Harry Potter and the Alucinor Dicio

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter 26- A New Life

The next few weeks passed in a haze for Harry. He was training, doing schoolwork, and trying to spend as much time as possible with Ron and Hermione. His training sessions with Lupin were getting a bit redundant, as Harry had an excellent grasp on what he was being taught. He and Lupin mostly spent their time now discussing the upcoming war, and studying strategy. Harry often discussed this in the evenings with Ron, as Ron had a better understanding of the subject than him.

In between all of his other projects, Harry still managed to find time for Hermione. As the days speed past Harry could almost feel an oppressive force closing in around him. Harry knew despite what everyone else thought , that Voldemort would attack soon. Harry had asked Dumbledore to allow him to use his silent projection, but Dumbledore refused as Voldemort had detected him last time. Harry was beginning to feel frustration at the lack of activity. He detested just sitting and waiting for the inevitable.

Harry soon had his wishes answered, if not exactly in the way he had hoped. He and Lupin were going over the Effective Force Attack strategy used in the goblin wars when Hermione burst into the room of requirement.

“Harry, come on! We have to go! “ she said out of breath. Harry looked at her with confusion.

“Go where Mione?” he asked, bewildered. Hermione had grabbed him and hauled him to his feet before the words left his mouth.

“ Rowen! The hospital wing! Baby!” she shouted at him when he resisted her tugging.

“ What?!” Harry yelped. “ But she's not due for two more weeks. Beginning of June, not mid May!” Harry protested. Hermione just rolled her eyes as she dragged him along. Harry waved a goodbye to Lupin who watched him being dragged away with great amusement.

“ Honestly Harry! You sound just like Professor Snape! Babies come when they feel like it, and Rowen's due date was an estimation at best, as this is a hybrid pregnancy.” Hermione scolded as she propelled Harry through the Hospital wing doors. Harry saw Madame Pomfrey bustling around as usual, and he could hear Rowen snapping at Snape from the hall.

“ Really Severus! Exactly what in the bloody hell do you think ice chips are going to do for me? Do they have large doses of painkiller mixed in them?! I don't think so!” Rowen's voice could be heard snapping. Harry halted when he realized that Hermione was going to actually go in the room. He dragged her back.

“ Are you mad?!! I'm not going in there! Listen to her!” Harry whispered violently. “ Not to mention, that we'll- she'll be- she's having a baby Mione!”

“ Yes and she wanted us there since we are the godparents, Harry!” she rolled her eyes at Harry's terrified expression, “ You'd swear you were the one having the baby! They'll have concealment charms up, Harry so it's not like you'll see anything.” Harry visibly relaxed at this information, and Hermione took this opportunity to push him through the door to Rowen's room.

Harry had never seen Snape look so happy to see him as he was at that moment. “ Harry! Hermione! You're here. Thank the Gods.” the last bit was muttered but Rowen overheard him.

“ You know, Sev, for a smart man, you can act singularly stupid sometimes-” her face contorted in pain, interrupting her as she spoke. Snape began to rub her back as she rode out the contraction. When Rowen relaxed, she continued as if never interrupted. “ I mean, I have enhanced senses, so you could think that in your head and I'd hear you!”

Snape shot an apologetic glance at Rowen, as he sat by her bedside. Rowen then turned as if finally noticing Harry and Hermione. “ Oh hi guys! I'm so glad you could make it.” she smiled brightly at them. Harry just stared at her, dumbstruck by her change in mood. Hermione just laughed under her breath at Harry's expression.

They had been there for an hour or so when Madame Pomfrey came in the room to check on Rowen's progress. Her contractions were one on top of the other now, and her attitude towards Snape hadn't improved any. Harry watched Snape with a great deal of pity, as he wasn't really doing anything to deserve it.

“ Well,” Madame Pomfrey stated, straightening up after checking Rowen, “ I believe you are ready to push Mrs. Snape.” Rowen let out a shout of triumph at this pronouncement, as Snape's face became slightly gray. Harry just remained glued to his seat, not wanting to really see anything but not wanting to leave his goddaughter's birth.

Harry watched, fascinated as Madame Pomfrey began to urge Rowen to push. Rowen's face screwed up in exertion, while she ranted and cursed anyone around her in between pushes. Harry felt he had been rather ignorant of the birth process, he had never thought it would take so long for one thing. Rowen seemed to have an inhuman source of energy, she would push when she barely had enough energy to lift her head. Harry could practically feel the magic in the air, as he watched this small miracle unfold.

Finally he held his breath , along with everyone else, as Madame Pomfrey held up a tiny baby. The breath was released when the baby started to cry. The look on Rowen's face as she held her baby girl, was of such powerful love and awe.

“ Oh my... Severus, look at her.” Rowen whispered softly as she held the baby close. Harry and Hermione held back a moment trying to give them some privacy. Snape leaned over, the look of immense pride that covered his face was unmistakable. Rowen looked up at him, and he softly placed a kiss on her forehead, and then repeated the action on the baby's.

“ Harry, Hermione, come and meet her.” Rowen smiled over at them tiredly. Harry and Hermione crept over, looking down at the little baby. She was a pale baby, not much color yet, she had a dusting of red hair on her head, and when she blinked her eyes sleepily, Harry could see that they were the same glittering black as her father's. Harry stared down at her, awed by the mere fact that life had been created in this room. This was what a family should be... this was what love should look like. This was what Harry longed for.

Three days later, Harry , Hermione, Ron and Luna were headed down to Rowen's room,s for the naming ceremony. Ron was still having trouble with the whole idea of Snape as a father, but the glares Hermione was shooting in his direction were keeping him quiet. As they entered the room, they saw that Dumbledore was there, and McGonagall was settled on a sofa that Harry was sure the headmaster had conjured up for her.

In the center of the living area was a small bassinet that Snape was hovering over almost compulsively. Harry spotted Rowen in an armchair chatting with Lupin and Madame Pomfrey. Harry walked over to her, giving her a brief hug and deposited their gift in her lap.

“ Ah Harry you didn't have to do that, gifts aren't customary..” Rowen smiled as she spoke to him.

“ Hey it's my goddaughter! Of course I bring the presents! It's from Hermione and I both though.” Harry grinned down at her. “ D'you think Snape'll let me anywhere near her?” he teased. Harry heard a chuckle from Lupin.

“ You know Harry, Sirius did the same thing at your name giving. Said it was his duty to spoil you rotten since James was so stingy. James nearly hit him before catching on to the joke!” Lupin's face softened as he spoke.

Rowen laughed, listening while opening the gift. She lifted out a baby album, with a photo of Rowen, Snape and the baby on the cover. Hermione had taken it yesterday, borrowing Justin's camera to do so. Rowen's eyes teared up as Hermione explained that at the moment of naming the baby's name and statistics would be inscribed on the front cover. At that moment Snape walked over , holding the baby.

“ It's time to start,” he said softly. Rowen got up and went to stand with them in the center of the room.

“ Well, I'd like to thank you all for being here to celebrate the birth of our daughter.” Snape started speaking in a silky tone.

“ We argued, a lot, over a name.” Rowen laughed. “ Lamia are traditionally named after trees , but we wanted something that was uniquely her. So we present to you Ria Edana Snape!” Rowen spoke joyfully, everyone applauded, smiling.

Everyone gathered around Rowen, who was holding the baby. Even Ron sauntered over, before coming back and stating that she was 'kinda cute for Snape's kid. Thank Merlin she has her mother's hair'. Harry snorted into his juice when Ron said the last part. Hermione hardly left Rowen's side, she was so enraptured with the baby. Harry watched her hold little Ria, and a warm feeling uncurled in his chest. It felt like when he woke up to find Crookshanks laying on him purring, just warm and content. Rowen came over to him while Hermione held the baby.

“ You'll have it someday Harry.” she whispered softly. “ You will defeat him, Harry, I'm sure of it. You are surrounded by people who love you right now, Harry. Family isn't blood, it's what you make of it. I couldn't love you more if you were my son.” Rowen spoke quietly but with conviction. Harry's eyes filled as he hugged her.

“ I feel the same Rowen. I absolutely consider you family... Thank you.” he whispered in her ear. He pulled back to see Hermione come over, rocking the baby. She handed her over to Rowen, who took her to the other room to feed her. Harry wrapped his arms around Hermione, burying his face in her hair. After a short while Rowen came out, placing Ria in her cot and tucking her in.

Harry looked around at the close circle of friends, smiling and cooing over Ria. He knew that little Ria would never lack for family in her life, even though hardly anyone here was blood related. Love makes a family, not blood, it just took Harry a while to realize it.

A/N: There as promised two updates, one shiny day! Grumbles – better get some good reviews for this! Lol Enjoy!