A/N: Ok, this is the last chapter. It's fluffy, so be forewarned. It's pretty much meant to be a big pile of happiness.
Also, I just wanted to say that there aren't too many Sirius pranks in the story because as much as I love his Marauder side, I'd also like to believe that he's maturing with Harry. *shrug* Maybe that's just me.
And a gold star to anyone who can pick out the line from the movie "Nine Months" in this chapter.
Thanks again for the reviews, guys. It warms my heart and makes me want to keep writing!
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After two weeks of headaches and carefully hidden trips to the bathroom, Hermione decided it was time to go to the doctor.
"Why? What's wrong?" Harry asked immediately.
"Harry, it's nothing. I just feel a little woozy. It's ok," she replied, noting the worry on his face.
"People go to the doctor everyday, Sweetie. Calm down. Besides, I'm just going to see Madam Pomfrey," she said before pressing a sweet kiss to his lips.
"Ok, ok. When are you going?"
"Today at two. Would you like to come along?"
"Yeah. Good thing it's a Saturday. No classes to teach."
Until it was time to see Pomfrey, Harry watched Hermione with a close eye.
"Honestly, Harry. I may be sick, but I'm not going to break," she said as she caught him staring again.
"I'm just concerned about my beautiful wife. Is that so bad?"
"No, it's sweet … and a little annoying," she replied with a giggle. "Besides, we can probably go now. Are you ready?"
"Yes! Finally!" he said, practically shoving her out the door.
Of course, Hermione knew what the problem was. As cliché as it had become to say it, she wasn't the smartest witch at Hogwarts for nothing.
Madam Pomfrey was sure she knew what was affecting Hermione as well, but she ran her usual tests, just to be thorough.
"Well, Mrs. Potter. It's just as I thought," the nurse began.
"What? What is it? Will she be ok?" Harry berated.
"Still no different now that you've graduated, hmm Mr. Potter?" Pomfrey teased. "If you would let me finish-"
"No, Madam Pomfrey, let me tell him," Hermione interrupted. "Harry, what she's trying to say here is that we're going to have a baby."
"Yes, well that's no reason to - wait - a baby?"
"Yes, a baby," Hermione repeated.
"Well that's … that's … that's just wonderful!" Harry finally said.
"Hermione, perhaps you should take him back to your room," Madam Pomfrey laughed. "I think he's going to have to let all of this settle in."
"I think you're right, Poppy. Harry, come on. Let's go home and talk," Hermione said, reaching out her hand for his.
"Yes. Home. Right," Harry muttered as he followed.
It was after they returned home that I got the Floo call. At the urgency in Harry's voice, I hurried over.
"Sirius, you may want to sit down for this," he said.
I did sit, but I really didn't have to. I had seen Hermione make two trips to the bathroom when I was visiting last week. I recognized the symptoms from Lily's bout with "evening sickness" as she came to call it. Plus, Harry was handling this the exact same way as James did.
"Ok, what's so important, guys?" I asked, as nonchalantly as I could.
"Well, we've got great news!" Harry began. "We're pregnant!"
A look of shock overcame Hermione's face and I knew what was coming.
"Well, congratulations, Mr. Potter! Maybe you'll go into labor at the same time as I do! Will the babies be considered twins?" she asked, furious at his last comment.
"What?" he asked, oblivious to the problem.
"Harry, I doubt very highly that the both of you are pregnant," I said.
"Oh. Oh! Hermione, I am so sorry. I guess I'm just excited to have a family. I didn't mean any disrespect by it. Are you terribly angry?"
"No, I'm not. But, honestly! Can't you be a little more thoughtful about it?" she said, calming down.
"Of course. I'm very sorry, sweetheart."
He pulled her into a hug and I could see his eyes. A look of terror filled them.
"Sirius, please stay and have dinner with us," Hermione said, wiping the tears from her eyes and standing.
"Of course! How can I turn down my favorite witch's cooking?" I said.
Dinner went much more smoothly. Hermione didn't leave out one detail about their trip to the hospital wing.
"He was so worried!" she said.
"Well, of course I was! You were sick. What else would I be? You hid your sickness very, very well!"
"Yes, honey, of course," Hermione said, jokingly.
Harry blushed and passed the potatoes to me.
After dinner, Hermione excused herself to the bathroom, right on schedule.
"Sirius, was my mum like this?" Harry asked, fear in his voice.
"Harry, I won't lie to you. You've got a full nine months ahead of you. If Hermione is anything like Lily … well, hold on for the ride."
"I'm ready for anything. Hermione and I can make it through anything," he said, smiling as she made her way back from the bathroom. She smiled back weakly. His determination was strong, but he was going to need a lot more than just determination.
What I didn't tell Harry was that cravings are twice as bad for witches as for Muggles. I thought that would be too funny to watch develop. So, around Hermione's third month, those cravings hit and they hit hard.
Hermione was waking Harry up at 2 in the morning asking for such off the wall things as chocolate pudding and pretzels, pizza with kiwi and something called a Snickers bar. Good thing Harry was raised Muggle, I guess. I had never heard of a Snickers.
Later he told me that she threatened to hex him and take away all sex privileges if he didn't march straight down to the kitchens and get her a glass of pumpkin juice and a slice of roast beef.
Hermione always meant business, so Harry marched.
It was in Hermione's seventh month that we all went over to help them decorate the nursery. It obviously didn't take too long what with so many witches and wizards in one place. But it was nice to have everyone together. Hermione's parents came in, plus Molly and Arthur Weasley, Remus and myself. The walls were covered in clouds that moved as though a pleasant breeze was blowing through. The crib was against the far wall with a view of the Quidditch pitch. Not to mention the mobile was comprised of snitches and broomsticks. This baby was definitely Harry Potter's kid.
Afterwards, we all sat down to lunch.
Hermione's mother, Molly and Hermione all discussed pregnancy and delivery. (Molly and Victoria each gave Hermione a very different point of view). Meanwhile, Harry, Arthur, Remus and I discussed anything but pregnancy and delivery. Harry had made it clear that he wanted to get away from that for as long as he could.
Arthur did leave him with one piece of advice for this time of his life, however.
"Harry, the correct answer is whatever she wants. Take it from someone who has gone through this A LOT - six times! I know! If she says the earth is flat, well, then it bloody well is. If she says that you need to change your shirt, run to the closet! Do you understand me?"
"Unfortunately, I do, Arthur. I've gotten that impression lately. I love Hermione with everything in my heart, but WOW, can she be trying."
"Yes, but it's only two more months," Arthur offered. "So! The Chudley Cannons! What do we think their chances are this year?"
"Ron is most definitely your son, Arthur!" Harry laughed as we talked about Quidditch for another hour.
The last two months of Hermione's pregnancy went relatively smoothly. There were quite a few reporters from several different newspapers that desperately wanted to cover the birth of the baby.
Harry was appalled by all of this and told them that if they came anywhere near Hermione or the baby, he would make sure that they personally paid for it.
I knew for one that he could do it and in spades. I saw what he did to those death eaters in the Great Hall. We still don't speak about it, but I have wondered since that day just how much power Harry unlocked from within himself that day.
Finally, the big day arrived. And was it ever a big day!
Hermione woke Harry around 11 o'clock in the evening on October 30th.
"Harry, wake up! Harry!"
"Hmm? Hermione?" Harry mumbled.
"Harry! Please wake up! I think my water just broke."
"Well, we'll get you another."
"Harry!"
"Wait, water … broke?" he questioned.
"YES!"
"We have to get to the hospital!"
"YES!"
"We have to call Sirius!"
"Well, hospital first, please?" she asked.
"Fine. Yes. Hospital."
"Harry. Get dressed," Hermione said as she climbed out of bed and watched Harry heading for the door in his pajama pants.
"That would help, huh?"
"It would be nice."
Once they were both dressed, Harry sat to quickly write letters to the Grangers and I.
"Um, Harry?" Hermione asked quietly.
"Yes, love?"
"I don't think we're going to make it to St. Mungo's."
"Really?" He saw the look on her face and knew that there wasn't much time at all. "Oh dear. Ok, we're heading to the hospital wing."
Harry quickly wrote the letters to Hermione's parents and I. He sent Hedwig off with both of them with a Portkey for the Grangers to get to my place. I would then Floo them to Hogwarts.
After just an hour of waiting, Harry ran into our makeshift waiting room.
"It's a girl! We had a girl! She's amazing and tiny and wonderful!"
"Can we see her, Harry?" Mrs. Granger asked.
Harry's eyes lit up, as if it never occurred to him to show the baby off.
"Yes! Follow me! We have a baby!"
I shook my head. He was exactly like James.
*Quick Flashback*
"It's a boy!" James shouted as he ran into the waiting room.
"Wonderful! What's his name?" Remus asked.
"Harry. We named him after me, kinda. He's Harry James Potter. And he's so handsome and wonderful. He's so small!"
"Yes, Prongs. Smaller is better or even those silencing charms wouldn't have kept Lily's screams out," Sirius laughed.
"True. True. But still! We have a baby!" James said again.
"James, can we see him?" Remus asked.
"Yes! Of course! You can see the baby!" James exclaimed, running back to the delivery area.
Remus and Sirius shared a look and laughed. This was going to be interesting.
*End Flashback*
When we entered Hermione's room, she was holding her daughter close and smiling.
"Sweetheart, I found the family," Harry said, resuming his post by her side.
"Well, Lily, what do you think of your family?" Hermione asked the baby.
"You named her Lily?" I asked quietly.
"Yes. I'd like everyone to meet Lily Victoria Potter," Harry said.
Mrs. Granger sniffed. Victoria was her name.
"We named her for her grandmas," Hermione explained.
"I know your mum would be touched, Harry," I said.
"Can we hold her?" Victoria asked.
"Of course," Hermione said as she passed the baby to her mother.
"She's precious. She looks so much like both of you already," Hermione's father said.
"She's got Harry's eyes already. But she seems to have my hair coloring."
I looked over at my godson. He was just staring, seeming to try to take it all in. He would look at his wife, and then glance at his in-laws, finally his eyes settled on me. But I was holding his daughter at that time, so he could have been looking at either of us. I had never been more proud of him as I was at that moment. He was an excellent father. I could just tell. Even though he had scarcely been one for more than half an hour.
Little Lily grabbed my finger and smiled (well, I can pretend she did).
"I think someone likes her grandfather," Harry said.
"I think someone loves his granddaughter," I replied, so touched that I was considered her grandfather. I would do my best to live up to what James and Lily would have done for her.
I'm not sure how long I stood there smiling at her before I realized that Harry and Hermione would be wanting some alone time.
"Well, I should really be going. Remus will want to know about the baby. I'll tell Professor Dumbledore as well, though I'm sure he already knows," I said as I handed baby Lily back to her father.
"Ok, Sirius, thanks so much for coming," Harry told me.
"Harry, I wouldn't have missed this for the world. Victoria, Richard, it was great to see you again."
The Grangers each shook my hand and I turned to Hermione.
"Hermione, you are so lucky. You have a great husband and a beautiful baby girl. And I know I tell you this very often, but Harry's parents really would have loved you," I said as I kissed the top of her head. "Thank you for making him so happy."
"There's no need to thank me. He makes me more happy than I could ever imagine," she replied.
And it was true. I couldn't believe just how much it really was true. Love like theirs didn't come around too often.
A week later, the family was finally settled into their home.
It was very funny to see Harry learning all the intricacies of changing diapers and such. Even though Ron gave him countless lessons on his own daughter Melissa (who was 9 months older than Lily), Harry just couldn't seem to get it right. He didn't notice that I had arrived one day while he was trying to do it again.
"Harry, honestly. It's not that difficult and you're not going to break her," Hermione said as she pushed Harry out of the way and instantly put the diaper on the baby.
"Hermione, it's different for you. You've got these amazing maternal instincts. I've got crappy paternal ones," Harry told her.
"There's nothing different. It's all a matter of loving for our baby. You just worry too much. You've not had much experience with babies. And that's ok. But you're wonderful with Melissa, so what's got you so upset with Lily?"
"Old habits die hard, I guess. I've always been afraid of hurting those close to me," Harry said softly.
Hermione frowned. The Dursleys' abuse was rearing its ugly head again. She decided to play it off. "You won't hurt her as long as you're careful. Don't pick her up by her toes or her fingers and you'll be ok. Alright?"
Harry nodded his head and stared at Lily.
I cleared my throat.
"Sirius! I didn't know you were here!" he said.
"Just got here. Where's my gorgeous granddaughter?"
"She's right here!" Hermione announced. "Nice and freshened up as well!"
"Thank goodness for Mummies, huh, Lily?" I asked the baby.
"Hey! What makes you think I didn't do it?" Harry asked, indignantly.
"Because you are your father's son."
Harry stood speechless, not knowing whether to be offended or appreciative.
"It's a good thing most of the time, Harry. Just let it go at that," I said before beginning to play with the infant in my arms.
And so it went for a whole year. I was the most readily available babysitter around since I had no life.
When Lily's first birthday rolled around, the press was having a field day! Everyone wanted to do a story about the boy who lived's baby.
"Honestly! She's just another baby! Just because we're her parents, suddenly she's a media circus. And why the hell can't I grow up in these people's eyes? I'm 21 years old now! 'Boy' who lived indeed! I'm married with a child!" Harry yelled, slamming the paper onto the table.
"Harry, calm down. You're going to have to pull yourself together. We've still got to get ready for classes today," Hermione said, as she finished her hair.
"She's right. Just go teach your students and get ready for Lily's birthday party tomorrow. And forget it about the media letting go of anything. They still flinch when they see me and still like to mention that I spent time in Azkaban. Never mind the fact that I've been acquitted for five years!" I added.
"I know, I know. But I know what it is to be thrust into the spotlight when you really don't want it. I don't want her to suffer like I have," he lamented.
"Dada!" Lily cried happily from her high chair.
"Yes, princess?" he asked, his mood suddenly lighter.
Lily giggled as he tickled her lightly.
"Harry, you're going to be late if you don't get moving!" Hermione said, finishing her breakfast.
"Oh, it'll be fine. They can't start without me," he said as he kissed the top of Lily's head and slumped to the bedroom.
"He's been so moody lately with her birthday approaching," Hermione sighed. "We've been getting tons of owls coming in from the papers asking for comments or pictures. He's furious at all of them. We've cancelled all subscriptions except for the Prophet. That's only because they've been the best with all of this and we have to keep up on the news somehow."
"I know he's upset, but you might as well get used to it. I mean, she's Harry and Hermione Potter's daughter. The press will always want a story. Look at Rita Skeeter. For how long did she hound you guys?"
"Too long. It worries me, though. I don't want him going ballistic on someone. And I know he would if someone threatened her."
"Yeah, Harry's overprotective, but he's justified. He's seen pure evil - looked it right in the eye and fought it from infancy. He knows what's out there. Voldemort may be gone, but that doesn't mean that evil doesn't exist anymore. He wants to keep you both safe. I don't think he'd do anything too rash. Hopefully."
I was going to say more, but Harry finally came back and was ready to go.
"It's just the third year Gryffindors this morning. So, I won't be late coming back, Sirius," he said.
"No problem, Harry. I've got nothing on my schedule today."
"Ok. Bye, Lily! Daddy loves you so much!" he said, kissing his daughter and turning to his wife. "Bye Hermione! Harry loves you so much!"
"I love you too, but you're so strange. Go teach your little crime fighters," she said, kissing him goodbye.
"Bye, Sirius!" he called from the doorway.
"Well, I should get to grading my papers before it's time for the fifth year Hufflepuffs," Hermione said, standing and straightening her robes.
"Have fun," I said, sarcastically.
"Loads," she replied. "Bye, my sweet little girl. I love you!" she said, snuggling the baby and then handing her to me.
"Mumma!" Lily replied.
"Have a good day, Hermione," I said.
"You too, Sirius. See you at lunch," she replied before leaving.
"Well, Lily. Just you and me," I told my granddaughter. "What do you think? Do you want a story about Daddy playing Quidditch or of your Grandma Lily and Grandpa James?"
The baby giggled.
"Quidditch it is," I said as I carried her to the nursery.
Luckily, classes were cancelled for Halloween. Harry and Hermione were not in attendance for the great feast because they were entertaining a small number of people (but with all the Weasleys there, it wasn't quite a small number) for Lily's birthday party. They weren't about to make a big deal about it for anyone except those who were exceptionally close to the family.
It was a wonderful little party, and of course, Lily was just showered with presents. She was so adorable with cake all over her face. It was very bittersweet for me that night. I went home and talked about it to my friends.
"Lily, James, she's a beauty. Sparkling green eyes and the cutest curls you'd ever want to see. Harry and Hermione insist that it's going to be messy since it's in her genes, but I don't believe them. I wish you were here for this. I love that little girl like she really is my granddaughter, but she's not. She's yours. And I wish so much that you could be here to see her grow up.
"Harry's an amazing father, as I'm sure you've noticed. And Hermione is such a great mother. She's got these instincts that make my head spin when it comes to that baby. They're going to have their hands full. We all know what Harry was like at this age, what with the levitating toys and randomly disappearing and reappearing. But, I know they'll make it through. They always do.
"I hope I'm doing what you would be doing with her. I'm trying to be everything I can, but I just pray that it's enough. And that I'm doing you proud. Good night, Prongs, Lily."
And I went to bed, dreaming of my best friends, holding their granddaughter and smiling.
Soon, time flew by to Lily's second birthday.
The press was at it again, with several papers announcing Lily's birthday with huge articles. Harry was enraged, but Hermione kept him at bay.
Her birthday party was again a small event, though even larger than the year before, thanks again to the Weasleys.
Lily was such a bright little girl. She was definitely her mother's daughter. But even at age two, she seemed to like Quidditch. Her father gave her a stuffed snitch for her birthday and she constantly threw it in the air and caught it.
"Looks like we have another Seeker in the family," Harry said at her party, positively beaming with pride.
After the party was over and all the guests had left, Lily came to me and asked quietly, "Snuffa?"
I knew exactly what she meant and ducked behind the couch. I changed into my canine alter ego and sprung out. Lily squealed with delight and cried, "Snuffa here!"
She climbed onto my back and I walked us into the kitchen. I was getting a little too old for this, but I didn't care.
"Snuffles, honestly. You're going to spoil her," Harry said as we walked past him.
I'm not sure if he could translate my bark that meant, "I don't mind at all."
Just then, Hermione plucked her daughter from my back and said, "Well, it's time for some birthday girls to get a bath and go to bed anyway."
"Aww, Mumma! Snuffa here!" Lily protested.
"Yes, and Snuffles will come back later. For now though, tell Grandpa Sirius bye-bye."
I got the hint and changed back. "Ok, ok. Spoilsport."
"Yes I am. Say good night, Lily."
"Night-night, Gwanpa Siwius."
"Good night, my dear Lily."
"Bye, Sirius, thanks for coming," Hermione said before taking Lily off for her bath.
"Bye, Hermione!" I called. "Harry, you have the greatest family ever, do you know that?"
"As a matter of fact, I do," he replied as he quickly cleaned up the room. Harry glanced down the hallway towards the bathroom where a little girl giggled and splashed. He smiled at the sound.
"She's giving her a challenge tonight," he said.
"So it's sounds. Well, I'd best be off. Your kid can tire me out," I said, hugging Harry.
"I know the feeling. Thanks for coming, Sirius. Good night."
"Good night, Harry."
I began to let myself out, when I noticed him practically walking on air to get to the bathroom and his girls. I could only hope that the family would continue to grow.
And wouldn't you know it that my wish was granted? Nine months later, we were back in the hospital wing, waiting for Harry to give us the announcement.
"It's a boy!" he shouted as he burst through the door again.
"A boy? Wonderful!" I said, hugging him.
"Come and see him!" he cried, anxiously running back to Hermione's room.
He was a very handsome boy from the start. He had Hermione's eyes and that messy black Potter hair.
And how coincidental was it that he was born on Harry's birthday?
Hermione insisted on naming him after his father and Harry insisted that he didn't want another Harry running around. So, they compromised and named him Harry James Potter. But they actually called him James. It was confusing but it worked.
I sat in awe of the blossoming family as I took a chair in the corner. Lily asked to hold the baby. Hermione helped her, and she seemed like a wonderful big sister already.
Harry sat next to me and laughed.
"Can you believe it, Sirius? Eight years ago, I would have told you that this was all impossible. Now, here I am, watching my beautiful wife with my two beautiful children."
"It's wonderful, Harry. I couldn't be happier for you," I replied.
"Are you happy?" he asked.
"That's an odd question for you to ask the day your son is born."
"But I mean it. It's got to be weird for you. I mean, here we are, so happy. But Mum and Dad aren't here. It's bittersweet for me. I was just wondering about you."
"Should have been a Muggle psychologist, Harry. You really should have. I'm ok. I mean, yeah, it's tough to think that my best friends aren't here to see their grandkids. But I'm proud to take that role for them. It's strange, but good. You know?"
"Yeah, I guess I do." Harry turned back to watching his family. "I really do."
A few days later, the whole family moved into their (slightly modified) quarters in Hogwarts and that's where we pause in the story. Obviously, it's not the end; it's certainly a story that goes on forever. Harry and Hermione have way too many more adventures up their sleeves before this story has an end.
Yet, I get the feeling that with you two running around, there's never going to be an end to the story.
I stare at the two sleeping children next to me. Lily is curled up under my arm and James looks so peaceful tucked in my other arm.
I have no idea how I'm going to move now, and it doesn't matter.
I kiss each of them on their heads and whisper, "Good night, Lily. Good night, James."
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A/N: Ok, it was a weird little twist I thought of here at the end. What if the entire story was Sirius talking to his "grandchildren?" Him telling them the story of their parents. I thought I would try it. Some of the other ideas (like names and situations) were taken from my other stories. Well, what did you think?