Chapter twenty nine
'She wants to give you her daughter Harry?' Rose asked quietly.
'Yeah, she does. Lizzy was an orphane, so after Hogwarts, all she wanted to do was be an Auror. That was her life and she's really good at it. She's been my teacher there since I joined, well since Brian talked me into joining the Aurors. She's a really nice person Rose, she's just not ready to be a mother.'
'See, when we found out what you did for Lily, Rose. Harry and I spoke about using a surrogate to have kids one day. I never told Harry, but I couldn't stop thinking about it. Being a gay couple, normally we wouldn't be able to have kids. But now we'll have a daughter, plus we still have Teddy as well.' Charlie explained.
'How did you know about surrogate's Harry?'
'One time when the Dursely's went out, I watched the tv show on it. I found it fascinating that people would do that. So I explained it all to Charlie, then we heard about you and Mum. Merlin, do you realise there's going to be a baby here in three months love. I don't know much about them, I only saw Teddy a few times as a baby and I never really did anything with him, apart from hold him.'
'You'll be fine Harry, you learn what you need. Remember what I told you, I use to help when Ginny was a baby, even if I was only nine. You pick things up love,' Charlie kissed him tenderly.
'And I'll be here Harry, I've never had a lot to do with babies either. But like Charlie I did help with my two sisters. I was ten when Lily was born, eight when Petunia was born. So I did help Mum with them. Between the three of us, she will be fine Harry.' Rose smiled at her son then son-in-law.
'I have to let Lizzy know it's fine with us to love. She asked Brian to tell us, but I told Brian I would tell her if we wanted to keep her.'
'Why don't you floo her Harry, let her know everything's alright.'
'Okay, but it's almost lunch time, would you mind if I ask her to come here for lunch. We could talk about it all.'
'I don't mind love, go on.' Charlie smiled at Harry, he nodded and got up and went to the fireplace and stuck his head in.
'He's seems a bit nervous Charlie.'
'Yes, he is Rose. But we'll help him. I know he seems older when he talks, it's everything he's been through and he had to grow up fast. But he is only nearly nineteen.'
'I left before he was born, when is his birthday?'
'31st of July, next month Rose.' Charlie smiled.
'I'd like to get my son something, but I don't have much and I don't know what he likes.'
'Give yourself a couple of weeks to get to know him Rose, then you can work something out. Harry doesn't ever want people fussing over him and he's not used to people giving him things. So he'd be happy with just a happy birthday. But I only just found out something about Harry's birthdays. The Dursleys never gave him anything or even wished him a happy birthday. The first person to do that was Hagrid when he picked up Harry to take him to get his things on his eleventh birthday. My brother Ron always tries to get Harry something. But our family never had a lot, so it was always something simple and Harry always loved whatever it was. Hermione also gets him something all the time, usually it's a book. Hermione's very smart and loves to read.'
'She's the brightest witch of her age, from the time she was eleven.' Harry said hearing the last part of the conversation. 'Lizzy will be here soon Charlie,' Harry looked at him. 'Now what were you talking about, apart from Hermione.'
'Charlie was just telling me when you're birthday is Harry. I never knew the date you were born, so next month,' she smiled.
'Yeah, but you don't have to do anything or get me anything Rose. I've already got you, that's enough.' Harry said quickly. Then the fire turned green and Lizzy stepped out. 'Wow Lizzy look at you.' Harry said standing up.
'Hi,' she said nervously then looked at Charlie. 'Charlie, are you okay with this?' she put her hands to her large stomach.
'Very Lizzy, it's fine. Come and sit down,' Charlie said and Lizzy sat down on the couch next to Rose.
'Lizzy, this is Rose Evans, my mother. Rose, my partner at the Auror office Lizzy, and mother to you're granddaughter.'
'It's nice to meet you Rose and I know this must be a bit of a shock for you.'
'It's nice to meet you as well Lizzy, and yes it has been.' Rose smiled.
'Harry I did a pretty good job on those pictures, don't you think?'
'You did a great job on them Lizzy. She looks exactly like the pictures you did.' Harry said smiling at Rose and saw the questioning look on her face. 'See, I got a couple of pictures of you when you were younger. Lizzy was able to age them, so we could show them around to people to see if they had seen you.' Harry waved his hand and the two pictures landed on his lap and he handed them to Rose. 'I got those from Petunia.'
'After he turned her into a pig,' Charlie said then laughed.
'Charlie, she doesn't need to know I did that to her sister.' Harry said snappily.
'Oh Harry, its fine and she deserved it, they both did.' Charlie said.
'Why did you do that to Petunia Harry?'
'Why don't we go sit down at the lake and have lunch and I can tell you a bit about your sister Rose.' Harry said wearily.
The four of them walked down the path towards the lake. 'This is beautiful Harry, very quiet and peaceful, just like you said.' Rose smiled as she looked out over the lake and all the trees.
'Yes it is Rose.' Harry smiled as they all sat down, 'Are you comfortable Lizzy?'
'I'm fine Harry, you don't need to worry,' she looked at him.
Kreacher brought them down their lunch and juice and they sat and ate, while they talked.
'Now, Harry, what did my sister do to you?' Rose asked.
'They never treated me very well Rose, but you really don't want to hear all that. It's not a nice story.' Harry said.
'I still would like to know what they did to my son.'
Charlie could see Harry was uncomfortable, so he decided to say something. 'They used to beat him, starve him and lock him in a cupboard Rose.'
'They beat you Harry,' Rose asked looking upset, so she got up and hugged him. 'I'm sorry I wasn't there for you.'
'It's fine, really. It was a long time ago now. Let's just forget it,' Harry said hugging his mother.
'Maybe you could take me to see her? I would like to give her a piece of my mind,' Rose said angrily as she sat back down.
'Oh, I've seen that look before.' Charlie grinned as she looked at Rose. 'Harry gets that same look when he's angry.'
Lizzy started laughing at the look on Harry's face. 'Well, you do Harry, I've seen that look as well. You are very much like you're mother.'
'Okay, give it a rest, can't you.' Harry said but he smiled at the thought he was like his mother. 'And if you want to go Rose, I'll take you. We've got some time before I start back at the Auror office.'
'You're still going back Harry?' Lizzy said looking a little worried.
'Yes, but Charlie's going to stay home with her,' Harry said looking at Lizzy's stomach.
'Are you sure you want to do that Charlie?'
'Very sure Lizzy, but she is going to be our daughter as well as yours, are you alright knowing that?'
'Fine, I know you will both love her and look after her. I've seen the way you are with Teddy. So if you're both sure, then that makes me feels loads better knowing she will be in good hands.'
'Harry,' Hermione screamed as she ran towards them with Ron following.
Harry stood up and Hermione threw her arms around him, almost knocking him over. 'What are you two doing here?'
'We've missed you mate, so McGonagall gave us the afternoon to come see you. She's missed you too,' Ron said gripping Harry's shoulder. 'Hermione, you're going to crush him,' Ron laughed.
Hermione pulled back slight, 'We've missed you Harry, but you're home,' Hermione said with tears falling down her face.
'Yes, we're home Hermione. So, Hermione, Ron, I want you both to meet Rose, my mother. Rose, these are my two best friends in the world, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley,' Harry said and they greeted each other.
'It's nice to meet you,' Hermione shook Rose's hand.
'Nice to meet you as well Hermione,' Rose smiled.
'Wow Harry, you look just like her, I mean I know you looked like you're father, but now….' Ron said staring in amazement.
'Yes, he does, doesn't he Ron?' Charlie said.
'Hi Lizzy, well, look at you, how far along are you?' Hermione said as she sat down.
'Just over five months Hermione,' Lizzy said looking towards Harry.
'Hermione, Ron, there's something I need to tell you,' Harry said looking worried so Charlie put his arms around him.
'What's that?' Ron asked.
'Well, Lizzy's baby, it's mine.' Harry said awkwardly.
'Yours Harry, but how could you, you're married to my brother.' Ron said angrily.
'Ron, it's okay. It was all my doing actually. So don't blame Harry.'
'What do you mean you're doing Charlie, Harry's the one that got her pregnant and you're supposed to be gay Harry, you don't sleep with woman.'
'Ron, shut it will you and just listen,' Charlie snapped at his brother. 'Harry found me in bed with another bloke and he was angry, so Lizzy was trying to calm him down and it just happened.'
'Why did you do that Charlie?' Hermione asked looking at Harry.
'Look, it's a long story. Charlie didn't mean it, I didn't mean it. It's behind us now, alright. Just know that I'm going to be a father to a daughter in just over three months, sorry we're going to be fathers,' Harry said looking at Charlie.
'A daughter Harry,' Hermione said then laughed.
'What's so funny Hermione?' Harry asked.
'Can you imagine how protective Harry's going to be? He was bad enough protecting us and everyone else, now he'll have a little girl.'
Charlie, Ron and Hermione laughed loudly, even Rose snickered. Harry stared at all of them, then Lizzy laughed as well.
'Alright cut it out will you, I wasn't that bad.' Harry said.
'Yes, you were Harry.' Ron said still laughing, then turned to Rose. 'You could ask anyone that knows Harry? They will all tell you the same thing. Harry will protect anyone he cares about with everything he has including his own life.' Ron chuckled.
'Alright, enough you lot,' Harry said shaking his head.
'So tell us how you found Rose?' Hermione asked.
'Well, actually, she found us,' Charlie said. 'See, Harry was getting really depressed because it was taking so long to find her. He was thinking he might never find Rose. So last night, I took Harry and we sat outside the tent and started playing our guitars and singing. Rose heard us and walked through the trees to where we were.'
'Yes, I haven't heard music for years, I just couldn't help myself. So I walked towards the sound.'
'Just last night Harry?' Hermione asked looking surprised.
'Yeah, we sat and talked for a while, then I ask if she wanted to come back and live with us. So we packed up this morning and Kreacher apparated us back.'
'I still might get you to build me a small cabin somewhere in the trees so you and Charlie can be alone. Plus, I've lived alone for nearly twenty years.'
'Think about it Rose, if that's what you want, then you can.' Harry smiled at her.
'Alright Harry, I'll think about it,' she smiled. 'I was hoping to ask you something though.'
'You can ask me anything.'
'On you're forehead, that lightning shaped scar. How did you get it?'
Everyone looked at Harry with nervous expressions. 'Well, that's where Voldemort tried to kill me as a baby.' Harry said quietly, then thought he just should tell her. Harry opened his shirt and showed her the other lightning shaped scar, 'And this was when he tried again just before I killed him,' Harry said and saw Rose looking, then she leaned over and touched it very gently.
'Oh, that must have hurt you very much Harry, but why are they shaped like that? Both lightning shaped.'
'It's a really long story Rose, I will tell you, but not now.' Harry said buttoning his shirt back up. 'Just know, he's dead and everyone is safe.'
'Thanks to Harry,' Ron said smiling at his friend. 'Harry pretended to be dead after Voldemort hit him with the killing curse, so when the time was right, Harry protected everyone, then finally killed him in the Great Hall at Hogwarts.'
'That was caused by the killing curse Harry, how did you survive? I thought the killing curse just killed, no one could survive that.'
'It's part of the long story, but I'll give you a short version. Voldemort didn't want to die, so he put parts of his soul into objects so he couldn't die. Part of it went into me as a baby, that's why I didn't die the time I was a baby. See the second time when he hit me with the curse, it just destroyed the piece of soul that was in me, but didn't kill me. The first time was that my mother refused to move aside and protected me, which gave me a protection from him. That's the old piece of magic I mentioned, blood magic.'
'So having a piece of his soul in you, did it cause any problems for you Harry?'
'A few, I used to be able to feel what he was feeling and sometimes see through his eyes and I got angry a lot. Since that piece of soul was destroyed, all that's changed.'
'But one thing I don't understand. Why did he want to kill you in the first place Harry?'
'Because of a Prophecy. See, Voldemort was told the first half of this Propecy so he thought he had to kill me. He never knew the second half, or he might not have tried. That's when Dumbledore first tried to find you, when he heard the prophecy before I was born. He thought if Voldemort succeeded in killing me, he thought you might have liked to see me just in case I did die.'
'I definitely would have Harry.' Rose said shaking her head, 'You have had a hard life and I don't know anything yet. I wish I was around to protect you son, I really do.' Rose said gripping his hands.
'I know Mum,' Harry said softly, smiling at her and they just stared at each other.
Hermione and Lizzy both had tears falling down their faces where Ron and Charlie both had tears in their eyes, but were trying to blink them away as they all watched Harry and his mother.
'I like that Harry, but you don't have to call me that if you don't want to. Lily was the one who gave birth to you.'
'I know that, but if you don't mind, I'd like to call you Mum,' Harry smiled.
'That settles it then, Mum it is,' Rose grinned. 'I can't believe I'm actually sitting here with you Harry. I used to dream of meeting you, or sometimes I would dream of watching you from a distance. Now, we can see each other all the time.'
'Yeah, we can Mum, I like that. Do you realise I've never said that to anyone before. It sounds so strange.'
'One thing I can't understand about all this Harry, Rose. Why no one ever made the connection that you were Lily Evan's sister?' Hermione said, looking puzzled.
'Probably because I was ten years older, I'd already left Hogwarts by the time Lily started, so when they heard Lily Evans, they just didn't connect her to me because of the age difference.'
'Well, you've got a lot of people wanting to meet you Rose,' Hermione smiled at her.
'A lot of people,' Rose asked puzzled.
'Well, there will be all the Weasleys, there's a lot of them. Then a lot of Harry's friends will want to meet you as well, like Neville and Luna. Kingsley, Brian, there's a lot of people that care about Harry.'
'She's meet Kingsley and Brian. They were here earlier,' Harry said.
'Yes, that Minister is a very nice man, I did wonder though Harry. I saw him holding hands with Brian. Is he gay as well?'
'Yes, they've been together for over a year. But no one knew until I told everyone about me.'
'See Rose, Harry has always been stared at, spoken about and written about since he was one. Now, because he escaped Voldemort so often, then finally killed him, his even more of a curiosity for people, but everyone loves him and wants to know him. So when we decided to get married, Harry put an announcement in the Daily Prophet letting everyone know he was gay and we were getting married on the grounds of Hogwarts and Kingsley was performing the ceremony. Since then, a lot of gay couples have been letting everyone know and it's more accepted in this country now, when it never used to be. People wanted to support Harry, no matter what,' Charlie explained.
'You get stared and written about Harry, but why, apart from killing Voldemort, but why from the age of one?'
'Because he survived the killing curse Rose, he was called the boy-who-lived and no one saw him until he first came to Hogwarts. He's been called a lot of things over the years though.'
'What things?' Rose asked looking around at everyone.
'Well, the boy who lived was the first one, then there was the Chosen one, Undesirable Number One, and the last name is the Savior of the Wizarding World. If it wasn't for Harry, probably half of us would be dead, or living under Voldemort's Wizarding world,' Charlie said proudly.
'That's why we all fought with him at the battle. We all wanted Voldemort finished, but only Ron and I knew it had to be Harry to finish him off. It was always going to be Harry that ended the war that had been going on for so long, before he was born even,' Hermione said smiling at her friend.
'And because Harry could never be happy until Voldemort was dead, so apart from him having to kill Voldemort, he needed to as well,' Ron said.
'Well, I think that's enough about me, okay,' Harry said looking uncomfortable as he looked everyone.
'Harry's never liked people thinking of him differently or treating him special in any way. He's just Harry as he always says to everyone,' Charlie grinned at Harry, squeezing his hand tight, then pulling him onto his lap and they wrapped their arms around each other and snogged happily for a long time with the others watching them.
'Do you think their going to come up for air anytime soon?' Rose asked smiling.
'Something is going to come up if they don't stop soon,' Lizzy said and laughed at the other's faces.
'Lizzy,' Ron said looking at her. 'We don't want to know that.'
Harry and Charlie pulled apart, panting heavily. 'Yes, Lizzy, please don't say things like that in front of my mother,' Harry said but he was smiling at her. Just then Charlie whispered something to him.
'See, their working out a way to take off to the bedroom,' Lizzy said snickering.
'We are not Lizzy,' Charlie grinned, 'maybe later,' then Charlie snickered. 'I was asking Harry something and he agrees with me.'
'And what's that Charlie?' Hermione asked.
'Lizzy, we won't you to stay here until she's born. You're alone in that flat of yours, you won't be here.'
'Harry, I can take care of myself you know and I can take care of our daughter as well.'
'We know that Lizzy, I know better than anyone that you can, but what if something happens or you go into early labor? Please Lizzy, we've got the spare room,' Harry asked.
Lizzy looked from Harry to Charlie and saw they both really wanted this, 'If you're sure, then okay,' she grinned at them.
'Great, now we also have to set the nursery up in the other spare room. We've got a heap to buy babe,' Harry said.
'We can start tomorrow if you wanted love, go shopping for little girls things, all pink,' Charlie grinned.
'So what about the Aurors Lizzy, are you going back after it's born or staying home with her?' Hermione asked looking a little puzzled.
'No, see, I never wanted to start a family until at least ten years from now, So Harry and Charlie have agreed to take her, as long as I see her sometimes.' Lizzy smiled at the two men.
'So, you're giving up the Aurors Harry?' Ron asked.
'No, Charlie wants to be the stay at home Dad, so I'll be going back to the Aurors soon, just don't know when. I should work that out and tell Brian.'
'You're giving up the dragon reserve Charlie?' Ron asked looking shocked.
'I already did before we knew about Lizzy,' Charlie said softly and saw the questioning look on his brother's face. 'See, the bloke I slept with,' Charlie felt Harry wince under his arms and held him tighter, 'he's one of the dragon handlers. I couldn't put Harry through that, he'd be thinking we might do it again. So I told Jeremy I'm not going back, that was before we left. Sorry love,' Charlie said caressing Harry's face.
'I know babe, let's just forget about that and concentrate on being fathers.'
'So, this is like that surrogate thing you told us Harry, except you slept with Lizzy instead of having a donor?' Ron asked.
'Well, yeah,' Harry said sheepishly.
'And you are going to just give you're daughter to Harry and Charlie?'
'Yes, I know they will love her and protect her. But like I said, as long as I can see her sometimes, I'm fine with them having her. I'm not ready to be a mother, and I know I wouldn't do as good a job as Harry and Charlie.'
'It works out for everyone then. Harry and Charlie get a daughter but she will see her know her mother as well,' Rose smiled.
'Don't forget a grandmother Mum, she gets you too.' Harry grinned.
'Yes I will be here for her as well.' Rose smiled. 'I'll probably be a little nervous, but could I come with you tomorrow. I haven't seen anything or anyone in so long.'
'Of course you can Rose,' Charlie smiled, 'We'll show you around, is there anything specific you want to see or go to?'
'Well, I would like to see Lily's grave, if that's alright Harry?'
'We'll take you there Mum. I took Charlie and showed him,' Harry smiled sadly at his mother. 'Is there anything else you want to see?'
'Is the Leaky Cauldron still there?'
'Yes, that's still there and it's how you still get into Diagon Alley. Is there anything you need from there Mum, we could buy anything you want?'
'Well, I could use some potion ingredients.' Rose said softly.
'We have a potions room off the laundry,' Harry said looking at his mother, 'you can see if what you need is in there or we can get whatever you need.'
'Okay Harry, thank you,' she smiled.
'Harry, if I'm going to be staying here, I need to go and get my clothes. I like to have a nap in the afternoon.'
'I'll come and help if you want. You shouldn't be carrying anything Lizzy,' Harry said, then looked at Charlie. 'You don't mind if I go and help love?'
'Course not, go give Lizzy a hand, I'll be here.'
'Okay. Ron, Hermione, how long do you have before you have to get back?'
'McGonagall said by nine tonight,' Ron said.
'Great, you can stay for dinner, so hang around and we won't be long.' Harry said smiling at his friends, then he kissed Charlie passionately.
Everyone looked at the two men. 'We might have to wait by the look of it. They might just need a trip to the bedroom for a while.'
Harry pulled away from Charlie. 'Lizzy, cut that out, now lets go.' Harry said scowling at her, then looked at Charlie, 'I won't be long babe.' Charlie nodded as Harry stood up and he walked off with Lizzy.
'He's happy isn't he Charlie?' Hermione asked.
'Yeah, he is Hermione. After everything he's been through, I want to make sure he stays happy. Now he's got his mother,' Charlie looked at Rose, 'and also a daughter.'
'And you Charlie, you mean everything to Harry. He loves you very much, you can see it and hear it,' Hermione smiled at her friends husband and knew that her friend will be okay from now on.
