Hi, everyone! I hope you enjoy this next chapter as much as you did the vision from the last one! There will be a few 'facts' on snowy owls discussed and most are true but I'm fudging one of them. I'll tell you which one in my ending notes.

Diddleymaz – I'm happy you liked the vision, but no the lion wasn't meant to be Aslan. I would've specified in an author's note if I borrowed any characters from any book/movie other than HP. The lion was in the vision to represent Gryffindor because Harry was in that house as were all his loved ones that were watching over him.

******** ******** Chapter 42 ******** ********

February dawned with another snowfall and Harry greeted it with a peaceful morning flight in his animagus form. Draco was waiting with all three children at the table when he returned and Andy wasn't far behind.

"Unca Ry, so cool - you can be a owl!" Teddy bounced in his chair. "I wanna too."

"What did I tell you, Teddy?" Harry asked softly.

"Too little - gotta grow big an learn magic." Teddy recited before sticking his tongue out at his uncle.

Harry narrowed his gaze. "It's not nice to stick your tongue out, Ted."

"I sorry, Unca Ry." The little boy sighed for a moment but soon perked up. "You gonna put your owl on my toy?"

"Yes." Harry shook his head. Kids really do bounce back quickly. "I'll do it this afternoon, Teddy. Would you like to watch?"

The not-quite-three year old nodded his head vigorously. He loved to see Harry do magic and he'd been fascinated when his godfather had used the spell to add Andromeda to the animagus toy he loved so much.

"You've already got a way with him, Harry." Andy said as she sat. "Dora and Remus knew what they were doing when they chose you as Teddy's godfather."

Harry sighed wistfully. "I got to practice taking care of babies on him but, being the primary caretaker for the twins has allowed me to practice my gently authoritative voice. I can get them to listen with just a few well placed words in the right tone."

"It's difficult raising a child, Harry. That's a good skill to have." The older woman took her potion as well as a pill before finally eating her oatmeal.

"Harry…after our daughter joins us perhaps you could assist me in discovering my own form." Draco seemed hesitant.

"I'd love to, Dragon…in fact I have wondered what your form would be." Harry's eyes sparkled when his gaze met Draco's.

The blond bit his lip. "I think it will match my Patronus…or perhaps be something similar." Draco took pride in his Patronus' form. Peregrine falcons held many wonderful attributes.

"What is your Patronus, Draco?" Andy asked quietly.

"I'll show you." He said taking his wand out. He stood and cast the charm.

Andy's eyes widened. "Oh, what a lovely Gyrfalcon!"

"I thought it was a Peregrine falcon." Draco frowned.

The children looked on in wonder while munching on their cereal.

"They're often mistaken for each other but the Gyrfalcon is slightly larger than a Peregrine." Andy explained. "Also, Gyrfalcons will hunt Peregrine while the Peregrine usually avoids the larger bird. It's not just the magic making your gyrfalcon light in color, you know, Draco. I can see from the markings on this bird that it is either a silver or white gyrfalcon."

"In my trance, the last bird to leave before my snowy owl accepted me was a silver gyrfalcon." Harry had told his family about the congregation of familiar animals which had overseen his transformation but he wasn't certain he'd mentioned that detail.

Draco stared at his husband. "I don't remember you saying that before."

"Sorry, I guess at the time it didn't really mean anything." Harry shrugged before giving Teddy more cheerios.

"Harry, not many people see what you saw…However, most agree that the last animal they see in the trance, before their own chooses them, suits their partner in life – whether or not the person attempts the transformation. My personal experience was much different but that aspect held true for me." Andy told him. "I walked down a path through all different climates…I had just found my way over a mountain and through a jungle and a forest when I'd gotten to an open grassy spread of land. About a mile or so into the grassy area I noticed the grass become less lush and the dirt beneath the grass took on a more dry and dusty texture. It wasn't quite dry enough to be a desert, but I could see a sandy stretch of land in the distance. Anyway, I was tired so I sat and the animals from that climate came to me. I watched each animal as it approached but most didn't get close."

Harry listened with eagerness as she told them all the animals she'd seen. Horses, sheep and goats as well as many rodents like lemmings had come to meet her but only the great eagle owl had come close enough for her to touch.

"When I'd come out of the trance, I was in my owl form and coincidentally met by a barn owl that looked very familiar to me…" Andy looked sad. "By that time, I was engaged to my Ted."

"Did Ted ever try to learn his form?" Draco asked.

"No." She shook her head. "He said he liked being human too much and didn't feel the urge to indulge his inner beast."

"I don't know if my mother ever learned her form or if she left that sort of mischief to my dad and his friends." Harry smiled softly. "I'll help you as soon as you're ready, love."

"I'll have plenty of time since Al says this level of my training can take up to a year and a half to complete." Draco's silver eyes shone with happiness. "I already love flying with you so maybe…"

"From what I've read about gyrfalcons they compete with snowy owls in speed and while hunting prey. Another notable tidbit…" Harry let his eyes caress his husband's face. "Gyrfalcons mate for life."

Amused, Andromeda wisely kept silent as the boys lightly bantered.

Draco blushed. "Do snowy owls mate for life too?"

Harry shrugged. "Sometimes…but not always…From what I've read – if it's not a mate for life situation – the pairings are always monogamous and last for years at a time."

Draco nodded slowly as his aunt left them to enjoy some time for herself.

"But I'm more human than snowy owl, Draco, and my human side is a mate for life kind of guy." Harry squeezed Draco's hand.

"Good, because both sides of me are too." The blond had a menacing smirk.

Later that day, Harry took the whole family out into the back garden with Teddy's toy. He cast the spell and watched as his picture took a place on the toy. The owl in the picture was in-flight with spread wings. Harry handed Teddy the toy and he touched the picture. When he did the group heard a loud 'krek-krek' repeat several times before the toy stopped. At a second touch, they heard a clapping sound.

"The first sound was an alarm. The second was to scare away a threat. There should be a third." Harry touched the picture again and this time a deep 'gahw' sound was heard. "That's the ordinary call."

"Wow! So neat, Unca Ry!" Teddy was ecstatic as he showed the twins.

The next few hours were filled with animal noises from Teddy's toy as well as other toys and the twins.

Draco nodded off on a comfy chaise lounge while Harry and Andromeda watched the babies play.

"Poor Draco." Harry said softly to Andy. "He isn't even two months gone but this pregnancy is taking so much out of him already."

The blond's aunt sighed. "Between his cravings, the bouts of morning sickness, and when he watches the little ones, he's been so tired lately. It's good that he can sleep a bit."

Just as she finished the sentence, they heard a screech from Lyra. As she'd begun running across the room, her foot got caught on a rug and she'd fallen. Harry gasped and took two steps but Draco was awake and by her side in an instant to scoop her up. "You're alright, Lyra…shhh…just a little fall…Harry is the bruise cream nearby?"

Harry cast Accio and handed his husband the jar. "Here, love…" Since they'd gotten home from the holiday stay at the manor, Draco had insisted on being more involved with the twins' daily activities and Harry had let him but the pregnancy was beginning to take its toll and he'd soon have to insist that his husband get more rest.

"Erm…Harry, I'm getting peckish…I know it's nearly dinner but I think a snack is in order." Draco said quietly. "We can always have dinner a little bit late…right?"

"What would you like, Dragon?" Harry asked as he stepped up behind the blond.

"Nachos!" Draco said quickly looking up at Harry. "…and maybe pretzels…with cheese...?"

"Like we had at the muggle cinema?" Harry grinned at the pleading grey eyes. He'd taken Draco to the movies a few times in the last three years and each time they'd gotten muggle food to snack on during the movie. Pizza had been one of Draco's favorites but nachos were even better according to the blond.

Draco nodded.

"Would you like pizza for dinner? I know how to make it." Andy smiled indulgently at her nephew.

Draco's eyes widened. "You do?"

She nodded, her smile getting bigger at his excitement. "I learned because it was a favorite of Ted's and Dora's."

"I would love some pizza, Aunt Andy!" Draco bit his lip.

"Then I'll have Kreacher go shopping while we snack on nachos." The older woman was happy to make her nephew happy.

"Thank you so much!" The blond hugged her tightly before returning to play with the children now that Lyra had calmed down.

Harry felt his heart ache as he looked as the woman who had come to mean so much to him and his family. He would miss her very much if something happened to her. "Thank you, Andy. You're so sweet to do that for us."

"Nonsense, Harry-dear. You're family…all of you are family." Andy smiled and called Kreacher to order the snacks and give him a list of things she'd need for the pizza.

A few hours later, Harry was sitting at the kitchen table cutting the pizza into tiny bits for Lyra while Draco did the same for their son and Andromeda followed suit for Teddy. To his aunt's delight, Draco was also really enjoying his own meal.

"This is even better than the one at the cinema; right Harry? Mmmm!" Draco's eyes closed as he bit into his second slice.

Harry grinned at them both as he answered. "Yes, Andy, this is quite good. It's almost as amazing as your spaghetti."

"You know, Harry…" Andromeda paused to sip her glass of water. "I have a book of recipes. I'll leave it for you."

Harry's expression fell. "Now, Andy, I don't want to hear you talk like that."

"We…" Draco bit his lip as he interrupted quietly. "We don't want to hear you talk like that."

Andy sighed as she looked them over. "Boys, I want to talk to you tonight. After we put the little ones to bed."

Harry nodded slowly letting Draco hold his hand for a brief moment. "We'll meet you in the sitting room." The young couple became pretty somber and stayed that way for the rest of the meal.

The children had fun eating but they got so messy that the adults had to give them bathes before dressing them for bed. Being the only girls, Andromeda bathed Lyra who was a little lady in the bath, she played and splashed like any normal child but she also seemed to understand that she could do that without making too much of a mess. Andromeda was able to wash her while she played with her toys which made the other two adults glare at her in envy.

When the girls were finished, Harry and Draco changed into their swimsuits and took charge of boys. They bathed the boys together, which led to a splashing war as well as toy throwing and lots of laughs along with a very wet bathroom.

"What exactly do you think she wants to say that the children couldn't hear?" Draco asked softly as they cleaned up the messy bathroom.

Harry had thought about this and he was pretty sure he knew what to expect from the older woman. "Probably something about her passing."

Draco glanced at Harry in dismay. "Really? Oh, I hope not."

Harry sighed as the blond came close. "She'll likely say something about the inevitability of death and how everyone has their own time. She might say that she misses her husband and Tonks. She might even try to joke that she's going to a better place because she's suffering here by having to take horribly tasting medicinal potions." Sighing, Harry stroked Draco's cheek. "There's even the small possibility that she'll say something about how the pain lessens in time."

Draco took a deep breath and whispered to Harry. "Will she say that we'll have our memories and she'll always be in our hearts?"

"Probably… now let's get this over with, love." Harry was nodding as he hugged his husband and led him to the sitting room.

Andromeda was already there and waiting with a tea tray. "Boys, I'd like to talk over tea. Serve yourselves, please, and add a calming draught if you think you'll need to."

Harry poured the tea for himself and Draco before asking if his husband wanted the potion.

Draco was watching his aunt and he got a feeling that what she was going to say would upset him so he nodded to Harry. "Yes, please add the calming draught."

Harry sighed and added the potion to both cups before sitting down. "I think I know what you'll say, Andromeda, but go on. We're listening."

She remained silent until they'd both taken a sip of their tea. "What I said at dinner, was nothing compared to what will come. Death is a natural part of life. That's not just a platitude, boys… No matter how much I wish it were otherwise, it's the truth." Andy sighed and met each of their gazes. "I love you both…almost like sons… You need to be told how to handle things when I pass because it won't be easy…I will leave you my recipes as well as journals I'd written in while Nymphadora was young. I've made copies of memories for Teddy and they're in a spell-locked chest in my closet."

Draco's eyes welled up with tears. "Auntie, no!"

Harry took a breath and said. "Draco…Please be honest with me, can you handle this conversation?"

The blond looked between Harry and his aunt. He wanted to say yes but his lip trembled. He felt sick to his stomach and shook his head while covering his mouth before bolting for the bathroom.

Harry sent Dinki to watch over him and motioned for Andy to continue.

"I've set my affairs in order and my Law-Wizard has an artifact that will alert him to my passing. He also has orders on the settlement of my assets." She said as she moved to sit beside him. "I want you to promise you'll see them through…Draco will come to terms with this in his own way, and I've spoken to Teddy in general terms."

"Of course, I'll make sure they're followed but…" Harry frowned at her. "What've you said to Teddy?"

"Just that Gramma might be going to heaven soon." She shrugged and placed a comforting hand on Harry's arm. "Nothing specific …just enough to prepare him if something happens. I've often said in the past that I miss his mummy and grandpa and that I'll see them and his daddy when I get to Heaven."

"Oh, Andy!" Harry turned suddenly and hugged her. His eyes teared up and he sniffled a little.

She held him loosely, ignoring her own tears in favor of drying his. "I'll try not to speak of it again since we've had this little chat, but I'll write a letter to Draco because there were things I'd wanted to say but couldn't. You're a good man, Harry. Remus and Dora were justified in putting their confidence in you to take care of Teddy but…thank you for taking care of me as well."

Harry tried desperately to hold the reigns on his emotions. "You know you're like a third mother to me, Andy…"

"Oh, you!" Andromeda scoffed gently. "I'd rather be your batty old aunt! You know that!"

Harry chuckled but it was a bit forced. "You could be around for years, you know! This condition might dissipate or be curable with a little research. You could outlive Draco and me, for all we know!"

"Now, Harry…I know that you believe that, but sometimes a person just knows their time is near." Andy sighed and stood up. "I want to say one last thing before I'm off to bed, dear."

Harry nodded eager for more of the woman's sage advice.

"You need to remember this, Harry…" She motioned for him to stand and look into her eyes. When Andy was certain he was paying attention. "The ones we love…They never really leave us."

Harry stared at her as she made a fist and placed it over his heart. His mind froze as he recalled Sirius saying almost those exact words and he curled one hand around her fist with a tearful nod.

She smiled tenderly and patted Harry's cheek before turning around. "You'd best find your husband and we'll have a nicer day tomorrow."

Harry watched her go and hurried to his bed where he and Draco held each other through the night.

True to her word, the morning came and Andromeda didn't say anything further about her condition or its likely end. She smiled when Draco asked for steak – well done and sliced thin on a roll with chunky Bleu cheese dressing. She placidly helped Harry and Draco take care of the three children, answering questions and cutting food, dressing limbs and kissing boo-boos.

To Harry's bewilderment, Draco's cheese craving got worse as the days went by. He asked for grilled cheese sandwiches and cheese with crackers as well as more pizza and more nachos. Cheese was also requested to be grated on soups and in salads. Once he'd even asked for a peanut-butter, jelly and cheese sandwich with a pickle on the side. Harry hadn't batted an eye, only sending Dinki to retrieve the requested food.

When asked, Draco's healer informed the couple that cravings usually catered to deficiencies in the bearer's body. Harry insisted on a full work-up of tests and once it was determined that the blond needed calcium and vitamins D and K, Harry sent Dinki shopping again.

Harry's decision to make sure Draco got more rest was backed up by the healer and that was all it had taken for Lucius and Narcissa to insist on spending one weekend per month in residence at Nettlestone Estate. Since there were quite a few guest suites, it hadn't proven to be a problem.

The morning after the elder Malfoys arrived for the first such visit, Harry came home from his usual morning flight in animal form to find Lucius holding his son on the balcony bench. He took care to land on the railing and simply looked at them, head cocked.

The not-yet two year old pointed at him with a giggle and spoke. "Papa-Owl!"

Lucius watched the bird silently and gave it a soft smile that reminded Harry of Draco who was peeking out of the door with a finger across his lips. "Draco told me of your form, Harry…" He said finally. "Do you know, I envied you over the years? My favorite relative was a great uncle and one of the things that made him my favorite is that he could do this…He was also a snowy owl. When I saw yours…your – what was her name? Hedwig – I think…Well, I wished she were mine…"

Harry didn't change back, preferring to see this side of his father-in-law from his current vantage point.

"He'd promised to teach me how he did it but died before I could even dream of going to Hogwarts." The older man fell quiet again as he turned his eyes on the child in his arms. "I learned the trance through a friend in my seventh year instead but could never complete the transformation. Perhaps it simply wasn't meant to be…"

Draco stepped outside in his bathrobe and smiled at his father. "I never knew any of that…Which great uncle was it, Father?"

Lucius glared at his son. "Uncle Cassius – you are supposed to be resting."

"You took my playmate…and I got bored," Draco smirked as he scooped up the toddler from his father's lap and placed a noisy kiss on the baby's cheek. "But now, I'm not. Hello, my son." A giggling Caelum grinned at his daddy and tapped the pregnant man's cheeks with his small palms.

"At least sit down while you hold him, Draco." Lucius frowned and stood only to guide him into the newly empty seat. "The children get heavier every day and you're pregnant."

Harry almost wanted to remain in his owl form to watch this little encounter but he decided to circumvent Draco's temper. "Thank you, Lucius…but as he's always telling me – pregnant isn't injured and they are our children." He turned to his husband and let one eyebrow lift. "No smug looks from you, Dragon. I said you could hold them and even lift them if you sat soon after. The healer's opinion agreed with mine…and your own body's. 'Getting more rest' isn't an order for 'bed-rest' but it could very well evolve into just that."

Draco sighed. "I know. I'm sorry."

"Draco?!" Narcissa came running out the doors from the master suite. "Oh, goodness! I couldn't find you and Lyra is distraught wanting her Daddy. Dinki is with her."

Harry smiled and took their son so Draco was free to tend to their daughter. "Go on, love. Caelum loves his Grandpa and Papa-owl."

The little boy beamed at the other men and even leaned out for Lucius to take him again. Once again ensconced in the eldest Malfoy's arms, the toddler place his head on the man's shoulder.

Draco stood and took his mother's hand as they hurried away.

With Draco gone, Harry decided to sit beside Lucius and Caelum in silence…but that was not to be. The dog began to stir down in the garden and Harry could see that it was because Teddy and Andromeda had come out. "Why don't you join us in the garden, Lucius? I'll have Kreacher serve breakfast soon."

He leaned down and kissed his son's cheek before transforming again to fly down into the garden and land on the back of the chair beside his godson.

Teddy delighted in seeing Harry in owl form and liked to pet his soft feathers.

Andromeda watched peacefully as Harry allowed it for a moment or two before transforming into himself and tickling the little boy. She was unsurprised when her sister's husband joined them with the newest Malfoy heir. "Good morning, Lucius."

Lucius nodded, still a bit formal with his sister-in-law. "Andromeda…I hope you're well."

She smirked briefly. "Well enough…for the moment."

Narcissa and Draco were smiling as they arrived with Lyra in tow. Harry calmed things down with Teddy and called for Kreacher and Dinki to bring the morning meal. After they'd been fed, the children toddled around the yard and laughed or played calmly… until Narcissa heard a hiss.

The older woman looked around and gasped, freezing as she helplessly watched an adder approach her granddaughter. "Harry!" She whispered urgently. "There is a poisonous snake in your garden!"

Harry turned to see what had upset his mother-in-law. "It's just Amice, Narcissa. She's friendly… She generally stays away from Draco and the children, though… I'll have a talk with her." He stood and went over to his daughter's side. "Lyra, I want you to go over to Daddy and Grandma."

"Sake, Papa!" The little girl said.

"Yes, darling, Papa knows it's a snake. Daddy's waiting for you." Harry grinned at her as she stood and took a few steps. He bit his lip to suppress a chuckle before turning to Amice the adder. "You normally keep your distance from the children…Is there something wrong, Amice?"

Yes, snake-speaker. The reptile sounded oddly pouty. Your offspring was speaking kindly to me and you sent her away.

"She was speaking to you?" Harry asked as he looked over at his little girl.

Lyra was ensconced firmly in Draco's lap with Narcissa watching him strangely.

"I'll bring her back, Amice. We won't stop you from being her friend." Harry was amused as he stood and walked back over to his family. "Well, it seems that our little Lyra is bi-lingual. She and Amice were beginning a friendship. Draco-love…you know I wouldn't put her in danger and Amice won't harm Lyra… I think we should let this happen."

Draco bit his lip and thought about the times he'd seen the snake in the garden. He recalled the first encounter and how Harry translated her promise to refrain from biting him or the children. The dog and the house-elves were even safe as well and all this from a single promise of a snake…If it had been just words, and not backed up by the truth of action – or inaction as the case may be – then Draco might have refused. As it stood, Draco lowered his impatiently squirming daughter to the ground and nodded to Harry. "I haven't learned antivenin potions yet, Harry. You'll need to ask her for a sample of her venom so that Al can develop one for us to keep on hand. You should also secure her promise not to bite my parents."

"Do you think I haven't done that already, Dragon?" Harry smirked in amusement. "I spoke with her as soon as they told me they were coming this weekend. I protect my family…"

The elder Malfoys said nothing upon hearing this but they remained nervous and oddly focused on the girl and snake.

When it seemed that his in-laws needed further reassurance, Harry decided to say something. "Amice made her presence known just last summer, Narcissa. She and I have agreed that she can live in our garden under a few conditions. She can't threaten the beings that live here or our visitors – unless they threaten us first. She also volunteered to give Draco her old skins for potion ingredients and when I ask for a sample of her venom she will give it willingly or she'll have to leave."

"Is she really speaking to it?" Narcissa asked in a whisper.

Harry turned his attention toward his daughter and the snake before nodding. "Amice seems to have eavesdropped on the daily lessons I give the children. She appears to have understood my English and is teaching Lyra how to say the words she already knows in Parseltongue."

"Perhaps it bothers us because the…" Lucius cleared his throat. "Voldemort used to speak to Nagini…issuing orders… and commanding…"

Harry nodded. "Speaking to snakes isn't an evil thing just because one man used his gift to do evil."

His father-in-law nodded absently. "Yes, I recall your tale of the basilisk…how you used Parseltongue to get into the Chamber to save the Weasley girl."

"It's also useful to gather ingredients from the garden, apparently." Draco smirked.

"And save family members from being attacked." Harry glared playfully at the blond before explaining. "Last week, Draco asked me to get some herb or other for his stomach calming potion and I almost got the wrong one but, luckily, I ran into Amice and she showed me the correct one."

Narcissa smiled softly but still seemed nervous. "I suppose I'll get used to it."

Harry grinned as he went to join Lyra and Amice. "My friend, may I interrupt?"

Both of them looked up at him and Lyra said 'Papa' in Parseltongue.

"That was lovely, Lyra." Smiling, Harry nodded happily as he answered her in kind before switching back to English. "This lesson is over for now. Go back to Daddy and Grandma." She began to push herself up onto her hands and knees and when she had crawled about half the distance, Harry turned to the snake. "Draco needs something from you, Amice."

What can I offer the mate of the snake-speaker? She asked.

"He needs a sample of your venom for a potion. He understands that you have sworn not to bite the people and creatures here but accidents happen and we want a safeguard." Harry explained carefully so as not to insult her. "Please. It would also be very helpful in gaining my family's trust."

Amice turned to look at the humans seated at the table. She tasted the air and spoke to Harry again. I smell their fear of me, snake-speaker. I do not like this. I will give the venom.

Harry grinned and used Accio to summon two vials. He took both stoppers out and held one out to her. When she'd filled it to the top, he poured half into the other vial before replacing the stoppers and thanking his friend.

The snake went back into the garden and Harry rejoined the others. He handed over the vials to Draco. "She didn't like the smell of fear coming from all of you and quickly agreed to give the venom."

The blond gave a relieved sigh as he called Dinki to bring the vials to his lab. "I'll ask Al to make the antivenin when he comes by tomorrow."

The whole family seemed to sigh in relief before happily going back to their meals and soon enough the days went back into a somewhat simple routine.

Harry was surprised when Dinki handed him a short note from Kingsley Shacklebolt on the morning of February twenty-ninth. He hurried out into the hallway calling for the elves to help Draco and Andy with the children while he stepped out. He ran to dress and tell Draco where he was going before taking the floo to the minister's office.

"Kings?" Harry looked around before stepping out of the grate. "What's going on?"

"You and Mrs. Granger-Weasley came up with that wonderful repopulation plan and I need you to help with this as well. She's on her way, as we speak." The older man told Harry.

"You know she likes for you to use her first name, Kingsley." Harry grinned and turned toward the active floo with his wand drawn in case it wasn't Hermione.

"Yes, I do, Kings…How are you Harry?" Hermione came close and kissed his cheek before sitting in the chair next to the minister's desk.

"I'm great! How are you and my newest nephew?" Harry shook his head in shock. "You've really popped, Mione!"

"Well, I'm due in under two months, Harry!" The pregnant woman smiled and pulled Harry's hand to lie flat on her belly. "Feel. He's been so active this week."

"Have you chosen a name yet?" Kingsley asked taking a turn to feel the baby kick.

"We have but I'm not supposed to tell." Hermione shook her head. "Ron wants it to be a surprise."

"I'll bet Molly's not happy with that." Harry chuckled.

The minister joined his laughter when she divulged the lengths to which her mother-in-law had recently gone. "She most certainly is not! Do you know how many times she's cooked my favorite meal in the last month? Not to mention my favorite dessert…and how many times she's gotten my parents to visit the Burrow!"

"What about you and Draco, Harry?" Kingsley asked. "Have you named your newest?"

Harry smiled mysteriously and nodded silently.

"No chance of a hint?" Hermione pursed her lips.

"Nope. Draco and I have decided this one's name will be a secret until she's born." Harry just kept the smile in place until Kingsley let loose a belly laugh.

"More frustration for Molly then, hey?" The dark skinned man chuckled as Harry gasped for air.

When they had all calmed down, Harry got them back on subject. "Now what's this all about, Kingsley?"

"Many people have become unhappy with the marriage law, Harry. It's not just you and your friends." The minister sighed deeply and turned to the younger man. "I want to bring some viable options to the wizengamut…ones that won't create chaos."

"Well, of course it wouldn't do to simply end the program." Hermione nodded solemnly.

"How many years has it gone on, now – three?" Harry asked. "I think the first step is to say what date you want the weddings to stop."

"From there you can decide whether or not to allow divorces." Hermione nodded absently. "To help that along I think you should arrange to have a census of sorts to ascertain which couples are happy and which aren't."

"Then have the unhappy couples go to a counseling session to determine if their problems can be fixed or not." Harry felt both his companions' eyes on him. "What?"

"Counseling?" Hermione sounded pleased and proud.

"What makes you think of that, Harry?" Kingsley's expression was neutral but he sounded quite curious.

"Well, look what me and the Malfoys had to go through to understand each other." Harry said. "They had to explain some things and I had to demonstrate some points of my own before we both came to a common ground. What if these unhappy couples only have a communication problem?"

Kingsley nodded slowly. "The counseling could help them navigate those difficulties and it would keep more couples together. I'm impressed, Harry."

"In my early school years I wouldn't have predicted loving Draco as I do now…" Harry smiled at his friends. "The thought of having Lucius Malfoy as a close family member would've had me laughing myself silly and, if I'd even said something similar to Ron or Hermione, they would've had me committed to the Janus Thickey ward at St. Mungo's."

Hermione agreed with a fond smile as she thought about Draco. "Can Ron and I come visit sometime soon, Harry? Is Draco up for visitors?"

"He's not refusing company, Mione." Harry snickered. "He's pregnant not an invalid."

Her eyebrows rose. "You mean someone out there knows there's a difference?"

Harry winced at the dig to his best mate.

"Don't even start Harry! I had to get Bill and Fleur to 'need his help' with something at their house in order to get here today." The bushy haired woman huffed. "I'll be lucky if I can get home before he does!"

"Well, before you rush off, here's a new spy device from the Unspeakable division." He handed a pocket sized journal to each of them. "They communicate with each other and I have one as well. If you have thoughts or concerns… Hell – if you just want to talk – write in it. Unless you want the group to know what you're writing, direct your words to one person. You'll be able to see who wrote, so if I say: Harry – call me…Harry will be the only one to see those words and instead of 'me' he will see my name."

"That's such a great idea, Kingsley!" Hermione took hers and pushed it into her pocket. "I'll see you both soon."

Harry and Kingsley had a good laugh at her rapid exit and Harry was still chuckling as he made his way home. This meant that he had to explain the whole thing to Draco but he didn't mind. The blond would get a kick out of it too.

Ok, so here it is: The male snowy owl may mate with up to two females which may nest about a kilometer apart. There was no indication of length as pertains to pairings but when hunting prey they are normally dominant over other raptors.

Italics – quoted from the Wikipedia entry under snowy owl.

Thanks for reading and I hope to see your review!

Lori