DISCLAIMER: That part of this world and those characters you've seen before belong to their Creator: JKR. The rest is mine - although I cannot quit my day job as I make no $$$

A/N: Sorry. Bit "listy" in the end, but it had to be done…

THE SOUTH WING - TIME COMPRESSION DAY 65.

Hermione had her own traditions now. At least two night a week, she dined privately with her parents in her Private Apartment. She had, after all, promised them this was time to be a regular family again and her parents appreciated their time together as just the Grangers. The day off was almost always one of those days, the exception being when it was Hermione's turn to be Harry's Witch of the Day, but as that involved a private meal with her parents as well, it counted. Harry was getting along very well with her parents and, for the most part, all the others as well. Mr. Patil, while grudgingly accepting of all of this, was still a bit of a pill, then again maybe that was just who he was.

"So Hermione," Rose said as the salads appeared, "did you have your appointment with your Healer?"

"I did indeed, Mum. Third one."

"How are you doing?"

"Quite well," Hermione said. "Healer Tonks said my weight is spot on and I'm doing quite well. Still…"

"Still?"

"I'm randy as hell, Mum…"

"Do I really need to know this?" Robert Granger asked.

"Now Bob," Rose sighed, "you know damn well what her hormones are doing to her. Or did you forget just how randy I was until about the seventh month."

"Actually, it became sane after about five," Robert said. "Still, I really don't want to know this about my little girl!"

"Five? Seven? Oh bother!" Hermione said.

Robert grinned evilly. "Just before the eight months it became too uncomfortable for her, even on top! Cut me off she did!"

"Now that's not true, Bob," Rose said. "I just cut you off from … from where it was uncomfortable. You must admit you did enjoy my replacement."

"Replacement?" Hermione asked.

"Do we need to discuss this?" Robert said.

"We do," Rose said. "Our girl is married, pregnant and randy. She should know how we dealt with that hormonal problem."

"That's what Healer Tonks said it was," Hermione said. "The potions I've been taking take some of the edge off. I'm not as emotionally challenged and am not losing my cookies all the time. But being randy - well the potion doesn't alter that. And I'm not the only one. We all hoped when the fertility potion wore out we'd be less so, but we're maybe more so. I had to work out another schedule for us so we get more 'Harry Time' than just once every nine days. Not that I mind at all, but it's bloody annoying and … and I feel a little sorry for Harry."

"Sorry for Harry?" Robert asked then realized it was a dumb question.

"We NEED him, Daddy. Even with my schedule, we can only be with him one night in nine and for a … a quickie … one day in three. We need him but don't want to wear him out. He's … well he is amazing in all things that way and…"

"Okay, I really don't want to hear anymore!" Robert said. "But are you happy with all this?"

Hermione smiled. "Oddly enough, I am! I admit, it's only been a few months, but I am! I would love to have Harry all to myself. I can't lie about that. I think we'd all love to be his only. But it seems that was not meant to be, so we each must accept this. He is a wonderful husband. He really is! When I am with him … he makes me feel so special! And I know he does the same for my 'Sister Wives', which is what we call each other. It might not be what I dreamt about before as perfection, but when I am with him he does make me feel so special and I know he does that for the others as well. It's not fairytale perfect, but it's close, Dad."

"Robert, stop pestering the girl," Rose said.

"What?"

"You've been pestering Hermione like an annoying little brother for almost two months! The deal is done. She's married whether we wanted it this way or not and she's still our daughter which means it's now our job to support her decision, not pester her about it!"

"So, Hermione," Rose said turning to her daughter, "do you know what it is yet? A boy or a girl?"

"Not yet, and I'm not sure I want to find out before hand."

"But I thought with magic…"

"We can tell, but not until the third month or so," Hermione said. "I don't yet understand the full theory behind the detection spell the Healer uses. I know it's a variation on the more general class of magic detection spells. At this stage, my Healer can tell me if the child is magical and if there's more than one - although I think you could do that just as well with a sonogram or stethoscope. To detect the gender, the baby's life force magic must be a little more developed. But I can tell you know that they're both very magical babies."

"Both?" the Grangers asked.

Hermione nodded. "It's twins!"

"That's wonderful, Hermione," Rose said.

"How?" Bob asked.

"Bob, don't tell me you don't know where babies come from," Rose teased.

"It's not that," Bob said, "I mean there's no history of twins…"

"Anyone can have twins," Rose said. "A history of twins within the maternal line merely means it's more likely than for a woman without such a family history."

Hermione nodded. "Healer Tonks did confirm what we already knew - that the fertility potion we took increases the likelihood of fraternal twins. He explained it to me this morning. Something like seventy percent of all pregnancies start out as possible fraternal twins. Two eggs are released during ovulation and at least one if not both are fertilized. But humans are not adapted to support multiples by nature. A child is a very demanding thing, he says, so women are adapted to reduce the possibility of twins. When the first fertilized egg imbeds itself in the uterine wall, it sets off a hormonal reaction that is supposed to prevent any other eggs from imbedding as well. There's only a limited period of time for two eggs to imbed and once that time is up, the remaining egg - if there is one - cannot. It dies. The fertility potion interferes with that reaction to increase the possibility of a viable pregnancy, hence there is an increased possibility of twins."

"Are there any others?" Rose asked.

Hermione nodded. "Parvati and Padma also learned their having twins. Although they are not surprised as there is a history in their maternal line. Theirs are probably paternal twins and, if their history continues, most likely girls. Aside from that, only Angela's expecting two for the price of one. Still, two out of sixteen with no past history of twins are expecting such which is way outside the norm."

"Have you thought of names yet?" Rose asked.

"Harry and I already picked a couple, but that was before we learned of this. We're keeping those two names as our primary ones and will think about a second set of names in case we have either two girls or two boys."

"And what names have you selected?"

"The first born boy with be Robert James after his grandfathers and first girl will be Lily Rose after her grandmothers," Hermione said with a smile.

"Nice names," Robert said proudly.

"Of course, this probably will affect my due date," Hermione said. "Twins tend to be born early, he told us. But so long as it's after Day 230, he doesn't think it will be a problem. I just hope it's after Day 237."

"Why?" the Grangers asked.

"Because if they're born on or before Day 236, their assimilated first birthday will be August of this year. If it's in September, then their age in days and calendar ages for school will be the same. Not that it matters all that much. Who knows? By 2005 I might want them off at school! Legally, though, it won't be until fall of 2006 before we can send them here."

"You are planning to send them to school before hand," Rose began.

"Of course, mother! Although we'll need to work out the details for that, but that's five years away or so."

Rose nodded. "If for no other reason, they would benefit from the socialization."

"I didn't," Hermione said. "You know that before Hogwarts I only had one friend! But, that's neither here nor there. They'll have nine half brothers and sisters their own age, not to mention House Longbottom which will be here at least half the year as well."

"And an Aunt or Uncle their age as well," Rose said with a smile.

"Yes, that … um … what? What do you mean, Mum?"

"I went and saw Healer Turpin this afternoon," Rose said. "You know I haven't been feeling well…"

"You're - you're pregnant too?"

Rose nodded and Robert beamed.

"But you're…" Hermione began.

"Old?" Rose asked with a sly smile.

Hermione nodded.

"I'm not yet forty and have yet to go through menopause."

"Under eighteen, or whatever the legal age of consent is," Robert chuckled, "you're supposed to be protected by law. Past menopause, you're protected by nature. In between, you can get this way, Princess. I thought your Mum had that talk with you," he added with a laugh.

"I'm about a month along," Rose said. "Once we realized this was not a joke, we decided that since we have fifteen months here and ready access to a health care professional…"

"And potions," Robert said. "She took the fertility potion at first…"

"And it does make you randy," Rose giggled. "Now I'm on a potion to curb the hormonal effects and another because of my history of miscarriages. They'll be seeing me every week to make sure, but I am expecting. My due date is Day 310."

"That's wonderful, Mum! Oh, I can't wait to tell the others I'm gonna be a big sister!"

"And I'm gonna be a granddad with my youngest child a month or two younger than my grandchildren," Robert said. "Kind of ruins it, you know?"

"Oh?" the Grangers asked.

"The role of grandparents is to spoil their grandchildren rotten," Bob said, "after all, it's not like we have to come down on them, that's what their parents are for. But we can't do that and not do the same for our little one. It just wouldn't be right. Still…"

"If he or she is anything like Hermione, we can afford to spoil them a little. Hermione always had a good head on her shoulders."

THE SOUTH WING - TIME COMPRESSION DAY 237.

The news that the Grangers were expecting was the headline item on the WING DAILY NEWS, which broadcast each day on the entertainment mirrors and was hosted by the Weasley Twins and their girlfriends. The reports began soon after the 'Wedding Cycle' and they were more for entertainment value than anything else. The "Sports" report included all the dart scores from the previous day, and billiards and anything else that seemed sporty - like who now held the Wing Swimming Pool record for the 100m fly or the recent three-on-three basketball tournament or the tennis matches the Muggles were playing in the Gym. It also included updated odds on the various Weasley Pools - all associated with who would to into labor when and what their kids would be, boy, girl or whatever. The Grangers now found themselves as a subject of the various betting pools. Apparently, this was a serious thing in the magical world, or at least very common. Over the next few weeks, the Grangers were joined by others and whenever another couple announced a pregnancy, it was headline news under the caption "SOUTH WING BABY BOOM!" It was certainly more entertaining than the weather, hosted by Alicia, where she told everyone that a cloud had moved a bit and how it affected sun tanning options on the balconies. On Day 75, Sira Patil and Vivian Greengrass announced their pregnancies.

On Day 84, the news was all about the wedding of Victor Krum and Katya, who had become very popular in the Wing. Katya was both smart, witty and drop dead good looking and Victor was not nearly as curt as he had been before. Katya had turned seventeen in March. Victor had turned 18 the day after the First Task, a fact the other Champions had not known at the time and felt bad about not celebrating his birthday. They made up for it at the reception. Harry was his Best Man and Cedric his other Groomsman. Fleur was Maid of Honor and Hermione a Bridesmaid. Everyone had a wonderful time. Over the next three weeks, Agnes Rosier, Elizabeth Bell and Jasmine Davis all announced they were expecting as well.

On Day 97, Sirius Black married Marilyn Abbott. They almost had to be pressured into it. Sirius was concerned about his still being a fugitive, although he no longer looked like one, nor did he look like someone who had spent twelve years locked up with dementors. Sirius was concerned that the Ministry would use his wife, who was an employee of DMLE to draw him out. Marilyn's boss, Amelia Bones, assured him that would not be the case. The Auror's assigned to his case were clearly leading everyone astray and she would allow that to continue and she would not allow the Minister or his cronies access to Marilyn under any circumstances. Amelia performed the wedding herself, with Remus as Best Man, Hannah as "Maid" of Honor and "Don't Call Me Nymphadora" Tonks and Harry as the rest of the party. (Tonks had not figured Sirius or the Twins into her name aversion. She now had to deal with that name until she picked a name she could tolerate other than "Tonks".) Arthur Weasley escorted the Bride down the aisle and as a wedding present, Harry promised to finish the work on the final "Apartment" on his floor. It would be like the girl's apartments, but with a private kitchen and dinning room and a "barn" for Sirius's friend and Hippogriff Buckbeak, who was also technically a fugitive.

Day 136 saw the marriage of Fleur Delacour to her Bondmate Bill Weasley. Bill had spent several hours over several days with Harry asking him about Veela. Harry was quite happy with Gabrielle as one of his "girls" and was more than willing to tell Bill all he knew. It was clear Bill loved the older girl, but he had been raised in Britain where Veela were considered "creatures" and not human. Harry assured him she was quite human. Veela was nothing more than a magical affinity passed from mother to daughter. While Bill was the heir of House Weasley, such as there was a house, the fact Fleur would probably only bear daughters did not concern him. After all, he had five other brothers. His mother's reaction, however, did at first. But she was not here and the more he spent time with Fleur, the more he knew this was the right thing to do. He had fallen in love with her just as she had with him and there was nothing for it but to finalize the union. Fred was his Best Man, with George as the other groomsman. Gabrielle was "Maid" of Honor with Michelle (Marcella) Longbottom as the other Bridesmaid. Madam Maxine had performed the wedding just as she had for her other two students.

By day 175, the Baby Boom Pool now included Cynthia Turpin, Pamela Lee, Allison Caldwell, Martha Urquhart and Marilyn (Abbot) Black, all would have their children while under Time Compression. Day 175 saw a double wedding. Fred married Alicia and George married Angelina. Arthur escorted them down the aisle as Bill Weasley and Harry stood up for the twins, along with Cedric Diggory and Neville Longbottom. Katie was Alicia's "Maid" of Honor and Hermione was Angelina's with Ginny and Marcia as the other Bridesmaids. All four were seventeen. As had been the case with Bill, the Twins regretted Charlie was not there. They were less concerned about Ron and Percy than Bill had been, but it was a good time. It was particularly memorable when Cedric proposed to Cho. They would not marry during this Time Compression. Cho was only sixteen and would not turn seventeen until the fall and Professors McGonagall, Flitwick and Sprout made it clear that Cho would not be allowed to get pregnant to get around the age law. Twenty such young adults were enough. But the two set a tentative date during the Christmas Hols and asked to be married here in the Wing, a request Harry and the others were not about to deny.

Things settled down to their routine after the "Big Weasley Wedding," as the Wing Album Ginny and some others prepared were calling it. (Everyone would get a copy.) The Girls were all definitely showing by Bill and Fleur's Wedding (as was Rose Granger and a couple of the others), and they were really getting big now.

"OW!" Hermione exclaimed just before dinner. Today had been a class day.

"What?" Harry asked. Luna was his witch today, but he had been keeping a close eye on all his Girls for the last few weeks.

"Backache," Hermione said. "It's nothing to worry about."

"Sounded more than that," Harry said. "You sure?"

"I SURE! DAMN!" she cried.

"Hermione, go and call the Healer," Harry said calmly as he could.

"I'm sure it's nothing," she began.

"You're passed Day 230, Hermione. You're having twins. You know Healer Tonks told you to come to him if you had any back or stomach pains at all!"

"I'm carrying a load here, Harry! I'm sure it's just a backache!"

"Please?" Harry pleaded, "just to be sure?"

Hermione looked around throughout the Main Dining Room. Everyone was looking at her and especially her mother, father and the other Girls. "Fine," she moped, "but I'm sure it's nothing!"

A couple of hours later and Harry was back in his Private Apartment with Katie, his Witch of the Day. Her baby was active so Harry had his hand on her belly feeling it kick around.

"I swear this one's a Quidditch Player for sure," Katie said.

"You've been saying that for months, it seems," Harry said.

"He or she flies around inside like no one's business," Katie huffed.

Harry chuckled. "Most of the others are giving their Mum's fits as well."

"You're lucky!"

"You've said that."

"You don't have the little tyke dancing on your bladder!"

"Said that too, as have a few of the others. It would seem Hermione's mostly spared her that hell."

Katie looked at Harry. "You're worried, aren't you?"

"Are you?"

Katie nodded. "Deep down I am. This little Lion is giving me fits, however. I swear, the last month of this is supposed to make me want him or her to LEAVE!"

Harry chuckled, "so he or she is grounded?"

Katie laughed. "Good idea, but it won't make sense for the kid for a few more years at least. I'm worried about Hermione."

"As am I," Harry said.

The "Phone" rang. It was actually Harry's mirror. Harry activated it.

"Ah, Harry," Ted Tonks said. "Glad I could catch you. Hermione is in labor…"

"What do I need to do?" Harry started.

"She's fine," Ted said. "She's not near ready yet to deliver, but everything is fine. Sometime tomorrow, I suspect, but we have it in hand."

"Are her parents there?"

"They will be assisting."

"I'm coming down!"

"It's not necessary…"

"I'm coming down anyway!" He finished the call. "Get the others, Katie."

She nodded and left as Harry headed down to the Infirmary.

Hermione lay in her bed. The contractions were still fairly mild and wide apart. Healer Tonks said it might be morning before the babies came. Her parents were with her, her mother now seven and more months along and her father had already promised to be there with her when she delivered. The Grangers had always been a close family, but the dual pregnancies made them even closer. Her parents had finally accepted Harry and all of this, which made their being here so much better.

Harry saw her in the Infirmary a few minutes later. She was lying on one of the regular beds and looked like she was asleep with her parents seated on the empty bed next to her. For now, she was the only patient in the ward. As Harry walked over, Hermione looked to be asleep.

"How is she?" he asked quietly so as not to wake her.

"Resting," Hermione said. Harry saw she was awake.

"I thought you were…"

"Just resting," Hermione said. "Thanks for being here."

"And where else would I be?"

"Studying, I should think. OWLs are less than seventy days away, you know."

"No, Love. This is more important," Harry said as his other eight very pregnant wives joined the vigil.

"The Healer says it probably won't be for a while yet," Hermione said. "My water hasn't even broken. It could be hours yet before that happens."

"We'll be with you anyway," Katie began.

"You ladies should get your sleep," Hermione said. "Oh? Okay," she growled, "this one's not at all comfortable!"

"Parvati?" Padma called out seeing her sister enter the Wing.

"Need to see the Healer," she panted. She was being helped by Neville.

Parvati soon found herself in a bed near Hermione as it was confirmed that she too was in the beginning stages of labor.

Most of the rest of the Wing was unaware that two of their number were now in labor. That changed a couple of hours later when THE NEWS interrupted the programming on all of the entertainment channels.

"We interrupt this program for the following breaking news," Alicia announced.

"We have just received word that the Baby Boom is officially starting to begin!" Fred said.

"That's correct," George added. "Two of our lovelies are said to be in labor, although actual delivery is still hours away."

"So get out your score cards!" Fred said and a graphic showed up behind him. One section was blank. The other had Longbottom listed above Potter with two columns one labeled "Boys" and the other "Girls." "So who will be first?"

"A Potter or a Longbottom?" George said.

"Right now, the money is on either Parvati or Padma…"

"As they are having twins."

"Two girls each."

"But, maybe there's another in the mix?" George added.

"Is it the Patil twins, or is it two others?"

"Which House will have the first born?"

"And which will have the first heir?"

"And who of our lucky contestants will get their name at the top of the board?"

"Let's review our list of contestants before revealing our lucky winners tonight, shall we?" George said.

"Good plan," Fred agreed, "given as we are told it may be hours before we know who wins. Youngest to oldest?"

"Works for me. Our first possible contestant is our lovely little sister…"

"The feisty former Miss Ginny Weasley…"

"Now - it is Mrs. or Lady Longbottom?"

"Does it really matter for this?" Fred asked.

"Quite true. Not wholly relevant. Our lovely Ginny was born August 11, 1981..."

"Which makes her legally thirteen."

"Except she turned fourteen March 22nd, Time Compression Day 18 and fifteen Day 125 of this Time Compression. She'll turn sixteen on May 13th - unofficially of course but we'll celebrate it anyway."

"Our youngest Slytherin is next, the former Miss Rosie Rosier, now Rosie Potter," Fred said.

"Born May 29th, 1981, legally she's thirteen as well, but turned fourteen on March 20th, Time Compression Day 6 and fifteen on Day 51 of this Time Compression. She will celebrate her sixteenth birthday on Day 419, just before Final Exams. She'll turn seventeen on February 23rd, 1996."

"Next up, the lovely Gabrielle Potter…" Fred said.

"Our new sister-in-law, younger sister of Fleur Delacour Weasley, wife of our brother Bill," George added.

"For those who don't know, they are holding off having children until after the Tournament."

"After June 24th, all bets are off. Now, onto Gabrielle…"

"She was born March 4th, 1981 in France meaning she's legally fourteen and month…"

"But turned fifteen April 29th, Time Compression Day 7 and will turn sixteen on Day 331. She'll turn seventeen on November 30th."

"Next is the former Andrea Lee, now Andrea Longbottom," Fred said.

"While it could be any of the lovelies, given this date the better bet is on the ladies believed or known to be having Twins and Andrea is one of those…"

"Born December 9th, 1980, Andrea is legally fourteen, but turned fifteen March 26th, Day 14 and will celebrate her Sweet Sixteen in eight days on Day 245. She'll turn seventeen on September 10th."

"Next is our sister's oldest friend, the former Miss Luna Lovegood, now Luna Potter," George said.

"Born September 21st, 1980, Luna is legally fourteen. She turned fifteen on March 23rd, Day 28 and sixteen on Day 166. She'll turn seventeen on June 23rd."

"And that completes our Third Years."

"Fourth Year begins with the former Miss Lisa Turpin, now Lisa Longbottom. Better ring to it, don't you think, George?"

"Indeed, Fred. Lisa was born August 7th, 1980 and is legally fourteen. She turned fifteen on March 22nd, Day 14 and celebrated her sweet sixteen on Day 121. She turns seventeen on May 9th."

"Which means while she began life younger than Harry and Neville, she's now a little older as they did not celebrate their sixteenth birthdays until Days 206 and 205 respectively. They'll be seventeen on July 24th and 25th which is so close to their real birthdays as not to matter."

"Next up is the former Miss Tracey Davis, now Tracey Longbottom," George said.

"Born June 30th, 1980, she's legally fourteen. She celebrated her fifteenth birthday on March 21st, Day 7 and her Sweet Sixteen on Day 83. She'll leave here legal, except in the eyes of the law as she will celebrate her seventeenth birthday on Day 449, the day before our final Day here in the Wing. She'll be eighteen on March 25th, 1996."

"At least her last birthday here will be after exams," George said. "I'd hate to have a birthday during Exams. It would take all the fun out of it."

"Too true," Fred agreed. "Now we have our lovely Italian lass, the former Miss Michelle Marcella now Michelle Lonbottom. She was born February 21st, 1980 and is legally fifteen. She celebrated her sixteenth birthday on March 28th, Day 26 and will celebrate her seventeenth on Day 319 after Exams and eighteen on November 18th."

"Next the lovely Lady Hufflepuff or Bones or whatever," George said. "We're still trying to sort Susan out that way. Suffices to say she's married to Neville."

"She was born January 21st 1980 and is legally fifteen. She turned sixteen on March 27th, Day 26 and will turn seventeen on Day 288. She'll be eighteen on October 23rd. Now we come to the lovely former Miss Daphne Greengrass, now Daphne Potter."

"She was born January 14th, 1980 and is legally fifteen. She turned sixteen on March 27th, Day 19 and will turn seventeen on Day 281. Her eighteenth birthday will be on October 16th. Now on to the Lovely Lady Hannah Abbott, wife of Harry Potter."

"Hannah was born November 3rd 1979 and is legally fifteen," Fred said. "She turned sixteen on March 25th, Day 9 and turned seventeen on Day 209. She'll be eighteen on August 5th. Now the next two are the twins having twins - the Patil sisters Padma Potter and Parvati Longbottom."

"They were born October 17th, 1979 and are legally fifteen. They turned sixteen on March 24th, Day 23 and seventeen on Day 192. They'll be eighteen on July 19th. I think it's fair to say that it's even money that at least one of them may be down in the Infirmary as well speak."

"A fair bet. They are also the only ones we know in advance are not in the running to produce the Heir as they are both expecting twin daughters, just as they were and their mother was…"

"And their grandmother, I think," George said. "That's a lot of twin action! Now for the last of our Fourth Years, the Lady Ravenclaw or Lady Potter, take your pick."

"Our Hermione was born September 19th, 1979 and is legally fifteen. She turned sixteen on March 23rd, Day 26 and seventeen on Day 164. She'll be eighteen on June 21st. Next up we have the first of out Fifth Years, our absolutely brilliant Chaser and teammate the former Miss Katie Bell now Katie Potter."

"She was born July 12th, 1979 and is legally fifteen. She turned sixteen on March 21st, Day 19 and seventeen on Day 95. She'll be eighteen on April 13th. Next we have our Ravenclaw Prefect…"

"Who has yet to give us a detention," Fred said.

"The former Miss Laura Caldwell and now Laura Longbottom. She was born May 10th, 1979 and is legally fifteen. She turned sixteen on March 19th, Day 18 and seventeen on Day 32. She will turn 18 on Day 398 and nineteen on February 4th, 1996. Next up is a Prefect who has given us detention."

"Of course she has!" Fred said. "She's a Slytherin Prefect! It's like an unwritten law! You're not a true Slytherin Prefect until you've given us a detention!"

"We did deserve that one, though."

"Too true. Miss Lucinda Urquhart, now Lucinda Longbottom…"

"Which rolls off the tongue much easier…"

"Anyway, she was born March 30th, 1979. While legally she turned sixteen this past March 30th, she actually turned sixteen on March 19th, Day 9. She turned seventeen on Day 33 and will turn eighteen on Day 357 and nineteen on December 25th. And last, but not least…"

"Our Hufflepuff Prefect," George said.

"Who also has not given us a detention."

"Lovely Marcia Robbins, now Marcia Potter was born February 21st, 1979 which means she shares her birthday with Michelle. She's legally sixteen. She turned seventeen on March 28th, Day 26 and will turn eighteen on Day 319 and nineteen on November 18th."

"So, Alicia, who are our lucky winners tonight?" George asked.

"Hermione and Parvati," Alicia said.

"Hermione? Really?" Fred said as he tore up what looked like a ticket. "Is that odd?"

"Not really," Alicia replied. "It turns out Hermione is expecting twins as well, as is her Mum, by the way."

"Well that changed things!" George complained. "She never told us that!"

"And whoever she did tell didn't tell us," Fred added. "Although it could mean that House Potter will have an heir soon."

"So, there you have it! Hermione Potter and Parvati Longbottom are in labor, each with twins."

"We are told it probably won't be until morning before anything truly happens."

"Oh, and this note from Professor McGonagall: Classes are cancelled! We're officially on holiday! Classes will resume at a later time, possibly as early as Day 260. She also implores us to keep studying, although not too hard."

"We now return you to the regularly scheduled program…"

THE SOUTH WING - TIME COMPRESSION DAY 238.

"We interrupt this morning's regularly scheduled program for the following breaking news," Alicia announced.

"So the question on everyone's mind is who's first, Hermione or Parvati?" George asked.

"And is anyone else in labor?" Fred added.

"Well," Angelina said, "as to anyone else not yet. As to your other question: at 0938 Wing Time, Day 238, Hermione gave birth to a son, Robert James Potter. Their daughter Lily Rose followed at 0943. Both weigh around six pounds, a very healthy weight for twins. Hermione and her children are doing quite well and she's been moved to recovery with her babies. Visitors are welcome, if they promise to be quiet."

"Anything else?"

Angelina nodded. "Their official Birth Certificates will say they were born at 1756 on April 1st, 1995 at Hogwarts. Unofficially, they will celebrate their first birthday on September 2nd, 1995. They will be seven months old when Time Compression lifts."

"And Parvati?" Alicia asked.

"Still in labor," Angelina said. "Her water has not broken yet."

"So," Fred said, "to the score cards! House Potter is first out of the box and Hermione wins the baby pool! Or at least you win if you picked her first. Parvati appears to be second, but we'll keep you posted. House Potter has its heir and for the second generation in a row, he has a Muggle Born mother."

"Fitting," George said.

"Indeed. And House Potter now has a boy and a girl to House Longbottom's two girls who are soon to join us."

"And with that," Alicia said, "we return you to the regularly scheduled programming."

Padma Shari Longbottom was born at 1507, Day 238 and her sister Penelope Elaine followed at 1512. Their official birth date was April 1st, 1995 at 1757, one minute after Hermione's children. Their unofficial first birthday would fall on September 2nd as well. Less than an hour later, Angela (Lee) Longbottom was admitted to the infirmary with contractions. Henry David Longbottom was born at 0423, Day 239 and his sister Jennifer Suzette at 0430. Officially, they were born on April 1st, 1995 at 1758 with their unofficial birthday being September 3rd. Thus the heirs to two of the oldest Ancient and Noble Houses were born to Muggle Born witches. Padma (Patil) Potter gave birth to Parvati Amira Potter at 0734, Day 240 and her sister Patricia Louise Potter at 0741. Officially, they were born at 1800 on April 1st with their first birthday falling on September 4th.

For two weeks all was quiet and the six baby girls and two baby boys were probably the most popular people in the Wing. Fortunately, they were far too young to understand such things or for it to go to their heads.

On Day 253 the calm ended when Tracey went into labor. Alan Richard Longbottom was born in the morning of Day 254, or 1808 on April 1st, 1995, with his unofficial birthday set for September 18th.

Neville's Susan gave birth to Edgar Thomas Bones in the morning of Day 255, at 1810 on April 1st, 1995 with his unofficial birthday set for September 19th, a date he would share with Hannah's son Charles Edward Abbott although he was officially born one minute later as he was born in the evening of Day 255. But House Abbott and Bones now had their heirs, both born on the same day and simulated day.

On Day 256, Marcia (Robbins) Potter gave birth to her daughter Julie Marie, officially at 1812 on April 1st and unofficially with her first birthday on September 20th.

Rosie (Rosier) Potter gave birth to James Sirius on the morning of Day 257, officially at 1814 on April 1st and unofficially September 21st. He would share his unofficial birthday with Hermione Luna Longbottom, the daughter of Ginny who was officially born the next minute of April 1st, 1995.

Day 258 was a busy day in the Infirmary. Lisa (Turpin) Longbottom gave birth to her daughter Elizabeth Anne and Katie (Bell) Potter her son Michael Colin in the morning (1816, April 1st) and Gabrielle (Delacour) Potter gave birth to her daughter Michelle Lauren that afternoon (1817, April 1st.) They would celebrate their unofficial birthdays on September 22nd.

Laura Caldwell gave birth to her son Edward Howard Longbottom the morning of Day 259, officially at 1818 on April 1st. His other birthday would be September 23rd. Luna followed her a day later with her own daughter Delilah Marie Potter, officially at 1820 on April 1st with her birthday set for September 24th.

September 26th would be the unofficial birthdays for Daphne's son David Edgar Potter and Michelle's daughter Maria Teresa Longbottom, born Day 261 or at 1822 and 1823 on April 1st respectively. Lucinda was the last to give birth. Her son, Lawrence Harold Longbottom was born Day 262 or at 1824, April 1st and would celebrate his first birthday on September 27th. There were no serious complications and all the twenty-two new residents of the Wing were healthy, if loud and tiring for their parents and grandparents. House Potter and House Longbottom were "tied" according to the Twins, with four boys and six girls each, while House Bones and Abbott each had a son.