A/N: Hello people and thank you so much for your support! Here's an even more unexpected part 7. There could be more!
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Harry woke with a yawn as Freya nestled in closer to him, and then shifted atop him.
He ran a hand through her hair, and felt her relax as he did so. It was the middle of the night, he was tired, and he was more than ready to sleep for a good long while... but he couldn't deny her the comfort of being there with him.
Freja was his 'mate', after all, and she wanted, and deserved, nothing less than all he had to offer — Merlin, had that word taken on a whole different meaning than how it'd first been. Where once it'd been a term of endearment for the other blokes that'd spent his time with, now, it was so much more. He'd never considered having children, or even settling down given all that his life had entailed, but with her, he found himself wondering what sort of 'nestlings' they'd have, what would they look like, and so much more.
Harry let his head fall back into the pillow, and then wrapped his arms around Freja as she slept atop him. He couldn't think on that now, not until morning at the earliest... and with coffee or tea in him.
His eyes closed as he settled in, and soon, all he saw was the back of his eyelids and his dreams.
When he woke again, it was to the grinning, dimpled visage of Freya peering down at him. She was still atop him, and it was only once she'd had a good look at his eyes that she so loved to look into, did she lean down to kiss him.
Her lips were soft, her skin was soft, and it was the same as it had been when they'd first kissed, or rather, when he'd first kissed her.
Harry let his hands run along her bare back, and then up and into her hair, which was wild and free from their sleep. "Morning."
"Morning," Freja said as she drew her head back, a happy expression on her face. "I missed you."
"Missed you too," Harry sat up, and kept her held against him as he did so. "Why'd you get up so early?"
"Nestling," She rubbed her nose against his. "It was hours, not hearing you. Hours!"
"You could've just woken me up, y'know," Harry reached a hand out, and grabbed his glasses, and then slid them on his face. "Hungry?"
Freya nodded, and prodded at him. Once he rose from the bed, she clambered up his back, wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck.
He walked down the stairs, and went straight to the kitchen, and then the kettle.
"Tea, or something else?"
Freya, who'd been peppering his neck with kisses, stopped. "Tea. Tea and breakfast."
"What do you want for brekkers?"
"Brekkers," Freya huffed. "You should just say breakfast. Brekkers."
That made Harry snicker, and Freya, as a result, prodded his side.
Harry playfully swatted at her finger, and then turned his attention to the cabinets.
In no time at all, he'd whipped up a breakfast that'd see the both of them well fed and energised for the day. He had an entire day planned for her, a day spent out and about — that wasn't with others or at the Ministry — and it was that thought, and the excitement, that made him all the more eager to eat and get on with it.
"What're we doing today?" Freja asked as she nibbled on her toast whilst perched atop his lap. "I wanna, and I want to be close to you."
Harry ran a hand up her back, and then along her side. "We're gonna spend the day together, just us. You, me, the sky... and maybe a few restaurants and such, but you'll have to wear something Muggle."
"Wizard clothes are bad anyways," Freja finished her slice, and then took his. She ate it quickly, and then gave him a smile. "I get dressed, you get dressed. We fly. We eat. We nest. Easy as sky."
Harry blinked. "Easy as sky?" Merlin she was something. "Easy as pie, you mean. Easy as pie."
Freja's lips pursed. "I like cake better. Pie tastes weird."
"That's because I've never made you a pie." Harry set his plate aside, and then stood up, bringing her along with him. "How's a full-English sound tomorrow? That's easy, and quick enough. Should give us all the time in the world to stay in that nest of ours."
Freja nodded, and then slipped off him. "Make sure there's plenty of bacon. Bacon's good."
"It is," Harry agreed as he walked into the kitchen proper to see their plates and cookware cleaned by way of enchanted items.
"I'll get our clothes ready," Freja leaned over and kissed him, and then pulled back with a smile on her face. "Love you."
"Love you too."
It took him no time at all to see the various scrubs and towels enchanted to clean all that he'd dirtied, and then he was off.
As he climbed the stairs she'd all but flown up, Harry wondered how she was getting on. Given the state of the clothing that was strewn about their bedroom floor, he imagined she was picking out whatever she wanted to wear.
He didn't know a lick about fashion, and even less about Muggle fashion, so he'd never prove helpful… but then again, she did love that anything she wore was well-appreciated. There'd not been so much as one outfit she'd tried that he'd said wasn't pretty, or that he didn't enjoy seeing her in.
"Freja?" Harry called out as he walked into the bedroom, and looked about. His eyes sought out the bathroom next, and as he drew closer, he heard a little humming from within.
A peek around the door revealed a naked form behind the smokey glass.
"Hey."
"Hello," Freja greeted as she continued to wash. "What do you think?"
"About?"
There was a momentary pause, the falling of water that came when somebody rinsed out their hair, and then she gave answer. "The clothes I picked. Good?"
He'd only seen those that were all thrown about the place… and the various pieces atop their bed.
Maybe those were the ones she'd chosen, and the rest were the ones that she'd deemed unfit for the day's plans.
"I haven't got a clue," Harry said. "You'll look great in anything."
He heard a happy noise. "Join me and wash?"
There wasn't a chance to reply, for the shower curtain opened, and a hand extended.
Freja poked her head around the curtain and gave him a wide, toothy grin.
"Well?"
He stripped off, and soon was behind the curtain.
Freja had dressed wisely for the flight, choosing pants and a long sleeved shirt that'd keep the coolness of the day from bothering her. Naturally, he'd had to help her with those wings of hers; he didn't mind, given how soft the feathers were, and how she'd squirm when his hands were there.
That, and he was pretty sure she was a bit ticklish.
They were soaring over London now, the streets were far below them, and the people were dots.
They flew in tandem, him keeping pace atop his broom and not flying off ahead or too slow. They'd had their fun earlier, racing one another, but now, it was a nice, calm flight.
"Can we visit the coast?"
"We can," Harry looked at her, and saw her wings twitch as she coasted alongside him. It seemed she still had no small amount of extra energy. "Want to do a loop or two? I can catch you if you go too high, or low, or anything."
She was a strong flier, he knew that, but all the same, he worried.
Freja gave a happy sound, and then, with a flap, soared above him.
Harry kept his gaze on her, and was glad that he'd made a habit of wearing the enchanted sunglasses that would allow him to see through most any weather or brightness.
He watched as she dipped, and then rose, and then, he did the same.
Harry kept her in sight, and even flew above her, but he knew that the moment they broke from London, and into the countryside, he'd relax.
Even if they were hidden from the Muggles, flying over cities or anyplace at all that had so many people had never felt like a good idea.
It wasn't long until they were over the outskirts, and the greenery, and then, she was beside him again, flying in tandem.
Merlin.
Her in the sky was a sight he'd never tire of, not in the least.
Freja's hair whipped about as they picked up speed, and it was only after she'd let loose a happy shout did she fall back to his side.
"I love the skies, and you."
"I love you and the sky too." Harry felt silly based on the words alone.
But he supposed both were true.
It made him snicker — she'd brought such a happiness about.
Harry looked over at Freja as the pair were sat in their bedroom, a day of flying and eating well now done, and her looking far more content than he could ever recall; it'd only taken hours of flight and all the kisses one could give.
In other words, she's was affectionate as ever.
"Freja?"
"Yes?"
Harry wrapped an arm around her. "Keep seeing you put a hand on your stomach… something the matter?"
"No," She looked at him. "I'm fine, just feeling."
"Feeling?"
"A desire to clutch." Freja pecked at his face without pause, leaving behind little wet spots wherever her lips met his skin.
"Really?" Harry was stunned. He'd thought it'd be months or a year until that came to pass, but then again, she was a special case, and the magic that'd gone into her very being was far beyond him; even Hermione didn't know what'd come about, only that she was healthy.
Her eyes seemed darker now, her hair was wilder than ever, and there was an eagerness in her mannerisms that hadn't been there before.
"Really." With one hand, she gave him a gentle pull, and then another.
Harry let himself fall back onto the bed, and Freja was atop him, kissing him, and smiling so wide.
As she kissed and nipped at his neck, he spoke, chuckling all the while. "Reckon you'll be the death of me — I'll grow too complacent just laying here in our 'nest' with you atop me, or you being cuddled up close. You'll end up suffocating me, and I'll die a happy man. "
Freja's head drew back, and she gave him an amused look. "You're silly, but I like silly. Now, less talking, more..."
"More what?"
Her response came with a pointed look.
He understood exactly what.
That next morning, Hermione and Ron stopped by for a visit, and as they were all having a spot of tea, Harry was asked a question that had him pause mid-bite of his biscuit.
"So, what's this I hear about you becoming a dad?" Hermione's voice was calm, her face was curious, and the way she was staring at him left him no doubts about her seriousness.
Freja, who was happily sipping her cup, looked over at him.
Ron was trying, and failing, to keep a smile off his face.
"I am."
Hermione's eyebrows rose. "And, does that make her a mum, then?"
"It does! We'll have a clutch, finally! It took so long for him to agree!" Freja said, setting her cup down.
Harry snickered at that, but only under his breath — it'd been less than half a year from the very start of that accident that'd freed her to where they currently were.
He thought that was moving fast, but she had a way of looking at him, and a way of touching him, that made him rethink his ideas of how long things should take.
"And you're happy?" Hermione asked.
"Happy, yes, but it took so long." Freja reached over, and patted his leg. "It was frustrating."
Ron gave a short laugh, and Harry glared.
"Well, I'm glad you're happy, and that things are going well." Hermione was genuine, and that smile she sent the pair had each answering it with one of their own; again, however, Harry couldn't but wonder how his life had changed so radically.
Freja leaned her head against his shoulder. "Everything's perfect! Friends. Mate. Nestlings — I'll have all that I've ever wanted and more. It took time, and some fighting, and so much learning, but now, I can be happy."
Happy.
She wasn't wrong — with the war essentially finished, there was a sense of calm, of peace, and of relief. Sharing that with her was better than any other witch, given the vast majority only wanted him for name, wealth or deeds.
He was lucky.
Harry knew he was.
Then Ron spoke up. "Said clutch, yeah? Does that mean you'll have a few at a time every… you know." He gave a little look at her stomach.
"Ron!" Hermione's face seemed red as his.
And yet, Freja took no offense. If anything, she was pleased to answer the questions that came from a curious mind.
"Two or three, and we'll nest them until they're old enough to leave that castle. I want lots." Freja turned to him. "Lots. That's a word you use, right?"
Harry nodded, and Hermione smiled, and Ron grinned.
"Well, I can't wait to see the little ones, and I'm sure Ron feels the same. And the rest of us, for that matter. I think the Weasleys will be the happiest."
"I'll be the happiest with Harry, and they'll be the second," Freja had a bubbly, teasing tone to her words. "You'll be the third happiest."
"Oh? I don't get second instead of them?" Hermione was playing along, and it seemed she was quite entertained by the whole affair.
Harry didn't blame her.
Freja scrunched up her face and raised a hand to her chin. "Hmmm… well, you are the one who helped, and I did tell Harry how smart and nice you are, so yes, you can be second, and not a third."
Hermione laughed. "How gracious. I'll be sure to offer many bribes of bacon."
"Bacon is very good." Freja's answer came immediately.
"She really is like a bird, isn't she?" Ron whispered, and Harry elbowed him; that seemed to jog his memory though, given what he next did. "Harry, mate? Meant to give you this some few days ago, but you asked for everything we could find out about where she was from, the family and people involved in transporting old her... wasn't everything, but more than I think you'd got yourself." When he'd finished speaking, Rob had passed along a roll of parchment.
Harry took it, unrolled it, and started reading.
It was a summary of the various families and companies that'd been involved in the transportation and sales of her when she'd been Hedwig. There were dozens of other 'creatures' that were listed on that same document alongside her, but there was no telling if they were truly creatures of limited intelligence, or if they too were people like she'd been.
"Is it useful?" Freja's eyes were on the parchment, and when Harry nodded, she leaned in to read it.
"Yeah, it is."
"What'll you do with the information, mate?" Freja's innocent, beautiful eyes turned his way.
Harry had a plan, and a goal. "Justice. Anybody involved will get their just desserts."
"And you'll keep me and the nestlings safe?" That second question of hers brought about a strong feeling of hatred not unlike that which would leak over from the old bond he'd once shared with Voldemort.
His hold 'round her tightened as he gave answer. "Without a doubt."
Hermione patted Freja's hand. "We all will." She then gave that hand a little pull. "If you're going to be doing your 'clutch' soon too, after Ron's so very helpful comment, it might be wise if I looked you over. Just to make sure everything's happening... well, not as it should, but in a way that's safe."
Freja sent him a look upon hearing Hermione's words. She loved the other girl, but she wasn't all that fond of being examined by spell after spell. Very few people were.
"I'll help too," Harry added, and the tension went away; his presence always did seem to relax her.
Still, she pouted and sent him the most pleading look she could manage.
"Come now," Hermione gave the other girl's hand another tug. "It'll only take a minute."
Freja relented, and as she was pulled up and into the living room, her wings flared out, indicating her reluctance.
Ron gave a little snicker and nodded towards the fireplace. "Mind if I use the Floo? Tell mum 'Mione and I will be staying later while you and her give Freja her check-up?"
"Go ahead," Harry waved a hand at the fireplace.
A grunted thanks from Ron, and the sound of the other two women's voices as they talked about one thing or another was the last he heard as his friend disappeared into the flames.
The moment Ron was gone, and he could see that the girls were well and truly distracted with their conversation and examination, he stood up, grabbed the roll of parchment, and leaned against the doorway to the room they'd occupied. His presence was there, but he wanted to see if there were any names he recognised.
Sure, most would've used aliases, but the shop he'd gotten her in had been legal, which meant some sort of trail had to exist.
One that needed eradicating.
Merlin, would Harry see to that.
"Mate!" Freja's voice was petulant as she motioned with a hand for him to come closer while the other plucked at the wings she'd extended once more.
Harry sighed and saw the parchment off, to their bedroom's desk, and then he approached.
Harry woke and stretched his arms over his head, the wall of pillows that surrounded him and the dozens of blankets Freja had piled up to form their 'nest' soft as any he'd had.
Freja was cuddled up against him, sleeping as peacefully as she could, and when he moved his hand down, and over her, he felt a warmth and comfort that had no equal. Peaceful and happy as she looked, all bundled up and tucked into his side, he couldn't help but gaze in a wonder that'd never gone away when looking at her; she'd been trapped for so long, and now that she was free, she'd chosen — insisted even — on staying with him, and him alone.
Freja shifted a bit, and then her eyes opened.
"Good morning," Harry murmured, and then his lips were on hers.
"Good morning." She followed him up as long as her neck would allow, seeking to keep that contact.
"Ready to eat?"
Freja's answer was immediate. "Yes, but first... I want a flight." She stretched her arms and legs, the lot of them shaking, and her wings stretching out to their full size as they emerged with whatever magic her body used to maintain them. "Fly with me?"
"As if I'd ever say no." Harry sat up, and Freja was already moving towards the door.
"We'll fly and hunt, and eat, and fly some more. A perfect day." Freja flapped her wings when she reached the open centre of their room, stretching them out, and then back in, before she started making her way towards the stairs.
When the pair reached the first floor, Freja all but bolted for the door... but Harry paused. He saw a letter, folded as a paper plane, hovering near the Floo. It looked like Hermione's handwriting.
Freja called to him, and he answered.
"One second." He moved forward, picked up the note, and unfolded it. What she'd written was brief as could be, and got straight to the point.
'No irregularities.'
That meant the few tests she'd have run with Freja's blood were normal. At least so far as all the spells she knew could tell... and since that was Hermione, that was saying a lot.
Harry let out a breath, glad of the news, and walked to the door.
Freja was waiting, but as soon as she saw him nearing her, she grinned and took to the sky was strong flaps of her wings.
"Catch me if you can!"
That was a call he couldn't refuse, and so he summoned his broom from near to the door where it was, and kicked off after her.
Freja was quick to giggle wildly when she saw him speeding her way, but she wasn't helpless, nor easy to catch.
Her flips and dives and sheer maneuverability were a marvel to behold, and every time she came close, she'd tease him by darting away and sending him a grin, followed by another burst of those giggles.
That was, until she tired from all the exertion sans breakfast, and he caught her, and the pair had a nice kiss amidst the clouds and sunlight.
"I caught you."
"Did you?" She said, a hand reaching out to touch his chest. "Maybe I let you catch me."
Harry snickered. "Oh? Did you now?"
Freja pouted. "You're too good in the sky... wait, that's good! Our nestlings will be the best fliers!"
"They will." Harry agreed with that whole-heartedly.
He gave a nod towards the ground after sharing a kiss with her, sweet and soft. "Let's go in and eat now, yeah? I'll make you that full-English I promised."
Freja's face brightened, and she wrapped her arms 'round him and kissed him again, before giving a single nod.
"Full-English, and extra bacon, and coffee." Freja didn't let him try and say otherwise, for the moment she'd finished speaking, she dove downwards, and he followed with a grin on his face — it seemed ever-present lately, and that change in him was one he could most certainly live with.
Their morning together was spent eating and drinking and laughing, and then more of it was spent atop their couch. It saw them bundled up together, alternating in reading the pages of a book Hermione had given them. It was so much like when they'd watched a film together, just more peaceful and intimate.
To think he'd never really liked reading much before they'd gotten so close.
Well, leisurely, that was. When it came to studying, he didn't mind it so much anymore.
"Mate," She prodded him. "It's your turn."
He snickered. "Sorry. Just lost in the story." Harry pressed a kiss to the back of her neck, and then started the page; the little sigh she'd made upon his action didn't escape him.
Freja wiggled into his side, and scrunched her nose up as he made to read from that parchment Ron had sent him earlier; happy as she was with him, she didn't want to hear of her past or have it brought up half as much as he, 'Mione or Ron did. She was content to stay by his side, and let him do what he wanted while he was at the Ministry, so long as she wasn't all that involved.
He couldn't blame her. He'd never blame her.
All that she'd gone through had come about at the hands of no less than a dozen people, each with varying levels of guilt and knowledge, admittedly, but all could've done a far better job to check their wares before selling them.
"We're done," Harry let it float over to the cabinet where it was kept, and then he tightened his hold 'round her. "How do you fancy France? Or Italy?"
"Italy!" Freja rolled over atop him, perking up at the mention of travel to some other land.
"Italy it is, then." Harry pressed another kiss to her lips, filing away thoughts of justice and revenge for later; the bird in his arms was far more important.
