I don't own Harry Potter.

Thanks to Jess for betaing this for me. Any mistakes that remain are mine.

This is co-authored with Tiger of the Fire.

Thank you all for the wonderful reviews, and I'm glad that you are still enjoying this story.

Enjoy!

Chapter 22

It was the end of the week and nearly one week into Harry's second pregnancy. He had been told that since this was a child with a Veela, he would be pregnant for six months instead of four. Harry was grateful for this, but he didn't tell his mates that. That day, Dumbledore planned to announce the arrival of the twins two months earlier. Harry was past his time of wanting to shelter them from the world; this meant that there had to be an announcement about them. He only hoped that everything would go all right. He sat at breakfast with his friend; Ron still unaware of what Harry had done to him, and thanks to Harry, nobody else said a single thing. They had quite the time trying not to laugh at how ridiculous Ron looked.

Albus Dumbledore stood up at the head table and clinked his fork on the glass goblet he had. "May I have your attention please?" He said as he waited for the hall to go quiet. It did after a few moments he then continued with his speech. "I would like to announce that young Harry Potter found his Mates, and I say mates as he has two instead of the one mate. Also I have to announce that he became pregnant and two months ago saw the arrival of two little babies to the triad. Twins, a boy, Conner and a girl, Aislin. His mates are Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy. I hope you will all support the triad," he said, smiling happily as Severus then walked into the Great Hall carrying the twins in his arms, as Draco and Harry were at their respective house tables.

Whispers broke out at that announcement. Harry shook his head and walked over to Severus. He hadn't known that Dumbledore would reveal his mates, but he didn't care. He smiled at Severus and took Conner, knowing the boy would get incredibly fussy if not around him. Severus bent over and whispered something in Harry's ear. Harry nodded and went back to his table with Conner, while Severus walked to the head table and sat down with Aislin. The freaky thing about their vampire and Fae heritage was that it was stronger than the human, though they could still be wizards. He sat there for a moment and then started to mash up some ham to feed the little girl. He knew that if he didn't feed her a little more solid food now because of her development, then she could face repercussions. He had made sure to tell both of them. While the twins could still feed from bottles, they had to start on solid foods early, as Fae developed quickly. Severus still hoped that they wouldn't get a true thirst for blood until they were older.

Harry sat down at the Gryffindor table with little Conner and began to mash up some of the ham he had on his plate to feed to his son. Severus had told him that he needed to have solid food now rather than later. "Hello little Conner," Ron cooed from next to the young Fae. "I thought Dumbledore was only going to announce the twins I didn't think he would say anything about Severus and Draco. It doesn't really matter though. Is Conner alright to be out here with so many people?" Ron asked a little worried about the child's empathic abilities becoming overloaded.

Harry shrugged as he began to feed a little bit of the food to Conner, who ate it. They had to do this once a day, but that was all. "I don't know Ron. He seems okay, so either Severus did something, or being around me is helping." He kept feeding Conner, ignoring all the speaking happening around him. People were whispering like mad about this news. Many of them were contemplating on the news to send their parents. Student teacher relationships were not permitted. Then again, this was a special circumstance as they were mates and denying his mate would have hurt both Harry and Severus, so in a sense it was required. Nobody could believe that they were in love though. Harry ignored his other friends trying to crane their necks and look at Conner, he didn't care.

Harry felt a tap on his shoulder as the people around him became silent. "Hello Harry, mind if I join you and Ron?" Came the smooth voice of Draco Malfoy. Harry nodded and moved closer to Ron to make room for the blond. "Hey little one," he said to the baby in Harry's arms that was happily mashing up some ham in his mouth. Draco tickled Conner's small hand and was rewarded by the tiny fingers curling around his larger one.

One Dean Thomas glared at Draco. "Why's a Slytherin sitting here?" Harry looked up at him, frowning at him, as he had his hands full with Conner. But that didn't stop Ron from glaring at Dean. He looked ready to kill, but a nudge from Harry told him no. He growled ever so slightly. He didn't like people insulting his blood brother's mate. Harry ignored Dean, knowing that the boy couldn't possibly understand the depth of affection the two held for each other, or the life they had created that was growing inside of Harry.

Harry gave a little sigh as he leaned into Draco who put a comforting arm around the smaller wizard. Harry looked up at the Veela and smiled; Draco couldn't help himself and leaned down placing a soft and loving kiss on Harry's lips. "Love you," Draco whispered so only Harry and Ron and the person that sat next to Draco could hear the softly spoken words. Harry beamed as he heard the words and let his head rest against Draco's shoulder as he fed a little bit of mashed up ham to Conner again.

Harry sighed and felt immediately comforted. He knew that what happened with Dean was likely to happen again, but he wasn't going to let it bother him. He looked at Conner and saw that the boy wasn't hungry anymore. He smiled and leaned down, kissing his forehead. Conner giggled and tugged on Draco's finger, making the blonde look at him. He was glad to have the attention of two of his three parents. Though it was apparent that Aislin and Conner were Harry and Severus' children, the kids believed all three of them were their parents. This was no trouble for the three, as this meant that they could have an easy time raising them.

Severus sat at the head table as he finished feeding the mashed up ham to Aislin. Minerva was sitting next to him. Her face was a little shocked, as she had not known that he was now a father, let alone he was with Harry and Draco. Minerva shook her head and smiled at the sight of the usually stern man and the tiny little baby made. "Congratulations to the three of you Severus make sure to pass it along as well," she said to the younger man. "Hello little one, you are a happy little angel aren't you," she cooed as she held a tiny hand within her wrinkled fingers.

Aislin giggled and looked at Minerva. After a moment she looked back at Severus and let go of Minerva's hand and snuggled into Severus more. Severus was quite glad that he wasn't the one carrying both of them at the same time. It always seemed to make him off balance somehow. He rocked the little girl slightly. That caused a few of the teachers to watch him, and some of the students. They couldn't believe that this man could be as caring as he was. Dumbledore chuckled at their shocked expressions. "Well, it looks as if Severus is now paying attention to his daughter." Severus glanced up at the man and quickly glared, before he returned his eyes back onto Aislin and they instantly softened.

Minerva laughed at Albus' statement. "You know Severus; I always hoped that you would find someone you could be with. It was hard to see you alone all the time while your friends married and had children of their own." She said softly as he looked up at her. "It warms this old woman's heart to see you so relaxed instead of trying to get the first years to cry by a little glare," she teased him lightly.

Severus glared at her. "It takes time for certain people. I had to wait until my mate awoke." He didn't say mates, but he figured it was obvious. He tickled Aislin's chin a little bit, causing the little girl to giggle softly. He sighed a little bit. "Too bad this is a school day sweety," he whispered to her. He liked spending time with his children. He tickled her a bit more before he stopped and watched her get tired. He knew that she tired a little more easily than Conner did, sometimes that concerned him, but he then realized that it was to do with a few other factors of her body balancing her genes out. Most people thought that it would come automatically, but when born early, it had to sort itself out outside of the womb instead of in the last month like it would before. He leaned over and gave her a kiss, ignoring everyone else.

Breakfast was coming to an end, and Harry did not want to go to class, he wanted to stay with his children a while longer. Draco gave Harry a sweet kiss that tasted like honey thanks to the pancakes he had eaten for breakfast. Harry uncurled himself from Draco as the blond then bent to give the little child a kiss goodbye. Ron did the same. Harry got up and walked up to the head table where Severus sat with Aislin. Severus got up from his chair and quickly joined Harry so they stood facing one another. Severus gave the young Fae a gentle kiss careful of the two sleeping children that was in their arms.

"I don't want to go to class," Harry whispered to Severus. The two were walking out of the Great Hall now. They would either end up dropping the twins off with Dumbledore, or they would take them to their rooms. Severus smiled at Harry. He could tell that the boy was most likely well enough to go to class, but that didn't mean he wanted to. Truthfully, Harry had his class at the end of the day, and he wanted Harry to go to it. They were actually working on a potion that wouldn't be dangerous for either Harry or the child. He had to think about what he told Harry as they got to the Entrance Hall.

They stopped in the entrance hall briefly before they made their way to Albus' quarters. "I would like for you to go to classes today Harry. I know you would rather spend the time with the children. Do you really and truly want to stay with them today? It would mean catching up on the work you missed, including doing an extra lesson with me for the potion. As that goes towards your final grade, one of the potion requirements. So do you want to stay with them today?" He asked, giving reasons why Harry should go to class instead of staying with the twins. Though he could understand wanting to be with them.

Harry sighed. "I don't want to have to do all of that." He looked at them. "Let's just take them to Professor Dumbledore." He then shrugged and walked in that direction. Severus watched Harry. He had to wonder if Harry really wanted to finish out the year. He recalled when Draco first joined them and they talked about futures. Harry said he wanted to be an Auror because everyone expected it, but what did Harry really want? Harry hadn't answered that question yet and it was one of those questions that didn't look to be getting answered any time soon.

Harry knocked on the portrait of a Phoenix that guarded the headmaster's private rooms. He heard Severus come up behind him; Harry hadn't meant to walk off like that. "Sorry for walking off like that Severus. I just feel adrift without the children here. I want to stay with them always, but I have to become an Auror. It's hard to know what I want anymore Severus," he said, his voice quiet and sad. The portrait opened to reveal Albus standing there in his favourite purple robes with ducks on them. He wore them mainly because the twins were always giggling at the ducks as they moved around on the robe.

Albus smiled at them. "Come on in." The two walked in and set the twins down in a large bassinet that Dumbledore kept in his rooms for them. He looked at them and frowned a bit. "What's wrong? You look as if something has happened." The man was always observant, much to a lot of people's chagrin, but he knew when something was wrong with Severus and Harry especially. He waited for one of them to answer. Minus Ron, the three and Lucius, nobody knew Harry was pregnant, but that was nothing new. All of them knew it would eventually get revealed. But the old man could sense it, not that he would ever tell them.

Harry looked at the headmaster. "I want to be with them today, but I know I have to go to classes or else I will not be able to get the grades I need to be accepted into the Auror training program." Harry gently stroked the auburn hair of his daughter. "I just don't know what I want anymore. I want to be with them that I know. Other than that I don't have a clue," he added quietly.

Dumbledore smiled softly. "Hm…" He looked at Severus. "You get to your classes Severus; I'll make sure Harry gets to his." He managed to shove Severus out the door and look at Harry. "Harry, sit down." Harry did so, a little confused about what was going on. He waited a moment before Dumbledore started to speak again. "Harry, you no longer need to be an Auror. That's the truth. You never needed it. Now you're good at what you do, which is Dark Arts related, yes, but Harry…From what I can tell, you're happier with your children." All Harry could do was nod in response. He had no idea what the old man was getting at.

"If I am not going to become an Auror then what will I do? I just don't want to be a nobody lazing around at home. I don't think that would be a good idea," Harry said as he clasped his hands within his lap as he looked at the old and wizened headmaster. "What else is there for me to do?" He asked, he did not understand what the headmaster was suggesting he was to do when school finished.

Dumbledore shook his head. He gave Harry a slight smile. The boy was seventeen-years-old and confused. He sat next to Harry and touched the boy's shoulder lightly, in that grandfatherly way he would often do. "Harry, you're a father for one thing, meaning you wouldn't be lazing around if you chose to stay home. But you would never be happy as an Auror. It's what the world expects of you, not what you expect of yourself. You do what will make you happy. Now think about it for a moment and answer me this, what has made you the happiest and that you want to continue making you happy?" He held up his hand when Harry was about to speak. He gave Harry the look of 'I want you to think before you answer.' Harry nodded and began to think. He had to sit there for a bit before he could even consider responding.

Some time later, Harry looked up at his mentor and smiled. "I love flying and helping children. I can't play professional Quidditch as I have wings and I don't think they would allow me to play with them. When I was with the Dursleys I was often the one that was babysitting the children around the neighbourhood. I enjoyed it. I also found it rewarding when I took lessons with Poppy on basic healing. Though I don't know what I could do with what I have taken for NEWT's," Harry told his mentor.

Dumbledore chuckled. "Well, I think that whatever you decide, your mates will support you. They do worry about you Harry. I don't think they would like you playing Quidditch anyways. I'm sad to say that being a submissive often closes a lot of doors for you, all because of certain factors associated with it. But I don't know what you could do." Dumbledore adjusted his glasses a bit and smiled. "Well, you know, I've heard many wizards complain that there isn't a proper day-care open. Many muggleborns do." He gave Harry a smile. The look on Harry's face as he said that was worth it. He could tell that the idea instantly took to Harry's mind.

"I wonder if I could open a day-care centre. I'll have to make sure that I find a suitable place for it. Money, things I need. I could do some more healer training so if there were ever an accident I would know what to do. Do you think that Severus and Draco would help me set it up?" Harry said, he was enthusiastic about the idea. He could see it happening if he put his mind to it. He just hoped what Dumbledore had said was right and that Draco and Severus would be there to help him.

"I'm sure they would," Dumbledore said. "You need to mention that to them, as for healer courses, when it's child healing, you don't need to complete your N.E.W.T.s if you didn't want to. Plus, Severus has the training already, required of teachers. It's usually also required that parents take it anyways." He could see Harry's face light up at the prospect. In fact, he and Harry continued to plan, keeping Harry's mind on that it wasn't surprising when Dumbledore looked at the clock and chuckled. "My, look at that, you need to get to Severus' class Harry." Harry's eyes widened. He hadn't realized that the hours flew by and now it was the end of his class. He figured he should have realized it, as he had fed his children when there. This was proof that he liked the idea.

Harry quickly said goodbye to the headmaster as he ran out of the room with his bag resting on his shoulder. If he didn't hurry he would be late to the class. A few minutes later a breathless Harry ran into the potions classroom. "Sorry for being late, I was talking to headmaster Dumbledore about a few things," he apologized to Severus as the older man looked up at him from where he was explaining the potion they were to be doing in the class that day and that it would also be part of their final grade for that class.

Severus nodded and motioned for Harry to sit down. He found it slightly curious how Harry could talk with Dumbledore that long. The boy was usually quite perceptive towards when his classes started. He hadn't been late for a class since Voldemort was alive, and that wasn't an issue any longer. Once he finished telling the class everything, he sent them to work. He walked up to Harry. The boy looked at him curiously. Draco was looking at him as well. "What did the headmaster have you talking about for a whole day?" He was suspicious of the old man at times. Harry looked at him and smiled, shaking his head. He was telling him that he wouldn't say until later.

Draco snorted and then asked him, "Will you promise to tell us after classes today?" He asked the young Fae. Harry nodded his head in answer and then started to work on his potion for the lesson; they were all working alone for this one so they could be graded individually. Severus snorted; he wanted to know what the old coot was talking about, as he could see a happy glint in Harry's eyes. They were beginning to twinkle like the headmaster's and that worried him slightly. He just hoped that Harry wouldn't start going around in silly robes like the headmaster did.

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