I apologize for the long wait. And because this is a pre-Christmas post, and it's, uh, Valentine's Day. So for everyone with a hunny, Happy Valentine's Day! And for everyone without a hunny, Happy Singles Awareness Day! Live it up, I know I am. And enjoy the chapter!

"I'm going to take Nate shopping with Hermione and me," Kit said that Thursday morning, and Harry nodded his agreement.

"I'm working, so don't worry about it."

"Oh," Kit said, looking put out. "Well, what time will you be home?"

"Around four," Harry answered. "Why?"

"No reason," Kit said quickly. "Just wondering is all."

Harry smiled and kissed her on the cheek. "I can get a ride to work with Jake. Take the car."

"Thanks, hun," Kit beamed, and took the keys from his hand. "Have fun at work."

Kit and Nate met up with Hermione in a coffee shop in London.

"You have a specific list, don't you?" Hermione asked suspiciously, and Kit smiled.

"I do. We should do the regular shopping first."

"Do you really need anything?"

"I think I need supplies."

Hermione laughed. "This is going to be brilliant!"

Nate looked between the two women confusedly. "What are we buying, mum?"

Kit whispered in his ear, and his eyes grew wide as a smile spread across his face.

"So, we'll need food."

"Toys."

"A training book."

"Yay! Puppy!"

But as hard as they looked in the many pet stores, both wizard and muggle alike, Kit couldn't find the dog she wanted Harry to have. They were all energetic, but she knew what she wanted, and they were not offering it anywhere.

"We could try an animal shelter," Hermione suggested. "You know – where the strays are kept until they grow too old and are put down or get adopted."

Kit looked at Hermione as though she had solved the mystery of life. "That's perfect!"

Nate hugged Kit's leg as they walked slowly through the lines of kennels. There were small dogs, huge dogs, scrappy dogs, quiet dogs. She had almost given up when Nate let go of her leg and she looked down.

"Puppy?" Nate asked quietly, holding his hand towards one kennel.

"Nate, don't hold out your hand like that," Kit warned, and Nate put the hand back in his pocket, but moved towards the cage.

"Puppy, mum."

"He's pretty big to be a puppy," Kit commented, and as she and Hermione leant down for a closer look, Hermione gasped. Kit turned to her. "What?"

"It looks like – like Sirius did when –"

Kit's eyes grew wide and she took a closer look. The black lab in the cage did resemble something of Padfoot, and as Nate clung to the door and the dog moved closer and licked his knuckles both women knew it acted like Padfoot as well. Loving. Loyal.

"So, I think this is the one," Kit said, and as she stood and turned the man who ran the shelter was stood behind her.

"You can have him for free. Dumb mutt. Been in here for ages," he mumbled. "Just take him."

"He has his shots?" Hermione asked diplomatically, turning to the man as he fumbled with his keys.

"Has everything but a home and registration."

"Fantastic," Kit said, taking Nate's hand as the man opened the door and the dog walked slowly out, his tail between his legs. "Don't worry, pup," Kit said softly, scratching behind his ears, "you're safe now."

"Time to go home, puppy," Nate said, patting the big dog on his shoulder.

The big, black, beat up Labrador retriever wagged his tail.

---

The ride back home was eventful with Nate and the dog in the backseat. The three of them had decided the dog would be Harry's Christmas present, as Kit had no idea what else they could get him that would be as perfect as a dog.

Harry had been pining for one way too long, in Hermione's words. Kit figured they needed a replacement for Caleb and a guard dog for their soon to be two children. Nate wanted to keep the puppy forever.

Kit led Nate into the house at four thirty. Harry sat at the coffee table with Remus and Tonks and the wedding plans spread in front of them. They looked up and smiled as Nate ran in, but neither said a word as Hermione put all the plans away. Nate kept a hand to his mouth. Even when Harry tried to tickle the truth out of him, Nate only giggled. Remus and Tonks looked suspiciously at Hermione, but she only winked.

"Okay," she said, shaking with excitement. "Are you ready?"

"What are we ready for?" Tonks asked.

"Harry's Christmas present," Hermione smiled.

"Daddy, you're going to love it," Nate giggled.

"Well, I guess we're as ready as we'll ever be," Harry said, and Nate clapped.

Everyone looked to the door as Kit entered with the dog. Harry stood up, shock and glee spread through all his features.

"Honestly?" he gasped, and the dog wagged his tail as Kit let him off the leash and he walked towards Harry.

"Happy Christmas," Kit beamed.

Harry laughed out loud, petting the dog and roughing him up around the ears. The dog licked his face and Nate laughed, standing next to Harry and petting the dog as well.

"Thank you," he said, and the smile on his face looked at though it would never come off.

Tonks was the only one who noticed the sad look in Remus' eyes. They left quickly, followed by Hermione, who hugged them all, even the dog.

As the door shut behind Hermione, Harry sat on the couch. Nate scrambled up beside him, as did the dog.

"This is the best Christmas present ever," Harry said, shaking his head. "I can't believe it."

"Believe it," Kit smiled.

"Does he have a name?" Harry asked, and Kit shook her head.

"No, we have to come up with one."

"Puppy!"

Harry smiled at Nate. "Not exactly what I was thinking, bud."

"Not Padfoot," Kit warned.

"Of course not," Harry said. "But, I mean, look at him!"

"Puppy!"

"Paddy," Harry said quietly, and Kit smiled.

"That's perfect."

"Paddy?" Nate asked.

"Yes. Paddy. That's what the dog's name is. Is that okay?" Harry asked.

Nate grinned. "Yay! Paddy!"

Paddy looked happy to have the name as well.