Chapter 27:

A few weeks later, towards the end of April, everyone was gathered at Headquarters. Voldemort had suddenly stepped up attacks after being quiet for a long period of time. If it weren't for the births, everyone would've been on pins and needles beforehand. Now, they all seemed to be walking on eggshells. Everyone could tell that the end was starting to draw near and the fate of the wizarding world would soon be decided.

Those closest to him made sure that Harry didn't fall into dark despair with the weight on his shoulders. He knew it was a large burden but there were things that kept him going. He would watch the Lupin girls and Sam sleeping or playing in their playpen. He would watch Ginny and fantasize about their children. He wanted to be there for Ron and Hermione's wedding—he wanted their wedding to happen. He wanted to see where Luna and Neville's relationship would go. And most of all, he didn't want to lose his family.

When he thought he couldn't be able to conquer the Dark Lord, he would remember scenes from last summer. The many times they had all just sat around, joking over dinner. Or the times he was able to talk to Sirius or Remus or Harmony or Kiki when he needed advice. The images of him, Ron, Hermione and Ginny doing their homework in one of the parlors also passed through his mind often. Images of walking in on the (supposed) adults of the house in the middle of a pillow fight, especially those of Professor Snape. (Though if the Potions Master knew any of his students saw him…well, Harry didn't want to mediate on those scenarios) Memories of Mrs. Weasley's meals and desserts caused Harry's mouth to savor. He knew that if Voldemort (whom the Weasley twins and Wood had taken to calling "Moldy-Voldy") used Dementors, Harry had enough happy memories to call up an army of patroni.

He didn't want the world that had provided him his true family and homes to be taken over by the darkness that Voldemort could bring. And, even though he detested them as much as they detested him, he didn't want to see the Dursleys and their world to fall prey next. It was inevitable—Voldemort would grow tired ruling the wizarding world and decide to purge the world of muggles. Harry sighed and rolled over in his old Headquarter's bed, listening to Ron snore across from him. He wasn't going to let Voldemort do anything…and thus, he drifted off into another dream filled with peace, happiness, and Ginny.

Severus was just as anxious since his moment of truth was nearing…when he would reveal his true loyalties. He smirked; he doubted that some deatheaters hadn't figured it out yet. After all, he was engaged to an Auror, but he knew that many had convinced themselves that Kiki was really a spy for her fiancé, their spy. Two spies together. He shook his head at the absurdity of the idea of Kiki being a spy in the Auror corps. She was too much a Gryffindor to do that. Though, he thought with a smile, he did seem to bring out her Slytherin qualities. The ones he knew existed back when he developed the crush on her their first year.

He looked over her sleep form, curled against one of his pillows since he wasn't in a mood to sleep at the moment. Next to her side of the bed was the little bassinette holding Sam, who should also be sleeping. He slowly crept over to stare down at his little girl—whom no Deatheater was going to hold. Ever. His Slytherin emblem blanket was covering her small sleeping form with that Gryffindor lion from Minerva and Albus clutched in her tiny hand. Even with the symbol of his rival house tucked firmly with her, he still smiled as she gave a soft whimper. He carefully picked her up—still slightly unsure of himself, damn that Lupin for being so natural!—and gently rocked her back and forth.

Her whimperings continued and Severus started to realize that it was because she was hungry. He and Kiki were always so confused whenever she began to cry, but then they slowly learned which each one meant. Severus leaned back and sighed, shaking his fiancée up. She was going to be grumpy, but it was Kiki's final decision to breast feed their daughter. He would certainly be glad to bottle feed Sam—he was usually up during her feedings—but Kiki had insisted this way was better.

Kiki sat up, blinking a few times, and took the crying Sam from Severus. Without a word, she began to nurse and let herself be drawn closer to the child's father. He gently kissed her forehead while stroking Sam's cheek and felt himself slowly start to drift off…

Harmony slowly rocked Jamie back and forth. She had just finished feeding the twins and now Jamie absolutely refused to go back to sleep. She sighed; she heard other cries and realized Kiki must be going through the same thing at the moment. But her friend at least had the father to help her, Harmony realized. She cast a glance at the sleeping wolf lying next to Lily's bassinette. It did bring a smile to her face; Remus was such an attentive father no matter what form he was in. Harmony leaned back as Jamie gave a tug to her nightshirt. She looked down to see her daughter smiling and cooing. She shifted the little girl to rest Jamie's head on Harmony's shoulder. Jamie cooed and settled in. Within a few minutes, she was asleep. "Aha, I think I've found the secret," Harmony said, placing her daughter down in her bassinette.

"Really? She likes the shoulder area?" Remus asked the next morning after his transformation. He was holding the twins on his chest, both curious enough with their father's robes. Harmony was busy changing but nodded as she came out of their closet.

"Yes. Jamie will go to sleep if she's laid there," Harmony repeated, picking up the daughter in question. Jamie cooed and reached for one of Harmony's blonde locks. "Oh no, you don't!" She laughed, moving her hair from her daughter's curious hand. Lily was wiggling her way up her father's chest until he encircled her and lifted both of them off the bed. The small family made it downstairs for breakfast before those who taught at Hogwarts would be returning for the next school week.

Sirius was concerned. And since he was concerned, he was pacing while thinking of things that made him concerned. All his concerns seem to fall under the big umbrella marked "War with Voldemort." There was his concern about his godson, watching him become more serious and more determined as the days dragged on. It was spring—he and Ginny should be experiencing spring fever. Now the happy couple was preparing for their (hopefully) final confrontation with Voldemort. The only thing that Sirius could do was be there when Harry needed someone to talk to and just support the young wizard. Sirius sighed knowing that Harry's heart was where it should be—protecting his family and friends (just like James) and protecting even those he didn't know or particularly care for (just like Lily).

Next were the small families that were growing under his very nose. He thought of his two infant goddaughters. What type of world did he want them to live in? What a stupid question, he scolded himself. Of course he wanted them to live in a world with peace, being raised (along with the other children that would surely come) by their loving parents. He shuddered at the thought of losing Remus—they were the only Marauders left! And Harmony would be heartbroken—she would basically only live because of Jamie and Lily. And then there was little Samantha Snape. As much as Sirius and Severus didn't like each other, Sirius had to admit the little girl deserved to have her father and Severus did deserve to see Sam (and more likely any other children that would follow) grow up.

And none of the children deserved to be fatherless. Sirius wasn't so concerned about Harmony and Kiki since it was already decided that the new mothers wouldn't fight unless Headquarters was raided. It was obvious that the fight was going to take place at Hogwarts, but Kreacher had disappeared a week back and now they were concerned that the Deatheaters would be able to ransack 12 Grimmauld Place. Kiki hadn't been happy with the decision since she wanted to be right up there on the frontlines—as was true to her nature. Severus and Albus had pulled her over and talked it out with her, reasoning with her maternal side. In the end, she had given in so that Sam wouldn't be parentless and with Sev's promise that she could fight if Headquarters was raided.

And the most important concern to him was Bianca. He had enlisted the help of Eden, the only person he could think of who wouldn't spill the beans to his girlfriend. It was her job to find out Bink's ring size. She had come back victorious and now the precious piece of jewelry sat hidden away in one of his desk drawers. Sirius was impressed with himself since only he and Eden knew of the engagement. He felt bad not telling Remus, but the man kept nothing from his wife, who wouldn't keep it from her best friend, who was sure to tell Bianca! No, Sirius knew it was better that it was between himself and Eden until he could propose to Bianca.

But that was his worry. What if he didn't live out the final battle? What if she didn't? He wouldn't know what he would do if Bianca didn't make it. What would happen if he was one of those lost? Bianca would be broken, Remus the last Marauder, Harmony and Kiki inconsolable, Harry lost, and Severus…well, Severus would gloat. But that was all speculation to Sirius. After all, as human beings, we believe that we've touched some people who would mourn our passing. But a horrible thought plagued the man as he contemplated everything. What if he died and no one cared or mourned at all? What if the only thing that was true about his previous beliefs was the fact that Severus would gloat over the demise of Sirius Black?

Sirius slumped to the floor and that's how Bianca found him a half-hour later. "Whatever is the matter with you?" she asked, hands on her hips. As much as she loved the fool, the columnist had had a bad day in the pressroom since L'Idiot had decided to show up. She didn't need any of Sirius' dramatics after Fudge's—and after L'Idiot's wife's as well! "Sirius, answer me!"

"What if I die?"

"I beg your pardon?" Of all things Sirius could have said, that was the last thing Bianca ever thought she would ever hear from her boyfriend's mouth. She had seen the vulnerable Sirius Black a few times, most likely more times than any of his friends (save for James Potter, Bianca was sure) had ever seen, but never had the man ever admitted to being afraid of death.

"What if I die? Will anyone care?"

"Sirius Black, you look at me this instant," Bianca said, grabbing his face with both of her hands. Kiki had once mentioned it was the best way to get his full attention.

"You aren't going to die. You want to know why? Because I'm not going to let you! You can't just give up. There are too many people who care about you for you to just give up. Harry—you're the closest thing he's ever had to a father! Remus is the uncle figure, so don't give me anything about that! Kiki and Harmony treat you like a brother. And you are not leaving me alone! And before you ask, I'm not leaving you alone. There, are you happy?"

"You're cute when you rant and rave," Sirius said, kissing Bianca. "But thanks. I needed someone to say that."

"You're welcome. Just, don't become depressed the same day Fudge and Narcissa visit the newsroom."

Sirius winced and held Bianca close. "You had to deal with my cousin and her husband. Poor baby," he said. "Here, let me make it all better." With that, he kissed her again—with much more passion.