BIRTHDAY!

A/N: I expect plenty of reviews for this chapter. So keep 'em com'n. this chapter Gojuuroku (56).

Dear Friend,

You have no idea how good it is to hear from you. I've known of your existence this entire time. I may not remember your name or face, but I dream about you.

Thank you for your concern. I am alright, and my company is alright as well.

We could actually use some assistance; since you are willing. Our mission is at a standstill. Without anything to properly destroy his leftovers we cannot continue. We are out of options, other than basilisk fangs or Gryffindor's sword.

Also, if you are in the position to do so, please tell Madame Pomfrey I am in desperate need for her and McGonagal. They will understand. If not tell them my nine months are up. That should jog their memories.

Thank you, [Forever and Always],

P.

The reply to his letter made Severus feel pure bliss. He re-read and re-read the letter until he had it perfectly memorized, and even then he stared at the teen's handwriting and smiled softly to himself. Harry was so perfect. He even knew well enough no to give too much away. But what did "my nine months are up" mean?

He didn't think too hard about it because it was obvious only Poppy or Minerva would understand the cryptic message. But there was one thing he knew now, without any doubt, that the two women were on his side; and would help Harry.

Severus had to do his part. He couldn't leave his love alone with no options. He knew exactly where Gryffindor's sword was, or rather, the real one. He had given the replica to Bellatrix Lestrange to put in her vault. No one knew where the real one was hidden except for himself and the man he had killed almost a year ago.

He pushed the memory of that night out of his mind. Severus turned and addressed the portrait of Helga Hufflepuff. "Madame, could you please go tell Madam Pomfrey I need to see her."

The acrylic woman only nodded before disappearing from her frame.

Severus sighed and let his head fall into his hands. There was no way Harry's words would be so kind if he actually knew who he was. He was happy nonetheless.

When the kindly nurse knocked at his door he allowed her to enter and told her to sit down in one of the chairs that faced his desk. She seemed nervous, and the Head Master couldn't blame her.

"You needed me for something, Head Master?" she asked, placing her hands on her knees.

"Yes, I've just intercepted a letter and your name was mentioned." Snape said with a scowl.

"My name, sir?"

"Yes." Severus continued. "The sender left his name only as 'P.' and it was addressed to 'Friend'. 'P.' mentioned to 'Friend' to inform you, and Minerva, that 'P.'s 'nine months' are drawing to a close. 'P.' said that you would know what that means."

Judging by the woman's expression she understood it very clearly. "I won't tell you." She said. "You can't make me."

"I can and you know it." Severus challenged.

The woman faltered only barely before her resolve replaced itself.

"But I wasn't asking you to." The ebony-haired man said through a glare. "I was merely relaying the message."

Poppy's eyes widened in total surprise. "R-really?"

"You may choose to do whatever you want with this information. I swear I will not interfere, unless you are discovered. I will feign ignorance and punish you severely, depending on whatever this message actually means."

"You can't be serious. You're helping?" she asked in utter disbelief.

"I never spoke those words." The man growled.

"Right…of course not." Poppy said with the tiniest of smirks. "Thank you for the message, Head Master."

It was still very obvious that the woman did not trust Severus so he said, "Do not tell anyone where you are going or when you are going, or what you are doing. Especially myself. Though I'm sure I didn't need to tell you that." Severus nodded. "You are dismissed."

Dear P.

Help has been sent. Crescent Lake.

[Yours Forever and Always],

A Friend

When the time drew closer Harry, Hermione and Ron travelled to Ron's Aunt's cottage on the beach. It had been empty, Ron said, since she had died almost five years prior. However, when they arrived flue and Bill were living there. They had explained about using it as a safe house. They were more surprised by Harry's "condition" then they were to see the trio.

Bill had arranged, in secret, for McGonagal and Poppy to come, and then Mrs. Weasley arrived a day later.

It was like a small reunion; everyone talking about the war, informing others of the latest developments. Every time Harry's baby kicked, all the women swarmed around him, placing their hands on his belly: except hormone, who had already felt it at least a hundred times before. It was a warm feeling, having his friends near him when he needed them most. He was certain more would have been there, if they knew. It was wonderful having their support.

Harry walked around the small cottage early in the morning one day. The walls were cracked and slightly weather-worn. A wind chime made from seashells hung in a window, a gentle breeze sent its music through the air. The smell of salt water was thick, as the sun stretched its fingers through the window and open doorway. Bill, Ron and Hermione were out fishing again. McGonagal and Poppy were sitting at the kitchen table while Flue made some tea for them and Mrs. Weasley made hotcakes.

Harry looked out at the ocean and smiled. Yes, this was the perfect place for his child to be born. It was so beautiful and so blue. For some unshakable reason harry felt like his lover would like this place. He held the letter he had received in his hand, folded tightly. It almost felt like they were holding hands.

"You are so loved." Harry said to his belly as he pressed his hand to it; pinning the letter between his palm and his shirt. "Grow up strong and grow up happy. I love you." He said, smiling softly. "Your daddy loves you."

"Grandma Weasley loves him too." said Molly Weasley.

Harry turned and saw the women in the kitchen all smiling at him.

"And Aunt Fluer and Uncle Bill." said the petite French woman.

"You know," said Minerva. "When he is in Gryffindor I will have to be strict with myself so as I don't play favorites with my honorary grandson."

"And you know, since he is your child. He'll be in to see Nana Poppy at least twice a week." They all laughed and Harry had to fight back tears of joy.

"He has such a big family." He choked out.

"We could continue." threatened Mrs. Weasley. "Aunt Hermione, and Uncle Ron, Aunt Ginny, and probably Uncle Dean in the future. Uncles Fred and George, Grandpa Weasley, Uncle Percy and Uncle Charlie…who else?"

"There's Uncle Neville." added McGonagal.

"And Aunt Luna." added Poppy.

"And Papa Sirius and Papa Remus." Harry said, adding a few of his own.

"Of course." Mrs. Weasley was beaming now.

Harry stepped away from the window and moved to go into the kitchen with the four women. Suddenly his baby gave a mighty kick, causing a sharp pain to surge through the teen. "Aah!" he cried out his hand reflexively moving to his belly.

"Harry?" Molly Weasley hurried to his side, her panic clear in her voice, making the others worry as well.

"I'm fine." He said with a weak smile. "It was only a kick."

"Are you sure?" asked Poppy, who had stood from her seat; ready to take action.

"Positive." Harry answered. "It doesn't even hurt anymore." He went to sit down and Fluer passed him a mug of tea. They sat and chatted together for a little while before Harry was in pain again. "That wasn't a kick!" he shouted over the pain.

Everyone was in an instant frenzy. Flue set several pots of water to boil while Mrs. Weasley grabbed all the clean linen she could find. Poppy and McGonagal helped Harry to the nearest bedroom. Fluer must have sent her patronus to the others because it didn't take very long for the three to come bursting into the room.

"Is it here yet?" Ron shouted. "Did I miss it?"

"No you idiot." said Harry, rolling his eyes. His face was covered in sweat and he was breathing slow deliberate breaths.

"Why not?"

"Merlin, Ron," said Hermione in a slightly annoyed tone. "It takes longer than that to have a baby. Are you alright, Harry?" she asked turning to him.

"Fine." he answered.

"Well how long does it take?"

"Hours." said Hermione, turning back to her thick boyfriend.

"Could you take him and go?" Molly asked. "Too much help is no help at all."

"Right of course." The bushy-haired girl smiled at her friend before pushing Ron out the door. She didn't have to try too hard. He wasn't that exited to watch a male give birth.

Neither was Bill, who gave harry his best, wishing him luck, and high-tailed it out of the room.

Fluer acted as an in-between character, running from the kitchen to the bedroom and back again. She kept the others updated.

It was a long drawn out ordeal, and the most painful thing he had ever felt, rivaling a Cruciatus curse. It was different only in the way that child birth was a pain concentrated in a specific area of the body. There was so much blood everywhere, Poppy looked worried. But she wouldn't tell him if he was fine or not, only made him swallow blood replenishing potions.

Everyone seemed anxious as Harry desperately tried to stay conscious. He was drifting from one to the other because of the pain and the stress on his body.

"Harry stay awake!" Poppy shouted in his ear. "You have to stay awake! Just a little bit more!"

Harry wailed in pain, the sobs wracking his body. He knew crying and screaming, like he was, was pointless. It wasn't going to make it hurt any less. It still seemed like the right thing, though. So he didn't stop himself.

"Fluer!" Hermione's troubled voice was just barely heard over Harry's screams of agony. "It sound like he's dying in there!" she was apparently pounding on the door, trying to get some information on Harry's status. The blond hurried to try and ease their worries. She told them he was alright and would be fine. But the way her voice trebled didn't give much comfort.

Needless to say, it was a very difficult process.

Hours passed most of the day was spent with the four women helping him push, shouting encouragements to him and cleaning him off. The sheets were soaked with his blood and his hair clung to his face. Tears streaked his cheeks and his face was contorted in pain. Harry was certain he looked horrible, but at the moment he didn't really care; nor did anyone else in the room.

Finally, after endless pain and fighting to stay awake, Harry heard his baby's cries. It was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard. It was also the last thing he heard before darkness consumed him.

"Harry!" Poppy screamed, trying to rouse him. "Wake up! Harry!" she forced another replenisher down his throat.

Hermione was in tears outside the room. Ron was holding her fighting back tears of his own. They could hear the entire thing from where they were; the new born baby's cries and Madame Pomfrey, and the others, desperately trying to help Harry.

A/N: So I'm a glutton for cliff-hangers. Oh well, It keeps you guys coming back every chapter. And here's a teaser for the next chapter.

Severus was desperate; tears ran down his face as he tried to reach the teen. "Wake up, Harry!"

So there you go. This was Chapter Gojuuroku. (56) Gojuunana. Thank you for reading, please review.