Author's Note:
Reviews and Comments: Thank you to everyone for your kind thoughts and words. I think we all needed the fun Christmas fluff. As to the Seamus and Dean penis vase, I was inspired by James Franco's decor from the film This Is The End. For those of you who have seen it, I can't remember if its Jonah Hill or Craig Robinson who try to move it, LOL, but when I imagine this huge penis sculpture, that was my inspiration. To LifeonEarth: Happy to see you get the first review again! Enjoying a first Christmas without someone you love is always hard and when you see life goes on, you naturally feel guilty for that.
To funbunnypotter26: I try to fit in some of our favourites when I can and I thought it was time for some Dean and Seamus. To rodrimiry: Thank you in the Caribbean! It's cold, but not too bad. It's -4C out today, but no wind chill, so it's lovely and rather warm. To Queen Helen: Thank you! I hope you eventually go back and finish the story, I'd love to see your thoughts from chapter 30 onwards LOL To LHNB: Thank you! JKR only gave us the school name and one or two sentences about them so I thought it would be fun to make up some stuff. Zee is amazing and I love writing her. She's still in contact with some of her friends from school, but she's always been more of an animal lover and closer with her family. We might meet someone eventually, I don't know. To Tiegdalewills15: Maybe, you'll have to read it to find out. To coloredwords: Thank you. I sometimes go overboard with my world building, but I have fun doing it.
To Seriously Sam: So glad you loved the Weasley banter and you're right, Charlie might get sick of how many times Molly asks to see the baby in the mirror. Or will he? He can just levitate the mirror over Aydin and go about his business while his mum coos over her granddaughter LOL. To njmeyer9: Thank you. To WinkingSkeever: I love writing Harry seeing her as a mum. To Steelcode: Colt and Flo just have a cat named Smoky, I'm pretty sure. It's been so long though I don't even remember. To LordSmidgeon: Re-reading? Thank you! To Raindrops & Flowers: We'll see Ciara again, don't worry. And I love James' howler message as well! A beautiful Beatles song! To Jmcglynn522: Thank you. I'm glad you considered the chapter beautiful pain LOL. To Leapyearbaby29: The memory of Lily and Snape was from Snape. He gave it to Sirius way back in the chapter 41.
It's your lucky day! A new chapter only 3 days later, however, 258 won't come out until the new year. I know only two chapters in five weeks, but it's a busy time! Happy New Year everyone. Happy Christmas and all that jazz. Have a wonderful holiday and be safe!
My posting schedule: Once a week.
Thanks to Dusk for her amazing editing skills.
As always, thank you very much for reading and please, please review!
Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!
CHAPTER TWO-HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SEVEN:
Hermione sat in the living room at the piano, letting the music wash over her. She would never become a world famous pianist and she knew that her fingers didn't float across the keys the way that Remus' seemed to, but she still felt like she'd gotten pretty good over the last three years. It was calming and it was something that helped her turn her brain off.
The only other thing that had ever managed to do that was a lanky, freckled ginger with sapphire eyes. He stopped her from thinking about anything. Thoughts of what he had done in the days before Christmas, how his fingers had found her and made her feel... it was more than she had ever imagined. He made her yearn for more and she felt wanton thinking about it.
They didn't need to rush just because he'd made her... come. Just thinking the word made her blush furiously. It made her want to go further, to experience it all. But that small voice in the back of her head kept reminding her they hadn't been dating that long. It was too fast.
But it wasn't really, the other voice said. She'd known him for six years. She knew him better than she knew herself, so would it really be too fast to do more? She jumped when her mum sat next to her on the piano bench, suddenly embarrassed as to where her thoughts had taken her.
"I thought that this was supposed to quiet that mind of yours," Jean said, her eyes on her daughter.
Hermione grinned sheepishly. "It did for a little."
"What's on your mind, dear?"
Hermione shrugged. "Nothing."
Jean made a noncommittal sound as she touched the piano keys wistfully. "It's about Ron, isn't it?"
Hermione brushed her fingers over the keys. "He makes me happy."
"I know. He always could bring a smile to your face, even when you were cross with him."
Hermione smiled. "He's kind of wonderful, isn't he? And when he kisses me… Mum, it's like I can't even think."
"That's a very good start," Jean told her. "I know that the two of you are at that age where you want to start doing more and… you're of age now."
Hermione nodded. "Are you giving me permission to shag?"
Jean chuckled. "No mother would ever say such a thing to her teenage daughter. No, I'm merely saying that you're old enough to make your own decisions. I know you thought about it with Viktor and maybe if he hadn't died, maybe you would have, but I don't think you would have. You were waiting for Ron, dear. A small part of you has always been waiting for him. You need to trust yourself and your heart, but you mustn't rush into anything either. Your first time is special, Hermione. To give someone that gift, that moment between you… it's important, for both of you."
"I know that and… I don't know if I'm ready for… but I want to be. When he touches me and kisses me, my body just… sings. That sounds stupid."
Jean's eyes twinkled. "No, it doesn't. Your father still makes me sing with only a look. I want that for you, Hermione. I want you to find someone who after twenty years together, still makes you yearn; still makes you feel like you're beautiful."
"It's him, Mum. He makes me feel so beautiful and so desirable. He makes me want to be better for him."
"Darling, he loves you for who you are."
"He doesn't, I mean… he hasn't said… do you think that he really loves me?"
Jean's lips curved. "Yes, I do and I think that you should both stop beating around the bush and tell each other how you feel."
"I can't just walk up to him and tell him I love him!"
"And why not?"
Hermione blanched. "I just can't!"
Jean shrugged and wrapped her arms around her daughter's shoulders. "Sometimes Hermione, it's the small things that we really need to be brave for, not the big ones." She kissed her cheek and stood up. "Now come on. I have a yearning to take a drive out to Waterstones."
Hermione's eyes widened. "Really?"
Jean nodded, reaching into her pocket to pull out the credit card. "And I took your father's card this morning."
Hermione grinned. "Can we go to lunch after?"
Jean tapped the card on Hermione's hand with a smile. "Absolutely. And to make it up to your father, we'll get him a new comic book before we sit down to a nice lunch and talk about the importance of protection."
Hermione's face flushed. "Mum!"
Jean merely raised an eyebrow. "Are we going then?"
Hermione stood up, her cheeks burning. "I'm already taking the potion."
"Good. You can tell me how that works, dear, without mumbling this time. Grab your boots and let's go."
Then she turned and strutted from the room, leaving her daughter staring after her in surprise.
~ ASC ~
The rest of the week went by quickly. Harry and Zee spent their days at Zee's old cottage, tidying it up and making sure that it was clean and ready to go for when Misha and Sorcha arrived the following week.
Zee reminisced about it being her first home outside of living with her parents and Harry convinced her to bring over the last of her sculptures and paintings to find room for them in Black Cottage. Some of the smaller sculptures went in the new hutch with her glass figurines and the paintings they hung around the house between the sun room, the living room, and the walls in the hall by the stairs and the front entrance. They spent time cleaning up the little pink cottage as well. Zee claimed all final touches on the nursery were set and the tiny cots in the master bedroom were all ready to go. They were ready for the arrival of both the babies and Misha and Sorcha.
Harry and Remus headed to Diagon Alley to see Fred and George who linked Harry's mirror to the four he had gotten for Christmas. Harry had immediately owled them out to his friends. It was how three days after Christmas, he found himself lying in his bed with Ginny smiling at him in the mirror.
"This is brilliant," Ginny said. "I love being able to see you whenever I want."
"Me too," he admitted. "I miss you."
Ginny's eyes brightened. "I miss you, too. Was your holiday okay?"
"Yeah, it was kind of wonderful, actually. Even with Uncle Sirius not being here. I know that he wouldn't want us to be sad all the time."
"No, he wouldn't."
"So, when are you coming to visit?"
Ginny smiled. "Do you want me to?"
He nodded. "Yes. The last time we ended up in the treehouse and well, I never got to have my turn."
Ginny's cheeks flushed and he grinned. He knew that she was imagining the same thing he was; remembering how her mouth had wrapped around him as he sprawled in the chair. "That was… it's not a competition."
"Didn't say it was."
Ginny cleared her throat, her cheeks still red. "Theo wants to go back to Norfolk tomorrow. Mum's still trying to talk him out of it, but I think that it will be good for him to spend a few days at home. He has to see that it is still his home, even without Finn. So, I can come by tomorrow after lunch once he heads off?"
"Perfect. I can't wait."
"Harry," she said, slowly. "It's not like we'd be alone at your house. We can't exactly… we'll just snog, okay?"
Harry's smile was slow. "Ginny, we're definitely going to be alone."
When the mirror was only showing him his own reflection again, he grinned to himself. He knew exactly what he wanted. Ever since Ginny had given him his anniversary present, every time she used her mouth, it felt more incredible than the time before. She just seemed to get better at it. She knew what he liked, how to please him, and it turned him on more than he could say. He knew that Theo might have told her a few tricks and he was okay with that. He was more than okay with that. In fact, if Theo wanted to give her advice on how to suck him off, he was hardly going to protest when she was so bloody good at it.
The thing was, he was determined to get better at going down on her.
He knew he was good. He hadn't failed to get her off yet, which he knew was a big plus. Sirius and Remus had given him advice on how to please a woman and he was grateful for that. But the biggest help from them had been them telling him to listen to her. Her body told him exactly what she liked and what she didn't like. He knew what parts of her were most sensitive. He knew where she wanted him to focus more, where to apply pressure, and where not to. But he wanted to give her more pleasure than she'd ever had. He wanted her to feel as incredible as she always made him feel. And he wasn't sure he'd quite mastered that level yet.
Ginny liked to tease him that his ability to speak Parseltongue had helped make his tongue more efficient, but he didn't even know if he could still speak to snakes anymore. Whether he could or not was irrelevant, he knew how to please her and that's what mattered most. The thing was, he wanted to learn how to be better at pleasing her. He'd brought the book from Sirius and Remus home for the holiday and when Zee went to bed that night, he lay in bed, and flipped through it. The section he wanted to focus on was about how to make an orgasm last, make it better and bigger than before. He wanted Ginny to completely lose it; he wanted to be the one to feel her surrender. And most importantly, he had to figure out how to stop himself from losing it the moment he touched her.
Kissing her always brought him to edge. He always ended up with a strong desire to touch himself or to grind himself against her for relief. Touching her in any capacity made him incredibly randy — period. He wanted to pleasure her and not worry about finishing when she was the focus. It was just about her; that's what he wanted to focus on.
Just her.
When Ginny came through the Floo the next day, she had no idea what was going through her boyfriend's mind. She was hoping to spend some time snogging him and telling him all about her holiday and her new niece. She was an auntie and she'd spent the last few days fighting to hold the adorable baby amongst her family. Aydin was perfect and she was already in love with her.
Zee was lounging on the sofa in the living room, her feet up. Harry had told her that over the last week, Zee's feet were swelling and she could no longer wear her high heeled boots. In protest, she'd refused to wear shoes altogether and was starting to be a bit cranky. Her mum had told her that the last few weeks of pregnancy were sometimes the most miserable. Ginny felt sympathy for her. Zee's stomach made her almost as wide as she was tall and she couldn't imagine how miserable she must be feeling.
"Are you here to watch sad movies with me?" Zee asked. "I've decided to sit here and watch movies that make me cry while I stuff my face with snacks."
Ginny's eyebrow rose. "I can be?"
Harry slipped his arm around Ginny's waist and kissed her temple. "Zee, you should really watch something happy, not sad."
Zee made a face. "I'm feeling like sappy romantic movies. What are you two going to do today?"
"We were thinking of going out to the treehouse, if that's all right? Unless you want us to stay…" Harry said, squeezing Ginny's hand in his.
Zee smiled sympathetically. "No, I can watch movies by myself. Go spend the afternoon together like you planned, but don't get into too much trouble out there. There's no way that I can get this fat arse out there if you need something."
Harry chuckled. "I don't want you trudging out there through that snow anyway, especially since you're refusing to wear shoes."
"Harry, I can't get into my heels! What do you expect me to wear?"
He only smirked. "Non-heels?"
Zee threw a throw pillow at him and he laughed. "Think you're so funny, don't you? You don't mess with a woman and her shoes."
"That's true," Ginny said. "Very bad idea, especially a pregnant woman."
"You tell him, Ginny," Zee agreed. "Now, if you're done making fun of me, go outside and have fun. If I need anything, I'll call for Kreacher. Spend time snogging your girlfriend."
Harry grinned in response and still holding Ginny's hand, led her outside. They ran through the snow and up the stairs, rushing into the warmth of the treehouse and closing the door. The door had barely closed behind them before Ginny had jumped into his arms to kiss him passionately.
It had been six days since she'd seen him and she missed him more than she could put into words. Seeing his face in the mirror the night before had only reminded her of how much she missed him. He picked her up, wrapped her legs around his waist, and walked her over to the corner where the large pile of pillows were spread for seating. Harry wandlessly spread a blanket out on the floor before he lowered Ginny down to the pillows and blankets and covered her body with his.
Merlin, she loved it when he kissed her.
Ginny wanted to talk to him, of course. She wanted to tell him all about Aydin and how precious she was; how much everyone had fallen in love with her in only five days, but his lips were soft on hers and she wanted those lips more. The warmth of his body was a change from the brisk cold air of the outside and she loved feeling him over her. Loved feeling his touch. He kept one hand on the small of her hip, the other gently fondled a breast as his lips met hers over and over and over again.
Ginny smiled against his mouth as the soft kisses deepened and when his tongue met hers to deepen the kiss, she let her hands slide up his back and into his hair. Kissing him always felt so natural, almost like breathing. Despite the fact that each kiss left her more breathless than the kiss before, she didn't want to stop. She wanted to keep kissing him, to feel his lips on hers. When Harry kissed her, she felt safe and desired. The look in those green eyes when he looked at her, she never felt more beautiful.
He kissed the corner of her mouth, hot lips sliding over her jaw, dancing over her ear and down her throat. He suckled the skin at her pulse and desire shot through her. Kissing him was pure bliss.
"Missed you," he murmured as his lips moved over her neck. His hands slid up her hip, under her shirt to touch skin and she sighed happily.
"I missed you, too. I have so much to tell you," she whispered as his thumb brushed her belly button on its trail under her shirt.
"Mmm," he said against her skin. "I need to kiss you first."
Ginny thought about protesting that, but his lips felt much too good on her skin. He kissed her collarbone and over her shoulders, sliding her jumper off her shoulder to plant a soft kiss over the patch of freckles on the top.
"Ten here."
She smiled. "You can't possibly still be counting my freckles."
Harry only made a sound of agreement before his hands were pushing her jumper up her body. Ginny lifted her head to let him pull it over, gasping when he stopped halfway, leaving her arms pinned above her head.
"No touching," he teased, letting his lips move back to her throat.
Harry's lips brushed over another three freckles on her right arm, kissing below it; the light stubble on his face tickling her armpit.
"One day, I'm going to know every single one."
His lips pressed against another four freckles on her collarbone.
"Harry," she murmured. "Free my arms."
Harry's eyes met hers as he pressed a kiss to her armpit again. "No."
His mouth moved back over her collarbone and lower, teasing the straps of the satin camisole she wore beneath. Soft kisses continued over the swell of her breasts, his hands fondling and kneading where his lips weren't. It seemed to go on forever: Slow, torturous kisses just light enough to leave her wanting more. Then those strong hands slid over the satin and beneath it as the camisole slowly inched up her body. He pushed it up over her head, locking it with her jumper, keeping her arms confined above her head.
Then those lips trailed over her jaw again and back down her throat as if he was starting all over again. She was making a mewling sound now that she couldn't stop. Godric, she was so wet and this felt so good. She thought about what he'd said the night before, about wanting to please her. He hadn't even touched her below the waist and she wanted him desperately. She wanted his hands on her; his mouth on her. They were alone out here, free to do what they wanted, and what she wanted was for him to use his mouth on her more than she wanted to take another breath.
"Harry, please…"
Harry only continued to plant soft kisses over her skin, his thumbs brushing her nipples through her bra in a steady rhythm that had already brought them to peak. Then he was unhooking her bra, lifting it up and slipping his mouth under to suckle her. The moment that warm mouth wrapped around her nipple, she cried out. His tongue moved languidly around her areola as he held her in his mouth. Soft flicks and sucks that sent a steady vibration right through her. She tried to clamp her legs together to ward off the sensation, but Harry only pressed himself closer to her.
That only made it worse. She could feel the hard, hot length of him pressed against her thigh. Her arms squirmed above her head, wanting to push the jumper off. Then she made a sound of protest when his mouth left her breast and moved back up to her armpit.
"No," he whispered against her skin. "Arms stay where they are."
"I want to touch you," she murmured.
Harry's eyes met hers before he placed a gentle kiss over her lips in response. When she tried to deepen the kiss, he pulled away and started kissing her arm again. Ginny whimpered when she realized that he was once more starting from the beginning. By the time his mouth found her breasts again, she had soaked through her knickers. He sucked her slowly, his other hand teasing her in soft flicks before he'd switch to her other breast. Ginny squirmed under him and then he muttered a spell under his breath and her bra vanished leaving her arms still trapped above her head by her jumper and camisole.
Harry's mouth returned to her breasts, kissing and licking, sucking and kneading. Teeth gently scraped her nipple and she cried out. Harry planted soft open-mouthed kisses over the mound of her breasts, between then, around them; tongue dragging over her nipple, dancing along her areola in a soft dance that made her ache.
"Harry… Harry, please," she begged.
Harry made a soft sound of pleasure before he kissed his way down her stomach, over her belly button before his fingers unbuttoned her jeans. He slowly slid them down her thighs, stopping every moment or so to kiss her exposed skin. As the jeans slid lower, a voice in Ginny's subconscious told her that she was about to be naked in her boyfriend's treehouse. Naked where Zee was only in the house nearby. His hand cupped her through her wet knickers and all thoughts ran out the window.
She didn't care. She needed him to never stop touching her.
Her jeans made a plopping sound on the floor nearby and then those warm hands, slightly calloused, were sliding between her thighs, spreading her legs wide. Ginny let out a soft sigh as he bent his head between her legs with a soft smile on his face.
She loved that smile.
The way his lips would curve in an almost lopsided grin, the way his eyes would twinkle at her in anticipation of what she was letting him do. The desire on his face, the twitch of his lips… she loved watching him. She loved how much pleasure he took in pleasing her. She loved letting him let her lose control. And Merlin, every time he used his mouth, it was better than the time before. Practice really did make it better, she thought.
Her stomach fluttered in anticipation, waiting for him to remove her knickers and to give her what she wanted. But he didn't. Instead, Harry's lips began to plant hot kisses over her exposed skin. He held her foot in his hand, slowly removing her sock as he kissed the top of her foot to her ankle, lingering on the skin there before kissing her calves. When his lips pressed under her knee, she trembled; over her thighs, she shivered. He kept it up, those same soft feather-light kisses that he'd been using above her waist now below it, designed to drive her mad, moving over every inch of her that he could touch below the waist except the area that she most craved him to be.
He kissed every freckle, tracing lines from freckle to freckle with his thumb. Seven on her right knee, two on the left. Six down her left calf, ten down her right. He kissed her thighs, surprised to only find five freckles scattered there, lifting her leg to kiss the back of her thigh, his hair tickling her skin. Each kiss coming closer and closer to the heat of her, before he'd move away to kiss her somewhere else. He removed her other sock, started again at that ankle, and worked his way back up. His hands slid up and over her breasts, stroking and squeezing. His hands gripped each one happily as he kissed her thighs. Then his mouth finally reached the heat, trailing over her knickers so softly, she trembled.
The soft kisses continued, dancing along her knickers now, pressing down slightly and then letting go.
"Harry…" she whispered, wanting more contact. "Harry… please."
He ignored her, letting his lips move back to her thighs. Open-mouthed kisses trailed over her skin to just under her knee before he moved his way back up her thigh and planting a hot kiss to her damp knickers. When he switched to the other leg, she whimpered. By the time his mouth pressed against her knickers again, she was panting.
"Harry… take them off."
Instead his eyes met hers as he pressed a kiss over her centre, moving his lips upward in a teasing fashion and then slowly back down. The soft kisses were driving her wild and he knew it. His green eyes twinkled at her as he kissed the top of her knickers. His lips stayed feather-light in a teasing fashion, but every once in a while he would press them together, applying more pressure, and she'd whimper.
"Harry… please, take them off," she begged, her arms still bound above her head.
He slowly kissed his way back over her. Her knickers were so wet the material was clinging to her and then his tongue swiped over the cotton in a firm upward stroke that had her gasping. He stroked her again and again. She whimpered as his lips pressed against her for a kiss before he stroked his tongue up over the cotton once more.
"Harry… take them off. Merlin, please… I can't…"
He smiled against her, pressing his mouth to her before swiping his tongue over the cotton again. Then he slowly raised his head and with his eyes on hers, he used his fingers to pull down the wet material. His green eyes stayed on hers as he carefully peeled the cotton away like he was unwrapping a present. Then he slid them over her ankles and bent his head to kiss her ankle, then her calf, then her thigh before his lips glided in feathery touches along the edge of her. Her fingers itched to be in that soft messy hair of his, to pull him closer, to show him where she wanted him. But she couldn't. Her arms moved in the confinement of her jumper as her hips arched towards him. Harry ignored this. He just kept up his soft kisses, teasing her. She was writhing beneath him at his motions. How could she not be when every move he made was designed to torture her?
And then those kisses stopped.
With his eyes on hers, he tossed his glasses aside, placed a flat hand on either side of her thighs. Then his tongue flattened over her, swiping up in a slow purposeful movement that left her moaning for more.
She was so close, she could taste it. Each stroke was more purposeful, designed to torment her with each swipe. Then his tongue vanished and those feather-light kisses returned, making her groan in disappointment. But then the tongue swiped over her again and she tossed her head back, her knees rising. He brought her right to the edge before stopping. Soft kisses floated over her thighs, along the edge of her as she calmed a bit and then his tongue swiped upwards once more, harder this time, applying just a bit more pressure. She was panting his name and when he edged away again, to kiss around her, she cried out in desperation. She was so close.
His tongue returned to her, swiping up and over, up and over, up and over. She trembled beneath him, her thighs pressing against his head, desperate to make it last. Just when she thought that she couldn't take another second, he let go. Those feather-light kisses returned around the edge of her, opening her thighs to kiss the skin there and she whimpered.
"Harry, Harry, please… I need… please…" she begged.
Harry's lips pressed against her thigh, sucking the skin there hard enough to leave a mark and shooting shock waves of pleasure over her. His lips trailed back over her thigh and lower. Those soft teasing kisses returned and then he flattened his tongue and swiped it over her again.
Ginny cried out incoherently. Her whole body was a mess of nerves and sensations. His thumbs were brushing her nipples in a way that made her whole body react and his tongue, Merlin his tongue. The way he was licking her like she was a lolly he longed to savour was driving her mad. Just when she thought she couldn't take it anymore, his tongue disappeared and his mouth opened just enough to cover her clit. She felt the bud slip between his lips and he sucked.
The sound she made was a half cry, half moan. He sucked again, working her between his lips before he turned his head just slightly to focus more pressure on the right side of her clit where he knew she liked it best, and she lost it. Her hips pushed up into his mouth, her hands fisting in her jumper as she squirmed desperately, coming in the longest and most intense orgasm of her young life. Harry only continued to suckle her, his thumbs on her nipples as if he had all the time in the world to make her come. His lips continued to worship her and she panted his name incoherently as her world crashed around her.
When she finally managed to catch her breath, Harry was kissing her thighs again in those soft, sweet kisses. His lips moved up over her stomach, kissing her breasts before he slowly pulled her jumper and camisole off her arms. He rested his cheek against her breasts, two fingers gently stroking her hip.
"That was amazing," he said softly.
Amazing, Ginny thought. Merlin, that had been the most intense thing she'd ever experienced. She felt like she'd left her body behind and went off to another plain of existence. Her body was still tingling in pleasureful aftershocks.
"Mmm," Ginny said, turning on her side. "That was so much more than amazing. That was… mind-blowing. How did you…"
Harry kissed her breasts. "I did a little reading on how to make an orgasm last longer."
"And you?" she asked, letting her hand travel down to where his hardness was still pressing against her thigh.
He grinned, wiggling his eyebrows at her. "I may have wanked three times this morning to help give me the motivation to not lose it once I tasted you."
"Three?"
Harry's grin widened. "Once in bed and then after I read the book, once in the shower. Then again just after lunch when I knew you were on your way. I didn't want to lose control when I was supposed to be making you lose control." He kissed her breasts again. "You were incredible. I didn't know I could make you do… that."
Ginny blushed. It was such a blur of pleasure and colours that she wondered exactly what she had done.
"You were begging me," he whispered against her skin. "Begging me to please you and it was the sexiest fucking thing I've ever seen."
"Harry," she murmured, cupping his cheek in her hand. "Thank you."
Harry pulled her lips to his for a long kiss. "My pleasure, I assure you."
Ginny smiled as he put his glasses back on. She snuggled into his embrace, her eyes closing. "I love you."
She vaguely heard him respond and then she was drifting off, the feel his heart beating under her ear.
Ginny wasn't sure how long she slept, but when she woke she was curled in Harry's arms, a warm blanket wrapped around the both of them and his hand was gently gliding up and down her spine. It was comforting, she turned into him, pressing a kiss to his neck.
"Hi," he said softly, capturing her lips in his for a long kiss. "How was your nap?"
"Lovely," she answered. "How long did I sleep?"
"Almost an hour," he told her. "Guess that means I wore you out."
Ginny blushed, remembering how he had drawn out her pleasure. "I'll say."
His lips met hers again for a long, languid kiss. "I'm glad you stopped by."
Ginny wrapped her arms around his neck, vaguely aware that she was completely naked in his arms and he was still fully dressed. "It wasn't what I had in mind when I stopped by, but I certainly liked it." She kissed him and then wiggled out of his arms to find her clothes.
Harry put his arms behind his head as he stretched out on the pillows, his eyes on her. "It was definitely what I had in mind."
She found her knickers under the pillow and she quickly pulled them on with her jeans, picking up her camisole. "Where did you vanish my bra to?"
Harry reached behind his head, letting the light purple lace dangle from his fingers. "Looking for this?"
She snatched it from him, hooking it into place before she put her camisole on and her jumper, running her hands through her unruly hair. "Merlin, Zee was right in the house. What we were thinking? What if she'd come out here?"
Harry snorted. "It's too far for her to waddle out into in the snow, not to mention she can't fit into any of her shoes right now. She gave us the afternoon to snog."
"To snog," Ginny agreed. "Not to do… this."
His smile was slow and made her stomach flip in desire. "She didn't specify where I could kiss you, did she?"
Ginny blushed, laughing when he pulled her back down to the floor. "I had a dream once about you doing that to me out here."
Harry's eyebrow rose. "Oh really? Did I met your expectations?"
"You bloody well know you surpassed them," she said.
"Tell me more about this naughty dream of yours."
Ginny shook her head, snuggling into his arms. "Nuh-uh."
His fingers dug into her sides and she squeaked out a laugh. "Tell me."
"No!"
Then they were rolling over the floor of the treehouse, fingers digging into each other as they squealed in laughter. Neither of them gave in and they both ended up on their backs, breathing heavy from their laughter. Harry jumped to his feet, tugging her up with him and climbed into the hammock. Ginny crawled in next to him, half lying on him and half next to him as he wrapped his arms around her.
"So, tell me all about Aydin," he said, pressing his lips to her temple.
Ginny smiled, her hand resting over his heart. "She's perfect."
"Tonks told us that Charlie had called in his best friend emergency the day before."
Ginny nodded. "We were definitely shocked."
Harry listened attentively as she told him all about how they'd bet on how long it would take their mum to figure out Charlie hadn't hidden a whelp in pyjamas, which Theo had won. She told him how good Charlie was with her and how great of a father he was going to be. He was staying a little longer before he returned to Romania with the baby. Ginny said that she had a feeling her parents might go to the reserve with him for a while.
"Mum was worried about abandoning Zee, but her own parents will be down by then and I know Mum wants to see Charlie's house and help him with her granddaughter as much as she can. Dad is completely smitten with her. We all were."
"I can imagine. Does she look like Charlie?"
Ginny nodded. "A little. She has reddish brown fuzz for hair, but the shape of her eyes look like they might be the same as Charlie. I hope she keeps his blue eyes and not my boring brown."
"I love your brown eyes," Harry said, running his thumb down her cheek. "Like chocolate."
"Flatterer," she said. "Her mother didn't want her and leaving her with Charlie was the best thing that she could have done for her. He's going to be an amazing dad. He already dotes on her so much and he said that the dragons are so conscientious of her. It's like they know she's a baby and treat him cautiously when she's around."
"He'll make sure she's safe. I know how protective he is of you," he said.
Ginny grinned. "I just can't believe that I'm an auntie. And he named her Aydin Dora and made Tonks the godmother. I can't imagine a better choice!"
"Me neither," he said. "Tonks and Charlie have always been good friends."
"When I was little, I used to wish that they would date because I thought Tonks was so cool. But the two of them are just friends, always have been."
"I liked that he was her Man of Honour at their wedding."
Ginny giggled. "Me too. I thought it was sweet."
Harry shifted a bit in the hammock, wandlessly summoning the blanket over to wrap them up. "Zee loved the cabinet I found."
"I told you she would. Where did you put it?"
"In the sun room. It looks great. How's Theo?"
Ginny shrugged. "About the same, I guess. He's come to terms with Finn being gone, which is heartbreaking in itself, but as I said, he went home today. Percy's decided to move out in the new year."
"Oh?" Harry asked. "Where's he going?"
"He's going to move into Bill's flat. Mum's devastated. She's liked having him home with her. But Bill and Fleur get the keys to Shell Cottage at the end of January so, Bill is going to move into the house. Mum lectured him on them living together outside of marriage, but it was only half-hearted. Fleur has started to grow on her more than she's willing to admit."
"Fleur's nice."
"I know," Ginny told him. "I like her. And when she called the woman who abandoned Aydin as useless as a suitcase without a handle, Mum warmed to her even more."
Harry chuckled. "That would do it."
"Fleur has a tiny flat in London until the end of May, so she's going to stay there while they get the house ready and then when her lease is up, she'll move in with Bill in June."
"And they get married in July, right?"
Ginny nodded. "That's the plan."
"Hmm, just you and Ron at home soon."
"Yeah, it's pretty crazy," Ginny agreed. "I remember never having a moment of silence and now there's no one left in the house to make a ruckus. It's almost too quiet, especially since Fred and George have moved out."
"Are they liking living in London?"
Ginny nodded. "Definitely. They thrive on it. Angelina shares a house with three of her teammates in Wimborne Minster, which is two hours outside of London, but according to Fred, she spends most nights in their flat. She claims her one team mate is a bit loud when she has overnight guests."
Harry grinned. "I'm sure her and George are much quieter."
"Not according to Fred," Ginny said. "But they love it and the three of them get along well. I wouldn't be surprised if Angelina ends up moving in with them."
"Does she have to stay with her team mates?"
Ginny shook her head. "No. But the team puts them up in this house for free so it was an offer she couldn't pass up. Plus, her parents live in Leeds, so either way it was closer to her team and to George."
"They're definitely not the type to move out into the country."
Ginny laughed. "No. The louder the better for the both of them. George is quieter, but he likes the noise. Also, Percy is dating someone from the Ministry. He won't tell anyone her name, but according to Mum he's gone out with her four times now."
"Oooh, family gossip."
She elbowed him lightly, making his lips twitch. "You know how Mum gets excited about that. Plus, according to Ron, Percy's only been on two dates since he and Penny broke up."
"I don't think that's necessarily just because of Penny though," Harry told her. "He was worried about your parents and the attack on your dad. He's been helping with the Order and working a lot. He doesn't seem like the type to make time to go out and meet someone."
"I know," Ginny said. "Fred was teasing him about it and trying to get her name, but Percy was very close-mouthed about it. All he said was that she's a year older than him and that she went to Beauxbatons."
"Where does she work in the Ministry?"
"He's not saying. I wouldn't put it past Fred to start snooping."
Harry laughed. "Me neither. Percy better watch out. That's probably why he wants his own flat."
"Ew, that's my brother you know."
Harry shrugged. "Just saying."
Ginny chose not to answer and instead kissed his chin, picking the arm up that was resting over her stomach to look at the time. "We should head inside and make some dinner for Zee."
He groaned. "I want to stay out here with you. Maybe we can try that again."
Ginny's face flushed. "Let's not push our luck out here, Mr Potter."
He grinned and kissed her, deepening the kiss just enough to make her sigh before he pulled away. "Okay, inside we go. Hey, maybe we do a movie night here tomorrow? Invite everyone, including Theo. What do you think?"
Ginny climbed out of the hammock, holding his hand as he did the same. "That sounds perfect. A pre New Year's Eve celebration."
He grimaced. "The real one will be Slughorn's party when we go back to school."
She laughed as she led him out of the treehouse. "Where we'll have a great time. We can dance and have fun and maybe I can make today up to you," she said, stopping to slip her fingers under his jumper.
Harry ducked his head to kiss her. "It's not a competition, remember?"
Ginny grinned as he urged her to hop onto his back and he carried her piggyback up to the house. No, it wasn't a competition, but the next chance she had, she was definitely going to properly thank him for this afternoon's activities.
And she was going to enjoy every second of it.
~ ASC ~
It was the evening of the thirtieth when they decided to watch some Christmas movies and Ginny, Theo, Ron, and Hermione were set to come over and join them. Neville had something going on with his grandmother while Luna and her father had left England entirely for the holiday. Mr Lovegood having decided that they were going to spend Christmas in Finland, specifically in Santa Clause Village. Luna claimed her father was meeting a wizard there who would be introducing them to flying reindeer. They wouldn't be returning home until the end of next week.
"You okay, Zee?" Harry asked, his eyes on the way she kept rubbing the small of her back as she stood at the counter making herself a sandwich.
"Yes, just incredibly sore," she admitted. "My back has been on fire all day and I'm feeling anxious for Mama and Papa to arrive tomorrow."
"Sit down," Harry urged, taking her arm and guiding her to the chair. "I can handle the food."
"I know you can," she said as she slowly sat down in the chair. "I just want everything to be perfect for when Mama and Papa arrive."
"It will be," Harry assured her. "I know that you were disappointed Papa couldn't get away from Moscow."
Zee smiled at him. "It's okay. Moving to England for six months more then makes up for it. And I think that we've had a pretty good Christmas."
"We have," Harry said, smiling back at her.
Zee rubbed her hands over her large stomach. "Merlin, I can't wait until these two come out. Between the back pain and these two sitting on my bladder, I don't know how much more of this I can take. When Ian told me that my stomach had dropped, I was so hopeful it would only be a few more days, but it's been almost two weeks."
"He told you that it could take up to four," Harry offered. "Besides, you're due in three more weeks anyway. Barely three weeks."
Zee glared at him. "Three weeks is an eternity when you're this fat, Harry! My whole body hurts! I'm almost as clumsy as Tonks!"
Harry smiled sympathetically. "You've been napping a lot."
"It's hard to sleep at night," she admitted. "I can't seem to get comfortable and then when I do, I have to get up and pee. Then it's the same battle all over again. Sometimes the sofa is just the ideal napping place. Oof!"
"Kicking?"
Zee shook her head. "Maybe. More of a twinge. I think this is one of their butts. Harry, can you help me over to the sofa? Usually when I lie down it helps. I think once we get the films started I'll be able to rest more. Wait, I need to use the loo first, I think. Merlin, these two really like to push on my bladder."
Harry nodded, moving to help her stand up from the kitchen chair. She only took three steps before she paused, eyes wide.
"What?" he asked, his gaze on her.
Zee closed her eyes. "I think my waters just broke."
Harry's eyes widened. "What? But you're not due yet! The healer gave you a date and you're not… I mean… it's not time!"
Zee nodded. "I don't think the babies care, sweetie."
Harry simply stared at her.
"Harry, I think I might need help getting up the stairs."
Harry nodded and wrapped his arm around her waist. They only made it three steps before she paused, leaning against the arch where his height had been recorded over the years, her hand on her lower back.
"Okay?"
Zee let out a long slow breath before she nodded. "Yes. Upstairs."
Harry's arm stayed around her waist, holding her hand tightly as they slowly walked down the hall and up the stairs. He half carried her as Lady Godiva pushed her head against Zee's hip, as if helping her stay steady. Zee's hand stroked the panther's fur, but Harry wasn't sure if it was to reassure the panther or herself. She stopped again when they reached the top of the stairs, her breathing shallow. Harry didn't wait for her this time. He bent his knees and picked her up.
"Harry, no! You'll hurt yourself!" Zee protested. "I'm perfectly capable of walking."
Harry ignored her and walked slowly down the hall, holding her in his arms bridal style. He carefully sat her down on her bed before he sat next to her. "You okay?"
Zee cupped his cheek. "You shouldn't have carried me. I weigh a ton."
He chuckled. "No, you don't. You're like half a metre tall without heels."
She smacked him in the arm and he laughed. He stood up and grabbed her pjs off the hook on the bathroom door before he handed them to her.
"I'll send word out to Healer Abby and to Ian. Will you be okay to change or do you want to wait for them?"
Zee smiled at him. "I'll be fine. You'll call Mama and Papa, too? And Molly?"
"I will," he promised. "I'll be right back. Holler if you need me."
Harry made his way downstairs before he pulled out his wand and made a Patronus. He sent the wolf to Lupin Cottage, the stag to Hogwarts, and the dog to Healer Abby. He sent a second dog out to Zee's cousin, Ian Brown, before sending his stag to the Burrow to let Mrs Weasley know. Then he headed into the kitchen to use the phone.
Sorcha answered on the second ring. "Zdrastvuite?"
"Hi, Grandmama."
"Oh, Harry, dear. How are you, mo ghaol?"
"Good," he said with a smile. It always made him grin when she called him by the Gaelic endearment. "I think Zee's having the babies now."
"Goodness! I told Misha that twins always come early! Did you get a hold of Ian and Healer Abby?"
"Yes, Grandmama. They're both on their way."
"Good, good. We'll be there as soon as we can!" He heard her call out for Misha before the phone hung up in his ear.
He could just imagine her running all around the Russian flat to pack last minute. He put his hands in the pockets of his jeans nervously, not sure what to do next. A look at his watch told him that it had only been ten minutes since her waters broke. Speaking of… he looked at the mess on the floor, unsure if he should clean it up or not. Kreacher appeared at that moment, taking the decision away from him.
He wasn't sure how Kreacher knew exactly that the babies were on their way, but the elf was very attuned them. He'd have to ask Dobby if when house elves were bound to a family if that included being aware of them before they were born. He left the elf to do his work as he muttered under his breath about it being time for the new babies of the most ancient and noble house of Black to be born just as a knock sounded on the front door.
Harry went to answer it and smiled in relief at the sight of Ian and Healer Abby Jacoby. They'd arranged it so that she had to be with Ian when she arrived as an extra safety precaution to keep her from knowing where Black Cottage was located or how to get there. The decision to have the twins at home had been not only for safety, but urged by Healer Abby. Home births made the mother more comfortable and having the healers come to her, made everything run more smoothly.
Harry ushered them inside and told them that he had helped Zee upstairs after her waters had broken. He explained how she had been making a sandwich when her back started twinging. They both hurried upstairs to see her, urging Harry to stay downstairs. Padfoot came down the stairs reluctantly and Harry had a feeling that the dog had been removed from the room. Since Lady Godiva didn't follow, he knew that the panther had made her intentions on leaving her mistress perfectly clear.
He'd just sat on the sofa with the dog when Remus and Tonks came in through the front door.
"Harry!" Remus exclaimed, grasping his son's shoulder. "Where's Zee?"
"Upstairs with the Ian and Healer Abby."
They both sat on the sofa next to him as Tonks moved to scratch Padfoot behind the ears.
"What do we do now?" Harry asked, looking over at his father.
"We wait," Remus told him, his arm draping over the back of the sofa and Harry's shoulders.
It was over twenty minutes before Healer Abby told Harry that he could go up and see her. Healer Abby went into the kitchen to get a a bowl of clean water and to mix the pain potion up for Zee. Ian told Remus and Tonks that he had contacted the rest of their family to let them know that Zee was in labour and that they should all be arriving soon. Harry nodded, realizing that he'd forgotten to let everyone else know in his haste. He left Ian with Remus and Tonks and made his way upstairs to the master bedroom.
When he stepped into the room, Zee was lying in the huge bed, propped up on the pillows, her hands resting over her bulbous stomach. Lady Godiva was stretched out across the end of the bed, her amber eyes on Zee.
"Hi, sweetie."
Harry smiled and sat on the side of her bed. "Are you okay?"
Zee took his hand in hers. "I'm good. The babies are coming."
"You got your wish then," he said. "Not three more weeks after all."
Zee chuckled. "Yes, I did. I'm sorry about our movie night with your friends."
"This is better," Harry told her. "I want to meet them. Anything I can do?"
"Absolutely nothing," Ian said from the doorway. "Hardest part is the waiting. Hi, Zahira, the house is getting full down there."
"Ian," she said with a smile. "I know I already said it, but I'm glad you're here."
"You won't be when you hear that Gran came in with another two plushies, this time a lion and an owl. Grandda brought cigars and whisky."
"Of course he did," Zee said, grimacing. "Are you here to give me pain potion?"
"Yes," he said, holding up the small vial of silvery-green liquid. "And I come bearing food. Abby says that your dilated three centimetres and that's a good start, but you need to get your strength up for later, so I made you a sandwich. I ate the one you left in the kitchen."
"Prat," she muttered, making him grin. She accepted the potion, downing it one swallow and wincing. "Merlin, that tastes awful!"
"Works well though, or so I hear," he said, passing her the plate.
"Numpty," Zee muttered making Ian stick his tongue out at her.
"Hey, this numpty is your assistant healer during the birth of my new cousins and I brought you a sandwich, so shut it. That potion should last you for a few hours. You'll get another mouthful when your dilated nine centimetres just to help you through the end of it."
Zee stuck her tongue out at him making Harry laugh. "Who is down in the living room, Ian?"
"Just Gran, Grandda, Remus, and Tonks. Mum and Da said that they'd come when she gets closer and Jenny is out on a date."
"With Josh?"
Ian nodded. "Aye. He's going to propose tonight or so he told me. I don't want to ruin that. Mum will tell her when she gets home."
Zee nodded and winced as another contraction hit her.
"Breathe, love. Dinna fash, the potion will kick in soon. It only takes a few minutes," Ian assured her.
Zee let out a slow breath to help her get through the pain. "How long do you think?"
"Until the bairns arrive?" Ian asked. "You know how these things go, Zee. They could pop out in the next two hours or the next twelve. Look, it's only half past eight. Just rest up and relax. When it's time, you'll know. We're hoping that they can both come out vaginally as planned, so rest as much as you can until then."
"I'd love some water, Ian."
"No," Ian told her. "You can have ice chips. I'll have that house elf bring some in for you."
Harry watched him leave before he looked back at Zee. "I called Grandmama and Papa. I know that they will try to be here as soon as they can."
Zee smiled at him. "I know, I know they will be. Mama promised me that I wouldn't be alone in here."
"I… I can, er, stay?"
Zee chuckled. "I love you, Harry, but trust me. You don't want to see me have these babies. You can wait out there with our family."
He nodded. "Are you scared?"
"Terrified," she admitted. "But I know that Ian will stay with me and Mama and Papa will be here and Healer Abby is great, isn't she?"
"Yeah, she is."
Zee traced her engagement ring. "I know that he's going to be watching over me. He wouldn't miss this."
Harry leaned in and kissed her cheek. "I can't wait to meet them."
She smiled when he placed his hands over her stomach. "They can't wait to meet you either. Go. Go tell everyone I'm fine and you can send Gran in. I know she's probably anxious out there."
Harry nodded, standing up to kiss her cheek again. "Be back in a bit."
He hurried back downstairs and found not only Remus, Tonks, Callum and Fiona Brown, but also Mrs Weasley waiting for him.
"How is she?" Fiona exclaimed, jumping to her feet.
"She's good, Gran," Harry said. "She says that you can go up and see her."
Fiona kissed his cheek before she hurried off and Callum pat the seat next to him. Harry took a seat in the chair and Callum put a thick cigar in his hand.
"When those babies come, we'll celebrate together like men."
Harry grinned and Remus shook his head.
"I don't know if I want you smoking a cigar, Harry."
"I agree with Remus," Mrs Weasley said. "Nasty things."
"Bah!" Callum exclaimed, his arm coming around Harry's shoulders and tugging him tightly against his side. "In celebration, he will enjoy it!"
Harry grinned and Remus only smiled at him. Mrs Weasley kissed his cheek and promised to be back later on if Zee needed her and Tonks said the same. Tonks had to work the night shift at the Azkaban Crypt. She had drawn the short straw on running the new trainees through the program that night and was in charge of the five new recruits on their first Azkaban night shift. Once they were gone, Callum began to talk about how many times he had sat and waited for babies to be born.
Harry found it fascinating. It amazed him how much Zee's family had just adopted him and whereas he didn't spend as much time with the Browns as he did with the Jacksons or the Zacariases, he still felt a connection with them. He listened to Callum tell him about when Sorcha had been born, Fiona was in labour for sixteen hours, and how one couldn't rush these things.
"Did I miss it?" McGonagall exclaimed, running in through the front door.
Harry looked up into her wide eyes and smiled. "No, come sit."
McGonagall took a seat next to Remus. "I was so worried that I was going to miss it!"
Harry shook his head. "You have lots of time. According to Grandda babies take forever."
"They like to take their sweet wee time," he corrected. "Dinna fash!"
It was an hour before Fiona returned and let him go up to see Zee again. In the meantime, Andy and Ted had arrived, eager to meet the new Blacks. Healer Abby and Ian were taking it in turn to check up on her as they chatted together with the family in the living room. Harry urged McGonagall to come up with him and they found her munching on ice chips, her hair now pinned up in a messy high bun.
"Gran says that you wanted to see me?"
Zee nodded and motioned him forward. "Yes, please! I love Gran, but she's driving me bonkers! What's happening out there?"
"Nothing much. Grandda gave me a cigar and says that we have to smoke it when the babies come in celebration."
Zee frowned. "I'd rather you didn't."
He chuckled. "I brought someone to visit instead."
Zee's face brightened when she saw McGonagall stick her head in the bedroom door. "Minerva!"
"Hello, Zahira," McGonagall said as she came into the room. "How are you feeling?"
"Good. I got this lovely pain potion that's helped loads. I'm at five centimetres now, so not too much longer, I hope. Any news on Mama yet?"
Harry shook his head. "No, but I know that they'll be here soon, Zee. Andy and Ted are here though."
McGonagall opened her bag to pull out two blankets. "While we're waiting for your parents, I finished these last week. I thought maybe that you could wrap the babies in them for the first time?"
Zee's eyes softened as she took them. They were both the softest wool she had ever touched in a bright diagonal rainbow pattern: Bright purple, ocean blue, turquoise, forest green, bright yellow, burnt orange, Gryffindor red to a light silver-grey where a bright yellow sun sat in the corner with it's rays spirally down. A lovely white trim outlined the blanket.
"Minerva… these are gorgeous!"
McGonagall shrugged. "I thought rainbow was a nice choice. I know it usually symbolizes the light after a dark storm and is normally associated with the new child being a symbol of light in the wake of losing a child, but… Sirius was the child of my heart and these babies are what's left of him. I saw this pattern to add the sun at the top and I liked it; a new beginning, a new dawn. I like the idea of them being wrapped in colours and it suits them no matter whether they are boys or girls or one of each. Losing Sirius was a tragedy and these babies symbolize something wonderful to come."
"Thank you! I love that!"
McGonagall nodded, moving to sit on the bed next to her. "How are you feeling otherwise?"
"Lovely. A bit floaty. I took a pain potion."
McGonagall chuckled. "Good. It's been two hours since your waters broke?"
"Closer to three," Harry told her, glancing at the clock. "We were going to watch some Christmas films and have some of my friends and Ginny over at eight and this was around half past seven."
"Well, once the contractions start they say it's not too long now," McGonagall assured her, squeezing her hand. "If you need anything you need only ask. This Granny can't wait to meet these two bundles of joy."
Zee smiled. "I'm really glad you're here, Minerva. Sirius would have loved having them call you Granny."
McGonagall's eyes were full of unshed tears when she met Zee's gaze. "I know."
Harry left them alone to chat and had just stepped onto the stairs when he saw Misha and Sorcha come in through the front door. He grinned, laughing when Misha's arms came around him in a tight bear hug halfway up the stairs.
"How's my girl?"
"She's good, Papa," Harry said, his voice muffled from the strength of Misha's hug. "She's in there with Auntie Minnie, but she's been waiting on you."
Sorcha pulled him into her arms, pulling his head down to kiss his cheeks. "And you? How are you doing with all of this, mo ghaol?"
"I'm fine. Excited and worried."
Sorcha kissed his cheek again. "Och aye, both good emotions to be feeling. You go back into the living room with everyone, yeah? Papa and I will take care of our Zahira."
Harry nodded, feeling a bit relieved now that they were here. He knew that they would be, but he would be lying to himself if he hadn't been feeling a tad bit nervous with the thought that they might not make it on time. He definitely didn't want to be in the bedroom with Zee. He didn't know what was going to happen exactly, but the thought of how the babies were going to come out was just embarrassing and horrifying at the same time.
He left his grandparents to check on Zee and made his way back downstairs. Callum and Fiona were telling stories of the birth of their children and grandchildren and Remus chimed in with the birth of Harry, making him feel a bit embarrassed, but secretly pleased. He laughed when Andy told them all how Sirius had come and woken her and Ted at three in the morning just to announce Harry's arrival. He remembered getting to see the memory: How excited Remus and Sirius had been to meet him. He understood that feeling now in ways that he hadn't then.
McGonagall came down a few minutes later to sit with them and they all waited, making small talk about the holiday. Andy and Ted went upstairs to say hi to Zee. Fiona paced back and forth before she bent to say something to Callum that made him frown.
"Fiona, Zee said that she doesn't want them here. She worries."
Fiona shook her head. "Well, she can worry all she wants. Brian's already taking care of it."
"Taking care of what?" Harry asked, frowning at them.
But his question was answered for him by the front door opening.
He felt the huge grin on his face as he jumped to his feet and found himself crushed into the arms of Colt. Flo's arms came around him from the other side and he smiled.
"Grandpa! Grandma! How did you get here?"
"Brian came and got us himself. Took us here with a portie!"
"Portkey," Flo corrected, shaking her head. "Been married damn near fifty years and he's still learned nothing. Hi, darling." She kissed Harry's cheek. "Did you get taller?"
"I don't think so, Grandma," he told her.
Brian Brown put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Hi, Harry. How's my niece?"
"Good. Grandmama and Papa are in there with her now. Ian says that it won't be too much longer."
"My boy's a good healer!" Brian declared, proudly.
They all sat down as Colt began to tell Harry about how Brian had showed up and told them that they were going to England. It wasn't long before Flo and Fiona headed into the kitchen where they began to start cooking up a storm. They said a long night of waiting on a baby meant a big full breakfast was to be had. It was well after two in the morning, when Misha came back down the stairs looking a bit pale.
"Harry, Zee vants you back for a bit. It von't be long now."
Harry stood up, the smell of bacon from the kitchen making his stomach rumble. Remus gave him a reassuring smile before he followed Misha back upstairs to the master bedroom. Zee was propped up more on the pillows, still sucking on ice chips. The rainbow baby blankets from McGonagall were propped on the armchair in the corner. Sorcha was sitting on the bed next to her daughter.
"Everything all right?"
Zee gestured him forward. "Everything is good. I just wanted to see you once more before it all happens and make sure you're okay."
"I am," he said, surprised that she was worried about him at a time like this. "Grandma and Grandpa are here. Uncle Brian went and picked them up."
"I told them not to come," she said in exasperation.
Harry shook his head. "Too late because they're already here. There's room in your old cottage for them."
Zee nodded. "I know. I just worry because Grandpa's a Muggle."
"Our home is safe, Zee," Harry assured her. "Not to mention full of people. Grandma and Gran are cooking a full breakfast for everyone downstairs."
Zee tugged him down to kiss his cheek. "Of course they are. I thought I could smell bacon."
"You can't eat, Zahira," Sorcha told her. "Not until after the babies are born. Ian already brought you sandwich earlier!"
Zee pouted, rubbing her stomach. "I know, but it smells so good. Go get some food, Harry, and please keep an eye on Grandpa. He and Grandda always seem to get themselves into trouble when they're together."
Harry chuckled and promised to do just that as Zee winced. "You okay?"
"Yes, the pain's just coming back. Where's Ian, Mama? He said that I could have more pain potion when I got closer?"
"He'll be back soon, mo nighean. He's probably in the kitchen sneaking some food. Breathe through it, that's right, darling," Sorcha said.
Misha was holding his daughter's other hand, a worry line on his forehead. "They vant to come."
Zee was about to comment when another contraction hit and she cried out. "Trakhni menya!"
Misha chuckled. "Vhen you are in pain, you become Rus, dochka."
Zee glared at him. "Because it bloody well hurts, Papa!"
Misha nodded and kissed her hand. "Ian vill be here soon vith the potion, da."
Harry was going to ask what would happen if she didn't get another potion when she cried out in pain a second time, this one a partial scream.
"Pizdets! Mama, I want to push. The babies are coming!"
"No, mo nighean, you must wait until Healer Abby comes back up."
Zee shook her head, sweat beading on her brow. "I can't wait, Mama, I can't wait!"
Healer Abby came in with Ian on her heels, obviously attracted by her loud screams, just as Zee screamed again. Harry winced.
"Ian Brian Brown, you give me that bloody potion right this very second or I will tie your bollocks in a knot and then strangle you with them!"
Ian paled. "That's not possible, Zee! Let's not be hasty here."
"Idi na khoy!" she screamed.
Misha chuckled. "Language, dochka."
Ian frowned. "I've picked up on some Russian over the years, Uncle Misha, but I don't think I know that one."
"I told you to go fuck yourself," Zee said through gritted teeth. "Now hand over that bloody potion!"
"I'm afraid that we're too late for that," Healer Abby declared, her head between Zee's legs. Lady Godiva had hopped off the bed now, prowling behind the healer like a nervous mother hen. "You're fully dilated, my dear. It's time for you to start pushing."
Tears welled up in Zee's eye and she grabbed Harry's hand, squeezing so tightly he winced. "I can't! I can't do it!"
"Yes, yes, you can," Sorcha said, kissing her forehead.
Harry swallowed nervously from next to Misha. "I'll just, er…"
Sorcha grabbed his other hand. "Harry, your Papa will let you know, okay?"
He nodded and bent to kiss Zee's cheek before he made his escape. He'd just gotten to the door when he heard the healer instruct Zee to push and she let out another scream that made the hair on his arms stand on edge. He almost ran back down the stairs.
"How is she?" Remus asked, jumping to his feet when he saw him.
"Healer Abby told her that she could start pushing, so I think it's time," Harry said, nervously.
Flo let out a small squeal of delight, grabbing Fiona's hand. "More great-grandbabies!"
Harry took a seat in between Remus and Colt as Flo handed out plates of food. He leaned into his father gratefully when Remus' arm came around him. They all ate, the sounds of Zee's shrieks from upstairs being largely ignored. Harry thought she sounded like she was in a lot of pain and he wasn't sure how to deal with everyone just eating and laughing as if it were normal. Callum seemed to notice this because he gripped Harry's shoulder tightly.
"It's the miracle of life, my boy. Nothing more incredible. She's going to be just fine. I promise."
Harry felt a bit better after that and smiled when Flo urged him to keep eating her amazing breakfast hash. The clock over the fireplace struck four as he finished his breakfast.
It seemed to take forever, but a glance at the clock told Harry that it had only been forty-five minutes since he'd come downstairs when they heard the sound of a cry.
It wasn't much longer before Misha came down with a bundle swaddled in one of the rainbow blankets. "It's a girl," he said, smiling brightly. "Ve have a granddaughter."
Harry jumped up to see her, eyes wide as he stared down at the tiny scrunched up face with a shock of dark black hair. "A girl?"
Misha smiled brightly, tears in his eyes. "A girl. Born at four oh five this morning. She's two kilograms, forty-five centimetres long, and has all of her fingers and toes. She's perfect."
"Our Zahira?" Colt asked.
"She's doing vell. She's resting a moment. I'll be back in a bit."
Misha disappeared with the baby and Harry turned to beam at Remus. "A girl!"
Remus put his arm around Harry's shoulders. "Sirius would have loved having a daughter."
They all waited again. It was another ten minutes before they heard the second cry and Harry jumped to his feet again. Misha emerged a few minutes later, a bundle in a rainbow blanket once more and tears in his eyes.
"It's a boy."
Everyone cheered as Harry moved to sneak a look at the baby. He looked much the same as his sister did, red and scrunched up, lots of black hair, and his eyes closed.
"He was a a fighter. Came out arse first," Sorcha said with a chuckle from behind Misha where she was holding their granddaughter. "Healer Abby had to push on her stomach something fierce to get him out safely, but he made it. He was born at four twenty-one."
"He veighs two and half kilograms, fifty centimetres long, and also perfect." Misha said, a big smile on his face.
Sorcha leaned in to kiss her husband before turning to her family. "Zee just needs to finish up her labour and then you can come back in, Harry."
Misha nodded as he and Sorcha took their grandchildren back into the room with them.
"A boy and a girl," Harry said, grinning widely at Remus.
"A star and a goddess," Remus told him. "That's what Sirius said in Zee's dream, right?"
Harry nodded, wondering about the implications of that. Callum used his wand to light his cigar and passed one over to Colt and another to Brian. Remus reluctantly took the cigar, lighting it as Callum insisted and Harry did the same, grinning like a fool.
"Gu beatha ùr!" Callum exclaimed, holding out his flask of whisky.
Harry took a swig of the whisky, enjoying the burn as it moved down his throat before he took a puff of the cigar. The cigar made him choke and Remus thumped him on the back as Callum laughed.
"Exhale, Harry, not inhale," Callum instructed.
Colt winked at him. "Don't worry, son. I'll take that cigar off your hands for you."
"Over my dead body, Colten Raleigh Jackson! You put out that death trap right this second!" Flo demanded, taking Harry's cigar from him and vanishing it with her wand.
Colt pouted as his wife vanished his cigar as well and Callum reluctantly handed his over.
"Filthy habit," she insisted, grabbing the flask and taking a swig. "You can have a drink to toast to our new great-grandbabies instead."
Colt took the flask from his wife and took a sip. "To whatever Callum said! To new life!"
"Gu beatha ùr!" Callum repeated before he and Colt hugged tightly with big grins on their faces.
Harry wasn't sure how much time had passed between the cheers and the smiles and the eating and the drinking, but by the time Misha came back into the waiting room, he was feeling a bit buzzed.
Misha moved across the room to pull Harry into a tight hug. "Ve are blessed! Come see."
Harry followed Misha up the stairs. When they stepped inside the master bedroom, Sorcha was sitting in the armchair next to the bed. Zee was sitting in the big bed, her long curly hair had been pulled back into a messy bun and her cheeks were slightly flushed, but she was beaming. The two babies were lying on her chest, skin to skin.
"Harry, come meet your new siblings."
Harry moved over to the bed carefully, eyes on the two tiny babies with their eyes closed. "Wow."
Misha moved to stand next to him, a hand on Harry's shoulder. "You are beautiful, dochka. I am so proud of you."
"It's fitting that they were born in the early hours of New Years Eve," Zee said quietly. "Today was the day Sirius and I were going to get married."
Harry's eyes met hers. "He would be over the moon right now."
Zee smiled, tears in her eyes. "I know." She bent her head to kiss each baby on the head. "I'd like for you to meet Mina and Leo Black."
"Mina and Leo," Misha repeated, a soft smile on his face. "Good, strong names."
Zee's eyes met her father's. "Leonardo Sirius Mikhail Black."
Misha's eyes filled up with tears. "You named him after your papa?"
"Leo for a star name. The Leo constellation houses the Regulus constellation," Zee said, her eyes on Harry now. "I felt that Sirius would want us to honour his brother. Then Sirius to honour his father, of course, and Mikhail to honour mine."
"It's perfect," Harry told her. "Sirius would have loved that you named him in honour of Regulus and Papa."
Zee smiled. "I think that he would have been pleased. And this, this is our Mina. Our Goddess — Minerva Euphemia Magnolia Black. Mina because I think it's a nice compromise on those big names and it makes her have a unique name all for herself."
"Mina and Leo," Harry said, grinning widely. "They're perfect, Zee."
And when he looked down at the tiny babies, he knew that Sirius thought they were perfect as well.
"Welcome to the world, Mina and Leo," he whispered.
Misha's hand gripped his shoulder tightly and when his eyes met Zee's dark ones, he thought that he'd never felt happier.
End Author's Notes:
Yes, I know I'm evil. The twins are born on the 31st of December, 1996, the day that Sirius and Zee were going to be married. Thanks to Ella for help with the Russian terms.
(Russian) pizdets = damn it
(Russian) Idi na khoy = go fuck yourself
(Scottish) numpty = idiot
(Gaelic) mo ghaol = my love
(Gaelic) mo nighean = my daughter
(Russian) Trakhni menya! = Fuck me!
(Gaelic) Gu beatha ùr! = To new life!
(Russian) dochka = daughter
And just a friendly reminder of Zee's family tree:
The Jacksons:
Colten Raleigh Jackson (Muggle) and Florence Jackson
Daughter Magnolia Jackson Zacarias (deceased) married to Michael (Misha) Zacarias with one daughter Zahira Zelena Zacarias
The Zacariases:
Ivan and Anya Zacarias (Muggles — Ivan was the soldier in WWII with the motorbike)
1. Mikhail Ivanovich (Misha) m. Magnolia Jackson Zacarias (d) m. Sorcha Brown Zacarias
(a) Zahira Zacarias eng. Sirius Black
(i) Minerva Euphemia Magnolia Black
(ii) Leonardo Sirius Mikhail Black
2. Olga Ivanova Zacarias Petrov m. Dimtri Petrov
(a) Mikhail Petrov m. Ana Ivanov
(i) Yuri Petrov (11)
(b) Mila Petrov Sokolov m. Nicholas Sokolov
(i) Nastasia Sokolov (9)
(ii) Dinara Sokolov (6)
3. Sasha Ivanova Zacarias Blok m. Yerik Blok
(a) Tanya Blok Fedorov m. Alek Fedorov
(i) Eva and Irina (twin girls identical) (2)
(b) Tatiana Blok eng. Iosif Kuznetsov
The Browns:
Callum and Fiona Brown
Brian Brown m. Jocasta Fitzgibbons
(a) Dougal Brown m. Ellen Smith
(i) Jenny Brown eng. to Josh Sterling (Dec 96) — Accidental Magical Catastrophe's Department
(ii) Ian Brown — Healer at St Mungo's
Sorcha Brown m. Misha Zacarias
(a) Zahira Zacarias eng. Sirius Black
(i) Minerva Euphemia Magnolia Black
(ii) Leonardo Sirius Michael Black
Ivan & Anya = Baba and Deda
Tetya = auntie
Dyadya = uncle
Misha & Sorcha = Papa and Grandmama
Colt & Flo = Grandpa and Grandma
Callum & Fiona = Gran and Grandda
Thanks for reading and please review!