A/N I wrote this while my students were doing state testing in April. I hope it all makes sense. I'm spending all of April and May exhausted. Going from being a sub to the teacher of record for middle school ESL with no planning and no support is insane.

Ch. 64

Friday 16 April 1999

Hogwarts

Getting back to Hogwarts on the train was extremely uncomfortable for both pregnant ladies. Harry turned a chair into a bed for Hermione and she slept part of the way. Luna slept in her chair.

Teddy was brought to the carriage around lunch and everyone, prefects included, had a tasty lunch provided by Dobby. "You know, the previous years I've been a prefect, the Heads never did so much for us. This is really nice." Susan Bones admitted.

"Next year, it's back to regular Head Boy and Girl." Hannah nodded, looking at the younger students she said, "Sucks to be you." as everyone laughed.

"Too bad Hogwarts can't make this a service for prefects."a Claw prefect whined.

Luna and Mione just looked at each other. They needed to talk to Flitwick.

HP

The rest of the week went pretty normally for the family. Everybody had their own things to do. Hermione was studying frantically for NEWTs. Luna was not only studying for NEWTs but teaching and taking constant breaks. As she put it "So this damn baby doesn't come early."

Harry was not only stressed with his own classes and NEWTs but he was constantly worried about Hermione. He was reading books about raising twins at a voracious pace.

Sirius and Jaime were settling quite nicely into married life with Jaime and Hermione planning trips for next year.

It was that Friday–16 April, that everything stopped at lunchtime. Minerva got up and went to the less ornate lectern that she had had installed over the summer and cleared her throat. At everyone's sudden silence she gave a small smile. "Most years at Hogwarts, the staff does not include any students in any birthday celebrations. However, today is a very special day. It is Teddy Lupin's first birthday"At that, everyone roared happily. The four Heads looked at each other dumbfounded. "Yes, Godfather Harry. Your Godson is one today."

"Oh Merlin, I missed it!" Everyone heard Harry moan.

"You were simply too busy so we did the honours." Minerva smiled as she clapped her hands. At each table there was a cake big enough to feed the whole table. On the Head Table there was a cake with a quidditch pitch and players. Each house table had a replica.

Harry got up and picked Ted up. "Hello, little man. Why didn't you tell me it was your birthday?" He muttered as he went back to his seat. His cheeks went a little red when people laughed at his comment.

"As it is the little one's birthday, I say we sing a round of Happy Birthday to the little." Sirius suggested from his seat.

"Of course." Mcgonagall said as she sat down. "Why don't you start it Professor Black." She smirked at the Marauder.

He stood up with a conjured baton and began conducting the school in a rousing version of the song. At the end, Teddy jumped on his godfather's legs in excitement and tried to clap, although he missed his hands a few times.

HP

The next day was the last game Harry would play on the Quidditch Field. As he made breakfast, he thought about how his life had changed since his first game. He was now an expectant father, near graduate, teacher, the dark wanker was gone and he was marrying his best friend.

His life was so much better now, it was brilliant. Back in fifth year, when he almost lost Sirius, he would have never expected this. He smiled as he remembered how broody he was at the time. How did Mya stand him? Just thinking about the turmoil in his life back then made his stomach turn. While thinking of his life now made it turn in a more pleasant way.

While he was very much looking forward to the birth of the twins, he was nervous. Hopefully, he would be a better dad than his Uncle. Having Hermione around would help. And, luckily, he had a strong, supportive family now. He was still worried about Mya though. She was so anxious about the birth and the wedding she was constantly pacing the room–even if she couldn't see her feet! It was this constant worrying that had Harry wondering if the babies would come early. He knew most twins came at 36 weeks, so that is what he was hoping for.

But, honestly? He couldn't care less about the game today. With Teddy's birthday yesterday and all he had on his plate, it was just a bloody game! Not even a pro game but a school game! Who the bloody hell cared. Well, except for Ron. But even his excessive practices and screaming couldn't put a dent in how Harry felt now.

HP

They won the game, by a huge margin and in less than an hour to boot. Harry was carried on the chasers' shoulders all the way to the Tower where they had a huge party. As glad as Harry was to go out with a win, all he could really do was check the time to see if Teddy needed a nap.

After the little guy was handed from player to player, he ended up with his Goddad. As Harry stood rocking him, he realised that he was superfluous to the party. Even though he and the chasers won the game, Ronald was grabbing all the glory for himself. So, he and Teddy left quietly and went back to the Playhouse where their real family was sitting down to lunch.

Sirius looked up, grinning. "Thought you'd be there for longer, pup."

"Naw, this guy was tired and it was too noisy there for either of us to sleep." Harry grinned back. "Besides, I'd rather celebrate with you guys."

"Well, that's awfully grown up of you." Dora commented.

"We've been through a war. The excessive partying holds little attraction for me." Harry pulled his signature shrug.

Sirius just laughed at that.

Monday 19 April 1999

Hogwarts Infirmary

After all classes were done on Monday, Harry and Hermione had their weekly appointment with Hr. Axel.

"So, how's my favourite patient doing?" Axel asked jovially.

"Scared, worried." Hermione replied as Axel started examining the babies. After the initial exam, he turned to look both youngsters in the eye. "It's time to put you on chair rest, even when you are not using the stairs."

"Really?" Hermione squeaked.

"Really. You're doing really well and the babies are growing well. This is precautionary. Have you been feeling little contractions?"

"Yes. They're very light and I can almost ignore them." Hermione replied.

"You'll have more of those as time goes on. Don't worry, they're normal. But if you're moving a lot, it can induce preterm labour." At their shocked looks, he added "In my experience, anything, and I mean anything, can bring on preterm labour." He laughed shortly. "It seems to me that there is always one kid who really wants out. And in my experience, they're usually the harder kid to raise." He laughed again as he thought of some of the kids he knew.

"You can predict that?" Harry asked, very surprised.

"I work with paediatricians that usually take over after my time is done." He shrugged his shoulders. "We talk. Personally, I think your son is going to evict your daughter, he moves way too much. Plus, as of now, he is head up and she's head down." He laughed at their dumbfounded expressions. "Of course, all this can change in the next two months."

After being given a clean bill of health, both parents went back to the Playhouse deep in thought about what was coming.

26 April 1999

Harry woke up and looked at his bedside clock: 4:00 am. Bloody hell! He looked around their bedroom: no Hermione. Loo: no Hermione. Twins room: no Hermione. Penny's room: no bloody Hermione. Sitting Room: no bloody, fucking fiancee. Study: no bloody, fucking, irritating Hermione. Then he went up to the library: There was Hermione, slumped over her belly, head on a book on the table, snoring delicately. "Bloody woman! Don't scare me like that!" He muttered as he started to manoeuvre her away from the table.

"Hmmm." She grunted as he levitated the chair down the stairs. As he came to their floor, he heard. "Where am I? I need to study." as her voice became less sleepy.

"No you don't." He got her seated on their bed. "I woke up, looked all over our suite and couldn't find you. Do you know how worried I was? You shouldn't be up this early."

"NEWTs start today. I have to be ready." She looked around frantically.

"Why don't we take a shower and relax." Harry suggested as he got undressed and led Hermione into the shower.

"Okay." she sighed as he started the shower.

HP

When they got out, Hermione was much more relaxed and went back to sleep, cuddled into Harry. At around seven, they got up to their "Penny alarm". Harry and Penny got Teddy and made breakfast.

For the next two weeks, Hurricane Hermione was ever present. Harry and Luna tried to keep her calm but that was nearly impossible.

At one point during her Herbology exam, she went through a series of contractions that she just ignored. As she was going back to the castle, she was talking to Nev about where she might have lost points when she doubled up in pain.

"Ouch. That h-uuuurt." Hermione let out as another contraction hit.

"Ok Mione." He said firmly. "We are going to the Infirmary." He put the chair in a reclining position and used the handles to steer for her as she groaned softly. As he did this, he pulled out his mobile and called Poppy to warn her. Then he did the thing he least wanted to do, he called his brother. "Harry, calm down." He said as Harry answered with "What's wrong? Is Hermione safe? Is she alive? Are the babies okay?"

"Hermione is having some contractions. I'm taking her to Hospital and have already gotten Poppy on the phone with Healer Axel."

"Okay Nev. I'll be there in a few minutes." Harry hung up.

"He's going to leave his class isn't he?" Hermione rolled her eyes.

Nev grunted humourously. "I'd bet so."

As her last contraction levelled off, she took over control of her chair and Nev called Luna and Sirius, who said they'd be right there. Eventually, they arrived in hospital and Poppy came to greet them.

"I assume they want to come early?" She smiled at Hermione.

"I think so." she replied as she lowered herself onto a bed. Halfway through, she groaned at another contraction.

As she was situated in the bed, Harry came through the door, eyes wild. "Hermione? Are you okay" He asked as he saw her and went to join her. He looked at his brother. "Thanks Nev." He sighed as he sat in Nev's vacated seat.

"I hurt but I'll be fine." Hermione answered.

"Hello there." They all heard from Poppy's office.

"In here, Healer Axel." Harry raised his voice.

"Hey guys." Axel sat down and started unpacking. "It looks like at least one of these wants out."

"Probably James." Sirius joked as he came in. Axel put up privacy wards.

"Well, it looks like he's trying to push his sister out. Luckily, he's kicking her butt and not her head. She's ready to come out."

"Isn't it too early?" Hermione asked.

"It is. Soooo, we're going to put you on some potions that should calm the contractions and speed up lung development." He said as she drank a potion. "That should help calm them down and stop them from moving so much. We want the babies not to be putting pressure on the cervix-keeping you lying down does that. You can get up, just not for long periods-and no stairs, even in your flat here."

"Can she sit in her chair for dinner?" Harry asked. "Or walk to the loo?"

"Yes to dinner as long as she doesn't move too far from the bed. And use the chair for the loo." It went back and forth like that with Harry and Hermione asking Axel all sorts of questions. "Have the contractions stopped?" Axel asked about 10 minutes after administering the potions.

"Yeah, they're only small ones now."

"Thank Merlin." Harry sighed as he looked down to see Hermione's knuckles were white from his hold on them, he released them.

"Thank you for my hand back." She muttered as she shook her hand as though it hurt.

"Sorry." He gave her his half-grin.

"Complete bed rest until they are gone for 24 hours. Time them. If they get closer, let me know." Axel smiled at them both. "I'll come check on you in the morning."

"Can I go back to my room?" she asked.

"Yes, although I need to know if anything happens before I see you tomorrow. I'll floo directly to your place."

As the family had not been included in the discussion with Axel, when the privacy charms came down, they heard Sirius worrying.

"I hope James isn't causing too many problems."

"Why would he be causing a problem?" Nev asked.

"Because his namesake was a troublemaker." Sirius laughed.

"If he causes any trouble, Lily will put him straight." Hermione laughed as they opened the curtain.

"Are you alright Hermione?" Luna asked, jumping up to see her best friend.

"I will be. I'm on bed rest now." she sighed.

"No excitement." Harry looked meaningfully at his godfather.

"Hey! I'm not going to cause a problem."