Chapter 26 – Life Goes On

The week following the finals saw Ginny's work load return to a normal level, allowing her to be home on time each evening. At home, Harry and Luna spent the week planning the boys' first birthday. The finals wrapped on Friday and the party was planned for the weekend after. All the family had been informed and were planning on making it a potluck lunch at Grimmauld. They weren't planning a huge event since the boys probably wouldn't remember the day. James and Sirius would be happy just to have the whole family fussing over them. Eight days after the Quidditch finals, all of the extended Weasley clan, including Andi, Teddy and Xeno packed into the garden of Grimmauld Place. As predicted, the boys were thrilled by all the attention, although they only tolerated so much holding before demanding to be put down so that they could chase Victoire.

The potluck produced way too much food as usual and Harry realized that he needed to pick up some of his Auror conditioning again or his pants were going to need an expansion spell. After lunch, two cakes appeared and the boys squealed. With help from the family, both candles were blown out and the cakes were cut. Each of the boys was given a good sized slice and they dove in with relish, fisting large chunks of cake and landing more of it in their hair than their mouths. Once James and Sirius had managed to smear, smash or consume all of their cake, Molly and Arthur took their grandsons and cleaned them up while the rest of the family began to leave.

That evening, the Potters were curled up in bed after the long day. Harry briefly kissed each of his wives and yawned.

"What a day. I can't believe we've already reached their first birthdays. And by the time we celebrate the next birthday, we'll have two more. Are we crazy?"

"Mmm, maybe Harry, but it's a good crazy."

"I'm glad everything went well. They really are easy, happy boys. Of course, in a couple of years they may want their own separate days. At least for the first couple of years we can get off easy."

"Well, I guess we just do what everyone does and take each year as they come and cherish the times. I'm looking forward to having babies to cuddle again. Sirius and James don't hold still for much of it anymore."

Harry mumbled his assent as they drifted off to sleep.

The next two months passed quickly for the Potters. James and Sirius continued growing rapidly and were much more sure-footed, ensuring that their parents were kept busy. Ginny was doing well in the women's Quidditch department and received a promotion to supervisor of broom regulations and controls. Luna's paintings were still selling out. She had cut back on commissions as her usual pregnancy fatigue returned. Harry spent his free time during naps and in the evenings preparing for his new teaching position. As he prepared, he was continually learning something new. Ron and Hermione met with the Potters regularly for dinner and Harry and Hermione invariably ended up in deep discussions about his studies.

A week before the start of the new school year, Harry made his first floo trip back to Hogwarts to meet with Minerva and the rest of the staff. He was confident, but the situation still seemed surreal. Minerva welcomed him warmly before Filius mentioned that he had been checking the Hogwarts records and Harry was the youngest professor in 404 years. Harry squirmed a bit until he looked around and saw his new colleagues were either smirking or trying not to laugh. It felt good to be back at the school that had been his first home. After the staff meeting, Harry went to his classroom and began preparing. There wasn't a lot to do, but Harry felt good familiarizing himself with the space. The room was large and a quick rearranging of desks would provide plenty of open space for spell practice. With nothing left to do, Harry felt reassured and made his way to floo home.

That evening Molly held a celebratory dinner for the new Professor Potter. It was a loud, festive evening and Harry stuffed himself full of all his favorites, which Molly and Fleur had made especially for him. Harry noticed Ginny and Luna both tucked away a couple of plates of food as well. They were almost five months along and both undoubtedly showing. As the evening began to wind down, Luna stood and everyone quieted. Luna rarely initiated any announcements or speeches, so they knew something special was in the works. Once the table quieted, Luna looked out at her family and smiled.

"I know everyone is proud of our Harry, but Ginny and I are especially so. We know he still has some lingering doubts, but I want him to know that Ginny and I don't. We do have a very teensy concern. It's one that Minerva mentioned months ago when Harry first considered the job. Harry darling, you are entirely too handsome for most witches to resist, especially young and impressionable witches. Ginny and I know this personally. While we trust you of course, we want to provide a reminder to certain students of just where your heart lies. So we've got something for your classroom."

Luna waved her wand and something covered in black cloth came flying out of the living room window to settle on the table in front of Harry. With another flick of her wand, the cloth rose and revealed a large portrait. The painting showed Luna and Ginny hugging each other while smiling out at the viewers. Harry was shocked. The painting was amazing and perfect. As he admired, Luna spoke up again.

"I've been working on this painting since Harry got the job and I've worked a couple of extra spells into it. I'd like to demonstrate. Fleur, can you help? I'd like you to walk over to Harry seductively and get very close to him."

Fleur giggled and popped up out of her seat, grinning. She did as Luna asked and as soon as she closed in on Harry, the painting responded. Painting Ginny's eyes squinted as she cleared her throat harshly. Meanwhile, Painting Luna held up a finger and shook it at Fleur, while also glaring at her. Fleur laughed and backed off and the painting settled back to its original pose. The entire table lost it, including Harry. Once he had collected himself, Harry got up and went to hug each of his wives. As he held one of them on each side, he then decided to kiss them and soon they had both latched on and were nibbling his neck with the family smirking behind them. Finally, Bill collected himself enough that he was able to speak.

"I think it's obvious where Harry's heart lies!"

Harry, Luna and Ginny laughed as they desisted and returned to the dinner table.