CHAPTER 1
I Apparated to the house I grew up in. It was Harry's day off so I had left the kids with him so I could look through my mums house. I knew it was going to be hard so I started with the living room. I worked my way through all the rooms, carefully avoiding her bedroom. When I finished every other room I finally went into her bedroom.
'How are you doing love?' I heard Harry ask inside my head.
I smiled at the sound of his voice, 'I'll be okay,' I replied.
'I know you will. Are you almost done?' he asked.
'Yeah, I just have to finish her room and I'm done. I'll be home soon. Did you fix yourself lunch?' I asked.
'Yes I did. Well, I'll let you get back to work. I love you,' he said.
'I love you, too,' I replied before starting on her dresser, the only thing left in the room.
I got through the first three drawers without any problems, they were just clothes. The fourth and final drawer though was full of things that I knew must have been from her school years. I sent it all home before Apparating home myself.
"Hey love, I didn't expect you back so soon," Harry said, looking up from his work.
"Yeah, I'll get started on dinner now," I replied, leaning down and kissing him, "Are the kids napping?" I asked.
He nodded before looking down at his work. I walked into the kitchen and started making speghetti. When I finished I called Harry in for dinner then sat next to him at the dinner table. I had barely started eating when I heard the kids wake up.
"I got it," I said, standing and going upstairs. I saw that both Emma and Richard were awake so I picked Emma up with one arm, picked Richard up with the other and walked back downstairs.
"Hey," Harry said, standing and taking Emma from me.
I sat down and finished dinner before realizing that both Richard and Emma needed their diapers changed. I took them both upstairs and changed them while Harry finished his work. When I came down with them and put them both in their swings I sat next to Harry and leaned into him while he put his arms around me.
After a while I sat back up, "We should get to bed, you have to wake up early for work tomorrow," I said as I stood. I took Emma out of her swing and he took Richard out of his and we took them upstairs and put them to bed.
I took a shower, put my pajamas on and then waited for Harry in bed while he changed into his pajamas. I decided that once Harry fell asleep I would look at my mum's stuff. It didn't take long for him to fall asleep though and I was creeping downstairs with my mum's stuff in my arms. I took a chair in the living room and turned on the lamp that was sitting just behind it.
The first thing I found was a letter. I opened it up and found that it was from Sirius. I had decided I wasn't going to be nosy, but this was so wierd that I just had to read it. 'Woah,' I thought to myself when I had finished reading it, 'I'm never reading another letter from Sirius to my mum again.' I removed all the letters and set them aside. I couldn't believe that my mum and Sirius had once been an item. Underneath the letters were pictures. I saw pictures of my mum and Sirius, my mum and Lily, my mum and my dad, Lily and James and some that had James, Sirius, Remus and Peter. It was then that I decided what I was giving Harry for his birthday, well besides what I had already got him.
With the pictures moved aside also I found a small leather bound book. I opened it and discovered it was my mum's diary. I read the first entry:
9/17
Dear diary, wow this is stupid. I never thought I'd be writing in a diary, but I figured since Mum bought it I might as well use it. Well, I suppose I should write a little bit about myself first. My name is Gwendalynn Augustine Bradshaw, but all my friends and family call me Gwen. It's a wierd name isn't it? Well, I think so, but my mum absolutely had to name me it. Speaking of my mum her name is Elizabeth Angel Sophia Bradshaw, now anyway, her maiden name is actually Spencer. I still that that's a wierd last name, but I can't tell her that. I'm seventeen and currently attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for my seventh and final year. My father is a muggle who was suprised when he found out that both me and Mum were witches. I have a best friend named Lily Evans. We've been practically inseperable at school since we met on the train going to our first year at Hogwarts. I dunno what I'd do without her, we share everything with each other. Well I suppose I should move on to boys since that's what Lily and I talk most about. She's practically in love with James Potter, but she can't ever seem to find the nerve to tell him. I also have a crush, Sirius Black. James and Sirius and practically as inseperable as Lily and I are. You never see one without the other and you hardly ever see them withouth their other friends, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. Well, I have to go, Lily is calling. I'll write more later.
-Gwen
10/1
Dear diary, it's been awhile. So much has happened. Well I'll start with the most important. Sirius and I have started dating! He's so sweet and funny and...ohhh, such a trouble-maker at the same time. He and James got a detention yesterday for hanging Mrs. Norris from the ceiling. It was so funny, but Filch was so mad, not that that really suprises anyone. Bradley, my cousin, won't leave Lily alone. It's funny he likes her so much, but he has the worst timing. Last week after Sirius asked me out we could tell James was going to ask Lily out, but then my cousin came around and I won't say exactly what happened because I'm afraid I won't be able to stop laughing if I do, but I don't think James has thought about asking her out since. It's interesting watching them thought because everyone could tell theyt like each other, but them. Well, I can't write much more becauce I have a potions essay to write, but I'll write again soon. It's easier to write in a diary then I thought.
-Gwen
10/3
Dear diary, potions really sucked. I was stuck sitting next to Snape! We barely talked the whole time, but the worst part was when we did talk. It was like we were actually going to be friends or something...ughhh. Well, I have to go down to dinner, just thought I'd write that down. I hope that never happens again.
-Gwen
I laughed at that entry. If only she knew what I know now. I looked to the clock and discovered that it was 1:00 AM. I decided to make Harry's present and it was 2:20 AM when I went to bed.
I awoke the next morning and snuck out of bed before he was supposed to get up. I made him a delicious breakfast, but kept the smells in the kitchen so they wouldn't wake him up before I was ready. I also went and got the kids so that they wouldn't wake him up. I set them in their swings before setting the table. When I finished cooking I changed their diapers and their clothing. I bought them new outfits, but they weren't wearing them yet. I was saving their new outfits for the party later. I let the spells I had keeping the smells in the kitchen off, set warming spells on the food and went to wake up my husband.
I took off my own glasses, layed down next to him and began kissing him, working my way from his neck to his ear before finally landing my lips on his when he was awake.
"Good morning," I said as I paused with my lips mere inches from his.
"Yes it is," he said before closing the gap again. A little while later we were both sitting at the breakfast table. We were finishing our food, but I had gave him no idea that I knew it was his birthday.
"So, what time do you think you'll be back from work?" I asked as I stood to take my plate to the sink.
"About noon I suppose," he replied, "We're just preparing for tomorrow. You know, the trip to Spain. We're pretty sure Pettigrew, if not Voldemort himself, is hidden there."
I paused and clutched the sink in worry. I knew he had to go and I knew he might catch Pettigrew, or even Voldemort, but I was still worried everytime I was reminded of it. I took a shuddering breath before returning to the table.
"Just come back to me in one piece," I said taking his plate and walking back to the sink.
He grabbed my arm and I turned back to him, "I will you don't have to worry," he said and he gave me a kiss.
"You promise?" I asked as he pulled away, checking his watch.
He looked into my eyes, "I promise," he said, sighing, "I have to go, I'll see you in a few hours," he gave me a quick kiss on the cheek, kissed both of the kids on the forehead, grabbed his cloak and disappeared out the door.
I watched the door for a long moment before springing into action. I knew I had alot of work to do if I wanted everything ready by noon. I decided to do the decorations first because they could sit around the longest. I hung balloons with streamers running in between them. I also hung a large Happy Birthday banner over the mantle. Then I put the cake in the oven.
I decided to fire-call Hermione and find out if she could inform everyone to be here before noon.
"Hermione," I called from the fire.
I saw her enter the room carrying Margaret, "Oh hello Amy, what is it you need?" she asked.
"Hey 'Mione, could you make sure everyone is here by noon. He's supposed to be home by then and I'm just rushing to get everything done. I don't think I'll have time to get a hold of everyone," I said in a rush because I thought I smelt a burning coming from the oven.
"Yeah, of course, is something burning over there?" she asked.
"Yeah, I think I better check the cake. Thanks for your help 'Mione, I'll see you soon," I said exiting the fire.
I rushed into the kitchen and got the cake out of the oven. It was in just enough time, it looked perfect, but I was sure that any more time in the oven and it would have burned.
I started applying the icing and at the same time started setting up a snack table in the living room. When I finished with that it was 9:30. I was running around, trying to find time to give Emma and Richard baths while trying to take a shower and get myself ready at the same time.
I realized how much help I really needed when I realized that I had no idea what I was going to cook for lunch and that I still needed to feed Emma and Richard lunch.
I heard a pop in the living room and then Hermione's voice calling my name.
"Yeah," I said picking up the kids and rushing down the stairs.
"Wow, do you need some help?" she asked when she saw me.
I looked down and realized that I was wearing two different shoes and only one sock and that neither my childrens clothing or mine matched. I sighed, "Yeah," I admitted.
She took Richard, "I called everyone and left Margaret with Molly. I can change Emma and Richard's clothes, but you kind of need to change your own clothes yourself," she laughed as she took Emma also.
"Yeah, I can handle that much. Thank you so much 'Mione. I dunno what I'd do without you."
"Do you know what you're going to cook for lunch?" she asked.
"No idea," I said as I led her into the nursery, "Here's what they are supposed to be wearing today. Actually my plan for food was going to be tri-tip, mashed potatos, gravy and maybe peas or corn. I just realized I have no idea how to cook it."
"That acually sounds really nice. Did the cake burn?" she asked as she started dressing Emma while I dressed Richard.
"No I managed to save it and it's already iced. I made homemade ice cream to go with it last night while Harry was asleep, too," I replied.
"Good, because I'm horrible with desserts, I can actually do lunches though," she said, "Now go take a shower and I'll start lunch."
"Thanks again Hermione I really don't know how I'd have managed to do today without you," I said taking the children and putting them in their swings in the living room.
"I have to day, the living room does look nice," she said in admiration.
"Thanks," I said moving towards the stairs, "I'll be right down."
"No really, take your time. I bet you'll need the relaxing time," she said and I knew she was right. She was going through the same thing I was because both our husbands were Aurors.
I climbed the stairs, got my clothes and stepped into the bathroom. I stripped of the clothes I was wearing and stepped into the shower, think about what I was going to do if Harry didn't come back to me. I really didn't think I was going to able to handle it. I put the water on as hot as I could stand it and stood there for a while, lost in thought. Finally I decided I just couldn't think like that anymore. Harry would come back to me. He promised. Besides, even if it came down to him fighting Voldemort he had beat him before and he could do it again.
With these thoughts I washed my body and hair and stepped out of the shower. I dried myself and put on my clothes. I did my make-up light and natural and dried and curled my hair before pulling it halfway up. I walked from the bathroom to my bedroom, throwing my dirty clothes in the hamper along the way. I pulled on my heels and looked at myself in a full legnth mirror before going downstairs.
"Sorry I took so long. You were right, I needed the relaxing time. What do you need me to do?" I asked Hermione as I came into the kitchen.
"Nothing at all, I've just finished. You look lovely Amy, but I trust you can take it from here. I have to get going. I've cast warming spells over the food and everyone should be getting here within the next half hour."
"Thanks so much for your help 'Mione," I said once again.
"Think nothing of it, it's what friends are for. I'll see you before noon," she said before Apparating. I went about, picking up toys and making my house more welcoming for the next half hour. I wanted nothing more than for the day to go perfectly. I had just added the last of the furniture when the doorbell rang.
I opened the door and saw Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Weasley, Fred, Angelina, George and Anna. I opened the door further and they came in. The next to come was Hermione and Margaret.
"Ron's coming with Harry," she explained as the doorbell rang. I opened the door and found Percy and Penelope. When Jake and Isabella arrived, they were able to walk because they lived nearby, it was almost noon. After many more people arrived I decided it was time to ask Harry if he was on his way. I went into a secluded corner where I could hear my own thoughts.
'Harry?' I called so he could hear me.
'Yeah,' he replied quickly.
'Are you almost home?' I asked.
'Yeah, I'm on my way. Ron's coming too, do you mind?' he asked.
I smiled, 'No of course not. When are you going to be on your way?' I asked.
'I was just about to Apparate, I'll see you in a minute. I love you,' he said.
'I love you, too,' I replied to him, "He'll be here any second," I shouted to the people in my house.
A second later Harry and Ron appeared with a couple of pops.
Everyone shouted Happy Birthday as I made my way over to my husband. He saw me in the crowd and made his way towards me as well. I gave him a quick kiss and whispered Happy Birthday before I sat everyone down for lunch.
After we ate everyone danced for a while before we did the cake and presents. During the first song, a fast one, I had to change the babies diapers and I put them down for a nap. I also let Margaret sleep in the nursery. I had just put down Richard when I heard the nursery door close. I turned and saw Harry walking towards me.
He envelpoed me in a kiss and I wrapped one arm around his back and my other hand ended up in his hair.
"Happy Birthday," I said breathlessly as we paused.
"Thank you for this. All of this," he said before I pulled him in again. After a few minutes, or maybe an hour, I decided we had to stop.
"Later," I said, pulling away, "We have guests we have to get back to," I pulled him by the hand out of the nursery.
We found a slow song playing when we reached downstairs and saw many couples on the dance floor.
"Wanna dance?" Harry asked, but didn't give me a chance to answer, he was already pulling me on the dance floor. I wrapped my arms around him and rested my head on his shoulder.
"Did I tell you how goregous you look today?" he whispered in my ear.
I looked up at him, "I try," I replied with a grin. After a few more songs I deciced it was time for the cake and pulled Hermione away from Ron so she could help me with it.
"What?" she asked once we got into the kitchen.
"Well, I figured we could do the cake now. Let me light the candles and then you can go out there and tell everybody to get ready.
I put 18 candles on the cake and lit them. Hermione had already gone into the living room and as I walked into the living room everyone started singing Happy Birthday to Harry.
"Make a wish and blow out the caandles," I said as I approached him.
He thought for a moment before he blew all the candles out at once. I set the cake down on the coffee table and made him cut the first slice.
"Did you make the cake?" he asked after I had cut everyone a slice and sat down next to him.
I nodded, "Is it good?"
"Yeah, why aren't you eating any?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.
I shrugged.
"Well, I'm sorry, but you just have to try it," he said as he took a chunk of his piece and shoving it my face.
I sat there for a moment, contemplating my options. I took my finger, wiped some off and licked it off my finger seductivately, "You're right it is good," I responded before taking his whole plate and throwing it at him. It missed because he ducked and it hit Hermione in the face. Ron started laughing because it hit her and she threw cake at him. Ultimately it started a cake war.
We were all laughing, until someone hit Mrs. Weasley. We all stopped as she stood there shocked for a moment. Then we all started laughing. Even her husband chuckled, which caused her to throw cake at him, which restarted the whole war. I took a big chunk out of the cake itself and shoved it in Harry's face when he wasn't expecting it.
When we finished Mrs. Weasley made us all work on cleaning it up, but that didn't take long because we all used magic. Finally it was time to give Harry his presents and I went first.
I handed him the package and he ripped off the paper. It was a watch similar to the clock that Mrs. Weasley has in her house. There were only three hands, but I knew how to add more, in case we needed to.
Once Harry finished opening his presents I turned on the music again and the first thing that played was a fast song. I was suprised when Harry asked me to dance, knowing that he doesn't dance much.
I smiled and took his hand as we walked onto the dance floor.
"Thank you so much for today, it's really my best birthday ever. Not because of what you did, but because I get to spend it with you," he bent down to kiss me.
"That's a nice gesture, but it's a load of bologna," I laughed before kissing him.
"I try," he grinned sheepishly.
"Of course you do," I said as we continued to dance. An hour or so later everyone started leaving. Hermione, Ron and Margaret were the last ones here. Hermione went upstairs to get Margaret and I followed her.
"Have a nice night," I said to her knowingly as she left, carrying Margaret with Ron holding the door opened for them. She smiled back before Ron closed the door behind them.
"Ok, now, about us," I said, walking to him.
"What about us?" he asked, pretending to be clueless. I wrapped my arms around his neck, letting my fingers get tangled in his hair.
He put one hand at the nape of my neck and the other hand in the small of my back, pulling me closer with both of them. I leaned closer until I could feel his breath on my face, just staring in his startlingly green eyes. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I closed the gap, putting my lips to his and closing my eyes. We stood like that for minutes, or hours, time was of no revelance, before he broke away from the kiss, but not the embrace.
"Maybe we should go upstairs," he said as I wrapped my legs around his waist.
"Yeah, I have something for you up there anyway," I said gesturing up to our room without my eyes leaving his.
Somehow, im not quite sure how, we managed to get upstairs, in that position, without our eye contact breaking. Finally I had to let go though and when he set me down I finally broke my gaze from his and got what I had made last night and a few other items before joining him on the bed.
"Well, first things first, I made a clock that's like Mrs. Weasley's too," I said taking out the clock and showing it to him, "I know how to add more people, too," I said. On the face in place of the numbers were Home, Work, Hogwarts, Minstry of Magic, Diagon Alley, Traveling, With Friends, Battling Death Eaters, Battling Voldemort, Mortal Peril, Dying and Dead. "That's so I know when and when not to worry about you," I said, trying not to think about the next day.
"I'll be fine," he said, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze and kiss. I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him.
"You better be," I said into his shoulder.
I didn't wanna break away because it felt comforting in his embrace, but I knew we had to move along with what I wanted to show him. I pulled what I had made last night from my lap and handed it to him.
He flipped through it with interest, looking at the pictures, "Where'd you get these pictures? When were your mum and Sirius together?" he asked when he reached a picture that had my mum and Sirius in it.
"Well, I found the pictures where I found my mum's diary and from her diary it sounds like Mum and Sirius started dating at the beginning of their seventh year. I wasn't going to read the diary, but I'm curious as to when and why my mum started dating Severus Snape."
He nodded as he continued flipping through the pages. When he reached the end there were several blank pages, "What are the blank pages for?" he asked, looking over at me.
"Well, for us, when we get pictures. I want our children to have this book someday and I want them to remember the grandparents they never knew," I replied leaning back into his shoulder, "and their parents should anything happen to us," I continued in a whisper.
He kissed my forehead and moved the stuff off of the bed before wrapping his arms around me. "They will have plenty of memories of their parents, okay? I promise you, we'll be around for a very long time," he said reassuringly, "We both will be and we'll be living in a world free of Voldemort, I promise," he said solemnly.
I looked into his eyes, "That's a lot to promise Harry Potter."
He didn't reply, just kissed me. I kissed him back and pushed him onto the bed, the fear that I was never going to see him after he left the following morning driving me.
