Unofficial Portkey Archive

Author's note from Heaven: Hey everyone! Thank you SOOOOOOO much for the birthday wishes! It
really meant a lot to me! *tear* ;) And I appreciate that some of you
would have sent me Sean or Jude. Maybe for Christmas eh? hahaha

And remember what we said about Gordon- he's STILL gonna get worse!!!

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

Luna Lovegood and Michael Trent were treated much like celebrities the next day at work. The article had been an absolute smashing success and Mr. Lovegood was considering reprinting it, as the demand on the paper had been quite high.

Luna was hardly able to wipe the smile from her face all that day. Her co-workers kept congratulating her on a piece well written- which meant as much to her as the success of the article and Michael was also seen grinning from ear to ear as well.

Yet by far the best part of the day was when Ron stopped by her office at around half past four with two envelopes.

"How's my favourite smashing journalist today?" Ron asked cheekily.

"On Cloud Nine," Luna said happily. "You wouldn't believe the feedback we've received on this. I keep meaning to owl Harry and Hermione to see what they thought, but I haven't had a moment to myself all day."

"Well I just got back from seeing Harry and Hermione," Ron replied. He started to laugh. "Not only has the Daily Prophet retracted all their comments and photos, but Hermione scored perfectly on her exam. So let's just say I left them celebrating quite heavily..."

"They deserve it," Luna said with a grin. "I'm just happy that Michael and I could help."

"Well that's what brings me over here- aside from wanting to see you of course." Ron grinned. "Can you call him in here?"

Luna gave him a quizzical look. "Yeah, he should be in the darkroom." She opened up her office door and asked a co-worker if she could ask Michael to come to her office. "What's this all about Ron?" Luna asked, noticing that he was holding something behind his back. "Flowers again?"

"Nope," Ron replied.

"This isn't like that time you had that envelope of rattlesnake eggs, is it?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at him. "That nearly scared me to death."

"I swear it's not," Ron said as a knock sounded on the door. Michael peeked inside.

"I'm not interrupting anything am I?" he asked. "Maria told me you wanted me to come in here..."

"I honestly don't know," Luna said, ushering him inside. "Ron isn't being very forthcoming."

"As I was just telling Luna, job well done, Michael." Ron smiled at him. "I've just come from seeing Harry and Hermione and they've asked me to play delivery boy." He handed one envelope to Michael with a flourish and the other to his girlfriend.

Michael opened his and extracted a gold coloured piece of parchment with the official Gringotts seal on it. He stared at it for a moment, then looked up at Ron, then back at the parchment. "I... I can't take this..." he stammered. "A hun- hundred Galleons from Harry Potter's vault?"

"Harry and Hermione were very pleased with the photos," Ron said. "They wanted you to have this."

"But that's so much!" Michael replied.

"Trust me when I say Harry can afford it," Ron assured him. "He's really a generous bloke, but don't ever tell him I said that."

"Take it, Michael," Luna said encouragingly. "You deserve it. My article would have been nothing if it hadn't been for your photos."

Michael shook his head. "I'll have to go write him a thank you owl," he nodded at Ron and Luna. He walked out of the office, still mumbling.

"I think he's excited," Ron looked at his girlfriend. "Now you open up!"

"They didn't have to get me anything," Luna said, looking at the envelope. "If anything, I should be buying the two of them something. This is really going to help my career."

"Well I'm actually as curious as you are," Ron said. "They were all set to owl these to you and Michael when I stopped by so I offered to bring them over."

Luna sat on the edge of her desk as she examined the envelope. "Alright," she said as she opened it and saw there was a travel brochure inside. Inside was a certificate for an all-expense paid weekend at a bed & breakfast in Brighton. "This has both our names on it," she said, handing it over to Ron.

Ron's jaw fell much like Michael's had. "An all expense paid weekend?" he looked at her. "All expenses paid?"

"That's what it says," Luna said excitedly.

Ron laughed and grabbed her around the waist. "We're going to have a weekend away, all to ourselves, with NO INTERRUPTIONS!" he danced around the room happily.

Luna giggled. "It says here they have really great food. Are you sure you're feeling okay, but you didn't even seem to notice that part."

Ron laughed as he leaned in to kiss her. "Food is always good but I'm really just looking forward to being alone with you."

"Me too," Luna agreed. "It says here that we can go anytime we want."

"Let's plan it as soon as possible," Ron said excitedly.

"Well we can't go this weekend," Luna reminded him. "Cho could deliver at any moment and I don't want to miss that."

"So maybe next weekend? We'll have to find someone who's willing to take care of that disaster of a dog I gave you for Christmas..." Ron said.

"You're just jealous," Luna teased.

"Hey I have more self control than that mutt," Ron replied. "I don't pee in your bloody bed every night!"

"You have to be patient with him," Luna lectured. "He's not fully trained yet."

"It's going to take a miracle to get that dog trained," Ron said.

"I think this has more to do with the fact that he ate your sandwich the other night when you stepped out of the kitchen," she said.

"That too," Ron said. "That thing is an utter pig. I should have just bought you a pig instead. They don't jump!"

"Need I remind you that you were the one who gave him to me," Luna said. "And I recall how you sat on the sofa with him the other night watching the telly and you both looked absolutely adorable?"

Ron smiled. "All right... so he's not completely horrid," he shook his head. "There's something about the way he'll jump up on your chest and kiss you to death that's really very..."

"Adorable?" Luna interjected.

"Yeah," Ron replied. "I guess so..." he laughed as she leaned forward to kiss him again.

Unfortunately there was a knock on the door just then and Luna groaned. "What was it you were saying about no interruptions?"

"Why do we always have to go away for that?" Ron asked as she went to open the door.

Mr. Lovegood stood at the door. "Sweetheart, one of the American papers wants to run your story!" he said excitedly.

"Really?" Luna let out a loud squeal.

He scooped his daughter up in his arms and gave her a warm hug. "I told you this was just the beginning for you."

"That's fantastic," Ron was delighted for his girlfriend.

"Oh, hello Ronald," Mr. Lovegood said, letting go of his daughter and shaking Ron's hand. "This is great news, isn't it?"

"It's absolutely amazing," Ron said. "Not that it's happening to Luna, because I figured it would sooner or later, but so fast." He wrapped his arms around her.

"They're really happy with Michael's work, too," Mr. Lovegood said. "One of the editors is going to come over here via portkey and wanted to speak to the two of you in person. They should be here in about 10 minutes."

"All right," Luna replied. She looked at Ron who seemed to get the message as Mr. Lovegood left the office.

"We can celebrate... again... later tonight." He grinned. "I really am proud of you."

"Thanks," Luna said, picking up her notepad. "I can't believe this is happening. An American paper, Ron!"

"Kiss for even better luck?" Ron said, grabbing the B&B envelope for safekeeping.

"Of course," she said, coming back around her desk. She put a hand to Ron's nape and pulled him to her capturing his lips in a lingering kiss. "I better go," she said a few moments later. "Will you tell Harry and Hermione thank you for me?"

"Soon as I work up the courage to go back there," Ron replied. "They started their 'celebration' before I even left the room."

"Well, remember to knock first and you should be okay," she said, smoothing down her skirt. "I'll see you tonight, okay?"

"I'll go to your place and let Paddington out for a bit," Ron said.

"Thanks," she said gratefully and with one last smile at her boyfriend walked out of her office.

*** *** ***

Hermione lay in bed later that evening feeling too happy to sleep. She and Harry had their own private celebration and despite her promise not to skive off anymore classes, she'd made another exception today. After going in to see her transfigurations professor about her exam she figured that it would be okay to skip the rest of her classes and she'd just borrow the notes from Gordon on Monday.

She heard Harry begin to stir beside her and she turned to face him. "I thought you were asleep," she said softly.

"I'm in too bloody good a mood," Harry said.

"Me too," she said grinning goofily at him.

Harry pulled her over so she was straddling him, her satin covered upper body leaning over his chest. "Can you believe how good this turned out?" he asked, stroking her hair.

"Much better than I ever imagined," she said, leaning down and kissing him.

Harry ran his hand around her neck while his other hand went up into her top. "You up for it?" he asked huskily.

"Up for what?" she teased, kissing him again.

Harry bucked up against her body. "You know exactly what I'm referring to, Ms. Granger." He lifted up on her negligee. "You didn't think you'd be wearing this all night did you?"

"No," she whispered, as she sat up and lifted the silky negligee up over her head and tossed it carelessly to the floor. "Better?"

Harry pulled her down so her breasts were pressed against him. "That's better," he ran his hands over her back through her hair.

She quivered at his touch and felt the overwhelming, familiar need to be joined with him. Crashing her lips to his, he rolled them over so he was on top of her.

"Hermione..." he muttered as she rubbed her body over his boxers.

"Yes?" she asked softly.

"Hurry... up..." he said through clenched teeth.

She grinned as she pulled at his boxers and just to torture him a bit, she took her time.

"Damn it!" Harry groaned as she eased his boxers off. He yanked her back up and he was already past the foreplay stage as Hermione pushed her body so that he was inside her immediately.

Hermione sank her nails into his back and pulled him harder against her.

It didn't seem to matter that they had already made love several times that evening in various places around their house; their passion was at what seemed to be an all time high. Harry groaned as she took control, pushing herself up and down on him.

Harry's grunting carried over Hermione's soulful moans. Letting out a final, ragged cry Hermione collapsed on top of Harry. Several moments passed before they were both breathing normally and Hermione rolled off of him.

They didn't speak as Harry pulled her over so they were lying close, and both were finally drifting off to sleep when a frantic tapping sounded at their bedroom window. "What the fuck is that?" Harry muttered.

Hermione looked up sleepily. "Owl?" she asked, her voice scratchy.

Harry groaned. "Haven't we seen enough of those lately?" he whined.

Hermione nodded and slowly pulled the covers back and slipped her top back on as she walked over to the window to see a brown owl at the window carrying an envelope. Opening the window, she was hit by a blast of cold air and she shivered as she took the letter from the owl. Closing the window again, she rubbed her arms as she handed the letter to Harry.

He put his glasses back on as he ripped the envelope open. Hermione noticed his change in expression but before she could ask what was wrong Harry was yanking his clothes on. "Cho's gone into labour." He said.

"Is she at St. Mungo's?" Hermione asked, as she walked over to the closet.

"Yeah, in a private ward," Harry replied, pulling some jeans on and blindly grabbing a jumper from the closet.

They both finished dressing and Hermione sat on the unmade bed, putting on her shoes. "Are we going by floo?" she asked Harry.

"Yeah, since we can't apparate," Harry replied. "Shit, I can't believe she's gone into labour!"

"She's going to be okay, Harry," Hermione said softly.

Harry blew his breath out. "Let's just get going..." he flew down the stairs.

"Right," she said, hurrying behind him.

They arrived at the hospital- private wards had the opportunity of patient's friends and relatives Flooing in- and Harry immediately asked where Cho Longbottom's room was.

The nurse on duty studied her charts. "Mrs. Longbottom is down the hall, third room on the left. Two visitors at a time, though. Her husband is already with her."

"Does she have a waiting room?" Harry asked. "There will be others showing up."

The nurse nodded. "Just outside her delivery room."

"Thank you," Harry grabbed Hermione's hand and practically flew down the corridor.

"You go on ahead," she told him as they reached the room. "I'll wait out here. Tell her I'm thinking about her, okay?"

"Okay," Harry gave her a quick kiss and knocked softly on the door.

"Come in," came Neville's voice. When Harry walked in a few seconds later, he smiled warmly at his friend. "About time you got here," Neville teased. "Cho wanted to go ahead and have the baby, but I told her to wait until you got here."

"Funny Neville," Cho retorted. "I don't see you on the bed here waiting to squeeze something the size of a watermelon out of an opening the size of a lemon."

Neville winced. "When you put it that way..."

"Yeah," Cho shook her head. "By the way Harry, congratulations. You got the media off your back," she forced a smile onto her face as her contractions started again.

"None of that matters now," he said, going to the other side of her bed and taking her hand. "I was going to ask how you were feeling, but I guess that's a stupid question."

"Yeah, once these start..." Cho groaned. "I'm still waiting for the mediwizard to come with a nice charm to take the pain away."

"I can go check on that," Neville said. "He bloody left the room thirty minutes ago and said he'd be right back."

Neville looked at Harry. "Do you mind staying with her until I get back?"

"Of course not. Send Hermione in so she can see Cho," Harry said.

"Sure," Neville said, walking out of the room. Hermione walked in a few seconds later.

"Hey," she said softly.

Cho sank back against the pillows in relief as Harry painfully shook his hand out. "Hi," the black haired woman said.

"Merlin, Cho!" Harry said. "That's one powerful death grip you have there."

"You're such a baby," Cho replied.

Hermione giggled. "Neville was beaming from ear to ear when he walked out. He wanted to send Seamus an owl and ask him to film the birth."

Cho gasped. "You tell him to take that back! There's no bloody way I'm allowing that to happen!"

"Don't worry," Hermione said. "You didn't see Seamus' face when Neville suggested it last week. He turned green. I think you're out of the woods on that one."

"He'd better not do that," Cho replied. "I hope this doesn't last all night..."

"Do you know I read somewhere that labour can last anywhere from 2 to 12 hours," Hermione said sagely. "Usually, first-time mums go about 12 hours, though."

When she saw Cho's horrified expression, she quickly covered. "I mean, that's just what I read...I probably got it wrong."

"I heard it can last for days," Harry hadn't been looking at either woman.

"Ask yourself if you're helping?" Cho asked, narrowing her eyes at her friend.

"Sorry," Harry said sheepishly.

Neville came back into the room followed by a short, stout man who was obviously the mediwizard.

"I guess I'd better go back outside," Hermione said, squeezing Cho's hand again.

"You call if you need anything," Harry kissed her forehead. "I'm sure everyone else will be here soon."

Neville watched his two friends leave the room and he smiled reassuringly at his wife. "Before you ask, I thought better of getting Seamus to film the birth."

Cho glared at him. "He steps one foot in this room with a camera and you're going to be eating out of a dog dish for a week."

"Point taken," Neville said, gulping.

Back in the waiting room, Harry and Hermione sat down on one of the sofas. "You know," Hermione mused while looking around. "How is it that Cho and Neville are able to afford a private room here? I should think with their apartment and all the baby necessities they've been buying lately that they wouldn't be able to splurge on something like this."

"They can't afford it," Harry answered. "But I can…"

Hermione stared at him in surprise. "You bought Cho a private room?"

Harry shrugged. "With all the recent media attention, I told her last week that I wanted to do this. She didn't put up much of a fight about it so-" he was cut off as Hermione leaned forward and kissed him gently. "What was that for?"

"Just for being so sweet," Hermione let her thumb brush over his cheek. Harry smiled at her and leaned in again, kissing her warmly until Lavender's voice made them pull apart.

"Don't you two ever give it a rest?" Lavender asked, rolling her eyes.

"No," Harry replied.

"Didn't think so," Lavender said, sitting down on the other sofa directly opposite her cousin and Harry. "Seamus should be here soon. He was on set--filming."

"Can you believe Cho's finally in labour?" Hermione asked excitedly. "You can go in and see her if you want to. They allow two visitors at a time, but Neville's in there."

Lavender's smile faded. She was notoriously squeamish. "I'll just sit out here for now," she said with a weak smile.

"She's not bleeding yet or anything," Harry teased.

"If it's all the same to you, I'll just wait out here for now, okay?" she said, picking up a magazine and beginning to thumb through it. "These cloaks are so last season." She flipped over the magazine to look at the cover. Okay...this is from 1990. How often do they update these things?"

Hermione laughed as she curled up next to Harry. "I don't know... maybe you should replenish them," she said to her cousin as Harry slid his arm around her. "It's chilly in here."

"Oh Hermione," Lavender said, looking up from her magazine. "Uncle Robert and Aunt Elinore wanted me to tell you they liked the article, but they wished you wouldn't have worn such a revealing dress. They would have told you so themselves, but some people left their phone off the hook..."

Harry snorted. "We didn't leave it off the hook. It must have fallen off when we…OW!" he glared at blonde. "Why'd you throw that at me Lavender?"

"Because I didn't want to hear the details of your very active sex life," Lavender said. "It's a little too much information for me to process. Can I have my magazine back please?" she asked sweetly.

"I thought it was out of date," Harry teased her.

"Well, it is, but I haven't read this particular issue before and it's between that and a Witch Weekly from 1985," Lavender said. "Hermione...can you make him behave, please?"

Hermione laughed as Harry tossed the magazine back to her cousin. "You should know by now Harry Potter doesn't do anything he doesn't want to do," she joked.

Lavender was about to reply when she saw Ron and Luna coming down the corridor, their arms laden with baskets. "What is all that?" Lavender asked.

"My mum wouldn't let me leave the house without bringing food for everyone," Ron said, setting one of the baskets down on the table.

"You mean that you wouldn't leave the house without enough provisions to last you through the night, right Ron?" Harry asked, cheekily.

"Hey I brought something for everyone," Ron said defensively.

"That he did," Luna set her basket down. "Harry, Hermione... thank you both so much for the weekend in Brighton! That was very generous of you," she hugged Hermione, who had gotten up when they arrived in the room.

"You deserve that and more," Hermione said. "It's the least Harry and I could do for you after that article...you are such a great writer!"

Luna blushed. "Did Ron tell you that an American paper picked it up as well?"

"Luna!" Hermione squealed. "That's fantastic!"

"Don't forget us little people when you make it big, Miss Lovegood," Harry teased, standing up and pecking her on the cheek.

"How could anyone forget you Harry," she teased. "After all you're pretty famous yourself."

"Don't get him started," Ron said. "His ego hardly needs any stroking."

"Ha, ha." Harry shook his head at Ron. "By the way, if you want to go in and see Cho go ahead, but since Neville's in there we can only go in one at a time."

Luna looked at her boyfriend. "Would you mind if I went in first?"

"Go ahead," Ron replied.

After Luna had disappeared inside the room, everyone sat back down. "That's really great about Luna, Ron. You must be very proud of her!" Hermione said conversationally to him.

"I am," Ron replied. "She was so excited about this break- and when she got the news about the American paper I thought she was going to float out of the room." He laughed.

"So are you two looking forward to some privacy?" Lavender asked, helping herself to one of the muffins from the basket. "If you need someone to watch Paddington, I'd love to do it. He's adorable!"

Ron grunted. "He's adorable all right. He's adorable all the way outside where we're trying to train him to pee instead of my jumpers!"

Harry, Hermione and Lavender tried not to laugh, but failed miserably.

"At least you haven't stepped in dog poo," Lavender pointed out, but when Ron glared at her, she knew he obviously had that pleasure already. "Ewww," was all she could say.

"Yeah, ewww..." Ron muttered. "The little bugger is cute though. When he does something bad he lays his ears back and looks at us with those big eyes of his..." he shook his head as everyone laughed again.

"So you've basically got a love-hate relationship with your girlfriend's dog?" Harry asked his friend.

"Pretty much," Ron replied. "Soon as he's trained up he'll be fine."

"You know I've always wanted a dog," Hermione said wistfully. "But with our schedules I don't know how we'd be able to take care of it."

Harry looked at her. "I didn't know you wanted a dog. I'd have gotten you one if I had."

"I know," Hermione said, resting her head on his shoulder. "But we wouldn't be able to give it the time and attention it'd need right now."

"Don't even get her started on that cat she used to have," Lavender said, shaking her head. "I think that cat was possessed."

Harry and Ron laughed. "Why? What was wrong with it?" Ron asked.

"It was just...evil," Lavender recalled. "I remember one night being quietly asleep, lying on my back when that evil cat jumped on my chest. I think they heard me screaming in Russia."

"Crookshanks was NOT evil," Hermione replied. "He was a bit eccentric but I loved him."

As Hermione's head was still resting on Harry's shoulder and she had closed her eyes for a moment, she couldn't see Lavender mouth the word "evil" to Harry and Ron.

Harry squeezed her hand. "Well maybe once we both finish school we could get another dog or cat."

"I'd love that," Hermione said happily, closing her eyes. She was more knackered than she thought.

"You going to sleep sweetheart?" Harry asked. He looked wickedly at Ron and Lavender. "We did have quite a busy night."

Ron and Lavender exchanged disgusted looks. Hermione cuddled closer to Harry. "I'm just going to rest my eyes," she said just before yawning.

"Are there any blankets in here?" Harry asked Ron.

"I'll go check at the front desk," Ron said, quickly getting to his feet and heading down the corridor.

"Thanks," Harry replied. He looked over at Lavender. "How late was Seamus filming? It's already half past one."

"He had some complications with a couple of his actors," Lavender said quietly, trying not to disturb her already fast asleep cousin. "He promised to be here as soon as he could."

Harry shook his head. "Poor bloke can't catch a break can he?"

"He's too much of a perfectionist," Lavender said, stretching out on the sofa. "He wants everything to be just right and it doesn't always go that way."

"Isn't that the truth," Harry said as Ron came back in the room holding a few thick fleecy blankets. "Thanks," he took one and spread it over Hermione, who had shifted down so her head was in Harry's lap. "She was up early this morning to study for her exam... "

"I can't believe she still took it after the night the two of you had," Lavender said. "Luna said you didn't finish up until nearly three in the morning."

"And she got up at six," Harry shook his head.

"No wonder she's asleep," Ron commented.

Harry smiled down at the beauty lying in his lap. "She also got a perfect score," he said softly yet proudly.

Lavender looked up from her magazine and watched Harry softly running his fingers through Hermione's hair. If she'd had any doubts about his intentions toward Hermione, they were all swept away watching him tonight with her. He looked up and caught Lavender's eye and a sort of unspoken understanding passed between them.

Luna finally came out of the room. "Poor Cho," she said. "They cast a charm on her to keep out the pain but her body is really starting to prepare itself for the birth. She and Neville are both on pins and needles waiting for it to actually happen."

Ron stood up. "I guess its time for the comic relief then....unless someone else wanted to go in?"

"No, I'll wait for Seamus," Lavender replied. "Go on ahead."

"Yeah, Hermione and I already went in, and it's not like I can move right now anyway," Harry replied.

Ron kissed Luna on the cheek before walking into Cho's room. Neville was sitting beside the bed and smiled warmly at Ron.

"Merlin's beard, Cho!" Ron said with mock disbelief. "I thought you would have already popped the little rug rat out by now!"

"So funny Ronald," Cho replied sarcastically but she smiled as Ron gave her a big grin.

"Everyone's outside waiting," Ron said, taking the empty seat on the other side of her bed. "Well, except for Seamus..."

"He's still filming?" Neville asked.

"Yeah, Lav said he'd be here when he could," Ron said. "Hey, maybe he could bring his camera? Dad says Muggles love filming childbirth...okay, why are you looking at me like that?"

"I am NOT a Muggle and I would NOT enjoy having a bloody camera shoved at me while pushing a child out of my-" Cho stopped her rant. "NO!"

Neville stood up. "What? Sweetheart? What is it?"

"Why does everyone keep bringing up this filming nonsense?!" Cho snapped.

Neville sat back down on his chair, relieved. He'd thought something was really wrong.

"I didn't know it was such an issue," Ron said apologetically. "I'm sorry, Cho."

"It's okay," Cho relaxed. "It's just that every single person has brought it up now, except for Luna."

"Now that I think about it, you probably wouldn't want to have that filmed, Neville," Ron said. "Bill said when his wife was in labour, she called him every name in the book and threatened to hex him into the next century if he even thought about coming near her again."

Cho looked at Ron for a moment before bursting into laughter. "But... Neville and I haven't even..." she began to giggle even harder.

Neville grinned at Ron. Things had been getting quite intense between he and Cho earlier and they'd needed a light-hearted moment, which Ron had provided in spades.

"You never know, it may turn you off from ever wanting to again," Ron pointed out.

"Don't say that!" Neville said.

This time it was Ron who chortled right alongside Cho.

Cho shook her head. "Don't worry Neville..."

"Can the two of you plan your sexual escapades when I'm not in the room, please?" Ron asked. "It's bad enough with the rabbits..."

"What? Are they going at it out there?" Cho asked, rolling her eyes. "They have a thing about christening rooms..."

"No," Ron said shuddering at the thought. "They're actually on their best behaviour. When I came in here, Hermione had just fallen asleep."

Cho and Neville both laughed. "Poor Hermione, she's had quite the long day hasn't she?" she reached for her husband's hand as she felt the familiar tightening in her stomach.

"Contractions aren't coming very far apart," Neville said as Cho exhaled.

"Is that a good thing?" Ron asked.

"It means she's getting close to delivery," Neville explained.

Ron's eyes widened. "That is good news," he smiled. "I'll leave you guys to it... we're all right outside if you need anything."

"Wait..." Cho breathed out heavily.

"What?" he asked, turning around.

"We've already talked to Harry about this..." Cho patted the spot on the bed next to her. "But we've got something important we want to ask you."

"Okay," Ron said slowly, gingerly sitting down on the bed.

"Well..." Cho looked at Neville, who moved to sit on her other side. "We were hoping you would agree to be the baby's godfather. You and Harry would both be godfathers instead of the baby having a godmother..."

"Two godfathers?" Ron asked quizzically. "Can you do that?"

"Why not?" Neville chimed in.

"Are you sure?" Ron asked in disbelief. "Me? Someone's godfather?"

"You've been one of our best friends for years," Cho pointed out.

"I, um...wow...." Ron said nearly speechless. "That's....wow...godfather...me..."

Cho began to laugh again. "Is that a yes?"

Ron nodded. "That's a yes. I'm really honoured that you'd want me to do this." He regained his composure. "And I promise not to corrupt the kid...too much."

"You forget---Harry's the other godfather," Cho said dryly. "I'm sure all the spoiling will start with him."

"True," Ron said with a laugh. "Well, I better get going." He kissed Cho on the cheek and gave Neville a hug before quietly walking out of the room.

Seamus had arrived during the time he was in the delivery room. "They've asked me to be godfather," Ron announced, unable to keep the smile off his face.

"Congratulations," Seamus said, his voice barely above a whisper. He and Harry were near mirror images of each other as both men had their girlfriends fast asleep on their laps. Luna was resting in a chair.

"Jeez, I'm gone for fifteen minutes and all the girls are asleep." Ron replied.

"Doesn't really say much for us being stimulating company, does it?" Harry said, shifting as best he could on the sofa as not to wake Hermione.

Ron snickered as he sat in the chair. "They couldn't make three sofas could they?"

"If I'd remembered to bring my wand, I'd transfigure the chair into a sofa," Seamus said apologetically.

Harry continued to stroke Hermione's hair, the strands sliding through his fingers like silk. Part of him wished it was he and Hermione there in the delivery room waiting for the birth of their child, even though he knew they were nowhere near that step in their relationship.

"This is really something, isn't it?" Ron asked his two friends. "Cho's going to be a mum and Neville Longbottom is going to be a dad. Who would have ever predicted this?'

"Not me," Harry smiled. "It's just really amazing the changes that have happened since holiday was over."

"Too right," Seamus said, motioning toward Hermione. "I never would have figured you'd be settled down either, at least not this soon."

Harry chuckled. "I didn't count on meeting her."

"I certainly didn't count on falling in love with Loony here," Ron whispered.

"And I've got my girl as well," Seamus let his arm drape over Lavender's still form.

Ron grinned. "Life doesn't always go as we planned it, I guess."

******

*****

It was nearly six o'clock in the morning when Neville burst out of his wife's room and saw that every single one of friends was fast asleep. He was exhausted as well, but so unbelievably happy and relieved that he didn't think he'd be sleeping for quite some time.

He walked over to the sofa and shook Harry awake. "Harry..." Neville said quietly, nudging him.

"I swear professor… it was Ron, not me!" Harry said, then shook his head and rubbed at his eyes. "Neville?"

"Sorry to wake you," he said, handing Harry his glasses, which were on the armrest of the sofa. "But I thought you might want to meet my little girl."