Birthday Surprises Chapter Six
Usual disclaimer: Not mine, don't sue. Please. Wish it were mine though. Ah, if only… Lolly, xxx.
Thanks to Athenakitty and Persephone106 for reviewing. Kirsteen, you are completely weird. Just thought I'd tell you so. And hurry up with that story!
Athenakitty, I may get round to answering your questions, I can't say too much though. You'll find out soon enough. Oh, and do you actually like the story? Sniff you haven't said yes or no.
It was almost eight o'clock when Professor's McGonagall and Dumbledore arrived in the hospital wing, and Harry was still asleep, the babies still curled into him. Professor McGonagall gasped in shock, while the headmaster smiled and sighed a tiny sigh of nostalgia. The three green-eyed infants, currently fast asleep, looked perfectly happy.
"Albus - look at them." Minerva whispered.
"I believe I did say that Harry would take to this job admirably."
"Yes, you did, but surely you must have been able to see our point of view - Potter is only seventeen and does have a knack of attracting trouble."
"I am aware of this, but I must say, the risk has paid off." They were silent for a moment before Poppy came out of her office, smiling, if looking slightly tired.
"Ah, headmaster. You've seen Mr Potter, then?" Her smile widened ever so slightly.
"Indeed, Poppy. When did he come down?"
"Three o'clock, headmaster."
"What was he doing awake at that hour?" Minerva asked.
"Said he couldn't sleep - it's a good job too. Andrew refused to stop crying for me, but within five minutes of handing him to Potter, he was calm and quiet." Albus noticed a smile tugging at the corners of Harry's mouth and decided to watch what he was saying - it was something he had learnt in his time at Hogwarts - never trust that a student is asleep. He nodded in agreement.
"Yes, something similar happened in my office yesterday evening."
"What are they called?" Minerva asked, watching the babies still. It was unnerving how well such a young boy could adjust to looking after three babies.
"Leah - short for Eleanor, Samuel and Andrew."
"It might be just as well that you decided against letting Potter choose the names - Leah would almost certainly be called Cho, or something. Whoever his latest crush is." Professor McGonagall said. She had looked away, and therefore hadn't seen Harry's eyes open.
"Actually, I didn't change my mind at all." Professor Dumbledore said mildly.
"No - I named them. And I don't actually know anyone called Eleanor, so your theory is wrong." Harry said, looking slightly insulted. Minerva looked slightly embarrassed, and apologised. Harry shrugged, looking down as the bracelet he wore gave a twinge. Leah was waking, and sniffling for her bottle. Harry, recognising that she was about to start wailing, quickly summoned a bottle.
"Hey, Little One. Shush now, you'll wake your brothers." Harry completely forgot about his audience as he fed Leah. It wasn't too long before the boys had woken up too, and all his attention was focussed on successfully tended to all three at once - it was an art he had developed quickly in the past few days, especially as there was only one of him and three of them.
Albus gently motioned for the two women to follow him into the Nurse's office - Harry was obviously very busy, and he didn't need them staring at him. Minerva seemed especially reluctant to leave, but she did as he bid - he was her boss after all. "Well, the boy seems to be handling his responsibility well." Poppy said as they shut the door to her office.
"Indeed, but there's something worrying you?"
"Yes. He seems awfully attached to them - you saw him, he's going to be heartbroken when they go….."
"Go? Where are they to go?" Albus asked. Poppy stared at him as if he had just announced that he was going to adopt the children personally.
"Back to their parents!" She spluttered.
"Poppy, my dear, you have no reason to worry."
"But the boy has had enough upset! He's already attached to them!"
"Poppy, listen to me. Harry is attached to them - I'm rather fond of them myself, but you need to stop worrying so much. When the times comes, you can worry."
"Are you implying that this is a long-term arrangement?"
"Why yes, I suppose I am."
"Albus! The boy is sitting his NEWT's! You've made him head boy too - do you think that putting him under all of this pressure is wise?"
"Minerva, surely you of all people know that Harry is one of the few people who does exceedingly well under pressure, but that's not the reason. He is probably the best person to look after them - you've both seen him with them, and Harry knows that his school work is important."
"But how will he look after them during the day? He can't take them to class."
"No, indeed he can't. I have decided that the job will fall to Dobby, should Harry agree."
"The house-elf? The mad one?"
"Dobby isn't mad as such - he's simply eccentric. A little like me, I think. Besides, it is Harry who will have the final decision."
"Albus he's still a boy!"
"He may be a boy, but he's one of the most mature you'll meet."
"What about…..well, you know?"
"Voldemort? He doesn't have a clue about the triplets. It won't stay that way for long, but Harry will keep them safe."
"How, Albus?"
"That will be a matter of choice for Harry."
"Albus! Are you leaving everything up to him?"
"Yes, I think so. I have found, in my many years of experience, that young people like Harry will do what is for the best if the guiding hand is gentle, rather than forceful. There is nothing for you to worry about."
"Oh very well! He has been one of the better students over the past year, though, and if his performance drops at all, you will hear about it - make no mistake."
"Of course, Minerva. I shall inform the staff in a few weeks. I imagine that this will not be taken easily by some."
"Rather you than me, Albus, Severus is going to throw a fit. You know what he's like where the boy's concerned."
"I do." Albus sighed. "No matter, he'll get over it eventually."
"I wish I was as confident." Minerva muttered.
"Now, if you ladies will excuse me, I have a meeting with young Mr Potter's Aunt."
"His Aunt? The awful Muggles are here?"
"Yes, they are currently residing in Gryffindor Tower."
"The Tower? Oh, I'll have to have the house-elves clean it thoroughly if that beast of a boy has been in there - oh Albus, did it have to be Gryffindor Tower?"
"I'm afraid so - they were rather unpleased about it too. At least the males were - I believe Petunia was quite looking forward to it. She has been taking an interest in Harry this summer, odd as it may seem."
"You had better go then - good luck."
"Thank you Minerva. Would you please take Mr Potter down for some breakfast when he has finished dealing with the triplets?"
"Of course."
"I shall go then, thank you Poppy, I shall call in later."
"Very well headmaster."
