Aftermaths, Part 150

by Geri ([email protected])

Rating: Mostly PG-13, but NC-17 for overall story

Pairing: Snape/Lupin, Theodore/Blaise

Warning: AU; events that occurred at the end of Order of the Phoenix were significantly altered from the book.

Sequel to: Always, Summer Vacation, For Old Time's Sake, Three's a Crowd, Return of the Raven, Phoenix Reborn, and Phoenix Rising.

Summary: The various characters deal with the aftermath of the war, and Snape and Lupin try to build a family together with Theodore and Dylan. However, some people are unable to let go of the past...

Author's note: {} Indicates character's unspoken thoughts.

Disclaimer: Characters belong to J.K. Rowling, except Hob, who belongs to William Mayne; no money is being made off this story; consider it a little wish fulfillment on my part.
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Everyone returned to the castle for lunch--the Great Hall was bedecked with flowers, and extra tables had been added to accommodate the wedding guests. Narcissa and Lukas, along with their attendants and Robert Ames, Sirius, Arthur, and Molly, were seated at the head table along with the faculty. Strangely, the table didn't seem crowded, as if it had magically expanded in order to accommodate the extra people--or perhaps not so strangely; this was a school of magic, after all. A magnificent feast was laid out, courtesy of the Hogwarts house-elves, including a huge, five-tiered wedding cake that required a separate table of its own and looked big enough to feed everyone in the Great Hall and still have a few pieces leftover.

The Headmaster ordered everyone's glasses to be filled--with champagne for the adults and pumpkin juice for the students--then raised his own glass and said a toast to Lukas and Narcissa. "I never imagined when I brought Lukas here as a teacher, that I was also bringing a husband for one of my former students," Dumbledore said.

"You did seat them together at the Yule Ball," Lupin said thoughtfully. "And urge them to dance with each other."

"Mere coincidence," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "However, I am glad if I was able to help facilitate their romance in some small way."

Snape rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath, "Meddling old man."

"So let us all raise our glasses," Dumbledore continued, "and wish Lukas and Narcissa a long and joyous life together!"

A deafening cheer arose in the Great Hall (although the werewolves were a little louder than everyone else). Lukas grinned at his bride, who blushed prettily, and he kissed her, which caused the crowd to cheer again.

"And now, not to take anything away from the happy couple, but I do have a school-related announcement to make," Dumbledore said, when the cheering died down. "Specifically, regarding the House Cup. The total points for each House are as follows: Hufflepuff, three-hundred and fifteen; Ravenclaw, three-hundred and twenty-two; Gryffindor, three-hundred and eighty; and Slytherin, five-hundred and seventy-seven. Which means that Slytherin wins the House Cup this year--thanks in part to the hundred points that Mr. Dietrich earned coming to Master Diggory's aid at the risk of his own life, a truly brave and selfless act. Congratulations, Slytherin!"

The Slytherins cheered loudly as the green-and-silver Slytherin banners dropped down from the ceiling, and the teachers and most of the students of the other Houses applauded politely, perhaps with more enthusiasm than they would normally have shown, since they were grateful to Aric for saving one of their favorite teachers. However, at the same time, there was a subdued air of shame among the other three Houses, as they were well aware of the reason why they were so far behind Slytherin in points.

"It wasn't even close!" Ron groaned.

"Well, Aric did get one-hundred points for saving Master Diggory; I'm sure that put them over the top," Ginny said. "But it would have been closer if not for you three." She glared at Jack, Andrew, and Dean, who hung their heads. At the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables, the other former R.A. members were similarly hanging their heads and looking guilty.

Suddenly Tristan rose from his seat and marched up to the head table. "Do you have something to say, Mr. Ames-Diggory?" Dumbledore asked in a genial voice.

"Yes, sir," Tristan said in a determined voice. "I wish to state, before all these witnesses, that I hereby renounce all claim to the Diggory title."

"Tristan!" Gwendolyn exclaimed in surprise.

"Tristan, I told you that I would not break the promise I made to your parents--" Lukas started to say.

"I know that, sir," Tristan interrupted. "I'm not asking you to break your promise. I am giving up my claim to the title of my own free will. I never really wanted it in the first place; I was only made heir after Cedric died because there was no one else left to take it. But your father was the rightful heir, not Uncle Amos, which means that you are the rightful Lord and your son should follow in your place."

"But--" Lukas tried to protest.

Tristan said earnestly, "Please let me do this, sir, to help make up for what Uncle Amos and his parents did to you and your father. And I don't want your son to grow up resenting me because I took the title that rightfully belongs to him. I would much rather have my cousin's friendship than the title."

"Perhaps you should discuss this with your parents first," Lukas said, since it was obvious that Tristan had not.

"It doesn't matter," Tristan said stubbornly. "I will refuse the heirship no matter what they say."

Gwendolyn and Robert looked at each other for a moment, then smiled. "I say that I am very proud of my son for doing the right thing," Gwendolyn declared.

"As am I," Robert said. "You have more than proven yourself worthy of the title, Cyril. Let your son be your heir, as he would have been if Amos and his parents had not meddled with the succession."

"Thank you," Lukas said with tears in his eyes, and Narcissa smiled radiantly. Tristan started to return to his seat, but Lukas said, "Wait a moment, Tristan." He leaned over and whispered something to his new bride, who smiled and nodded.

"I too have an announcement to make," Lukas said, rising to his feet. "As many of you already know, my lovely lady wife is carrying my child." Excited whispers rose throughout the room, among the people who had not known. "Although it's a little early, I do hereby declare that he shall be named Cedric Drake Diggory."

A look of incredulous joy filled Tristan's face. "Are you sure, sir?" he asked anxiously. "I thought maybe you'd want to name him after your father."

"It's an old and honored family name," Lukas replied, smiling warmly. "I am sure that my father would be pleased."

"Thank you, sir," Tristan said, and returned to the Hufflepuff table weeping a little.

At the head table, Gwendolyn also wept, and flung her arms around her nephew and whispered, "Thank you, Cyril."

"You did the right thing, Lukas," Lupin said softly, glancing over at the Slytherin table, where Draco was grinning proudly from ear to ear, while Goyle and Crabbe thumped him on the back in congratulations.

"You're going to be a big brother, Draco! That's so cool!"

"And he'll be named after you, too! Although maybe his name should be 'Drake Cedric' instead, don't you think?"

Draco just laughed, and Lukas grinned and said, "Well, as a matter of fact, the first Diggory Lord was named 'Cedric,' so it's become a tradition to give the heirs names starting with 'C'."

"Ah, that's why your real name is 'Cyril' and your father's name was 'Cynric'!" Crabbe exclaimed. "And Amos wasn't supposed to be the heir, so that's why his name doesn't start with a 'C'."

"Well, okay, but we can still call him 'Drake' as a nickname, can't we?" Goyle asked.

"Of course," Lukas laughed.

"Well then," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling merrily behind his half-moon glasses, "let us also say a toast to Cedric Drake, the future Diggory heir!"

"To Cedric Drake!" the crowd shouted.

"Now let the feast begin!" Dumbledore declared, and everyone cheered again.

The students and guests enjoyed a fine meal, and there was indeed more than enough cake to feed everyone in the Great Hall, with the smallest top layer left untouched for Lukas and Narcissa to take home with them. After everyone was finished eating, Lady Selima called for all the single women and girls to come up to the front of the room for the bouquet toss. Most of the older girls rushed up, giggling, while the shyer ones hung back a little. Narcissa turned her back to the crowd and tossed the bouquet over her shoulder. A number of sixth and seventh-year girls, including Pansy, Yvonne, Lavender, Parvati, and Padma, all eagerly reached for it with excited shrieks and squeals, but it sailed right over their heads, and landed in the arms of a startled Daphne, who had been standing in the back of the crowd, not even trying to catch the bouquet.

"Well, looks like you'll be getting married next, Daphne!" Pansy teased. "Better tell Weasley to start planning the wedding!"

"The Minister of Magic's son is a fine catch," Yvonne cooed, and the girls burst into giggles as both Daphne and Ron, sitting over at the Gryffindor table, turned bright red.

"Oh, but surely the next person to be married will be Millicent," Daphne hastily demurred, still blushing furiously. "After all, she's already engaged to Miles."

"Well, perhaps Weasley will be the next to propose," Millicent said slyly, and the girls giggled again.

Up at the head table, Molly watched Daphne with a speculative eye and murmured, "Hmmm..." in a thoughtful voice.

"Watch out, Ron," Harry said with a grin, elbowing his friend in the side. "Your Mum's got that look in her eye, the same one she gets when she looks at Bill and Fleur, like she's already planning a wedding."

"Well, um," Ron mumbled, his face turning even redder, "I'm not going to get married right away or anything, but Daphne's dad wants me to apprentice with him."

"You mean, as in marry into the Greengrass family and take over the business someday?!" Seamus exclaimed, and the Gryffindor boys stared at him in shock.

"What?!" Harry exclaimed, then gave him a reproachful look. "You never mentioned anything about it to me, and I'm your best friend!"

"Didn't you want to be a Quidditch player?" Dennis Creevey asked.

"Well, let's face it, I'm not bad, but I'm not professional material, either," Ron said matter-of-factly. "And I've discovered that I'm pretty good at Herbology, and I really like it, now that I know what I'm doing."

"You mean, you like your pretty tutor," Seamus said with a wink.

"Sorry, Harry," Ron said apologetically. "I was talking with Mr. Greengrass about it after the match, but then we got interrupted, and with all the excitement, I kind of forgot about it until now. But he wants to sit down with me and my folks and have a serious talk about it later."

"Wow," Harry said, still feeling stunned, and impressed as well. "So you've already decided on your future. You're going to be a florist."

"I think I'll be good at it, though I've still got a lot to learn," Ron said, his blush beginning to fade. "And I'll get to do some traveling, to search for rare plants to add to the greenhouses, and that kind of sounds like fun."

"If you marry Daphne, that means you'll be taking on the Greengrass name," Ginny said thoughtfully. "Or at least your children will; I assume Mr. Greengrass wants his daughter's heirs to carry on the family name."

"Well, we wouldn't get married right away," Ron said hastily. "I've got to learn the ropes of the business and all that. It'll take at least a few years to properly complete my apprenticeship. But yeah, the idea is for me...for us..." Ron's blush flared up again. "...to take over the family business someday. Anyway, seeing as how I've got five brothers and Percy's already married, I think there's enough people to carry on the Weasley name without me."

At the head table, Mrs. Weasley was gossiping with Lady Selima in a conspiratorial manner. "Somehow, I don't think your mum will mind, Ron," Harry said with a grin. "In fact, I think the only problem will be in getting her to postpone the wedding until your apprenticeship is over."

Ron groaned, giving his mother an apprehensive look, although he didn't really look unhappy, either.

"Seriously, Ron," Harry said, throwing an arm around the other boy's shoulders. "If that's what you want, then I'm happy for you."

"Thanks, Harry," Ron said with a relieved smile. "You know, if someone had told me back in first year that I'd be dating a Slytherin girl in seven years, I'd have told them that they were nuts."

"I like Daphne; she's nice," Harry said, and he meant it, although in the past, he too might have been horrified at the idea of his best friend dating a Slytherin. But Ron had become much more confident and happy since he had started seeing Daphne, so Harry figured that she was good for him. "So," Harry said with a grin, "you'll make me your best man, right?"

"Not you too, Harry!" Ron protested with a good-natured laugh. "Isn't Mum bad enough?"

They broke off their conversation when Dumbledore asked everyone to rise so that the dancing could begin. With a flourish of his wand, the Headmaster instantly moved the tables and benches against the walls of the room to clear space for a dance floor. The string quartet started playing, and Lukas and Narcissa took the floor for their first dance. After that, other couples began joining in.

Arthur danced with his wife, then took a turn dancing with the new bride, then went over to talk to Ash, who was chatting with the Kimuras and Aric. "Excuse me," he said, tapping the werewolf on the shoulder.

"What, did you want a dance?" Ash joked with a wolfish grin. "I wouldn't want to make your wife jealous."

"No, no," Arthur laughed, "although I'm sure you're a fine dancer, Mr. Randolf. Actually, I wanted to offer you a job."

"What?!" Ash exclaimed. Surely he couldn't be serious, although Arthur Weasley didn't seem like the type to play cruel practical jokes. "What kind of job?" he asked warily. Maybe the Ministry needed a janitor or something--menial labor was the only type of job that most people would offer a werewolf. Ash would rather continue working in the black market and risk being arrested than work as a servant to a bunch of snooty purebloods.

"I would like to offer you a position in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department," Arthur said cheerfully.

"What?!" Ash said again. "Is this some kind of joke?"

"I assure you, I'm quite serious, Mr. Randolf," Arthur said earnestly. "Tonks recommended you to me. She said that you have extensive knowledge of Muggle devices." The Minister smiled eagerly. "In fact, when you have time, I'd like to talk to you about a few devices in my private collection. I'm still not entirely sure what they do."

Ash just stood there with his mouth hanging open as the violet-haired Auror walked up with a grin on her face. "I told you that you'd be qualified to work in Muggle Artifacts!" she said.

"I didn't think you were serious!" Ash said.

"Well, I was," Tonks replied, still grinning. "So how about it, Ash? You said that you wanted a chance to work at something besides menial labor--put your money where your mouth is."

"But...but...but..." Ash stammered, turning back towards Arthur. "The purebloods will never tolerate a werewolf working at the Ministry! You'll lose your position!"

"Oh, I think not," Arthur said smugly. "My detractors have withdrawn their petition to remove me, and they've suffered serious damage to their credibility with Williamson's arrest and conviction. My position is quite safe, and I think it's past time for a few changes to be made at the Ministry."

"But you are aware that I was arrested for dealing in illegal Muggle devices?" Ash demanded.

"A trumped-up charge and we both know it," Arthur said, waving off Ash's objection with a wave of his hand.

"But--"

"I am aware of your...ah...shall we say, shady past," Arthur continued. "But I think that's all to the good. Who better to catch a smuggler than a former smuggler?"

"You always said that you worked in the black market because you had no choice, because there was no legitimate work open to you," Takeshi said, smiling at Ash gently. "Well, here is your chance, Ash. You have the opportunity not only to work at a respectable and well-paying job, but to become a role model for your fellow werewolves."

"I think it's a wonderful opportunity," Haruko said. "I'm sure you'll do very well at your new job, Ash."

"But..." Ash protested weakly. It was a great opportunity, one that even a pureblood would jump at, but he felt strangely reluctant and a little frightened. He had lived as an outcast and a fugitive for so long that he wasn't sure he would be able to adapt to a respectable job and a respectable life.

"Please, Ash," Arthur said earnestly. "I need your help. I don't want someone who will just track down smugglers and owners of illegal artifacts. I need someone knowledgeable about both the Muggle and wizarding worlds who can help me distinguish between the devices that are truly dangerous and those that might be beneficial. Please help me to make the wizarding world a more open-minded place while still keeping it safe."

The Minister of Magic held out his hand, while the Kimuras and Tonks smiled at Ash expectantly. Aric gave him a more sympathetic smile, not surprisingly, since he had been trying to escape the Ministry career that his parents had arranged for him. "I think that's a lot to ask from one disreputable werewolf," Ash finally said, his voice trembling slightly, but he reached out to shake Arthur's hand.

"I have faith in you, Ash," Arthur said warmly. "Besides, look at Remus--he almost single-handedly changed the younger generation's attitude about werewolves!"

Arthur and Ash walked off together, to give Lukas the good news and to discuss the details about Ash's new job. "I don't know whether to congratulate him or feel sorry for him," Aric said with a smile.

"He will do fine," Haruko said confidently. "And speaking of jobs, when will you be starting at St. Mungo's, Aric?"

"I still have to discuss that with Healer Smethwyck," Aric replied.

"I'm going to suggest that he start in August," Takeshi said, "so that he can come with us to Japan this summer."

"Yes, of course, we must introduce him to the family!" Haruko said cheerfully, and Aric smiled nervously.

"I can't wait," he lied. But still, Takeshi's parents had greeted him warmly, and it was obvious from the knowing little smiles that they kept exchanging, that they knew he and Takeshi were a couple. Aric had been a little surprised when he had met Takeshi's father, Isamu. He was a middle-aged man who wore glasses and had thinning hair and a thickening waistline--not ugly by any means, but he looked a little homely in contrast to the stunning beauty of his wife and son. He did have a very open, friendly face, though, and his kind smile reminded Aric of Takeshi's.

"But first," Isamu said, "you must come over and have dinner with us, so that we can get to know you. In a few days, perhaps, after you have settled in at Takeshi's apartment?"

Oh Merlin, the first dinner with the in-laws! "Of course," Aric said bravely, trying to hide his apprehension. "I'm looking forward to it." And the three Kimuras beamed at him so happily that Aric's nervousness eased, and he thought that dinner with the in-laws wouldn't be so bad after all. Takeshi was smiling at him gratefully, and anything that made his lover happy could not be a bad thing. Aric unobtrusively reached out and clasped Takeshi's hand for just a moment, squeezing it gently before releasing it. No one else noticed, but Takeshi did, and gave Aric a brief look of tenderness before continuing the conversation with his parents. He looked beautiful in a dress robe made of Ravenclaw-blue silk, the first time that Aric had seen him in anything besides his lime-green St. Mungo's uniform. He would be moving into Takeshi's flat today after school let out, and he felt a sudden thrill of excitement rush through his body like a little jolt of electricity as he realized that they would finally be able to spend their first night alone together.

Meanwhile, Blaise danced a couple of times with his sister, then left the floor. He found Theodore near the head table, talking with Snape, Lupin, and Dumbledore.

"Ah, Mr. Zabini, you're just the person I wanted to see!" the Headmaster said cheerfully.

"Me?" asked a startled Blaise.

"Theodore and Professor Snape have told me that you're taking a summer job as a docent at the Museum of Wizarding History."

"Yes, sir," Blaise replied, still feeling puzzled. "I thought I could see how I like working at the museum, and it would be good experience if I decide to apply for a full-time job there."

"It would also be excellent experience for a teaching position," Dumbledore said.

"Excuse me, sir?" Blaise asked, not sure if he'd heard right.

"As I'm sure you're aware, Mr. Zabini, most of the students find Professor Binns's teaching methods...ah...somewhat less than effective," the Headmaster said tactfully.

"In other words, they're not learning what they should, because he puts them to sleep," Snape said bluntly. "And he's been gradually losing his grip on reality. I've seen him lecturing to an empty classroom more than once."

"You're not thinking of firing Professor Binns, are you?" Blaise asked doubtfully. Not that he had any particular fondness for the History Professor, but he wasn't sure how one went about firing a ghost.

"No, Blaise," Dumbledore said with a smile. "I would never turn Professor Binns out of his home, even if such a thing were possible. But it occurred to me that perhaps the Professor could use a teaching assistant."

"A teaching assistant?" Blaise asked

"Yes, someone who could supplement the Professor's lectures, answer questions that the students might have, and help them with their assignments," Dumbledore replied. "Talented students like yourself or Miss Granger do quite well studying your history texts on your own, but some of the others need a little more guidance than Professor Binns is able to provide."

"And you want me to be the teaching assistant?" Blaise asked, still not sure that he was hearing correctly.

Dumbledore nodded, and Theodore grinned and said, "Professor Zabini!"

The Headmaster chuckled and said, "Well, I think you need a little more experience before we can make you a full Professor, Blaise, so I thought an assistant position would be a good starting place. You can gain the necessary experience assisting Professor Binns, and in a few years, if the Professor is just as content to lecture an empty room as he is one full of students, well...then perhaps it would be best to appoint a new History of Magic teacher."

"So what do you think, Blaise?" Lupin asked with a grin.

"I think that would be wonderful!" Blaise exclaimed. While trying to stay awake in History class, he had often thought of how he would have done things differently from Binns. Merlin's Beard, Binns could even make the Goblin Wars sound deadly dull! Their history books were full of interesting and exciting events, but Binns's droning monotone voice reduced them to cold facts on a page that needed to be memorized, instead of making them come to life for the students. Now Blaise would have the chance to see if he could do better. And he knew that Professor Snape intended to recommend Theo for the Ancient Runes position when Professor Driscoll retired in a few years, which meant that he and Theo might be able to live and work together, and Blaise could think of nothing that he would like better. He wasn't sure, though, that he would ever be able to think of his former Professors as colleagues instead of his teachers--especially the intimidating ones, like Snape and Blackmore, and to a lesser degree, McGonagall. It would be slightly easier to think of Lupin, who was winking at him right now, as a friend instead of an authority figure.

Blaise stood up straight, and said in a more dignified voice, "I would be honored to accept the position if you feel that I am worthy of it, Headmaster."

"Excellent!" Dumbledore said, firmly clasping and shaking Blaise's hand. "Welcome to the staff, my boy. While you're working at the museum this summer, think about lesson plans and projects you would like to create for the students, to supplement Professor Binns's standard lectures, which you should be quite familiar with, after seven years."

"Yes, sir!" Blaise said, already filled with ideas for the coming school year. It seemed like a dream come true: he would be able to do work that interested him, and most likely be able to work alongside his lover in a few years. And on top of that, a teaching position at Hogwarts was prestigious enough to satisfy his mother, who would hopefully stop nagging him about becoming a mediwizard. His eyes drifted towards the dance floor, where Allegra was dancing with Patrick Parkinson. He would also be able to keep an eye on his little sister and keep her out of mischief--or at least keep the mischief to a minimum, and to make sure that no young men with dishonorable intentions took advantage of her. Yes, a position at Hogwarts would be ideal.

While Blaise was smiling smugly, Harry was also giving serious thought to his future, even as he was having a good time dancing with Ginny. While some people, like Dylan and Hermione, knew exactly what they wanted to do after they graduated, Harry had been uncertain all year, and although Lupin had assured him that this was normal, it still bothered him, especially when he saw his yearmates lining up apprenticeships and applying for jobs. There had been several ideas, including playing professional Quidditch, that seemed somewhat appealing, but there had been nothing that really felt "right," that had captured his interest wholeheartedly.

Until now. An idea had taken nebulous form in his head over the past few weeks, and his resolve had gradually strengthened and solidified. Mindful of how he had jokingly scolded Ron for not confiding in him about apprenticing with Mr. Greengrass, Harry told his best friends about his plans before he told anyone else.

"That's wonderful, Harry!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Good for you, Harry!" Ron said, clapping Harry on the shoulder. "I kind of thought that's what you'd decide on, in the end." He sighed a little. "Although it's too bad that you won't be playing for the Chudley Cannons."

"I think that's great, Harry," Ginny said, giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek, which made him flush with pleasure. "You should go tell Sirius and Professor Blackmore."

So Harry went to find his godparents. They had been dancing earlier, but now Professor Blackmore was sitting on the sidelines as Sirius handed her a glass of water.

"Hi, Sirius," Harry said. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Of course, Harry," Sirius said with a smile. "What is it?"

"I've finally decided what I want to do," Harry said firmly.

"There's no rush, Harry," Sirius said kindly, "but you sound quite certain of yourself."

"I am," Harry said. "I want to be an Auror."

"That's great, Harry!" Sirius said. "I know that you were thinking about it, but what decided you?"

"Those Aurors, Williamson and Dawlish," Harry said gravely. "Williamson was like those Aurors who arrested you without caring about finding proof of your guilt. No, he was even worse, because at least they didn't create false evidence to frame you. And even if Dawlish wasn't in on Williamson's plot, he was so closed-minded that he couldn't see the truth. I know that there are good Aurors, like Tonks and Kingsley, but there aren't enough of them. I don't want to just sit around complaining that the Aurors are bad; I want to do something about it. I want to become the kind of Auror who will look for the truth and not just presume someone's guilty because of their family or because they're a non-human. I want to become the kind of Auror who will protect people and not bully them."

His godfather's eyes were full of love and pride, and Sirius hugged Harry and said, "I'm so proud of you, Harry! The Aurors definitely need some new blood!"

"I'm proud of you, too, Harry," Professor Blackmore said softly. "I think that you will make a fine Auror with that kind of attitude."

Harry suddenly noticed that she looked a little pale and wan, and that Bane, who was perched in his usual spot on her shoulder, was regarding his mistress with a look of concern. "Are you feeling all right, Professor?" he asked.

"I'm feeling a little ill," she admitted. "Perhaps I ate something that didn't agree with me at lunch."

"I feel fine, although I didn't have any of the shellfish," Sirius said. "Maybe it wasn't as fresh as it could have been?"

"Hogwarts is not usually in the habit of giving its staff and students food poisoning," Blackmore said.

"Nobody else seems to be getting sick, so I don't think it's food poisoning," Harry said, after looking around the room. "Maybe you're just coming down with the flu or something?"

"I never get sick, dear," Blackmore said. "I have a very strong constitution, courtesy of my ancestor, Lord Raven."

The one that Theodore claimed was a demon. Well, Harry had never heard of a demon catching a cold or the flu, but then again, he didn't know much about demons, and besides, he still wasn't completely convinced that Professor Blackmore really had demon blood. "Maybe you should go see Madam Pomfrey," he finally suggested.

Blackmore protested that it wasn't necessary, but Sirius was beginning to look a little worried, and insisted on it. So they quietly spoke to the school nurse and slipped away from the party.

Harry and Sirius waited outside the hospital wing for a few minutes while Pomfrey examined Blackmore, then the nurse opened the door and ushered them in with a smile.

Sirius seemed reassured by her smile. "It's nothing serious, then?" he asked anxiously.

"Oh, that depends on your point of view," Pomfrey said. "But Branwen isn't sick, or rather, her illness is a symptom of her condition." The school nurse looked very amused, for some reason. "I might almost say that it's contagious; perhaps there's something in the air..."

"Would you stop talking in riddles, Poppy?" Blackmore asked irritably.

"You're pregnant, dear," Pomfrey said calmly.

"I am?" Blackmore said, staring at her in shock.

"These things do happen, dear," Pomfrey said, still looking amused. "You have been married for nearly a year now. But you're only about six weeks along, so I'm not really surprised that you hadn't noticed yet."

A huge, silly grin spread across Sirius's face. "I'm going to be a dad?!" he shouted excitedly.

"I'm going to be a brother?" Harry asked, just as eagerly. Both Sirius and Blackmore turned to stare at him, looking surprised but delighted by his statement. Harry suddenly remembered the conversation he'd had with Dylan, about wanting to call Sirius "Dad". Dylan had said that the way you felt about someone was more important than the name you called them by, and that Snape and Lupin were like fathers to him even though he didn't actually call them "Father" or "Dad". Harry knew that Dylan was right, but now he also realized that names could be very important, if they let the other person know how you felt about them.

"Yes, Harry," Sirius said softly, his eyes filled with tears although he was still grinning. "You're going to be a big brother." And he hugged Harry in an embrace that was both fierce and tender at the same time.

"My daughter will be lucky to have a brother like you," Blackmore said, kissing Harry gently on the forehead.

"Your son," Pomfrey corrected. "You're going to have a boy."

"Oh!" Blackmore said, looking startled. "The Blackmore women usually have girls. But there have been a few Blackmore Lords, including my father."

"A boy!" Sirius exclaimed. "I'm going to have a son!"

"I'm going to have a brother!" Harry said. "I'll teach him to fly, and play Quidditch..."

"It'll be a few more years before you'll be able to do that," Pomfrey laughed, but Harry and Sirius ignored her, capering around the hospital wing, knowing that they looked like idiots but not caring.

"I'll take him for rides on my Firebolt!"

"I'll take him fishing!"

"Do you know how to fish, Sirius?"

"Sure. Well, I'm not very good at it, but I know how to do it. Every father and son should go fishing together. In fact, this summer I'll take you to this little fishing hole that James showed me once..."

"Really?" Harry asked eagerly.

"Sure!" Sirius replied. "We might not catch anything, but to be honest, I don't much care for dealing with a wriggling, flopping fish."

"Oh," Harry said, suddenly feeling a little less enthusiastic. He liked the idea of a father/son fishing trip, but he'd never had to kill anything he ate before. "Er...how are you supposed to kill a fish, anyway?"

"A sharp blow to the head is supposed to put it out of its misery quickly," Sirius replied.

"Oh," Harry repeated, suddenly feeling a bit queasy.

"Unless you'd rather use a Killing Curse," Sirius joked, "but that does seem like overkill. Well, perhaps we could go for a hike and a swim instead. Or we could go fishing, and just throw the fish back in the water when we catch them. Some people do that just for the sport of it, I'm told."

"Uh...sure," Harry said. He didn't really see much point in that, but he didn't really care. All that mattered was that he would be able to spend some time with his godfather.

"I feel sick," Blackmore suddenly groaned. Maybe all the talk about fishing was making her queasy, too. Madam Pomfrey managed to grab a basin and get it in place just in time as Blackmore threw up. "This is all your fault, Sirius Black!" she said accusingly.

"I believe it takes two to tango, my dear," Sirius said with a grin.

"How would you like to spend the rest of your life as a toad?"

"I don't think that a toad would be a very good father for your baby, dear," Pomfrey said soothingly to Blackmore. Then she glared at Sirius. "You know, it's a bad idea to upset a pregnant woman. Especially when that pregnant woman is a master of the Dark Arts."

"True," Sirius agreed, then kissed his wife on the cheek and said contritely, "I'm sorry, my love. I'll see if Snape can brew a potion to make you feel better."

"Please do," Blackmore said, looking somewhat mollified.

"Come on, Harry," Sirius said, wrapping an arm around Harry's shoulders. "Let's go find Snape and Moony and tell them the good news."

So they left the hospital wing and headed back to the Great Hall. "I really hope that Snape can brew a potion to take care of her morning sickness," Sirius said. "Living with an irritable Dark Sorceress for eight months could be hazardous to my health." But despite his words, he still looked ecstatic.

"Hob will be happy," Harry laughed. "He's been dying for you two to have kids! He even started turning one of the spare bedrooms into a nursery last summer."

"Really? Well, I guess we won't have to rush to get things ready for the baby, then."

"Eight months should be plenty of time, Sirius. Well, technically I guess it's seven and a half."

"Oh, Harry, I'm so happy!" Sirius said, stopping to hug Harry again.

"Me too," Harry said, hugging him back. He still wanted to have a talk with Sirius about calling him "Dad," but that could wait until things had calmed down a little, when they were back home at Grimmauld Place. For now he was content in the knowledge that he was part of Sirius's family, which was soon to grow by one more.
 

Chapter 151

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