A/N: dear, Readers, I hope that soon you'll start to like the fic again and forgive me for the boring build-up chapters.

Kristen Michelle: you'll get your mom read it?????? Is she also a HP fan? My mom is a great HP fan – she is my beta reader! Cornelius Fudge? Hm… he might be a Voldie fan in disguise, though he seems to be too stupid for that :)

LupinsLover: no, there'll be no triangle between Albus, Aby and Minerva. Minerva just says she hates Aby.

X_Tow_Naga: I think most of the shopkeepers speak English, nowadays it's really fashionable for people in the East European countries to be able to speak English. No, Harry didn't get anything for the baby, he's way too young. He'll get lots of presents when he is older. Yes, the rings allow you to apparate to the other's exact location. The coat-shop owner cannot prove anything, but he was furious and when you're angry you say silly things without thinking. About Mileta's birthday – you'll find out in next chapter. About the glasses: you wrote that new glasses were made using Muggle technology – not necessarily: do you think that Minerva and Albus also went to Muggles to get their glasses? I don't think so. Anyway, I guess Harry has so much got used to his old ones that he would feel strange with new ones. And just to imagine Harry WITHOUT glasses… uh… he's sexy with those glasses! Anyway, he might buy new glasses soon, but I'm not sure when. Milka is a very famous (I guess Swiss) chocolate. In Europe it's really famous, but you might not know it in America (you don't know what you're missing! It's the best chocolate in the world!)

Tessa: thanks for the correction. Mileta is up to anything (almost anything), you'll see. Harry and Ginny will meet again in chapter 16.

Mikey: yes, the text of the HP books is funnier in Hungarian than the original English one, I think our translator is really creative! I simply adore him!

Moony Lover: what will happen to Ginny? Hm… be patient :) Don't expect the story to end soon, we haven't even reached the one-third of it! I'm glad you like Milka, yummy!

PepsiAngel: do not feel sorry for Mileta! :))) No, Minerva doesn't have a thing for Albus, she likes him as a friend, nothing else.

Cassandra Anthemyst: I know that you're waiting for the plot – as is everyone else – but I must again ask for your patience. I promise that the story is going to get more interesting soon – but the "bomb" will go off only later. I hope that at least some of my readers will have patience till then and won't leave me…

Waldomier: no, I don't speak a word in Russian. 39 chapters.

Aurumlupi: sorry, I cannot reveal anything yet.

CaittyLin: the bar isn't run by a dancing bear, it's called The Dancing Bear, but its owner is a woman, just like Madame Rosmerta.

Daydream: sorry, but I don't send mails to people about the updates. Don't get mad at me, please!

star queen: no, I didn't study Russian history, just general and Hungarian history. So you have a theory about Mileta's future? Um… you could write it to me in your next review, so that I could tell you: "no, it won't happen like that at all." :)))))

Coolio: thanks for the encouragement! I really need that nowadays.

jennaration: I've been already told about this by Tessa. I'll try and use less of "either". (I don't know why, I like that word, it sounds better than "too".)

Wood's secret lover: of course it would be easier to put the entrance to the Russian Diagon Alley into a wizard shop, but it's much more fun this way. Anyway, the owner might go mad soon and a witch/wizard might buy the place (though I'm not going to write anything more about the fur coat shop).

Derkaun Zarion: thanks for the help in Latin.

HarryPotterCC1: good to see you again.

Pumpkin3223: thank you, but I myself don't believe it anymore :( I've become discouraged. I'm really grateful for all nice reviews nowadays, and I'm also grateful to all my faithful readers. They won't regret being faithful.

STARGIRL: I know that Rowling never wrote that people could use floo at Hogwarts, but she never said either that it was impossible. I assumed already in TGSoHH that under certain circumstances people needed to be able to travel by floo – though it was forbidden for the students. I know it's not really possible in the real HP story, but in my fic it is. As you have reminded me I'm nowhere as good as J.K. (I never said I was half as good as her), so don't expect me to write as perfectly as she does. Harry didn't really mean his remark about ugly girls, that was a slip of the tongue, but you know him: he is so kind-hearted and generous that he is nice to the ugly girls as well (as you will see in this chapter, if you'll read it at all. But if you only skim through the chaps, then later you might not understand some details that will be important.)

DeViL MoOn: things that seem not to make sense now, will turn out to be really important later. When this story nears its end, we can discuss (if you want to) what doesn't make sense – but not until then.

TO THOSE WHOSE REVIEWS I HAVEN'T ANSWERED: DON'T BE ANGRY WITH ME, BUT I SIMPLY CANNOT ANSWER ALL REVIEWS, BECAUSE THAT WOULD MAKE THE A/N SECTION LONGER THAN THE ACTUAL CHAPTER. THE OTHER REASON: MANY OF YOU ASK QUESTIONS THAT, IF ANSWERED, WOULD REVEAL TOO MUCH OF THE LATER EVENTS, AND I DON'T WANT TO TELL THINGS IN ADVANCE, BUT I DON'T WANT TO LIE EITHER.

Chapter 12

I'd like to dance all night

Harry stumbled out of a fireplace into the small, cosy inn that was filled with laughing people. A band was playing Russian folk-melodies and several couples were dancing in the middle. The air was filled with the smell of roast boar (or at least it looked like boar, but you may never know… Harry had once heard a story about Russian wizards eating wolves.)

"Come!" Mileta took him by the hand and led him up to a vacant table.

"Pleasant place." he said, sitting down. "It reminds me a bit of The Three Broomsticks." suddenly he remembered Sirius telling him about his secret affair with Madame Rosmerta.

"Why are you smiling like that?" Mileta asked.

"Just a funny memory." he replied. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving. I missed dinner… so, let's order something, shall we?"

"All right. I haven't eaten anything since lunch, either."

"Waiter, please!" Harry beckoned the pub's only waiter to their table.

"Yes, sir? Would you like to order a drink?"

"Well, actually I'd like to order something to eat first. Could you suggest something special… but not too special?"

"Not too special?" the waiter raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by not too special, sir?"

"He means he doesn't want to try The Dancing Bear's famous arctic fox stew." Mileta said. "Just bring us something normal, would you?"

"Like roast boar?" the waiter asked.

"Exactly." Harry nodded. "Do you have some desserts as well?"

"Of course we do, sir. From ice-creams to chocolate mousses… anything!"

"Then, would you," he beckoned the waiter closer and whispered something into his ears.

"Certainly, sir." the waiter beamed at him. "Anything to drink?"

"Oh, yeah, do you have champagne? But French, not Russian!"

"I'll see what I can do." the waiter smiled and left.

"What did you tell him?" Mileta wondered.

"You'll find out soon." he replied with a wink.

"All right, then keep your secret." she seemed to be hurt a bit. "At least tell me about that funny memory you were smiling at."

"Well, it was about my godfather, Sirius Black."

"Oh, is he your godfather?" she asked, surprised. "The convicted murderer?"

"Yeah, he's my godfather, and no, he isn't a murderer." Harry shook his head. "He was wrongfully accused."

"I see. So, what was that funny memory?"

"Well, Sirius told me once about a girlfriend he used to have ages ago. But it's not that interesting it you don't know him… and that woman."

"Are you and Sirius good friends? Or is he a father-substitute for you?"

"Father-substitute?" Harry frowned. "No, I don't think so. But he's a great friend. He's the one who listens to everything I say. My only friend who always understood me."

"I thought you had another guy for a best friend. Someone called…sorry, I forgot his name. Viktor told me about your friendship. About you, Hermione and that boy."

"Ron. That's his name."

"Oh, yeah, Ron!" Mileta nodded. "Isn't he your best friend?"

"Actually yes, he is. Still he isn't the one whom I could always count on. It is Sirius."

"I bet that godfather of yours is a cool guy. If you can discuss anything with him… even sex?"

"Yeah, even that." Harry nodded, grinning. "Actually he was the one who told me things back in my sixth year."

"Told you things?" she giggled. "What things?"

"Things that Snape tried to explain later, too, but didn't really manage." he chuckled.

"Snape? Who's that?"

"My Potions teacher. For half a year he also taught Defense Against the Dark Arts, but I wasn't at school at that time. When I went back to school to finish my studies, headmaster Dumbledore decided to make some reforms and included a new subject into our curriculum. The Ministry wasn't too taken with it when they got to know, but…" his voice trailed off, his mind started reeling backwards until February of that year…

All seventh year Gryffindor and Slytherin students were gathered in the dungeons, not too eagerly awaiting their Potions master.

Ginny stifled a yawn and nestled herself into the crook of Harry's arm. She had been like that for months now – always tired. Harry put it down to the pregnancy.

As she closed her eyes, her head bent on his shoulder, Harry looked over her head at Malfoy.

Draco suddenly looked another way – Harry was sure that he had been surreptitiously watching Ginny. Harry felt a strange cramp in his chest, as though someone had clutched at his heart, trying to crumple it. *What are you thinking, silly?* he chided himself. *Malfoy has a crush on your wife, so what? Ginny loves you and wouldn't even notice Malfoy if he had been dancing on professor Snape's desk, wearing only a cauldron as a hat. But still… why do I feel so bad about it?* he wondered.

Suddenly the door burst open and a rather miffed professor Snape raced in.

"Girls, gather your things and walk up to the Transfiguration classroom!" he bellowed.

"What?" Ginny opened her eyes. "Why do we have to leave?"

"No idea." Harry shrugged.

"Hurry up, will you? Professor McGonagall is waiting for you!"

"I'm curious what this is all about." Ginny picked up her schoolbag and headed for the door along with the other girls.

"Me, too." Colin Creevey said, taking Ginny's place on Harry's side. "What do you reckon, Harry? What's going on? Boys and girls have never been separated at classes yet."

"Dunno." Harry shook his head.

As the door shut behind the last girl, Severus Snape turned to them with a nasty expression on his yellowish face.

"You might be wondering what this is about. Well, I need to inform you that the headmaster suddenly decided to include a new subject into our curriculum. This Potions class will be replaced by…"

"What, professor?" Draco asked.

"Sex education." Snape replied coldly.

"WHAT???" the class roared.

"Did you hear that?" Colin's eyes widened. "Is professor Dumbledore mad? Making us study something like that? And choosing Snape to teach it?"

Harry shrugged, madly fighting with his facial muscles that wanted to spread a wide grin all over his face. He looked at the floor, knowing that he wouldn't be able to remain indifferent if he cast another glance at Snape.

"Now you might be wondering why the headmaster decided to make you study such a… um, weird subject, and why he hadn't decided so earlier." the professor spoke up. "Well, I think I know his reasons… he introduced this new subject to impede certain things – in lower years this type of education might come at the right time, while in higher years - like yours - it might be already late. " now he glared meaningfully at Harry, who didn't see the professor's stare, since he was still examining the floor.

Colin nudged him and he looked up. Now all the class was looking at him. "What?" he asked.

Draco Malfoy sneered maliciously at him. Someone at the other end of the class giggled.

Snape, after leaving the students a minute to 'glare' at Harry, spoke up: "As you all know – or not –" he looked at Harry again, "sexuality is something to be treated with great caution. Jumping into sexual relations without the adequate knowledge on protection may lead to rather unpleasant consequences." a couple of muffled laughs could be heard again. "Therefore you need to be prepared before you face a situation like this... Some of you might have already faced such a situation, but even if you have, most of you might have known how to protect yourselves against certain negative…" Harry decided to continue gazing at the floor, after all twenty boys looked at him again, knowing what Snape meant my 'most of you'. It meant there were exceptions, and in this case it was Harry.

"So, first I will talk about the contraceptive methods, then, if there's time left, I'll get down to the actual physical part."

"I just hope we won't have to take an exam in this subject." Colin whispered into Harry's ear, who couldn't stifle a chuckle.

"What do you find so funny about my speech, Potter?" Snape asked. "Just to inform you," his voice rose in pitch, "this lesson has been included into the curriculum because of your sorry case, Potter. We are trying to see to it that no other students find themselves in a situation like you did last year… and I heard this year, as well." he added with a disgusted expression.

"I'm sorry, professor. I promise to shut up and listen." Harry replied.

"That's better." Snape nodded. "And now, to the methods of protection… first of all there is a spell, called Anti-conceptus Charm. Its incantation is Impedio graviditas! What are you waiting for? Write it down! You might not know when you need it!"

Every student started to scribble, with the exception of Harry.

"Why don't you write it down, Harry?" Colin whispered.

"'Cause I know that one. Tried it… it didn't work." Harry whispered back.

"Famous Harry Potter thinks he knows these things better than anyone else?" Snape's harsh voice made Harry shudder and look up. "Would you be so kind and tell me why you don't bother to pay attention at my class, Potter?"

"I was paying attention, professor." Harry sighed. "I just didn't feel necessary to write down the incantation."

"And why not, if I may ask?"

"Because I know that one, professor."

"Know it?" Severus raised an eyebrow. "And did you know it last year, too? And four months ago?" he placed the emphasis on four months ago.

"Yes, professor, I did know it four months ago." Harry replied.

"And why not use it, then?" Draco interjected.

"None of your business, Malfoy!" Harry retorted.

"You are gravely mistaken, Mr. Potter." Snape said calmly. "It is everyone's business in this class. The students are here to learn… from me, and from all possible sources of information, which includes you as well."

"Brilliant." Harry murmured. "So we are here to air all my dirty laundry… how flattering that everyone's so interested. Shall I go into details, professor? Where should I start? With my first time in the prefect's bathroom?"

Snape shrugged. "However entertaining it might be for some of your classmates, I fear we don't have time for that. I simply wanted to know how you could impregnate Ms. Weasley, er, Mrs. Potter, if you knew that incantation." he said Mrs. Potter with a hint of sarcasm.

"I don't know, professor. We've been using it… every time." he flushed a bit, and some boys started chuckling again. "I have no idea why, but the spell didn't work."

"Most curious, Mr. Potter." Snape said. "Well, I'm here to tell you about more than one method of birth control. Spells might not be powerful enough, so there are always the good old..."

"Condoms." Colin cut in.

"What, Mr. Creevey?" Snape raised an eyebrow, clearly annoyed by being interrupted.

"Condoms… you know, Muggle protection." Colin replied with a wavering voice, seeing the professor's baleful expression. "And there are those pills as well, and…"

"Muggle protection is by far not as safe as the wizard methods, trust me." Snape replied. "It is proved that the Anti-Conceptus Charm gives 100% protection, if it's implemented right after the sexual act. But for those, who find this not enough, there are still the good old potions."

"Somehow I had a feeling that he'd come to his damned potions at the end." Colin whispered to Harry.

"There is a potion called Keinkind… a German one. I'm going to write the ingredients on the blackboard." the professor turned away from the class, taking a chalk and starting to write the word 'fluxweed' on the board.

The students copied the other ingredients: shredded boomslang, eel-eyes and bat-blood. After a while professor Snape turned around to see that Harry Potter wasn't writing like the others.

"Do you know this one, too, Potter?" he asked harshly. Harry nodded. "Then name me the last ingredient that I haven't put on the board yet."

"A hair of a leprechaun's beard." Harry replied with a sigh.

Snape's face revealed surprise. "Most impressing. You might pass your potions N.E.W.T. after all, Potter."

Harry cast a side-glance at Draco, who looked rather displeased by the professor's statement.

"Any chance that you have also used this potion, Potter?" Snape asked.

"Yes, I have, professor. We wanted to make sure that Ginny wouldn't get pregnant again before graduating, so besides the Anti-Conceptus Charm she also drank the Keinkind Potion."

"She drank it? And still became pregnant? Impossible!" Severus looked surprised.

"Not impossible." Harry shrugged. "Even potions can prove to be wrong."

"An interesting point, Potter. If you manage to prove it in an essay why the charm and your potion didn't work – if they were made properly, that is – then you won't need to take your potions N.E.W.T."

"What?" Draco Malfoy hissed, scandalised.

Harry shot a triumphant look at him and turned back to Snape. He might begin to like Severus, after all.

"And now that we have talked about the theoretical part, let's move on to… other parts." the students, knowing what was coming, started laughing madly. Snape cleared his throat. "So… sex… something that some of you might have already done, so this part of the lesson mainly concerns those, who haven't." he pulled out a large parchment from his drawer and pinned it onto the blackboard. "So, the male and female genitalia…"

Harry yawned and looked out of the window. A little red bird was sitting on a tree-branch, singing. It was the first bird he had seen for months, besides the owls and crows that were frequently seen at Hogwarts in winter. The bird's colour reminded him of his pretty little wife, who was up in McGonagall's class, surely just as bored as he was. The thought of Minerva explaining sex to students (especially to students in lower years) made Harry grin. *I'm going to ask Ginny to tell me every funny details of McGonagall's class.* he decided, bending his head onto his arms.

"…and that is what you need to heed when you… um, Mr. Potter?" Snape raised his voice.

Colin nudged Harry, but he didn't budge.

"POTTER!" Snape bellowed, making Harry stir and look up.

"What? Sorry, professor." he squinted at him drowsily.

"Ten points from Gryffindor for sleeping in my class, Potter." Snape said.

"Oh, all right." Harry stood up, gathering his belongings.

"Where are you going, Potter?" Severus furrowed his brow.

"To fetch Ginny from professor McGonagall's class. I think it's no use for us sitting in classes like this. We are past the theories long ago. Practice is much more fun." and with that he left the classroom. Before he closed the door behind himself, he heard Snape saying: "Another twenty points from Gryffindor for your cheek, Potter!"

As it turned out, Ginny's class wasn't as terrible, because it wasn't held by Minerva, but Hermione. However, after the theoretical class, Ginny also preferred some practice, to Harry's greatest delight.

And that was the last time they made love…

Harry heaved a deep sigh. Eight months… eight long months without any intimacy. He loved his wife and respected her wish to wait a bit, but it was getting too much for him. He seriously hoped that Ginny would be okay by Christmas… or was she already okay? Harry couldn't wait for Sirius' reply to his letter.

"Hey, where are you?" a voice shook his out of his reveries. "You seem to be so far away."

"Huh? Oh, sorry, Mileta. I was thinking."

"About what?" she smiled.

"Well, just… look, our dinner's coming!" the waiter placed two plates of roast boar on their table, and two glasses of champagne as well.

"Let's drink to you, Mileta." Harry raised his glass.

After having eaten and drunk, Mileta dragged Harry to the dance-floor, determined to teach him the steps of a Bulgarian folk dance. Harry had never been a good dancer, so he soon convinced her to sit back down to their table. Mileta followed him, pouting. "I feel like dancing… I could dance all night, Harry."

"Then dance." he shrugged. "There are so many handsome guys here and most of them are better dancers than me."

Mileta didn't reply, just sulked.

"Hey, cheer up and look what the waiter's bringing you!" Harry said.

The waiter approached them, holding a small tart with seventeen candles.

"Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday Mileta, happy birthday to you!" Harry sang as the waiter placed the chocolate tart on their table.

"Oh, Harry…" he eyes filled with joyous tears. "Thank you!" she grabbed the front of his robes, and pulled him to her, catching his lips with hers.

Before Harry could pull free, a voice came roaring through the pub: "HARRY POTTER! WHAT ARE YOU DOING THERE WITH MY SISTER???"

A/N2: Latin explanation: impedio graviditas = to prevent pregnancy.