A/n:

Hey all! This chapter is kinda short, but it has to be there. It might take me a while to come up with the next update because I have no idea as of yet where I plan to take this story.

We shall see.

Rosiegirl: Thanks!

Enjoy!

Chapter 2: Harry's Pain

Poppy Pomfrey

bustled around the hospital wing, gathering the necessities to care for the many patients filling the beds. The wing wasn't as good as Hogwarts, but she had her supplies and there was room enough for the things she sometimes had to do. The last battle had wounded many, and sadly also killed many as well. Over the years, there had been many battles because Lord Voldemort still lived.

Turning from her gathering of supplies, she faced a bed with its curtains drawn. She stared sadly at it, thinking of the boy, man, who lay there. He was not hurt, physically, but when he had awakened after returning from the battle…

flashback

"Oh, Harry." Madam Pomfrey said, laying him on a bed. She took the bundle from Molly, washed her and bundled her in a pink blanket.

"Molly, take the child and put her in a cradle in a private room. I need to wake Harry and assess his condition." Molly nodded and did as told.

Taking out her wand, she performed the charm to awaken Harry. He shot up out of the bed so fast that Madam Pomfrey nearly fell over.

"Now, Potter! Calm down!"

"But, Anna! She's… And my child, it couldn't have lived after that…" Tears were streaming from the young man's eyes and it hurt the Matron to see them. This man had not had an easy life. Why couldn't he get a break?

"Harry, I need you to drink this for me." He drank without protest. She could see that he thought he had lost everything. She needed to stabilize his condition, let him grieve a bit before she told him about his little girl. Harry closed his eyes, falling into a dreamless sleep.

"Anna," he sniffed just before fading completely.

end flashback

True, the outburst hadn't been that bad, but she knew that he would need to sleep. She too, had liked Anna Benson Potter, but her patients took precedence over grief.

Harry awoke, feeling groggy. Opening his eyes, he quickly closed them because of the bright lights.

"Oh, he's awake, Severus, please dim the lights." Harry could recognize the nurses snap anywhere, but… Severus?

"Alright Potter, you can open your eyes now," came his former professor's voice. He did so, and could see that he lay in a bed. He wondered though, why he felt so empty, like he'd lost something dear to him.

"Molly, please retrieve the baby."

'Baby? What baby? Whose is…? oh…' Harry's thoughts broke off as the memory of his wife's struggles in the field took him. Grief wracked him, but he was pulled out of it by a harsh voice.

"Potter! I know it hurts, but you must come out of it. You have someone here who needs you to be strong, to live." Hope burgeoned in him. 'Anna? No, she couldn't have lived?'

"Bring her here Molly," said Madam Pomfrey.

"Harry dear," Molly said softly. Sweet Anna did not survive, I am sorry to say, but there still is someone who needs you. We were able to save your daughter. She is healthy and whole." Harry opened his eyes, only just noticing the tears that slid silently down his cheeks. His sad green eyes fell on the bundle in Molly's arms, and he held his out. Gently she laid the little girl, his and Anna's child in them.

"We'll leave you with her. She needs a name," Severus said very softly. It was unlike him to speak so gently, but Harry didn't mind, was glad for it even. He nodded and they all left Harry with his little girl.

Harry sat there for a few moments, still taking in the fact that his child had survived. Anna had suffered a curse that killed her, but she had given him his girl.

He looked at her eyes, the same emerald green as his and his mother's. Her hair was the same raven black, but unlike his, it was straight. She had gotten that from Anna.

Looking at her, he thought of the name that Anna and he had picked out together if the baby was a girl 'Lyralei Emerald Potter.'

"Lyra, we're going to have quite the tough time without your mum here, but I'm glad you are here to help me get through it. You never met her, but I will always make sure you know of her." Lyra stared at him, and then closed her eyes, falling asleep.

Severus stood outside the hospital wing, thinking of the family that was now in there, getting to see each other. He was glad that Harry had his girl. He would make it through the war with her; she would lessen his grief some.