Chapter 2:

A couple of days later, Kiki and Garret were released from Madame Pomfrey's care. Rawlins was also feeling better. The weather was to be beautiful for the next days, so Albus decided to hold a picnic on the Hogwarts lawn.

"Well, a picnic. With a week old baby. What were we thinking?" Kiki asked, trying to make sure she had packed everything in the diaper bag. Severus shrugged as he held all the children. Garret was asleep in his father's arms. Madison clung to Severus' leg while Sam stood, trying not to laugh. Kiki straightened up. "Ready?" she asked, taking Garret from her husband.

"Kiki, darling, the picnic isn't miles away. It's only on the lawn," Severus said, picking up the clinging Madi.

The five made it upstairs to the picnic, arriving at the same time as Ron and Hermione Weasley. Severus put Madison down and she tottered over to Susan Weasley as Hermione put her down. The two girls toddled over to James and sat down next to him. Harmony was holding onto Molly Potter while little Alida patted the young girl. "Look, Harry and Ginny brought their little daughter," Severus said to Kiki.

She plopped her bag down next to Bianca's. "Yes, but Garret is a week old, Molly is three months. There's a difference." Severus sighed, realizing that fighting was futile. Kiki smiled victoriously and marched over to give Albus a piece of her mind.

Severus shook his head and sat down next to the diaper bag. He looked over and smiled. Sirius was buried by Jamie, Lily, Giachi, Rawlins, Sam, and Arden. Bianca was busy trying to find a camera as Madi and James climbed up onto their Uncle Sirius/father. "Oof," Severus heard, "how many are one me?"

"Not enough," Harmony replied, plopping Alida down in an empty spot. "There. Hey, should we get Molly and Susan up on him?"

"No! Harmony, if you do, I will hate you for eternity!"

"Coming from the man who was once struck in my chimney."

"That was over twenty years ago!"

"I have a really, really good memory, Padfoot."

"Shut up!"

"Sirius, not in front of the children," Remus scolded, kissing Harmony. Harry and Ginny returned from helping Minerva set up the table. Ginny took her little daughter from Harmony's arms while Harry fell down laughing on the lawn at the sight of his godfather.

Sirius groaned as Madi pulled on his long black hair, loose from its usual ponytail. "If that's my godson laughing, tell him I'm going to kill him."

"Are you talking to me?" Harry choked out.

"Aren't you my only godson?"

"No, there's, uh, there's…crap, I am your only godson, aren't I?"

"Yep."

"Crap."

"Good."

"Will you stop cursing in front of the children?" Bianca smacked her husband.

"Ow, Harry's the one who cursed!"

"You encouraged it!"

Kiki walked up and sat down next to her husband. "What did Sirius do now?"

"Nothing! Absolutely nothing!" He groaned again. "Look, can we please get the children off of me? I can't feel my feet and my legs are starting to go."

Bianca, Harmony, Kiki and Severus looked over at each other before calling their children off. Sirius just laid down still, waiting for the blood to start flowing again. Lily, Jamie and Sam ran over to join Minerva, whom they idolized. Right after Molly. "Of course. My daughter idolizes the head of my rival house. Why?" Severus moaned.

Kiki's smirked causing Severus to kiss her passionately. "Hey, Sev, be careful. Watch out—Kiki's holding a baby. You don't want another, do you?" Without breaking the kiss, Severus pulled out the wand and hexed Sirius.

Why is everyone beating me up today?" Sriius groaned as the hex took effect.

Bianca, sitting next to him, merely sighed. "You probably deserve it, dear," she shot back, rubbing his back.

"Will I have to separate you two?" an exasperated female voice called out.

"GRANDMA MOLLY!" the kids all shouted before rushing the Weasley matriarch. Molly Weasley bent down to pick her biological granddaughter, Susan, before turning her attention to all her pseudo-grandchildren. When Sam, Lily and Jamie were all learning how to speak, their parents were wondering what they would call Albus, Minerva, Arthur and Molly. Sam solved that one day at the Burrow when she toddled up to Molly and pulled on her robes. The little girl looked up at the witch with wide black eyes and asked, "Gwandma Mowwy, may I peas have a cookie?"

Albus chuckled as he watched Molly sort through each child and listen as they told her different things. He felt something tug on his robes and looked down to see a little boy with piercing blue eyes and blond hair peek out from behind his legs. "You want to go over there, Maxim?" he asked the little boy. In response, the boy slipped back behind Albus' legs.

The Headmaster sighed and picked up the toddler. "There's no need to be shy. You know everyone over there," he told the boy.

"I want Mama and Dada," the boy replied. "When will they get here?"

"They'll be here soon. Right now, you're stuck with me and Grandma," Albus said, eyes twinkling. He reached down and tickled the three-years-old.

"Haha…Grandpa, stop!" Maxim Michaelson pleaded with his grandfather. Albus was relentless and kept tickling his tiny grandson.

"Dad! He's going to have the hiccups!" Eden Michaelson's voice called out in warning.

"MAMA!" Maxim jumped out of Albus' arms and ran up to Eden, who hugged her little son. "What took you so long?"

"Sorry, little guy, Mama and I got caught up at work," Ace Michaelson explained, rubbing his son's hair. He straightened up and shook his father-in-law's hand. "Sorry about that. I hope he wasn't too much trouble."

"Of course not. Was it serious?" Albus asked.

"A false alarm. It was an accidental explosion, no sign of the Dark Mark anywhere," Ace explained. Even six years after Harry had defeated Voldemort, those loyal to the Dark Lord still ran about. Most were keeping a low profile, but there were few who tried to recreate the terror and the wizarding community was still slightly on edge.

Albus nodded. "Why don't you go say hi to your mother, Eden? She's been worried," he told his daughter gently.

Eden sighed as she picked Maxim up. "She always worries. It's not good for her health." With that, she and Ace turned to go say hello to Minerva.

Once Severus's hex wore off, Sirius was finally able to stand. He stretched a bit and looked around. The older kids were off playing hide and go seek with little Madi as the seeker. Alida and Arden were with Arthur, who was showing them his latest muggle article fascination. Little Garret and Molly were sound asleep on a nearby blanket. He took a deep breath and was glad that there would be no kids rushing to topple him onto the ground.

But on the ground he found himself a few minutes later. The culprit was also on the ground a few yards away, a red haired woman with shocking pink eyes. She was laughing over the fact she had successfully knocked her cousin to the ground. "Nymphadora Tonks!" Sirius yelled. But it was no use, Tonks only laughed harder. Sirius sighed. "Well, where's your partner in crime?"

"Right here," a male voice came. "Need a hand?"

"As long as it's helping me up." Sirius took Riley Dumbledore's hand and let the man hoist him up. "Thanks."

"No problem. And sorry about that," Riley said. He turned to Tonks, who was now sitting Indian style on the ground. "Bad, Dora. Bad!" he mock scolded her. Tonks smiled and jumped up, encircling her arms and legs around her Riley. The Dumbledore man barely had time to catch his fiancée and had to shift to adjust to the weight change. Tonks kissed Riley.

"Come on," she said, when the kiss broke. "Let's go say hi to your parents."

"Okay, but could you move?" I can't walk like this," Riley said. Tonks kissed his cheek and moved so that Riley was now piggy-backing her. "Okay, that works. See ya, Sirius!" With that, the two walked off.

A little while later, Albus sat off to the side observing the situation. In two weeks, the students would arrive and a new school year begins. He would slip very easily into his role as the eccentric headmaster and Minerva would pull her hair back into its usual bun to become his strict deputy headmistress. At least now, the two were open about their marriage, announcing such shortly after Harry defeated Voldemort. Almost true to his promise, Riley took a bullhorn on top of the Astronomy tower and proudly told the whole world who his real parents were. Eden, needless to say, was embarrassed thoroughly and refused to speak to her brother for a week.

Remus, Severus and Harmony would easily slip back into their teaching roles. The Lupins were still considered the best teachers in the school, the ones every student always said good-bye to before leaving. Severus wasn't as cranky or mean as he used to be, but was still a strict and formidable presence in the classroom. Students were still heard complaining about him, but all who graduated always came back to thank their potions professor for preparing them for real life. He also still wore those same billowing black cloaks, but Albus suspected that Kiki played a big role in that some way. And, starting this year, Hermione would also be a professor at Hogwarts though she wouldn't live at the castle.

The children who called Hogwarts home, but weren't students, enjoyed the basic free reign they had over the castle. The parents felt completely safe letting their children wander the castle as if they were back at either 14 Grimmauld Place or Snape Manor. Filch wasn't a problem, not after the first time he punished Sam for skipping through the hallways to go see her Grandpa Albus for some tea. Filch scared the little girl so much with threats of making her go into the Forbidden Forest of hanging her by her feet, Sam ran all the way to the Headmaster's office. Severus has been called by Albus to discuss a student's failing grades and a way to help the poor child when a hysterical Sam burst through the door and buried herself into her father's robes. After much coaxing, the little Snape daughter finally told them what Filch had said. Severus' face grew stern and he left his daughter happily sucking on one of the lollipops Minerva hid in her husband's desk for the children. Neither Dumbledore thought they had ever seen Filch so pale after Severus was done talking to him. Neither man was telling what exactly happened, the only other person who knew was Kiki—who wasn't telling either.

Harry and Ron were successful Aurors who had quickly risen through ranks due to their experience with Voldemort. The two worked together with Ace, Tonks, Kingsley and Kiki. Moody felt that since the danger was over, he could retire. Albus kept in touch with his old friend, whom came back from his new home in Florida (which he felt was safer than England or Europe) when his goddaughter had given birth. And with Patrick Mandola in Azkaban for taking part in Fudge's Army, there were two new spots on the best Auror team in England. Sirius, shortly after the final battle, was hired as an instructor for the Auror Academy while Bianca still wrote her columns at the Daily Prophet.

Ginny and Eden worked together at St. Mungo's, where Eden was Mrs. Potter's mentor. Arthur had retired so he and Molly took care of all their assorted grandchildren while their many children worked. It was hard for them to see Charlie's children since he and his wife lived near the dragons they cared for. Percy had fled to America upon learning of Voldemort's defeat and the imprisonment of those who support Fudge. (Percy wasn't at the final battle due to Ministry work). Fred and George had settled down in Diagon Alley, but still visited their parents enough while their children were watched as well as Susan and Molly. Arthur and Molly didn't have any more money worries since Carl Walker, still the Minister of Magic, had provided a decent pension plan for the man. Plus, all the Weasley children chipped in to help their parents as well.

Neville was a herbologist at the hospital and played a part in the development of many new medicinal cures. He even predicted that Remus could be cured of his lycanthropy within the next few years. Luna worked with her father at the Quibbler, which the Lovegood man was planning on turning over to his daughter quite soon. Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom would've been at the picnic, but Luna was ordered to bed rest due to a complicated pregnancy.

Albus sighed; he was just grateful that the families could have this time to come together and just have fun. He smiled at his rather large extended family and went to join the impromptu limbo contest set up by Sirius and Kiki.

A few days later, Severus was checking his stores to make sure he had everything needed to start the school year. What would it say about the term if he didn't? He searched through each cabinet, muttering about which was fine and which could be refilled. "Darling, you're starting to talk to yourself," Kiki's voice came to him.

"If I am, if means you and Albus drove me to it," Severus shot back. He felt her put her arms around his neck and lean down.

"Come on. It's late and you know I can't sleep without you next to me," she whispered. He shivered but smiled at the fact she could still do that to him. Even after all of these years. He could also tell that Kiki felt the shiver and knew he was loosening. "Come on," she purred, her lips practically of his ear. "Please?"

He stood up and spun to face her, bringing his head down so that their lips were almost touching. "Okay," he said. "You win." Her eyes lit up in satisfaction, but he noticed her breathing was becoming quite ragged. "But only if you wear those flannel pajamas of yours." She had even more difficult a time breathing; he knew he could still affect her like that. But, now it was all about the payback. "Of course," he continued, "we are under strict orders from Madame Pomfrey not to have any 'relations' for the next few weeks."

With a victorious grin, Severus swept out the room and into their personal chambers. He quickly changed for bed and then walked into the living area to wait for Kiki. He heard her band around their bedroom as he inspected their wedding pictures on their mantle. He smirked at the sight of Bianca, wearing an orange bridesmaid dress, catching the bouquet and blushing (especially since she wasn't even part of the toss as she was already engaged). But his favorite picture he made sure wasn't doused in the potion needed to allow the subjects to move. He and Kiki were suspended in time, in the middle of one of their dances. He in his black dress robes holding her in her white wedding gown around the waist, their foreheads meeting and their eyes closed.

"Severus Snape, that was completely unfair! Getting me all worked up and not even following through in the sli--!" Kiki was cut off when Severus kissed her and replicated the position of his favorite picture as a clap of thunder was heard.

The Lupins were tired. They had spent all day moving the important things from their house to their chambers, fixing their offices and chasing after the twins. Harmony and Remus just lay flat out on their bed, in their night clothes but lacking the energy to climb under the covers. "It's all your fault, you know," Harmony said, not moving.

"What is?"

"That the twins are so hyperactive."

"Mine!"

"Yes. It's your Marauder spirit that givens them so much energy."

Remus rolled over and placed his arm around his wife's waist. "If I may, I wasn't the most spirited of the group. I believe Rawlins is more like me than either of the twins."

"Oh, so not it's my fault?"

"No," Remus said, pulling the covers over the two of them. "I'm saying it's Sirius' fault."

"Sirius?"

"Honey, you know everything is Sirius' fault."

"True," Harmony said, snuggling until she found a comfortable position in Remus' arms. "Hmm…Remus?"

"Yes?"

"What do you think of…"

"Wait a minute!" Remus shot up out of bed. "Last time a conversation started like that, you were telling me that you were pregnant with Alida! Now, I love our children dearly, but we agreed four was enough!"

Harmony sat up, an annoyed look on her face. "No, I'm not pregnant again. As much as I loved carrying your children, four is enough. Especially since the first two were at the same time! What I was going say was that I was going to take the children into Diagon Alley in a few days to get them new fall clothes. It'll most likely be us, the Snapes and the Blacks."

"Oh," Remus said. "In that case, sure. But as much as I love spending time with you guys, I think I'll skip shopping. Especially if Bink and Kiki are involved." Harmony smiled and leaned in for a kiss.

No one on the Hogwarts ground, not even the seemingly omnipotent Headmaster, noticed the black shadow that had hung around Hogwarts and Forbidden Forest since the day of the picnic. It now ran into the forest, not even detected by Fang.

Bianca fell into the tub wearily. Handling three children was fine but mix in their cousins? That was just trouble. The Jennings clan had met at Tony and Maria's for little Ashley's birthday. All those kids even had Sirius spinning as he sat down with a tired Arden on his lap. Now, she used the charm Kiki taught her so long ago and turned her tub into a hot tub. A few minutes later, Sirius walked in, tossed of his robe and got in next to her. She rolled over and wrapped her arms around his midsection.

"Bianca, my love, please promise me one thing," Sirius murmured.

"What?"

"As much as I love your family, the only ones we'll see in the next few weeks will be your parents. Please?"

"Don't worry, love, I was thinking the very same thing." Bianca closed her eyes and sighed happily on his chest. "Hmm, remember the first time we did this?"

"Hmm. Yes, I do. Before we were married, before we had kids…"

"Do you ever regret that we didn't have a time where we were just married and had no kids?" Bianca asked, eyes now wide open. She had never asked that question, but it had always plagued her since she came back from their honeymoon and discovered she had conceived already. As much as she and Sirius (and her mother) were overjoyed, there was always that little voice that nagged in her mind that said Sirius wasn't happy with the arrangement.

Sirius shifted a bit so that Bianca was lying on top of him and looking directly into his eyes. "No. I have never regretted that at all. I loved the fact we were able to have Giachi so soon. It made our little family complete, caught us up with our friends and got your mother off our backs earlier. Not that I don't love her, mind you," he said. Bianca smiled and nestled her head right under his chin. He sighed; he was elated when they discovered Bianca had pretty much become pregnant on their wedding night. And nothing was going to change that.

Neither of them noticed the mysterious figure that had only been lurking outside of Hogwarts the night before hanging around outside now. It wasn't surprising that no one else so it. Fourteen Grimmauld Place was currently unoccupied since all the Lupins were back in Hogwarts to prepare for the new term. Their other neighbors were the Potters, all three who were sound asleep. No one on the next block would've seen the figure since the trees that lined the property finally shrug back to life and were full of foliage. The mysterious figure disappeared through the bushes and only a few blocks later did anyone hear a loud crack, but when residents went to go check for a backfiring car or teenage pranksters, no one was there.

A/N: Well, here are the first two chapters! I hope you like it so far. I want to say thanks to all those who reviewed ELII:

Sarahamanda: Thanks!

yeah whatever: See? You blink and six years pass by.

SarahtheBardess: It's easier to use villains already created than to think of new ones for this story. Though there is a new one coming up in ELIII. And we're still working on the wireless internet.

cerzee: Aww, thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

Brielle Lupin: Yes, ELII is done. But here's ELIII!

Roxy Black: You like me! You really like me! Thanks.

Well, my sister is at a sleepover, my parents are going out for the night, I have free run of the house…this should be fun! Also, praying it doesn't rain on Wednesday since we're going to Six Flags!...Mac