oooOOOoooOOOooo Chapter 3
The group of four wizards, a witch, and two elves made it to Hogsmeade Station.
"What should I do now?" Harry asked, distressed. "Are you even allowed to bring babies to school?" he asked, absurdly.
Hermione and Neville looked unsure.
"You should talk to Professor McGonagall," Hermione said, authoritatively. "She'll know what to do."
Harry thought for a moment. Hermione was probably right. "That's a good idea. I'll try that. I'll take the babies to her and ask her what to do," Harry nodded his head in agreement with himself.
Twenty minutes later, Harry was waving the old Transfiguration mistress over to a room off the Great Hall.
"Mr. Potter, what is the meaning of this? Please, take your seat at your table in the Great Hall. The sorting will be starting momentarily," she said, sternly.
"I have an emergency and am in need of assistance," Harry said, trying to remain calm.
"What is it?" She asked, rolling her eyes and following him inside. Teenagers. They always thought all their problems were life or death situations.
Harry waved her over to look at the basket Hermione and Neville were standing beside. Minerva pursed her lips and looked inside. She almost fell over at the sight that greeted her. Two beautifully sleeping babies.
"What is the meaning of this?!" She shouted, looking down at the sleeping infants. They both startled but didn't wake. Harry handed her the letter.
"Preposterous," McGonagall said. She turned to Harry. "Did you?"
Harry nodded, shamefaced. McGonagall blew out a giant gust of wind.
"You did?" she asked, flabbergasted. She took out her wand and started casting on the babies and Harry. She looked shocked. "You really did." Harry just nodded, again.
"We have to tell the headmaster," she said, brusquely. What she didn't know was that there would be little the headmaster could do. Dumbledore went after the Gaunt ring the last week of summer vacation, the first horcrux that the man had sought out on his own. It was a terrible mistake. Dumbledore wasn't expected to see the end of the school year. The curse on the ring had truly done him in.
"No!" Harry said, panicking. What if Dumbledore tried to take his babies to the Dursleys. What if he dumped them on some doorstep the way he had done to Harry. "After what he did with me, no. These are my babies. I'm keeping them," Harry said, mulishly.
McGonagall didn't know what to say. "They are yours, Harry. You're the only person who gets a say, if these documents are to be believed. You used a surrogate? Why did you do this so young? Why Ms. Lovegood?" McGonagall was so confused.
Harry just shrugged. He didn't know what to say. McGonagall stared at him for a minute and then blew out a long breath.
"This has happened before. Cygnus Black and his wife Druella Rosier. She was a fifth year and he was a third year. Only thirteen years old," she looked away at a distant memory for a moment. Then, she looked at Harry. "At least you're fourteen."
She turned to the door. "I'll have the house elves prepare married student housing for you. There are two suites off of Gryffindor Tower, behind the portrait of the Fire Drakes. Though you're not married," the professor sniffed.
"Does that matter?" Harry asked in dread. He already had surprise children, he didn't want to find himself with a surprise wife, too.
"No, I suppose not." McGonagall said, leading him out into the Great Hall, the babies floating behind him.
Harry froze. "The Ministry won't try to take them away from me, will they? The babies are mine? Really mine?"
McGonagall gave him a sympathetic look. "Harry, of course they're yours. You're a lord and the last of your line. The Ministry wouldn't dare." Harry looked relieved and started following her again.
oooOOOoooOOOooo
A short 15 minutes later and Harry's babies were resting safely in their basket in Harry's new suite of rooms. It was right off the Gryffindor common room. Harry wasn't sure how he hadn't noticed the rooms before but he was glad they were there. Harry didn't want to have to lose contact with his house.
Harry hurried back down to the Great Hall for the feast. He slipped in while they were sorting Moss, Demelsa.
Harry moved into his seat beside Hermione and across from Neville. The youngest Weasleys were sitting full stop at the other end of the table, as far away from Harry as they could get. Harry just rubbed his forehead. There wasn't much he could do about the Weasley snit of the week right now.
"Are they okay?" Hermione asked, worried about where the babies had gone.
"Yes, apparently Gryffindor Tower has family housing. I got a new suite of rooms right off the common room. I'll show you when we get back to the dorms," Harry said. Hermione nodded. Neville gave Harry a sympathetic look but didn't know what else to say. Something like this could only happen to Harry Potter.
They watched the rest of the sorting and started eating before Seamus decided to butt his stupid fat arse into Harry's business.
"Oy, Potter. Is it true? Weasley says you've got a baby with Loony Lovegood!" Seamus said that part like it was the butt of a particularly funny joke.
"Knock it off, Seamus," Neville said, while Harry tried to ignore him.
"It's true, isn't it?" Seamus said, thrown for a loop. "You really do got a baby with Loony! Ha!"
Harry stood up and threw his bowl at Seamus. "It's two actually. Why don't you shut your fat gob, Finnegan?" Harry shouted. The entire hall went silent. Seamus sat back up from where he'd ducked, potato soup all over his head.
"You know what, Potter. I hope you and Loony are happy together. You're both nuts!"
Harry lunged at Seamus only to be held back by Dean.
"Potter! Detention tomorrow night and twenty points from Gryffindor!" Snape yelled, approaching the table faster than McGonagall could get around the Head table.
Harry didn't say anything but he gave Seamus the look of death.
"What was this all about?" Snape snapped.
Seamus spoke up with his side of the story while Harry sat silently fuming.
"Apparently Potter's upset because he got Loony Lovegood up the duff and has got a baby now. It's not my fault he chose such an ugly toffer!" Seamus said, spitefully.
"Finnegan, that'll be a detention for you, as well. You will speak about your classmates with respect! While Ms. Lovegood is no longer a student of this school, you will still speak about her with respect, as well. Apologize!" She barked, angrily.
Harry looked shell shocked. Luna was gone? Seamus apologized begrudgingly.
Snape stared at Harry until a glimmer of hate appeared in his eyes.
"I see nothing for which Finnegan would need to apologize. I hope you drown it, Potter. Better that than more filth flood this world," Snape said meanly. McGonagall gasped.
"That is out of line, Severus. I'll be taking your detention tomorrow, Potter. Come to my office and bring them with you," she said, seriously. Snape just sneered at her and walked away.
"Harry, the headmaster would like to speak with you after the feast. Please come to his office. Ice Mice is the password," McGonagall said, seriously.
Harry sighed and turned back to his unappetizing food.
oooOOOoooOOOooo
Harry walked up to the Headmaster's suite with the food sitting like lead in his stomach. He had babies. Two of them. Julius and Jameson, according to the letter. What was Harry going to do? He didn't have any positive role models to learn parenting from. He wasn't even allowed to take care of himself yet, let alone take care of two brand new babies. They'll be a week old tomorrow.
Harry gave the password and started up the spiraling staircase. He walked up to the door at the top and raised his hand to knock. "Come in," Dumbledore's voice called before Harry could even get close.
Harry walked in. "Have a seat," Dumbledore said, looking at Harry over his half-moon glasses.
Harry sat and looked at the Headmaster. They sat in silence for a few moments.
"May I read the letter?" Dumbledore asked. Harry didn't say anything; he just handed the letter from Luna over. Dumbledore read the missive then took his glasses off with the hand that had been in his lap. The hand was black as tar with little black streaks running up Dumbledore's wrist. Harry couldn't help but stare.
Dumbledore noticed. He put the hand back in his lap and sighed.
"This is quite the pickle. I don't suppose you'd be willing to give them up for adoption? You're terribly young to have such a responsibility," Dumbledore asked. Harry's face flushed red with anger.
"No. They're my only family. I'll be keeping them," Harry said mulishly. To Dumbledore's credit, he didn't mention it again.
"I understand you've been given family housing. There are no other privileges for married students or students with families. You'll still have to attend all your classes and take your exams with your peers," Dumbledore said. Harry nodded his agreement.
"Ms. Lovegood has refused contact. I reached out to Beauxbatons to entreat her to come speak with us but she did not agree. She states she was merely the surrogate and, while she'd love to see the babies when the time is right, she is not the mother," Dumbledore said, gently.
Harry still flinched. A nod was his only reply. Dumbledore watched him for a few minutes before sighing again.
"This makes things more complicated. We will have to try a risky procedure instead of my original plan but it can still work. Love is your secret weapon, Harry. This will only bring you more love," Dumbledore said, patting Harry's hand.
Harry looked confused. "Don't worry about it for now, my boy. Just go rest. We will meet anon and plan, yes? This really was for the best," Dumbledore said, gently.
Harry didn't know what else to say. He stood up and headed out of the room.
He walked slowly back to Gryffindor Tower. It wasn't that he didn't want to see his children, it was that when he went back to his new rooms, it would all be real. He would have to admit to himself that he was a father.
Harry entered the common room and looked around. Hermione was waiting for him in their usual spot by the fire. Harry walked over to her and spoke.
"Did you want to come see the rooms?" He didn't know what else to say. Hermione must have read his mood. She just nodded and followed Harry up to the portrait of the Fire Drakes under the stairs to the boys dormitories. For one horrifying second, Harry couldn't remember the password. His children would die, locked behind this portrait because their irresponsible father couldn't remember the bloody password! The password came to Harry's mind, much to his relief, but the adrenaline hadn't stopped pumping through his veins.
Hermione looked at him in concern. Harry's face had suddenly gone white. Then, he had started panting like he had run a marathon.
"Are you alright, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"This is really happening, isn't it, Hermione? I'm not dreaming?" Harry asked, looking at his best friend like a deer in headlights. She gave him a look of sympathy and leaned forward to give him a hug. He clung to her for a second, then got himself under control and said the password.
Harry walked into the room like he was expecting ninjas to jump out from behind every object in the room at any moment. They silently made it to the center of the room when Dobby came out, scaring the crap out of them both. Harry and Hermione both gave a little scream, which made Dobby scream loudly, which made the babies scream for just a moment before they quieted right back down.
"You scared Dobby!" Dobby said, clutching his chest.
"Sorry, Dobby. You scared us, too," Hermione said, contritely.
"Where are they?" Harry asked, looking towards the direction the scream had come from.
"They is being in the nursery. They is sharing the bassinet. It is being very wide. Wide enough for two babies," Dobby said, walking quietly towards the nursery.
Harry and Hermione peeked inside. The two babies were laying in the bassinet, one of their little hands touching the others but otherwise giving each other space. They had a fuzzy little blanket covering each of them. One was blue and the other aquamarine. Hermione cooed at the precious sleeping babies. Winky was sitting dressed in a brand new pillow case with the Potter crest on the breast sipping a cup of coffee the size of her head.
"Dobby will make sure to stay with Winky and the babies all the time for the next few days to make sure Winky does not go back to drinking butterbeer. It would not be right for Winky to drink butterbeers and watch out for babies," Dobby said, shaking his big head until his ears flapped.
Harry looked caught out. "I didn't even think of that. I just left her with them and she might have been drunk and let them drown or something. I'm a terrible father."
"You're a new father. You're not going to get everything right, straight off the bat. That's why you have people to help you, like Dobby and me," Hermione said, laying a gentle hand on Harry's arm. Harry looked at her like he was seeing her for the first time. He put his hand over hers and squeezed it in return.
Hermione blushed and then turned back to Dobby. "Can we peek in on the little one's? Or would it be better if we left them alone?" Hermione asked. She didn't want to upset the babies if they were resting.
"Oh, no, Ms. Hermi, please come on in. The babies is being sleeping but they will not be bothered. Come, come," Dobby said, ushering the two teens into the room.
Harry almost fell over again. There they were, again. The two little babies who had Harry's chin and tufts of black hair stuck out of the tops of their heads in a way that already said, "Potter."
Hermione walked over and gently touched their little hands. She turned to Harry with the most beatific smile on her face. Harry smiled gently back at her. He walked forward and looked down at the babies. His sons. He reached out a hand and gently cradled first one little head and then the other. His finger gently caressed the tiny fingers that he was afraid to touch! They were so delicate, he was afraid his touch alone would break them. The baby in blue grabbed his finger and held on with surprising strength from such tiny digits.
Harry let the baby hold on for a few minutes before he gently pried his finger away from the tiny clenched fist. His eyes filled with tears and he quickly left the room. Hermione bent down and gently kissed each little head before hurrying after him.
"Harry!" she said, as she ran into the sitting room of Harry's suite. Harry stood off to the side, his face in his hands. She walked over and put her arms around him. Hermione held Harry for a few minutes before she spoke.
"It's going to be okay, Harry. You'll see. You'll be a brilliant father. I'll be there to let you know anytime I think you're doing something wrong, so there's that," she teased. Harry let out a weak chuckle.
"It's just that… I never had any parents. Not really. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon don't count as parents. They didn't care one whit about me. I was always alone. I'm still not fully alright and I know that. How can I be a parent when no one has ever tried to parent me? No one has ever really cared enough to try," Harry's voice broke on the last word. He felt so unprepared and alone.
Hermione felt so bad for Harry. Everything he'd said was true. He needed some help and some guidance. She knew just who to turn to.
"Harry? What about Sirius? I know he wasn't able to be a parent to you but I know he'd like to be somewhat like one to you now. Does the floo work in here? Why don't you check?"
Harry wiped his eyes and looked at the fireplace. "That's not a bad idea. I don't know if it'll work but I'm interested in trying. Sirius said I could reach him at Remus' cottage."
Harry walked over the fireplace and poked around. He got a fire lit and found the small tub of floo powder. "There's floo powder, so there's hope," he said.
Harry threw a pinch of the powder into the flames and watched to see what happened. The flames flew higher and turned green. "Success!" Harry said to Hermione, pumping his fist in the air. He stuck his head in the flames and called, "Lupin's Den".
He sat in the flames for a few moments, feeling dizzy at the swirling green surrounding his head when suddenly the floo opened and he was looking at Remus Lupin.
"Remus!" Harry called out. Hermione rushed over and put her head inside next to Harry's.
"Professor Lupin!" she called.
"Harry, Hermione. This is a surprise. Are you at Hogwarts? Is everything alright?" Remus asked.
"Yes, we're at Hogwarts," Hermione answered. "Could you get Sirius before we get into the rest?"
"Of course," Remus said. He gave the teens a concerned look and left the room. In just a few moments, he was back with Sirius in tow.
"Hey pup, Hermione. What's going on? I know you wouldn't be calling on your first night back in school unless something was wrong. Give it to me straight," he said, looking serious.
Harry and Hermione exchanged a glance. Harry opened his mouth but didn't know where to begin.
"It's okay, Harry," Hermione encouraged. Harry took a deep breath and spoke.
"I, I caught a set of nappies, Padfoot," Harry said, looking shamefaced again.