A/N: We are now getting into the chapters where there are going to be more time jumps, but I think they all make sense. (And I am really trying not to get this fic to 300k words, but I may be delusional on that one.)

I also put in a plotline I had previously scrapped, and then wrote the whole chapter and had to realise once again it should be scrapped! But I ended up reworking it as a different tiny subplot, it will show up eventually but not in this chapter yet.

Thanks Meg as always for the beta-reading. At least someone is being consistent with capitalising titles (apparently it isn't me!)

I just finished writing chapter 41 as well so I expect to be able to update it on time and I am working on 42 and 43 for the rest of the week. I am hopeful I can keep up the bi-weekly updates for now.

(I started a customer chat while putting this chapter in, took over half an hour and they still haven't found a solution! Maybe by next chapter update they will have...)

Ginny stood outside on the field behind the castle. Seeing the guards grumble a little as they got outside, brought her some joy. She was wearing her armour, her helmet open.

"The quicker you make it over here, the quicker we can start!" she told them, which did help them speed up.

Seamus stood beside her somewhat nervously. He had been chosen to be deputy guard, which they would be announcing to the whole group today. She had already informed Ernest, so he knew he did not get the job. It hadn't been a pleasant conversation, but he had told her he understood and she had been able to promise him there may be other opportunities in the future.

"We will start some training soon, but first I want to announce to all of you that Seamus will be your Deputy Head Guard," she told them.

Most guards seemed to be quite happy with the news, which reassured her she had made the right choice. Seamus visibly relaxed when the guards reacted well.

"He will be the person you refer to when I am unavailable," she told them. "Small changes to schedules or disputes amongst you… you can run those by Seamus. Both of us will meet at least once a week to discuss any ongoing business about the security of the castle. I do hope we won't have as many assassins as before, I am optimistic about that."

Seamus chuckled lightly.

"I hope this appointment will be more convenient to you as well as me," she said. "If you have any questions, I am happy to hear—or Seamus will be." She looked around but none of the guards seemed to have any pressing questions. "Let's pair up and then we can get some training in."

Ernest walked up to Seamus and shook his hand. "Congratulations on the position. I would have liked it, but I know you will do a great job too."

Seamus smiled. "Thank you."

"You don't mind if I kick your ass today a little, right?" Ernest asked him.

"Oh." Seamus scoffed. "I'd like to see you try."

Ginny shook her head in amusement and then called Colin forward to train against her for the first round.

After the training, she asked Seamus to follow her to her office. She came across Harry on her way there. His hair looked a little dishevelled.

"Are you okay?" she asked him.

She paused in front of him and Seamus thankfully walked on to wait for her by her office.

He nodded slowly. "We should talk about when you plan training, because feeling like I've been kicked in the shin halfway through council is not it."

"I didn't get injured, just a kick here and there," she defended.

Harry nodded. "And it hurt regardless. Let's just schedule it better, please?"

She took her hand and squeezed it. "Understood. I hadn't given it much thought." She grinned at him, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You know you're going to suffer when I give birth too."

His eyes widened. "Oh no." He looked at her stomach and back up. "Maybe we can figure out how to lock it off like we can with our thoughts," he suggested.

She shook her head slowly. "No no. You can suffer with me." She kissed his cheek. "I think that would be very compassionate of you."

He looked at her a little disappointed. "We'll talk about this later."

She kissed him. "Yes, my King." She smiled at him and then strode off to her office; she didn't want to make Seamus wait too long.

Seamus followed her inside and she closed the door. She didn't bother sitting down; this wouldn't take long.

"Now you have officially started, I must already share something with you," she started off.

He looked at her expectantly.

"And that is that I am pregnant. I do intend to continue my work as long as I can but there will be at least a few days where I expect you to manage on your own," she told him. "I know you had questions about it before, so I want to give you a heads-up."

"Congratulations," Seamus told her honestly. "I didn't mean anything by those questions before, I just—"

"I understand, Seamus. You dare to ask the more difficult questions, it's important too. If you're not sure, I would rather have you ask," she reassured him. "We'll have to see how it goes but for now I haven't had much trouble at all. I am hopeful it will continue much the same way, but of course giving birth may incapacitate me somewhat for a few days."

"You mean weeks?" he asked.

She shook her head. "I am determined to be back up and going as soon as I can."

"I didn't expect anything else from you," Seamus let out somewhat amused. "I suppose at least that baby will be guarded well."

"I will do my very best," she said. "I may get stabby."

Seamus chuckled. "More than usual?"

"Alright. That's enough out of you. Not many people know so I expect you to keep your mouth shut until we announce it," she told him. She opened the door for him.

"You got it."

As they settled into life at the castle, they slipped into routine and weeks flew by. Ron and Hermione were still constantly bickering, and they seemed to enjoy it. Seamus took extremely well to being Deputy Head Guard and Neville managed perfectly well as advisor and took a certain interest in Lady Luna.

The kittens grew rapidly and were up to eating full meals and could be weaned a week after they arrived in the castle. They were nearly ready to go out with the rest of the cats, as soon as the weather got warmer.

Suddenly it was nearly time to announce the little Prince, and they had to go by the Hospital Wing to confirm it. Apparently, it was necessary protocol. Harry and Ginny went there together. The soft bump starting to form, she expected the Healers not to disagree, even if they could not see her constant glow.

Healer Greta led them inside and let Ginny settle on the bed. "Let's have a look, shall we? You said you were certain?"

"Yes," she said, staring up at the ceiling somewhat annoyed. "I am glowing like the sun."

"She is," Harry affirmed. He looked at her. " They need to ask all these questions. "

" I know ," she replied silently.

"And have you been bleeding?" Greta asked.

She shook her head. "No, I haven't."

"Have you been nauseous or had any other symptoms?" Greta asked as she softly felt around Ginny's belly.

"I have not been nauseous, but I do think I could sniff an assassin from a mile away," she confirmed.

Harry chuckled. "I am pretty sure you could do that before you were pregnant."

She met his eyes and smiled. "Not exactly."

Greta smiled at her. "You can sit up now."

She sat on the edge of the bed. "Tell me, Greta. How bad is it?" she asked with a smile.

The healer returned her smile. "You are having a baby."

" I am shocked to hear, " Ginny thought, making sure Harry caught it.

Harry met her eyes with a smile for a moment and then turned to Greta. "Thank you for confirming."

Greta looked at Ginny a bit more sternly. "I have never treated a woman before who is a Knight, so I am little bit out of depth there. You can continue normal activities but I would advise against partaking in duels. If you feel any pain at all that persists more than an hour or so, or you feel anything is off, you come to the hospital wing."

Harry looked at her. "Will you?"

"My dear King, if I am in pain you'll be able to tell. I am sure you'll make me come when it's necessary," Ginny replied.

"That's somewhat comforting," Greta said. "I'll make up the official statement and give it to Neville."

Leaning against the desk in Harry's office, he softly caressed Ginny's belly.

"I think some of the guards suspect…" Ginny told him. "But they're too polite to ask."

"He won't be a secret soon. Our little Prince." He kissed her softly. "I am so excited to have a baby with you."

"Me too." She caressed Harry's cheek. "He is going to be handsome like his father."

"And fight like his mother," Harry completed.

Ginny chuckled. "Perhaps he will."

Then the expected knock on the door came and they let Ron in.

"We have an important announcement to make," Ginny told him.

Ron glanced down at her belly and back up. "Go on then."

"We are having a baby," Ginny announced. "Looks like you already knew… did Hermione tell you?"

"No, I just figured it out—Hermione knew?!" he let out in surprise. "I mean, congratulations."

"Yes, she knew, quite early on." She glanced at Harry.

"The reason we asked you to come here is because we would like you to become godfather of our son," Harry asked carefully.

Ron looked at them in utter surprise. "Are you sure…? You can ask Bill or…"

Ginny quickly shook her head, taking Ron's hands in her own. "We want you."

"I'd love that," Ron told her honestly.

Ginny pulled him into a hug. "I am glad to hear." She released him and looked at Ron again. "He's due at the end of the summer."

"Wait… wouldn't the soulbond mean that you can see…?" Ron asked. "Hermione has talked about this. You must have known for a while."

Ginny nodded. "It was right after we soulbonded," Ginny confirmed. "We were still in Harpia, but we didn't want to tell too many people. With the coronation and everything… I've just sent out the letter to tell Bill."

"And you have been keeping it a secret from me ?" Ron crossed his arms, looking between the two of them.

"We only told people as needed, and confirmed to those who figured it out on their own," Ginny told him. "I am still figuring out this whole Queen thing, please cut me some slack."

"Alright," Ron gave in. He hugged her again. "I can't believe I'm going to be an uncle."

Hagrid sat across from them. "I am not being sacked, am I?"

"Don't be ridiculous, Hagrid. Of course not," Harry told him. "We had some news to share and we wanted to tell you before the whole castle knew."

Hagrid looked incredibly intrigued. "What is it?"

Ginny walked a little closer to him and caressed her bump. "We have a baby on the way." She smiled happily.

"Oh, that is the most wonderful news." Hagrid's voice cracked.

"Are you crying?" Harry asked.

Hagrid shook his head and quickly blew his nose. "Of course not. It's just that Harry had such a troubled time as a young lad, nearly died so many times. To see him happily married and have a kid of his own, it just makes me so happy to see." He blew his nose again. He looked over at Ginny. "How are you feeling, Queen Gwynie?"

"I have been wonderful," she said. "Not much trouble at all."

"I am glad to hear that," Hagrid said. "You're announcing it soon?"

Harry nodded. "We got confirmation from Greta—though we were already quite certain."

Neville gathered anyone who should hear the announcement, council members, Lucretia, the guards… They didn't quite want to make it a feast, but it had to be properly announced, as was tradition.

Ginny stepped forward and the people in front of her fell silent, waiting for her to speak.

"Both the King and I are happy to announce we are expecting our first baby," she told them. "He will arrive by the end of summer and since he is the firstborn, he will be heir to the Ignotian throne."

"While this is good news for the Kingdom, I am also happy to share these wonderful moments with my wife and I can't wait to welcome him. It'll be nice to grow our own little family." His arm slipped around her waist. "Thank you."

The crowd clapped and started talking amongst themselves. Kingsley weaved through the people.

"On behalf of the council I would like to offer my congratulations," he said.

"Thank you, Kingsley," Ginny said with a wide smile. "You can stop worrying about who is going to sit on the throne after my husband."

Kingsley chuckled. "I am glad we never had to make that call. And I hope the little one doesn't have to take to the throne as young as his father did."

"I made sure that law was written out," Harry said. "Although, considering Peter helped me write it, I may want to check it twice."

"Never hurts to check," Kingsley said, he bowed. "I won't hog your attention any longer."

As soon as he disappeared, a few other Lords and Ladies came up to congratulate them. She smiled politely. Harry kept close to her and didn't leave her side.

Lucretia walked up to her. "How exciting! A little baby! He'll be so adorable." She stood a little closer to Ginny. "If you have any particular craving at all, you just have to ask. Do you promise?"

"I promise," Ginny said. "I knew you'd have my back."

"Of course!" Lucretia said. "I am immediately adapting the menu, making sure you are eating well."

"Do I get to eat well?" Harry asked.

Ginny smiled at him. "He is thinking of putting on a few sympathy pounds, I think."

Lucretia laughed. "I am sure we can work something out."

Seamus walked up to her. "All clear."

"Thank you, Seamus," Ginny said, knowing she wouldn't have time to watch the whole room with so many people up close to her.

"Some guards seemed quite surprised I already knew, and had not told them," Seamus said, looking somewhat proud he had not told anyone since she had shared the news.

"I knew you could do it," Ginny teased. "I hope it doesn't lead to too many questions with you guards…"

"No no. We know now. You don't slow down and you will tell us what's what," Seamus said.

She shook her head. "Yes, that sounds quite right."

The following days, congratulations streamed in from far and wide. They received a few gifts too. Ones Ginny was determined to turn inside out to make sure they weren't laced with poison or had things the baby could hurt himself on. She ended up assigning one of the guards to gift-checking duty.

"Isn't it odd to be congratulated on having sex?" Ginny thought out loud, letting Summer and Winter climb over her lap as she sat on the couch.

Harry chuckled. He put his vest over a chair and pulled his shirt off before settling down beside her. "I hadn't thought about it, but now I will. So thank you for that." He kissed her softly, his hand covering her bump. "I still can't quite believe it sometimes."

The kittens reluctantly took a spot on the corner of the couch.

"If I think back to what I was doing a year ago… I never could have guessed," Ginny said. "I am so happy I came here." Her hand caressed his cheek. "And now we are married and we get to have cute little babies. I have a whole group of guards to manage. Bellatrix is dead. It's quite wonderful." She nipped at his lips. "You make me so happy."

"Not as happy as you make me," he told her, his hand sliding to her waist.

Her knee hitched higher and she pulled him down with her on the couch, when there was a knock on the door.

"Yes?" she asked, her hand running through Harry's hair.

"It's Red, she's been acting strange. Now she won't let me touch her and even Lightning doesn't get close to her," Hagrid's voice came.

She pushed Harry off a bit unceremoniously, but he was quickly distracted by Summer and Winter trying to climb up to his shoulders.

"I'll go check," she said.

Harry looked at her. "Be careful."

"I think you're in more danger." She pointed as Summer attempted to climb on top of his head. "But yes." She opened the door, plucking up her cloak on the way.

Ginny and Hagrid quickly made their way to the stables. Hagrid carried a lantern so they'd see. Ginny's glow was helpful to herself, but Hagrid wasn't benefiting from it.

She immediately stepped into Red's stall, ignoring Hagrid's warning. Lightning stood as far away from Red as possible.

Ginny carefully walked up to Red and though she seemed nervous, she let Ginny touch her. "Not having a fight with Lightning, are we?"

Red huffed at her.

"I am going to have a look, okay?" Ginny said gently. "You better not kick me." She petted Red again and then carefully began looking.

She wasn't limping, firmly standing on four legs so she assumed her hooves were okay. Ginny let her hand run along Red's neck and chest but found nothing wrong.

Ginny continued along Red's side. "Well, you're getting a bit fat," —Ginny took a step back as Red flinched. —"Red!"

"What?" Hagrid asked.

Ginny rubbed along Red's side again. "I believe Red is having a little foal. She must be a few months along if she's getting rounder." She shook her head. "I thought you were eating well." She came back round to Red's head. "You're going to be okay, darling."

"Ooh, poor Red! You must have gotten spooked!" Hagrid commented. "Maybe she felt it move."

Ginny tucked her head against Red's, caressing her nose until she relaxed. "You're okay." When Red had sufficiently calmed down, she walked over to Lightning. "I think I need to speak a word with you, mister."

Hagrid chuckled. "Is he in trouble?"

"You bet." She scratched Lightning's chin.

Lightning bumped his nose lightly against her stomach.

"Yes," Ginny said. "Are all the pregnant ladies freaking you out? You're going to be okay too. You're going to be a dad to a beautiful little foal." She guided him back to Red and petted both of them until they were calm.

Lightning bumped his head against Red's.

"Poor thing… I made you work hard while you were growing a little foal, didn't I?" She adjusted Red's manes. "I'll rest you more, my precious girl."

Ginny walked back into their room, quickly slipping her cloak off and climbing on the bed with Harry. He helped her loosen her dress.

"What was wrong?" Harry asked her.

Ginny shook her head slowly. "She's with foal."

Harry's eyebrows rose. "Really?"

"I told you this would happen!" Ginny complained, stepping out of her dress.

Harry's hand snuck up her thigh. "Oh, it'll be alright. Maybe you'll be forced to slow down too then, if your horse needs rest."

"I'll just use Prongs," Ginny commented resolutely, allowing Harry to massage the muscles up her leg.

Harry kissed her cheek. "Our son will grow up with a buddy." He paused. "He could possibly communicate with the foal… if that's what his gift means."

Ginny softly bit into his shoulder. "Stop making it sound like a sweet thing; I still want to be annoyed about it for a little while."

"You can be." His arms wrapped around her waist and hugged her to him. "I'll just be thinking about Red and Lightning's cute little foal in a few years, with our son riding it as we go on little outings to our secret spot…"