Disclaimer: As per the necessary legalese—this story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, and the licensed copyright holders including Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Warner Bros., Inc. No money has been exchanged and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

A/N: The next couple of chapters are super short and I may post more than one a day to make up for that, then again I might not, we'll all just have to wait and see where my moods take me. I wanted to say THANK YOU! to everyone who's reviewed or emailed me. I feel so special and validated! I appreciate your comments so very very much! I hope this chapter satisfactorily answers some of questions I've received, if not I'm sure the answers will come at some point between now and the end of the story (which isn't far off--as I've said before this is a pretty short piece altogether).

7.

Harry reached for the door but Hermione held him back, "No Harry."

"He needs me!"

She shook her head, "He doesn't want you to see him like this, screaming and in pain. He knows it would hurt you and he doesn't want you to have to deal with that. Your part is over. Now starts the craft of the bearer."

"I stand outside?"

"Yes."

Madam Pomfrey came a few minutes later and told Harry he could stay in the anteroom but that if he got too agitated she'd send him back to bed. She opened the door and she and Hermione slipped inside, Draco's screams seemed to echo in the infirmary in the brief moments the door was open.

For an agonising hour Harry and Ron sat in silence. At first Ron had tried to speak to Harry but his friend turned his face away. He didn't blame Ron per se, but he was angry with him. And he was angry with Draco and angry with himself. But he couldn't help feeling that Ron with his hard headedness, temper and irascibility had let him down. His lover had endured this pregnancy all alone while he hunted down the last of the Horcruxes. Maybe…maybe if Draco had felt accepted he would have confided in Ron and Hermione, he wouldn't have been so alone. An endless loop of guilt ran through Harry's mind. Draco had been alone and in pain, suffering silently and still giving everything he had to the war effort. And last night…last night he had given himself so fully yet he must have known that it might be the last…he'd given Harry everything, his love, his heart and soul, his body…he prayed to all the gods his lover wouldn't also have to give his life. But through it all…through the power of their love they had created life. That knowledge was wonderful, beautiful, terrible…

As another hour crested Madam Pomfrey stuck her head out into the anteroom. "Harry, come. Come quickly."

Ron hurriedly pushed him inside to be met with an eerie silence.

"No," came the agony-laden whisper.

"Shh…it's alright Harry," Hermione patted his arm, "Draco's just resting. And this little one is tired; it's been a long day for her." She leaned over him and placed his newborn daughter in his arms. "She's beautiful Harry. Perfect. And healthy."

Harry looked up at Madam Pomfrey who nodded, "Yes absolutely healthy. Though we have a little surprise for you Harry."

Harry nodded unable to tear his eyes from the tiny pink-faced bundle in his arms. A calloused finger lightly traced her fine features and revelled in the softness of her skin, the life in her scent. He cooed softly in the tiny shell of her ear, and thanked the gods the miracle of life that had been granted him. "I love you little one," he kissed her tiny head and brushed his finger over her cheek.

Hermione reached down to take her away and Harry held her possessively to his chest. She was his baby. His and Draco's only they should hold her. But he realised he was being irrational and finally gave his small daughter into the care of his best friend. "It's time for your surprise Harry."

"My surprise?" Harry asked eyes still locked on his daughter's sleeping form.

From his other side Madam Pomfrey approached and placed another bundle in his arms.

"Yes, a surprise. For all of us. Meet your son Harry."

Harry blinked owlishly at the little boy then started to cry. He too was perfect. He'd never dreamed he'd be so blessed. As he had with his sister Harry traced his son's features and pressed feather-light kisses against his baby skin. "I love you," he whispered.

Madam Pomfrey smiled, "Harry I need to take them to be weighed and record some information their birth records. I'll be in the the next room and I'll bring them back in just a little while alright?"

Harry nodded, still a bit dazed, "You'll bring them back soon?"

She patted the new father on the shoulder, "Yes, as soon as I can. In the meanwhile visit with Draco, he'll be waking shortly and I've already given him several needed potions that will help him regain his strength and more effective heart function."

Harry turned teary eyes to the matron, "Poppy thank you."

"You're quite welcome Harry. Thank you for making it so these little ones can grow up in a time of peace."

Tbc…

A/N: Awwwwww...tell the truth, you're feeling warm and fluffy now aren't you? And remember I warned you that this chapter was going to be short--keep in mind the next couple will be as well, but I'll make it up to you...eventually. Don't worry there's more to come!