Author's Note:
Reviews and Comments: To briana_t: Thank you! It's what I was going for. To Masonjar191: The dinner was amazing! Thanks for loving their game of Pictionary and yup, Bas totally named his cat after Wood. Thank you! To Potterm1997: Thank you! To shuweet: I love hearing that it was adorable and like a warm hug! You are very welcome! Thank you! To AQuickRead91: Thank you! To marauders_mowopapr: Thanks for loving the bit about Oliver. Yes, Ginny's last tryout is close to the Battle of Hogwarts according to canon. And yes, baby Teddy is coming soon! I think Hermione knows that Ron would find her parents for her to make sure they were all right if she died in the battle. If she dies, Ron would find her parents to make sure they were all right, but not give them back their memories — it's what Hermione would want. I love that you're suspicious of Hermione, McGonagall, Tonks, and Zee dying. Thank you! To CorbanD17: Yes, chapter 183, The One With the Coconut Smell, thank you marauders_mowopapr for answering. Thank you. To BadWolfKris: Thank you! To TatiRena: I know, right? LOL. Thank you! To coolshaurya: I'm sorry to hear you are getting bored with the smut. I personally think our characters deserve some happiness and loads of smut before all hell breaks loose. Thank you for your review. To reginaphalange: Thank you! I thought it was needed. You think I'm getting ready to build another major catastrophe? Haha, that's fair…
To katelyn453: Thank you! There will definitely be more Hinny smut. I'm glad you enjoyed the double date with Theo and Bas. No, that was all of their weekend at Clevedon Court. To Bellmel: Yes, I think Hinny and Romione did enjoy this chapter lol. I love showing Harry be so incredibly supportive of Ginny, he is just as excited as she is and she one hundred percent deserves all of that support and more. Yes, timing is different in ASC land lol. Technically Theo and Bas have been secretly flirting for almost eight months, but they kissed in January for the first time and it's only April now… still new. I'm glad you love Jin! She's fun and you will see more of her around. Yes, Clark was stupid and I want to show that as confident as Sebastian his, he's been hurt in love before and it kind of shook him in more ways than he's willing to admit aloud. Theo is helping him through that. Haha, yes Hinny and Theobas approve of each other lol. I love the idea of Sebastian fanboying over Oliver Wood despite having the Chosen One over for dinner lol. And yes — that's exactly why! When Bas found and saved kitty Oliver he was a keeper! Thank you!
To ravenclaw_rockchick: Thank you! What a beautiful review! I'm glad to know that if I start the chapter off with Hinny smut it makes you're whole day. I know, can you imagine if someone had been in the room? This is a good point… unless Ginny just stops wearing knickers? 😏 You don't think Ginny will play for the Canons? But it's Ron's dram lol. Thanks for loving my Romione scene and nope, they were definitely their current school ties lol. Aww, Theo charming a teddy bear to smell like Bas is adorable! I love knowing I make people paranoid when I provide happy chapters! Theo would definitely love fireman calendars (I know I do) 😏. Ha, I totally do imagine annoyed/angry house elves are like cats sometimes. Shirtless cooking would definitely make everything better, but Harry wasn't falling for it lol. That's the only way to play Pictionary really lol. Aww, thanks for loving my Theo and Harry bromance, but I love Harry and Ron more lol. Not a waste of sauce for them haha. Thank you very much!
To gemini614: I'm glad the wrong stairs comment made you laugh! It's fun showing that Bas is a bit overwhelmed by Norfolk sometimes. Thank you! To darkhk: Thanks for squealing with joy! To Katie2001: Aww, thanks for saying it's the best date scene ever! To scrappy8: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the date night! To alix33: Thank you! To akshutalankar: It's totally true, Harry and Sebastian cooking with their cuffs rolled — very hot. Yes, we are nearing the end game more and more. Thank you very much! To Nuno Neves: Thank you! I love Harry being so happy for his girlfriend that he loses his mind. He just wants to celebrate with her. I liked giving Romione a moment like that, where you can see the confidence they have with each other. Theo and Bas are perfect for each other and I loved having Sebastian thank Kiki. Harry being embarrassed and teased over having a big cock is always a necessity lol. Thank you very much! To Sets: Yes, Sebastian has now met Harry and kind of knows who he is outside of the Chosen One. That was one of my favourite lines when Hermione tells Ron he is an arse, so thank you! To Slaidback: Ha, incognito mode lol. Thank you! To Emma Janet: Ginny is planning to return to Hogwarts for seventh year. If Ron and Hermione survive the final battle, we will see what their plans are. Thank you!
To Cassiopeia Anastasia Black: Thanks for loving the date and the fluff! Yes, darkness is coming soon! To ellyann13: Ginny will inform her family before they go to the prefect's bath, yes. Ron and Hermione are realizing their future needs to be planned. Anything with Theo is pretty much X-rated lol. Thank you! To the Mandalorian terminator: Ron and Hermione are planning on moving in together (if they survive) and thanks for loving the double date! To EnigmaticEmperor: Ginny definitely deserves all of the praise. Thanks for loving how I portray Hinny and their support of each other. Yes, Theo never felt equal with Finn and he never realized that until he sees it now with Sebastian. The double date was a way for them to bond and to get a break from the darkness. Sebastian naming his cat Oliver was just too cute to pass up. Thank you! To ascfan: My favourite HP book is Prisoner of Azkaban and Half-Blood Prince. I read cursed child, but the only thing I like from it is the friendship of Albus and Scorpius. Thank you so much! To Sirenstrong0617: Thank you! To pix25: Thank you! To Mutt N Feathers: Thank you! To Saz J: Yes, I did make a vibrating spell, priorities, Saz, priorities lol. I feel like Hermione is only confident like that in front of Ron (in terms of sexually not intellectually). Thanks for loving the double date and naughty Pictionary! To puttyman24: Harry and Ginny are definitely amazing together! Thank you!
To Guest: Yes, Harry considers Remus his uncle/father, however, his relationship with Remus and Tonks is very different from Sirius and Zee. He grew up with Tonks as an older sister type vibe and as they've grown, despite her marrying Remus, he still sees her like this. When he was eleven, she told him she was going to make him godfather of her baby with Remus and when it happened, she wanted to honour that. With Mina and Leo, he sees them more as siblings because he considers Zee his mum. He will of course have a brotherly vibe with Teddy as well, but he will also feel more responsible for Teddy because he was given the role of godfather. Thank you! To Briana: Aww, I love that you hate waiting weekly and try to binge the chapters. I'm honoured! I will say, there is only 19 more chapters to go! Thank you! Oh, I have an original story written but who knows if I will ever be brave enough to publish it. Thank you! To Gigi87: Harry's reaction to Ginny was sweet and wholesome, thank you! I love him being turned on by her success and just so damn proud of her and excited for her. I think if Ron was offered a chance to play for the Canons he would definitely abandon Harry in the Auror field lol. But I don't think Ron is good enough to play professional Quidditch. He doesn't have the drive or passion for it like Ginny does. Thank you for saying Hermione putting on that show for Ron shows off her confidence and comfortable level with Ron, I agree. She's very confident and comfortable in her intellect, but sexually, she's learning to take charge (and I think she likes it, we know Ron does) 😉. Theo was definitely turned on by Sebastian's teaching in the martial arts. Harry and Ginny are very competitive and make such a great team together in everything they do. I love knowing Sebastian naming his cat after Wood was a surprise. Thank you for loving my version of Hinny! Thank you! To CherrySara: Thanks for loving the double date!
My posting schedule: Weekly.
Thanks to Dusk for her amazing editing skills.
As always, thank you very much for reading and please, please review!
Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!
CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED AND FORTY-ONE:
The One Where It's Not A Prank
Rossi and Bellarosa had spent the last few weeks doing as much research as possible on the mythical Deathly Hallows. Bellatrix and Belladonna had taken over the role of the Elder Wand so Rossi and Bellarosa were left with the Resurrection Stone. The Dark Lord had no interest in something like a Cloak of Invisibility and deemed it unnecessary to bother with when there were such other important matters at hand.
The Resurrection Stone was steeped in so much myth and controversy that it was hard to make headway of fact from fiction. It was rumoured to possess the power to raise the dead, to bring back a loved one from the grave, and to even put their soul back into their body. But it was necromancy at its finest and more dangerous than was wise. Stories over the centuries talked about people coming back as worse than dead, as Inferi or as soulless monsters. One tale even told of someone returning wrong, the yin to their yang not properly balanced and causing them to become a darker version of themselves, forced to be killed and put back in their grave for the safety of others.
No. Nothing good ever came from resurrecting the dead.
But the stone itself was still considered a treasure unlike any other.
"It looks like ebony and shines like a black diamond," Bellarosa said, trailing her long red fingernails over the etched drawing of the stone. "Shiny and sparkly. I bet it's worth millions."
Rossi's lips curved. "I don't know if that's the kind of stone I would consider worth having."
"A black diamond of this magnitude… it's almost unheard of. It's no wonder the stone has vanished, if a jeweller knew of its existence… it would make fabulous earrings."
He looked over at her in wonder. Sometimes, he really didn't understand her and yet, he knew exactly the kind of vanity she possessed.
"Would you like a pair of black diamond earrings, mi amour?"
She smiled, her dark eyes twinkling. "Would you like to dress me in diamonds, Emilio? Diamonds and jewels and nothing else?"
He licked his lips, wishing his attraction to her was as much of a lie as his life was, but it wasn't. He reached out to trace a finger over those plump red lips and when she sucked the finger into her mouth, his cock sprung to attention. She took his finger down her throat, twirling her tongue around it again and again before she slowly and deliberately removed her mouth inch by inch.
"I'd do just about anything for a pair of black diamond earrings."
Then she turned back to the research as if she wasn't aware of having turned him on. Rossi reached for her, pulling her into his lap and crushing his mouth to hers. When she moved away and sat on the table, his heart was pounding in his chest. Then she spread her legs, her skirt rising up to reveal those lovely thighs, and slipped her knickers off. She leaned back on her arms, a slow smile on her face.
Knowing what she wanted, he bent his head to feast on her, pleased that every moan she made was completely real. When she came, she pulled his face up to kiss him, wiping his mouth with her hand.
"Black diamond earrings would be lovely, mi amour."
Then she sat back in her chair, crossed her legs, and turned back to the research at hand.
"Gaunt."
"What?" Rossi asked, attempting to adjust himself in his seat.
"Gaunt," Bellarosa repeated. "The Gaunt family is the last family branch from the Peverells. If the Resurrection Stone surfaced, it was from that family."
Rossi leaned over to read what she found, tracing the family ancestry, and reading snippets about a family ring made of a magnificent black stone the size of a Sickle that sparkled in the gold band and made everyone aware that the Gaunts were descended from greatness; from Salazar Slytherin himself.
"It says here that Morfin Gaunt died in Azkaban and there's no record of any children," Rossi said. "He was the last known recorded family member. We'll have to find out what happened to the Gaunt property and wealth when they passed. The ring matches the description of the stone so that could be where it was hidden."
Bellarosa looked over the document and her brow furrowed. "I believe the Dark Lord owns that property along with the large manor nearby. It must have belonged to the Gaunts as well if they were such a well off family."
"You don't recognize the name?" he asked.
She shook her head. "No, but I never came to England before I met Antonio and I don't know a lot of the prominent English family names."
Rossi nodded. "Well, let's bring this to the Dark Lord. He might know something of this mysterious ring and maybe it will help us find where the Resurrection Stone is. There's nothing mentioned about the Gaunts using the stone over the years."
Bellarosa licked her lips. "Not everything is recorded, Emilio. We don't know what kinds of things they could have done in the privacy of their home."
Rossi realized she was right about that. His career with the Magical Intelligence Agency had taught him that people did some pretty horrible things, especially when others weren't watching.
Bellarosa tapped her long nails on the parchment. "Sí. We will talk to Signore Oscuro. Perhaps Bella and Donna have had better luck with the wand."
Rossi made a sound of agreement, but he rather hoped they hadn't. After all, Voldemort with a wand that was said to be unbeatable was the last thing that they needed. And so far, other than the intrigue of speaking to Grindelwald, the idea of the Deathly Hallows told him nothing good was going to come of them.
Nothing good at all.
~ ASC ~
Harry looked over at his girlfriend as she hunched over his right wrist, her quill scratching the skin. They were supposed to be doing homework which is why they had congregated in the head dormitory to hang out with Ron while Hermione was returning books to the library. But so far, Harry had snacked on some crisps that Ron had brought out, doodled in his textbook, and wrote one paragraph of his essay for McGonagall. They were heading home in the morning for the Easter holiday and needless to say, his mind was elsewhere.
Ginny wasn't faring much better. She'd closed her book completely and taken his right hand in hers, trailing the feather of her quill up and down his arm. Now the feel of scratching from the the end of the quill made him look over to see her doodling green ink into his skin.
"Are you writing on me?" he asked, amusement in his voice.
"Yes," she said simply.
Harry arched an eyebrow at her, but he let her keep going. He thought she was adorable the way her nose was scrunched up in concentration making her freckles merge together like one brown smudge and the tip of her tongue sticking out of the side of her mouth. When she finished a moment later and stood up, he tugged her down to him so that she pecked his lips.
"Stay."
"I have to meet Colin at the Herald," she said, kissing him again. "I have to finalize my column for publishing tonight since most of us are heading home tomorrow."
Harry sighed as he watched her hurry off, his eyes on her backside. It amazed him that with all of her Quidditch practice, her homework, and the amount of time that he spent with her, she still managed to write as Compass twice a month for the school paper. She was an incredible writer and he knew how much she loved taking the time to do it.
Once she was out of sight, he looked down at his wrist. Over the jagged bolt of his flame scar, she'd written "~ Ginevra ~" in her beautiful cursive, facing towards him rather than his palm, and he couldn't help but grin. He rather liked the idea of her marking him. He looked up when Ron plopped down next to him, opening another bag of crisps.
Ron gestured towards Harry's wrist. "You letting her mark her claim now?"
"Absolutely. Wouldn't want people to think that I'm not taken."
Ron snorted, passing the bag of all dressed crisps over as Harry helped himself to a handful. "No, I think everyone knows that you are completely a one woman man by now. I think it's unofficial, but you have my sister's name stamped on your arse."
"Ron, I told you. We have to stop flirting," Harry teased. "It's giving the wrong idea to people."
"Please. If anyone is checking out anyone's arse here, it's you mine."
Harry grinned. "Only when you put it in front of me."
Ron laughed. "Well, it's just that awesome. But anyway, speaking of arses."
"Were we though?"
Ron ignored him. "Hermione and I are talking about moving in together, which I suppose means, I'm claiming her arse as much as her mine."
"Yeah? That's great, mate."
Ron nodded. "We'll have to find a place first, but I'm sure that something will open up. I have some money saved away from helping at the shop and from the Chamber of Secrets."
"Has Hermione heard from the Ministry yet?"
"No," Ron said. "But I mean, it's basically for sure, right? Doesn't Zee's boss want her?"
"Yeah," Harry said. "Well, not Oliphant, Bannerman, the head of the DRCMC. Zee and Oliphant run the Menagerie, but not the whole department. But still an official confirmation would be good. She doesn't know what he wants her for yet, right?"
"True. Still, she's going to be brilliant. I mean, we both know that she's going to try to change the world."
Harry grinned. "Definitely."
"Her bill is already working great. She gets updates, you know? It's been slow, but the laws are changing. They are actually accumulating a house elf registry that connects families and lists which elves work for which families. The elves register themselves and sign contracts with the families they work for."
"I love how proud you are of her work."
"Mate, it's bloody brilliant!" Ron exclaimed, his blue eyes alight in pride. "She's stopping centuries worth of enslavement and it's just incredible! Like what the fuck am I doing in comparison?"
Harry shrugged. "Oh, I don't know. Mooning people and almost dying?"
Ron snorted. "The almost dying part wasn't intentional, the mooning was absolutely necessary."
"Necessary? No one needs to know how many freckles you have on your arse, Ron."
"Of course not," Ron said quickly. "That's for you to know."
"And I hope Hermione," Harry said, biting back a laugh.
"Er, yeah, of course."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Well, when we hear back from the Academy we can start to make our own plans. But we definitely have to start studying for our NEWTS when we get back to school next week."
"Bloody hell, Harry, not you, too! I get enough of the studying lectures from Hermione!"
"Well, Hermione has a point," Harry said as the portrait hole opened and Hermione hurried inside. "Speak of the witch, hey, Hermione — where's the fire?"
She grabbed the stitch in her side as she stumbled down the steps into the little living room. "It came! It really came!"
Harry frowned, not sure what she was talking about before he noticed that she was clutching a letter in her hand.
"What's that?"
Hermione let out a strangled breath, brushing her bushy curls out of her eyes that were escaping from her messy bun. "The owl just found me! It's from Lou Bannerman."
Ron jumped to his feet and moved over to grab her hand. "And?"
Hermione passed the letter to him, clutching her hands together nervously.
Ron carefully opened the crumbled letter and began to read aloud:
Dear Miss Granger,
We would be honoured to offer you an internship in the Department for the Reconstruction and Cooperation With Magical Creatures starting the first of August in our new department, the Office of Communication and Cooperation. The new department which will be coordinating with the Office of Misinformation to help liaise with all magical creatures and beings who are able. As an intern, you will be able to help form ideas and draft plans for equality for all as well as assist with the house elf bill you helped us build. We look forward to working with you.
Please let us know by the end of April if you are interested in this position.
Hermione let out a half squeal before her hands covered her mouth.
Harry laughed. "You know, you are allowed to get excited."
Hermione squealed again when he pulled her into his arms. "I just can't believe that it's real! Of course, it still depends on my final NEWTs scores, but I have a job, Harry! A real job! In the Ministry of Magic! They want me and my ideas and it's just so… oh gods, I think I might be sick!"
Harry kissed her cheek and hugged her tighter. "You're going to be great. I can't wait to watch you change the world."
Tears welled up in her eyes as she hugged him tighter.
"Oi!" Ron exclaimed. "No making my witch cry! Or kissing her."
"Oh, so I'm allowed to cosy up to you, but not to your girlfriend?"
Ron's lips curved. "Obviously." He touched Hermione's arm and she turned to him, letting him engulf her in his warm embrace. "This is brilliant news!"
Hermione kissed Ron. "I got in!"
"Always the tone of surprise," he teased, framing her face with his hands. "My brilliant witch is going to do amazing things."
Harry watched her snuggle into Ron's arms and thought that his friend was right. Hermione was on the path to doing great things and he couldn't wait to see what she was going to come up with next. This job in the DRCMC was perfect for her. It was exactly the type of job she needed and one that she would definitely excel at.
Suddenly the future seemed to be looking a lot closer and Harry couldn't help but worry about what that meant in terms of Voldemort. It was already the second week of April and there had been no word on him since he'd gone to speak to Grindelwald two weeks before. Misha had promised to fill him in in more detail over the Easter holiday, but all Harry knew was that Voldemort was aware of the Hallows now and of the wand he'd once possessed.
He didn't know what any of that meant, but he did know one thing with absolute certainty — Voldemort wasn't going to wait around forever. He wanted to take control of Hogwarts and he wanted Harry dead and the longer he waited to attack, the more anxious Harry became.
How long would it take Voldemort to figure out that Harry had all of the Hallows in his possession and what would he do when he discovered it?
He wasn't sure that he wanted to find out.
~ ASC ~
Voldemort was still waiting on news about the Hallows. He'd sent his followers out to learn everything they could on them and had spent the last two weeks pacing Avery Castle and waiting eagerly for news. Snape's death had done nothing to placate him after the initial release. Crouch had strung the man up in the throne room as a symbol to those who defied him, but now it was time to get rid of the body.
He watched Crouch levitate him down and ordered him to find a place to display him where he would be found quickly. Crouch, his willing little minion, had instead taken the time to carve the word 'traitor' into Snape's forehead before removing the body from the castle.
Voldemort didn't ask where the body was going to placed.
He didn't care.
He'd already forgotten about Snape as quickly as he'd forgotten about anyone else he'd killed over the years.
Mantegna and Bellarosa had shown up the day before with news of the Resurrection Stone, connecting it back to the Gaunt family which had taken him by surprise. He'd given nothing away as he listened to them outline why they thought this signet ring that had once belonged to Slytherin held the Resurrection Stone. He understood why they thought that, the black stone had intrigued him the moment he'd seen it. He'd felt the power he possessed when he wore it, but knowing it had power to resurrect the dead — he would have realized it if he'd owned something that significant. Nevertheless, his curiosity was peaked enough that he thought he should probably make a trip to Hampshire and check on his ring. He would do that soon, but at the moment, he was more concerned about the mysterious Elder Wand.
He summoned Bellatrix and when the dark haired woman arrived, his gaze narrowed.
"What do you have for me, Bella?"
"We haven't found much, my Lord," she began, bowing before him and holding a folder in her hands. "It's all myth and heresy. No one really seems to believe the Hallows truly exist."
"Grindelwald did and so did Dumbledore and I wouldn't claim either of them are overly fanciful men, would you?" he demanded, his voice so cold that it made her shiver.
"My Lord, from what Donna and I have learned, Grindelwald was led to believe that the Hallows were in possession by the Peverells who were the three brothers in the children's story."
Voldemort's eyes narrowed. "I didn't ask about a bloody children's story, Bella. Do you take me for a fool?"
"No, my Lord," she said, bowing again. "But it's where the Hallows are mentioned. There are three components to the story and each one mentions a Hallow: Elder Wand, Resurrection Stone, and a Cloak of Invisibility."
"Go on."
Bellatrix released a rush of breath as if she'd been afraid to breathe. "Grindelwald never discovered the others. He was only focused on the Elder Wand, but rumours have circulated that Dumbledore might have possessed all three."
"He was not the Master of Death," Voldemort spat. "The Master of Death would not have been killed so easily! The Master of Death would be immortal! Your sister and her husband have already given me information on the possibility of the Resurrection Stone and you are sadly lacking in giving me anything of use."
"Yes, my Lord. I'm sorry, my Lord."
"Give me that and get out of my sight and don't return until you have actual facts on this bloody Elder Wand! My wand isn't strong enough to go up against Potter's, not while our wands are brothers. I need something that's going to work with my power if I'm going to kill him properly."
Bellatrix nodded and hurried out of the throne room. Once the door closed behind her, only then did Voldemort let his gaze drop to the file that she had given him. He read over the notes made on the three Peverell brothers and the supposed gifts they received from Death himself and snorted.
It was all codswallop.
A Cloak of Invisibility was useless when one could use a charm to make themselves so, and a Resurrection Stone? That had merit, but he knew far better ways to survive death. After all, he'd been resurrected himself and more than once.
As if she read his thoughts, Nagini slithered over to him, circling him as he reached out to pat her on the head, but the Elder Wand… that held intrigue. The most powerful wand in all of existence, a wand that was unbeatable… he needed to own it. Grindelwald was wrong. He hadn't possessed it. He would have known if he'd held a wand of that kind of power, of that magnitude in his hands. Dumbledore's wand had been powerful, but it wasn't all powerful. He'd felt the weakness of it.
He curled his hand into a ball, feeling power surging through him and reminding him of another weakness. Ever since his fight with Potter, that power he'd gained from Dumbledore's magic had been weaning. He could feel it slipping away inch by inch, day by day whenever he performed the simplest of spells. Of course, he was still powerful, he never doubted that, but that extra boost that Dumbledore had given him had made him feel like a god.
He looked up at the knock on the door and gestured for Belladonna to enter. She bowed before him before speaking.
"My Lord, sorry to interrupt, but I have an idea."
Voldemort raised an eyebrow, his red eyes gleaming as he crooked his finger at her. She knelt before him in his throne chair, her hands folded in her lap.
"I don't think the wand is what you need, my Lord."
"Go on," he said, his long spindly fingers tapping on the arm of the chair.
"Your wand is powerful enough because you have power behind it. Yes, you cannot duel directly with Potter's wand, but I think that I know a way around that and it has nothing to do with the mysterious Elder Wand."
Voldemort stared into her beautiful face, probing her mind for any signs of weakness or betrayal. As always, he found nothing but unwavering loyalty to him. He traced his tongue over his thin bottom lip.
"What are you thinking, Belladonna?"
Her slow smile made her beautiful face look almost evil in the low light. "Runes. Dragomir had all sorts of ideas as you know, and if you can take the power from the likes of someone like Albus Dumbledore, my Lord, just think of what you could do if you took Potter's instead."
Voldemort's lips curved as he crossed his legs. "Tell me more, Belladonna. Tell me everything."
~ ASC ~
When Harry stepped into Black Cottage on Good Friday, he was looking forward to spending the weekend with Zee, Mina, and Leo. He greeted the twins with hugs and kisses, grinning as they hung onto him in excitement, and moved over to kiss Zee's cheek where she sat on the living room floor surrounded by toys.
"Hi, Zee."
"Hi, sweetie! Welcome home," Zee said, taking Leo from him as he plopped onto the floor next to her and began to play with the blocks.
"It's nice to be home," Harry admitted, stretching his long legs out as he leaned back against the sofa. "Hermione received her acceptance letter yesterday."
"Oh, good! I hoped that she had as I know that Bannerman was planning to send it out before the holiday. We're excited to get her in the department."
"The letter said that it was a new department?"
Zee nodded, passing Leo a red block. "Yes, a small one. It's one that Goldwin and I brought up to the head of the department to start. After holding a department head meeting and discussing some of the ideas, especially with the success of the house elf bill, we realized that we needed a committee of some sort to help organize the administrative side of the liaisons. After some deliberation, the department heads agreed to start a small office to handle that side of things. It has two employees and Hermione will be the only intern for the first year. Bannerman is hoping the office will hold meetings with all of the departments within the DRCMC to better increase communication with magical creatures and beings. It will hopefully help change some of the old laws pertaining to relationships and equality with human-like magical creatures and with those witches and wizards who have magical creature blood."
"Sounds kind of cool," Harry said.
"I think so. If all goes to plan, we'll even be working with the MIA and the ICW to help all magical ministries get on the same page. Some ministries are more advanced than others and we can't have that. Every magical community should have the same rights and freedoms." She leaned over to kiss his cheek and wrinkled her nose. "I can't get over this stubble beard. I remember when Sirius taught you how to shave."
He laughed as he had a sudden memory of Sirius slapping his cheeks and telling him that they were as smooth as a baby's bottom. "I barely had any facial hair back then."
She rubbed her thumb over his chin, her brown eyes twinkling. "And now you're just so bloody cute."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Haha. So, is everything set for Sunday?"
"Yes," Zee assured him. "Molly, Mama, and I have a feast planned. We went to the market yesterday and Dobby and Kreacher brought everything over to Clevedon Court in preparation. Molly is making treacle tart for you and bringing it on Sunday. We'll take care of the rest when we head over there on Sunday morning."
"Any word on how Tonks is doing? Uncle Remus mentioned something about her having fake labour and not the pranking kind?"
Zee grimaced. "Thank goodness I didn't have Braxton-Hicks. I feel awful for her. She's thought the baby was coming twice this week and both times they've gone to Carmenta's Clinic only to be told that it's fake labour. But her stomach dropped, which is a good sign."
"She's still not due for another few days though, right?"
"Yes. And first babies do usually come late, but not always. She's muddling through, though I think the stress of waiting to have him is driving her mad. She and Remus will be there on Sunday to celebrate Easter with us regardless. They plan on taking it easy today and tomorrow and resting as much as possible. Dora says that she's just very uncomfortable which I can relate to."
"I seem to remember you swearing a lot."
Zee's brown eyes zeroed in on his. "When you push a human from your body, we'll talk."
He snorted and reached for one of the blue blocks to help Mina with her tower. Zee grabbed his hand, eyes on the green ink that Harry had left on his wrist from Ginny's doodling yesterday afternoon. Her lips curved.
"Ginny drawing on you?"
He shrugged. "Neither of us could concentrate on our homework yesterday. We were too anxious to get home for the holiday. I was going to wash it off, but I kind of like it."
Zee smiled. "I do, too."
Harry ran his thumb over the lettering. "I think I want to make it permanent."
Zee raised her eyebrow. "Like a tattoo?"
Harry nodded. "I want her name right there, like a promise that she's my future. Is that stupid?"
Zee reached up to brush his hair out of his eyes. "No, I think it's kind of romantic. Ginevra… Ginny really should use that name more, it's absolutely lovely."
"She's lovely," Harry said.
"Yes, yes, she is," she agreed, a soft smile on her face. "Normally I would say never tattoo the name of a lover on your body, but you two are different. I think putting her name there is a beautiful token to the both of you and what you feel for each other. Speaking of tattoos, I have an appointment tomorrow with Matteo to cover up the word 'whore' on my arm."
Harry frowned, his eyes going to the ugly jagged scar on her forearm. "What are you going to get?"
"A phoenix," Zee told him. "I have this image of this beautiful red and gold plumage of a rising phoenix, wings outstretched… maybe the head goes into the crook of my elbow? Phoenixes represent so much and I love that strength and healing and the idea of a fresh start or a rebirth. I think it's exactly what I need to hide this horrible mark."
"I kind of love that you tattoo over your scars," Harry said. "But at the same time, you know that no matter how many scars you have, you're still beautiful, right?"
Zee's eyes softened. "Merlin, you are your father's son. Sirius said something very similar when I told him that I wanted to tattoo over my leg to cover the curse scar."
"Well, it's true," Harry said. "But I like the idea of a phoenix. Plus, it's a pretty cool magical creature which suits you."
"Good. I certainly thought so. I want to add in some lyrics too."
"More of 'I Am Woman'?"
"No," she said with a smile. "This time I am thinking about some Bon Jovi, specifically from the song 'It's My Life.' I've been working on it with Matteo for the last two weeks."
"Sounds awesome," Harry said. "What are the words?"
"Better stand tall when they're calling you out. Don't bend. Don't break. Baby, don't back down."
Harry's smile widened. "That's perfect. I can't wait to see it. What time is your appointment tomorrow?"
"Nine. Mama agreed to watch the twins for me. Want to come with me?"
"Yeah," he said, his eyes falling down to where Ginny's name was still written on his wrist. "Think he'll fit me in?"
Zee smiled and kissed Leo's cheeks when he reached for her. "Absolutely."
Harry grinned and thought that this weekend was turning out to be even better than he thought.
~ ASC ~
Tonks decided that Braxton-Hicks were the worst joke that the world had ever played on her. Part of her wondered if it was karma because she'd kept faking going into labour to watch her husband panic while another part of her wondered why the universe had deemed women had to suffer through childbirth in the first place.
Twice in the last week she'd called Ian Brown and twice she'd gone to Carmenta's Clinic believing the baby was coming and both times she had been informed that it was fake.
Life wasn't fair.
It was why when she'd first felt the sharp pain in her lower back almost two nights ago before bed, she'd ignored it. There was no way that she was going back to Carmenta's Clinic to embarrass herself all over again. Not until she was sure. Teddy would come when he was ready to and right now, he wasn't ready to come out and Tonks respected that.
It just didn't mean that she had to like it.
She was looking forward to spending tomorrow relaxing with Harry, Zee, Mina, Leo, Sorcha, Misha, Colt, Flo, and all of the Weasleys at Harry's house in Somerset. Today, her plan was to relax with Remus and just lounge around a little. She was hoping that Harry might pop by in the afternoon since he'd gone home yesterday from school, but she knew that he was looking forward to spending some quality time with the twins.
It reminded her of how much she was genuinely missing her own parents. She knew that Andromeda would have advice for her on how she was feeling and she desperately wished her father was here to engulf her in one of his perfect hugs. Remus was amazing. He rubbed her back at night and held her close. He helped her with whatever she needed without complaint and when she needed a mum, he even brought her Molly.
Molly Weasley was the kindest soul in the world.
Tonks had always loved the woman. Being best friends with Charlie meant she'd spent her fair share of time with his family over the years, but the way Molly had taken her under her wing since she'd lost her own mum, she didn't know how she would be able to repay her for that kind of kindness. Molly always had an answer for her when she had a pregnancy question and the first two times she had thought she was having the baby, Molly had even shown up at the clinic to offer support.
Nope, Tonks really didn't want to bother anyone for another false alarm.
Tonks stretched a bit, wincing at the pain it caused in her back, before slowly pulling herself to her feet to take a shower. Unfortunately the pain seemed to be worse than it was last night and yesterday afternoon; the sharp pain in her stomach made her grab the wall for support. She contemplated calling for Remus before she stopped herself.
There had been enough joking and she wasn't going to make a fool of herself over false labour again. She took a long shower, biting through the pain that shot down her back and into her legs. The bit of blood that flowed down the drain worried her slightly, but she remembered the healer telling her that was normal the closer she got to the end. She still had three days until she was due.
The hot water did nothing to ease the pain in her back and it took her a lot longer to get dressed then it should have. When she stepped into the kitchen, rubbing her belly, she was starting to feel rather miserable.
"Good morning, Nymphadora," Remus said, moving to help her into the chair at the kitchen table and pecking her lips. "I've made you pancakes with maple syrup."
"That sounds wonderful," she said, wincing.
Remus frowned. "You all right?"
Tonks nodded and let out a slow breath at the pain that shook her. "Uh-huh. Braxton-Hicks. Again."
Remus knelt on the floor next to her and took her hands in his. "I'm sorry, Nymphadora."
Tonks offered him a small smile. "For knocking me up and making me go through this pain? Well, I think I'm partially to blame considering how many times I've jumped you."
He chuckled and kissed her palm. "Can you eat?"
"Oh, trust me. Eating won't be a problem," Tonks said, patting her large belly.
Remus smiled as he sat in the chair next to her and Tonks dug into her pancakes as Remus did the same. She did still feel rather uncomfortable, but she dug into her pancakes with gusto. The pain continued, but it wasn't constant. When she was finished, she stood up slowly, gripping her stomach as pain shot through her again. This one was so sharp, it made her legs tremble.
"Fuck!"
Remus turned to look at her and his eyes narrowed. "I swear to Merlin, I am not falling for another one of these pranks, Nymphadora! Seriously! It's not funny anymore!"
Tonks bit her lip, clutching the table for support as she reached around to rub the small of her back. "It was a little funny."
Remus glared in response before turning back to the dishes at the sink. Tonks always found it rather endearing that Remus loved to do the dishes by hand. Another sharp pain shot through her and she winced.
Okay, this rather wasn't funny.
Unlike the pain that she'd been receiving during her false contractions, these ones were a lot closer together, sharp, and much more frequent. The pressure seemed to have shifted from her back to her stomach and her legs trembled as pain shot through her again. Tonks let out a slow breath, trying to breathe through the worst of it.
Okay, the false labour really hadn't felt like this before.
Tonks let out a slow breath, moving towards the living room and stopping to grip the doorway for support as another wave of pain shot through her.
"Bloody fucking hell!"
Remus turned, his hands covered in soapy water. "Dora?"
Tonks exhaled sharply. "Just a bit sore, Rem."
She made to move forward and her legs trembled so badly she almost fell. Remus was at her side in a heartbeat, gripping her waist.
"Nymphadora? Are you pranking me again?"
Tonks shook her head. "No, not pranking you. I'm just… I'm really uncomfortable. Can you help me to the sofa?"
Remus did, carefully lowering her down.
"If I change positions, it should pass. That's how it stopped before," she said before another sharp pain stabbed her. "Bloody hell!"
"Nymphadora… should I call Ian?"
"No!" Tonks insisted. "I won't go back to that bloody clinic and be told that it's a false alarm again. I won't!"
Remus bit his lip, his whisky coloured eyes on hers. "But what if it's real this time?"
Tonks snorted. "It will pass. Just let me sleep it off a little. Go! I'll be fine."
Remus hesitated only a moment before he wrapped her legs up in the throw blanket and headed back to finish the dishes. Tonks shifted, trying to get comfortable, but no matter where she moved, the pain only worsened. Pain shot through her stomach and she had a sudden urge to pee that worried her. There was no way that she was going to make it.
"Remus!" Tonks called, trying to stand up. "Fuck! Ow! REMUS!"
Remus ran into the living room, his eyes on. "What is it?"
"Help me to the bathroom. Please, I'm not going to make it."
He frowned and ran to her, but as soon as she attempted to take a step, her legs gave out. Remus caught her, scooping her up into his arms and carrying her to the bathroom. He sat her on the side of the tub before he helped her pull her sweats down.
Tonks huffed. "Bet this is what you imagined when you married me, isn't it?"
He smiled. "You're beautiful." He frowned when he saw the blood on her thighs. "Dora… fuck, you're bleeding."
He pulled her knickers down just as Tonks doubled over, pain shooting through her like white hot fire. Remus paled as her nails dug into his arm hard enough to break the skin and he cupped her face in his hand.
"Dora! Dora, is this real?"
Tears leaked out of Tonks' eyes. "I don't know!"
The burning sensation worsened and she gasped for breath, suddenly feeling very much like she had to use the toilet. Her attempt at standing came to no avail. Remus' eyes widened to saucers when she spread her legs.
"I see a head! Blimey! I see a bloody fucking head!" Remus exclaimed. "How long have you been in labour?"
Tonks grabbed his hand, squeezing it so hard it hurt her own hand. "I don't know!"
Remus fumbled with his wand to get it out of his pocket and sent a Patronus to Ian Brown, demanding that the healer come to the cottage immediately.
"Okay," he said. "Okay. We just have to remain calm. Let's breathe slowly, okay? Slowly and together. On three."
"Calm? You expect me to remain bloody calm?!" Tonks shouted. "Oh, fuck, it hurts! FUCK!"
Remus gripped her hands as he carefully lowered her off of the edge of the tub, waving his wand and getting towels to spread out onto the bathroom floor. Tonks gratefully sunk onto the soft cotton and when the burning became worse, she gasped.
"You have to push!"
"I am!" Tonks shouted, shaking her head as her hair flashed back to its mousy brown. "I can't do this… Ian's on his way."
"Yes, you can!" Remus insisted. "I can see Teddy's head, Nymphadora. He's coming now. We can't wait for Ian."
"No!" she cried out, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I can't! I can't do it! I'm not ready, Rem! I'm not ready!"
Remus brushed her hair out of her face, turquoise streaks highlighting the brown, as he gave her a soft look. "I love you and you are ready for this. You can do this, Nymphadora. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."
"I want my mum!" Tonks cried out, panic searing through her. How was she supposed to give birth in this moment without her mother? She couldn't do it. There was no way she could do it.
Remus' fingers brushed her cheek gently. "I know, Nymphadora. I wish she was here, too. But you can do this. You can do anything, my bad arse, Auror. I know I'm not much, but I'm here. Now, bloody-well push!"
The pain of the contraction made her scream. She reached forward to grip her knees, pulling them back against her chest and Remus paled as her hair flashed from turquoise to brown to pink and back.
"Bloody hell! Bloody hell!" he exclaimed, his own hands going to his hair.
"DON'T YOU BLOODY HELL ME, REMUS JOHN LUPIN!" Tonks exclaimed when the contraction passed. "You told me to bloody push now get your bloody fucking hands between my legs, NOW!"
The last word came out as a half scream half growl and Remus fell from his knees to sit back on them. When another contraction hit, she cried out again and pushed. Remus' face was a sheet of pure panic as she felt the baby slide out of her. Then his eyes were wide in delight as he stared at the goop and blood covered boy.
"We have a son, Nymphadora. A son!"
Her heavy breathing was the only sound in the room as Remus quickly used his finger to unplug the baby's mouth and nose, carefully wiping his eyes and the baby blinked before his mouth opened and he began to wail.
Tears welled up in Remus' eyes. "Hi, Teddy."
Tonks blinked back her own tears. "We have to keep him warm. What's the spell to warm a blanket? I don't remember how to do magic!"
Remus chuckled and carefully vanished the shirt she wore, placing the baby against her warm breast. "Hold him, darling. You'll skin will keep him warm."
Tonks' hands came up to hold the baby lying against her breast, her eyes wide in amazement. "What about the cord thingie? You have to cut it! The book said that you have to cut it and tie it off."
"Ian will be here soon, darling," Remus assured her, kissing her cheek. He summoned a blanket from the bedroom to cover her in. "You did amazing."
Her lips curved. "I did, didn't I? I told you that it wasn't a prank."
Remus let out a strangled laugh as he reached forward to cup her cheek in one hand and placed his other on their son's naked back. No, it wasn't a prank, he thought as Ian Brown called out from the front of the house.
"We're in the loo," Remus called.
The healer appeared a moment later, his eyes wide at the sight of Tonks and Remus lying on the bathroom floor holding their son.
"Well, it looks like this time it was real, wasn't it?" He pushed up his sleeves and knelt down next to Tonks. "You look well, Mum, and so does the baby. Are you ready to finish up here?"
"Can I still go to the clinic?" Tonks asked.
Ian smiled. "Yes. We'll deliver the placenta there. I'll send word to have Abby meet us. Remus, can you help her up. I'll conjure a wheel chair."
Remus did as the healer asked and when he helped lower his wife into the chair, his eyes on the babe at her breast, love swamped him so quickly that he blinked back tears. Then he reached for his wand and conjured a Patronus to tell Harry the news.
The tenth of April had just become his favourite day of the year.
~ ASC ~
Harry was grinning so wide when he stepped into Remus and Tonks' cottage that afternoon that he felt like his face was going to crack. He found Tonks lying in their bed, a sleeping babe nestled over her breast and her hair finally back to its usual bright bubblegum pink, all traces of turquoise having vanished.
Remus was lying on the bed next to his wife, but he jumped up when Harry hovered in the doorway. "Harry!"
Harry moved to hug him. "Wow. Congrats, you two."
Remus beamed. "Come meet your godson."
Harry moved to sit on the side of the bed, his eyes widening as Tonks carefully passed him the tiny baby. He was bigger than Mina and Leo had been, but still so tiny that Harry was afraid to touch him. He had thick black hair with a turquoise tuff and his eyes were closed, his cute little lips parted in sleep.
"Harry, this is Edward Remus Lupin, but we're calling him Teddy. Teddy, this is your godfather, Harry," Tonks said.
"Hi, Teddy," Harry said, staring down at the tiny bundle in his arms. "Wow. He's so small."
"He's bigger than Mina and Leo were," Tonks said. "And trust me, pushing that out of my vagina — he's big. All three and half kilograms of him!"
Harry grimaced. "I didn't need to hear that."
Remus chuckled, dropping a kiss to the top of Harry's head. "He's fifty-eight centimetres long which Ian says is a sign that he'll probably be tall."
"Makes sense, you're not exactly short, Uncle Rem."
Remus smiled, reaching down to brush his thumb over Teddy's cheek. "He's perfectly healthy and definitely possesses his mother's powers."
"I had a feeling when I saw the hair," Harry teased. "I don't know much about babies but I'm pretty sure that they don't come out with turquoise hair usually."
Tonks laughed. "He has ten fingers and ten toes and Remus' cute little ears."
"You think?" Remus said, looking at his son in pride.
"Definitely," Tonks replied.
"We were only at Carmenta's Clinic for four hours. Once Nymphadora finished her delivery and Teddy was checked over, they said that we were free to go," Remus explained. "He has traces of the wolf in him, but the healers don't think that he's going to turn at the moon."
"Did you really think that he would?" Harry asked.
Remus pursed his lips. "Lycanthropy can work in mysterious ways. It's rare, but it's possible to pass it down."
"You remember how I was often rather restless when you came over during the moon?" Tonks asked.
"Yeah," Harry said. "You always told us that you rarely slept when we ran together."
"The healers think that was Teddy. He might be affected by some things like the moon cycle for instance, but he won't turn. Even if he did, he'd still be perfect," Tonks said, making Remus' golden eyes shine as he looked at her.
Harry smiled down at Teddy as Remus and Tonks kissed for a moment.
"So, it seemed to happen really fast," Harry said. "By the time I got your Patronus, you sent another one right after saying that you'd let me know when I could come over because you were leaving the clinic soon. What happened?"
Remus ran his fingers through his hair as he sat on the bed next to his wife. "Well, Dora thought that she was having false labour."
"At first I did," Tonks agreed. "But then when it was real, he didn't even believe me! I gave birth in our loo, Harry."
Harry snorted. "I told you that if you kept tricking him he wouldn't believe you when it was real."
"I had to convince her that it was real this time," Remus argued. "She kept saying it wasn't as she doubled over in pain."
Tonks rolled her eyes. "Complete lie. I pulled him out myself while Remus clenched his hair in his hands and asked if I was joking, like he couldn't hear the screams coming out of my vagina."
"That's not true," Remus insisted. "I called for Ian and delivered our son myself. It was… not the plan."
"Remus asked if he should sever the cord with his wand and I told him maybe we should wait until some professionals arrived at the cottage," Tonks continued, winking at her husband.
"You did not say it like that! You were not that calm!" Remus exclaimed. "I was the calm one, Harry."
"I asked him for a warm towel to wrap the baby in, but he didn't warm it. He forgot the spell so I told him to place Teddy on my breast, that skin to skin thing, you know?"
Remus shook his head. "She was a mess."
"Nuh-uh. I was as cool as a cucumber. I read the books. I totally knew what to do."
"You cried for your mother and told me you couldn't do it," Remus teased.
"I was stoic and competent the whole time!" Tonks said. "You just aren't remembering it properly."
Remus smiled and leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Yes, dear."
Harry carefully passed Teddy back to Tonks who rested him against her bare breast. "I'll let you rest, but you'll still be over tomorrow for dinner?"
"Wouldn't miss it," Tonks assured him. "Teddy will be excited to meet everyone."
Harry leaned down to kiss her cheek and then hugged Remus. "Congratulations, Mum and Dad. You two are going to be great parents."
Remus held Harry a moment longer and kissed his cheek. "I hope so. Godric knew you gave me a lot of practice."
Harry grinned and promised to see them tomorrow.
When the front door closed, Remus climbed back into bed next to his wife, his fingers gently trailing over Teddy's cheek.
"Are you going to claim that I was the panicked one to everyone?"
Tonks' lips curved. "Maybe." She turned her head to kiss him. "I couldn't have done it without you."
Remus' golden eyes met hers. "Yes, you could have, but there's no where else I would have preferred to be."
Their lips met again, both of their hands resting together on Teddy's naked back; the perfect little family.
~ ASC ~
The moment that Harry left Wrexham, he went straight to the Burrow to tell Ginny and the rest of the Weasleys the news about Teddy. After spending all of Friday with Zee, Mina, and Leo, he and Zee had gone to see Matteo that morning and had just arrived back at Black Cottage in time for Remus' Patronus. After mirror-calling Remus to check in, Harry had been thrilled and shocked to find out that Teddy had made an appearance. Remus told him that they would be home in a few hours and wanted him to come as soon as they got there. Harry had been very excited knowing that he was the first one to meet his godson.
He couldn't believe that he had a godson and that Teddy was actually here, a real little human being. It was mind-blowing and he couldn't wait to tell Ginny the news. He walked through the back door of the Burrow without knocking and Molly immediately greeted him with a big smile and a warm hug.
"Harry, dear! What a lovely surprise!"
He kissed her cheek. "Hi, Mrs Weasley. Hope you don't mind me dropping in."
Molly waved him off. "Please, you're one of the family! Ron and Hermione went for a walk and Ginny should be down any moment, she had a lie-in and was just getting dressed."
Harry nodded just as his girlfriend slid down the railing.
"Ginevra! Railings are not slides!" Molly scolded.
"Sorry, Mum," Ginny said, winking at Harry. She stood on her toes to kiss him. "Hi, this is a surprise."
"I know," he told her. "But I just came from Wrexham. My godson was born today."
Mrs Weasley squealed. "Oh! She had the baby! The poor dear! I had no idea! I told her that I would come to Carmenta's when it was time."
Harry chuckled. "Well, she didn't exactly make it there."
He quickly explained about how she'd been convinced that it was fake labour again and how Ian had told her she'd basically been in labour for the last day and a half and had no idea.
"She delivered in the bathroom of the cottage and from what I understand, Uncle Remus was the one to catch little Teddy. He's three and half kilograms and fifty-eight centimetres long. He's healthy and beautiful."
"Oh, Harry, that's wonderful news!" Ginny exclaimed, hugging him tightly. "How's Tonks?"
"She's doing great," Harry enthused. "Tired. Her morning was more eventful than she planned on, but she's looking forward to Easter dinner tomorrow and introducing Teddy to everyone. Everyone is happy and healthy and tired. I just wanted to come share the news."
"And we appreciate that," Molly said. "Oh, such happy news! I'll make up a little basket for her. New parents can always use a few little goodies."
Harry watched her hurry up the stairs and he turned to wrap his arms around his girlfriend. "Alone at last."
Ginny chuckled, linking her arms around his neck. "Miss me already? It's barely been two days."
He brushed his lips over hers. "Exactly. I've been having withdrawals."
She smiled and stood on her toes to kiss him before she grabbed his hand. "Me too. I missed waking up beside you."
"Me too," he repeated. "I had trouble falling asleep. I almost called you on the mirror."
"I wish you would have," she said. "I'm looking forward to dinner tomorrow. What time would you like everyone over?"
"Zee and I were thinking around two. We're aiming to have dinner for six."
"Sounds perfect," Ginny told him. "Ron and I were discussing maybe having a game of Quidditch in the garden."
"That would be great. We definitely have the space for it."
Ginny nodded and her eyes fell down to the dark green writing on his wrist. She brushed her thumb over it with a smile. "Feeling sentimental, Harry? I wrote this on Thursday, I think it's time you wash it off. Or did you forget how to shower on your own?"
His lips curved as she licked her finger and rubbed it over the writing of '~ Ginevra ~' on his wrist.
"Definitely forgot how to shower on my own. I need help. Maybe you should come with me to Somerset and wash me up properly."
She kissed his palm and rubbed her thumb over her name again. "The ink isn't even attempting to come off. I didn't think that I pressed that hard."
"Weird," Harry said, looking down at his wrist. "Maybe it has something to do with it being permanent."
Ginny's eyebrows rose. "I don't follow."
Harry reached out to touch the h&g necklace that she wore around her neck. "I know it's kind of sexist, but I love you wearing this. I love knowing that it tells people you belong to me as much as it tells you that I love you. It's a symbol of us and of our future."
Ginny traced the necklace under her fingers. "I know. I love it, Harry."
"Me too," he whispered. "And I guess that I wanted my own token, my own symbol if you will. So, I went with Zee this morning to watch her get this beautiful phoenix tattooed on her arm to cover up the scar that Bellatrix left on her and I asked Matteo to trace your writing in dark green."
Ginny's mouth opened in surprise before her gaze dropped back down to his wrist. "It's… a tattoo?"
He nodded, watching as she traced the letters of her name over the burn scar on his wrist. "I wanted my own token, my own symbol. I belong to you, Gin. My heart, body, and soul is yours and this is your mark on me."
Ginny's brown eyes met his and the blazing look in them filled him with desire. She threw her arms around his neck and brought his lips to hers for such a searing kiss that all of the blood in his body rushed down. He held her close, molding her body to his and losing himself in that soft mouth.
He backed her up towards the kitchen table and lifted her up onto it, locking her legs around his waist as he cupped her face in his hands and deepened the kiss. Ginny's fingers tangled in his messy hair as they kissed again and again. His hands left her face to roam down her sides, brushing her breasts with every stroke as she moved closer to him. He rubbed himself against her, stirring his already semi-hard cock with every movement. Neither of them heard anyone come into the kitchen, but the clatter of a dish nearby had them jumping apart.
Bill was standing by the table with Fleur, having dropped a dish of biscuits onto the table. He carefully unwrapped them and took one out, his eyes on the two of them.
"You know that this is a kitchen table, right?"
"Oh, Bill," Fleur said, grabbing her husband's hand. "Zey are in love! A few stolen kisses never 'urt no one!"
Bill's eyes narrowed. "That was more than just a kiss, though, wasn't it?"
Harry bit his lip and carefully positioned his hands in front of his obviously tented jeans.
"Zat doesn't do much to conceal it, non," Fleur teased.
Ginny moved to stand in front of Harry. "What are you two doing here, anyway?"
"Dropping off some Easter biscuits," Bill said. "Fleur wanted to see if Mum needed help in preparation for the dinner tomorrow. I think it's safe to say that we came at the right time, another five minutes and I wouldn't feel comfortable eating at this table ever again."
Ginny rolled her eyes.
Harry cleared his throat. "I just came by to tell Ginny that Tonks and Remus have a son as of this morning, Teddy."
"Oh, zat's wonderful!" Fleur exclaimed. "You must tell zem congratulations from us!"
"I will," Harry said.
"And next time you drop by to share some news, maybe you could refrain from doing so on the furniture," Bill added. "Other people live here you know."
Ginny made a rude hand gesture and Bill snorted.
"Real lady like, Firecracker."
"Real Neanderthal and hypocritical, William."
Bill winked, his lips curving. "Touché."
Harry kissed Ginny's cheek and stepped out from behind his girlfriend. "I have to get going anyway. I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow at Somerset for dinner."
He made it out the back door before Bill caught up with him draping an arm over his shoulder.
"Got a minute to talk?"
"Depends," Harry said. "Do you want to talk or play protective big brother?"
Bill snorted. "I've always liked you, Harry. Look, was I happy to walk in and see Ginny draped all over you in a way that tells me you two are no longer virgins, no, can't say that I was. However, you love her, anyone can see that. In the future, I'd just prefer you show your love for my sister in private."
"The kitchen was empty at the time," Harry said. "And no one was using the table."
Bill's eyes narrowed. "Your sass is going to get you in trouble one day."
Harry's lips curved. "Possibly."
"And Harry? Remember to ice that thing when you get home."
Harry blushed as he attempted to cover himself again. "Anyone ever tell you that you're a git, Bill?"
"Yeah, but only my brothers get away with it."
Then he slapped Harry on the shoulder and told him that he'd see him tomorrow. Harry headed out to the Apparition point, pleased with the idea that once again, the Weasley brothers had adopted him as one of their own. He couldn't wait to tell Ginny what Bill had said, but first he did need to do something about this rather big problem. He tried to think of something other than his beautiful girlfriend and by the time he made it to the Apparition point, he was more comfortable. He Apparated with a loud crack, a big smile still on his face.
~ ASC ~
Harry spent Saturday evening playing with Mina and Leo. They played with blocks, went outside in the treehouse where he held them each as they went down the slide, and even sat with them in the tire swing. Leo loved the slide and giggled madly the whole time. Mina was more interested in pulling on the grass on the bottom. But they both loved the tire swing. Harry sat in it, holding a kid in each arm as he used his legs to propel them and magically expanded the hole in the tire to accommodate them. They babbled and giggled happily and Harry couldn't stop smiling at them.
After dinner, he volunteered to give them their baths and had fun splashing with them in the tub as they played with a toy boat and a rubber duck. He dressed them in their pyjamas, which was more of a struggle than he had anticipated as they tried to escape. Twice he'd had to track Leo down as he ran around naked and then Mina had somehow undone her nappy and he'd been forced to pin her between his legs in an attempt to keep her still. For such small frames, they were incredibly sneaky. Then he sat in the rocking chair with a twin on each knee and read them a story in the nursery.
The day had worn them out and it wasn't long at all before they were both asleep on his chest, his arms around both of them as their cheeks rested against him, each facing each other. He turned his head to kiss each of them, too afraid to move, so he sat there, rocking back and forth in the quiet of the room and holding a baby in each arm.
Colt and Flo had returned from Paris the night before and Harry had been pleased to see them. They'd come by this afternoon to show pictures of their trip, but had left before dinner, tired from travelling. Harry was looking forward to them being at Somerset for Easter dinner tomorrow. He loved the idea of having this big family dinner with everyone he cared about in one place.
He didn't know how long he'd been sitting there, holding Mina and Leo against his chest as he thought about tomorrow, before Zee appeared in the doorway. She leaned against the doorjamb, a soft smile on her face.
"Are you stuck?"
"Completely," he whispered.
Zee walked across the nursery to pick up Leo, kissing his cheek, before she carefully deposited him in his crib and wrapped a blanket over him. Then she did the same with Mina. Harry put the book away and snuck out of the nursery to head downstairs.
"They asleep?" Misha asked as he came down the stairs.
"Yes," Harry said, taking a seat on the sofa. "The two of them are kind of exhausting. How can two tiny people move so damn fast? I blinked and they were somewhere else."
Sorcha chuckled. "They certainly can be a handful. Your mama appreciates your help with them."
"And then some," Zee added as she came down the stairs. "I'm going to have a glass of wine."
Sorcha smiled and asked for one too.
Harry turned to look over at his grandfather as Zee moved into the kitchen to get wine. "Does that mean that we can finally talk more about Voldemort visiting Grindelwald?"
Misha reached for his glass of vodka, putting his arm over the back of the sofa as he leaned back in his seat. "I told you vhat vas important. Voldemort is looking for the Deathly Hallows."
"Because of Grindelwald?"
Misha nodded. "Da. He vent to him to ask about the Elder Wand. Grindelvald told him about the Hallows and he vas immediately interested. Vhen Grindelvald taunted him about already possessing it, Voldemort declared that to be false and killed him."
Harry frowned. "Wait… so Voldemort thinks that the wand wasn't real?"
"No," Misha said. "He does think it's real, but he doesn't think that he ever possessed it. He believes Grindelvald is wrong in believing that Dumbledore had it to begin vith."
Harry tapped his fingers on the chair, reaching to scratch Padfoot behind the ears when the dog rested his head on his leg. "Because it didn't work for him like it should have," he concluded. "Because I'm the master of the wand, not Voldemort."
Misha nodded. "Da. So, he is still looking and now from vhat I understand, he is looking for the rest of the Hallows as vell."
"Will that bring him back to the ring he buried?" Zee asked, tucking her legs under her bum with her glass of wine in her hands.
"It could," Harry said, looking over at her. "If he's interested enough. But Bill told me that unless he tries to bypass his wards, he shouldn't even be aware that the ring is missing."
Misha pursed his lips. "Either vay, he's looking for them and according to my man on the inside, he's collecting his army and planning on attack on the school."
"I knew that," Harry said. "With Dumbledore gone, it's only been a matter of time before he tries to attack the school. Hogwarts represents power and Hogwarts possesses the kind of power that he wants access to."
"And you," Sorcha said. "You are only there for a little over two more months, he won't wait until you're gone to take control."
"No," Harry agreed. "He'll want me there, to kill me there. How soon, Papa?"
Misha sipped his vodka. "Not as soon as ve'd like, but soon."
Harry didn't find those words the least bit comforting.
End Author's Notes:
(Italian) mi amour = my love
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the lyrics to "It's My Life" by Bon Jovi. Yes, I know the song wasn't out for another two years but I'm going to take some creative leeway here and use it anyway.
Thanks for reading and please review.