Sensing Magic
by Teddylonglong

Please refer to chapter 1 for my disclaimer and warnings. Thank you.

Following his father's advice, Harry concentrated on his healing magic and his own body that needed it. He did not know how much time had passed, when Hermione's voice suddenly penetrated his ears.

"Oh Harry, wake up soon. I really need your help and encouragement, so that I can manage to get my second Animagus form. I really want to change into some kind of cat to be able to play together with Crookshanks. Can you believe that he's jealous of Teddy, because I spend so much time with him? I mean, he's my boyfriend after all, and he's just amazing, no matter if he's in his human form or just his elven self. Now, I'm going to travel home tonight to spend Christmas with my parents, but I'll be back for the Yule Ball tomorrow night, and I hope that you'll be up and about by then. I really miss you."

"Mione," Harry whispered, slowly moving his hand to caress Lucy's ears.

"Harry! You're awake!"

Harry smiled at the ecstatic girl. "Thanks for talking to me even if I wasn't."

"Did you hear what I said?"

"I heard you, and I'm really happy that Teddy finally got around to ask you to become his girlfriend. I know that he wanted to do that for ages. As to the second Animagus form, you'll manage. Perhaps, I'll try for a cat next, too."

"Oh Harry, that would be amazing. Wait, let me fetch your parents. They'll be so happy that you're all right."

'I just hope the rest of my friends won't make such a fuss,' Harry thought, as he cuddled Lucy close, smiling when the canine let out a series of sounds clearly expressing her joy.

The same happiness was shared by Felix and Eileen, who stormed into the room instants later, slowly followed by his parents.

HP

"The typical fifth-year student," Severus drawled. "Too lazy to attend classes but ready to wake up on time for Christmas presents."

"Sev!" Regina playfully slapped his father's arm.

"Daddy unnice," eighteen-month-old Eileen commented.

"Always." Four-year old Felix gravely nodded his head.

"Is not!" Harry glared at his younger siblings, only to jerk up in shock. "What? It's Christmas? I need to make presents for everyone. Sorry, Felix and Eileen, I need to go to the lab."

"No!" Harry could not help grinning at his siblings' upset expressions, and gratefully nodded at his mother's suggestion.

"Why don't you just give everyone one dose of your brilliant fresh-and-go potion? I trust that you have a large enough stock, so that you won't have to brew them on Christmas Eve."

"That's a good idea." Harry cast Regina a grateful look, ignoring his father's feigned groan, mumbling something sounding like "Imagine a hyper group of fifth-years roaming the castle after curfew."

"You don't even have to send your gifts by owl, as all your friends are going to return to Hogwarts to attend the Yule Ball tomorrow," Regina said in a soothing voice.

Harry cast her a horrified look. "I don't even have a date."

Severus quirked an eyebrow. "You don't believe that Miss Lovegood would abandon you so quickly, just because you decided to sleep for a few weeks?"

'Luna, will you accompany me to the Yule Ball tomorrow night?'

'Harry! You're awake! Of course, I'll always be your date.'

"It seems to have been worth teaching her telepathy." Severus smirked at Harry's broad grin.

"Yes, thank you for that. She told me she'd always be my date. Oh, that reminds me, I wanted to give her some kind of promise ring or friendship ring or such. But where can I get such a thing on Christmas Eve?"

His parents exchanged a glance, before Regina was the first to reply. "We could go to Gringotts and have a look at our vaults. I am sure that you'll find a pair of rings, which you could use."

"Thanks, Mum. Yes please." Harry slowly pushed Lucy and his siblings aside to get out of bed. "Can we go right away?"

"No. First of all, we're going to have dinner, and then, we'll have to find someone to look after Felix and Eileen. Perhaps, my sister will be willing to do so." Regina's voice was firm.

"No! Ei go wif!"

"I can stay with Lucky."

"Cicero!" When the elf arrived, grinning happily at the sight of Harry being awake, Felix immediately informed him that he wished to stay with Lucky during the evening.

"Of course, Felix," Cicero replied, giving Severus a questioning look.

"Felix, don't you want to eat dinner first?"

"No, Mum, I can eat with Lucky."

"Thanks, Cicero." Harry smiled. "I'll come by later on to fetch him and say hello to Misty and Teddy."

With a nod from the relatively tall elf, Cicero and Felix were gone.

"Harry, could you ask Rebecca if she can come over for a moment? I believe that she's something to tell you anyway."

"Of course." Harry gave his mother a reassuring nod, before he thought to his Unspeakable colleague. 'Hi Felina, Regina asks if you could come over for a moment.'

His adoptive aunt's reaction was immediate. 'Harry! Oh, I am so glad to have you back. We missed you a lot. I'll be there in a moment.'

"She'll be here in an instant," Harry explained, just when the fireplace flared and Rebecca stepped out, causing him to wonder why she had not simply popped over.

While Regina explained everything to Rebecca, Severus headed to the fireplace. "I shall call Minerva and tell her the good news along with an apology for not attending dinner in the Great Hall tonight."

"Thanks, Dad.

"Hi Eileen, will you come and have dinner with me and Uncle Artemis tonight? I'll tell you everything about your new cousin."

Eileen nodded, as she stood in front of her aunt, stretching both arms into the air to allow herself to be picked up.

Harry's eyes narrowed. "Sorry, Rebecca, but what did I miss? New cousin?" When he gave his aunt a close look, he realised two things. "You finally married. That's why you're wearing a ring, and you're pregnant. I can sense her magic."

"Her?" Rebecca stared at him, wide-eyed. "Oh, Regina, leave it to your son to know more than everyone else."

"Congrats, Rebecca. I am so very happy for you."

"Thanks, Harry. Oh, that reminds me… Are you willing to become her godfather?"

Harry grinned, broadly. "Of course. It'll be my pleasure to teach her all the secrets of Hogwarts."

"Secrets?" Severus quirked an eyebrow, as he returned from his chat with Minerva.

"While I was in the coma, I sometimes heard voices, among them Hogwarts, who taught me many things about secret passages and such."

Severus cast him a glare. "Well, I hope you'll feel inclined to share one or the other secret with your professors."

Harry chuckled. "Sorry, but no chance, Dad. Please ask me again, after I finish my seventh year."

tbc...

Thank you so very much for the kind reviews for the previous chapter.