The next few weeks I found myself following a very set schedule which was mostly comprised of going to class, doing my homework, serving my detentions, and then visiting Daphne each night for the one hour that I had been allotted. There had been whispers the first week about why Daphne was really in the Hospital Wing, with people questioning the dragon pox theory, but after that they had seemed to die out. It was closing on the end of January and since Daphne had been in the hospital wing she had no need to hide her pregnancy. As a result she had stopped using the charms to hide her stomach and every now and then while I was visiting I would see a faint glow of light in her belly.

From my reading I knew this was just the magic manifesting and growing inside the child, but it was one thing to read about it and another completely to experience it. I was getting ready to leave from my current visit, but my mind was a million miles away as my body guided me back to Gryffindor Tower. Madam Pomfrey had told us that night that Daphne was nearing the end of her pregnancy and that we should expect the baby anytime in the next few weeks, depending on if it came early or late.

Part of me couldn't believe just how much had changed, or rather just how much I had changed, in only 9 short months. I had made completely new friends whom I felt closer to now than I ever had with Ron or Hermione. My grades had shot through the roof and I was learning magic that I would have never even dreamed about before this year. I had a beautiful girlfriend, no matter the circumstances under which it had happened, but most importantly I was going to be a father.

"No. That's wrong." I spoke out loud as I sat in the common room since it was empty at this point of the night. The most important thing was that I now had a real family. Something I had longed for my whole life. Not only Daphne, but our soon to be born child, and even Sirius. He had stepped up to fill the role of a surrogate father for me even though he didn't have to. It was something I would never be able to repay him for, but I was going to try. I had originally planned on staying up and doing some reading, but I felt my mind shutting down and my eyelids getting heavy as I let the happy thoughts wash over me. I managed to drag myself from the couch I had chosen and up the stairs, but didn't bother to change out of my robes as I was asleep the instant my body touched the mattress.

I woke with a start as the feeling of ice crashed down on me and I flung myself out of my bed and onto the floor rolling away from whatever or whoever had 'attacked' me. I rubbed my eyes trying to furiously clean them and make them focus only to see a grinning Neville staring down at me from his position at the end of my bed. I let out a low groan.

"I hate you. Why did you have to drop water on me?" You would think after living with Sirius for the summer that I would have gotten use to these types of morning wake ups.

Neville just shrugged and laughed. "I wouldn't really say I had to do it, but more of I felt like I should do this just because moment came over me. And you know sometimes you just can't control the urge."

"Thanks mate, but I didn't need to know about you and Hannah and your urges. What time is it anyway?"

Neville cringed at my poor attempt at crude humor and had I been more awake I probably would have to, but nevertheless he cast a tempus to display the time for me. "It's almost noon, so hurry up and get ready so we can get lunch. I'm starving and I told Hannah I'd meet her down at the Great Hall by 12:30."

Without saying anything else Neville made his way out of the dorm and presumably he went to wait in the common room while I showered and changed into fresh clothes and robes that hadn't been slept in. I strolled down into the common room a little while alter and we made our way down the staircases and to the Great Hall.

"You're late." Were the first words that came from Hannah's mouth as we walked up to the door and saw she was waiting next to it.

I rolled my eyes and prepared to give some smart-ass reply to her but was beaten by Neville, "I'm sorry it wasn't my fault though. Harry just wouldn't wake up and you know how he gets if we let him miss meals."

I glared at Neville now as Hannah gave him a pitying smile and pat him on the shoulder. "I know Nev. I don't blame you we'll just have to train him to behave better when Daphne isn't around."

"Excuse me, but I am right here ya know? No need to refer to me like I'm some common pet that needs to be house-broken." I received no verbal response to my statement and so continued to just glare at the back of my two 'friends' heads as they walked towards the long dining table and took seats.

"So what are you planning on doing today Harry?" Hannah asked as I sat down and began picking out some food to put on my plate.

"Honestly I'm not too sure yet seeing as how I've only been awake for about an hour. I'll find something to keep myself occupied I'm sure. What about you two?"

It was Neville who answered my question. "We're going to work on that essay for Potions that Snape assigned if you want to join us."

I shook my head, "Thanks for the offer but I finished all my homework already, so I kind of have the whole weekend free."

This time Hannah decided to chime in, "And by free you mean you're hoping Madam Pomfrey will let you spend some extra time with Daphne." It was said as a fact instead of a question which irritated me slightly.

"Do I really come off like that now? Daphne and I may be dating, but we don't need to be with each other all the time. I actually had no plans of asking Madam Pomfrey to let me see her more. I know she needs rest so she can recover." I did my best to keep any real anger out of my voice, but I definitely did not want people thinking that I was needy or dependent on Daphne.

Hannah backed off her statement at my response, "No, no Harry I'm sorry that was supposed to come out more joking than it did. Honestly of all the couples I know you and Daphne spend the least time together from what I've seen. Outside of class, studying, and the occasional meal I hardly ever see you two together. At first you spent a lot of time together, but now I don't know."

I realized I might have jumped to conclusions about Hannah's meaning behind her words and offered a sincere apology for acting like a prick. "Yeah I don't know; Daphne and I just make the most of the time we are together. Neither of us feels a need to flaunt our relationship and honestly it's probably better that way so that we don't attract any unnecessary attention."

Our conversation pretty much died out when I was done talking and we all finished our lunch in an easy silence. When I was done, I told Neville I'd see him later and made my way out of the Great Hall, but instead of heading back up into the castle I made my way out onto the grounds. It was snowing ever so softly, flurries really, but the ground had a fresh coat of powder on it so I assumed that it had snowed heavier earlier. I cast a warming charm on myself to take the chill off of my skin and cancel out the nip in the air.

I found myself on the bank of the lake soon enough and stood for a moment just marveling at how it had not frozen over. I wasn't sure if it was because of the salt content in the lake or if it was just a clever piece of magic. As I walked along the bank and edged my way closer to the forbidden forest I suddenly had an idea as to how to spend my day. Making sure no one else was on the grounds that could see me I ducked behind one of the tall trees on the edge of the forest.

I concentrated and let my magic wash over me as I felt the transformation happening and within seconds a black wolf stood in the place of where I had just been. I was immediately grateful to find that my warming charm hadn't worn off despite the transformation. I raised my snout into the air and inhaled deep enjoying the rush of scents I was getting. I could distinguish everything and my brain was processing things at a level I didn't realize was possible. I could tell that somewhere in the distance a fire was burning, I caught a whiff of a heavy metallic scent and realized there was blood, and there even seemed to be a lingering scent from me in the air before my transformation. It was weird to think I was smelling myself, but at least I smelled good. I let myself smile wolfishly, and I realized immediately I had just made the worst pun in the world in my own mind.

Gathering my thoughts I started my adventure into the woods. I wasn't looking for anything particular, rather I was just grateful for the opportunity to enjoy some time where everything was simple, and all I had to worry about was finding my way back out of the woods before the sun set.

A few hours passed and I was on my way back to the castle grounds. My adventure had been rather unexciting. I had made sure to scratch some trees as I went so that I would be able to follow my path backwards. I had come across almost no other creatures, and certainly nothing dangerous. The treacherous paranoid part of me began wondering if Dumbledore made it illegal to go into the forest simply so students couldn't harvest their own ingredients for potions. I had seen it be dangerous only on two occasions and one was actually caused by Voldemort and not something in the forest.

I was definitely paranoid and looking for any excuse to be angrier at Dumbledore I realized. What the time alone in the woods had done for me though was provide me some time to think and I realized something very important. I needed to talk to Neville about Daphne and the baby. It had slipped my mind in the past months with everything else that had been going on, but I had never taken the time to fill my best friend in on what was really going on. I'd made excuses in the past and dodged the question but now that Dumbledore and Zabini both knew it seemed crazy that I'd be keeping it from someone that I actually trusted.

That was going to happen tonight, but I needed to let Daphne know first so that she could tell Tracey if she wanted. With that in mind I hurried my pace ever so slightly as I crossed the grounds. It was soon enough that I reached the door and felt the warmth of the castle come crashing down on me. I lifted my warming charm and quickly cast a drying charm on myself so I wouldn't drip on the floors and irritate Filch. I climbed the stairs, luckily only having to wait for one staircase, until I was standing outside the door to the Hospital Wing. I pushed it open and slipped inside once I was sure no one else was in the hall.

Madam Pompfrey came bustling out of her office to see who it was, but upon recognizing me she merely smiled and waved before going back into the room behind her. I was much earlier than normal, but I wanted to have time to talk to Neville outside of the common room before curfew. I was happy to see Daphne was awake when I pulled back the curtain that was shielding her from the rest of the wing. She turned and smiled when she saw it was me.

"You're early Harry, or did I just lose track of time?" she closed the book she had opened, but not before marking the page. I pulled up the chair next to her bed and grabbed one of her hands so that I could hold it between mine.

"No I'm just early. I've been doing a lot of thinking today and I needed to come see you." I realized right away I had said something wrong, or I assumed I did because Daphne started to tear up. And that was something I had rarely seen.

"Is this about us? The baby? Me? Is it because I'm not as pretty as I was because I swear when the pregnancy is over I'll be right back to being beautiful. Please don't leave Harry." I was shocked honestly. I knew that witches could get emotional during pregnancy but this was crazy. I couldn't help it and it was probably the worst reaction ever but I just laughed.

"Daphne calm down. This isn't anything like that. You're beautiful and I love you. This is about something completely different. Try to keep the emotions in check."

Her tears vanished in an instant only to be replaced by an angry glare. "Do not tell me to keep my emotions in check! I am totally fine and in control right now, but you just worried me with all your needed to see me and talk nonsense." She huffed and crossed her arms under her chest which only served to send me into another bout of laughter. When I finally stopped laughing after a minute I took a deep breath and was able to get serious and bring up the topic I really wanted to talk about.

"I want to, and am going to tell Neville tonight about this. I've been thinking about it for most of the day and it only makes sense. I hid it from him because we were afraid that Dumbledore might find out from our friends, but now that he knows it seems pointless to keep it from those who are close and we trust. I think you should tell Tracey to."

Daphne stared at me stoically for a few moments before slowly nodding her head. "You're right. I think it is time we tell them. Would you mind telling Tracey I'd like to see her tonight if she has the time? I would but I'm not allowed to leave here. "

I was glad it had been so simple to tell her and that she agreed. It made for one less complication or argument to get through. "Sure Daph. I'll send a note to her for you. I'm going to head out now, but I'll be back to see you tomorrow. Have a goodnight." I kissed her lightly on the lips and squeezed her hand once before leaving the hospital wing. I let Madam Pompfrey know I was going before I left though so that she wouldn't think I had overstayed.

I pulled the map from my bag and scanned it quickly looking for Neville. I found his dot still in the library with Hannah. Deciding to give them some more time to work I looked to see where Tracey was. Unfortunately she was in the dungeons, and more specifically in the Slytherin dorms. It only took me a minute or two to come up with a way of getting a message to Tracey. "Dobby!" I called out in the empty corridor.

A soft 'pop' and an excited squeal later and Dobby was wrapped around my ankles singing praises about the great Harry Potter.

"It's great to see you to Dobby, but I actually need you to help me get a message to someone and time is important. Can you deliver it for me?"

Dobby's eyes grew to the size of saucers at my request. "Oh yes Harry Potter sir! Dobby will be delivering the great Harry Potter's message right away!" I shook my head at the eccentric behavior of the elf, but nonetheless I quickly scribbled out that Daphne wanted to see her on a piece of parchment and handed it to Dobby.

"Okay thank you Dobby. I need you to take this to Tracey Davis. I think she's in the Slytherin dorms right now, and it's important no one else but her sees it."

With one final gush of praise and a salute Dobby disappeared with the note and I began making my way towards the library. I made sure to take my time on my way up to the library and try to gather my thoughts. I didn't know the best way to go about telling Neville that essentially I had been lying to him since the start of our new friendship. Especially since he had been so honest with me and supportive almost to a fault. There had never been any judgment from him and it was something that I now felt like I had taken for granted and maybe even abused.

Eventually I had dragged the short trip to the library out as long as possible and I was standing in front of the doors. I schooled my features into a calm mask that did not reflect my mix of emotions at all before pushing the door open and walking in. I did a quick survey of the room and easily located Neville at a table towards the back. I walked by a group of Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs studying together at a table and gave a small smile when I recognized some of my year mates.

Hannah spotted me first and gave a small wave to me in greeting which caused Neville to look up from his parchment. He smiled at me and quietly spoke. "Hey mate, thought you were done with your homework for the weekend. What brings you up here?"

I placed my hands on the back of one of the empty chairs and spoke while making sure to keep my voice soft so as to not incur the wrath of Madam Pince. "I am done. I actually came up here because I just said goodnight to Daphne, and I needed to speak with you, Neville, about something important."

"Well pull up a seat then and let's talk Harry. What's on your mind?" I squirmed uncomfortably because I knew this couldn't be done in front of Hannah but I didn't want to offend her.

"I'm sorry Nev, but I actually need to talk to just you. " I looked at Hannah and bowed my head a little so she would get that I was apologetic.

Hannah thankfully took it in stride. "Don't worry Harry; I understand sometimes blokes just need to talk to other blokes. Neville and I were pretty much done with our assignment anyway, so let's just clean up and then you two can go discuss this secret stuff." I smiled gratefully at Hannah for being understanding while Neville just gave me a perplexed stare but nodded along in agreement with what his girlfriend had said.

A few minutes later and Neville was following me up the stairs in silence. I figured the room of requirement was probably the best place for this discussion as it could provide some added privacy. Neville stayed silent the whole walk there and I was nervous I might spill everything in the hallway if I opened my mouth so we had just let the awkwardness build. I strode past the painting thinking of a room for us to sit in and after my third pass the door appeared. I opened it and gestured for Neville to go in.

He entered and I followed close behind him and shut the door. I cast all of my usual privacy wards and charms at the door just to make sure no one could over hear without us being aware. Then I walked towards the empty arm chair the room had provided for me while Neville settled into his. We dropped our bags and stared at each other for a moment.

It was Neville who spoke first though. "So what was so important you couldn't' say it in front of Hannah?"

I sighed one last time before starting. "I have been keeping secrets from you Neville, and it's time you know what they are."

"What are you talking about Harry? What have you not told me that you felt is so important you couldn't say it in front of Hannah?" The confusion was evident on Neville's face and in his voice as I looked at him.

"Daphne isn't in the hospital wing because she came down with a case of the dragon pox Neville. She's there for something completely different." I paused to see if he would cut in but when he stayed silent I continued. "Neville I know we weren't close before this summer, but now I consider you my best friend. Earlier this year before I had told you about Daphne and you were guessing I was meeting with someone, you were right. And yes it was in fact Daphne I had been sneaking out to meet with sometimes. Other times it was just to come here and be on my own or practice some spells that not everyone in this school would approve of me learning."

Neville still didn't seem to have any idea where I was going with this so I pushed onwards not giving him any time to interrupt. "What I haven't told you and what you don't know is that I actually met Daphne once last year. It was the night that Cedric died and Voldemort returned. When I finally got released that night I roamed the castle desperately trying to get lost and forget what had happened. I stumbled upon a room, at the time I thought it was by accident, and inside Daphne was waiting for me. "

I took a moment to collect my thoughts before continuing. "I was in a bad place. I broke down a lot that night, and Daphne confided to me that she was in a bad situation herself. Apparently she was set to be married off to that ponce Malfoy, but there was a stipulation I guess where if she wasn't pure then the marriage wouldn't happen." Finally a light of recognition shone in Neville's eyes as he started to guess at where I was going.

"Harry mate are you trying to tell me that Daphne is…and you're going to be…"

I nodded once. "Yeah mate. Daphne's pregnant and she's due very soon. I'm going to be a father within the month." I waited for the explosion to come, the anger at being kept out of something so important, of being lied to for so long. It never happened though.

"Well I guess congratulations are in order then aren't they? I am confused though, why did you say thought you found the room by accident, was it not one?"

I looked at Neville for any hint that he was angry or upset, but there was none and I mentally reminded myself that he wasn't like Ron and likely to fly off the handle at being kept out of the loop, or not knowing every little detail of my life. "Nev, first I can't tell you how much it means that you haven't gotten mad at me. I honestly expected you to be upset that I hadn't told you. And second yeah it wasn't an accident and neither was the pregnancy. Daphne had put a compulsion on me to make sure I found her that night and took a fertilization potion to ensure she would get pregnant."

I watched as Neville rubbed his temples probably trying to ease the headache this rush of information was causing. "So she put a compulsion on you so that she could get pregnant. Why? Was she just using you for your money or something Harry? How can you trust her now then if she tricked you into this?"

"Honestly, I didn't think I would actually be able to trust her again after I found out. Hell I didn't bloody want to trust her again. But then I had a long talk, a couple really, with Sirius and he made me realize that sometimes people do bad things for good reasons. In this case Daphne wasn't after my money or my fame. All she wanted was to get her family out of the war. They're currently living at Potter Manor and it's been warded by the goblins to be a fortress. They'll be allowed to remain there until after I defeat Voldemort and it's safe for them to go back to their house. "I checked quickly to make sure he was still following along. "So that made me realize that if Daphne was willing to go out and get pregnant to save her family then perhaps she would make a good mother. And I know what it is like to grow up without parents, you do to, I wouldn't wish that on any child. So I gave her a second chance to see if we could come to an agreement to at least work together, but then it just became more. Now here we are and honestly if I could go back and change it I wouldn't. Hannah was right when she said I was happier on the train before the holidays. I am and I don't ever want to go back to being the unhappy bastard I was before."

As I finished I stood up and started to walk around a bit. I was feeling better having confided in Neville and honestly I just didn't want to sit down anymore. It was a few minutes before Neville broke the silence that had filled the room. "I can understand why you didn't tell me Harry. It doesn't take a genius to realize that the more people who know the more likely it is to put Daphne in danger. I don't resent you for that, but I want you to know that if you had told me sooner you could have trusted me to keep it a secret. I value our friendship and everything you've done to help me these past few months more than I can rightfully express in words. But as the future Lord Longbottom I am swearing an oath on my magic and life right now." I whirled around to try and stop him when I heard the words but I wasn't fast enough. "I promise that house Longbottom will stand by house Potter in the coming war and any conflicts that may arise after it so long as I am the head of it. So mote it be. Do you accept my oath?"

I couldn't recall a time I had ever seen Neville more serious before. "I, Lord Potter, accept the future Lord Longbottom's oath of loyalty to my house and in kind I pledge the same to his house. So mote it be."

A tightness briefly constricted my chest and then passed as the magic accepted the oath. "So did we just make an unbreakable vow then?" Admittedly I wasn't too sure on how these worked.

"No this was just an oath made from our magic. For it to have been an unbreakable vow we would have needed a third party to be here and forcibly seal the vow into our core. Then our magic wouldn't have allowed us to break the vow even if we had been cursed or Imperiused. "

I nodded at the explanation. "So this one has a small loophole in it in case of imperius and potion induced control then? Good to know in case I ever need to betray you." I tried to joke but suddenly found a sharp pain in my stomach and winced.

Neville rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Yeah mate got to be careful now about things like that. Magic doesn't like to think it can be made a fool of and it will punish you. We both know you were joking, but magic is somewhat sentient and will send a message when it needs to."

I rubbed my abdomen where the pain had receded now and answered. "Doubly good to know that magic can't take a joke. Anyway now that we've had our bonding moment I feel it is appropriate to ask this. Neville when my child is born I was wondering if you would accept the role of godfather." It had been something I had thought about for a while, but honestly there was no one else I would want to be there for my child in case I couldn't.

He slugged me in my shoulder good-naturedly as he replied, "It's a good thing you asked because if you had chosen someone else I might have had to teach you a lesson about disrespecting me. Is it safe to assume that Tracey will be made the godmother then?"

"More than likely. Daphne is having this same conversation with Tracey right now. The only people who know her real condition and our situation are you, her, Dumbledore, Pompfrey, Sirius, her family and Sirius for obvious reasons, and Zabini."

Neville had been nodding his head along with each name I listed as if he had expected as much until I said Zabini. "What you mean to tell me you told Zabini before your best mate? I think I should be hurt here Harry."

"Please I didn't tell him anything it was some unfortunate and completely random circumstances that led to him discovering that Daphne is pregnant, but it's okay because I made a deal with him in return for his silence." We shared a laugh as I briefly recounted how exactly Zabini had found out what was going on.

"There is one more thing we should discuss before we head to the common room though. It's about the war that's coming. Once this child is born and I know Daphne and him/her are safe I'm going to kick things into high gear. Sirius has told me stories off the last war, and about the order of the phoenix and how they sit and wait for attacks to happen. That's not what I'm going to let happen this time."

"What are you going to do about it though, there is no way Dumbledore, and I'm assuming he's in charge of the phoenix club because…well…phoenix and all, is going to let you join or help."

I knew that and I had planned for it. "I'm not going to ask for Dumbledore's help and truthfully he wouldn't approve of some of the tactics I'm going to use. I'm limited by what I can do now because I'm here. So I'm going to start gathering information until the end of the year. I'll locate safe houses, local recruiting hotbeds, and find out the identities of all those who are known death eaters or pleaded that they were Imperiused last time. Then when this summer comes I'm going to inflict some damage. I'll use what I've been learning to create panic and make it harder for Voldemort to recruit. Right now he can sway people to him through fear, but if they think that there is someone else out there that is just as dangerous and can get to them it might force those who are on the fence to not join."

Neville eyed me warily and if I hadn't been prepared for that type of reaction I might have taken it poorly and have worried he would try and stop me. "Why are you telling me this Harry? What is it you want?"

"What I want is for you to help me do it. I have books with spells that honestly if we're going with the narrative of dark and light magic they fall on the dark side. I've been learning them and perfecting them since the end of summer. Sirius is going to help me, but there is only so much he can do as a fugitive right now. I could use a second wand with me this summer when I start my strikes."

"It's not that I don't want to help you Harry, but I'm just not sure I'm comfortable with using that type of magic. I don't judge you for doing it and part of me knows that you are right of course, but also I'm not sure I can personally venture down that path and come back from it. Also I have the restrictions on me for magic and wouldn't be able to cast without alerting the ministry."

I cursed in my head having completely over looked that important detail when coming up with this idea in the first place. There had to be a way around it though. "I'll have Kreacher search the Black family library for a way around the restriction. I'm not asking you to commit to this today, but I wanted to let you know what I had planned and I'm just asking you to think on it. Because there truly are only a handful of people I would trust right now to go into a fight with."

"I know Harry and I will think about it, but it's a lot. This whole evening has been a lot to take in honestly. And right now I just want to head back to the dormitory and get some sleep and then try to process everything tomorrow after I'm rested and have eaten."

I laughed and agreed with Neville as I could start to feel the beginning stages of exhaustion setting in. Probably some combination of the emotional work up I had to this meeting and the magic oath taking its toll on me. I undid the spells on the door and together we walked back to Gryffindor tower. It wasn't long before we were both in bed and preparing to sleep, and honestly I felt much better knowing that I wasn't going to be in the fight alone. Despite what Neville had said earlier I knew he would eventually come around and stand by me. With that thought in my mind I laid my head on my pillow and let the darkness take me away.

It'd been five days since I had Neville and Daphne had indeed told Tracey. I didn't even make it to breakfast the morning after she found out before Tracey had cornered me in the hall with a feral grin.

FLASHBACK

I had gotten up early per my usual routine and was walking towards the doors to the great hall when out of nowhere someone appeared and blocked my path. I cringed a little when I saw that it was Tracey and the smirk/smile she was giving me promised that I wasn't going anywhere until she had her fun. Not wanting to do this where we could be over heard I made a gesture for her to follow me down a hall and into an empty room.

"Go ahead Tracey get it out of your system because I know you're dying to let it out."

She pouted at me a little. "Don't you try and ruin this for me by making it sound like a Gryffindor thing to do. All this time I've been teasing you about Daphne needing to get laid so she could focus more, and what do you know? You went ahead and knocked her up last year!" Then the happiness was gone.

"Honestly if she hadn't explained everything to me last night we'd be having a very different conversation right now Harry. I'd be threatening to do all sorts of nasty things to your family jewels. But seeing as how I can tell you actually care for her this just becomes an opportunity for me to tease you two more." I reflexively moved a hand in front of my crouch when she had mentioned doing damage, but relaxed as she finished her statement.

"Well I thank you for not doing 'nasty things' to me and I'm sure Daphne will appreciate it at some point in the future too." I added a cheeky wink just for good measure causing Tracey to burst out laughing.

"Oh you are a right bugger Harry. I can tell you're going to be good together. Maybe I should have seen it before, but honestly I didn't know until recently if you two were really a thing or just trying to force something that wasn't. Now I'm glad we had this little chat, but let's get food! I'm starving." And I was just left to shake my head as I watched her turn and head out the door presumably to go to the great hall.

END FLASHBACK

Overall the encounter had gone much better than I could have hoped for. The term days had been moving quickly and without much going on. It was strange that have such an eventful, but yet quiet year at Hogwarts. It made me slightly uneasy and had me a tad bit paranoid that something was coming that I had overlooked.

Umbridge's classes were still useless and terrible, and as a result I had taken to meeting with the original group that had followed me out of the room to practice when I could. We had similar schedules and were able to meet for an hour or two twice a week so that was what we had agreed upon. Progress was slow, but the goal was to perfect the techniques that we had been taught in years previous so that on the OWLs we would be able to perform anything asked.

Currently I was on my way to my detention with Professor McGonagall. Truthfully with each lesson I had with her my respect for the women grew more and more. I could see why Sirius and my dad had liked her so much now. She was strict, but an excellent instructor. She had started me on conjuring and I had quickly taking a liking to it. There was just something intriguing about being able to create something from seemingly nothing. Living matter was much harder to conjure so we had started on inanimate objects. I had successfully done bricks, matches, a stool, a chair, a wardrobe, and other various items. Tonight would be my first attempt at conjuring a living creature though. I was told we would be starting small with something like a mouse.

Before long I reached the door to her office and knocked waiting for the customary 'come in' from the other side. I gently pushed the door open and then shut it behind me. "Good evening Professor." I said brightly as I approached her desk and took my seat across from her.

"Good evening to you as well Mr. Potter" was the reply I received, "I can tell you are excited and so we shall not waste any time. Let us begin right now with your first attempt, here," she pulled a cage out of her desk containing a small white mouse, "is what I want you to replicate. You have two minutes to memorize this mouse in detail and then you will be attempting to conjure a duplicate from memory only."

I wasted no time as I turned the cage and observed every minute detail using my occlumency to commit it to memory. I had progressed far into my study of the mind arts since the beginning of the year and now it was much easier to commit and recall details. The two minutes went fast and the cage was banished leaving me nothing but an empty desk top to work on. I looked up at McGonagall to get the go ahead and a tiny nod was all I received so I took a deep breath and brought the image of the mouse to the front of my mind.

"Desculpo." I was saying the spell allowed because it would help give me a little more control in the early stages. Eventually I would move to silent casting but for now this would do. My thoughts were stopped though when I looked down and saw that I had created a mess.

Instead of a white mouse on the desk there were some furry legs and a tail that looked to be severed.

"You let your mind wander while you were casting the spell Mr. Potter. As a result your magic could not complete the conjuration. However for you to even achieve results on the first try is impressive. DO it again and focus this time."

So the process began of me repeating the spell over and over each time making it slightly further. An hour had passed soon enough and finally I had produced a full living mouse with all its parts intact. McGonagall was impressed and had praised me, but my joy didn't last long as I watched the mouse fade away into nothing.

"Professor what just happened? Where did the mouse go?" I wasn't sure if she had banished it or something else entirely.

"What you have just witnessed is a conjuration failing. If you recall from your reading and our initial discussions conjurations are not permanent unless they are bonded with a runic magic. This is a very complicated process to learn, but once you have it down it becomes second nature due to the repetition you will have put in to perfect the skill. Since you seem to be, as I've said before, a prodigy in the field of transfiguration I say it's safe to assume you'll grasp the technique quickly. Now watch as I draw the rune for you and then watch how I incorporate it into my conjuration."

And so I did as I was instructed and watched as she traced a runic symbol on a piece of parchment from her desk. Without a word she passed it to me to start studying. I looked over every curve and chain in the rune making sure not to miss anything. Then I watched as she lifted her wand and began to conjure. A white mouse similar to the one I had created appeared however I watched as instead of dropped her wand McGonagall added a few quick movements of her wand and then flicked it at the mouse. A pale purple glow emanated from a spot just above the left hind leg of the mouse and I found myself curious.

I reached out to grab the mouse and inspect the spot. I was amazed when I moved the fur to find a tiny version of the rune on the parchment now etched into the skin of the mouse. "This is incredible, but you didn't trace the rune in the air with your wand, did you? It didn't seem like enough strokes."

She nodded. "Very perceptive of you Mr. Potter I in fact only did three strokes as I have been working on a way to make conjuring permanently much more time effective. It has been my life's work since I first earned my mastership in the field. Now I am going to teach you how to do it in hopes of not only providing further proof for my new theory, but also in expediting your learning process. This is a two fold situation and a win-win for both of us."

I hadn't ever stopped to think about or wonder if any of the professors had side projects they worked on, but now hearing this it made sense that they would. It was incredible to think that someone so proficient was teaching me, and I might have never known if not for Daphne. Almost as if on cue or might thoughts had summoned her, suddenly the fireplace lit up and Madam Pomfrey's head appeared.

"Minerva I'm sorry to interrupt and I know Mr. Potter is currently serving detention, but he is needed in the hospital wing now."

All at once I had a rush of emotions. Nervousness, trepidation, worry, elation, and panic. I didn't know what to feel at the moment as I knew there could only be one reason for Madam Pomfrey to be pulling me from detention and demanding I come to the hospital wing. I grabbed my bag from the floor and swung it over my shoulder as I stood up. "I'm sorry to cut this short Professor but I have to go. I'll make up for it next time I'll come early or something. Thank you again!" I shouted the last part as I ran out the door and down the hall.

I made it to the hospital wing in what seemed like record time. And that was truly saying something considering how many times I'd been rushed here for life threatening injuries. I burst through the doors not paying any mind to whomever else was in the beds of the hospital wing. All my caution had gone out the window. I crossed the room in no time and was soon behind the curtain shielding Daphne from the view of the other patients.

Daphne was wide awake and sitting up in her bed. Sweat was dripping from her forehead and her face was scrunched up in pain. I moved to her side and grabbed her hand. I had read in the book that Sirius had gotten that it was common for women in labor to grab onto someone else's hand and squeeze as it helped them focus less on the pain they were in during a contraction. The bloody book didn't mention that it would be like a vice grip on my hand though. I managed not to wince though and tried to offer some words of encouragement.

"Hey Daph, its okay I'm here now and I'm with you. I love…"

"Potter if you don't shut your mouth I'm going to do it for you! This is your entire fault I'm like this! You're never going to touch me again when this is over!" I was trying really hard not to laugh, but it just wasn't working. The book had mentioned this part to, and I was suddenly feeling really grateful to Sirius for such a wonderful guide.

Madam Pomfrey chose that moment to speak up from the other side of the bed. "Her contractions are much closer together now than they have been all day. Her water broke early this afternoon, but I didn't want to alert you until it would be almost time for delivery. And judging by the contractions and dilation Ms. Greengrass is experiencing right now it will only be another hour at most, but probably much less."

Once she finished talking Daphne let out a hiss as another contraction hit her and she clamped down on my hand again. "Isn't there anything you can do to take her pain away?" I was amazed that it seemed like even with magic the birthing process was going to be painful.

Madam Pomfrey tsk'd at me before answering. "It is possible to dull the pain, but it is only normally done with women who have a second pregnancy." "Fat chance of that happening!" Daphne interjected. "Because then they know what to expect and can help the healer identify problems or abnormalities. If I dull Miss Greengrass now it's going to also dampen the pain, but also some other areas and if there are any complications I want to know."

I just nodded along not having seen any mention of anything in my book, and trusting the matron's expertise in this particular area. "Have you told her parents yet?" I received a shake of the head in response and wasn't sure if I should right now. On one hand they would probably want to know. On the other hand I didn't want the extra attention of Daphne's family running into the hospital wing late at night to check on someone who was supposedly cured. I decided it was just best to wait to tell everyone until after the baby had come.

I stayed mostly silent choosing to just utter a few words of comfort every now and then. Daphne had stopped yelling at me now and was completely focused on what was happening, and rightfully so. She was following Poppy's instructions as she gave them, breathe and push, breathe and push, over and over. The matron had positioned herself at the bottom of the bed and between Daphne's legs so that she could help guide the baby.

Time just seemed to slow down for me. This moment right now was what I had been preparing for. No more was it just talk but I was going to have to step up and take responsibility for what I had done and for my child.

"Oh the baby is crowning! It won't be long now. You're doing wonderful Miss Greengrass just keep breathing and pushing. You're almost through it."

I frowned quizzically. "What is crowning? Is that a good thing?"

Without looking up Madam Pompfrey answered me, "Yes Mr. Potter it is a good thing. It means that the child's head has started to come out. Hence crowning, as in the crown of the head. It's much easier if the child comes out head first and lowers the risk of any complications tremendously. I hope you're ready to be a father because the shoulders are almost out and once that happens I can carefully pull the baby the rest of the way."

I took a look and was surprised to see a tiny head and neck already exposed and then sure enough the tops of the shoulders. I couldn't look away as I saw Madam Pomfrey reach up and gently grab on each of the collar bones and start to pull back. It looked like there was a tiny bit of resistance at first, but then the baby, my child, seemed to slide out all at once.

I barely took notice as she set to work cleaning the baby and snipping the umbilical cord. I noticed with interest that she did it the muggle way and not with magic, but all of that was just merely after thoughts. Madam Pomfrey finished what she was doing and wrapped the baby in a blanket. I watched as she walked around the bed and came over to where I was standing. Daphne was pale, but had stopped yelling from the pain and was not adjusting herself to sit up in the bed. She had almost stopped the death drip on my hand which I was silently grateful for.

"Here you are Miss Greengrass, Mr. Potter." And she handed the bundle of blankets to Daphne who gingerly accepted it and held it tight to her chest. "Congratulations on your first child, a beautiful and healthy baby girl. I'm going to prepare for the after care for you and the child and give you a few minutes alone together. When I come back I'll also have the birth certificate so I hope you have a name picked out." She eyed us critically before turning and steeping out of the curtain that hid us from view.

I pulled over the chair that was near the bed and sat down so I could be at a closer level. For a moment neither of us said anything we just looked at our child in amazement. I broke the silence though. "So what are we going to call her Daph?"

She looked up at me briefly before quickly looking back down at our daughter. "I've been thinking about that and it's not a name we discussed, but I really like Alexa, and we can call her Lexa for short. It's a powerful name; Roman in origin and comes from Alexander who was a strong ruler. I think it's perfect for our daughter. She is going to have her father's strength and leadership and the intelligence and ingenuity of her mother."

"Alexa Potter. I like the sound of that honestly. I don't know that we even need the middle name. If you're happy with it then so am I." We shared a smile and then looked at Lexa. As we did she started to make some noise. Not much at first but then it gradually got louder. I threw a silencing charm at the curtains just to be safe so no one else would overhear.

"I think she's hungry. I'm going to feed her Harry." I nodded and just leaned back in my seat to give Daphne some space to adjust and move. She adjusted the blouse she had on to expose her breast and then moved Lexa to it who grabbed on hungrily and began sucking.

"It's real now, ya know? Everything we've been talking about and planning for these months. It's kind of surreal now that it's here. I'm not really sure where to begin now. Like I read that bloody book but nothing can prepare you one hundred percent for the reality of this."

Daphne hmm'ed in agreement. "I know. It's real and it's not going to be easy for us, but if I could go back and change it. I don't think I would Harry. This has turned into so much more than just a convenience. I want Lexa, I want you, and I want us to be a family."

I reached up and squeezed her shoulder before leaning over and kissing her forehead. "And we're going to be a family. We're going to make sure Alexa knows love and happiness growing up. She won't have to grow up with the fear that the wizarding world knows now."

Tears came to Daphne's eyes and I gently wiped away the few stray ones that rolled down her cheek. "I love you Harry. I know you have a big responsibility outside of this, but I want you to know that I'm going to be there for you. I'll support you know matter what through this. "

I didn't get to respond though as Madam Pomfrey chose that moment to come back through the curtains. She was holding a tray of potions in one hand and a parchment in the other.

"Potions first, then paperwork. Miss Greengrass these two," she set the tray down on the table next to me before picking up two vials. "are for you to take. They will help with post-partum depression and also any lingering aches or weakness that might result from your pregnancy. I'm also going to advise you that there is no shortcut to lose the pregnancy weight. Although you have not gained much comparatively there are some people who try and use potions to cheat their way back to their previous bodies. Not only will this not work, but it is dangerous and if I find out you try that I will move to have your custody revoked. Do you understand?" Daphne nodded quickly with wide eyes.

"Good now the rest of these are for your daughter. Have you thought of a name for her yet?" Madam Pomfrey looked back and forth between the two of us waiting for an answer.

"Yes, we've decided to name her Alexa." I spoke up first but Daphne voiced it only seconds after me.

Madam Pomfrey nodded. "It's a beautiful name. I'm glad you had the forethought to actually have a name picked out. Now as I was saying these potions are for her. They are basic vaccinations against an array of magical illnesses. They'll help keep her protected while her core is manifesting through childhood. Once she reaches age 11 the potions will no long be effective since that is when a child's core is deemed fit to protect the body and fight sickness on its own."

There were five potions in all and it was a minor hassle to get Alexa to stop feeding long enough to take them, but eventually it was done. Afterwards Alexa seemed content though and chose to snuggle into her blankets and close her eyes.

"Well I'm almost done with you two, I just need both of your signatures on this birth certificate and then we'll be set. However I should give you a heads up the Headmaster is outside the curtain and so is your family Miss Greengrass. I daresay they will be in an soon as I give them the go ahead." We nodded and thanked her for the warning. I signed first before passing the quill and parchment to Daphne.

"Harry can you hold Alexa for me while I sign?" I froze. It felt like a million thoughts were running through my head but I couldn't stop myself from nodding slowly. What if I panicked? What if she woke up and started crying because she hated me? What if I dropped her?

Nonetheless I fought hard to squash the doubts and gently slid my arms under the bundle of blankets being careful to move it as little as possible so that Alexa could continue to sleep. I admit it was awkward at first. I've never held a baby before and it took me a little adjusting to find a position that looked comfortable for her and me. But after doing so and looking down to see my daughter in my warms all those previous doubts I had washed away.

Daphne finished signing the certificate and Madam Pomfrey took it back from her before saying one more congratulations and leaving the curtain again. Almost as soon as she did though Dumbledore came through followed by Daphne's family and to my surprise a large black, shaggy dog. Once they were all safely inside the curtain Sirius transformed back.

It was Dumbledore that somehow managed to speak first although Daphne's mother looked like she wanted to cut him off.

"Mr. Potter, Miss Greengrass let me congratulate you on the birth of your daughter. I know your family and guardian are eager to celebrate this tremendous moment and share in your joy, so I won't keep you much longer. I just wanted to let you know that the castle does have what are known as maternity suites. Miss Greengrass with your permission I will have a house elf move your things into one. Inside the suite you will find a much better set up for caring for your daughter."

Daphne looked at them man, and I assumed she was deciding whether or not to trust him or not. "Thank you headmaster that sounds lovely."

"Splendid, I shall see to it that your stuff is moved right away then. Also before I go, may I ask what you have chosen to name your daughter?"

I answered this time. "Alexa. Thank you for stopping by headmaster, but I think Daphne's mother would like to congratulate her daughter now. If you have any more questions than I would be happy to answer them for you later." I knew I was a bit formal and terse, but at the moment I just wanted the man to leave so we could go back to enjoying the moment.

Dumbledore didn't get to respond though as Daphne's mother seemed to have had enough. "Oh she's precious. Harry may I hold her for a minute? "

I was torn between not wanting to give up my daughter so soon and knowing that it would only be for a minute or two. I looked to Daphne for help who just smirked at me almost like she was reading my thoughts. I sighed internally, but plastered a small smile on my face on the outside. "Sure Mrs. Greengrass. " I carefully helped place Alexa in her arms before stepping back.

Sirius slung his arm around my shoulder. "I'm proud of you pup. Also this is now the second Potter baby I've seen.

"Thanks Sirius, not just for what you said though. Thank you for being here in general. I know it's a risk for you anytime you go out, so it means a lot that you'd take the trip. But how did any of you know to come tonight? Daphne and I hadn't had the chance to contact anyone." I had my suspicions about it but I wanted Sirius to confirm it.

"Poppy must have told Dumbledore and he then contacted us. He used Fawkes to bring us here, said it would cause less of a scene in case a prefect saw us coming through the halls at this hour and all." It made sense. I didn't like the man particularly much but it wasn't like he was dumb. Sirius and I looked on as each member of Daphne's family took turns holding Alexa. Even Astoria managed to hold her for a little before her arms got tired. I'm not sure how much time passed but eventually everyone was saying their goodbyes.

Daphne was now holding the sleeping Alexa and I escorted everyone out of the curtained off area. Madam Pomfrey let them use her fireplace to call Dumbledore who returned with Fawkes to escort them out. Once they were gone I returned back to the chair beside Daphne's bed.

"Harry I'm pretty tired. Do you think you could transfigure a crib or a basinet so that we could place Alexa in it to sleep?"

I nodded and slipped my wand out. I decided to transfigure my chair because it was already roughly the same size and would be a little easier. A few spells later and there was a small, rocking basinet in the place of the chair. I had also applied a charm on it so that it would gently rock back and forth on its own. I picked up Alexa from Daphne's arms and set her down in it. I leaned down and kissed her head, "Sleep well Lexa. Daddy loves you."

I placed one final spell on the basinet, a proximity alarm that would sound if anyone tried to reach in the basinet. I wasn't taking any type of chance with this. Daphne nodded when she saw what I was doing.

"Harry will you lay here and hold me? It's been so long and I miss falling asleep with you." I smiled and shed my outer robe and shoes so that I was just in regular clothes and then transfigured them into more appropriate sleeping garments. I moved to the other side of the bed and got in. I slipped my one arm around Daphne's waist and the other under the pillow supporting her head. We shared a quick kiss goodnight before rolling over so that we could face the basinet and then drifting into a peaceful and well deserved sleep.