A/N: Thanks to everyone who clarified Molly and Arthur's age for me. Makes me feel better for how easily I completely forgot about them.

Tattoo: google wheeled triskelion

Now for the new chapter… I'm sorry.

CHAPTER 13

Harry stood swamped in Hagrid's coat as he stood in front of his seventh year class, right outside of the Forbidden Forest. It was the end of January and it meant the days of the last week were full of obstacle courses for his classes five and up. And him being outside in January, near Hagrid, he couldn't go without his coat. He had to admit that it kept him warm and toasty without needing a warming charm which he had put on all his students. Didn't need them whining about the cold while working on their task.

"Are you all ready?"

The seventeen year olds nodded with determination, this class was easily his favorite class to teach, and shouted, "On your mark! Get set! Go!"

They took off into the forest without a backwards glance and Harry smiled after them, walking over to join Hagrid by the fire. Fang sat in the doorway, Hagrid giving up on having the big dog choose. Inside, he scratched at the door to be let out so he could see Harry and all the students around, yet being outside in the cold, he wanted back in after a few minutes. Finally Hagrid just left the door open so he could lounge in and out.

Aside from the first jumping, Fang was well behaved when it came to Harry, usually just thrust his head under his hand for a rub and curling up next to him. The big dog was such a softy, and a coward if you asked Hagrid.

"How are you Hagrid?"

"I'm good, 'Arry. How are the little ones?"

The question brought his hands to his belly that was covered by the coat and he tried to hide his anxiety. No matter what Poppy said, he knew his belly had gone down an inch or two. There was no denying that weeks ago he had only been able to see the tips of his toes, his toenails. And now he could see all his toes when he looked down. Call it intuition or just the fact that he knew his body, he had shrunk.

And that scared the life out of him.

His babies hadn't moved or dropped lower like Poppy tried to say, they had shrunk. Things were changing, the tattoo on the inside of his wrist that matched his husbands' for one, and he just wanted to go home. But so far there was no hope, and at the rate things were going…

"'Arry?"

"They're fine," he said, plastering on a fake smile. No need to worry his half-giant friend. "Hey, Hagrid?"

"Hmm."

"I plan to start introducing my students to some creatures next week and though Professor Glasken is a good professor, when it comes to creatures, he's…"

"A brute," he grunted.

Harry nodded. "Yes. So, would you mind speaking to my classes?"

The smile Hagrid gave him had him smiling back so much he could feel it in his cheeks. They spent their time planning for which classes to talk to on what days and what about. The whole time Harry kept his eye on the forest for any sign of trouble or for any of his students finishing. The first team crossed the finish line after only half an hour and joined Harry and Hagrid by the fire, excited for winning yet he watched with pride as they immediately started speaking with each other about what they needed to work on.

It wasn't long before the rest of the class made it out and Harry helped them understand where they all had trouble; which was a plant very similar to Devil's Snare while he summoned the hot cocoa he had had been preparing in Hagrid's hut. The students seemed to enjoy it and stayed focused on the lesson even while they laughed which made it more enjoyable for Harry.

"Let's call it a day class. I want you all bright eyed and bushy tailed for next week because Hagrid will be teaching us about acromantulas. Anyone able to tell me what that is?"

"A big ass spider."

Laughing at their classmate's description, Harry smiled. "Yes, to put it simply. And language."

"Sorry."

"Finish off your drinks and head on back inside. That's all for today. And the winning team you know when and where to meet me on Saturday."

The class finished off their drinks before heading back in groups, and Harry was happy to see that they weren't split between Gryffindor and Slytherin, but more by their teams. Seemed the whole unity thing was working for the seventh years so far, also a few of his other classes, mostly the younger ones. Sixth year…they were moving slowly, but he had seen a change; mostly between Sirius and Lucius. Something happened over the break. Not to mention Severus and Peter. They weren't exactly friendly, but Severus no longer sneered at Peter as if were a bug while Peter didn't look fearful as if Severus was about to use him as an ingredient for a potion.

Firenze emerged from the forest once the students were a while away and approached, nodding to them both which they returned. "Your students are odd ones," he said as his greeting.

Laughing, he nodded. "No doubt."

"I believe they should pay more attention to the plant professor."

"Herbology," he absently corrected, Firenze absently shrugging in return. Such a human response it had him smiling. All the time helping Harry with class and Harry spending with the clan and the centaur was picking up his habits.

"A young one approaches," Firenze announced suddenly, while he had been talking.

He turned to see Severus approaching, looking sheepish at the possibility of interrupting them. "Mr. Snape."

"Hello. I was wondering if I can speak with you Professor. It's about that project you assigned me."

Nodding, he turned back to his friends. "Excuse me."

"No problem. We'll clean up and send things to your classroom," Hagrid said, Firenze nodding in agreement.

Saying his goodbyes and thank yous, he and Severus made their way back to the castle and to his classroom. "You figure out the counter?"

The young man nodded and Harry transfigured a spare quill to a stuffed rabbit and set it on a desk. Moving to stand next to his student, he gestured to the toy. Severus closed his eyes to prepare himself, no doubt preparing himself to see the blood. Harry wasn't going to baby his future husband by just having stuffing come out of the slashes. He needed to see it as realistic as it would be if used. He needed to continue to see what his spell did, so he knew not to use it. Harry still had nightmares of what pain he had caused Draco that night in the bathroom. All the blood. And even with the help of potions, he still carried scars.

"Sectumsempra!"

The blood spread from the slashes that cut across the stuffed toy and it took a nudge from Harry to get Severus moving towards to toy so he could fix the toy. The Latin words flowed from his mouth as the tip of his wand ran down the center of the toy's "chest" and slowly the slashes disappeared though the fabric was stained red from the fake blood. Severus stared at the toy and Harry knew that face. It was the same as his future self and it was a face he'd seen countless times while in the past. He was trying to process something and Harry left him to it while he cleaned up the mess and toy.

It wasn't until it went on for too long that he approached him. "Mr. Snape." Nothing. "Mr. Snape," he repeated. But again nothing. Finally he just grabbed the young man and turned him around to face him. "Severus."

Going wide eyed, Severus answered, "Yes?"

"You will never use this spell on anyone. Do you understand me?" He got a slow nod in return and Harry grabbed his chin in his hand to make sure he did not miss what he said. "You will not tell anyone of this spell, is that understood?" Severus blinked and Harry repeated himself before he got a nod. "You will not even write it down for anyone to find. Do you understand me?"

"Yes."

At the whispered answer, he watched Severus' eyes slide down to his lips and he quickly released him and stepped back. "You did well Mr. Snape. How are you coming along with the potion?"

Severus blinked at him for a few seconds before taking a deep breath and clearing his throat. "I actually finished it the other day and Peter sent it to his brother. The results should show themselves slowly which is good for his body and also good since he couldn't get better overnight without getting noticed. We should get a letter from him by next week to know if it's working."

Harry gave him a smile and hid his amusement at the blush that dusted Severus' cheeks before letting Severus leave so he could make it to dinner.

He walked along the edge of Hogsmeade, ignoring the cold so he could watch. The young one didn't know he was there, and for that he was glad because not only would it cause a stir with him, but with the town. No, he didn't need that.

Remus walked along with his professor, Professor Pierson, while the other students were scattered about but still in sight of the professor. The young one looked well, better than well. He had seen a change in Remus since the beginning of the year.

Ever since he bit Remus, he had watched over him. The pup was a rebellious little thing, yet growing up his wolf had welcomed his company during the full moon. And not just his wolf. For a few years after the bite, his pup had accepted his wolf, Moony as he's heard his friends call him. But then he entered the wizarding world and their prejudice and Fenrir was no longer welcomed near Remus. Moony called to him on those lonely full moons, but because of the wards Dumbledore set around the Shrieking Shack, he hadn't been able to go near him. Then his friends joined and Moony no longer called for him either.

However, that didn't stop Fenrir from watching over Remus. From the shadows.

And with the two fighting, with Moony demanding acceptance and Remus denying it, Remus had started to dwindle. The young rebellious and outspoken man had turned so meek and timid he had almost been nonexistent with no voice. His wolf clawing at his own body when finally released that Remus had hid and again had almost been close to nonexistent.

But something happened this year, no doubt the much talked about professor, and Remus was coming back. The way he walked alone told Fenrir that Remus was strong and accepted his wolf, and has for months.

And now was a time more than any to watch over him. Professor Pierson was attracting a lot of attention and soon he would have a price on his head, he could feel it. And with Remus seeming to be the closest to the man, Remus was in danger of being snatched and used as leverage.

Not on his watch. If it came to that, Fenrir would step up for the job and snatch him himself and run. He would not allow harm to come to his mate. Either of them.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Walby, I'm sure." They both were.

After much discussion, Abraxas and Orion decided to approach the Potters and Longbottoms family about what they found about Voldemort and what they were doing with the information. When they finally received acceptance to meet from the two families, they had offered to have Dumbledore present because the long awaited response was obviously due to hesitation. Which was understandable given the history between their families.

"I'm coming with you," Walby stated with determination.

"Wouldn't have anyone else by my side." He pressed a light kiss to her forehead. "Let's go. We need to be at the Potters."

Calling the address, they flooed into the entryway of the Potter home and moved aside in enough time for Abraxas and Constance to step through. They greeted each other before Dorea and Charlus Potter came to greet them. "Welcome."

"Thank you for seeing us."

"I'll admit we're all curious to what you have to show us."

They made their way to the sitting room where they greeted Dumbledore along with Augusta and Frederick. While the others were hesitant yet welcoming, Dumbledore excluded since he welcomed everyone with a smile and twinkle in his eye, Augusta looked like she smelled something horrible that had his Walby sitting rod straight.

It was going to be an interesting evening.

"I think we're all interested in what you wanted to meet about," Dumbledore started.

In answer, Orion pulled out the stack of parchment he had presented to Abraxas and handed them to Charlus. "I had someone with skill do some digging after a conversation I had with someone and…well." He gestured to the stack and they all stayed silent as Charlus read aloud the information so they could all know instead of each reading it one at a time. By the time he was done, the room was silent with heaviness that continue to weight them down until Dorea spoke. She asked, "Why have you brought this to us?"

"And why should we believe that anything is correct?"

"It's correct," Dumbledore interrupted with a sad smile.

"Albus?"

"I remember being the one assigned to introduced him to the wizarding world."

Frederick brought the attention back to them. "Why did you bring us this information?"

They shared a look, confirming that they really wanted to reveal what side they had joined, and nodding, Abraxas said, "Because we joined him." He continued on, ignoring the four wands that suddenly turned on them. "Voldemort's force is growing quickly and after reading that, and a conversation Orion had with a certain someone, we've decided that we no longer wish to join him."

"Why?"

"Family," Wilby spoke and Orion didn't bother hiding the way he slid his hand into hers as it rested in her lap.

And that answer alone bond and bind them together. All families understood the importance of family. Each would do anything for their family, especially their children.

"I think it's time for the four families to reunite together, don't you?" Dumbledore smiled.

"Before we move on," Charlus said, "who exactly did you talk to that changed your mind."

Orion looked to Dumbledore that had the old wizard beaming. "Well it looks like my grandson's been busy."

The day after Valentine's approached and Harry sat in the Room of Requirement like he did every week, waiting for his husbands. The students were still winding down after the Valentine's dance and all the sugar, Harry indulging in a few himself that he received from his students. The hall had looked like a million cupids had exploded, Harry didn't think Lavender's mother should ever be in charge of decorations again, and Harry was still finding glitter in some places had had washed multiply times.

Unfortunately as a professor he had been on chaperoning duty, making sure the students behaved and didn't get too wild with pda. Seeing Sirius shoving his tongue down Remus' throat while practically dry humping him on the dance floor was something he never wanted to see again if he could help it. It had been hell teaching that day with everyone's minds on the dance and who they could ask at the last minute.

It was one of the horrors of being a professor. Dealing with the hormones and trying to teach the students while their minds were preoccupied like that. Before Yule was even worse as barely anyone learned anything as they talked about plans for break and shopped and fret over last minute gifts to get their friends.

Harry had been asked by plenty of students to be their date which had been sweet in a slightly disturbing way. Students sure as hell didn't ask any of their professors to dances during his time at Hogwarts. Then again most of the professors were either married, too intimidating to approach no matter how good they looked (Severus), or they just hadn't been the most attractive.

He sat on the couch, his thumb again finding its way to his inner wrist. When he had woken to that on his wrist, he had freaked out, and then to see them matching on his husbands had been worse. Severus and Lucius had been dead set against tattoos after the dark mark disappeared. Years of that mark on them ruined them from ever wanting ink on their skin again. And Harry had honored that. So to see those on their wrists had sent his heart racing.

After getting the courage to question them in a way that would answer his question and not alert them that he had no idea why they had them, he had gotten his answer to the triskelion tattoos. Severus and Lucius had each gotten one side of the symbol when they married, yet never finished it until they found their third. Harry.

Just the thought of how so much changed had Harry break in a sweat as he continued to rub the tattoo in his wrist. It didn't even look fresh, it looked as if it had been there for years. His body was changing and he didn't know why. The memories weren't coming with the changes, and when he looked at the time to see that Lucius and Severus were hours late, he curled, clutching his belly, as he lied out on the couch. He had never felt so afraid. And so alone.