his teammates. "I found something that belongs to you," He said, shoving Hermione forward.

Her hair was damp and hung in a stringy mess around her wind-burned cheeks but her eyes were fiercely blazing. Immediately he knew something was different.

Both Harry and Hermione were extremely busy working but they'd kept up their long distance relationship rather well. They would have occasional visits seeing each other a day or two at a time with large gaps in between. Harry always tried to send something back to her whenever he traveled. They hadn't seen each other in a month.

Normally she didn't come to games. She worked too much and they both agreed that if she was going to come see him she should do it on a day when they could spend more time together.

"I thought you'd gotten over falling off your broom," She said, a playful smile on her lips.

Harry remembered just staring at her in wonder. The craziness of the last twenty-four hours was forgotten as he gazed into her eyes. She couldn't have come at a better time. "Can we go somewhere to talk?" She asked smiling sweetly.

Finally, he broke into a smile in return. "Of course," He replied, taking her hand and apparating to his flat. Guiltily, Harry's eyes locked onto the pile of dirty dishes around the sink but Hermione didn't notice. She set to work lighting a fire in the fireplace.

He came up behind her and moved the hair off her neck, breathing in her sweet smell. "I missed you," He murmured in her ear. She smiled faintly as she reached up and took a picture of the two of them off the mantle and wiped off the dust.

"Sirius was complaining that you hadn't responded to the owl he sent a week ago…" She informed him, replacing their picture.

"I've been busy," He replied, his eyes fixated on her.

"I was over for dinner the other night and—" He stopped her mouth with his but she was hesitant. He pulled back gently and narrowed his eyes slightly at her.

"Do you mind if I change into something dryer?" She asked, lowering her eyes. Harry shook his head once. As she turned to go Harry kept a hold of her hand. She turned back around to look up at him. He just smiled and then let it drop.

"Do you have to work tomorrow?" Harry shouted to her in the other room.

"Of course. I have to be at the ministry at seven."

"Seven! AM?" Hermione only laughed in response. Harry shook his head disbelievingly, "You work too hard."

"That's better," Hermione said, re-emerging in fresh robes that she kept at Harry's. She had tied her hair back too.

"So, what's the occasion?" Harry asked, handing her a drink.

They both took a seat. Hermione took her drink and set it aside. She studied the countertop for a while.

"It's OK," Harry assured her. "You don't have to have a reason to come see me."

"No, it isn't that…" Harry lifted his eyebrows expectantly. She smiled nervously at him. "I'm going to have a baby," She said, the words tumbling from her mouth. She closed her eyes and waited. He could see her uncertainty and knew she had practiced telling him in front of a mirror. His blank mind groped for a response.

"What?" Harry finally managed to say and Hermione's eyes flew open. Apparently that wasn't the appropriate reaction. "No…I mean…oh…I don't know what to say," He admitted. He glanced at her and then downed his entire glass.

As the seconds ticked by a new thought seemed to hit him like a bludger in the stomach. Suddenly their relationship of casual, occasional rendezvous was catapulted into a life-long commitment. He was going to be a father. He was going to be raising a child. Harry Potter was going to be a father.

All of his quidditch injuries and bruises from the previous night's IAA escapade seemed to hit him at once. He felt now more than ever as if he'd been pummeled by giants. Somewhere the rational part of his mind was telling him to get a grip. He had to control his emotions for Hermione's sake. Certainly she wasn't taking this much better than him.

"Listen, Harry," Hermione said, taking a steadying breath. "I don't expect you to make sweeping changes for me, OK? We didn't plan this. I know you're a very important and busy person. I mean, I know you'll do the right thing. But I'm not asking you to quit your job or anything…"

"Hermione," Harry said, waving his hand around. "Stop it. I'm not going to put…ambition or personal glory ahead of a human being." Hermione, though she had been trying to prepare herself for this moment felt the tears well-up anyway. "I guess we should get married. Wow…"

"Yeah…" Hermione agreed.

"And we'll move to London. You'll be near the ministry and I'll be close enough to the pitch for practice. And we can build a house and next year we'll just…hire someone to help out during quidditch season."

"Harry…"

"No, it will work. I can be home more than you think. I'll just do far less public relations stunts for England and I can cut my game time stays way down—barring of course, unseen IAA involvement."

"That's not what you want to do. I mean, we agreed that we wouldn't try to start something serious like that. We were just going to be…friends with benefits for as long as we needed to. We were both going to focus on our careers..."

"Life happens Hermione," Harry cut in. "It's not what we had in mind but we don't have a choice do we? Who says this won't be our happily ever after anyway?"

"Oh my God…Are we really doing this?"

"We're doing this," Harry replied, taking her hand.

"I don't know if I'm ready,"

"Ready or not, we're out of choices."

"I love you," Hermione whispered, squeezing his hand.

"I love you too," Harry replied, gently wiping a tear off her cheek. She turned up her face for a kiss...

"You better get up, Harry. You've got to go Christmas shopping," A voice seemed to say from far away. Harry's eyes flew open but that wasn't Hermione's cheek he was stroking…

Skyla's blonde hair was falling in his face, tickling his cheek. He smiled as his mind refocused to the present. "In a minute," He replied, sleepily, dropping his hand to his chest.

He closed his eyes and wondered why in the world he would dream of that now. It was true he'd see Hermione tonight but usually if he thought about her at all it was about their divorce, not when she got pregnant with James.

"Do you think I should get something for my ex-wife?" Harry mumbled into the pillow.

"Did you get her something last year?" Skyla asked. He could hear the frown in her voice.

"Flowers," He replied.

"Then get her flowers again."

"What do you want for Christmas?"

"Harry…" Skyla said, turning his face toward hers. "It's Christmas Eve, please tell me you're joking." Harry had met Skyla in Paris. She was there at an international summit meeting representing the ministry of magic and he was in town for the unveiling of a new broom from Nimbus.

For the last six months they'd been seeing more and more of each other and tonight he was going to take her home to the family for Christmas.

"She's not going to like you," Harry said, after a while.

"Who?" Skyla asked, her brows furrowing as she wondered what was in his mind.

"Hermione."

"Oh. Well…does that matter?" Harry laughed.

"I should tell Sirius I'm bringing you."

"You aren't allowed to have guests?"

"He'll be upset if he doesn't have a Christmas gift for you." Skyla rolled her eyes.

"I doubt that. But he will be upset if you don't have a Christmas gift for him."

"OK, I'm getting up…"

Spellbound

By: Angela Star Black Thompson Star Black

"Oh the weather outside is frightful but the fire is so delightful!" Bill Weasley sang picking out random chords on his old guitar.

"So true," Sirius Black agreed, glancing warily at the window. Sierra and Bill had come over for a nice quiet dinner to visit with their friends but in the mean time an ugly winter storm had blown up and surrounded the mansion and the grounds sealing its inhabitants inside.

"Bill stop!" Sierra said, laying a hand on his guitar as he continued to sing and be silly. "You'll scare Ebony."

Angie hid her laugh with her hand. "That's a little harsh, Sierra," She said critically. Sierra just rolled her eyes and knocked her husband playfully on the shoulder.

"Seriously, nothing could scare this child," Sirius said, patting the top of five year old Ebony's jet black head. Ebony turned green innocent eyes on her dad and smiled nervously. She knew they were talking about her.

"I have to put up with this sort of thing all the time," Sierra said, as Bill continued trying to figure out how to play "Let it Snow" by ear. He ignored another punch.

"Well I think it's amazing that he can do that, personally," Angie said, winking at Bill. "I can't play any instruments."

"But you can sing beautifully, almost as well as me," Sirius said playfully. Angie rolled her eyes.

"You sing?" Bill asked as he stopped picking at his strings. Angie shrugged. Behind her Sirius was nodding and mouthing "yes". Bill grinned and turned back to Ebony.

"Do you know any Christmas carols?" He asked her. She glanced around as if considering her audience and then started to sing softly.

"We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!" The second time through Bill was able to—for the most part—play through the song with her. This accompaniment and center of attention delighted her to no end as they went through more and more.

"Do you know this one?" Bill asked, starting to play. "Away in a manger, no crib—oops—crib for a bed, the li—little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head, er…head," He said, as he kept correcting himself.

"Let me see that thing," Sirius said, taking the guitar from Bill. Sierra giggled as Sirius put the strap over his shoulder and assumed the play position.

"I forgot you used to play," She said.

"Just a little…let's see if I remember how," He picked at it a bit and then hit a chord. "Here's one I remember," He said, grinning as he started to play Mary had a Little Lamb. Ebony started to sing happily and Sirius sang with her.

"Oh, very good!" Bill said, mockingly clapping for the two. Sirius shot him a look.

"Here now, how about a little Greensleeves? That's a bit more difficult," He said, starting to play.

"Yes, dear, that's an accidental," Angie replied. He glanced at her and tried again and she nodded. "C-sharp, Sirius," She corrected.

"You play it then," He said, stopping.

"I don't know how to play that thing," She protested. So he started to play again.

"No, listen," Angie broke in. "What child is this, who, laid to rest on Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet While shepherds watch are keeping? Did you hear that? This, this, is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the son of Mary! Are you going to play?"

"Oh right," Sirius muttered as Angie started the next verse.

"Why lies He in such mean estate Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear; for sinners here The silent Word is pleading. This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary!" Sirius stopped and fell silent.

"I wish you'd sing more often," He said softly. Angie's cheeks reddened slightly. "Do you remember that Christmas Eve…?" Sirius continued; Angie nodded quickly, becoming more embarrassed.

"Play something else!" Ebony demanded of her father. Startling him out of his memory he turned to her and smiled. He considered for a second and then started to play something else. Something Bill had never heard before and Sierra wasn't sure she recognized it either. They frowned at him for a minute. He seemed to get the hang of it a little better as he went on.

Angie stared at the guitar. She knew she knew that song but couldn't, for the life of her, put her finger on it. Suddenly Sirius looked up at her grinning and she realized what it was. She gasped and then started to sing the chorus. Grinning Sirius joined her.

"I don't know whether to kill you or to kiss you Both options have their appeal I don't know if I really should hate you Or if these feelings are real I haven't yet decided if you're what I want But when you're around me I can't see straight I don't know if this is loathing or love!"

Bill laughed. "That was great; what was it?"

"Original Marauders," Sirius replied, smiling widely.

"The Marauders did NOT write that song!" Angie interjected. "You and I did."

"That's true; but we, the Marauders, played it. It sounded much better when James played lead guitar and I played bass. Hey, do you remember the one…?" He started to play a bit. "Damn, sorry, I'm not used to the melody on this one…"

"Oh wait…it was like: Never said I was a good boy. Who told you that?"

"That's it!" Sirius said pointing at her.

"I don't remember the words after that…" Angie said, straining her memory to reach back over twenty years ago.

"Never said I followed the rules or even the crowd." Sierra sang and all three joined for the last line of the chorus.

"So I'm just a little bad boy but I'm still in love with you!" Sirius finished it out with a little improvised guitar. Laughing he handed Bill his guitar back.

"Take it back before it gets worse," Sirius said.

"The Marauders were good," Sierra argued. "James, Sirius, Remus and Pete...Peter Pettigrew had a band. James sang," Sierra explained to her husband who was grinning.

"That is brilliant. I love it!" Bill said. "I've written a few songs of my own but I've never performed them and it's just me on guitar. And, as Sierra pointed out, my singing voice isn't the best."

"You sing fine," Sirius said. Sierra rolled her eyes.

"You sound like me at my wedding," Angie told Bill. "…to Josh…I wrote several songs but I had a hard time convincing the band we hired to try and play them," She sighed. "That was good work too! They're lost now though…unless Josh has them in storage with the wedding stuff."

"I wonder if Remus still remembers his parts," Sirius said thoughtfully.

"You're not starting a band," Angie said, reading his mind like only she could.

"Oh come on, Ang, you could sing instead of James and Bill and I will play guitar and Remus—"

"No, Sirius," Angie said sternly. She rolled her eyes at her husband. "You're over forty now, you're not starting a band!"

"Shh! We don't speak of that," Sirius said, referring to his age. Sierra grinned.

"Ebony, it's past your bed time," Angie said, startling Ebony who had been flipping through her pile of books.

"NO!" Ebony cried.

"How about if we all sing one more song before you go to bed?" Sirius asked. Ebony folded her arms across her chest, furrowed her brow and grudgingly agreed. "OK, then, why don't you ask Bill nicely to play something for us?"

They all sang a rousing rendition of Jolly old Saint Nicholas and sent Ebony off to bed.

The next morning Angie woke up singing "I don't know whether to kill you or kiss you".

Sirius must have had it in his head too. When he left for work he made a joke about killing her or kissing her.

All morning long she couldn't, try as she might, shake the songs of her past. After hesitating for several minutes Angie finally owled her ex-husband. Later, she had almost forgotten she had owled Josh until she received a reply while she watching Ebony finish up her lunch.

Leaving Ebony in the care of her many nannies and house attendants Angie hurried off to London, both thrilled and filled with dread. She rushed into Gringotts hoping Josh hadn't been waiting long. She'd left as soon as she could.

Griphook greeted her immediately. "Good day to you Mrs. Black. I will assist you—"

"Thank you Griphook," Angie said in gobbledegook bowing slightly to him. "But I'm here to meet Joshua Thompson."

"Oh…you mean that unpleasant fellow?" Griphook asked with a sour look on his face. Angie followed Griphook's pointed fingernail across the room and spotted Josh skulking in the corner.

"That's him. Thanks Griphook." Angie said, hurrying across the room. Josh scarcely glanced at her.

"Let's make this quick, I'm on my lunch hour," He said gruffly. She nodded and followed him into the vaults. "I don't suppose you're going to tell me what this is about?" Josh asked.

"Oh, sure," Angie said agreeably. "I was hoping to find one of my notebooks or the songs I wrote for our wedding. You didn't throw that stuff out did you?"

"I kept it all. Don't know why though," He said callously. Angie took the comment with a grain of salt. It wasn't as if he really cared about her, of that she was sure. He was just trying to annoy her.

They arrived at the end of a tunnel with three doors. "What's behind door number one?" Angie said, in a mock announcer voice as Josh unlocked the door on the right. Josh remained silent.

The little room wasn't organized and boxes and objects were thrown haphazardly across the ground. The two of them picked their way through to the middle. "I think the box with the wedding pictures is right around here…" Josh said, looking around. "Oh here…" He said, kicking a box toward her.

Angie bent down and opened it up and started sifting through the contents. Josh loomed over her and watched. Angie glanced up. "Are you worried I'm going to steal something from you?" She asked.

"No," He said, looking quickly away.

"I'm sorry," Angie muttered, as she pushed some things out of her way. She picked up a loose picture of Kirsten dressed up as their flower girl and smiled. "She was so cute, wasn't she?"

She looked up at Josh and her smiled faded. He nodded slowly. Guiltily she tossed the picture back in the box.

"She has children now?" Josh asked.

"Two," Angie replied, still searching. She paused to look up at him again.

"I'm sorry Josh," She said softly. He shrugged.

"As long as she's happy," He replied.

"Very happy," Angie agreed.

"You look well too." Angie blushed—he was being uncharacteristically nice.

"Thank you Josh, you don't look—"

"Oh don't," Josh snapped. "I know what I look like."

"I was just going to say you look very sharp in white."

"I'm not wearing white," Josh said. Angie grinned and turned the picture frame around in her hand. Josh did look very sharp in his white tux and Angie looked beautiful as well. Josh took the picture from her.

"You were happy then, weren't you?" He asked, handing the picture back to her. She stood up.

"I think I was…" She said, trying to remember back that far. "For a while…"

"Me too," Josh agreed. "I really did care for you and Kirsten."

"I know Josh," Angie said, painfully.

"Yeah, you do. You exploited me for it too." He snapped. She couldn't argue with him so she stayed silent. This was the first time she had really seen him since he had found out he didn't really have a daughter. He deserved some time to say a few things.

He nodded silently as if agreeing with something in his head. "I'm getting married." Angie's eyes widened in surprise. She was missing the train of thought that led to that statement.

"Congratulations," She managed to mumble.

"I realized I lost what I thought I didn't care about. Maybe it's a little late but I want to settle down. I was so bitter for so long…" He seemed to realize he was still talking out loud and stopped himself.

Angie stared at him for a minute wondering if she had possibly underestimated him. Certainly at one point in time she had believed wholeheartedly that he would care more deeply for Kirsten than Sirius would. After the divorce she became convinced he could only care about himself. That day in the vault it seemed to her that a bit of the old Josh was seeping back out from under the bitter exterior that had been so carefully constructed.

"I've found what I was looking for…" She said quietly, clutching the notebook and a few loose papers to his chest. "Thank you…" Josh looked at her and nodded. Impulsively she reached out and gave him a hug and was relieved when he put his arms around her and patted her on the back.

"Thanks Ang. Take care of yourself," He said, smiling and brushing her cheek. She smiled in return.

That night when Sirius returned home Angie was bursting with excitement as she hummed her songs over and over again. Sirius and Ebony sat by and patiently listened and praised over a dozen of them before Sirius decided they'd heard enough for one night and tucked his little girl into bed.

"Where did you find them?" Sirius asked, reading one over her shoulder.

"I had Josh let me into his storage at Gringotts," Angie explained. "Sirius, he's getting married." She told him about their conversation and how he had hugged her. Sirius shrugged.

"He's probably on the twelve step program and had to make his peace with everyone," Sirius reasoned.

"Sirius, don't tease!" Angie said. "If that's true he'll be apologizing to you next." Sirius looked like he might be sick.

Next week at Christmas all the family gathered at the Black's to open presents and, in general, be merry. Late that afternoon, when everyone was full of food, and lazing about Angie pulled out her songs and started showing them to Bill. Enthusiastically he tried to play a couple of them. He shared his own sheet music with her too and by the end of the night they were regaling the family with a little concert.

After they finished at least the tenth song Harry interrupted. "Not that this isn't spellbindingly exciting but Hermione and I are going to head home. The kids need rest. Merry Christmas everyone…"

"Walkin' in a Winter Wonder Land!" Sirius bellowed somewhere near Angie's ear. Startled, she jumped and accidentally knocked Sirius in the chin.

Laughing she sat up in bed. "Serves you right for waking me up like that!" She scolded, but then kissed him on his cheek.

"Well, my quiet singing didn't wake you…so I had to move on to desperate measures. It's Christmas Eve, we'll have guests in--" He looked down and checked his watch. "--Thirteen hours and eleven minutes and we've got loads of work to do." Angie sighed reluctantly.

As she slipped out of bed and listened to Sirius's song fade quietly away as he left she remembered what she had been dreaming about. She remembered how excited her and Bill had become that Christmas. To the point of obsession it seemed.

A year after that Christmas Angie, Bill, Fred Weasley, and a few of Bill's friends had their first performance outside of Black and Black Cauldron's store in Diagon Alley to celebrate their grand opening at their new location. From that small beginning Spellbound skyrocketed into international fame in the wizarding world—so much so that Bill quit his job and he and Angie started their own record company and produced their own records.

Which reminded Angie of something. She checked her watch and hurriedly finished brushing her hair. Bill and Sierra were probably already waiting for her. They were going to practice a new song this morning before Sirius went into extreme Christmas decorating over drive.

Complicated

By: Hermione Granger Potter

Hermione sat in the stands of the Quidditch pitch, cheering louder than anyone around her. She watched her husband, Harry, fly through the air with all the grace and agility of a Greek athlete of old. Her heart fluttered. She had been married to him for two years, and she still felt like a newlywed.

Suddenly, Harry took a tremendous dive. The crowd stood on its feet, watching in anticipation as the opposing seeker took off at the same time. At first Hermione thought it was a Wronski feint, but then she saw a glint of gold. In the next moment, it was in Harry's fist.

The crowds started screaming, but Hermione screamed above them all, pushing her way down onto the pitch. His fellow teammates landed and threw Harry up onto their shoulders. Hermione looked up at him, his eyes alight as he held the snitch aloft.

She had to wait for nearly an hour and a half for him to come out of the locker rooms. He came out swaggering and grinning. Hermione rushed forward to congratulate him. He gave her a peck on the cheek, and then turned to the rest of the crowd waiting outside. He gave them a smile, and started signing autographs.

Hermione frowned. Harry had promised they would leave as soon as they could. James and Kara, their small children, were with Sierra and Bill, and she didn't want to bother them for long. She tried to get her husband's attention, but he didn't notice her. It was then that she realized something.

Harry Potter had changed.

A few years later, Hermione was sitting down at the dining room table. The best china was set out, with two places. A soft romantic candlelight filled the room. Glass goblets and the best silverware gleamed. In the kitchen, dinner was getting cold. Hermione was sitting at the table by herself. She glanced at the clock.

Harry was supposed to get home two hours ago. James, now four, his little sister Kara, and his little brother Apollo were with Ron and Kirsten. This was supposed to be a special night for just Harry and Hermione.

The problem was Harry wasn't home yet.

Anger seethed through her. Today was their fifth anniversary (and their son Apollo's first birthday), and he had sworn to be home on time. But no, he was probably out getting drunk with his teammates, completely forgetting about his wife sitting at home all alone. They had celebrated Apollo's birthday early in order to have their anniversary to themselves.

Hermione bent her head, trying to hold back the tears. She loved Harry, she always had. But he had turned into something he wasn't. He had always been famous, to be sure, but since his Quidditch career had been so successful…

Why did he have to make things so complicated? A series of scenes flashed through Hermione's mind as she saw front page newspaper stories and magazines all featuring a grinning, euphoric Harry. Hermione laughed when she saw him swagger around, knowing that underneath he was klutzy and kind. But even as she laughed, she cried. What had happened to the man she loved?

At that moment, the door opened, and Hermione's head snapped up. She quickly brushed away the tears that had escaped despite her efforts. Harry came into the room grinning.

"Hello, Hermione," He said, his cheeks rosy. So he had been drinking, Hermione thought bitterly. She hated being right sometimes. "Where are the kids?"

"At Ron and Kirsten's," Hermione replied icily. Harry frowned.

"Why?"

"You don't know?" She replied, her eyes widening.

"Did I miss something?" Harry remarked, looking at her fancy dress and the dinner table. "What's for dinner? You want pizza? I can order out, and—"

"ARGH!" Hermione threw up her hands. "Harry Potter, do you realize what today IS?"

"Uh…" Harry gulped and tugged at his collar.

"It's our ANNIVERSARY!" She shouted, then turned and tried not to cry. Harry's eyes widened.

"Oh my God, Hermione…" He approached her. "I'm so sorry."

"Don't touch me," She snapped, shoving away as he tried to hold her.

"I'm sorry Hermione, but after the game we—"

"I'm tired of your excuses!"

"I'm SORRY, Hermione!" He shouted, his temper getting the better of him. "I forgot, okay? What else do you want me to say?"

"I don't want you to say anything!" She screeched, spinning around, her tears flowing freely. "I want you to remember!"

"Remember what?"

"THAT I'M YOUR WIFE!" Hermione cried, then turned around and begin to sob.

"Hermione…" Harry pleaded. Hermione turned around and ran past him up the stairs. He heard a door slam. When he went upstairs to go to bed, he found the door locked. Cursing, he went back downstairs.

For a while, Harry actually came home on time and spent time with Hermione. But then he began to change again. More and more often, Hermione found herself alone with James, Kara, and their small son Apollo.

Hermione was confused and felt alone. She loved her children more than anything, but she needed Harry. Yet he was never there. She didn't blame him entirely. He worked hard. Quidditch was a very physical game and when he traveled he was becoming one of the IAA's most efficient snoops. Harry assured her that he refused to do anything too dangerous but the long hours he stayed away worried her still.

Apollo was five years old when Hermione heard the doorbell ring. She opened it to find a young vixen of a blonde flipping her hair on her doorstep. Hermione looked down in distaste.

"Yes?" She asked, ignoring James and Kara who were arguing loudly in the kitchen.

"Is Mr. Potter home?" The woman asked in a voice like honey. Hermione felt her stomach tighten, though she couldn't yet know why.

"No, may I tell him who asked?"

"Not necessary. Thank you, miss!" The young woman replied, and walked away, apparating at the end of the driveway. Mrs., Hermione thought firmly in her head, Mrs. Hermione shut the door and closed her eyes, leaning against the frame, feeling like she had eaten something sour.

Taking a shuddering breath, she straightened herself and told herself that she was overreacting and it wasn't fair to assume the worst. She then continued with her domestic duties. Harry came home late that night looking very happy. Hermione couldn't help but wonder if the blonde had found him.

Harry invited Hermione to come to the party at Thomas Morgan's (the captain of Harry's team) house after a huge win. Hermione primped for hours for the party. She felt like she was finally becoming involved in Harry's life again, and she didn't want to miss the opportunity.

She met Harry there. He smiled down at her, and introduced her to all the team members. There were several people there that weren't on the team that Harry also had to be introduced to. Usually Hermione felt uncomfortable at such formal gatherings, but she got involved in a lively conversation with Mrs. Morgan.

After a while, Mrs. Morgan (or Greta, as she had insisted Hermione call her) went to get their champagne glasses refilled. It was then that Hermione realized that she had lost track of Harry. Her eyes searched the room.

She almost missed him. He was in a corner, talking in a quiet voice with a young, vibrant blonde who looked fresh out of Hogwarts. Hermione's eyes flashed and her cheeks flamed, she recognized the blonde as the woman who had appeared one her doorstep just a week ago. What the hell was he doing?

She crossed the room quickly, her anger pushing her on. This is what they call the seven year itch, she thought distantly. She came up behind her husband and the pretty young blonde and coughed loudly to announce her presence. Neither noticed.

"Ahem," She muttered. Nothing. "A-HEM!" Once again, nothing. "HARRY JAMES POTTER!" She finally yelled, losing patience. This time she did catch their attention, along with that of about half the room.

"Who is this, Harry?" The blonde asked, frowning at Harry. His cheeks were on fire as he stared at Hermione, his eyes flashing. "I don't believe we've been introduced."

"Allow me," Hermione said rudely, not allowing Harry time to answer. "Hermione Potter. Harry's WIFE!"

"Oh!" The blonde turned to Harry with a giggle. "I forgot you were married!"

"That much was obvious," Hermione replied acidly. She turned and marched away toward the doors leading into the Morgan's garden. She swept right by Greta. Harry, after muttering something to the blonde, followed her.

"Hermione—" He began once they were both outside.

"Don't even start with me." She said coldly, not turning. Harry sighed before trotting to keep up with her.

"Hermione, it's not what it looked like—"

"Oh yeah?" Hermione stopped suddenly and whipped around. Her eyes were blazing, her cheeks were flaming with anger, embarrassment, and the cold night air. "Then what was it, Harry?" Harry started to answer, but he couldn't find any words. "Exactly what I thought." She replied, then turned and kept walking.

"Hermione…don't go!" He cried desperately, once again starting to follow her. She coolly ignored him, her high heels clicking on the pavement. "What, do you expect to walk all the way home?" He finally snapped in exasperation.

"No." Hermione spun around. "That was purely for effect. I'm going to my mother's house." And with that she disapparated.

The next morning, when she got home, she found a suitcase and all Harry's clothes, along with his broomstick, gone.

Hermione sat up in bed as her alarm clock exploded in the form of loud Muggle music. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. The words of the song sounded oddly familiar. "Why'd you have to go and make things so complicated; I see the way your acting like your somebody else, getting me frustrated—" The female's voice stopped abruptly as Hermione switch the radio off in annoyance. She got up and got dressed, knowing her three children were impatiently waiting for her to come downstairs so she could save them from impossible decorating standards. Sirius got crazy around the holidays…

She was still pondering over her dream as she slipped out of bed. She and Harry had separated years ago, why should she dream of that memory now?

Brotherly Love + Sisterly Hate Much Eye Rolling

By: Remus Lupin

"Well, it's not my fault you hate your sister," Remus pointed out. "She happens to be a good friend of mine."

"Hmph," Holly replied. "I don't understand WHY." Remus rolled his eyes.

"Holly, she's your sister. Isn't there ANY positive emotions there?"

"No," The brunette replied haughtily. Remus sighed.

"Well, she deserves to know anyway," He said stubbornly.

"I figured you would insist," Holly replied, sighing. "But why do I have to see her now?" She whined. "A hastily written letter would do the trick." Remus rolled his eyes and ignored that last bit.

"Because we are going to tell her now…and Sirius. I don't know about you but I could use some moral support on this."

"Ugh," Holly threw up her hands. "I give up. I can't argue with you."

"But that's why you love me, right?" He grinned cockily. She gave him a look.

"Don't do that. You look like Sirius when you do that."

"Somebody say my name?" A voice called from the living room. Holly rolled her eyes.

"Coming in without knocking," She muttered. "We could've been busy or something!"

"Doing what?" Remus asked in amusement.

"You don't even want me to answer that question," She said playfully. She then swept from the kitchen into the room where Sirius and her cursed sister were waiting for them.

"Hello, Holly!" Sirius chirped. Both sisters rolled their eyes.

"No hello for me?" Remus asked, following Holly out of the kitchen.

"Hello, Moony!" Sirius complied in the exact same voice. Two more eye rolls.

"You two are awfully quiet today," Remus remarked, looking between Angie and Holly. They both took the hint, and mumbled a begrudged greeting. Remus and Sirius exchanged looks.

"Can we go and get this over with?" Holly finally snapped. "Where are we going?"

"To a bar, of course!" Sirius replied, as if this were obvious. Holly exchanged a look with her husband. "Any suggestions on which one Remus?"

"Well, we could try this one place down on Ireland Road…" He said carefully avoiding the gaze of his wife.

"Done!" Sirius exclaimed. "Let's link arms now!" No one obeyed. "What?" He asked, injured. "Aren't we going down the yellow brick road?"

"Are you sure you're not already drunk?" Holly asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Let's GO already!" Angie burst out, shooting Holly a look. It was the same kind of thing she would've said, but she didn't seem to think her sister had the right to criticize her husband.

"Alright, Angie, no reason to get in a tizzy," Sirius said, rolling his eyes. "Ireland Road isn't far, we'll walk!"

This turned out to be a bad idea, because of the awkward silence that was already descending upon the group. Remus and Sirius tried as hard as they could to keep the conversation up, but nothing seemed to be working. Remus rolled his eyes behind the girl's back at their stubbornness, and Sirius seemed to share his sentiments. Why did they have to be so difficult?

However, Remus was worried enough as it was without having to worry about the hatred between Angie and Holly. He was getting going to be a father. It had occurred to him that he would be the last marauder to become one and he was going to seek Sirius' advice when he realized that he was going to Sirius Black about advice concerning a long term relationship and raising a child.

For one thing, look at the first sixteen years of HIS marriage!

But that, of course, wasn't Padfoot's fault…and it wasn't really Angie's either, he supposed. They were a good enough couple now. At least, there were no fights even half the magnitude of those of their school days. That was probably a good thing, especially for the poor innocent house…er…elegantly furnished mansion that the Black family called home. Remus pondered if the house had feelings, and what it would think about housing Sirius, ex-convict but still a clown, Angie, crazy and stubborn, and baby Ebony, who was quite a mini-Marauder already, not to mention Ron and Kirsten dropping by unexpected in the middle of the night…and Harry occasionally.

Poor thing.

It suddenly occurred to Remus that he was pitying a house. He shook his head, and realized they were (finally) approaching their destination.

"Why do you build me up, build me up, Buttercup baby just to let me down, let me down—"

"Sirius, what are you doing?" Angie asked, her eyebrows raising.

"Singing," He replied. "Everybody now! Why do you build me up?"

"Build me up!" Remus echoed, getting into the spirit of things. It was better than pitying a house.

"Buttercup, baby just to let me down—"

"—let me down—"

"And mess me around—"

"SHUT UP!" Both women shouted in unison, and then glared at the other for daring to say the same thing she did.

"Jinx!" Sirius cried happily. "You guys can't talk until I say your names."

"Whatever," Holly rolled her eyes. However, she had failed to realize that Sirius had pulled out his wand. In the next moment, both sisters were under the influence of a silencing charm. Holly was stomping and Angie was screaming…or at least she would've been. Remus started laughing, which was probably not a good idea. Silencing spells, as Remus was about to discover, do not hinder a woman's ability to slap a man.

"OW!" He cried, glaring at his wife. She tried to reply, but of course no sound came out.

"Right this way, ladies," Sirius grinned as he opened the door. Angie swept past him, shortly followed by Holly. Remus wasn't exactly a master lip reader, but he got the distinct impression they were both swearing fluently.

The waiter came around to get their drinks, and Sirius ordered beer for everyone. Remus watched in amusement as the sisters tried to argue, both with each other and their men. He knew he should probably fight on their behalf, but he'd never seen either of them in such an interesting situation. After looking them both over carefully, he caught Sirius's eye and winked.

"So, Padfoot, how about those Arrows?"

The two men enjoyed discussing Quidditch, chugging their beer, and teasing the sisters to fury. Perhaps, if Remus had paid a bit more attention, he would've seen the little nods and winks they were exchanging. Instead (after a few mugs of the beer) Remus said amiably to Sirius "You know, Padfoot, I think we've finally found a way to make them get along."

"Quite right," He grinned at Angie, raising his mug. "Cheers, to my dear SILENT wife!" At that moment, the sisters struck. They both leapt on Sirius with enough force to tackle a football player, let alone the slightly tipsy form of Sirius Black. (He really wasn't drunk, it took a lot more alcohol than that to affect Sirius. Sirius was just naturally tipsy.) He fell over and the beer spilled all over him. The women cracked up…or at least, they would have if they hadn't been under the confounded silencing charm. Remus was laughing outright, finding the whole situation very amusing. The girls turned their glare on him, and he quickly shut up.

"Aw, c'mon ladies," Sirius whined. "You know you're loving this!" At that moment, Angie stalked across the room, from somewhere produced a scrap of paper and a ball point pen. She seated herself comfortably in her chair, grinned wickedly at her husband, and wrote one word on the tiny slip of paper.

Sofa.

Remus doubled over with laughter as Sirius's eyes widened. Angie just smiled smugly…not that she could do much else, mind you.

"Honey," Sirius whined. "You're no fun." Her smug look didn't alter. "Oh alright. You're co-conspirator too?" Angie shrugged, not wanting to give an opinion on her sister in any way. Sirius rolled his eyes. "Fine," He mumbled. "Angie and Holly, I release you!" He cried dramatically, lifting the silencing charms. In that same instant, Angie and Holly pulled out their own wands. Before the men knew what had happened jets of light were being shot at them. Sirius opened his mouth to swear.

Nothing came out.

"Score!" Angie cried, and gave Holly a high five. Sirius and Remus were stunned to silence, or would have been, if the girls hadn't already taken care of that for them.

"So, Angie, have you seen those adorable sweaters at Hogsmeade?" Holly grinned, playing the same game the boys had earlier. They summoned the waiter, and both ordered the most expensive wine on the menu.

There was a problem with being under the silencing charm; the whole point in being there was to tell Sirius and Angie about the baby! Remus raised an eyebrow at Holly wondering just exactly what she was going to do with her very expensive glass of wine.

Luckily, Remus didn't have time to get overly worked up. Holly and Angie could only maintain civil conversation for so long. Within ten minutes, the two remaining Marauders had their voices back. Remus coughed loudly, and Sirius continued on the swearing rant for several seconds before he realized his voice had been restored to him.

"Well, I feel stupid." He said finally.

"You ARE stupid," Angie reminded him cheerfully. He rolled his eyes, which caused Remus to roll his eyes, then Holly rolled her eyes, then, Angie rolled hers. This was getting real old real quick.

"So, is there a point to this?" Sirius asked, taking another swig of beer. He had meant the question to be rhetorical. Both he and Angie were surprised to see Remus and Holly exchanged worried looks. Holly wished she could drink. This was exactly the kind of situation where alcohol would have eased the tension a bit.

"What's going on?" Angie demanded. She hated being "left out of the loop" as she would say. It was a phrase Remus never quite understood, some confounded expression she had picked up in America no doubt.

"We have…something to tell you," Holly muttered, almost stuttering under the direct glare from her sister.

"We?" Sirius repeated. "As in plural for the first person?"

This statement was so ludicrous Remus, Angie and Holly couldn't help but roll their eyes.

"Well?" Sirius snapped, half annoyed, half amused. Remus and Holly went back to exchanging looks.

"Just spit it out!" Angie cried. Holly gave Remus a "you-got-me-into-this-condition-and-you-can-explain-it" look. Remus just rolled his eyes, trust her to make HIM say it.

"Holly and I…" Remus paused for dramatic effect.

"YES!" Angie looked as if she were about to burst an artery.

"We've decided we want to take our relationship to the next level."

"WHAT!" Sirius and Angie cried in unison. Holly was looking at him as if he were crazy.

"Well, we hit a plateau," Remus explained patiently though he admittedly had no idea what he was saynig. "And we thought—"

"But you're already married," Angie pointed out, looking confused.

"Remus," Sirius said solemnly. "You're a big boy now. I'm not going to explain the birds and the bees."

"No Sirius, for God's sake!"

"Just get the bloody hell on with it!" Angie exclaimed, her cheeks flaming at the implied…alright, blatantly obvious insult.

"Oh Lord!" Holly exclaimed. "WE'RE PREGNANT!"

The entire bar went silent. Remus put his head in his hand, Holly's cheeks went red as her eyes traveled the room, and Angie looked as if she had announced the arrival of the Final Judgment. Sirius looked from Remus to Holly, then broke out with a broad grin.

"DRINKS FOR EVERYONE!" He cried. "And a cup of tea or something for the new mama."

"Hip hip hooray!" Someone in the back shouted as the bartender started preparing the drinks, muttering darkly under his breath about bad credit.

"Sirius!" Angie cried. "Just because you're a millionaire doesn't mean you should spend all that money!" Sirius looked pointedly at her wine. She shut up quickly.

"So Remus," Sirius continued, looking at his mortified friend. "Do I get to plan the baby shower?"

After that, everything was a haze…for Remus anyway. He imagined Holly had plenty more eye rolls that night as she watched the three of them get dead drunk…

"HO, HO, HO!" A loud, booming voice jolted him out of his…admittedly strange dream. He forced an eyelid open and then sat bolt upright as Sirius Black, dressed in a red suit and white trim and a red hat with a white ball at the end strode confidently into his bedroom.

"Sirius?" Holly murmured groggily.

"Santa," Sirius corrected, grinning. "It's Christmas Eve Moony, get up!"

"It's the morning of the day before Christmas, it is NOT Christmas Eve, not yet," Holly corrected. "Why are you getting us up so early?"

"We've got lots to do to be ready for the party tonight! So, get up!"

"Who's that?" Remus asked hazily, referring to the considerably shorter being at Sirius's side.

"Santa's little helper!" Sirius chirped, pulling the "little helper" forward. Remus burst into laughter at the sight of sixteen-year-old Ebony Black dressed in an elf's costume.

"Shut up," The girl snapped, her cheeks flaming. "If you don't get out of bed so I can get out of this get up I'll shove this candy cane down your throat."

"Don't tempt her," Sirius said sagely. "Got a temper from her mother."

"That's rich," Remus rolled his eyes.

"Angie DOES have a temper," Holly sniffed. "A horrible temper at that."

"Please. Get. Up." Ebony "requested" through gritted teeth. Under the threat of a teenaged elf armed with glittery cheeks and a candy cane, Remus did as she asked.

"Good work," Sirius said, patting his daughter on the head. "We'll reconvene at o-eight hundred hours in the kitchen for your decorating assignments!" And, with a dramatic swish of his ridiculous red and white robes he and Ebony left the room.

END CHAPTER ONE

A/N: For those of you who are still scratching your heads about James Potter in the last scene of Awakening that will be addressed in the next chapter. You will meet in detail all the children and hopefully understand better the character relationships as they have developed. The plot will also begin and should be well under way and clear by the end of chapter two. Hope to see you there.

--Stardust