9 NEWTs

A week later, Madam Pomfrey checked on both young women. Hermione was almost fully recuperated by then, and her milk flowed as much as James needed. The baby was growing as expected, making both parents happy. He didn't even wake them too many times each night, which was a real blessing. She found Daphne's pregnancy advancing quite nicely and could already give a better estimate of the expected delivery date.

"You're going to give birth by the third week of May, give or take a few days. A nice present for spring, you know."

Only when left alone, Daphne started to think and then panicked. "It will be in the middle of our NEWTs. I may be unable to take half the tests due to my advanced pregnancy or the birth. I'm doomed!"

Harry tried to calm her. "I'm sure you'll be able to take the missed tests a few weeks later. I noticed some more pregnant students, most about as advanced as you. It's the 'baby boom' that happens after almost every war, you know."

That only calmed Daphne slightly. Harry had to add some hugs, kisses and a lot of cuddling before she calmed down. Well, a bit of sex too.

..

The spring semester passed quickly for the Potters. With a little baby, whatever free time they previously had was taken by either caring for the baby or just enjoying watching him. The two studious girls… eh… women… would not let their grades slip, of course, nor allow that to happen to their husband. Harry was sure he was studying harder than ever, but he couldn't complain. Hermione, after she recuperated from giving birth, resumed her bedtime activity with even more passion, although she made sure to cast the contraceptive spell each morning and evening, just to be safe, despite reading that a lactating mother was protected well enough against getting pregnant.

Harry felt lucky that Hermione became so passionate a lover since Daphne was becoming less able to cooperate in bed as her due time approached. Just like Hermione before her, she started skipping lessons, unable to cope with the stairs. Fortunately, she was in much better physical health, not having been on the run for most of the previous school year, and didn't need to skip that much.

Then, they started the NEWTs during the second week of May. Despite her heaviness, Daphne arrived to all the tests and did well even in the practicals. The only practical she asked to delay was the DADA. She just couldn't contemplate dodging or any other quick response when she felt she could barely move.

Their last test was on Thursday afternoon. Daphne felt impatient and had some insignificant cramps even during the test. She paid them no attention. In a way, she felt better than she had for almost a month. She even went with the other students to dinner.

She was finishing the meal when she suddenly felt her robes get wet. For a moment, she panicked, fearing it was pee. She then had a contraction that made it all clear. "It looks like he let me finish the tests before coming. Now I need to hurry to the…"

Another contraction stopped her from finishing the sentence.

Harry was on the verge of panic, but Hermione took control.

"Can you walk or should we levitate you there?" she asked.

"I'm not sure. The pain was so sharp that…" Daphne's face contorted as another contraction came.

"It looks like levitation is in order. It will also allow you to reach there faster."

Hermione didn't wait for Harry to act. She took her wand and levitated Daphne. She then directed her out of the great hall, through the corridors and into the infirmary. Daphne had another contraction on the way.

It then went about the same as Hermione's delivery, except it was not in the middle of the night. Daphne's parents arrived about half an hour later. Evidently, somebody had let them know.

With both her mother and Hermione at her sides and with Harry holding her hand for support, Daphne felt secure. Even the pains seemed to be more bearable. About three hours after arriving there, Harry and Daphne were holding baby Sirius. His half-brother was also looking at him while suckling, not quite understanding what he was seeing.

..

Daphne did her DADA practical a week later. She didn't perform as well as she would have liked, but well enough for an O. That was good enough. She had no ambition to become an Auror or a hit witch.

..

While most of the graduating students were busy with preparations for the Graduation Ball or searching for a job, the Potter/Black family was mainly busy with the two babies. Without the pressure of studies and tests, they could finally enjoy their parenthood.

"I wasn't aware of how much stress I've been under until now. With no need to constantly study and get ready for the tests, I suddenly feel free. I can allow myself to stay later in bed, especially after waking up during the night; I can just enjoy watching my baby without being bothered by thoughts about some studies I need to do. I can finally fully enjoy becoming a mother," Hermione stated.

Daphne, who was feeding her own baby, added, "Normally, we were not supposed to give birth while at school, you know, but the war disrupted our lives in more than one way. Still, I would have done it all again to get such a baby. He fills my heart with joy, even if he wakes me up in the middle of the night, you know. Now, when do you think we're going to bring them some brothers or sisters?"

Hermione considered the question for a long moment. "I'm not sure. I'd like my children to be close enough in age to become friends, but I also want to study for a mastery or two and also get a muggle degree in something, and another pregnancy may cause problems. I'll need to think some more and also consult with Harry and with you, of course. It may be wiser to plan our pregnancies so that only one of us will be pregnant at a time. It's not urgent, though. We can think of that after we leave Hogwarts behind."

Daphne smiled. "Sure! Now that you mentioned some more studies, I think I may also be interested. After helping at the infirmary, I'm even considering becoming a healer. Maybe even a muggle one, if possible."

"I'm sure Harry will support whatever decision you make," Hermione reassured her.

"Actually, where is he?" Daphne asked.

"Oh, I thought you knew. He's trying to coach two more promising seekers since Ginny is too busy with her other obligations. He also promised to watch a friendly Quidditch game between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff and to recommend whom to choose as captains. He still likes the game."

Daphne chuckled. "Most men like it. Still, I don't think he regrets no longer playing it. He didn't plan to become a professional, so it doesn't matter."

Hermione nodded. "He also refused the offer to become an Auror. Said it would not work well with the way he wants to raise his family."

"What does he plan to do, then?"

Hermione chuckled. "Manage his investments, politics, maybe open some new business too. He doesn't need to make a living, not even if we have ten children or more."

Daphne nodded her agreement. "And he prefers to stay with the children or practice making some more, doesn't he? And he surely doesn't leave either of us wanting."

"True. He always said that making his wife happy was very important to him. He acts accordingly."

Daphne moved the baby to the other side. "Where shall we live after leaving school?"

Hermione shrugged. "We've visited a few places before you and I became too heavy, but there are more to choose from. I liked the London Potter House better than Grimmauld Place, and it can serve us well for a few weeks until we manage to check all our other options and decide. Don't you agree?"

Daphne smiled teasingly. "Are you sure it's the house you like and not merely its library?"

Hermione didn't mind. "The library is better than all the others we own, maybe even better than the one at Hogwarts, but the house would be ideal for now even without a library. It's a short walking distance from most places of interest and close enough to the Tube to help us reach even farther without needing Magic. Aside from the air quality and the noise, I would have chosen it as our permanent lodging."

"I can see what you like in it. I like it too. Can't we cast some wards to purify the air and remove the noise? We even learned a few versions of such."

Hermione only nodded non committally. She would only decide after having the full information, if possible, and Daphne knew it. Well, Daphne usually did the same.

..

They had the Graduation Ceremony before lunch. Although two years graduated, the number of students was only slightly larger than either of these had been to start with. The war had its toll on that too. The parents were invited, of course, including the Muggle ones.

Hermione was proud to show her parents around, something she had not been able to do immediately after birthing James. Both were fascinated by the large and magical castle. They still enjoyed playing with their grandson much more.

Daphne didn't need to show her parents around and they spent all the time with her son, Sirius. Harry tried to share his time equally between the two pairs of in-laws. Luckily, his aunt declined the invitation. Dudley would have liked to come but he also had his graduation to tackle.

Harry felt very proud that both his wives got top grades, surpassing even the Head Boy and Head Girl. He failed to notice that he did the same, lagging only slightly after his wives. Both pairs of parents congratulated the three and hugged them warmly. For Harry, this acceptance and love was more important than his grades.

The ceremony ended just in time for the house elves to be able to restore the Great Hall to its normal configuration. The parents were escorted back to Hogsmeade, from where they could return home.

After lunch, the three returned to their apartment.

"James was a darling throughout the ceremony, not bothering anybody, but now my breasts are too full. I need to feed him as soon as possible," Hermione said. Luckily, the house elves took care of changing nappies, a task that all three parents liked the least.

"Sirius is already fussing. Well, he's younger, so it's normal. And I also feel like my breasts are starting to leak. It's better to let him suckle," Daphne added.

After both babies ate their fill and the mothers tucked them in for a nap, their parents also needed a nap, if only to be able to stay awake to the end of the ball. They didn't even need to pack for the next morning. The Potter house elves had already packed and moved everything to the London House, only leaving the clothes for the ball and the train ride.

..

The ball was fantastic. Harry danced mostly with his wives but also dedicated one dance to Headmistress McGonagall ("You may call me Minerva, now that you've graduated," she told him), one to Madam Pomfrey ("I didn't need to care for you even once, this school year!") and the Head Girl ("Dean proposed! He agrees to wait with children until I finish playing Quidditch professionally. Oh, I forgot to tell you – the Holyhead Harpies accepted me!") Some other girls also wanted to dance with the war's greatest hero, but he refused politely.

When they returned to their apartment, they first breastfed the babies once again. With that pressure removed, both mothers wanted to practice baby-making some more. Harry willingly cooperated.

..

Harry looked through the window at the receding form of Hogsmeade with the Hogwarts castle in the background. "It's weird," he said.

"What do you mean?" Daphne asked. Hermione already knew what he meant.

"We leave this place, where we've changed from small children into adults; where we learned much, although not enough; where we fought too many times; where we lost too many good people. We're leaving a significant part of our lives behind. Whenever we return, if at all, it will not be the same. We may come to visit, accept a teaching position or escort our children there, but it will never be the same again. Don't you agree?"

Hermione grabbed one hand and pressed lightly. It was all they needed to feel the support and comfort of each other. Daphne didn't have such a fail-safe way, but she shifted closer on the bench and hugged him sideways. "It won't be the same, and it's probably just as well. Some of what we experienced there, no child should experience; no person should. Still, we did what we could and we are leaving that place in a much better condition than we found it. Then, hopefully, we may improve it further as adults, having ways to influence that we didn't have as students."

Harry turned and smiled at her. "Of course, dear. And we shall also tackle the political arena, or we won't be able to do much. Still, we first need to settle at home and enjoy a few days of peace before we resume changing the world. Don't you agree?"

Both Daphne and Hermione tackled him, hugging and kissing his face and his lips alternately. James and Sirius, awake in their cribs, only watched. When Harry turned his glance at them, he thought they were both smiling.

The End