A/N: I know I said it was busy... but I was really anticipating it being busy so I think my updates have actually been more consistent as of late... let's hope I keep that up. And I am also still doing NaNoWriMo. I've fallen a bit behind but I am hopeful I can catch up in the weekend. I just need one really good writing session and I'll be back on track.

We have some more soulbond adjusting in this chapter as well... it brings along some 'fun' surprises... And some of you were almost onto it last chapter!

Thanks Meg for the beta-reading :)

Harry didn't bother opening his eyes immediately when he woke up. Ginny was often up before him but she was currently still fast asleep. Her arm rested protectively around him. She still took her guarding duties very seriously. Anyone who dared to attack them at night would regret it.

Harry slowly opened his eyes, struggling to open them under the bright light. He blinked, trying to let his eyes adjust. He rubbed his eyes again when he realised it was a cloudy day and the warm, sunny light wasn't coming from outside at all. His eyes landed on his wife, glowing pleasantly like a sun at sunrise. He screamed.

She woke up in an instant, swinging her dagger around while looking for danger. She was out of bed within seconds.

She stood by the bed, dagger in hand and heart thundering. However, she could not discern any threat that could've caused Harry to scream like that.

"I am sorry," he said, holding his hands up.

She turned around to the bed.

"There is no threat, I just got a bit of a surprise," he told her. "You can put the dagger down."

She looked around the room once more, making sure it was safe and then she threw it on the bed. Her hands landed on her hips. "What is going on?" she demanded.

Harry's mouth opened and closed as he chewed on his words. "You are… glowing." He looked her up and down.

"Is this some metaphor?" she asked in confusion. At least it shouldn't warrant the scream he let out.

"Gin," he spoke. "Look down at yourself."

More confused, she looked down. Her eyes widened. She moved her hands. She was bathed in a soft glow of sunlight. Everywhere she looked. "Oh." She looked back up at him. "Is this a soulbond thing?"

Harry looked down at himself. "I'm not glowing, aren't I?" His eyes widened. "Oh!" Harry promptly got off the bed and wrapped her in his arms, lifting her feet off the floor. "I read about it yesterday."

She tried to pry herself from him but he didn't let go. "You read what?"

Harry shook his head and stepped away from her, eagerly walking over to the nightstand and picking up the book Hermione had found. He sat down on the edge of the bed as his eyes flitted across the page. He looked back up at her, beaming. "You are pregnant."

The certainty in his voice surprised her and she was about to ask but then his gaze returned to the page and she could see the letters in her mind.

A soft sunny glow can be seen on soulbound women who are expecting. The Gydus's glow indicates a new human life being formed. It shines throughout pregnancy, visible to her and her partner. It appears at conception and remains until the umbilical cord is severed.

"I am pregnant," she said in surprise. She smiled at Harry and promptly crawled into his lap.

His hands came around her and wrapped her into a hug. She could feel Harry's excitement spark with hers. She kissed him.

"We are having a baby," she said out loud as if she couldn't quite believe it yet. "I didn't think we'd find out right away but…" She sighed happily. "Now we know, so we can start looking forward."

He remained silent, wrapping his arms more tightly around her and rubbing her back.

"This is a good thing," she told him as if he needed convincing. Then she felt a tinge of something she couldn't place coming from him. "Harry…" She forced him to look at her. "What's wrong?"

He shook his head and she moved off his lap. He scooted against the headboard and she sat down beside him.

"Tell me," she said. "Are you worried?"

"It's not that." He met her eyes and smiled. "It's silly, really."

She wasn't about to give in so easily. "Then tell me."

He took her hand, entwining their fingers. "Usually it takes a month or two at least before you find out and I just always imagined finding out at home. I know it doesn't really matter…"

"You've been thinking about that…?" she asked softly.

"Of course." He smiled as he squeezed her hand. "Haven't you?"

She nodded. "Yes. Perhaps not in much detail." She squeezed back. "I wasn't ever going to have kids as a Knight."

"I remember you talked about that before." He pulled her closer and caressed her side. "Did that make you sad?"

"I don't know." She shrugged, her gaze dancing over his face. "By the time I was old enough to want children, Regulus had gotten rid of the hope I could be anything but a Knight. When you started proposing to me, I began to see the full picture. It just doesn't have much detail yet. I am okay with you filling in the blanks."

Harry let out a breath, smiling. "Good, because I have ideas."

She cuddled closer into his arms. "Let's hear it."

"This is a soulbaby, right?" he started.

She chuckled. "Is that even a word?"

"Of course," he responded. "It happened after we soulbonded, I just hope that gives them something."

"Wouldn't that be nice," she commented.

"I know that as long as you're with the baby, whether inside there or in your arms, it's going to be the best-protected baby on the continent," he told her. "I know how protective you are of me, I can only imagine that's going to increase with a baby."

"I just worry my maternal instincts have been smothered by years of fighting and training…" she said.

"I doubt it," Harry said. "You are many things. If you take to it as well as you have being a Queen, you'll do perfectly fine."

She rested her head on his chest. "Thank you for the vote of confidence."

He kissed the top of her head. "Of course."

"I suppose now that my Queenly duties are done, we can stop having sex." She grinned, waiting for his reaction.

"You better be joking."

She laughed. "I am joking," she confirmed.

He huffed. "We just figured out soulbond sex and you're about to take it away!"

"I am not, don't worry." She rubbed his chest. "I am not willing to give that up any time soon."

"Good." He was silent for a moment. "Do you feel any different?"

"No." She looked up at him. "That would be very quick."

"I know. Then again you are a little ball of sunshine…"

She looked at her own hands, glowing softly. "I didn't know pregnancy glow was so literal."

Ginny halted in the middle of the hallway. "Harry, could you at least pretend to be normal? I really don't need my family finding out right now."

"I am sorry." He looked at her. "I know we've called the attention away from Bill enough. I am just worried."

She sighed. "The book said they can't see it. So we should assume that's the case…" she assured him. She took his hand and pulled him along.

"A lot of those things weren't completely accurate. And if they can see, it is kind of difficult to miss," he said, glancing down and back up.

"I looked in the mirror and it didn't show. I think that is reassuring," she said.

"Is it?" he replied. "That doesn't prove anything. Maybe it works on eyes and not on mirrors."

"It's not a vampire thing! Or I hope it isn't." She paused again and turned to him. "It's not like I can hide in a room regardless. If they can see it, there is nothing we can do about it."

He nodded. "Yeah, okay."

They walked into the room silently, eyeing the people around the table to see if anyone took notice of anything unusual. They sat down next to each other.

Bill watched them. "Are you alright?"

Harry looked up in alarm. "Yes. Fine, we're…" He swallowed.

"We're still adjusting," she finished quickly. "It has been a lot to take in."

Bill nodded and then pushed a box towards her. "You can wear this during the coronation. The original this time."

She took the box and opened it, showing her mother's tiara. She had worn a close replica at her wedding. She met his eyes. "Are you sure?"

"As the only woman in our family, I think it's appropriate for you to wear it," he said with a soft smile.

"I will." She closed the box. "Thank you."

"Aunt Muriel may fight you for it," Bill said with a grin. "But I think you can take her."

Harry leaned in. "How old is she?"

"A 105," she said. "But very resilient." She pretended to think. "It'll be tricky."

Harry grinned. "I am sure. And I have gathered somehow that she's not your favourite."

"No clue what gave you that idea," Percy quipped.

"You're almost returning home," Bill said. "Any plans?"

"I would like to pretend I'll be putting my feet up, but unfortunately I have a lot to do as new Head Guard. I had expected to just be Knight as it pleased me and relax otherwise."

Harry chuckled and Ron let out a snort. She looked up in surprise.

"You are notoriously bad at sitting idle," Ron clarified. "You'd be bored in five seconds."

"Excuse me!" She gasped. "Harry, tell them how long I'd stand guard without moving."

He cleared his throat. "Sure, but—you were working, and focused. There was not a thing that slipped past your view. You always took notice of everything." He met her eyes. "That can hardly be counted as being idle."

She huffed. "I could do it."

"It doesn't mean it comes naturally to you." Harry patted her hand. "You are not the 'sit still and look pretty' type, that's fine."

"Muriel would like that," she muttered under her breath. Determined to turn the attention away from her, she looked over at Ron. "Are you coming to Ignotia with us or what?"

Ron looked up wide-eyed, stammering the beginning of a reply.

"Yes," Bill said quickly. He sent a quick hidden wink towards Ginny. "I have been meaning to ask. It would be quite useful to have an ambassador in Ignotia. Can't be Ginny, she has a conflict of interest."

She nodded. "True. His name is Harry." She grinned at him.

Bill nodded. "Charlie has to stay here as current second in line of the throne. Fred and George I just can't imagine splitting up and Percy is acting as advisor until I can hire someone." He bent towards Ron. "And you seem to enjoy Ignotia well enough."

"Ignotia," Ron said. "Yes, I wouldn't mind." His cheeks flushed. "I mean—it would be an honour to represent Harpia."

Bill smiled brightly. "I am relieved to hear. I am sure Hermione can brief you on the important nuances of the political landscape."

Ron glanced towards Hermione. "If she doesn't mind."

"Not at all," Hermione replied. "I'll make sure you get settled in quickly."

As the two of them started discussing, Ginny looked at Bill.

"He was taking bloody forever plucking up the courage to ask if he could go," he whispered to Ginny. "I had to do something."

'Important nuances of the political landscape,' she repeated in amusement.

Harry chimed in. "You're going to make it far as King like that. Sometimes sounding diplomatic is more important than what you're saying."

Bill looked from Harry to her. "Can I keep him a little longer?"

"No," she said. "I really need to get settled in Ignotia as well. I have been Queen for a few weeks now and I've spent barely any of it in Ignotia. I think we are needed there." She smiled at Harry before she continued. "And poor Neville needs us back."

"I also think Lightning is a little homesick," Harry commented. "He has never been away from home this long."

"And here I was thinking Red was keeping him occupied." She shook her head disapprovingly.

"I am sure she is," he responded. "But he grew up in our stables, he misses that. Even if he would follow Red wherever she went."

Ginny wiped her hands on her napkin. "So he does take after you."

"I am not homesick," he mumbled.

Ginny chuckled. "Of course not."

"We should go to the oracle soon," Ginny told Harry as she sat across from him on the couch in the library.

He looked up in silence.

She sighed. "Now with the soulbond and everything, I am even more determined to find answers."

He reached out and rested his hand on her knee. "Do you think you'll talk to Gorphine again?"

"I hope so." She adjusted her sleeve. "Allegedly you only ever see the same God or Goddess. She does seem one of the more fickle deities so I am not sure."

"I wonder who I would get," Harry asked.

She looked at him somewhat dumb-founded. "Surely you'd get Xydite."

"I don't know," he insisted. "He gifted Ignotia generations ago."

"I'd insist then, he owes it to you," Ginny said with a determined expression.

He grinned. Only Ginny would consider arguing with the Gods. They both looked up as Ernest walked in.

He addressed Ginny. "I was wondering if I could have a word with you?"

Ginny nodded and stood up. She guided him out of the library to talk. Harry settled into the couch, closing his eyes for a moment. While the soulbond had a ton of benefits, for now it was also making him terribly tired. On top of that, the random snippets of thoughts exchanged were giving him a constant low headache.

He was just getting a little relaxed when Luna and Hermione walked in, discussing Nargles.

"If you can't see them," Hermione said, looking unusually bothered. "How could you possibly prove they're real?"

"Nor is their absolute proof they don't exist," Luna responded stubbornly.

Luna seemed peculiar, but overall Harry found her quite pleasant to be around.

"That would mean that anything could be real!" Hermione retorted.

"Now you're catching on!" Luna let out excitedly. "There are so many things to discover. I can't believe you have travelled so far and have never encountered a Crumple-Horned Snorkack."

Hermione took a slow breath in. "I'll keep my eyes open."

"We thought you could use some more help researching the soulbond," Luna told him.

He smiled. "That would be great. I am kind of… over all the surprises." No need to tell them about the latest surprise they got in the morning.

Both ladies settled back down and began to read, taking notes or indicating pages as needed. He picked up a book as well and opened it on a random page, hopeful to rest his eyes for another moment.

"Did you know," Hermione started. "She'd literally glow if she was pregnant?"

Harry froze and slowly looked up. "Yes, I've read that."

"I wonder what that looks like," she muttered, her eyes returning to the chapter.

"We'll let you know." Ginny walked in with a straight face and sat back down with Harry. She winked at him.

"Because apparently, it would only be visible to you." Hermione continued reading without glancing up.

"We know," Ginny commented.

Luna's head shot up, her eyes even wider than usual. She opened her mouth to speak. Ginny shook her head quickly and Luna closed her mouth again slowly.

"That's another one of those things you can't see," Harry offered, siding with Luna for the sake of distraction. "But that doesn't mean it's not there."

Hermione frowned at him. "I am not even sure if it would only be visible to you, it's light! How would that even work?" The disbelief was clear in her voice. "Just… wait and see."

"Okay?" Harry said. He looked over at Ginny. " I almost feel bad for her. "

" Well, Luna knows, " Ginny said.

He glanced at Luna, who was looking immensely satisfied with herself, and a little amused that Hermione was putting her foot down on the glowing. He nodded to Ginny.

Luna bit her lip, seemingly asking permission to spill their secret.

"Make your point, Luna," Ginny said. "Go on."

Luna smiled brightly and then turned to Hermione. "She could be pregnant right now, and you'd be none the wiser."

"Maybe so, but they would know," Hermione said with a nod towards them. She froze.

Harry chuckled, nudging Ginny. "I think she almost got it. Let's see how long it takes her."

Hermione's jaw dropped. "No way!"

Harry looked towards the entrance of the library, but there was no one to be seen. "Keep your voice down—it's a secret."

"Since when?" Hermione asked. "You only soulbonded yesterday."

Harry waited for Ginny to explain.

"I woke up this morning, apparently very glowy." She smiled at him. "Harry got quite the surprise since we didn't know what it meant. And we were terribly worried people were going to see."

Harry squeezed her hand. "No one has seen anything but us. It's definitely there and you can't see it."

Hermione then launched into a series of questions, which they attempted to answer to the best of their abilities.

"You can't tell anyone," Ginny insisted again. "We only found out hours ago. We are still adjusting. And I don't want to distract from the coronation. We'll tell people when we are ready."

"Of course," Hermione said. "They won't hear it from me."

"Do you also have a slight headache?" Ginny asked. She closed the door to their room and looked over at him. "Or is that just me?"

"No, me too." He unclasped his vest and started undressing. "What did Ernest want?"

She began to take off her dress. "He wanted to apply to be Deputy Head Guard."

"He did not get off to a great start with you," Harry commented. "I remember."

She nodded. "He said that too but he did make his case. And you gave me the poorest attempt at a scolding ever." She raised an eyebrow judgingly.

"Ah. Well." He grinned. "I knew it wasn't your fault. Any other candidates yet?"

She sat down to take her shoes off. "No, not yet. I think Seamus is considering it however. He has been behaving so well."

Harry chuckled. He closed the space between them and she stood up. "Do you feel pregnant yet?"

"Stop asking," she said with a playful shove. "I will tell you when I do. Or maybe you'll be able to tell." She shrugged and folded up her dress before facing him again. "I see your excitement is growing." She brought her arms around his neck.

"The darker it gets, the brighter you appear. I'd be able to read in the dark with you by my side," he suggested.

She seemed unimpressed. "I am glad I can be of use to you." She shook her head.

"I do wonder how much you glow in complete darkness," he thought out loud.

Ginny looked back at the fire. It was not an option to put it out, or the room would quickly cool. She looked towards the bed. "Oh, I know!"

He looked at it too. "Do you?"

She nodded. "Get in bed."

He turned around and climbed into the bed. "You don't have to tell me that twice."

Ginny pulled all the curtains closed from the outside.

Harry frowned. "Darling, I think you need to be inside with me to see it."

"Patience."

A moment later the curtain opened by the foot of the bed and Ginny climbed in, completely naked. The whole bed was bathed in her soft, warm glow. Harry's jaw dropped.

She crawled to him, grinning at his reaction and softly closed his mouth.

"Oh my."

Ginny straddled his waist, pulling up his shirt.

"Can I just say…"

Her gaze lifted from his shirt to his face. "Let me guess; 'I love you', 'you're gorgeous' and 'please have sex with me'. Right?"

"I am not the one undressing," he argued to her. He tucked her hair behind her ear.

She pulled the shirt over his head. "I wanted to see the full potential of the glow." She looked around herself to see how much light she was emitting. "And if I am naked, you better be too."

He took hold of her waist and turned them around. He softly placed her on the bed. Ginny watched him happily as he took off the rest of his clothes. He couldn't stop looking at her, naked against the sheets with that pleasant glow.

He lay down beside her and her hand came to rest on the back of his head, guiding their lips together. He kissed her and her hands shifted down to his waist to draw him in closer. They still needed to feel the proximity to soothe their souls. One of the books said it would get better.

Ginny sighed contently as their legs entangled.

"You know, you don't look half-bad yourself in my glow," she said with a grin.

He hummed. "Let's call it our glow," he suggested.

"Excuse me." She raised her eyebrows. "I think we can both agree that I am the glowing one. Just because you are the only other person who can see it, doesn't mean you are entitled to claim it."

He groaned, placing kisses against her jawline. "Fine, you win. That was a solid argument. And I do suppose you have to make the effort of growing… the little Prince or Princess."

"I am glad you see my point," she said. Her hand trailed over his shoulder and down his arm. "We can call it our baby."

He snorted. "Oh, thanks. How gracious of you."

She rested her head on his chest. "I know." Her hand found his and took it. "I was planning on sex, but this is incredibly comfortable. It's like when we rest together, my soul just gets a little cosy."

He nodded—he felt it too. "We can sleep."

"I don't want to sleep," she replied. She adjusted her position, lying on her back in his arms. "I just want to be like this for a while."

"Okay." He leaned down to kiss her forehead.