Draco opened the paper late that day; it was Saturday and he was taking some well deserved free time. The new house plans had been crap, Ginny couldn't find a thing she liked either, and the kids were driving everyone nuts. Fortunately Simone and Denver had taken Anastasia back to Gryffindor with them and Ravena was down for a nap with the triplets. He picked up a mug of spiced tea to sip at while he read the paper, starting with the financial section. He was still doing well according to his stock listings. He turned back to the front page, smiling when he saw the headline. Ginny was in the news again. It was the picture with the story that made him drop his mug of tea. He read the article carefully, Ginny was in the news because apparently she had moved her offices, but also because she was with him and he was now known to be pregnant. The picture was manipulated to show him carrying very high and all that. He grimaced and balled up the paper, tossing it aside. As he had a thought, he flicked the locks on the door. Everyone who needed to get into here had keys. Well, Fred and Ron probably weren't carrying theirs, but they had their wands and could open the stupid locks. He got up and started to pace. What should he do about this? Should he refute it and lie? Should he come out and say 'yes, I am' and then go into hiding? Hiding sounded good actually. Hiding he could do for a bit longer. Damn these hormones, they were making him paranoid again. Hadn't Dumbledore said he wasn't going to allow a ravaging horde of irritated women in here to hurt him? But all it took was one, his mind cheerfully supplied. He decided to go up to his room and look everything over, just in case he had to leave suddenly.
 

***
 

Tara walked into the library and smiled at Irma Pince, then took up all the copies of that day's newspaper. She smiled at her again as she took them to burn them. She was pregnant, who was going to question her doing funny things? She met the headmaster in the hall and nodded pleasantly to him. "They found out," she told him as she passed him.
 

"Oh, dear," Dumbledore sighed. "Are those all the copies?" She nodded. "Just from the library?"
 

"I can't exactly go around demanding the staff's personal copies, or the student's personal copies," she pointed out. She continued on her trek to go burn the papers. She would help her buddy as long as possible. She ran into Snape and Willow, arguing in the staffroom and smiled as she tossed the whole stack of papers into the fire. "They offended me today," she explained at Snape's look.
 

"Really?" He walked over and read the headline of the top one while it smoked. "Oh. How interesting," he said finally. "Let me add my copy to that." He hurried away to get as many of the staff copies as he could.
 

"What's going on?" Willow asked, coming over to read the headlines too. "Is Ginny in trouble?"
 

"No, they're making up trash again," Tara told her. Willow nodded and left her alone. Tara sighed in relief and plopped her big, heavy butt down to relax until more copies came in to be burned. She wondered how long it would be before someone came after Draco. He really was more fragile than she was. This was his first time doing this and she was an experienced mother.
 

Snape came back in with a small stack of papers and tossed them into the fire also. "I think we only need to worry about Rosenberg," he suggested.
 

She nodded. It was warm and comfy where she was. "Probably. She'll super-bitch out and pull back on her self-righteous cape." She yawned. She had never realized how comfy this chair was. She missed the smirk Snape was giving her, falling asleep. She'd have to remember this for a napping spot was her last thought for a bit.
 

Snape covered her with a throw someone had put in there for naps on the couches and left her to help cover up Mr. Malfoy's problem.
 

The unfortunate thing was he was already too late. Willow had asked a student to see their copy to try and figure out what had set Tara off. "Oh, really?" she said. She smiled at the student and handed them back the paper. "Thank you." She walked off, going to have a talk with Mr. Malfoy. She found the tower door locked and grimaced, pulling out her wand. She never used the thing, except for this function. The door opened under her hand and she walked up the stairs into the common area. Draco was coming down from the top levels. "So, you decided to usurp a woman's prerogative?" she sneered, looking him over. "Aren't you supposed to be a *good* guy now?" She moved closer, finally finding the evidence under his carefully tailored clothes. "Oh, look, a little lump." She shoved him but he managed to catch himself. "Not going to fight back?"
 

"You bloody bitch," he said, taking a swing at her. She cried as she hit the floor. "Yes, I am, and quite proud of it. And I'm not the first. How do you think Iggy got here?" he sneered down at her, doing a much better job of it. He pulled up his shirt. "See, seventeen weeks along now, and there's nothing you can do about it." She hopped up and took a swing at him. "Pissed because you'll be arrested if you have another one? Or because your present one is lowering the reputation of Slytherins everywhere?"
 

She shrieked and lunged at him, fists balled up, but again, he was bigger and better trained. She split his lip and then she went flying. "Go away, you stupid cunt. Before I do something more horrible to you. After all, you're not even a proper witch. You only have a job so Tara isn't overworked and because Xander begs so nicely." She screamed in outrage, getting up to try and hurt her again.
 

Ron and Percy came running in and pulled Willow away from Draco, Ron throwing her out of the tower. "What was that about?" Percy asked.
 

"The paper reported me as being pregnant," Draco said, straightening out his clothes and hair. "She objected."
 

"Oh, shit," Ron sighed. "Iggy." He jogged for the door that lead down to the hallway in front of the Gryffindor portrait, but he knew he was going to be too late. He could already hear the yelling.
 

Willow stomped off and headed for the next easy target, Iggy. No wonder he was so powerful, he was a magical creature. He shouldn't be taking classes, they should be studying him. She found the three Gryffs in front of their tower and pulled Iggy off to the side. "Do you admit to being created by a spell?" she demanded. "Some dirty little creature that was forced into your Aunt's body? A magical disease that was there so your fathers could laugh at women? Well, do you?"
 

"You fucking bitch," came out of the shadows. As did a blast of power that knocked Willow back into a wall. Melvin walked out of the shadow, his wand in his hand. "You have no right to be near anybody. At least he doesn't happen to torture people. Obviously not something you could teach your son." He started to cast another curse, but the little voice screaming at him that sounded a lot like his mother convinced him to stop there. He turned and ran into his cousin.
 

Iggy held him tightly while he shook. "A little help here?" he called out. "Teacher down!" Footsteps came running, Snape and Dumbledore first. "She attacked me," Iggy told them.
 

"Very well. Please sit and wait on us," Snape told him. Ron came running out of the connecting hallway. "Late again, Mr. Weasley."
 

"She just attacked Draco too. He's got a fat lip." He appraised Willow. "Might want to get the nurse, Iggy." His nephew's face scrunched up and soon another set of footsteps was running their way. Ron led the boys back to the other two. "Are you guys okay?"
 

"She was calling Iggy horrible things," Melvin told him. His shaking had mostly stopped. "I lost it, Uncle Ron."
 

"It's okay, Melvin," he promised, giving him a hug. "You've both got detentions with me tomorrow because I have to, but we'll be cataloging books."
 

"It wasn't Iggy," Simone said, pulling Melvin away so she could hug him too. "You were so cool. I'm sorry I ever called you a nerd or a geek or any of those things." He grinned and gave her a hug.
 

"Very nice work," Denver agreed, patting him on the back. "Is father all right?"
 

"She hurt daddy!" Simone shouted, but Ron and Denver stopped her from going over there. "She hurt my father, I want her expelled!"
 

The Headmaster looked at the children. "Do calm down," he told them. "We will be looking into this matter from all sides." He looked at Ron. "Did you give a detention?"
 

"To Melvin since he did it," Ron said, letting Simone go. He pulled Melvin close again. "He was defending Iggy."
 

"I see." Dumbledore frowned down at Willow. "What would have made her go off like that again?"
 

"Gee, is she preggers? This is just like last time." Ron suggested. Snape's eyes widened and he pulled his wand, eventually getting away from the woman lying on the floor. "She is?"
 

"Yes," Snape told him. He looked down at Melvin. "That was quite a hit. What curse did you use?"
 

"Fist of power," Melvin said weakly.
 

Ron looked down at him. "I can't even cast that right. How in the bloody hell can you?"
 

"I've got that extra energy to pull from," Melvin reminded him lightly. He looked at Dumbledore. "Did I hurt her really bad?" The headmaster nodded. "I'm sorry. Please don't expel me, my dad'll crap pink elephants."
 

Snape pulled up the boy's hand, looking at the wand now embedded in it. "I think that's the least of your worries, Mr. Weasley. Madam Pomfrey, his wand fused into his hand."
 

She clucked as she came over to look at it. "It will have to wait until after I have Willow stabilized. Just like your uncle," she sighed, going back to Willow. She lifted the carrier she had brought with her, taking her down the hall. "Come to the infirmary."
 

"I'll bring Daddy up there," Simone called after her. The nurse waved a hand. "You guys head up, we'll be right up there," she promised. She slid into the connecting hallway, running as fast as she could. If her father was hurt, that bitch would pay! She found her father sitting on a couch with a piece of ice against his lip. "Daddy?" she asked. He held up an arm and she sank against his side. "We're taking you up to the infirmary. Melvin defended Iggy and his wand is now part of his hand." She grimaced. "And Professor Rosenberg's pregnant."
 

"I thought they were supposed to lock her up," Percy said as he started for the doorway. "Come along, Draco. You should probably get checked anyway, if only to make your children feel better." He walked the partial family up to join most of the rest of it. Draco still had a house elf in the tower and she could watch the triplets for a few minutes. He and his son would be having a long talk later that night, even though he was proud of him for it.
 

***
 

Draco popped into Xander's room, squeaking in horror. "Save me." He climbed in behind George, using him to hide behind.
 

"Gee, I think we have visitors, dear," George said. He tipped his head to the side. "Who are we saving you from?"
 

"Remember joking about that raving horde of pissed women? Well, they came. Willow leading the charge the second time too." He heard Xander sigh. "I was in town buying myself a treat, and one for Melvin for pasting Rosenberg into a wall, and they came for me."
 

"Hold on, which Rosenberg did Melvin paste?" Xander asked, pulling the sheet a little higher over his nudity. "And why were they after you already?"
 

"Because that paper told them I was pregnant," Draco growled.
 

"Okay. That answers one question," George said, rolling onto his back so they could both see the frightened young man. "Answer the others."
 

"Willow saw the paper and came after me. I defended myself but let it slip that Iggy was created using the same spell. She went after Iggy, the easier target, and Melvin pasted her into a wall. Now she's leading some of the townswomen up to attack the school and drag me outside to burn me at a stake."
 

"Hmm," Xander said, grimacing. "Is she pregnant again?" Draco nodded. "Well, that explains that." He stood up, stunning his son. "What?" he asked as he grabbed his robe. "I'm an average guy."
 

"Not for a Brit, love. You're a bit bigger than the average Brit from what I understand," George assured him. He smiled at the look on Draco's face. "What? You don't think he's hot?"
 

"No," Draco said quickly, averting his gaze.
 

Xander and George shared a smile. "You can look now," he said once he had on his robe. "C'mon, honey, let's go see who's grazing in the living room." George climbed out of bed and put on a robe too, and they led Draco out, finding Arthur standing there nibbling from the fruit basket. "Come to hide too?" Xander asked.
 

Arthur smiled at them. "Yes, but I also came to check on Draco. I knew he's run to you two." He nodded at Xander's robe. "Please cover that, son." Xander adjusted his robe. "Thank you. Draco, how are you today?"
 

"Pregnant and paranoid," he said. "And Rosenberg's pregnant again too."
 

"She probably felt left out," Xander soothed, sitting down and pulling his 'son' into his lap to hold. "You'll always have a hiding spot with us, son." He looked at Arthur. "Is Molly normal today?"
 

"No, she was screaming earlier about the idiocy of males. Apparently women can hide it better."
 

"They were spying on me," Draco pointed out. "I was very careful."
 

"I know you were, son. But now you're going to have to make a statement or they'll eat you alive."
 

"Which means a trip to the colony and to see Ginny," George sighed. "Honey, can't we have a *normal* vacation?"
 

"Normal?" Xander asked. "What's that?"
 

"Point," George said in defeat. "Father, I had planned on snogging my husband's brains out for at least another day. Can this wait until then?"
 

"They won't be putting out another edition until Monday anyway," Xander pointed out. "Plenty of time for all sorts of snogging and other things."
 

"Boys," Arthur said, starting to blush. "That's more than I wanted to know."
 

Draco nodded. "I felt the same way when I saw him naked." He looked at Xander and realized he was sitting on his lap so he stood up as quickly as he could. "Are all you Americans built that way?"
 

"Yeah, I think so," Xander said, frowning as he thought. "Last I heard the average American was six to seven inches and four in girth." He looked at his mate. "I'm just above that, right?"
 

George looked up, seeming to consider it. "Feels like it to me," he agreed. "I believe you're about eight and maybe five in girth."
 

"Boys," Arthur said, blushing more.
 

Even Draco was blushing. "I want to be built like that," he muttered as he walked over to nibble from the fruit basket as well. The couple snickered behind him. "It's not fair that us Brits are smaller," he complained.
 

"It's all that inbreeding," Xander told him. "I'm surprised you have one at all with how pure your line is."
 

Draco spluttered. "There are some very well-built wizards, as proven by those magazines."
 

"Yes, but they're probably half-muggles or fully muggles," George told him. "The more diversity in the lines, the greater the penis size and ability to use it."
 

"Boys!" Arthur said, turning bright red.
 

"Sorry, dad, but it's a matter of genetics," Xander assured him. "The more pure and inbred the lines are, the weaker the genes in *all* areas. Unless you get to the point where you've got mutants."
 

"Bloody unlikely," George pointed out. "We'd never tolerate the ones like in that comic book you like, x something or other."
 

"Oh, I don't know, we've got evidence of telepathy and empathy at least," Xander argued. "We've had students in the school that came out as telepathic and empathic. It's not such a long jump to the point of telekinesis and the other abilities."
 

"Boys, please," Arthur sighed. "Genetics isn't one of those topics for general conversation."
 

"Oh, this is a continuation of a discussion last night at the con," Xander assured him. "Not the penis size part, but the rest was the topic of an official discussion last night."
 

Draco shuddered. "Please, make it stop."
 

"Okay." Xander smiled at him. "I do know something that'll make you bigger, son," he offered.
 

"Xander," Arthur said sharply.
 

"Yes, daddy." He shrugged at Draco. "We'll talk about it later." He looked over as his son appeared, then disappeared and reappeared with Snape. "Hey," he said, waving. "Are you here to tell us this is fixed?" he asked once the Potion's Master quit throwing up.
 

George gave him a cup of water from the bar. "Here you are. I get the same way whenever he does it to me." He smiled at Draco. "Nibble to your heart's content. It came with the suite."
 

"Another advantage of the exchange rate," Xander added. "Honey, remind me to stop at a store on the way home. I need munchies and more soda."
 

"Okay."
 

Snape glared at them. "You act like this crisis is nothing unusual," he said coldly.
 

"It's not," Xander and George said in unison.
 

Arthur shook his head. "It must be a record, three in one year."
 

"This one won't be a real crisis," Xander predicted. "Five days, maybe two weeks of press, then it disappears until he gives birth." He looked at his husband. "Do you concur?" he said in his best imitation of Draco's accent.
 

"Oh, I do," George agreed. "Two weeks tops." He leered at his husband. "Now that we've got the calvary, can we go back to what we were doing?"
 

"Son, did you need more help this very moment?" Xander asked. Draco shook his head, smiling at them. "Cool. Then we're off to make a lot of noise." He stood up, accidently flashing everyone and took his mate back into the bedroom, where they made quite a lot of noise.
 

Draco looked at Snape and nudged him. "Apparently all Americans are built that way," he told him. Snape shut his mouth with an audible click. "What do I do now?"
 

"First we should check and see if news of this spell can get out," Arthur suggested. "Then you should ask Ginny's opinion on the matter."
 

"Your daughter is sitting in the tower cooing at little Vincent Raymond," Snape reported. "She sent me with a message of 'tell them everything'. I believe she might have checked with them already." A particularly loud yell of pleasure out of George made them all jump. "Dear Merlin, what are they doing in there!"
 

"I have no idea how two guys go about it, but apparently they're liking it," Draco said as he stood up. "Is it safe for me to head back to the tower?"
 

"Dumbledore shooed off the women by telling them that you'd be down tonight to tell them the real story. Madam Rosemerta was in the group and looked less than pleased at that suggestion," Snape told him. "I'm sure she will appreciate the business tonight though."
 

"As long as no one else tries to attack Ignatius," Arthur said calmly. "Molly about hit the roof when Denver called me to tell me Melvin's wand was attached to his hand and Percy needed a book Ginny had." He popped a grape into his mouth, wincing when Xander's scream suddenly went up three octaves. "I wonder if that hurt," he mused.
 

"That wasn't pain," Draco told him, taking the rest of grapes. "We should probably go back."
 

"No apparating, young man," Snape told him. "It is strictly forbidden from four months on."
 

"Yes, dad," Draco said, rolling his eyes. "Iggy?" Iggy came back and grabbed him, taking him back home. "Thank you," he groaned when the world quit spinning.
 

Ginny shifted so he could have part of the couch. "Even Xander still gets dizzy when he does it," she assured him. "The gryphons agreed that the spell could be known about, but only in the most general sense and not where it came from."
 

"All right," he agreed. "With as much ancient knowledge as there is around here, I can easily say I found it in the library."
 

"You could say you found it in Hufflepuff's library," Snape suggested as he appeared. "The spell was in there, but it was incomplete." He grimaced. "It was in one of her work journals, as something she wanted to look into."
 

"Hmm," Ginny said. "Could work. Everyone knows Hufflepuffs won't hurt anyone." She put the baby back down. "Ready to walk into town?"
 

"Can we floo?" Draco asked.
 

"With as nauseous as you are?" she asked. "Flooing killed me when I was pregnant."
 

Arthur stepped out of the floo. "The Minister of Magic will be down. I just informed him of everything. We'll be there in about half-an hour."
 

"Then we should start walking," Draco said as he heaved himself up. "Damn weight gain," he complained.
 

"Not too much longer and then no more weight gain, just constant weight," Ginny assured him with a pat to his hand for comfort. "Come on, let's walk. It's a nice enough day. Little windy but otherwise okay." Her father got them cloaks and they walked out together. "What are George and Xander doing?"
 

"Making an outrageous amount of noise with his big American dick stuck up your brother," Draco told her, sounding serious. "I don't know how he'd take it."
 

"Oh they go both ways about that stuff," Ginny told him. Her father gasped. "Sorry, dad, but I walked in on them a few times. Quite interesting. Though my favorite was finding them in the closet for a quick blow."
 

"Ginny Weasley!" her father shouted, shocked to his proper core.
 

"What? They were in my closet at work!" she told him. Her father spluttered. "Good thing I went out for a drink that day." Draco laughed and pulled her closer to his side. "George is apparently as talented as Kandy said Percy was."
 

"Ginny, change the subject," he father growled.
 

"Yes, sir," she said, rolling her eyes where only her boyfriend could see it. "So, how big was he?"
 

"GINNY!"
 

"Sorry, dad," she said with a sheepish look. "But a girl wants to know these things."
 

Draco whispered something in her ear, making her laugh.
 

Snape cleared his throat. "Try not to infect the students with such thoughts," he commanded.
 

Draco looked back at him. "Is my plaque still up?"
 

Snape groaned and covered his eyes. He didn't know who had put that horrid thing up, but if he ever found them he was going to A-K them immediately. What wretched taste! It must have been a Gryffindor, probably Potter.
 

Draco winked at him and strolled on. They met the Headmaster at the door with Tara. "Surely you're not coming," he told her. "Xander would have my head if you got injured."
 

"They're not going to hurt me," she said confidently. "Besides, you could use someone to hold the other hand." She smiled at Ginny as she took Draco's other hand. "Let's go. The baby's hungry and Madam Rosemerta makes a great veggie salad." The experienced parents chuckled when Draco agreed that it sounded delightful and that he would buy.
 

***
 

Ginny stood up in front of the eating crowd. Iggy had gotten them permission just a few moments before to tell where the spell had come from, coming personally to tell them so he could get dinner too. "Okay, now that Draco's fed us all, we can answer any and all questions you might have."
 

Madam Rosemerta stood up first. "He's really pregnant?" Draco nodded. "How far?"
 

"Seventeen weeks," Draco called out. He pulled up his shirt and almost everyone sighed when they saw the bulge. "I'm still going to be gaining some weight."
 

"Probably," Madam Rosemerta said dryly. "Most women gain about double that."
 

Ginny shook her head. "Gryphon-born and kids born by this spell gain all their weight up front and then it shifts from water to baby weight."
 

"How would you know?" another woman, the one who ran the bookstore asked.
 

"Because Iggy was born that way," she told her. "They did it on George without his permission and we agreed to transfer it into me."
 

Iggy stood up. "Yeah, they got the dads and then Aunt Ginny had me," he agreed. "We're carried for ten months so I gave her extra hell."
 

"Iggy," Arthur sighed. "Don't pick up Simone's bad habits."
 

Madam Rosemerta walked up to Iggy and looked him over. "You look pretty normal."
 

"I am," he told her. "I'm perfectly normal, but a little bit smarter than most," he finished with a grin. "Uncle Draco, can I have some pie too?"
 

"Pie sounds excellent," Draco agreed. "What types do you have?"
 

"Apple today," the innkeeper said with a sigh. "You want to share one with the bottomless pit?"
 

"Just a slice for me. I'm trying to watch my figure," Draco joked. A few of the women laughed. "I really couldn't stand it if it was gone permanently. I did this because I wanted another child more than most other things in my life."
 

"Was this why someone blew up your house?"
 

"No, that was a power play by a bastard who I'm going to get," Draco said seriously. "You'll find out who when he's dragged away in chains begging for mercy."
 

Tara patted him on the arm. "Remember your blood pressure, Draco," she said softly.
 

A few of the women looked at Draco, then Ginny, then Tara. Ginny smiled. "She's having Xander and George's next one," she told them. "Same spell, better glow than I had."
 

"You were stunning," Draco told her, picking up her hand to kiss. "Unlike me, who now has oily skin and only glows because of that. You both glow internally from some source of fire."
 

"Geez," one woman said. "Even when he's the pregnant one, the lust doesn't stop." A few women nodded, remembering that feeling. "So, why didn't you just knock up Ms. Weasley again?"
 

"Because my doctor threatened me with death," Ginny said honestly. A few of the women looked upset. "I've had four and they said no more."
 

"So I decided to undertake this without asking her permission first," Draco told him. "Much like she did the first time we got together."
 

"That was that botched spell," she said, smacking him lightly on the arm. "All your fault."
 

Professor Snape stood up. "Contrary to popular opinion, none of this was done to upset anyone else, and he was very careful not to let anyone outside of those necessary know."
 

"I'd like to know how the Prophet found out," Draco agreed.
 

"Probably when you went to the doctor's last time," Madam Rosemerta said as she brought them out pie. "Where are Harris and his mate?"
 

"Snogging," the group said together. That got a few titters from the crowd.
 

Iggy cleared his throat. "They took the weekend off to revel in aloneness. One of the kids in the tower is watching little William."
 

"They needed a babysitter?" Arthur asked. "Why didn't they ask?"
 

"Because they're giving the Gryffindor's evidence of the reason for infertility charms," Ginny told him. Most of the women laughed. "Trust me, having a kid around will either make you want one or will make you desperately try to never have one as long as you remember the experience." She kissed Draco on the cheek. "You always made me want one," she whispered in his ear.
 

He smiled at her and licked the apple off his lips. "We'll discuss that problem later," he assured her. She laughed and kissed him on the cheek. "As you can tell, I'm still fully male."
 

"How's it coming out?" one man in the back asked.
 

"Hopefully with a knife and some potion to knock me out," Draco told him. "I don't think I could do it any other way." The men winced in sympathy. "Would anyone like pie? It's excellent today." A few people ordered pie and Madam Rosemerta went to get it for them. "Were there any other questions?"
 

"How long were you hoping to hide it?"
 

"Past the birth," Draco told her. "I had visions of the ravaging horde coming up to burn me at the stake." A few of the women blushed. "Really, this had nothing to do with you. I would have gladly let one of you carry my next child, but Ginny gets rather upset with me when I look at other women."
 

"Do not."
 

"You do," he told her. "Even when we're not together you get upset. You nearly gouged the eyes out of one woman the other day for looking at my bum."
 

Ginny snorted. "She should have been minding her own man, not you."
 

He smiled at her. "You say some of the sweetest things, Weasley."
 

Arthur cleared his throat. "Leave that for later, children." They shared a kiss then Draco went back to eating. He looked at his boss, who was looking pleased because no one had pulled a weapon. "My son researched the spell back to the early ages," he told the crowd. "Back to the time of the War of the Ancients. There was evidence of the first few gryphon-born being created this way as well."
 

The crowd talked among themselves then one woman stood up. "You're really going to go through with this?" Draco nodded. "And you don't want to do it again?"
 

"I can't be sure of that," he told her. "I'm not spreading the spell around to others since I made a promise not to do that, but I can't be sure that I won't want another one sometime down the line."
 

"Get a dog," Ginny suggested. "Five is enough."
 

He smiled at her. "Maybe for you, but I adore our children."
 

"I know, but five is enough," she told him, putting her hand in his. "For now. Wait until they're all in school before having another one, okay?"
 

Draco thought about it, then nodded. "All right, I'll wait that long." He looked at the woman. "My girlfriend convinced me to wait until all of my present ones are in school to even think about having another one," he told her. "But I won't give up this one and I won't release the spell."
 

"At least you're honest," she said with a frown. "This really isn't meant to push women out of giving birth?"
 

Draco laughed. "Can you imagine most men doing this?" She shook her head. "I've found myself whining often recently and even annoying myself. I doubt many men would want to."
 

"Except maybe couples like George and Xander," Madam Rosemerta put in. Draco nodded, that was one instance he could see. "You're really going to go through with this?"
 

"I've come this far, it seems wrong to not complete it when I want the child so much."
 

She nodded. "Then I don't see a problem with it. Ladies?" Most of them didn't put out negative noises. "It'll take some getting used to." She looked at Tara. "Why are you carrying for Xander and George if they can do it this way."
 

"Two reasons. George isn't a good candidate and Xander considered it, but the second reason is because I wanted to be pregnant again. They knew that so they offered me this chance." She smiled and stood up, pushing her clothes over her bulge. "They gave me the gift of having another one and being a mother to a second baby."
 

"Xander is special that way," Ginny agreed. "Does he give you a lot of attention?"
 

"That man smothers," Draco told her. "Me and her both. The slightest hint of pain and the doctor's there. Any craving and one of them is hopping up to try and do something about it." He smiled at Tara. "He spoils her rotten."
 

"And I deserve it," Tara agreed, much to the amusement of the crowd. "Were there other questions?"
 

"No, but I think it'll take some time to get used to it," the man who ran the robe shop told them. "Did you need more clothes?"
 

"Please," Draco told him. "My present robes are too tight. I gained ten pounds in the last two weeks."
 

The man laughed. "Fine. I'll tailor them personally so there won't be any problems." He looked at Tara. " Yours too if you want."
 

She smiled at him. "Thank you. I've got some of my old maternity robes in storage but they're from my last months." She sat back down, then stole Draco's remaining pie, eating it herself. "Madam Rosemerta, can you please send the recipe for that vegetable dish up to the house elves? I love it, but the last time I wanted it was just before dawn."
 

She laughed. "Sure, sweetie, I can share that recipe. It's not one of the secret ones." She smiled at the both of them. "I'm assuming we'll be seeing more of you both now?" They nodded. "Good." She smiled at the crowd. "Anything else that needs to be discussed?"
 

"Are you having them at the school?" one man asked.
 

"If possible," Tara told them. "My last one was... it was hard and I miscarried one." She sniffled and Ginny moved to hug her. "Thanks. I'm going to try to have this one up there so Xander and George can help. Just not in the classroom this time." Ginny gave her a little squeeze. "Thanks, Ginny."
 

"I can't even imagine what you went through," Ginny whispered. "I'm there for you, Tara, whatever you need." She pulled back. "There is some other news." She looked at Snape, who was taking over for Dumbledore.
 

Snape coughed. "Professor Rosenberg was removed to the hospital today for her own good," he announced. "She'll be gone for the rest of the year." A few people started to talk and one woman asked if she was pregnant too. Snape nodded. That got more discussion started. "If there's nothing else, we should head back to the school. I'm sure tomorrow will be a long day with all the parents coming in to complain." He helped Draco up and watched his back as he paid the tab, without a wince, and then left behind him.
 

Madam Rosemerta counted out the bill again. He had left a fifty percent tip. How very nice of him. Pregnancy was good for him apparently.
 

***
 

Xander looked over as they were interrupted for a second time, this time by their oldest son. "Iggy, we're trying to have sex."
 

Iggy faced the other direction so he wouldn't have to see. "The townspeople didn't hurt anybody, Draco bought us all dinner, and I just had a wet dream," he announced in a rush.
 

George reached over and tugged on the boy's pants until he turned around. "It's a normal part of life, son. Don't stress over it. Who was it if we might know?"
 

Iggy swallowed. "That little blonde chaser for Slytherin."
 

"Ah, the slut," Xander said knowingly. He nodded. "Good choice." He smiled at the disgusted look his son gave him. "Sorry, couldn't resist. But your father is right, it's perfectly normal and another step in the growing up process. We'll buy you some baby wipes on the way home so you don't have to keep a washcloth in your room all the time."
 

"You're too calm!" Iggy complained.
 

"Just because we're married doesn't mean we don't have them," George told him. "During long periods of separation it's been known to happen to us too."
 

"Too much information," Iggy said, clamping his hands over his ears. "Dads!"
 

"Sorry, son. It's all part of being a man. Your dick will lead you around for the rest of your life, you've got to get used to dealing with it." Xander smiled. "Why don't you talk to your Uncles about this?"
 

"You want me to get sex advice from Uncles Ron or Harry?" he asked.
 

"Or Draco," George agreed. "He understands his dick very well."
 

"Yeah, from what I hear they had a very close partnership," Iggy sighed. "It's embarrassing."
 

"It's not like we're going to throw you a party," Xander told him. He looked at George. "Didn't you tell me Draco's dad did that?"
 

"I don't know if he did. I know he threw one for his son's first sexual encounter," George told him.
 

"Still eww," Iggy told them. He disappeared, hoping to find a more reasonable, and conservative, approach to dealing with this issue. He landed beside his Uncle Percy and gave him a hug. "Can you make puberty stop?" he begged.
 

"No, Ignatius, nothing can stop that process," Percy said sadly. "I remember how horrible it was to go through it. All those conflicting images going through my mind." He looked at the boy. "Had one of those explosive dreams?" Iggy nodded. "The best advice I can give you is to keep a washcloth handy. They happen to the best of us," he sighed.
 

"But I don't want them to happen. Sex gets in the way of things." He pouted. "Sex is icky and messy."
 

"And sometimes it's beautiful and precious," Percy assured him. "It all depends on if it means anything to you. If you ask Draco, he could probably tell you the difference," he admitted.
 

"Probably," Iggy sighed. "But he's probably going to throw a party about it."
 

Percy laughed. "I think that's an urban legend, my boy. His father was never that caring." He patted Iggy on the leg. "Go talk to your other uncles. I'll run interference from your fathers if you want."
 

"I caught them mid-kiss and grope," Iggy admitted. "They seemed really pleased."
 

"They'll continue that until you bring home your first girlfriend. Then you'll get parental pronouncements of celibacy." He smiled as the young boy disappeared. "At least Draco can give the *whole* sex talk." He picked up his novel and went back to it. It was quite good for a muggle writer.
 

***
 

Draco was accosted in the halls by Ryan Rosenberg and his crew of idiots. "What?" he asked them.
 

"How dare you sully the Slytherin name?" Ryan shouted. "You're doing this? Here? On sacred ground to us?"
 

Draco laughed coldly. "What makes you think Slytherin himself wouldn't approve? I took what I wanted from my girlfriend, I made my choice to have a powerful child. Besides, it shows how powerful I am. Not *minor* wizard would be able to pull this off." He sneered. "You're just upset because you'll never be this powerful, Rosenberg. Get used to it. I'm more powerful than you are and am everything that you ever wanted to be." He turned so they could see his outfit and jewelry. "Look and learn, boy, because this is the closest you're going to get to real power for a very long time." The boy pulled his wand, but Draco plucked it from his fingers. "You telegraph your movements, you stupid twit. Maybe you should ask Snape for dueling lessons because you obviously haven't got it." He sneered at the boys, standing up as tall as he could. "Not only did I help take out the obstacles to my power, I've aligned myself with one of the most powerful families on the planet. I'm in line to take over Ginny's business because I'm her helper, and I have free access to any spells I want. What makes you think Salazar himself isn't smiling down on me? After all, we found gryphon books in his library." He looked over the other boys, then back at their leader. "You may have gotten the temperament from your mother, boy, but you have yet to prove yourself worthy of the right to be in *my* house. I suggest you do so before this year ends or we might push you off to the side as one of those unfortunates who couldn't keep up." He strolled away, calmly tossing the boy's wand over his shoulder as he walked.
 

Ron met him at the next intersection. "Posing?" he asked.
 

"Most of the outward attributes of power are," Draco agreed. "Join me in a midnight snack?"
 

"Sure," Ron agreed. He could eat. He bounced Vincent on his shoulder. "Got a means to calm him down? He started screaming earlier and hasn't quit yet."
 

"If he's teething, you could try something cold and pliable. It worked with all of mine." He opened the door, letting him up first. "Iggy," he said with a smile. The boy didn't smile back. "What's wrong?"
 

"The dads congratulated me for ...." He mumbled the rest.
 

"Come again?" Ron asked.
 

Draco smiled at him. "How appropriate I do believe." He sat next to the boy. "Want to talk about it?"
 

"Both the dads and Uncle Percy said I should. They said you'd know more about it."
 

Ron snickered. "Yes, he probably would." He went up to put his son back into bed, then to make them something to nibble on.
 

Draco patted Iggy on the knee. "That little blonde chaser?" His nephew sighed and nodded. "Trust me, she's not the one you want for a first time. She's not in it for the pleasure and she's not going to give you the time you'll need to appreciate the act. You want a girl who's experienced, but there for the pleasure, not for the ride." Iggy blushed. "Going a bit too fast?" The boy nodded. "Then let's start back at the beginning."
 

***
 

Iggy sat on the bench in the dressing area before a game, mentally talking to his dick so it would stand down during the game. When he had convinced it to behave for a bit, he started to pay attention to the conversation around him.
 

"I want to know how two blokes do it," their third chaser said. "It's got to hurt."
 

Iggy shook his head. "No it doesn't." The team looked at him. "What? My dads do that all the time and they're loud. I asked." He stood up and pulled on his robe. "I was about eight and they had gotten a bit loud so I wanted to make sure that they weren't hurting each other. Daddy Xander's answer was that it was a stretchy hurt and it only hurt for a few seconds, if you were prepared and wanting it. Otherwise it hurt like hell." He shrugged. "If you ask him, he'd probably tell you the same thing."
 

"What's a stretchy hurt?" the keeper, and Captain, asked.
 

"Have you ever stretched too far and it hurt?" Most of the guys nodded. "That's how the dads explained it." He smiled. "Really, if you want to know *anything* about sex, ask my father Xander or my Uncle Draco. They'll tell you whatever you want to know and give you all the precautions you'll ever need," he said, eyes wide. His mind was still rolling over what his Uncle had told him. Man, that had been a long, strange talk.
 

"Did they give you that talk?" Reggie, the Captain teased. He really liked this strange little boy.
 

Iggy shook his head. "Uncle Draco did. Man, I never want to go through that again." He sat back down and held his head. "I'm still getting flashes of what he was talking about."
 

The guys laughed and commiserated. "Just think, when your father George was here, there were three girls on the team," Reggie told him.
 

Iggy looked up. "At least Simone is my cousin. I haven't seen her as girl since we were six and I figured out she was one." That got some more laughter. "And now all this puberty shit starts in," he sighed.
 

Reggie sat down beside him. "It's hard, Iggy, but most of us have went through it already. If you have questions, we might be able to handle passing on some golden knowledge."
 

"How come you guys don't get hard when you play?" Iggy asked.
 

"Ah," the seeker, the only seventh year on the team said wisely. "It is time to teach you how to take care of that before the game. It's almost a ritual around here." Iggy looked hopeful. "Have you ever played with it?"
 

Iggy made a gross face. "I don't even want to have it some days." The seeker laughed. "Really, it keeps getting in my way."
 

"Well, you go into the bathroom and play with it, and once it's finished spitting it'll calm down for a few hours," the seeker told him, putting an arm around his shoulders and leading him into the bathroom. "Think about the prettiest girl you've ever seen, and try to be quiet about it or the guys will tease you about your choice of women." He left Iggy in the toilets, going back to getting ready himself. He shared at look with Reggie. The kid wasn't shy so they all knew what he looked like. "He'll probably need some extra work once he hits that awkward stage," he said calmly. "We can deal with that."
 

"I can help him with that," Denver said. "After all, I had to learn how to fly when I'm dizzy." He had been hiding in the corner, soaking up the knowledge for later use. Maybe he would go to someone other than his father for the sex talk. Iggy had looked traumatized when he had stumbled into Gryffindor last night. He pulled on his robes and grabbed his broom, heading out to warm up next to the dressing area. His sister was out there waiting on him. "Iggy's gotten bad," he told her.
 

She nodded. "I heard. One of you guys was wondering what was going on with him yesterday when he was taking a nap." She lifted off, swirling up in circles. She floated, waiting on him. "Is he okay?"
 

"He's hitting that bad stage where his body's taking over," Denver told her as he joined her in the air. "We're going to have to work with him if he's not going to start flying funny." Iggy ran out and joined them in the air. "We love you, cousin, and we'll help you through this."
 

"Denver!" Iggy said hotly, motioning at Simone.
 

"Oh, please, I've already had the talk with mum. I know more about this stuff than either of you probably."
 

"Na-uh," Iggy told her, shaking his head. "I talked with your dad."
 

"Ewww," she said, wincing in sympathy. "Too much information?"
 

"Definitely." He weaved a little. "So can I count on you guys to help me through this?"
 

"As long as you share the dirty magazines," Denver told him.
 

Iggy shook his hand. "Deal." He nodded. "Let's weave and duck. I need to make sure I'm not off balance yet." They took off, weaving and ducking around each other, Simone swinging her bat every now and then to make them move and shift. She got Iggy on the arm and grinned at him. "Meanie," he told her as he swung around her. "Don't hit me or I'll have a house elf plant dirty pictures of women in your room."
 

She laughed. "Yay. Like I'd care! Or my roomies. They'd probably look at it to see what all the fuss about being an adult was about." She swung at her brother and he ducked, but lost his balance and nearly fell off. "You okay, bro?"
 

"Father's going to beat you if he hears you calling me that," Denver reminded her. He climbed fast, then leveled out above her, hovering. "Hey, Iggy, I can see the Hufflepuff's from here. Melvin's being yelled at."
 

"I'll get the fuckers later," Simone dismissed. "They're probably reminding him not to take it easy on us." She floated up and looked over, smiling and waving at Melvin. He ducked behind a bigger kid. "Yup, he's being yelled at because of us."
 

"Get down here," Reggie called. "That's bad form."
 

"Sorry," the three of them said as they floated down.
 

"Just checking on Melvin," Simone told him. "They're badgering him." Iggy groaned. "Sorry, no pun intended."
 

Reggie shook his head. "Well, don't. They get pissy about that." He climbed on his broom and lifted off, hovering lightly. "We don't peek on the other team and they don't peek on us."
 

Denver snorted, pointing at the kid who was hovering high enough to see them. "He's been up there longer than we have."
 

"Oh. Well in that case, spy away," Reggie said happily. "We ready to play?"
 

"Ready," the three of them said in unison. Simone smacked her paddle on her hand.
 

"Remember, Melvin's just out of the infirmary," Iggy told them. Simone grinned. "And if you paste him, Uncle Percy will beat us all. Knock him off by all means, just not by hitting him with the bludger."
 

Simone laughed. "Leave it to me, dear cousin." Then she laughed evilly.
 

Reggie shuddered, wondering if the hat had made a mistake. Maybe she should have been in Slytherin. She scared him. He flew off, going to check on the rest of the team as they came out to warm up too.
 

***
 

Percy glared at his niece, who smiled innocently across the table from him. "Did you really have to knock him off after what he went through yesterday?" he sighed.
 

She nodded. "All's fair in love and quidditch," she told him. "And we won. Besides, he wasn't hurt. Iggy caught him and still managed to score with him on the broom."
 

Percy shook his head, but he heard Ron laughing. "Be more careful with my son. He's the only one I have, dear."
 

She grinned at him. "Uncle Percy, we *love* Melvin. We *adore* him. But if he gets in the way on the field he's got to move faster."
 

Iggy snickered. "I told him I'd give him some practice if he wanted." He glanced over, smiling at his cousin, who waved back and smiled. "It didn't seem to harm him." He took a bite of his dinner and winced. One of his teeth had been knocked loose when the quaffle had been tossed wrong by Denver. He switched to the softer vegetables, chewing them on the other side of his mouth. "How much did we win by?" he asked. He had spent the last few minutest with Madam Pomfrey's fingers in his mouth.
 

"About fifty points," Denver told him. He winced and moved his arm. Simone had gotten him during the game because he didn't move fast enough either. It had been a happy moment when he saw his father stand up and start yelling at her for it. "Do you get to have a talk with dad tonight?" he asked his sister.
 

Simone sighed and dropped her fork. "He was giving me that look again. I'm sure I'm going to be jumped soon enough." She looked at her Uncle. "Why are you eating with us?"
 

"Because it wouldn't be appropriate to eat at the Hufflepuff table since I was sorted into Gryffindor. I checked on the protocol with Melvin and he agreed with the book." He smiled at the fab threesome, as they were being called. "Do try to stay out of trouble for a few more weeks, at least until Christmas."
 

"I wonder if daddy has sent out letters canceling the Christmas party," Simone mused.
 

"The fact that the house blew up was news for two days," Denver pointed out. "He shouldn't have to."
 

"It might be a matter of protocol," Iggy told him. "Some wizards are really big on that." He picked up his book but his cousin took it from him. "As Daddy told Grandma, I am allowed to read during meals. It's important that I learn all I can. I could be the first gryphon-born potions master in centuries," he finished proudly.
 

"Which is wonderful, but we would appreciate your company," Simone told him. "How's the mouth?"
 

"It'll heal," he told her. "Madam Pomfrey told me that my tooth would settle back into place as good as new in a few days."
 

"Soft stuff for you until then," Denver teased. "Want to go get ice cream?"
 

Percy cleared his throat. "I believe his fathers mentioned putting him in a lead room so he couldn't get out of it if he ever did that again without permission," he noted idly. "He had better not even try."
 

Reggie came down and clapped Simone on the back. "You're one hell of a girl," he told her. "I'm very proud of the way you let nothing stand in your way, not even your brother." She smiled up at him. "Practice for beaters next Monday. Chasers Tuesday. The whole team on Thursday."
 

"I have a meeting on Thursday with Professor Snape," Iggy told him.
 

"Oh, how long did you get detention for?" Reggie asked.
 

"Not detention, extra lessons," Iggy told him, looking serious. "It's my thing."
 

"Can you switch it around?" Iggy shrugged. "When does it start?"
 

"Eight. We're working on a harder potion together."
 

"The one for Andrea?" Simone asked hopefully. Their friend was in the infirmary today because something hadn't agreed with her stomach earlier. Iggy nodded. "How long?"
 

"Two weeks, and we're doing the once-off spell. We'll need a few components so you'll have to pull out your begging act with Uncle Draco."
 

"That's fine. He's anxious to see how it goes too," she assured him. "Give me a list and I'll beg sweetly." She looked at Reggie. "When did we get practice time on Thursday?"
 

"Six."
 

"So I'll have two hours," Iggy told him. "I can grab a sandwich on the way out."
 

Reggie nodded. "All right. I'll allow it. Try to change it around for the week after. Some of us have detention Wednesday for the next three weeks," he said, glaring at their seeker.
 

"Okay, I'll talk to him tomorrow," Iggy told him. "Maybe I can get it switched this week too." He smiled at him. "Was there a strategy session coming up?"
 

"No, not yet," Reggie told him. "Just before the last game." He smiled at Percy. "Your son was pretty good today. Not as much as these three, but great nonetheless." He left them alone.
 

"I don't think anyone could stand up to us when we work together," Simone told him, reaching over to pat him on the hand. "Just think if he had been sorted into the house with us."
 

Percy laughed. "I can just see the terrors you would be," he told her. "The other houses would be quaking in their robes."
 

Xander walked in and smiled at the kids, giving his son a fierce hug. "I'm sorry we missed the first half of the game," he told him.
 

"It's okay, daddy, I understand how your hormones were running your life." Iggy smiled at him.
 

"Oh, that looks nasty. Has someone looked at it?" Xander tipped Iggy's chin up, careful of the bruise on it. Iggy nodded at him. "As long as you're okay." He kissed him on the forehead. "I'm very proud of you. Not only did you keep your cousin from being severely injured," he glanced at Simone, "but you also managed to score while you did it. You're a neat kid." He kissed him again and went up to take his usual seat. George came in the back door with William and gave Iggy a smile of his own. "Bruised chin and bleeding gums."
 

"He'll be fine. I've had worse." He handed over the baby. "All calm." William opened his mouth and screamed. "Or not," he sighed, starting to stand up.
 

"Let me," Xander told him. "You eat." He turned his son to look at him. "If you continue to cry, you're going to upset your father quite a lot because he won't be able to eat, son." William sniffled and wailed louder. "If you behave, I'll get you ice cream," he offered.
 

"Get up and walk him," George said between hasty bites.
 

Xander got up and went to walk the baby down to the Gryffindor table. Iggy stole him and cuddled him tightly. And miraculously the baby calmed down. "Gee, just love your brother more than your fathers," he said, disgusted with his infant son at the moment. "You have to eat too," he said, trying to take him back. William wrapped his fingers in Iggy's hair and would *not* let go. "Come on, son. You have to let me go eat too."
 

"I've got him," Iggy told him.
 

"You have to eat too," Percy told him, reaching over and taking the new nephew to hold. "Go eat, Xander, I have him."
 

Xander rolled his eyes. "My son." He held out his arms and the baby blew spit bubbles at him. "Come on, you're not sorted yet, you can't live with the Gryffindors until you're sorted into the house."
 

Percy laughed and handed the baby over. Which made William scream again. He quickly took the baby back. "Go eat, Xander. It seems he prefers the gentler members of the family today."
 

"Maybe he knows about Tara's baby," Simone suggested. "I hated Denver when he came around."
 

Denver hit her. "Meanie.
 

"Hey, you stole the attention of the daddy. And you stole my toys." She ate a bite of broccoli. "I forgave you when you learned how to hug."
 

"Awwww," Percy said. Then he broke up in laughter. "You two were hell on the rest of the family." They laughed. "I'm surprised Ginny didn't go insane when you were three and refused to wear clothes in public." The kids ducked their heads, and he laughed. "Don't want that story told?"
 

"Oh, tell," Iggy told him, grinning at his cousins. He would get Simone for telling embarrassing stories about him to the whole house.
 

"When they were three, Ginny could *not* keep them in clothes," Percy told him. "She had to bribe them to get dressed at all, and when they were in public Simone had this penchant for stripping. Did it in the toy store, in the food market, even in that outdoor market mum likes to shop at. That time, she stripped down and crawled in with the watermelons. Needless to say the vendor was not amused."
 

"Was that the year we had watermelon everything?" Iggy asked. Percy nodded. "Gee, and I thought my jumping off the roof of the house with only a towel around my neck was good," he smirked.
 

"Tell anyone else and you die," Simone assured him.
 

Percy laughed. "There's quite a few stories I could share." Simone groaned and pulled her brother over so she could hide her head on his chest.
 

***
 

It was finally Christmas and the last month had been quiet. All the students were gone. All the noise was gone. Xander and George had spent the better part of the last two weeks in bed, making a lot of noise, and the remaining kids were running around the castle making some noise of their own. But now it was Christmas morning. Xander snuck out of bed and grabbed the present he had found for his mate, then climbed back in before he could get cold. They needed to put a fire into the fireplace before they had to share body heat to get dressed. Which would mean they'd miss breakfast again. Tara and Dumbledore had taken to teasing them when they appeared for lunch rumpled and happy looking. Xander picked up his wand and started a fire in the grate, which made George hop up and get the present he had stashed inside it the night before. "Sorry," Xander said with an impish grin.
 

"I'll remember to pick a better hiding place next time," George said as he climbed back under the mound of blankets. Even after eleven years, Xander still got cold in the winter. He held out his little box. "For you," he said with a grin.
 

Xander handed over his. "Want to open yours first?"
 

"Let's do it together. One, two...." There was paper ripping so George tore into his.
 

"Ooohh!" Xander said happily. "Hershey! We get to go to Hershey ! I've always wanted to go to Hershey!" He hugged George as hard as he could. "I love you, I love you, I love you," he sang.
 

George patted him gently. "It's a delayed present but I didn't think you'd mind," he said with a smile. He opened the top of his box and looked puzzled. "What's this?" He pulled out the small crystal, looking into it. No picture. "Xander, honey, explanation?"
 

Xander pushed his hand on the other side of the crystal and it warmed up, humming at them. "It's a lovers crystal," he said with a kiss. "This way you can do to me what I do for you. Bill the gryphon and your brother Charlie helped me create it."
 

George closed his eyes. Oh...my....God! He could hear Xander's thoughts. "Holy Merlin," George said, dropping the crystal so he could pull him closer. "You are the sweetest," kiss, "most wonderful," kiss, "thoughtful," long kiss, "mate I could ever want." He stroked his husband's back as he cuddled him. "I love you."
 

"Marry me in front of the gryphons and the born?" Xander whispered.
 

"Yes!"
 

"Less noise, more family time," Fred called from the bottom of the stairs.
 

"Get up here!" George called. Fred and Charlie came running, his older brother smirking. "I love you, Charlie. Will you stand up for us?"
 

"Sure," Charlie agreed.
 

Fred looked from Charlie to his twin and back. "Explanation?"
 

"Xander and Charlie made me a crystal that'll allow me to hear him like he can me," George explained.
 

"With some help from Bill the gryphon," Xander added.
 

"Still, this is wonderful." George held up the crystal. "This is the greatest gift."
 

"Including the news that Tara is carrying a girl?" Xander teased.
 

"Yes," George said. He smiled at Xander. "Thank you."
 

"Well, you are pretty in this light. You're beaming. I like making you happy." He kissed him. "You make me so happy that I can't help but want to make you so happy you dance around." Another kiss.
 

"Less snogging, more family time," Charlie told them, pulling Xander out of bed. He turned his head.
 

"What?" George teased. "Never seen one before?"
 

"No, I've seen plenty," Charlie told him. "I didn't want you pissed at me because I peeked at your husband." He took the robe Fred handed him and stuffed Xander into it. "Downstairs, you. George will be joining you soon."
 

Xander glanced at his husband, giving him a little smile, and left. George blushed as brightly as he could. Fred cracked up. "Good thought?" he teased.
 

"Very," George said happily. He accepted his robe and slipped the crystal into the pocket, then put it on, getting out of bed. "So, what's going on today?"
 

"Well, we wanted to talk to you first," Fred said, closing the door. He frowned. "Mum sent sweaters again this year."
 

"Except for us?" George suggested.
 

"And Ginny."
 

"Oh, well. She's going to have to come back to normal sometime."
 

"I'm starting to think she's possessed," Charlie said. "She called me Bill earlier."
 

"She might be," Fred agreed. "It would explain a lot of stuff." He looked at George. "Want to talk to someone?"
 

"Snape would probably know," George agreed. He felt a tickling and grimaced. "Xander said Willow and Tara both know spells to depossess someone."
 

"Damn," Charlie said. "That's a bit extreme don't you think?"
 

"Not if it's necessary," Fred put in.
 

"Let's see if it is first," George suggested. "Did we get anything?"
 

"Not as far as we can tell," Charlie told him. "I've warned Ron not to wear his."
 

"I don't mind," George told him, but he was lying. The door opening and Xander coming in to give him a hug proved it. "What did we have planned for today?"
 

"Taking the kids outside and pelting them with snowballs," Xander told him with a grin. "Then lunch and maybe some Christmas movies?" he suggested.
 

"Okay," Fred agreed.
 

"Sounds good to me," Charlie told him.
 

"Snuggling is always good to me," George agreed. He patted Xander's butt. "Let's put on clothes so we don't traumatize the children even more." Xander dove for his closet, knowing he had more presents downstairs. George smiled and grabbed some of Xander's sweat pants to pull on under his robe.
 

"Underwear," Fred sighed as he left. "Don't pick up that bad habit."
 

Charlie smirked at him. "Go commando myself quite often," he admitted. "Feels good to me." He waved and left them alone.
 

"It also makes it easier to do naughty things to you under the table," Xander said with a wink.
 

"Xander!" Fred yelled. "Not while you eat! That's nasty!"
 

Xander giggled evilly. "I'm so naughty."
 

"Yes, but you're *my* naughty," George told him, "and I appreciate you this way." He pulled on a shirt and walked down the stairs, his new crystal being looked over to see if it could be put onto a necklace. Charlie handed him a keyring. "I'll lose it," George told him.
 

"It's appropriate," Fred said dryly. "It'll be in your pocket all day."
 

From upstairs, Xander's laughter echoed down.
 

Draco came down the stairs rubbing his eyes. "I thought only the children got up this early," he complained.
 

George showed him his crystal. "He got me something to let me read his mind," he said happily.
 

"Remember, the more who know, the more people who will want it," Charlie told him.
 

George put the keyring on his crystal and stuffed it onto his normal one. "I won't let it out of my sight." He smiled when Draco yawned. "You want to go back to bed? The kids aren't here yet."
 

"I'll nap later," Draco said, flopping down onto the couch. He yawned again and slowly fell back asleep. Everyone smiled at him. He was quite tolerable like that was the common consensus, except from Xander, who just thought he looked like a big kid.
 

Simone opened the door and peeked inside. "Is Daddy up?"
 

Xander shushed her. "He's back asleep." He nodded her inside, pointing at the tree. She ran for it, followed by the other three kids, and lastly by a few minutes by Andrea. "Hey, sweetie," he said, giving her a hug. She had suffered through as bad of a year as he had. Worms in the dog via a hard-to-cure curse. Kids picking on her. Someone intentionally putting something she was allergic to in front of her in herbology. That one had been nasty. Fortunately Madam Sprout had looked up when she started to have trouble breathing. If they could tell who had done it, they would have been expelled. So she had a rotten year, but her mother was sick so she couldn't go home this year. Xander had went up to her yesterday and demanded that she join them this morning and threatened to tickle her if she argued with him. She had giggled and relented after a few minutes of torture. Pumpkin settled in front of the fire with a sigh of relief. Apparently Gryffindor tower was cold this morning. Xander made a note to talk to one of the house elves about the fires that should have been laid today. George looked at him and smiled so Xander went out to look around. The school was really quiet.
 

He started with the kitchen and found all the elves asleep on the cold hearth. He shook a few of them, waking them up. "Hey, it's morning," he told them as they woke up. "Go do the stuff you usually do." He smiled as one yawned at him. "Don't worry, we're the only ones up so far," he said when one squeaked about not doing their jobs. They hurried off to light fires and get things ready for the feast. Xander decided to stop in on Dumbledore next, jogging up to the teacher's section. The portrait was no problem, he used a unlocking spell instead of fighting with it over the password, making it scream. "Hush," he told it. "Everyone's asleep and it's wrong." He walked up to the headmaster's door, tapping gently. He heard a squawk so entered, petting Fawkes. "Is he sleeping too?" he asked in a normal voice.
 

"With all that noise?" Dumbledore groaned, sitting up. "What's wrong?"
 

"Either the house elves got soused and passed out or everyone was under some sort of sleep spell," he reported. "I woke the elves up. No fires are lit."
 

"Very well," Dumbledore said as he crawled out of his bed, showing off his Alvin and the Chipmunk's pajama's. "They were a present," he said before the young professor could say anything. "Go find Severus. Do you know where his rooms are?" Xander nodded. "Then go wake him up as well. We'll come up and join you for breakfast."
 

Xander scrunched up his face, then nodded happily. "George and Iggy went out for food."
 

Dumbledore frowned. "I thought your son did that."
 

"I gave George a lovers crystal," Xander said happily.
 

"Oh, my," he said, beaming. "I'm happy for you both, Xander. I hope it brings you closer and leads to less physical noise making." He winked. "Go wake up Severus and check on the shields for me please. I'll be over in a few moments."
 

Xander nodded and left, leaving the older man to get dressed.
 

Dumbledore looked under his blankets. "My dear, you can come out now." A pale blonde stuck her head out and said something in another language, making him laugh. "Yes, he's quite energetic for having that small handicap." He helped her out and into the bathroom so she could floo home.
 

Xander knocked gently on Severus' door, knowing he slept lightly. When he didn't get an answer, he cleared his throat. "Open up or I've got permission to break and enter," he called. No answer so he broke and entered, walking closer to the bed. "Hey, Snape, get up. Spell on the school," he called from a few feet away. He figured Snape would probably lash out if you tried to touch him. Nothing so Xander poked him with his cane. The older man grunted and glared at him as soon as his eyes were open. "Spell on the school, we think. Otherwise the house elves got drunk and passed out."
 

Snape sat up and looked at his fireplace. "Are they up yet?"
 

"I woke them before Dumbledore. He said to check the shields on the school. And you're all invited for breakfast in our tower since we've had a fire the longest." The other man nodded. "Oh, the kids are up."
 

"That's fine," Snape told him. When Xander didn't move, he pointed at the door. "I will need to get dressed."
 

"Oops, sorry." Xander smiled and left the room, closing and relocking the portrait behind him. He found Tara wandering toward the Great Hall, still half asleep, so he steered her toward his house. She could nap on the couch beside Draco. He briefly wondered how to wake up the babies, but a kick against his hand changed his mind. "Here we are," he announced as he led her inside and put her under the blanket Draco was under. They were cute together. "The house elves were asleep."
 

George looked at the pregnant couple and 'aww'ed. "They look cute together," he announced, pointing at them.
 

Everyone grinned at them. It was so cute!
 

Snape stomped in and glared at them. "Are they still under it?"
 

"No, they're pregnant, it happens," George told him, giving him a smile. "Can we help?"
 

"No, it's fixed. Someone broke in and laid a sleeping spell over most of the school while they ransacked the library." He looked at Xander, who shook his head. "You weren't affected?"
 

"I'm guessing we've got shielding still," Fred told him. "Just to keep Xander from shaking everything." Snape nodded slowly.
 

"Besides, no one knows we're over here unless they're teaching or attending here," Ron pointed out from his corner. "Do the Regent's even know?" Xander nodded. "Well, then it had to be someone who wasn't affiliated."
 

Xander looked Snape over. "We were thinking about asking you something later. I know it's Ron's job, but he's involved and you have more experience." Snape nodded so Charlie pulled him aside to talk to him. Snape finally nodded and said something quietly, disappearing to go do something.
 

"He's got something to see if she is," Charlie announced.
 

"Is what?" Ron asked.
 

"Possessed," Fred told him.
 

Ron nodded. "It would explain a lot of the problems." He tickled William, making him laugh. "How about we open presents, guys? It's your first Christmas." Fred and George picked up the presents for the kids and brought them over to the playpen that had been built into the corner. Everyone came over to watch them rip and eat the paper, clapping as each present appeared.
 

Dumbledore walked in, smiling already. "I hear presents being opened," he said, handing the four children little presents. They were opened and showed as little velvet stuffed animals.
 

"They're so cute," Charlie told him.
 

"Thanks, Albus," Xander said, giving him a bright smile. "Did you run into Snape?" Dumbledore nodded. "Anything else I can do?"
 

"Not yet, Xander. Later, once the happiness has slowed down to a happy simmer." He pointed at the little blocks the kids were holding. "What are those?"
 

"They're part of the new line at the shop," Fred told him. "Baby's first prank. They're little things that make light and noise."
 

"There's another that plays lullabies but they annoy Vincent Raymond." George grinned at him. "They've been selling very well as baby shower gifts. We make a mean basket."
 

Dumbledore laughed. "That's an excellent idea. You can never start them too young." He smiled at the sleeping duo. "Have we started corrupting them yet?"
 

"Yes," Xander said firmly. "I've been telling Tara's stomach jokes."
 

Fred laughed. "So have I."
 

"Me too," Ron agreed.
 

George frowned. "I never thought about that. I've been feeding her icy fingers of death."
 

"Then the baby will know laughter," Dumbledore told him. "Always a wonderful trait for anybody." He looked over as Snape came back in and Ron disappeared for a few moments. He came back quickly and Snape sighed, heading over with him. "Another problem?"
 

"We've decided that Molly's possessed," Xander told him. "We're figuring it out for sure." He looked over as Tara moaned. "Sweetie, did you want to go help unpossess Molly?"
 

"No thanks," Tara mumbled, snuggling into Draco's arms. He hugged her tightly to him, earning more 'aww's. Draco flipped everyone off, and the crowd around the kids broke up to dig into the food George and Iggy had went out to get. The pregnant couple was woken up and were fed too, and the kids set off their new pranks. The adults clapped again and the four little people started to look around for more things that got them that sort of attention. Fred brought out a large box of the little colored squares, handing them over slowly.
 

Dumbledore settled into a chair, watching the triplets and little William ooh and aww over the lights, much to the joy of the three pranksters. "The legend lives on," he told Xander, who beamed at him. "Teach them some control please, before they blow up Professor Flitwick like Iggy did."
 

Xander chuckled when he heard his son choke. "You know, we've all been telling embarrassing Iggy stories recently. Apparently most of the family hasn't heard them."
 

"Uncle Percy got me last night," Simone told him. "The watermelon incident."
 

Dumbledore laughed. He remembered hearing about that. She had even made it into the paper for being so cute. "You should tell more of them, boys. I haven't heard all of them yet." The four older kids groaned. Within moments, various stories were started, vying for the right to be told first.

***
 

Severus Snape stepped out of the floo and glared at the woman with the butcher's knife. "Put it down, woman!" he ordered. She dropped it with a squeak of fear. "Sit!" She sat. "Weasley," he ordered. Ron and his father both stood up. "Tie her to the chair. This will be tough, but you must persevere. She will want you to help her," he instructed as Molly was tied to the chair. "She will beg, plead, and fight. She will possibly tell you she's dying. Only three people have died from this in the last century and I'm doubting that she will be next." He pulled a small vial from the interior pocket of his robe, sprinkling her with it. "Out, foul spirit," he commanded. He walked around her, laughing when she started to plead. "They are onto you, creature. They will not help you." He sprinkled more on her, making her scream and try to get free.
 

Ron pulled his father outside, closing both parts of the door so they didn't have to watch or hear. "I'm sorry, dad," he said quietly.
 

"It's not your fault."
 

"I teach this stuff, I should have known," Ron argued.
 

"So does Xander and he didn't see it either. It's all right, Ron," he said quietly, patting him on the back. He looked back toward the house but Ron turned him around. "How long will it be?"
 

"It could take hours, Dad. And it's not going to get better." He pulled his wand. "I can knock you out if you want." His father smiled and shook his head. "You sure? It'd make the time pass faster." Molly screamed and they both jumped, but Ron kept his father from going back in there. "No, we're going to go see the grandkids. We're going to Percy's first and then we'll go see mine." He put his wand away and took a firmer hold on his father, apparating them to Percy's flat. "He needs a diversion," Ron announced. He smiled at Tanada. "And you are the perfect one." He pushed his father down and watched as the little girl worked her charm.
 

Her casts made her awkward but that didn't matter right now. She loved her grandfather and it showed. "Grandpa," she said, patting him on the face. "Unclies gave me treats. Wanna see?"
 

Arthur smiled at her. "Of course I would, precious." She walked off unsteadily, and came back with some little blocks. "Oh, those. George showed me the prototypes." He picked up a purple one and helped her set it off. He noticed his sons talking, but he was going to let them handle it. He dealt with muggle things. They dealt with the more serious matters. It was their job, not his. His job was to worry.
 

Percy came over to sit down next to them. "The x-rays were excellent this time. They said her feet are straightening out very nicely." He smiled at his daughter. "They think she should be out of the casts within another two months."
 

"That's wonderful news," Arthur said, giving her a hug. "You'll be running after the big kids again very soon, Tananda."
 

She giggled. "I like chasing Iggy. He's fun."
 

"Yes, he is," Arthur agreed. He looked at Ron, who shook his head.
 

***
 

Severus Snape walked out of the floo in Xander's tower and sat down immediately. "I can't get it out," he admitted. "It's too strong. We may need something more holy." He looked at Tara, who nodded. "Will you come help me?"
 

"Of course. Let me go get my working robes," Tara told him, heaving herself up with some help from Fred. "Give me ten minutes. I'll meet you there." He nodded and left again. "Guys, no worrying," she ordered. "The baby will be fine." She hurried to her rooms to get what she needed. She had been practicing her faith since she was eight. She knew what she had to do. She left through the main staffroom. As soon as she appeared, Molly started to scream obscenities. She steeled herself. This wasn't the loving woman who had made George and Fred so special. This was something stuck into that woman's body and it had to come out before it hurt that wonderful woman permanently. She prayed to her Goddess for strength. She felt it fill her and smiled. Her Goddess understood and would be the sword she would cleave the two apart with. She stepped forward, praying out loud, praying for strength, for help, and to get this creature out of this woman. She felt the two start to separate and nodded at Snape to start again.
 

They would do this together. Together they could do this.
 

***
 

Xander looked up as the fireplace whooshed and discharged a very tired Tara, a stumbling Snape, and a sweaty, beaten looking Molly Weasley. "Mom," he said, hopping up to give them his couch. He checked on Tara first, letting his son get his mentor, but she waved him off. "You're okay?" he whispered. She smiled and put his hand on her stomach, letting him feel the movement of the baby. "I was worried," he admitted, giving her a hug.
 

"I'm okay, Xander. We're all okay now. The creature, something more demonic than I know, was sent out of her and trapped. I flooed to Wesley first and he's taking care of it." He gave her another hug then went to help the rest of his family fuss over Molly. "She's fine too. We just need some sleep and a warding charm done."
 

"I'm not good for that," Xander told her.
 

"I am," Draco offered from his position next to the playpen. He stood up with a long groan. "I learned so I could ward the house. Are we warding against or putting up extensive shields around her?"
 

"We removed a demonic entity from her," Snape told him.
 

"Then we'll do both," Draco told her. "Molly, would you like to clean up first?" She nodded and Charlie helped her up to the bathroom. "Iggy, I need the usual things." Iggy nodded. "I don't care if you have to wake up the owner of the spell component's shop." He tossed him some money. "Tell him I'm doing a warding first and he should already have a package made up." Iggy disappeared, teleporting away. "Snape, go rest, my man. You did excellent." He headed up to do this in the nursery. It was the purest room in the house. As soon as Molly walked in, he locked the room from anyone interfering. "This won't hurt, but it is strange magic," he told her.
 

She smiled weakly. "I understand, Draco. Do whatever you have to."
 

He kissed her on the cheek. "I will protect you. That's why I learned it from Tara." He looked over as a bag of herbs, separated into smaller bags, appeared on one of the cribs. "Thank you, Ignatius. Good work." He broke open the bag and spread the smaller bags out. He turned and smiled but saw the strangeness still in her eyes. "Get out of her," he warned. "I am a higher power. I can beat you." He pulled his wand. "Out of her!" he warned.
 

Molly sighed and a bit of smoke came out of her ear. She looked at him. "Draco?" She looked around. "Where am I?"
 

"In the new house," he told her, starting the spell to ward her. He frowned at the bit of smoke hanging around. "Out," he told it. "I will summon something higher."
 

Iggy appeared behind him, arms crossed, glaring at the smoke. "Out," he ordered. "I am one of the guardians of this school. We can defeat you." He used his wand to clap a split ball around it, then sealed it as tightly as he could. "I'm going to Dumbledore with this," he said, taking it into his hands. "I'll be back." He smiled at his uncle. "You really learned this from Tara?"
 

Draco nodded. "I was bored so she offered to start teaching me her form of magic." He looked at the door and opened it for Tara. "Coming to help?"
 

"Yup." She smiled at Iggy and motioned him to leave. "Give that to Snape," she told him. "He'll deal with it." Iggy nodded and hurried out. She nodded at Draco to seal the door again. "Let's put on the super shields so we can eat," she said with a smile. He smiled back, it was their favorite pastime.
 

***
 

Later that night, a fight broke out. Tara kept protesting that she was fine, but everyone else wanted her to have the baby checked. Eventually, Xander waded into the fight and pouted, which made Tara give up. "Fine, but Snape has to tell me why the anti-stretchmark creme isn't working this time," she announced.
 

Snape gave her a speculative look. "If you wish," he told her. Internally he was sweating and nauseous. She wanted him to touch her. He took her arm to lead her up to the infirmary, stopping only to get a potion for her. She had some terrible heartburn due to the Mexican food Xander had went out and gotten for her. Once they were upstairs, Tara took off her shirt, showing off a very pretty bra and a bulging stomach. He hadn't realized she was so large already. He stepped back while Madam Pomfrey did her medical examination, readying himself to touch her. His hands were shaking when he laid his right hand over her navel.
 

She shivered. "You're cold," she told him with a smile. She stepped closer once the drapes were drawn to give them privacy. "Does she feel all right?"
 

"She feels fine. I'm going to look at her aura." He blinked when she smiled at him, that same warming smile that she gave Xander. He shivered and concentrated on his task. Surely she couldn't mean him to.... He stepped back abruptly. "I can't find a thing wrong with her."
 

"Would you please tell me why the stretch marks are back?"
 

He swallowed and stepped closer, reminding himself that he could only sully her by his touch so to get it over with. He ran a finger over the faint lines of her former stretch marks and then the few new ones she had. "I can make it stronger," he said eventually, not looking up at her.
 

She tipped his face up and gave him her brightest smile. "Good, because I wouldn't want horrible, nasty stretch marks to mar my natural beauty." He swallowed again, and strangely his mouth went dry. "You forget, Severus, I can hear thoughts as well," she whispered. "I have to be...close to the person, but you do broadcast quite well." She noticed his hand was still shaking. "You can touch. She seems to like you. Whenever she hears your voice she quits wiggling."
 

Snape's second hand came up and he cradled the bulge, feeling the warmth coming across. He could almost feel movement. He looked up at her and noticed how beautiful she looked in this harsh light. And that's when it hit him. She couldn't want him as more than a friend. He would sully her in so many ways.
 

She laughed. "I'm not as perfect as you think. I'm human, just like you are. I've had bad thoughts and done bad things too. Nothing too severe, but some bad things," she finished with a gentle smile. He stood up and hurried away. "You should know I hunted when I was younger," she called after him. "I will get what I want," she told herself as she put back on her shirt. "Xander will help me." She walked out and ran into one of the twins, she was guessing it was Fred since he looked so calm. "Everything's fine."
 

He gave her a look. Then he smiled. "What did you do that made Snape run?"
 

"I told him he could give me backrubs whenever he wanted," she said with a cocky smile.
 

He hissed. "That is one mountain of a task, young lady. Are you sure you want to take it on?"
 

"Yes, Fred, I'm sure," she said with her most smug grin. She strolled away. "I'll see you tomorrow."
 

"Yes, ma'am," he told her. "I'll bring stuff to help you hunt."
 

She laughed and waved. "Good. I'm a bit out of practice." She let him lead her back to the tower, where everyone got into the stomach rubbing action. Even Draco got stomach rubs from Molly, who was in awe of him. Apparently the entity had kept her so submerged that she didn't remember the last few months. It would be okay, because everyone was watching for a reoccurrence.
 

***
 

Xander accepted the message from the owl holding it, easily picking it out of the usual morning flurry of owls seeking attention because it was pure white and twice as large, a Ministry owl. The other owls flew off after getting some head scratches and a few nibbles of his breakfast, leaving Xander to read the official message and respond. He stood up, waving it. "We're getting tv channels," he said happily, showing the message off. He could have cable again! He stole a pen off a kid hastily scribbling an essay for a class that day and wrote a note, begging and pleading for it to happen soon and how much and would it be actual cable or a satellite setup? He sent it back with the owl and went to Murphy his husband.
 

Dumbledore watched Xander's back hurry out of the room. "I'd say he was happy about this."
 

"It's the only thing he missed from his muggle life," Lupin reminded him before taking a bite of toast.
 

"I've been wondering about this television stuff myself," Madam Sprout admitted. "Is it the same shows every week?"
 

"It's like a series of books," Tara told her. "A different chapter each week, but you get the same books every week."
 

"Oh," Madam Sprout said happily. "So you don't get bored?"
 

"Well, there are reruns, but half the time you get fresh stuff. And things change around every few months, shows leave because they didn't do well and new ones come on," She pushed her hair over her shoulder and thought about getting it trimmed later. It touched her shoulderblades now. "Over time, the series build and finish."
 

"More like the circle of life," Black said thoughtfully. "I wouldn't mind a shot at that."
 

"Don't watch soap operas. They're horribly addicting," Tara warned. "My mother used to drop everything to watch hers."
 

"I'll keep that in mind," he agreed, giving her a smile. She was glowing, very brightly, and it wasn't all pregnancy. "Tara, are you having a problem with holding in your magic?" Black asked her finally.
 

She nodded. "The baby's happy so I glow. It's a wonderful nightlight." A few of the teachers and nearby students looked at her. "I had the same problem last time. Willow got her hormone evilness and I glowed." She frowned. "And occasionally blinked and flashed." She shrugged it off. "It's my funny pregnancy problem."
 

"But surely it can't be good for you," Madam Sprout told her, hoping it wasn't hurting the nice young woman.
 

Tara shrugged. "My doctor doesn't find it more than odd. He said it's fine as long as I can still sleep at night."
 

Xander danced back in and hugged everyone, even Black, who shoved him away. "We're getting cable," he said happily, hugging Black again to annoy him. "I'm going to have noise again!" He danced over and hugged Tara. "You look so beautiful." He hugged Snape as he came in. "We're getting cable."
 

"Oh dear Merlin," he sighed, pushing Xander off him. "Settle down. It's not that momentous of an occasion." He noticed Tara's faint glow and raised an eyebrow. "Fairly happy today?" The glow brightened.
 

"The baby's happy," Lupin told him, smirking at his discomfort. "Apparently she likes your voice." He handed Tara her special pitcher of milk. "Drink it all, we want the baby to be healthy when it comes out."
 

Tara obediently poured out a mug of the milk and drank it to show she was being good. She smiled as Snape sat down in his usual spot, trying hard not to look at her. She belched. "Oh, sorry," she said, rubbing her stomach. She winced and Xander hurried to her side. "Easy, it's just a kick."
 

"Still," he said, kneeling beside her to rub her stomach. "Be easy on the mommy, little girl. She's a very special and nice lady." The baby kicked again, a flurry of movement, making Tara wince. "Lupin?"
 

"Coming." He came over and tried to calm the baby down, but she wasn't having it.
 

Both men looked at Snape. Everyone in the castle knew that he had some strange way of calming the baby down. Xander started to glare when he didn't take the hint, which made him sigh and put down his fork so he could come over and participate in this strange ritual. "Do calm down," he said as he put a hand on her stomach. A very strong kick to his hand and then nothing. "If you stay calm, your mother would appreciate it."
 

Tara smiled at him. "It looks like you've got the magic fingers." He blushed. "She likes you."
 

"I'm glad." He pulled away and went back to his breakfast, but she grunted in pain. Everyone shifted and his plate was moved for him before he could protest. He sat down and picked up his fork, taking a bite before anything else could happen. He felt a small hand touch his arm and looked at his breakfast partner. "Is this helping?"
 

"She's very calm," Tara told him, rubbing her stomach. "Thank you."
 

"You're welcome. I don't want to see you in pain either." He stuffed his mouth before he could say anything else. Her smile turned knowing. "Don't do that."
 

"I wasn't doing anything other than thinking it's nice to be special to someone." She picked up her muffin and nibbled. "Is the new creme ready yet?" He nodded. "Want to help me try it out today?" His fork paused then continued on the way to his mouth. "I can't reach the ones coming in on my back."
 

"I can help you find something for that," he told her. He could hopefully improvise something without having to touch her again. She smiled at him again. Infuriating woman. "Keep that up," he said quietly, "and I won't help you at all."
 

She ate some more of her muffin. "I'm not doing anything. I'm a good girl, remember?"
 

He mentally groaned. He had deserved that.
 

***
 

Snape looked over as Tara walked into his classroom, noticing she had locked the door behind herself. It was convenient that she had the same free period as he had. He blinked as she started to disrobe. "That is not necessary," he told her, turning away, thankful that he hadn't squeaked that out.
 

"How can you help with the stretch marks if you can't see them?" she asked reasonably. She took off her shirt and put it on the desk, then climbed up to sit beside the clothes. "Okay, I'm ready," she said. Today she had on a sports bra so it covered more of her. She noticed he blushed when he saw her. "I'm sorry this embarrasses you," she said as he moved closer.
 

"It's not a problem. I've often been called upon to provide cremes for skin conditions. Yours is not the first body I've touched." He swallowed and mentally slapped himself for saying that. He uncapped the pot of creme and handed it to her. "Let me see if this works better." He dipped a finger in and rubbed it across one of the older stretch marks. It faded a bit. "That should help," he announced, stepping away from her.
 

"What about the ones on my back?" she asked, shifting so he could see the darker, harsher stretch marks. "I swear I felt one rip last night."
 

He dipped out more of the creme and spread it on her back, making her sigh in relief. It didn't fade but it didn't look as angry. "I think it will help those as well."
 

"Yeah, but I can't reach them to put the stuff on," she told him.
 

"I'm sure Ignatius would be more than happy to help you," he told her.
 

"First thing in the morning? Have you see him before breakfast?" she asked, but she was smiling. "Madam Pomfrey is filled with the morning medicine rounds. And I can't really go up to the other teachers and ask them to do it."
 

"Not even Xander?" he suggested.
 

"Which would mean that he'd have to get up," she said dryly. "In case you haven't noticed, he doesn't like doing that."
 

He sighed. "Fine, I can help you with it." She beamed at him and her radiance flashed. "That makes you happy?"
 

"Yes. Our friendship makes me really happy," she told him. Her eyes went wide and her hands went to her stomach. "Oh."
 

Snape put his hands beside hers and felt. The baby shifted and pressed back against him, and he felt a small tickle of power coming from it. "Oh, dear," he said, backing away from her. "She'll have to be shielded."
 

Tara nodded. "Please. That sent a shock up my spine. It was like ...." She blushed and shook her head. "Never mind."
 

He nodded, understanding. This was often compared to an orgasm running up your spine. "I understand. Do you want to go to the infirmary now or should I call your doctor first?"
 

"The infirmary might be nice," she told him, standing up. She wobbled a bit and clutched his arms. "I think she's still doing it." She giggled. "We're going to have to do something about this."
 

He helped her back into her shirt and robe, careful not to touch her more than necessary. He walked her out into the hall and up the stairs, brushing off the worried-looking students. "She's fine, the baby's magically active," he said finally. "Someone go get Harris if you must." A few students went running. He walked her into the infirmary and nodded her to a bed while he went to find the nurse. "The baby's magically active," he said as they walked back. Xander was hugging her as tightly as he could and Tara was giving them a 'help me' look. "It's fine, Harris. It happens quite often." Xander let her go and gave him an intense look. "I would let nothing happen to that child, or the mother," he reminded him quietly. Xander nodded and calmed down, climbing in and letting Tara rest against his chest. "Your doctor is being called." He was rudely pushed out of the way as Iggy ran to the bed and pressed his head against Tara's stomach. "She's fine," he repeated.
 

"Son, apologize," Xander told him.
 

Iggy looked confused, then looked around. "Sorry, Professor Snape. I didn't see you." He grinned. "I heard she was having problems and I got worried."
 

"I'll forgive it this time," he said with a scowl. He looked around as Madam Pomfrey came out of her office, smiling. "Good news?"
 

"It's going to be a few moments, he's in the middle of a delivery, but as soon as he can get here he will." She came and ran a hand over Tara's stomach. "Are you sure?" Her eyes went wide as the baby sent another 'feeler' out, making Tara moan and Iggy giggle. "Never mind. I guess Professor Snape was right." She pulled him over and put his hand on the poor girl's stomach. She knew Tara fancied him, and it was just as obvious that he fancied her. So she would meddle. Xander watched them like the baby was going to come out right then. "Xander, you'll have to let her lie down when the doctor gets here," she warned.
 

"I'm comfy," Tara told her. "It's okay." She smiled at the school nurse, silently thanking her. "Does she feel okay?"
 

"She feels fine," Snape assured her. He looked over as someone came jogging in. "Weasley," he said, getting out of Ron's way.
 

Ron put his head on her stomach and stopped, listening. He looked up. "She's happy, but she wants something."
 

"You did that a lot with...her?" Tara asked gently. Ron nodded.
 

"Did you get good at it?" Xander asked.
 

Ron nodded. "Reasonably so. I think it's apple juice." He frowned. "Why would you want apple juice?"
 

"Because it's my favorite," Tara told him. She smiled at Xander. "Please?" He nodded and slid out of the bed, laying her down gently. "Thank you, Xander."
 

"You're welcome. I've got some in the fridge." He walked out quickly, going to get her the baby's heart's desire.
 

Ron looked impressed. "He's going to spoil you rotten," he said in awe. "He won't even do that for George."
 

Tara laughed. "Yes he will, for some things." She pulled Snape back at the first kick, putting his hand on her stomach, which made Ron cover up a laugh by coughing. "He's run to London before to get George some ice cream when he wanted some a few weeks ago."
 

"I forgot about that," Ron told her. He sat on the foot of the bed, watching as those long, thin, cold fingers gently massaged the taut flesh. "Is she okay?"
 

"She's leaking magic," Snape told him. "It's a common occurrence." The gong to change classes sounded. "Don't you have class, Weasley?"
 

"So do you," Ron pointed out. "For that matter, so does Xander. Guess we're having a mass study hall today."
 

Dumbledore walked in, smiling at everyone. "I hear there's a new development with the child?" He took in everyone's positions before Xander slid around him. "Apple juice, a very nice choice." He looked at Ron and Xander. "I can watch her for you if you'd like to head back to your classes," he suggested mildly. Xander frowned. "Xander, you do have a duty to your students to fill their minds with visions of horrible creatures that they'll have to defend themselves against some day." Xander's pout got bigger. "Now, please, boys." He and Ron both trooped out, much to Tara's amusement. "Severus, I believe you have a class also? I will stay and watch Professor Maclay until she's better." Tara shook her head. "I assure you, I can keep the little one calm." Tara shook her head again and her radiance flashed brightly. "If you're sure," he told her. He reached over and touched her stomach, which made her wince and grab her head. "Oh, I'm sorry," he said, stepping back.
 

"Since when have succubi been allowed in the school?" she asked him. Snape looked down at her in shock. "The baby's been stimulating my psychic side for a few weeks now. This is the second vision I've had, nothing major or bad so far," she assured him quickly. She looked at Dumbledore. "She's Swedish? I thought all the succubi were demonic."
 

"Sometimes they're changed humans," Dumbledore told her. "And not all of them are bad, Tara."
 

"Oh, I know," she agreed. "But the baby doesn't like them."
 

Dumbledore laughed. "You're saying the baby can tell?"
 

"It is Xander's," she said in perfect deadpan. "It would know."
 

"And we did just deal with a demon yesterday," Snape put in. "It could have sensitized the infant."
 

Dumbledore looked at them. "I think that'd be a bit amazing."
 

"Then touch my stomach again, she'll talk to you too," Tara told him. She watched as the older man's hand touched her stomach and he flinched. She looked at Snape. "You think he's fine?"
 

"He'll be fine once he's free of the taint," Snape agreed. They had discovered that the baby tended to drive demons insane yesterday with Molly. Dumbledore stumbled backwards. "Feeling better now?" he asked.
 

Dumbledore blinked a few times. "I've never felt anyone that strong." He looked at the mother. "Most of it was you."
 

She nodded. "Most of it is me. The baby's not going to be more powerful than Iggy, but right now she's bleeding off me. Adrian did the same thing but no one noticed that any half-demons near us tended to move away. Willow noticed it first."
 

"Does Xander know?" the Headmaster asked.
 

Tara shrugged. "Not a single idea. You'd have to ask him." She grinned. "And that would mean telling him, which would upset him and make him stick me in a bed until I'm ready to deliver."
 

Albus smiled. "Touche," he agreed. "Though I was handling my companion quite well. She'll be rather upset that her marks were removed."
 

"Is she reformed?" Snape asked.
 

Dumbledore nodded. "Truly. We met while touring a magical section of the catacombs in Paris. One of the holy ones."
 

"Then I'm all for it and I won't tell Xander," Tara told him. "I'll even try to keep the little girl out of it."
 

"No names yet?"
 

"Not yet," Tara told the nurse. She smiled as her doctor walked in. "The baby's been broadcasting."
 

"I noticed your glow was brighter," he told her. He smiled at the Headmaster. "Hello, Albus. How is McGonagall?"
 

"Fine," he assured him, smiling at Tara. "Do keep your promise." Tara nodded. He leaned down to kiss her cheek. "I do know what I'm doing, young lady. I'm just as much of an adult as you are," he whispered.
 

"Yes, you are," she agreed, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "But you're still human." He laughed as he pulled back. "I won't tell. As long as you're safe." He nodded and left them alone. "I'm not only broadcasting, but the baby's sending funny signals up my spine that are making me sigh and get warm. Also, the baby's got an intolerance for anything slightly demonic in nature."
 

"A very odd thing," the doctor said as he pulled a chair over. "How many demons have you run into?"
 

"One full one and a taint," Snape told him. "Plus she just had a vision."
 

The doctor nodded. "Tara mentioned having some divination gifts when we first met." He looked at Tara, the question clear in his eyes.
 

"The baby likes him and quits moving and kicking me when he's touching her."
 

Snape realized he was still touching her stomach and removed his hand. The baby visibly moved. "She'll have to get over it. I can't teach classes with you attached to my hand," he noted dryly.
 

Tara smiled at him. "That's okay. We'll figure that part out later, when you take me to dinner?" Snape raised an eyebrow. "I'll buy," she told him. "It's in thanks for making her quit doing this." She squeaked as the baby sent another shot up her spine. "Hand," she demanded, taking his hand and putting it back on her stomach. It quit. "See," she told him. "You can't leave until they make her quit doing that. Or I won't be responsible for what happens."
 

Dr. Latimer clicked his tongue. "Then you may stay until I have the baby shielded," he said with all practicality. He understood that she was quite emotional right now and this was just making it worse. "It shouldn't take too long." He pulled up his bag and opened it, pulling out some instruments. "Do you want to help?"
 

Snape shook his head and backed up a few steps, but kept his hand on her stomach.
 

***
 

Draco sat on the couch and watched as the Minister of Technology set up Xander's tv as a test case, wondering why there were so many wires. As soon as it was hooked up, Xander flopped into his chair and turned it on, smiling at the game show that was on. "I've got tv," he told Draco happily, sounding like a kid with a new, popular toy.
 

"So I can tell." He tipped his head. "Why are they running through a grocery store?"
 

"Oh, I remember this one," Xander said happily. "They're trying to get the most groceries so the winners can race around looking for five thousand dollars."
 

"Muggles think up strange things to amuse themselves," Draco said, looking at the Minister. "Is that all there is to it?"
 

Xander picked up the new remote and changed the channel, smiling. "Movie channels." He picked up the card and flipped to MTV. "And music."
 

"Turn that shit off!" Fred yelled from the lab. He stomped down and grabbed the remote, turning it down and flipping the channel. He stopped when he saw animals giving birth. "Eww. That's rather graphic." He handed the remote back. "No more loud noise. I'm working on something delicate." He went back to his project.
 

Xander flipped to one of the music channels, no videos just music, and left it there. "There, that should make him happy," he said.
 

Draco looked at him. "There's no picture."
 

"It's a music channel," the minister told him. He looked at Xander. "You'll test this for us, young man?"
 

"If you take it back, I'm hunting you down and making you want to give it back," Xander said with all seriousness. The Minister laughed. "I'm not joking. I've went eleven years without cable and only having movies. If you take it, I'm hunting you down and making you sorry."
 

The Minister smiled at him. "That would be fine, young man." He sat on the small loveseat and pointed at the remote. "I don't know how to work that, will you show me?"
 

"Sure," Xander said happily, turning it to the settings. "Hmm, can't block out channels, but I can do something." He switched it to the parental controls' section. "This will probably be the most common request. It'll block out stuff that's not appropriate for a child."
 

"Like what?" Draco asked.
 

"Porn," Xander told him. "Things with blood, guns, violent and nasty stuff." He showed how it worked, letting the Minister play with it. "Yeah, that's it." He changed it to the setting he wanted, giving them a passcode for the more adult fare. Then he switched it to the guide channel, showing him how that worked.
 

Draco watched the tutorial. He had nothing better to do during the day while his house was being built and his finances were being looked after for him.
 

***
 

George walked in and stopped, watching Draco watch tv. "Which movie is that?"
 

"Game show network," he said faintly. "Muggles are stranger creatures than I thought. They think up some very odd things to amuse themselves." He pointed the remote at the tv and changed it to one of the music channels, the ones without the video. "Isn't this neat?" he asked above the Country music.
 

"It's horrid, change it," George complained. He watched as Draco picked up a sheet of paper with numbers on it. "Change it to something we can all enjoy before dinner."
 

"Dinner was over an hour ago," Draco told him. "Xander had the house elves put you something in the refrigerator." He changed it to a classical station. "How's that?"
 

"Much nicer," George told him, going to get his dinner. He pulled out the slabs of meat and potatoes, sitting down in Xander's chair to eat. "Where's the hubby?"
 

"Napping. One of his students did something so dumb it gave him a headache." Draco shifted, holding his stomach so he could move more easily. "They had to shield Tara earlier. The baby was leaking magic." The meat paused on the way to the intended target. "It's not something serious, but it had to be taken care of because it's like shooting constant orgasms up the spine." He patted himself on the stomach. "I was warned to call immediately if it happened to me. It happens more among the gryphon-born."
 

"It's not serious?" George asked.
 

"No. It means that the baby was sending out magical...tentacles is the best I can describe it, and they were coming out to do a bit of exploring. Most of them went up her spinal cord, making it feel like she was getting off. She told me she got quite warm waiting on the doctor."
 

"And you're not having any yet?" George asked.
 

Draco shook his head. "First one I do, I'll be sharing the information," he promised.
 

"Good. I guess we should spoil her rotten this weekend."
 

"She'd like that," Draco agreed. "Maybe bring her up here and rest with her all weekend?"
 

"You don't think she's like to go to a movie or something?"
 

"No. She's still in that tired phase. If you both lavish attention on her this weekend she'll be over the moon. Especially if you treat her like you do Xander."
 

"I can do that," George told him, using some of the cold meat to scoop up the potatoes. "Do you know what they did?"
 

"Said something that made him come up and miss dinner."
 

"Hmm. I'll ask him myself when I go up." He finished up his dinner and put the plate aside. "Now, how do you work this thing?"
 

Draco handed him the remote and showed him how to work it, and the passcode for the adult settings.
 

***
 

Iggy walked into the restricted section of the library; he was one of three people allowed in here. He walked through the Slytherin collection, ending up in front of a locked case. He pulled out the key and unlocked it, gently pulling out the book that had the potion and spell he was looking for. He relocked the case and walked back out to the study tables, it was quiet up here and he could easily copy off the stuff he needed. He set himself up to work, copying quickly so he could go find components.
 

This was the one he needed to fix all these nasty problems he was having.
 

***
 

Xander and George carefully laid down on the other side of the bed from Tara, she was resting from the excellent back and foot rubs she had received. Xander grinned at his mate. This spoiling was making him happy. George leaned over and gave him a short kiss, but Xander caught his head before it could move and deepened it. George moaned into his mouth, which made Xander even more happy. He pulled his mate closer, wrapping himself around his mate's body, losing himself in his mouth. By that time, they had forgotten Tara was lying next to them.
 

George's wand came up and stripped them both, sending their clothes shooting across the room. "Love, more," George gasped as a cool hand wrapped around him. Xander agreed and shifted around, giving him the one thing that he loved almost as much as real sex. He gladly reciprocated.
 

On the other side of the bed, Tara blushed and rolled away from them, not wanting to intrude. She couldn't believe they had started to do that in front of her. The moans were ringing around the room, making her get warm and happy herself, but she couldn't do anything about it right then. The bed dipped again and George's long, drawn-out moan was almost primal, it sent shivers up her spine. She glanced back but they were facing the other way and Xander was taking it this time. Her blush got brighter and she quickly faced the other wall. She hoped her intended, if she ever caught him, would be that passionate with her. It would be wonderful. She gently stroked her stomach, soaking up the waves of passion they were flooding the room with. She smiled and drifted off to sleep floating on them. One of her hands stroked her breast, following the will of the pictures in her mind.
 

Xander's yell almost woke her, but not enough to really wake her up.
 

The person pounding on the door did though.
 

"What?" Xander called. He pulled his mate's wand over and got them a blanket. Snape walked in, scowling at them. "What's wrong now?"
 

"You have to have a talk with you house," he ground out. "I caught three of the fifth years stealing my supplies." He paused, taking in their obvious state of undress, and the woman lying on the other side of the bed. "Are you trying to harm the baby?" he demanded. "You can't do that around it!"
 

"It's not born yet," George told him. "It can't see us. Besides, she's asleep. We knocked her out with foot and back rubs."
 

"Relax, Snape, it's all good," Xander told him calmly. "If Tara had minded, she would have hit us with something."
 

Snape's eyes narrowed. "Still, you're probably broadcasting and the baby can pick that up."
 

"Then it'll know that her fathers love each other," Xander told him. He smiled. "But I'll let you save her from our lecherousness if you promise to bring her back later on." Snape scowled at him. "It was kind of obvious," Xander told him. "Go ahead and save her. We'll kidnap her again later."
 

Snape picked up Tara, cradling her gently in his arms. "Do talk to the errant idiots. The Head Boy is presently reaming them out as well."
 

"I'll do that as soon as we get dressed," Xander told him. "Thank you for bringing this to our attention." He noticed George was opening his mouth and squeezed some muscles to make him close it again. "Give us five and I'll go yell."
 

Snape nodded. "See that you do." He stormed out with Tara, taking her for her protection. As he carried her back to his rooms, his mind was screaming at him about what he was doing. He settled her onto his couch and covered her gently, then went to finish his inventory in the next room. He blocked out the protests of his mind, ignoring the rational arguments for his carrying her up to her room.
 

***
 

Xander walked into the Gryffindor common room, scowl firmly in place. "Here, now!" he yelled. Gregory, the Head Boy, looked over at him, then pointed at a small room off to the side, his room as it happened. "Thank you. What did they steal?"
 

"Professor Snape caught them stealing the ingredients for a love potion. Or it could create a potion to make someone want sex, no matter if they wanted it before the potion or not."
 

"Wonderful," Xander said warmly. "Expect yelling." He walked over to the room and unlocked the door, walking inside and shutting and locking it again. "Tell me what you thought you were doing," he demanded. He frowned when he realized the Captain of the Quidditch team was one of them. "Explanations would be the only thing saving you right now," he reminded them.
 

"Where's Professor Weasley?" Reggie asked. "He's our head."
 

"Yay. He's out today so that leaves me in charge, boys." He stepped closer. "Be thankful. He'd be beating you by now with a bludger bat." Reggie swallowed. "Last chance. Explain, now!"
 

"We wanted a ... potion to help a girl like us," Reggie told him.
 

"Does she like you already?" Xander asked. Reggie shrugged. "Have you ever thought about asking her instead of taking away her free will. Which by the way would be called rape!" he shouted. "You are in such deep shit it's not funny." All three boys nodded. "Not only am I sending phoenix letters to your parents, we're going to see Dumbledore right now." He unlocked the door and froze their ability to protest, marching them out of the house and to the office.
 

Dumbledore walked in a moment behind them. "Xander, I did ask you not to freeze students in that manner," he chided gently.
 

"Snape caught them stealing potion ingredients so they could do the same thing to a girl," he explained. "I thought it fitting."
 

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, I would agree." He sat behind his desk. "Where is your co-head?"
 

"With Molly in London this weekend, shopping for things for the triplets." He crossed his arms and looked at the boys, who all flinched. "Who was it?" he demanded.
 

"Simone," one boy whispered.
 

Xander barely kept himself from hitting the kid. "My eleven-year-old niece?" The boy stepped away from him. "Do you think that pitiful distance will save you?" he growled.
 

"Xander," Dumbledore snapped. "Go check on Simone, get letters ready, and bring them up here so I can sign them with you." Xander nodded, stomping out. "Boys, you have just made the greatest mistakes of your life," he told them seriously. "I can't overlook this as a childish prank. Nor would I even if I could. Do you have anything to say that might mitigate my response?"
 

Reggie stepped forward. "We weren't really planning on using it, sir. She's an attractive girl and she likes at least one of us. We were going to make her admit which one it was." He swallowed at the hateful look the headmaster was giving him. "We weren't going to hurt her."
 

Dumbledore shook his head. "Not only have you just done something so evil that only Voldemort would do, something that not even most of his followers would do upon his orders, but you were about to do it to a young lady who has no idea what liking a boy means." He stood up. "Your parents will be here when I decide your fate. For now, I'm going to lock you three in a room so you cannot harm anyone else." He flicked his wand at them and made them walk down the stairs, leading them to Xander's old room. He locked them inside, then turned to find Professor Black standing there. "Did you have something to add?"
 

"I'm missing something from my office too," he admitted. "I'm missing a copy of the Marauder's map, the one we made last year to replace Harry's copy."
 

Dumbledore sighed. "I'm not sure Agatha doesn't have that," he told him. "I will have their things searched though." Black nodded. "Can you and a few other teachers please guard this entryway, just in case they try to escape?"
 

"Of course, Albus. What about the windows?"
 

"I'll fix them in a moment," he said with a smile. "I had better go calm down Xander and Mr. Malfoy before they do something horrible and start to destroy things in their rage." He walked away, going to Gryffindor house because he knew Xander and Draco were there. He smiled at the concerned parents. "We can test her for it," he told Draco quietly. He nodded and walked his daughter to the doorway, waiting the halls. "We'll be taking administrative action," he told Xander. "Do call Ron back and give them a lecture tonight. Finish those letters and bring them to me so I can have them sent out by Fawkes."
 

"We can use the chicks," Xander reminded him. "They're lounging around being bored."
 

Dumbledore smiled. "Most people don't know which one is Fawkes anyway," he agreed. "Get them done in the next hour please." He patted the young professor on the back. "Do try not to get huffy with the others tonight, my boy, they didn't do anything." He smiled at the Head Boy before leaving them alone.
 

Xander looked at Gregory. "We're having a house meeting tonight. Get everyone up here and waiting after dinner." He turned and walked away, going to write letters from the infirmary so he could be there for Draco and Simone.
 

***
 

Tara woke up with a yawn and a stretch, and realized she wasn't on the bed anymore. She blinked up at the blue ceiling. "Why am I here?" she asked quietly, looking around. Professor Snape stood up from in front of the fire and handed her a mug of soup. "Thank you," she said as she sat up. "Did you save me from the rampaging couple?"
 

Snape nodded. "I thought it best that the baby not feel that activity yet," he told her quietly. He sat on the other end of the couch. "How do you feel?"
 

"Fine," she admitted, blushingly lightly. She smiled when he patted her on the arm. "It affected me," she told him. "They love each other so much. It'd be nice to have someone that passionate about me."
 

"Willow wasn't?" he asked. Then he realized and shook his head. "I'm sorry to pry."
 

Tara laughed. "That's okay. We're buddies. Lupin asked that last year when he found out we used to be together." She sipped at the soup and moaned in pleasure. "This is great," she told him.
 

"A simple restorative. It's my own recipe," he said with a slight smirk.
 

"Well, you do good," she told him with a bright smile. "And no, being with Willow was much more ...tame. We never had that *need* to go make out, or even to grope. There was never that urgency or that feeling that it would all end if you didn't touch right then." She drank more of the soup. "You'll have to make this for me again," she told him, putting the empty mug aside. "That was excellent." She curled up on the other end of the couch, facing him. "I've always wanted someone who wanted me enough to pull me into a shadowy corner and kiss me stupid."
 

He nodded. "Many people want that." He watched her grimace, then looked at her stomach, watching the ripples move across it. "Is she active today?"
 

"She's always active when I wake up," Tara told him. "She loves waking up." She shifted closer and picked his hand and put it on her stomach, letting him feel it. He let it rest there then pulled back a few minutes later. "Does that bother you?"
 

He shook his head. "Not in the least. It's intriguing to feel her move around, but she can't get used to it."
 

"She could if you would accommodate her," Tara teased.
 

Snape shook his head. "I can't teach my classes with my hand on your stomach. It would ruin my carefully crafted reputation."
 

"True," she agreed, still smiling, "but you could pop in on my classes. I have a couple of spells that will require potions next month."
 

He nodded. "Tell me before you do them, I'll stop by to offer some help to the usual assortment of clueless bunglers."
 

She lightly slapped at his arm. "They are not. Just because they're students doesn't mean that they don't know anything."
 

"Almost no students show any talent for potion making," he argued.
 

"Yay, that doesn't make them bunglers. That makes them need to work harder in your class or just get through them like most of them do. Just because they're not going to follow in your footsteps doesn't make them any less intelligent. It makes them more likely to follow in Ron's footsteps," she told him with a grin when he started to frown.
 

He snorted. "Weasley has said that they're not any good in there either." He noticed her eyes widened and leaned closer. "What's wrong?"
 

"She's doing it again," Tara told him, reaching for his hand again. It stopped that shooting feeling. "Can you feel it?"
 

"Yes." He got her to her feet, stretching her up. "Stay there." He knelt in front of her and rested his head against her stomach, listening to the baby's movements. One of her hands came down and stroked through his hair. "You don't have to..." he started.
 

"I want to," she told him, smiling down at him. "Can you make her stop that?"
 

"I think I can." He strengthened the shields around her, giving the emotional energy somewhere else to bleed off into. He stood up, looking down at her. She was really tiny next to him. "I've created an outlet for the excess emotional energy. She probably got a shot from the act you were witness to."
 

Tara blushed. "I couldn't believe they did that beside me when they started, but somehow it felt so right," she admitted quietly. She stepped closer to him and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, Severus."
 

His mind moaned. Her drawl, lightened over the years she had been there, made his name sound like a moan. He found himself shaking with the need to touch her again.
 

She smiled at him. "Can I give you a hug?" she asked.
 

He crushed her to his chest, holding her tightly. "I'm unused to people caring," he told her.
 

"I know, but I do." She tipped her head back and smiled at him, then gave him a light kiss on the lips. "I'll let you be as confused as you want," she told him. "It's not like I've been here before."
 

His eyes widened. "But.. Adrian," he protested.
 

"Baster." He blinked. "It was only Willow who touched me then," she explained, sitting them back down to lessen the height difference. "She got a tad bit jealous, even though she and Giles did...that."
 

He quit gaping, shaking himself mentally. And she liked him?
 

"It's obviously a sign of my good taste," she told him, reading him easily.
 

He laughed. "Yes, you do show good taste in most things." He reached over and touched her stomach. "If anything would happen, I would want to take it slowly."
 

"Slow I can do," she agreed. "Like dating slow or like working up from holding hands in the halls?" She laughed. "Sorry, but the look on your face for that suggestion was funny."
 

He scowled at her. "Don't laugh at me."
 

"I wasn't, Severus. I was laughing at the look on your face. You got this totally horrified look when I suggested us holding hands in the hallway." She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. "I was laughing at the horror you expressed, not at you," she whispered in his ear. "You're mine, I would never laugh at you."
 

"Yours?" he asked.
 

Tara nodded. "Totally mine. And I'm possessive." Her aura flashed. "See, the baby agrees."
 

He chuckled lightly. "I'm glad the baby agrees with your plans to capture me."
 

"But never tame you," she assured him. "I like my wild beasts." He blushed and she grinned at him. "You think you're not wild?"
 

"I don't know," he admitted. "I never thought of myself as a beast."
 

"All humans are beasts," she pointed out. "Some of us are just more beastly than others."
 

"Like Lupin," he said with a frown.
 

She smacked at him again. "Yes, and I'm going to stay friends with him. No matter how much you dislike him. It's not like he had any say over what happened that night."
 

"He told you?"
 

"Black told me," she told him. "To try and explain why you loathe them so." She shifted closer. "Remus told me he didn't know what was going to happen. He wasn't in on it." She laid a hand on his cheek. "Can you please stop hating Remus so much?"
 

"You're not asking for your other *friend*?"
 

"No. Black and I aren't friends like Remus and I are. We're more acquaintances who talk a lot. Remus and I are real friends. We talk all the time and even do corny things like go to the movies together. Black and I are more drinkin' buddies."
 

Snape burst out laughing. "Drinking buddies?" he asked. She nodded, smiling. "I've never heard such a nice young woman use that phrase before."
 

She climbed onto his lap, straddling his thighs. "I'm not as nice and pure as you think." She stole a kiss. She moved his arms around her waist. "Being a cold virgin will only turn me on further," she said when he didn't move. One of the hands stroked her back gently. "I meant it," she warned before diving into his mouth. "Shy people turn me on."
 

He smiled and kissed her. She was definitely not like he had imagined.
 

"Nope, I'm not the pure Goddess most of the time," she agreed. "I'm just a woman who's very nice. Sometimes."
 

He laughed harder. "So I can see. Is that comfortable for you?" he asked.
 

"Well, no. Usually I happen to like being on my back by now, preferably with the hint of ravishment floating through the air."
 

He moved her onto her back on the couch, leaning over top of her. "That could become quite uncomfortable for you." He patted her on the stomach.
 

Tara nodded. "But we can cuddle if you'd like to go that slowly," she offered. She pushed him back into a sitting position and crawled into his lap, leaning against his chest, her legs resting on the couch. He wrapped his arms around her. "See, this is nice."
 

"Very nice," he agreed. He let his mind argue out the point of letting her do this without him.
 

***
 

Ron stepped out of the main floo at the school and looked around. Only Remus Lupin was in there waiting on him. "What's going on now?" he asked as he walked into the room.
 

"Bit of a problem with your house," Lupin told him. "Three of the students in your house were found stealing spell components."
 

"And?" Ron asked. "That's not enough to call me back from time with my mum." He crossed his arms at the wince. "And?" he asked again.
 

"Um, they were making a spell to take away the free will of a young woman in their house." Ron nodded slowly, motioning him to go on. "Their target was Simone."
 

"What the bloody hell were they thinking!" Ron shouted. "She's a little girl!"
 

"Yes," Lupin agreed, "she is. And they're presently in a locked room waiting on their parents to come pick them up," he pointed out. "But Dumbledore asked that you and Xander talk to your house tonight."
 

"Is Simone okay?"
 

"We're waiting on word from upstairs," Lupin said as he walked him out. "Draco and Xander are upstairs waiting with her." He watched as Ron took off for the infirmary at a run. "Well," he said with a smile.
 

Ron ran into the infirmary, running into Xander before he could stop. "Is she okay?"
 

"So far," Simone told him. "We're still waiting on test results." She shrugged. "Can I help ream the house out tonight?"
 

"Do you really want them to know the arseholes were coming after you?" Xander asked her.
 

She shrugged. "As long as I'm okay, I'm fine with it. As far as I know they didn't touch me."
 

Ron walked over to Draco and held out his hand. "Are you okay?" he asked when it was shaken.
 

"I'm fine," Draco said quietly. "She's fine as far as we know." He looked at the annoyance in his life. "Are you going to hit them?"
 

"More than once," Ron said darkly. Xander nodded, that sounded like a plan to him. He clapped Draco on the back. "If you need to talk, I'm going to be around. Just yell my way and we'll go have a beer or three." He clapped him on the back again. "Don't worry, they'll be punished."
 

Draco nodded, watching his daughter.
 

She sighed and went back to her novel. It was hard being the first daughter. At least her mother wasn't here, yet.
 

***
 

Iggy slipped into the locked room and locked it again behind him. He looked at the three boys, glaring in his best imitation of his father. "What did you think you were doing?" he hissed. "Reggie? Turning on a member of your team. And the other two of you, trying to molest a little girl."
 

"Why? Are you going to fight us?" one of the other two boys sneered.
 

"Yes," Iggy told him. "I can do that." He looked him over. "Be thankful it's me and not her father, my fathers, or my cousins. Denver would kill you. Painfully and slowly."
 

The second boy got up and strode over, tapping him on the forehead. "We're older than you, twice your size..."
 

"And obviously have half the brains," Iggy interrupted. "You're a dead man, Frederick. This is fair warning." The boy tried to shove him and Iggy punched him in the stomach, making him grunt in pain. "Remember, I grew up around older boys," he hissed. "I was taught to fight by some of the dirtiest assholes in the world. I can beat you." He shoved the boy back and glared at the other two, who were now standing. "You had better *pray* that we never meet again. Because otherwise, you're going to be sorry. And if I find out that you actually touched my cousin, you'll die. Horribly and painfully as only I can give you." He turned and walked out, very proud of himself for not attacking. He locked the door with a spell only his father knew how to counter and walked away, whistling. He headed up to the infirmary, with a quick-stop off campus to get her a rose. He strolled in, smiling at his cousin. "Are you sprung yet?"
 

"Not yet," Simone said dryly. She squealed when she saw the flower. "For me?"
 

"For you," he agreed, handing it over to her. He looked at his fathers. "I changed the lock spell on their door," he told them, grinning wickedly. "Let them suffer." He helped Simone off the bed and led her out into the hall, taking her back to the house. "They'll come find you when they get the results back," he assured her, strolling with her. "Melvin sedated Denver when he heard. He's being babysat by the rest of the house so he doesn't go tearing them up." They made it to the main hallway and found Xander waiting on them, shaking his head. "Denver's worried," he tried.
 

"Infirmary, in case we need to give her an antidote or something," Xander told him, giving his son a smile. He handed Simone a small necklace, now that her father couldn't see. "For your birthday," he told her with a wink, walking her back that way. She deserved presents. He paused to look around; he could swear someone was watching them. He shook it off and continued on his way to put her back into a bed for now.
 

***
 

In London, Molly sighed and put down the Daily Prophet, special edition. She didn't know how those evil reporters got their information so fast. She would have to pop over tomorrow and check on her granddaughter. No wonder Ron had left in such a hurry. She stood up, leaving a nice tip on the table for her waitress, and left to finish her shopping for the triplets. Those three needed some clothes desperately. They were hanging out of what they had and Ravena's weren't good enough anymore.
 

Someone else walked over and picked up the paper, taking it back to her table to read. She frowned. He had more children? She snorted and put down the paper. Well, those boys were dead if he had kept up his old ways. She picked it up and reread the article. He was what? Oh, did she ever have a plan now.
 

***
 

Xander looked over as Ron joined him in the house, he had to go check on the kids first. A quick headcount was done and then the door was locked. "Guys, sit," he said firmly. "Something happened earlier and we've got to talk." Most of the kids moved closer, sitting and leaning against the comfy furniture.
 

"Earlier, Professor Snape found three of you taking ingredients to make a potion to strip someone of their will to say no," Ron told them. All the older girls but Hedre, the former Head Girl, hissed. "Needless to say they're being expelled."
 

Xander nodded, crossing his arms, his cane resting against his leg. "That's not all. Professor Snape did an inventory and found that those components were lower than they should have been if this had been the first theft." People started to talk among themselves. "Shut it," he ordered coldly. A few of the kids flinched. "Now, if the potions are still around, we want them. I will have them sitting on the mantle of our fireplace by morning. If they're there, then we won't be conducting a search."
 

The Head Boy raised a hand. "What if they've used them, sir?"
 

"If they don't appear by first class, and they're not found in a search, then Madam Pomfrey will be drawing blood from *everybody* in the school to find out who it was used on so they can get some help," Ron told him.
 

"Now," Xander continued. "Somehow this has made it into the paper. I don't want to think the worst of any of you. So if you know who has it, a note on the fireplace will also be accepted. Anybody found with the potion will be put under veritassium and given a chance to defend themselves before they're expelled. If we find out that you knew they had it and didn't say anything, then you're on suspension to the house until the end of the year. That means you'll be repeating this year." Xander glanced around. "I won't demand that you come forward in front of everybody. I won't even demand that you give us your name if you *accidentally* find the missing potions. But if I find you with it, you will wish you had never met me."
 

Ron laid a hand on his arm. "Since we know that they had friends in other houses, their heads are giving them the same speech, with threats of death from Professor Snape for the Slytherins." A few kids nodded. "Not that they'd do anything like this, it's above most of their abilities and thought processes."
 

"That's not fair," Xander pointed out. "Some of them are smart and able to do this, but they'd consider this beneath them." He looked at the crowd of students again. "Like I said, we don't want to think the worst of any of you, but right now that's really hard." He uncrossed his arms and grabbed his cane. "We're going to leave the living room free tonight so you can sneak in without being seen." He looked at Hedre. "If one of the ladies in this house thinks that it may have been used on her, please see Madam Pomfrey immediately so we can do the blood work. It takes a few hours, but it's worth it to know."
 

"We like you guys immensely," Ron finished, "but right now we're ready to beat the shit out of someone and if I find one of you had the potion you'll be sorry." He left, slamming the portrait behind him.
 

"Just think, he's upset because this was his house," Xander said in a lighter tone. "You really don't want to know what he'd do if he catches you with it."
 

Gregory stood up. "Sir, we seem to be missing some people. What do you want us to do about that?"
 

"There are three who are in quarantine until their parents get here," Xander told him. "For the team, I think they should have a meeting very soon. If the other two had positions within the house, it's up to you to fill them, Gregory." He left, closing the portrait behind him.
 

Gregory turned to look at his house. "If you're found with that potion, and it's yours, you had better pray to any and all Gods and Goddesses that you run into them first," he told his housemates. "The quidditch team will be meeting in my room in a few minutes. The rest of you, go gossip or whatever in your dorms. The common area is closed so anyone can sneak it out of their neighbor's things. Prefects, we'll meet tomorrow before breakfast." Everyone but the team filed out. "Your guys are welcome to use my room or to use the common area, just don't be too long so it can be snuck out if it's in here," he said once the players were the only ones left. He went to his room, grabbing his things to go take a shower. That had made him feel nasty and sickened. To think, he had liked Reggie.
 

Simone looked at the team. "Sorry, guys."
 

"It's not your fault," the seeker told her, giving her a smile. "They're sick fucks." He looked around the group. "We'll need a new captain. Anyone want to volunteer?"
 

Denver raised a hand. "I vote for you," he told him. "You've been here longest and you're the best we've got. But can you train your replacement?"
 

Iggy looked around. "We've only got the one game left," he pointed out. "We could probably do without one if you don't feel comfortable doing it." He looked at their seeker. "But we're going to need a new keeper too and I only do okay in that position."
 

"We'll hold tryouts," the seeker decided. "If we have to, you can fill in. We've got enough house points to win the house cup this year, as long as we don't lose by too much in this last game." He looked around. "Any other suggestions?"
 

"I vote for you," the other chaser agreed. "Just train someone to fill in for next year," he finished with a smile. "Simone, are you okay?"
 

"Fine. The tests said they didn't manage to get me." She leaned back. "What about you, fellow beater?"
 

The fourth year boy shrugged. "I don't care. I suck at leading anything." He leaned forward. "Can we wrap this up? I want to go check my dorm."
 

"Go ahead," the seeker told him. "We'll hold tryouts this week."
 

"Good," the beater agreed, heading up to go check his room.
 

The seeker looked at everyone else. "Anyone you want to invite, do so. Iggy, you're training as a keeper this week, just in case. We can play with only two chasers if we have to." Iggy nodded. "Everyone else, go check your dorms. I want to paste someone for this." They broke up and headed to their rooms, the seeker going up to find his things already went through. Everyone in his dorm had their things on their bed. "We all clear?" he asked.
 

The guy in the next bed nodded. "All clear. Sixth years found a copy of the potion's formula in Reggie's things that he had asked someone to hold for him." He smiled. "They're packing his shit for him right now."
 

"Good. He deserves to have to pick it off the whomping willow." He shoved his stuff into his trunk and laid down. "Anyone got any idea who has the other stuff?"
 

"Yeah, I do," one guy said. "I've already sent a small note to the heads, directly." He smiled. "One of the Ravenclaws is their best friend, and I'd bet he had anything that they didn't want to keep in here since he's a Prefect and has his own room."
 

"Probably," a few of the guys agreed. They settled in for the night, studying all the stuff they needed for exams in a few months.
 

***
 

Xander handed over the name to the head of Ravenclaw, smiling at her as he walked past to take his usual seat in the staff meeting area. "No stress, but it was sent to us," he explained.
 

She nodded, grimacing. "I'll talk with them." She glanced around. "Has anyone seen Sybil?"
 

"Not in a few days," Ron told her. "Why?"
 

"I haven't seen her at all. I went up to tell her about the meeting, but she never answered."
 

"Maybe she took the weekend off," Lupin suggested. He watched as Tara and Snape walked in together, her taking her usual spot next to Xander, Snape frowning at her for it. Good for her! She deserved to be happy, and so did he. "Ask Dumbledore when he comes in. He knows about everything that's going on around here."
 

Dumbledore breezed in. "Where's Sybil?" he asked, looking around.
 

"I couldn't get her up," the head of Ravenclaw announced.
 

"I'll check on her later then, she's been ill recently," Dumbledore told them. He put a small beacon of blue liquid on the table in front of his chair. "It was found in Ravenclaw," he announced. The head showed him the slip with the name on it and he nodded. "That boy has also been removed." He sat down. "This distresses me greatly."
 

"The fact that it's hit the paper distresses me," Xander told him.
 

"That was my next point," Dumbledore told him, giving him a faint smile. "My present point is that this sort of behavior has never gone on in this school before."
 

"How did they get the spell?" Snape asked. "I don't even have a copy of it."
 

"Was it in Slytherin's library?" Xander suggested. Snape shook his head. "In the regular library?"
 

"Possibly," Irma Pince agreed. "Not even I know what's in all those books. I've pulled the records of what they've checked out in the last two years and haven't found anything unusual."
 

"It could have been hidden," Black told her. "There's little pieces of parchment hidden among some of the sections. Notes from former users who almost got caught and things like that." She nodded. "Do you need help checking them?"
 

"I'll give her Iggy to help," Xander told him. "He's lived in there for the last few years." Irma smiled at him. "Is it possible they got it from an outside source? What did their possessions hold?"
 

"A book that I had banned years ago," Dumbledore said, pulling something out of his pocket and tossing it down too. "It's a dark text that I banned as one of my first acts."
 

Snape flinched away from it. "Not even Voldemort read that," he hissed. "He considered it's spells too dark for him."
 

Dumbledore sighed. "I know. I don't know if the spell came from in there or not. The book radiates a tainting energy that harms all it touches."
 

"Gloves?" Tara suggested.
 

Xander shook his head. "Percy's crew has a new toy that might help. It's a box, with waldoes."
 

"What are waldoes?" Irma Pince asked him.
 

"Fake hands that you manipulate," Tara told her. "They're used when you can't touch the substance you're working with." She looked at the headmaster. "You could probably ask him to bring it up here so it can be checked out."
 

"And he does have someone there who's a dark little bastard," Xander finished. "Every time I walk past him, he starts mumbling about how he'd like to tear me apart molecule by molecule, or put a small void portal in a cell and watch while it slowly ate me."
 

Snape shuddered. "What a wretched way to die," he said distastefully.
 

"That was my feeling on the subject," Xander agreed. "He could probably read the book and not be affected by it."
 

"I'll talk to your brother-in-law tomorrow," Dumbledore told him. "Thank you, the both of you, for that suggestion." He looked at Snape. "We'll need one of your stronger lead boxes to contain it until they can do something about it." He nodded. "The second point, as Professor Harris pointed out, was how the press got hold of the story already."
 

"Could they have said something?" Sprout suggested.
 

"Not likely. That fireplace isn't set up to use as a floo," Xander told her. "They're in my old room."
 

"Ah." She smiled. "What about visitors? There is a window. They might have owled."
 

"That would make them look worse," Black pointed out. "Now they're going to be hunted down and hopefully beaten." He looked at Xander. "Simone?"
 

"The tests were negative."
 

"Oh, good," Lupin sighed. "She's a nice little girl." Most of the teachers stared at him like he was insane. They had *all* had a run-in with Simone and her amazing vocabulary. "She is. Just a bit brash."
 

"Oh, yeah, brash is putting it nicely," Black said sarcastically. "She threatened to castrate me the other day for teasing Melvin."
 

"Then I wouldn't do it again," Xander suggested. "She protects her cousins against everything she can."
 

Black grimaced. "I apologized. She seemed to accept it."
 

"Yes, she's never going to be able to dissemble very well," Snape agreed. "Back to the point at hand. Do we know what was written?" A paper was handed to him. "Oh, bloody hell," he sighed. "Everything is in here, including Simone's name."
 

"Gee, guess they're going to be in ruins," Xander said dryly. "Anyone want to take a bet on how long it takes Iggy to go hurt them once he finds out?" Dumbledore looked at him and he shrugged. "It's him or Ron," he offered.
 

"Professor Weasley has hired an attorney," Dumbledore told him. "He's presently stopping Mr. Malfoy from destroying the building." Xander beamed.
 

"That doesn't disturb you?" Madam Sprout asked.
 

Xander shook his head. "It's what I'd expect from Draco. He loves his kids more than everyone else's life. It's amazing the building is still standing."
 

A few of the teachers laughed. "Still," Dumbledore said, bringing them back to order. "We do have to do something about this."
 

"Should we make a statement?" Xander suggested. "Saying that we're rooting out all the children influenced in this direction and taking action against them?"
 

"This is the Prophet, Xander," Lupin reminded him.
 

"Never mind, they'll turn it around on us," Xander sighed.
 

"I think we should figure out how the news got out," Snape suggested. Tara nodded her agreement. "They couldn't have flooed. They couldn't have owled because the windows are locked. Could they have more friends who sent it out as a coded message?"
 

"If they did, we'll find them too," Xander assured him.
 

"Fight later," Dumbledore said gently. The door opened and Draco walked in, smirking smugly. "Did you find something out?"
 

"Oh, yes," Draco told him. "They had a friend." He put the papers he was carrying on the desk in front of the headmaster. "There's your source, and an accomplice from my own house."
 

"Ryan?" Xander asked hesitantly.
 

"No, he beat the boy in question," Draco told him, coming over and sitting on Tara's other side. "How are you feeling?" he asked. She smiled and they exchanged pats to the stomach. Very few people heard Snape growl.
 

"Other than that, what comes next?" Irma Pince asked. "Do we make a statement?"
 

"How about an announcement that we expelled them," Draco offered.
 

"I like that one," Black agreed, pointing at Draco. "How are you feeling, mom?"
 

Draco pulled the pillow from behind his back and threw it, hitting the professor. "Bitchy," he told him.
 

"Sorry," Black said, rolling his eyes.
 

Dumbledore and Xander both fought the laughter, but Xander couldn't win. He burst out in cackles. "You are so bad, son," he said between laughs.
 

"Thank you," Draco said proudly.
 

Dumbledore lost, starting to laugh. "This will be an interesting term if nothing else." He picked up the papers and handed them to Professor Snape. "Please have them removed and their things searched and packed. I'll send letters out to their parents tonight." Xander pulled something out of his robe pocket and tossed it onto the desk. "How many did you write?"
 

"Ten. I got worried and lost count a few times."
 

Draco smiled at him. "Thank you for waiting with us."
 

"If you're my son, then she's my granddaughter and someone needs to pay," Xander told him.
 

"What about the house team?" Madam Sprout asked. "Wasn't one of these problem children on Gryffindor's team?"
 

Xander nodded. "The captain. The team was meeting tonight to vote a new one in. They can probably play without a third chaser and move Iggy to keeper if they have to. He started out in that position but changed after his first year." Xander looked at the quiet Madam Hooch, who was sitting in a far corner. "Would that be okay?"
 

"The rules don't state they have to have a full compliment of players," she agreed. "But I thought they had a secondary team."
 

"They do, they're mostly fifth years and are taking owls this year. And most of them don't really want to play, they fill in when they have to, but they don't have a second string keeper."
 

"As long as they have a player on the field, it is allowed," Madam Hooch told him.
 

Snape grimaced. "One of the ones on this list is also on her house team."
 

"There's a girl on there?" Tara asked, shocked. Snape nodded. "A girl is doing this to other girls?"
 

"It's a powerful thing," Dumbledore told her. "Darkness is all-encompassing in some forms. In this case, she wanted the power she could get off Simone Malfoy-Weasley, and it overrode all protests her female mind might have made."
 

Tara bristled. "Still. That's just wrong."
 

"Yes it is," Xander agreed, pulling her gently back against his side. "But we'll get her and hopefully someone will sterilize her before she breeds."
 

"That's a horrible thought," Snape told him.
 

"You'd rather see what she does to a child?" Xander suggested. Snape shook his head. "Me either. Seeing people hurt children for their own aims is one of the most horrible things you can ever watch." He stood up. "I'm going to check on the hubby." He gave Tara a smile. "Sorry if we drove you off earlier." She blushed and he left the room.
 

Dumbledore smiled at those assembled. "He was quite correct. We need to get on with this so life can get back to normal for most everyone." He stood up. "Severus, would you be willing to make the statement about the expulsions since you are on the disciplinary board?" Snape bowed his head. "Thank you. Mr. Malfoy, we'll do everything we can to protect your daughter." He nodded. "Professor Maclay, please go back to resting. Your blood pressure is probably a bit high right now and we'd like you to not be sent to bed for weeks on end," he finished with a smile.
 

She laughed. "I'm fine, Albus, really. No matter what Xander thinks, I'm okay." She tried to get up but got stuck so Snape came over to help her. "Thank you. I think I'm going to go meditate. I'll see you tomorrow." She waddled out, followed by Draco, who wanted to talk to her. "I'm really fine," was heard from the hallway.
 

Snape looked around. "When will the parents be here?"
 

"I've told them to appear on Monday," Dumbledore told him. He stood up. "Let me send these letters on and then we'll expect them just after breakfast." He nodded at them. "Thank you for your attendance of this issue." The others filed out. "Please, make it sound firm," Dumbledore told him as he walked past Snape. "I would like some good press for once." Snape nodded and went to write a preliminary draft of his statement for approval.
 

***
 

McGonagall hissed as she read the paper, her anger overcoming her usual sensibilities. She heaved herself up off her hospital bed and wandered into the hallway. It was normal for her to take a walk every few hours so the nurses didn't stop her. She was probably well enough to be sent home, but her sister was still out of the country. As she walked, her mind came up with some things that had to be stopped. There was evil in her school and she had to stop it from growing. She walked into the security ward and smiled at the attendant. "Just a visit with Professor Rosenberg," she said pleasantly as she passed the attendant. This was the first order of business. The evil among the professors had to be weeded out and stopped. She could do that much now. She pulled a chair close to Willow and sat down, looking at her. "I can get you out of here," she said quietly. Willow smiled, she liked that plan, even though she was drugged. "All you have to do is never have another child again."
 

Willow leaned closer. "I don't know why I got pregnant this time," she whispered. "I guess I was lonely." She sniffled. "Two more months and he'll be out. I'll have a new baby boy."
 

"And will he go to Severus also?" McGonagall asked. Willow shook her head. "Then I can help you, if you agree." Willow nodded, looking happy. "It will hurt."
 

"Pain is part of life. That's why I lost Tara."
 

"And you won't be getting her back," McGonagall told her, pulling her wand. She cast a small charm on Willow's stomach, rupturing her water and creating a large knot of tissue under the baby's body. "When you deliver, they will let you out, but your conduct will be watched," she told her. "When I return, I expect you to be back to your usual self. There will be no more evil coming from you ever again." She stood up and walked away, going back to her ward. Little did she know that everything was recorded in there. Doctors came running as soon as Willow's monitors went off, trying to help her. She was rushed into surgery; they hoped to save the baby.
 

***
 

Dumbledore let the parents into the room chosen for the disciplinary action and waved at them to sit on the benches in the back of the room. "We'll begin in a few moments," he told them, taking the high chair behind the judge's table. "There will be two teachers joining me: Severus Snape, who is the head of the judicial board in this school, and Madam Pince, who is a neutral party. We will be holding a full trial because we think it is warranted in this case."
 

Reggie Whitcomb's father stood up. "Did my son try to use that on a first year?" Dumbledore nodded. "Did he actually do it?"
 

"No, he was found before he could. There is evidence that one girl did have the potion used on her, but we can't tell exactly what was done. It was not just your son though. There are two others who were caught stealing with him, and three others who apparently had access to the information and helped them. They're mostly all being tried today. Two sets of parents couldn't be here today so their trials are being held tomorrow so their parents can be in attendance." The father nodded and sat down. "Are there any other questions before we begin?"
 

"Are you using truth serum?" one mother asked. Dumbledore nodded. "Are you turning them over to the aurors?"
 

"I checked on the pertinent statues," Snape said as he walked in. "Since we cannot prove what happened to that one girl, we cannot charge them. Their names are being put onto a watch list for further infractions." He took his seat and banged the gavel. "Bring in the students," he announced. Irma Pince brought in the students then took her seat. "We are here to answer some questions about a heinous matter. You are here because you are in suspicion in this matter. Have they been given veritassium?"
 

Irma Pince nodded. "Twenty minutes ago, I gave it myself." She looked at the parents and smiled. "It was made as strong as possible and given in the propr dosage." A couple of the parents nodded. She looked at Snape. "They are ready."
 

"Then let us begin," Snape said. "Bring the first one forward." He flicked his wand and the student was pulled forward, the rest of them sat down.
 

***
 

Iggy read over his ingredient list again, then nodded. He could do this. It wasn't too complicated. And it would solve all his problems. He looked around the tower, smiling at the Head Boy. He pointed at it and shrugged, asking for permission to leave. Gregory shook his head. "Please?" he mouthed. "Spell components." Gregory pointed outside and waved. Iggy grabbed his list and went into the hallway so no one would see him teleporting. He ran back upstairs and grabbed some money, then headed out. It would solve all his problems and make him so much happier. And it'd only be a month until it was ready.
 

***
 

Xander looked over at Tara, where she sat in her new seat. The baby had been acting up so she had moved closer to Snape because he calmed the baby down. She was worrying him. Her visible aura was all but gone today. Was she unhappy or was she having problems? He took a bite of his pot pie and frowned when he tasted chocolate. Tara smiled at him. "Are you okay?" he asked finally.
 

"Fine," she told him. "Quit worrying."
 

"But I do it so well," he mock-whined. "Especially when your glow is dim."
 

She tried to look around herself, but shrugged it off. "I'm dimmer today?"
 

Snape and Lupin both nodded. "Yes," they said together, then grimaced at each other.
 

Xander giggled. "That was so cute." He gave Tara puppy eyes. "Are you okay? Really okay?"
 

She nodded. "I feel fine. No pains, no problems, and so happy I'm floating." Her dim aura disappeared then came back.
 

"Okay, you're getting checked out," Xander said, standing up.
 

"I'm fine," she told him. She frowned when he walked over to her. "I'm fine, Xander."
 

"Then let's make sure of that," he said with a smile. "Or no footrubs tonight." She sighed and pushed back from the table. "We just want you to be okay," he reminded her gently. "I'd kill myself if you got hurt because of the baby," said as he walked her out. "If my bestest buddy isn't okay, then I'm so very upset that I'm never going to be happy again. So I want you to be okay, and the baby as well."
 

She patted the hand holding his. "I'm fine, Xander. The baby is fine and I'll be okay. I promise nothing will happen to your daughter."
 

"Yeah, but what about you?" he asked her. "We want you to be as okay, if not more okay, than the baby." He walked her into the infirmary, settling her gently onto the bed. "Can we check her? Her aura was dim this morning." Madam Pomfrey came over and waved her wand, then frowned. "There's a problem, isn't there," he demanded. The nurse frowned at him. "Is it the baby or her? I want her to be okay, even if the baby isn't," he said, starting to panic.
 

"Calm down, Xander, or leave the room," Madam Pomfrey warned. "You getting hysterical isn't going to help." She smiled at Tara. "Are you having any cravings for protein?" Tara shook her head. "Then we'll have to adjust your vitamins a bit. You're a little anemic and it's starting to show." Xander opened his mouth and she knocked him out. "I've had enough of that," she said as she floated him onto a bed. Professors Lupin and Snape rushed in. "She's fine, just a bit anemic," she announced. Lupin kissed Tara on the cheek and Snape looked like he couldn't decide what to do.
 

"I'm fine," Tara told him. "I need more iron in my diet." Snape nodded and hurried off. "Not now!" she called after him. He came back. "Diet adjustment, not a potion," she said with a light smile. "It'll be okay."
 

"Then why is Harris unconscious?" Snape demanded.
 

"For the same reason you'll be if you don't stop," the nurse told him calmly. "Hysterical people aren't welcome in here, Severus. You know that." He nodded and tried to calm herself. "Short of her drinking blood, she's going to have to change her diet a bit. She'll be fine." She looked over as Draco walked in holding his stomach. "Pains?" she asked. He nodded and climbed onto a bed without prompting. "Wonderful." She came over and checked him, then smiled. "I believe it's time."
 

"I'm early," he panted.
 

"Only the true gryphon-born are carried ten months," Madam Pomfrey reminded him. "You're just under your ninth month so you'll be fine." She looked at the other professors. "Do close the curtains around him until the doctor can get here." She went to summon him.
 

Tara lifted her head. "Want a hand to hold?" she asked. "Xander got knocked out because he was frantic."
 

"Please," Draco groaned, a low, pain-filled sound. "I'll never pick on Ginny again when she tells Anastasia about how bad her labor was." He rolled onto his side. "Can we stop this now, before it rips me in two?" he called.
 

"Quiet, boy," Snape told him. "You chose this path and you will have to walk it." He walked over and looked at his former student. "Calm yourself, this is nothing compared to the later stages of labor and delivery."
 

Tara laughed. "How would you know?" She rolled off the bed and came over, laying behind him so she could hold him. "I know it hurts, but it'll hurt less soon. Dr. Latimer will give you good drugs and you'll get the baby cut out," she soothed.
 

"You, back in bed," Madam Pomfrey told Tara. Tara gave her a look. "Fine, for now," she sighed. She looked over as more footsteps came running. Melvin and Iggy slid around the corner, going running into Draco's bed. "Out!" she ordered.
 

"Bite me," Iggy told him. "That's my baby sister." He laid a hand on Tara's stomach. "Oh, shit," he sighed. "Call the doctor. She's in labor too."
 

"I am," Draco argued.
 

"Not as much as she is," Iggy told him. He felt Draco's stomach. "The kids are going in unison." He looked at Snape. "Some pain killers would be great," he told his mentor, who hurried out. "Melvin, the others, now. And try to wake my dad if you can. He wanted to be there when Aunt Tara went into labor." Melvin gave Xander a hard shove, then ran off to get the rest of the family. "It's a good thing Elder Bill made me study this stuff, huh," he told them. Madam Pomfrey dragged him away by his ear. "The babies will need shielded," he called as he was dragged into the hallway.
 

"Young man, I have been doing this now for over twenty years. You've barely started your training."
 

"She's having contractions eleven minutes apart," Iggy told her. "She just had one, go check if you don't believe me." He mimicked his father's 'I'm pissed' stance, crossing his arms. "Uncle Draco is two-to-one to Aunt Tara's, but every other one is in time. Her's are still light and easy but she's having them."
 

The nurse frowned and went in to check them, then came back out. "Very well," she said. "You will be taking classes with me next year, young man."
 

"Good," he told her. "Beats Divination. I've already got that down to an artform." He walked back in and shot his father with a bolt of energy, making him yelp and jump. "They're both in labor," he announced.
 

"Shit," Xander swore, sliding off the bed. "Tara, honey, are you okay still? Need anything yet?" She shook her head, biting her lip. "Draco, do you need anything besides pain medicine?" he asked, moving around to look at him. He held his son's hand while he had another contraction in time with Tara. "I think you're doing an amazing job," he told Draco. "You've gotten through some really tough times recently and you're a great father. This will be okay." Draco glared at him. "You are. I'll be there if you want when they cut the baby out."
 

Draco sighed as the pain eased. "Hopefully I won't realize anyone's there." He reached for Tara's hand, squeezing it. "Be with her. She's going to need you more." Xander nodded and Draco groaned as the pain increased. "I want drugs now!" he called.
 

Snape walked in, handing over a large vial of potion. "Drink it all, young man. You'll need it." He handed a second one to Tara, a smaller, lighter colored one. "This one will ease the pain. You drink it too. That baby has to be quite large."
 

She shook her head. "I'm okay. I want to feel this."
 

"Drink it please, Tara," Xander said quietly. "I don't want you in a lot of pain."
 

She rolled her eyes. "I'm supposed to be in pain. The baby's big and it's supposed to hurt when it comes out." Xander gave her his best begging look, and she nearly caved in, but she didn't want drugs. "Cap it, I may want it later." Snape nodded and capped it, putting it into his pocket. She nearly sighed in relief when she saw the doctor coming in. "Thank you. Save us!"
 

He laughed. "I'm sure you don't need saved. Maybe someone needs a sedative," he said, giving Xander a meaningful look. "Quit badgering her."
 

"I wanted her to take pain medicine. It's not a bad thing," Xander protested. "I don't want her to hurt."
 

"I know," Dr. Latimer soothed. "Okay, who's in labor?" Both of them raised their hands. "Good," he said happily. "Just what I needed. Every one of my patients seem to be in labor today. Draco, we'll do you first." He looked around. "Do you want to go to the hospital? We could probably do this here."
 

Draco grabbed the doctor by the arm. "I want better drugs. They're not working yet."
 

The doctor laughed. "I'm sure it will work soon." He noticed Snape and Lupin standing behind Xander. "Did you give him anything?"
 

"He should be unconscious within five minutes," Snape told him. He pulled his wand and knocked Xander back out. "For the betterment of us all," he told Tara, who laughed.
 

"Fine. Put him on a bed." He was bowled into by some kids. "Who're you?" he asked.
 

"My children," Draco panted, grabbing Simone's hand to hold. "Dear Merlin! Tell your mother I'm sorry for putting her through this three times, Simone." Snape knocked him out with a well-placed bolt of energy.
 

"Thank you," Denver told him. He looked at the doctor. "Are we doing this here? If you are, you're doing it under our supervision."
 

"You're children."
 

"We can still kick your ass," Simone pointed out. "That's our father and we're *very* protective of him." She looked around. "Are we doing this here? I can help sanitize." Iggy hurried back in with the Headmaster. "Iggy, help me clean somewhere safe for them to cut the baby out." The doctor and the other adults watched in amazement as the kids sanitized one of cubicles, the one farthest from the door. Madam Pomfrey floated Draco over there and laid him in the bed, watching as the children scrubbed him too. She nodded the doctor over, then stunned both children. "Hey, no fair," was Simone's last words for a while.
 

Iggy looked at her. "Don't even think about it," he warned. "If anyone's staying up in the family it's me. I have to know anyway. What better time to learn." He walked back to Tara's side, holding her hand through another contraction. "One of you call my family," he told the two professors. "They'll hurt someone if they're not told beforehand. Try Aunt Ginny at her office first. She'll be the most calm and she's been here before." Lupin hurried to do that. "Good, you come hold her hand, Professor Snape. You'll keep her calm until we can deal with her being in labor." As soon as she breathed out the last of that contraction, he swiped himself with his wand to sterilize himself and went back to help and/or observe. He got there in time to see the baby coming out. "Eww," he announced. He cut the cord for the doctor and helped clean the baby off while Madam Pomfrey worked to get the little boy breathing. "He got what he wanted," he announced after the first cry. Snape laughed from the other room. He looked at the nurse. "What now?"
 

"Now you sit and watch him," she told him, steering him to a bed and settling him down so he could hold the baby. "The other three will be awake soon enough. You deal with them." She walked over to check on Tara, covering her with a sheet so she could get the poor woman out of her clothes. "Six centimeters," she announced.
 

"I'll be there in a few," Dr. Latimer called back. "Let me finish stitching.
 

Iggy looked at his new cousin, smiling happily. He was so ugly he was cute. "Are all babies wrinkly and slimy?" he asked.
 

"Yes," Tara told him. "They all come out like that and stay that way for about a week."
 

"Oh. I guess that's cool," Iggy said, going back to paying attention to the baby, just in case something happened.
 

***
 

Percy looked up when he felt a cool breeze. "Melvin?" he asked, his breath catching.
 

"Wow, I never imagined that being outside my body would be this cool," he said. He grinned at his father. "Just got knocked out, don't worry."
 

"Who attacked you?" Percy asked, standing up. "And do go back to your body, thank you. We don't want you stuck."
 

"Madam Pomfrey knocked me out. Uncle Draco and Aunt Tara went into labor together." He shrugged. "The next thing I knew, I was floating this way. How do I get back?"
 

"You grab the thin silver cord that's sticking out of your bellybutton and use it to guide yourself back to your body." He grunted in pain. "Please do so now, before I have to call someone." Melvin nodded. "I love you, son, remember that if you get stuck. I will always come for you." He sat back down, not feeling well at all.
 

"Daddy!" Melvin yelled, trying to touch him. "No, no, not happening. Dumbledore!" he yelled. Nothing happened. So he did the next best thing, he went floating off, hoping to find his grandfather. He'd only been in this section a few times. He finally found the Unmentionable's department and barged in. "I'm Percy Weasley's son," he panted. "He's having another heart attack in his office."
 

Someone came rushing out of the office. "Are you dead?"
 

"Knocked out of my body. Go help my father!"
 

"Okay. We're going. Let me call someone to help guide you back, Melvin." A few of his people went running, taking the right turn immediately. "How did you get knocked out?"
 

"Madam Pomfrey knocked me out when I came in to help with Uncle Draco and Aunt Tara's births. I guess she knocked me out of my body." He fidgeted. "My dad's going to be okay, right?"
 

"He'll be fine," the man told him, soothing him. "We can get him to the hospital faster than anyone else can." He moved closer. "Did you give him that news?"
 

Melvin nodded, then his face scrunched up in that 'boy's going to cry' way. "I think I caused it. Him seeing me like this did it." He sniffled. "I didn't mean to hurt him."
 

"I'm sure you didn't. He's been under an immense amount of stress recently, what with six of his people out on sick leave and the Minister above him demanding too much." He pulled a chair over. "You're supposed to be where?" A young woman walked in, someone that Xander had met with his new son. "This is Melvin Weasley."
 

The druid smiled at him. "I met your cousin Iggy."
 

"Everyone seems to know Iggy." He held a hand out to her, and strangely enough he felt it when she touched him. "Are you a ghost?"
 

"No, sweetheart, I live on both planes. I'm going to teach you how to get back into your body. Where is it?"
 

"The infirmary at school. Madam Pomfrey knocked me out."
 

"Okay. Now reach down to the thin cord coming out of your stomach." She watched as he did so. "Give it a *gentle* tug and think about it sinking into you and pulling you back to your body. Time will seem to slow, but it is going faster than you think." He nodded and did so, but didn't move. "What's keeping you here, young man?" she asked gently.
 

"His father's having chest pains."
 

"Then we can stop in on him." She smiled at him. "Do it again and think about making it back to his office so you can check on him. I'll be floating behind you somewhere in case you get into trouble."
 

"You mean like that dragon that tried to eat me on the way here?"
 

"Exactly. We can defeat the dragon." She watched as he disappeared. "I'll be back, then you can explain why a pure magic user is able to do this." She concentrated, changing her state of being, becoming her normal form and taking off after the boy. She led him from his father's office once Percy was taken by the paramedics, taking him back to the school. She got them around the dragon, freeing the cord from under the paw trying to hold it down, and they continued on. As the floated up and through the window in the infirmary, a baby's wail could be heard. "See, everything will be fine," she assured him. "I will stay and help you climb back into your body."
 

"Do I put it on like clothes?" he asked.
 

"First, you mimic the position you're in. Then you lay on top of your body and sink inside. You'll feel uncomfortable for a few days, like your skin doesn't fit right, but it will ease with time."
 

Melvin nodded and laid down on top of his body, sinking partway in. But he panicked and tried to fight his way back out. It felt like a black hole or a void pulling him into the flesh.
 

"Don't fight it. It's frightening, but it will be fine," she assured him. She became more solid as someone came closer. "He's been knocked out of his body. I'm working on getting him back into it." She grasped Melvin's human hand and encouraged him to rejoin with himself. "He'll need bound. This is particularly dangerous for him," she said quietly. She noticed a young man staring at her and smiled at him. "Hello, Iggy. Is that your sister?"
 

"My new cousin." He moved the blanket so she could see the baby better. "What are you?"
 

She laughed. "I'm an elf, one of the aether elves." She cast a small spell, sucking Melvin back into his body. "There, now stay in there, Melvin," she admonished gently when he opened his eyes. "You saw your father was fine." He nodded, but he started to cry. "It wasn't your fault."
 

"It was. He thought I was dead!" Melvin sobbed.
 

Ron came over and gave him a hug. "He's fine, Melvin. It was a false alarm, not another heart attack. Just some pains." He looked at he elf. "Are you dangerous?"
 

She shook her head. "Not in the least. I'm the one who helped young William." She faded out and sped off.
 

Ron soothed his nephew. "I'll take you to see him once Tara's popped," he promised quietly. "He's fine. They checked him over thoroughly. All the scan said it was close but not quite." He tipped Melvin's head up. "You didn't hurt him. I promise, little guy." Melvin laughed weakly. That was Ron's pet name for him when he was around five and begging for some of his time. "He's fine and so are you."
 

"How long was I out?" Melvin asked. "I'm cold."
 

"About three hours," Iggy told him. He flicked his wand and a blanket floated over, covering his cousin. "You rest. It's going to be a really long day. Auntie Tara hasn't given birth yet and Uncle Draco was knocked back out." He shifted. "He kinda screamed when he saw the big incision on his stomach," he said with a grin. "Dad's response was 'what did you expect the hole to look like', which was kinda cool." He showed off the baby. "New baby Malfoy. Denver had to be dragged out of here by his collar. Simone was knocked out and carried. She's tried to come back twice. We've been ordered to the tower tonight for a celebration. Uncle Draco will be here for a few days."
 

"Wow," Melvin said. "It only seemed like minutes."
 

"It would," Snape agreed as he came over. "We'll have to lock you into your body. It is a dangerous habit to have."
 

"It was the firs time," Melvin whined. "I didn't plan on it. And the lady was nice, she kept the dragon from eating me on the way back."
 

"Which would have been bad, both parts of you might have died," Iggy told him. "No more doing that. Learn to teleport like the rest of us, young man." Melvin stuck his tongue out. "We'll talk later, okay?"
 

"Okay," Melvin told him. He looked over at the curtained-off area. "Is she okay?"
 

"She's fine," Iggy assured him. "They even let Daddy wake back up because he promised not to panic and grab people to shake again." Melvin snickered. "You rest. You'll be released for dinner if you're okay." He slid off the bed, walking over to get the bottle warming on the windowsill. "Here, you," he said, sticking it into the open mouth. "You need to eat, otherwise you'll never appreciate Grandma's cooking." The few adults still around laughed and he had to fight off Aunt Ginny. "My turn," he told her.
 

"He's mine, Iggy, I can feed him," Ginny reminded him, taking the little boy from the other little boy. "Go cuddle Melvin. He probably could use the body warmth." Iggy sighed but he did as he was told. "Melvin, Percy's fine. We checked not even a half-hour ago. So quit worrying." She walked back into the curtained-off area, showing off the baby to Xander, who hadn't seen him yet.
 

***
 

Dumbledore stood up in front of the gathered staff the next week. "Now that everything's back to normal," he said dryly. The new parents laughed and snickered. "I have an announcement to make. It was sent to me this morning that Professor Rosenberg went into labor early." Xander frowned. "The baby girl is fine, but Willow is not that healthy at the moment."
 

"Why?" Black asked, frowning himself. "She was fine when she was taken out of here."
 

"Was it stress?" Tara asked.
 

"No, it was a someone, not a something," Xander said quietly. "Someone not wanting her to get pregnant ever again."
 

"How very astute. How did you know?" Dumbledore asked.
 

"Owlgram."
 

"Ah." The Headmaster nodded. "It would be reasonable that she would owl you first. Did you talk to Ryan?" Xander nodded. "Do you know what happened?"
 

"All she said was that she agreed with McGonagall before it happened. Now she wasn't so sure." He stood up. "Is the baby coming back if she isn't?"
 

"Who would raise her?" Snape asked. Xander looked at him. "Have you talked to your husband about that yet?" Snape asked him.
 

Xander laughed. "Not me. Ryan does have a cousin out in the muggle world, but I'm not thrilled with her." He looked around. "Is Willow coming back?"
 

"She's not going to be coming back next year," Dumbledore said gently. "She's not in any shape to do so."
 

"If I talk to Wesley, would you mind?"
 

"I think she might like that option," Tara told him. She reached over and tugged on him, making him sit back down. "She liked Wesley when she saw him last. He would take care of her and her daughter."
 

"I'll talk to him tonight," Xander said, looking at Dumbledore for permission. He got a nod. "And McGonagall?"
 

"She's not coming back at all," Dumbledore sighed. "The compulsion spell has damaged her permanently I'm afraid." He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I have no idea how to help her in this matter."
 

"Have her take up private tutoring?" Black suggested. "We did get that one person last year who broke out in magical problems. She could take care of them."
 

"There's that nice little cottage on the road up," Lupin suggested. "I'm sure we could spiff it up for her."
 

"I've got a lamp she can have," Madam Sprout offered. "Plus, if she doesn't like that there is a nicer, but more decrepit, cottage closer to the town if we wanted to work on that one. It's got five rooms instead of the three in the one on the road. Xander, could you fix them?"
 

"I'd have to look them over," Xander told her. "The shoring up stuff doesn't work unless it's been created by a gryphon or a gryphon-born. But I do still remember some from my days as a carpenter so I can probably do something anyway." He looked at the other big guy on the staff, Black. "You up for some hammering and hefting?"
 

"I can do that," Black agreed, looking at Lupin, who nodded that he would help too. "We can do whatever is needed."
 

"Good," Dumbledore said, smiling at them. He had a wonderful staff. "Since this has happened, I'm going to have to appoint a new Deputy Headmaster. Severus, I've heard your arguments and you're correct, we can't find anyone to take your place until someone like Ignatius grows up." Xander beamed. "And gains some experience hopefully," he added for good measure. He looked around the group. "So I have to pick among you." He smiled at Tara and she shook her head. "You don't want it?"
 

"I hate being in charge of anything," she told him. "Besides, Madams Sprout, Hooch, Pince, and Pomfrey have been here longer, not to mention Lupin, Black, and everyone but Ron."
 

"I say we take a vote," Madam Sprout announced. "And Tara, I don't want it. I'm happy with where I am." Most of the teachers nodded. "Does anyone have any candidate beside Tara?"
 

"We could nominate Xander," Black said dryly.
 

"No," Xander said coldly. "Not going there."
 

"Okay, sorry," Black said, backing away from him. "A joke, really, Xander."
 

"Thank you. I don't want power, I'd suck at using it." He looked at Tara, giving her a smile. "You are a great leader though. You stay calm in emergencies, you give good advice. You can be cryptic, which appears to be a job requirement. Plus, you can still teach since you don't have all the classes that someone like Snape does."
 

"Yes, but I also have a baby," she pointed out.
 

"Yay. And? By the time anyone allows Dumbledore to leave again he'll at least be walking." Dumbledore groaned. "Oh, get over it. You love it here or you would have run away screaming a long time ago," he said dryly.
 

"True," Dumbledore agreed, smiling at him. "I will retire one day though, and next time it will stick."
 

"Sure you will," Xander told him. "In five or six years."
 

Tara laughed. "I don't think it'll take that long this time, Xander." She looked around and no one looked unhappy. "Does anyone object?" Madam Hooch raised her hand. "Why?"
 

"Because you don't fly."
 

"Oh." Tara shrugged. "I enjoy watching others fly and I have flown before. I'm very nervous up there though. I won't be doing anything to the flying program."
 

"Then I have no objections," Madam Hooch agreed.
 

"Good," Dumbledore said firmly. "Then that's settled. What's next?"
 

"Tara needs some soundproofing," Madam Sprout said with a small smile for her new semi-boss. "Maeve can be quite loud some mornings, dear."
 

"I can set that spell tonight," Dumbledore told her. "I'm sorry she's been keeping you up."
 

"She was in the tower last night," Xander told her, frowning.
 

"Not last night, the night before last," Madam Sprout told him.
 

"She was in the tower then too," Tara said, starting to frown. "I think we have a new ghost."
 

"If that's so, we'll move you. Though the only open suite of rooms are down near the back entrance to the dungeons." Dumbledore looked thoughtful. "Possibly those nice garden rooms up by your classroom?"
 

"Only if I get curtains," Tara told him. "Hagrid's class looks in there."
 

"I can do that," Dumbledore assured her. He looked at Snape. "Will that bother you? I believe you used to have a problem sharing that air vent with Xander's family."
 

Snape shrugged. "I've grown used to the screaming of children." He paused as the door opened and Ron burst in. "Problems?"
 

"Xander, Iggy's gotten into something. You've got to come see this." He started to snicker. "You've really got to come see this." He smiled at Dumbledore. "He's in Gryffindor's main room."
 

Xander stood up and walked out, going to check on his son. What had he done this time? Behind him he heard Dumbledore burst out laughing. Gee, must be something good this time. He walked into the common room and the kids spread out so he could see the little boy wearing full uniform. His five-year-old son?
 

"No more dick, daddy," Iggy said happily, holding up his arms. "No more nasty spitting stuff either."
 

Xander groaned and sat down, holding his head. "No. No! Iggy, you are so grounded." He picked up his son, holding him up to look at him. "What did you do and is it reversible?" he asked slowly and clearly.
 

Iggy laughed and wiggled. "No more dick," he sang, over and over again.
 

Simone came down the stairs and stopped to look at him. "I'm not babysitting that," she announced, cracking up her housemates. "I remember him at that age, he was hell on everybody's nerves." She walked closer. "You know, that robe looks just like a dress," she teased.
 

"Not a dress!" Iggy screamed, starting to cry. "Meanie! Daddy, make her stop."
 

"Simone, stop it or I'm feeding you whatever he took," Xander ground out, his teeth tightly clamped together. He stood up. "Come on, we're going to see your other daddy." He picked up the book and took him to the shop, still holding him out. George came out of the lab when he felt Xander show up. "Yours," Xander said, handing him over. He slapped the book onto the counter. "Tell him why you did it, Iggy."
 

"No more dick," Iggy said happily. "And Si-Si's a meany, daddy."
 

"I'm sure she is," George agreed. He looked at the book, then at his husband. "Is it in there?"
 

"As far as I know. That's the only book that was near him when I got there." He crossed his arms. "Just wait until your grandmother sees you."
 

George laughed. "I don't even want to go there." He handed Iggy back. "I don't know what to do with this, Xander."
 

Fred came out of the back, and stopped to look at his nephew. "What happened to you?"
 

"No more dick," Iggy said as the door opened.
 

Xander looked over his shoulder, frowning at the parent standing there. "Our son managed to deage himself. He's got a pubescent brain inside a five-year-old's body." She nodded, trying to understand it by the look on her face. "We're leaving soon anyway." He looked at Fred. "Do you have any idea how to deal with this?"
 

"Not a single one," Fred admitted. He looked at George, who shrugged. "Mum or dad?" he suggested.
 

"I can hear the laughter now," George told him. "Plus, Percy's resting at home. Iggy would drive him up the wall." He tweaked his son's nose and handed him one of the baby-safe pranks, taking him and sitting him on the counter. "Stay there and play with that, son."
 

"Ginny?" Xander suggested.
 

"Did your books have anything in them?" Fred asked. Xander shrugged. "Then why go to her?"
 

"Because she's an excellent mommy and would keep me from yelling," Xander told him.
 

"Ah," George said, nodding. "I understand that urge. I'm feeling it a bit myself. I doubt anyone other than Bill would have a clue. He might have come across something similar from a curse or two." He walked over to the fireplace and squatted down, tossing some of the floo powder into the fireplace. "Bill Weasley." Bill's head appeared fairly quickly, showing he was at home. "Iggy just managed to deage himself," he announced. "Do you know a cure or something?"
 

"Short of a second childhood? Not a thing," Bill told him. He smiled. "Is he still a cute little bugger?"
 

"Very," George agreed.
 

"He was getting away from puberty," Xander told him as he walked over. He held out his son. "Are you sure you don't have a cure?"
 

"Have you checked his recent readings?" Bill suggested. He noticed Fred waving a book. "Could it be in there?"
 

"Probably," George agreed. "We don't have the ability to fix this though, dear brother."
 

Bill grinned. "Then hand him over to Snape. If it's a potion, he'd know how to fix it." He laughed when Iggy stuck his tongue out at him and shot the prank off into the floo, sending fireworks all the way to his apartment. "Thank you, Ignatius, I've been missing fireworks." He shook his head at the parents. "Not a clue, guys. Love hearing from you though. Tell me how it turns out." His head disappeared.
 

Xander groaned as he stood up, his knees were still aching. "Anyone want to go talk to Snape?"
 

"No," Iggy told him.
 

"Shush, you," Fred told him, handing him another fireworks prank. "I'd go up to him and hand over the baby. He's supposed to be watching over Iggy's training as a potion's specialist." He handed Xander back the book. "Have fun with that. I'd like to see how it turns out too."
 

Xander grimaced but he obediently went back to Hogwarts. He walked down to the dungeons. He kicked open the door and smiled brightly at Professor Snape. "He's your protégé, you fix it," he said, handing over his shrunken son, then slapping the book on the desk. "I don't know what he did, but this is getting ridiculous. All because he didn't want to go through puberty." Snape's left eyebrow went up. "So, since it appears to be a potion, and you're the potion's master, and you taught him how to mix the damn things, you get to fix it."
 

Snape put down the child, glaring at his coworker. "Why is it my fault?"
 

"Because he's been trying out potions and you haven't been monitoring him," Xander pointed out. He picked up the book and held it up. "Look familiar?" Snape swallowed. "Also you taught him how to mix potions. This is your fault."
 

"I'd say it was yours since you never taught him to appreciate his body," Sanpe argued.
 

"I did, Draco did, Percy did, even Fred did. It never got through to him. And you taught him how to read!"
 

"It is a necessary life skill," Snape said at his most dry. "If you would ask nicely, I might consider it but since you stormed in here I'm duty-bound to correct this abominable behavior, Professor Harris. However will your children learn manners if you don't use them yourself." He pointed at the class of students.
 

Meanwhile, on the floor, Iggy was playing with his new pranks. He had stolen an extra few from the box. He smiled up at the students watching the fight, giggling because none of them were paying attention to their pots. Too bad. He giggled really loudly as he set off one of the blocks, then another, shooting them at the pretty silvery pots. He likes silvery pots, they held all sorts of neat stuff.
 

"What the hell!" Xander yelled as the first pot went sailing over his head. "Ignatius Caramel Harris-Weasley, put those down!" he ordered in his most authoritative voice. His son giggled madly and set off one last one before getting up and toddling over, narrowly not falling over the hem of his student robe. "Son, you're in so deep, don't even try to look cute," Xander warned.
 

Snape laughed. "He does take after you it seems," he said sarcastically. Xander glared at him. "Do you know which potion it was?"
 

"What the hell is that noise?" Draco demanded as he strolled in, his son strapped to his chest. "I was trying to teach a petite young girl to lift weights and all of a sudden this castle-shaking noise happens, which nearly traps her under the barbell." He looked around at the mess. "Don't you think you should clean that up before it mutates and tries to eat us?" he asked, pointing at the potion that had been changed and was now crawling across the floor.
 

"Blast!" Snape said, pulling his wand to deal with the potion creature.
 

Xander handed Iggy to Draco. "Deal with the sprout." He grabbed his wand to tackle it too. "Out, children," he ordered. The students rushed out of the room. If they hadn't known the two Professors liked each other, they would have been scared. But the two of them could beat anything if they worked together.
 

Draco pulled Iggy aside, sitting down with him. "Why did you do that?" he asked, trying not to smile.
 

"No more dicks," Iggy told him.
 

"Did you make yours disappear?" Draco asked, starting to check, but the little boy slapped at his hands. "You didn't make yours disappear?"
 

"No, silly. Not make go away. Just make little again."
 

"Oh. So the size was bothering you." Iggy nodded. "And you didn't want to talk about it again?"
 

"Gets in the way," Iggy pouted. "Besides, none of the other boys were like me."
 

Draco gave him a hug. "I know, Iggy. It's hard when you're better endowed than most everyone else, but they'll be catching up to you in a few years. I promise, you won't be alone for long." He gave him an extra squeeze. "Does this spell have a cure?" Iggy nodded. "Did you make it?" Iggy shook his head. "Why not?"
 

"Because it's only supposed to re...re..retard growth," Iggy said proudly. "But it made me small."
 

"And now you don't have anyone to play with," Draco reminded him. "You're the only child again. No one to play with, all the others are older than you and won't have time to play with you. And you won't be able to fly for another year."
 

Iggy pouted, then wiggled down and stomped into the classroom. "Fix me!" he demanded. "I want to be big again."
 

Professor Snape looked down at him. "Sit, Ignatius. We will deal with you in a moment." He turned back to the creature crawling around on the floor. "Maybe you should gather something so we can trap it," he suggested.
 

"Maybe we should declare it a unique lifeform," Xander suggested, but he grabbed the cauldron off the fire.
 

"Not that one!" Snape yelled. "Put that one back! It's that potion for Ms. Reams." The cauldron was carefully replaced. "Get one of the large buckets or something. We'll give it to Hagrid."
 

"Hey, a new beastie," Xander said happily. "No one else will have one of these." He glanced at his son, then grabbed the largest bucket, holding it while Snape floated the creature up and put it in there. "I'll go give it to Hagrid. Can you deal with my errant son?"
 

"Of course. I'm sure there's a cure." Draco nodded from the doorway. "Don't you have a class?"
 

"We dismissed, just in case you were blowing the dungeon up," Draco told him. He followed Xander up to his level, but left him to go back to his classroom.
 

Xander walked outside, waving down Hagrid. "We've got a new beastie," he said unhappily. Hagrid frowned at him. "It was today's potion lesson, plus some of the pranks that my beautiful and demented five-year-old son set off."
 

Hagrid looked at the moving thing in the bucket. "Why do ya call it a beastie?"
 

"Because it was chewing on a table leg," Xander told him, handing him the bucket. "Snape and I are in agreement, you're best suited to deal with this creature." He waved his wand, summoning one of the blocks. "If it helps, this was in there."
 

"Xander," Fred said as he appeared down the road. "Why did you take that!" He stormed up, but stopped when the bucket was tipped. "What's that?"
 

"Iggy helped create it from the potion of the day and some of these." He held up the block. "I thought it might be helpful. You know Hagrid won't tell anyone."
 

Hagrid nodded, starting to smile. "Iggy created a new lifeform?"
 

"Yes, a very unique one," Xander assured him. "I don't think the world has ever seen it's like before. That's why you get it. It's purely a magical creature." He patted the big guy on the arm. "You might want to keep it away from the puppies. I'm not sure it won't eat them." He smiled at Fred. "Iggy did it by shooting them off at the potions, which knocked them over and combined all the wrongly done potions with the fireworks and residual magic. Which then grew and crawled and nibbled on the tables. I'd better get back before Snape kills me." He waved. "Going to deal with Iggy. Have fun, Fred." He jogged back into the school.
 

"What did Iggy do to himself?" Hagrid asked.
 

"Deaged himself back to five-years-old," Fred said with a bit of disgust. "All so he didn't have to deal with growing up."
 

Hagrid laughed. For being a year younger, Iggy was taller than most of the boys and a few of the girls in his class. "I'm sure he'll get over it some day."
 

"Right about the same time as he ....." He stopped, watching the car fly in. "Ministry never means good things." He handed over the block. "Give me a few and I'll help you do something with it," he said, watching the car land. A lawyer climbed out and walked inside. Fred hurried toward the school. He had the worst feeling about this. He walked in about the same time as Draco walked down the stairs.
 

"What do you want?" Draco demanded. "I'm rather busy."
 

"Draco Malfoy?" Draco nodded. "I'm here to serve you with a summons." He held out a folded paper.
 

"Who's suing me now?" Draco asked, taking it to look over.
 

"Family court, sir. You're being sued for custody of your son, Denver." He looked over as someone else came down the stairs. "Is that him?"
 

Draco looked back and shook his head. "That's Ryan Rosenberg." He grimaced and read. "It doesn't say, when am I due?"
 

"Next week, sir. Wednesday, ten am." He tipped his hat. "Sorry about this, but I'm supposed to look at your son also. Just to make sure the child in the paperwork filed is the right one. The judge ordered it."
 

Draco sighed and nodded. "He's in class." He noticed Fred and grimaced. "Can you get him out of Transfiguration?" Fred nodded and headed that way. "Why is his mother trying this now?"
 

"Because of that one, sir," he said, pointing at the boy strapped to Draco's chest. "It was in all the papers."
 

Draco looked him over. He had seen all sorts of these cases before and looked like he could read people. "Do you think she's serious or after money?" he asked quietly.
 

"I don't know, sir, but she did have a look of unholy glee on her face when she left the judge's office." He smiled as Denver was led out to him. "Hello, young man. I'm an officer of the family court. I'm here to look you over for your mother."
 

"The bitch didn't even put her name on my birth certificate," Denver told him. "If she comes near me, I'm siccing my sister on her." Fred snickered behind him, but patted him on the shoulder. "I am. She's missed out on nearly twelve years of my life. Oh, and tell her, and the judge, that I already have a mother. Her name is Ginny Weasley and she's been wonderful since my mother dropped me off on my father's doorstep. Oh, and you might want to mention that she didn't give me to my father, she handed me over to a house elf and left me there." He looked at his father. "I know this isn't your doing, but can I destroy her?"
 

"No, son, we have to go through the courts this time," Draco told him, giving him a hug. "It'll be fine. We have some of the best lawyers on retainer in the wizarding world." He looked at the process server. "Have you seen enough?"
 

"Yes, sir, but you're to bring your son to court with you. The judge will want to talk to him too." Draco nodded. "Sorry to do this with the new one and all." He tipped his hat and left them alone.
 

Fred muttered something and Draco nodded for what little he caught. "I'm telling dad in a few moments. I'm tired of this crap happening to the family." He stomped off, going up to the house.
 

Draco looked down at his son. "You will let me tell Simone," he said quietly. "That way she doesn't go off and kill the bitch." Denver nodded. "Thank you, son. And don't worry. It will be handled." He ruffled his hair and sent him back to class. He looked behind him, smiling as Dumbledore came out. "I need to have next Wednesday off, sir. I intend to force her to commit suicide for fucking with my family." He walked off, going to tell Snape and Xander himself. His other children and Ginny would be told after dinner, when he was calm again.
 

Dumbledore shook his head. "Was she really that stupid when she was here?" he mused, thinking back. He didn't remember her at all.
 

***
 

Draco stood in front of the judge, his arm around his son's shoulders. The judge had just appeared and was reading over forms filed by the supposed mother. The judge looked at him. "No filings?"
 

Draco shook his head. "I put in mine earlier this week," he said calmly. "That's all I have to say on the matter." His son sat down and put his feet up on the table. "Denver, quit being surly," he chided gently. Denver put his feet down. "Thank you." He looked at the judge again. "Did you not get my initial filings?" The folder was held up. "Yes, that's mine."
 

"All right. Then I have to ask a few questions. Mr. Malfoy, when were you aware of your son's existence?"
 

"When my house elf came to get me and told me there was an emergency at the house." He sipped his water. "She had handed the basket to my house elf and then left him there."
 

"Just answer the questions, sir." The judge looked at Denver. "He's how old?"
 

"Just under twelve. His birthday's in sixteen days."
 

"It's in twelve days," his mother corrected.
 

Draco pulled out a copy of the birth certificate and handed it over. "You put down sixteen days from now," he said with a sneer. "Can't remember?"
 

"Enough, Mr. Malfoy. I know that your son is precious to you. Your recent actions show that you care about all your children." He straightened up. "Ms. Marble-Cresent-Turnerbill, why are you filing this now?"
 

"Because I realize what a mistake I made leaving him with his father. He partakes in unnatural acts. He's an evil bastard."
 

Draco snorted. "Evil bastard? Since when? I changed my behavior while in my seventh year. I haven't been an evil bastard since then."
 

"Go, dad," Denver agreed. He looked at his mother, then at the judge. "If it matters, I'd rather be eaten by something large, slimy, and that had dull teeth than be anywhere near her."
 

The judge nodded. "That does matter, but not yet, Mr. Malfoy. You'll have your audience in a while." He looked at the mother again. "According to the birth certificate that was on file with Hogwarts, his birthday is in sixteen days, not twelve. Have you marked any celebrations for his birthday? Sent him a card? Sent him any letters or presents?" He noticed the boy shaking his head.
 

"I sent him a card every year but it always came back marked 'no one living here by that name'." She pulled out stack of letters and put them on the table. "These are them."
 

Draco looked at her. "I want a handwriting test."
 

"You will get your say, Mr. Malfoy," the judge reminded him. He looked at the supposed mother again. "You say you sent these and they came back every year?" She nodded. "Let me see them please." The stack was handed over by the bailiff. "I see," he said, after opening the first one. "Rather inappropriate for a one year old," he said, holding up the picture of a naked woman.
 

"It was all I could find that year, and he wouldn't have been able to read it anyway. I figured it would make his father laugh." Draco glared at her. "After all, he's all about playing around."
 

The judge looked at Mr. Malfoy. "*Now* it's your turn. Did you ever see these?" Draco shook his head. "Is this your handwriting?" he asked, holding up an envelope.
 

"Not as far as I can see from here," Draco told him. "You can have it checked against a handwriting sample, I would insist. I've never seen any owls from her. The only way I knew she had remarried was because I someone periodically check on her." The mother gasped. "To protect myself and my child, I wanted to make sure she wasn't going to come back and try this earlier." The doors opened and a guard walked in, whispering in Draco's ear. "Your Honor, there's an extraordinary circumstance. My second eldest daughter has just went missing while visiting her sister."
 

"Just a moment more, please," the judge said, smiling at him. "Are you willing to leave your son here with me for now?"
 

Draco shook his head. "I'd be willing to let him stay with members of his step-mother's family for the night so you can talk with him. I don't want her anywhere near my son. She's shown no concern over him until now, and as far as I'm concerned is only after a payout. She's never wanted to be a mother. A certified copy of the note that came with my son is in the material I filed."
 

Denver stood up. "I can stay at the Leaky Cauldron if Uncle Percy can't put me up," he offered.
 

"By yourself?" his mother asked.
 

"Yes, by myself, you c..." His father tapped him on the top of the head. "Sorry. I'll try to control my language in the future, father."
 

"Thank you." He gave him a hug. "I'll be back with Anastasia as soon as possible. Be good tonight and no sneaking off to the ice cream parlor."
 

"Yes, father," Denver said with a smile.
 

"One last question, Mr. Malfoy," the judge requested when Draco gathered up his coat. "These other children, are they all by Ms. Weasley?" Draco nodded. "Even the latest?" He nodded again. "Why didn't you marry her?"
 

"Because she said she didn't want me to," he said simply. "She and I have worked out a very good partnership over the children, and we work together most of the time." He put on his cloak. "I offered to marry her when I found out she was pregnant with Simone and she said no. I asked her again when I was having a weak moment back when Denver was five, she refused me again. She's happy with what we have."
 

"If I made you, as part of the custody of your son, would you?"
 

"If you tell her yourself," Draco told him. "But otherwise, yes. To save my son from the horrible fate of the bitch over there, I would gladly marry a mountain troll to keep my son." He walked out, heading to the public floo. He walked out in the tower and looked around. Absolute silence. "Hello?" he called. When he didn't get an answer, he headed for the main part of the school. He found all the teachers massed out there, but Xander. "What happened and who took her?" he demanded.
 

"One of the fairy bastards took her," Simone said from the staircase to his right, "and he took off flying without a broom. Uncle Xander teleported over to the gateway I used to try and keep them from going through. Iggy told the gryphons." She stood up. "I'm going with you."
 

"No," Draco told her. "You're staying here in case she did like you did and fights her way out." He handed her his cloak. "You stay here and guard the rest of the family. Denver's staying in London tonight so call him." She nodded. "And watch Lucien, your great-great-grandfather would come back and haunt us if something happened to his namesake." He looked over as Iggy reappeared. "Did they make it through?"
 

"The fairy bastard hurt daddy pretty badly. Daddy only had his cane and wand." Iggy grimaced. "Come on. Uncle Ron's already there. He was knocked out too." He took Draco's hand and brought him with him to the colony. "He's the father," he said when someone looked at him. "It's his daughter that my father was trying to save." He led him back to the healer's area. "The bastard had a sword, Uncle Draco," he said quietly. He opened the curtain and let him back there. Iggy wasn't allowed back there because his father was in bad shape. Of course, the fairy bastard nearly didn't make it through the gateway either. The only thing keeping him from going after his cousin was the fact that the gateway was a multi-terminus. It went to a few places. Hopefully, they could set it using Draco. He was a strong wizard and had the righteous anger of a father with a missing child. Draco came back out with Ron, who was hobbling but moving. "You okay enough to go?" Iggy asked them.
 

"I'm going," Ron said firmly. "I don't care if this looks like an invasion force, I'm going." He walked out, with a short courtesy nod at the elders, and led the way to the portal. He pointed it out, checking for anyone around them. He smiled when he felt Iggy shielding the area. "Okay, it goes to a lot of places."
 

"And you have to get there before she eats," Iggy reminded them. "Or she'll be sterile and attuned to them from what Simone was told." He bounced on the balls of his feet. "Can I come?"
 

"No, I need you here," Draco told him. "Your fathers need you and so does Denver. He's in London tonight, probably at the Leaky Cauldron. Pop in on him occasionally to make sure he's still there." They shared a look and Iggy nodded. He understood that Draco's biggest weakness was his children. "Thank you, Ignatius." He gave him a smile and turned back to the portal. "How do we set it?"
 

"Think of Anastasia?" Ron suggested. The portal opened, showing a glittering city.
 

"That's it," Iggy told them. "Just like Simone described." He stepped back as they walked through, waiting until it was closed to drop the shields. He found a few muggles standing around looking up at the lintel above him. "Neat, huh," he said, going back to the colony. His father needed him and so did Denver. He could split himself up enough. As soon as he got inside, he headed for the library, double-checking the method of putting a tell-tale on someone. He felt it take hold of Denver and smiled. "Just think of me, cousin, and I'll come running," he whispered, going back to sit beside his father. And he wouldn't be denied this time. He pushed past the gryphons standing in his way, being smaller in this case was useful. He sat on the edge of his father's bed, patting him on the chest. "Daddy, if you die, dad's going to kill you," he pointed out. Xander smiled and opened his eyes. "Uncles Ron and Draco went after Anastasia. And Uncle Draco's *pissed*." He looked over as the healer came in. "How's his throat?"
 

"We were very lucky to catch it in time," the healer told him. She looked down at him. "Did I not ban you from this area because you are too young?"
 

"I saw him when he was poisoned and burned, this is nothing new. Get over it." Iggy stood up but his father caught him and mouthed something. "I have a tell-tale on him." Xander mouthed something else. "You're right, they can get past it. I'll go check on Denver now and be right back." He put one of his magical thumbtacks into the bed and disappeared.
 

"That child of yours needs manners," the healer said, trying to pluck the thumbtack out, but Xander stopped her. "Surely you can't want him back here." Xander nodded. "Fine," she sighed. "But if he ends up with horrible nightmares, don't blame me."
 

"He has them already," Xander croaked. "Healing potion? Now?"
 

She snorted. "I see where he gets his impatience from," she said with a grimace, but she went to get him a healing potion from the main fireplace, where the Hogwarts potion master was working. "He can barely talk," she announced. "Ignatius will be back soon."
 

Snape nodded. "It's as we expected." He continued to stir. "Fifteen more minutes."
 

She nodded and settled down to wait.
 

***
 

Iggy landed behind his cousin, giving him a hug. "Want an update?" he asked.
 

"Young man, how did you do that?" the judge asked.
 

"I'm gryphon-born. We teleport and shields have to be set to our particular magical resonance to keep us out." He pulled Denver up and nearer to the door to talk to him. "It was the fairies again. Anastasia was pulled kicking and screaming over there, but not before my dad and Uncle Ron tried to beat him senseless. The fairy was nearly dead, my dad was nearly dead, and Uncle Ron went with your dad to get her back."
 

"Do you think that's appropriate information for someone his age?" the judge asked.
 

Iggy looked over at him. "I'm a year younger than he is and this is reality. We tend to face it in our family. My father demands it."
 

"And your father would be?"
 

"Professor Xander Harris, Hogwarts." The judge sighed. "He's presently healing from trying to save Denver's sister. And it's not looking very well. So, since his dad had to leave, I've been asked to pop around and give him updates, plus make sure he's not kidnaped by the uber-bitch that tossed him at a house elf and ran away cackling."
 

"Is that the story or the truth, young man?"
 

"It's what the house elf told me when I asked how I got to father's," Denver told him. He looked at Iggy. "Truth, is it bad?" Iggy paused, looking like he was thinking. "Iggy?"
 

"I'd say, if I was being dad-like, that I'd want more backup than a limping and injured Uncle Ron. Of course, this is your dad we're talking about and he's pissed enough to commit genocide at the moment. Yeah, I'd say so," he said seriously. "I'd also say I'd go after them but I can't get the portal to focus and neither could any gryphon. They blocked us out."
 

"But the gryphons said Simone was gryphon-born and they wouldn't want one of us because we scare them," Denver said, thinking about it. "It must be a new trick, they're trying to guard against what Simone did."
 

"Simone's back at Hogwarts holding down the fort with Melvin. Are you staying at the Leaky Cauldron or should I come pick you up later?"
 

"You can ...teleport with him?"
 

"I can teleport with him, his sister, our cousin Melvin, and one other if I have to. I've done it before." He grinned. "We've often snuck out for treats after a hard day."
 

"That's amazing. Do all gryphon-born know how to do this?" Iggy shook his head. "Why not?"
 

"Because you have to be taught how to teleport. I figured it out by accident, with a cookie jar." He gave Denver a hug. "I'm going back to the colony. I left a tell-tale on you if you need me. So just yell, okay?" Denver nodded, giving him a brave smile. "Remember, if she hurts you, Simone and I will toast her and Melvin will plant her into the ground with his nifty fist of power spell." He glanced at the judge and made a decision. "Tell him," he said, then he disappeared.
 

Denver turned back around. "I have to report that I can kind of do that too, sir. I'm not great over distances, but I can boost Iggy whenever he needs it."
 

The judge pointed at the seat. "Are you feeling left out of things because your family is learning gryphon magic?"
 

"I feel more left out because of what my last name is and I'm a Gryffindor. No one cares what Iggy and I can do unless they want something very badly from somewhere outside the school."
 

"I see." The judge looked him over. "What about other matters. Do you have a girlfriend?"
 

"I'm a first year and barely started into puberty," he said with his best 'ick' face. "I won't need or want one of those for at least another two years. Iggy's ahead of me on the puberty thing and he still thinks girls are nasty too."
 

"I see. Do you look up to your cousin, even though he's younger?"
 

"In some ways. Iggy's much more powerful than I am. He's also found a calling already because he's so good at potions and almost none of the born are. I don't look up to him for anything other than having male friends."
 

"Don't you have another male cousin? Percy Weasley's son I believe?" he asked, flipping through the files. "Ah, yes. Melvin."
 

"I do, and I adore him greatly, but we hardly ever got to see him because of his father's work schedule and his mother watching him most of the time."
 

"Oh, I heard about that. How is Melvin taking it?"
 

"Rather well. He's healing, but it's going okay. He hasn't cried in his sleep for months now."
 

"I guess that would be a normal reaction." He looked up. "Denver, do you want to get to know your natural mother?"
 

Denver shook his head. "I want nothing more than to never see her again. She flung me at a house elf and left me there, not caring if my father was home or not. She never told my father about her being pregnant. She never informed him of my birth until she showed up, and left a note saying I was an inconvenience to her finding a new, richer, husband. She's never made contact, she's never shown up, and she never gave a damn until this last husband screwed her out of a juicy alimony. She's after my dad's money and could care less about my health, my well-being, or my education. And to be perfectly frank, I'd really rather teleport myself to my Uncle Charlie's dragon preserve and be eaten. I think it would be more fun than listening to her whine about being stuck with an almost-twelve-year-old boy."
 

The judge nodded. "I understand. Did you never receive any of those cards?" He handed over a few of them.
 

"That's not my father's writing," Denver said, tossing it back. "It's also not any of our elves' writing."
 

"I thought your father's house blew up."
 

"It did. The house elves are rotating through dad's temporary residence with Uncles Xander and Ron at Hogwarts so they have something to do. The rest are off visiting or watching the new house go up." He wiped at a tired eye. "Are we almost done? I was up late last night writing a paper so I'd have a few days free of homework."
 

"Almost," the judge said with a smile. "Would you be willing to sit down and have a meal with her?" Denver shook his head. "Are you scared she'll try and take you?"
 

"She's desperate for money and coming after my father, the cash cow. I have no doubt that she'd try something that stupid." He sneered. "I'd like to see her try it when I'm awake, or see her get past the rest of the family. Ginny would about kill her."
 

"Do you call her aunt?"
 

"Sometimes. She's made it clear that I can call her mum if I want, but she's never pushed it. She's done the mum thing for me, ever since I showed up, but she's never pushed me to do anything. So sometimes she's Aunt Ginny and sometime's she's mum, and sometimes she's just Ginny. But if I call her Ginny in front of grandma, she'll soap my mouth again."
 

"The Weasleys have accepted you as one of their own?"
 

"Since that house elf told my father that I was an emergency that he had to come take care of. Grandmother told him that Ginny wouldn't take over full raising me duties and she never has. They've always had a good relationship about us kids, except for a few fights."
 

"Do they fight in front of you?"
 

"Not if Ginny can help it."
 

"I see. What about your father."
 

"There was this one time that Uncles Xander and Ron turned him furry to force him to finish having a fight with Ginny. They started to fight in front of me and Ginny sent me to Uncle Percy's for the night so I wouldn't have to hear it. I almost never hear my father yell at anyone. Well, the occasional bout at the house elves when they slack off, or the time they gave us food poisoning, but no other time comes to mind."
 

"I see." The judge made notes. "Do you know the legend of your grandfather?"
 

Denver snorted. "We were warned to tell Daddy if he came to haunt us so he could be banished back to hell." He wiggled in the leather chair. "I know some, but not specifics. Father said he wouldn't tell me any more than the generalities until I was old enough to chose my own path."
 

"Very good. Do you think your father is on a dark path, young man?"
 

Denver laughed. "My father? He gave up being an evil bastard in his seventh year, when Uncle Xander got hold of him. Sometimes we talk about him being an evil bastard and how he used to pick on people, but that's mostly to teach myself and Simone not to do it ourselves." He leaned forward. "My father still has nightmares about the fight after Voldemort died, the one with the aurors and the death eaters in the woods, where he got clobbered for going after a death eater by an auror. Does that sound like he's on a dark path?" he said mockingly. "My father's not the evil person in the family, that's Simone. Just ask her." He stood up and started to pace. "I'm tired of this. If you try and put me and her together, she's going to the hospital because she'll be missing parts. If only because my beloved older sister will hurt her for coming near me." He looked at the judge, unconsciously mimicking his father's favorite 'you're an asshole, get out of my face' stance. "I've made myself as plain as I can. I won't see her, talk to her, or be in the same room as her. The next time I want to see her is at her funeral so I can point at her ugly and ill-used body and laugh."
 

"Ill-used?"
 

"She's had three husbands for money, no more kids, and obviously has done something to alter her appearance considering she's got to be thirty-five or so now."
 

"Thirty-one," the judge corrected. "She's only a year older than your father." He clasped his hands. "I feel your revulsion but the law does state that all parents are equal under the law until proven to be unfit."
 

"Doesn't leaving me with a house elf without knowing if there was a human home count? Or her obvious distaste of me count? Or even the fact that she's never had another one count?"
 

"She could be infertile," the judge said gently.
 

"Yeah, and she could have forced herself to miscarry too." He smiled. "It was in the papers last month, how she was locked up in a mental hospital due to hurting herself and her unborn child. Simone and I had a long laugh over it." He sat down again. "She didn't even put her name on my birth certificate. That and the note that came with me tell me all I need to know about her as a parent. She's in it for the money." He shrugged. "I'll never believe anything else."
 

The judge nodded. "That's fine, Denver. I will take your wishes into consideration, even though you're still young and may change your mind in the future."
 

Denver snorted. "When? When she comes begging me for money? Not likely."
 

"When you have a wife and child of your own?" the judge suggested.
 

Denver snorted. "Fat chance. I won't want her anywhere near any child of mine. What will she teach it? How to prostitute herself into a wealthy marriage? I have all the family I need, thank you."
 

"Then I think we're done. Can I call your Uncle for you?"
 

"No, I can step over to his office and check in with him. Or go stay in the Leaky Cauldron. Many of my housemates will probably beg me to pick up things for them."
 

"I'm not sure I want you staying up there alone."
 

"Iggy and I stayed up there when Ginny gave birth to Ravena. Tom's a wonderful friend of Uncle Xander's. They talk almost every week when Uncle Xander runs out for soda." He stood up. "He knows me well enough to watch out for me and make sure I eat dinner. May I go?"
 

"Go ahead." The judge watched him go, worrying about that young boy. He had so much ill-will in him for someone his age. Plus, what was Professor Harris teaching that boy? Gryphon magic was dangerous, that boy shouldn't be exposed to it, even if both of his parents used it on occasion. He would have to consider this situation very carefully. A house elf came in with a letter and a mug of cocoa, handing them both over. "Who's this from?"
 

"Minister Acrimon," the house elf said, backing away from him. "Very big badness, very mad." He left the office.
 

The judge opened the letter and read the all-but orders. He then tossed them into the fireplace. He wouldn't make a decision based on bias or friendship. He didn't care that his old school chum was Inghram or not. The man needed to be in jail because of what he had already done to Mr. Malfoy. He leaned back and sipped his cocoa, never realizing that the poison in it was working on him. The house elf came back half an hour later for the mug and started to scream, bringing the guards and bailiffs running.
 

***
 

Draco and Ron were captured as soon as they stepped through the portal. Fortunately, a thin, tiny voice yelled out for them to be brought to the palace. A cheer went up, mystifying the adults. They were shown into an opulent throne room, and found Anastasia staring at the walls. "Stop," she ordered. "If I see you, physically see you, you'll die," she said quietly, continuing to stare at the wall. "Daddy?"
 

"Right here, pumpkin." He moved closer and hugged her, keeping his eyes closed. "I'm going to save you."
 

"I should stay, they need me."
 

"They need to quit taking daughters of worried parents," Ron corrected. He looked around, all the little fairies were eagerly watching to see when the Princess would slip. "Anastasia, would you like a blindfold?" he suggested.
 

"I tried that, they ripped it off," she sighed. "Daddy, I want Mummy very badly," she told him. "Uncle Ron, I love you dearly, but I don't think you'll win this time. They're waiting for a fight, they've called in part of their army."
 

"Bully for them," Ron told her. "They won't win. Your father and I both know spells that can destroy their whole little world." He stepped closer and pulled Draco back from his hug. "We will not leave you here."
 

A blue/green fairy in a long white robe stepped out. "Who are you to threaten us?" he demanded.
 

"I'm her father and you kidnaped her," Draco told him. "This is her Uncle. I believe you met another one of her Uncles outside the portal." He looked him over. "You stole my daughter."
 

"Your daughter is meant to be here. There's a prophecy."
 

"Yay," Ron said lightly. "Prophecies aren't worth the paper they're written on usually. How accurate was this seer? How many other ones have they had?"
 

"Enough! You do not have any legal standing here. She is ours."
 

Anastasia opened her eyes. "Shut the hell up," she told him. He backed away from her. "You think you got the bitch in my sister, but you were so very wrong," she hissed, advancing on him. "You have no right to take me from my family. Or my friends. Or even from that school. I am not your property!" she screamed. "I am no one's property!"
 

"You are our prophesied one," the judge told her.
 

"Yay, like my Uncle Ron said, how accurate was this seer? How many did she have? He deals with prophecies every day, as does my Uncle that you nearly killed because he was defending me. There's nothing you have that can compete with my family. I'd rather die than stay here." She pulled the wand her father had given to her. "Back, now," she ordered.
 

"You cannot leave, we'll die!" the judge told her.
 

"You've lived this long, figure out how to keep going!" she answered. "It's been six *thousand* years where I'm from since your Princess Hufflepuff came back home."
 

"Thousand?" the judge asked. "You lie!"
 

"Why would I lie?" She held her hand back. "Uncle Ron, the gun please?" Ron's personal sidearm was handed to her. "Did you have anything near this when she left?" The judge shook his head. "The world is full of them now, and not only the muggle world." She unlatched the safety and pointed it at him. "Now then," she said, trying to restrain herself. "I'm going home with my family. If you don't like that, tough. If the army appears, my father studies gryphon magic for a living. He can take out the pitiful army and all the lands around this city with a single word. Do you really want to die that much?" The judge shrugged, starting to look bored.
 

"Anastasia, give me the gun," Ron told her, stepping closer. One of the little fairies tried to block his path so he picked it up. "Tell whomever sent you that they shouldn't send a child to do an adult's job, it's cruel." He let it go, pushing it away from him. "Gun, Anastasia, before you end up hurting yourself."
 

"Are you willing to die over this?" the judge sneered at him.
 

"Yes," Ron told him. "To prevent this horrible fate, definitely. There's a loving family waiting on my triplets at home." He knew Draco was staring at him. "She's my niece. My family is everything to me. Besides, there's evidence that she's gryphon-born herself."
 

"Impossible, the wand would never pick one of them!" the judge snapped. "Bring the rosette crystal!" A few fairies came in carrying a carved rose made out of crystal. "Touch it, Princess, and we'll find out for sure."
 

She touched it and the crystal flashed brightly. "Wow, pretty lights," she noted. She felt herself be pulled back against a hard, unfamiliar body. "Uncle Ron, can we escape?" she asked.
 

"Not yet. There's too many of them," he whispered in her ear. "Remind them why you can't stay, niece."
 

"Oh, yeah, forgot to mention a point," Anastasia told them all. "Did you know that my kind stop being able to breed once we've been over here a while? It's something in your food." She licked her lips; she had woken up with the taste of honey on them. "Good thing I like girls, huh," she told her Uncle. "I woke up with something in my mouth."
 

"How dare you!" Ron shouted, raising his wand. A bunch of staffs were pointed at him. He was faster though, firing on the throne itself. He spun, taking his niece with him, firing a second blast around at the guards. Draco joined in on this blast and together they at least stunned the poor deluded creatures. "We're leaving," he told the judge, who was crawling back to his feet. "Stop us and actually die." He walked out, the crown falling out of Anastasia's hair, but the threaded jewels staying in.
 

"Daddy, can I have leather when I go to school?" Anastasia asked as they walked toward the portal. "And does anyone else feel like Gulliver?"
 

"Yeah," Ron said with a grin for Draco. "I kinda do feel like Hagrid at the moment."
 

"Definitely never thought I'd be the tallest bloke around," Draco agreed. They stopped at the portal. "Open it," he ordered the fairy standing there. The fairy shook his head. "Do so or die."
 

"I'd rather die than lose our princess," he nearly cried. "We'll die without her."
 

"Has it occurred to you that you've lasted this long without stealing children?" Anastasia asked him. "If you've done it this long then you can continue to do so." She pointed at the portal. "Open it. Now." He shook his head and ran off.
 

"Well, this is bloody wonderful," Ron sighed. He pulled out the necklace he had on him and touched it, thinking about someone coming to open the blasted thing. He felt Xander answer and a few minutes later the nicest face he'd ever seen was there. An enraged Ginny was right behind Sirius Black too. How very wonderful. He passed through the girl, then got Draco out, turning to guard his back. He was the more rational one right now. He stepped through and the portal crashed around them. "Wow," he said finally. He noticed Ginny looked older. "How long were we gone?"
 

"A week," Ginny sighed from her position hugging her daughter and boyfriend.
 

"Eight days if you count today," Black told Ron, clapping him on the back. "Good job."
 

"It was Anastasia's idea," Ron admitted. "She didn't look at us the whole time." He smiled at his niece. "How is everything else?"
 

"The trial?" Draco asked quietly.
 

"Denver's barricaded himself in one of the rooms in the tower. The judge wants to see you as soon as you get back."
 

Draco nodded, smiling at his daughter. She lunged over and hugged him too. "Let me go change."
 

"No, go now. We'll come with you," Ginny told him, standing up and carrying her daughter. "We'll need to get her checked first."
 

"She said she woke up and had swallowed something," Ron reported. He looked down at himself. "I'll go tell the judge that you're on your way." He smiled when he saw Xander leaning on George, handing back George's Christmas present. "Thanks for the loan, brother. I'll be back." He apparated to the Ministry, then flooed to the courthouse section. He saw someone go running and realized what he looked like. "I'm not a threat," he called after him. He stopped at the information board, waiting for a guard to come bother him. It took about two more minutes.
 

"Sir?" the guard asked cautiously.
 

"I just got back from helping Draco Malfoy save his second daughter. The judge wanted to know when we were back." He turned to look at the kid, who looked somewhat familiar. "Neville?"
 

"Ron?" he asked happily, hugging him. "Dear Merlin, you're a mess. What're you doing now?"
 

"Teaching Defense at Hogwarts and raising my triplets."
 

"Wow. Triplets." He shook his head. "That's wonderful. Who's the mother?"
 

"Remember those visitors we had in our sixth year?" Neville nodded. "Remember the blonde, the Slayer?" Neville nodded faster this time. "It was her. She was taken right after delivering them."
 

"Oh, I'm sorry." He gave him another hug. "Come on, I know where Judge Perkin's office is. He's in there too." He led the way, chatting about what he had done since he had left school.
 

"Call me up for a beer some night," Ron invited. "I'm at Gryphon's Hole. Dumbledore gave Xander and I our own tower because of all the kids. I'm over Gryffindor now too." Neville laughed. "So, call me up some night soon and we'll go drinking." He smiled and gave him another hug. "It's good to see the old crew doing so well." He tapped on the office door and walked in at the called 'come in'. "Judge Perkins, I'm here on behalf of Draco Malfoy." The judge looked him, obvious in his examination of the bloody and dirty clothing. "We just got back. He's having his daughter looked over right now but will be here as soon as possible afterwards."
 

The judge nodded. "Thank you. Can you get the boy out of your house?"
 

"Iggy?" Ron called. Iggy landed beside him, frowning at him. "Go get Denver and bring him here. I'll be waiting until Draco gets here." Iggy nodded and disappeared, coming back a minute later with Denver.
 

"Is she okay?"
 

"We think she's fine. She may have been tainted by their food, but she's being checked out right now." He smiled at him. "Quite a brain, your younger sister is. Gave us the help we needed to break her out."
 

"Good," Denver sighed, giving him a hug. He waved at the security guard. "Isn't he in one of your pictures, Uncle Ron?"
 

Ron smiled at Neville. "That, Denver, is Neville Longbottom. He was in the same class as your Uncle Harry and I, a Gryffindor through-and-through." Ron realized he was holding his wand and put it back into his special, quick-draw holster. He patted Denver on the head. "The one thing I have to say about those fairies is that they have good taste in clothing. Your sister looked aces."
 

"She always does," Draco said from behind them. He looked at the guard. "Longbottom?" Neville nodded, happy to be remembered. "Well, you certainly made good. Good on you." He clapped him on the back and walked Anastasia in, giving his son a hug without taking his hand off her. "How are you?"
 

"Fine, father, now that this mess is over with." He glared at the judge. "He tried to force me to sit at the same table as that creature and force myself to eat. Like that could happen with her harpy fingernails drumming on the table and her pissing and moaning about how much work I was going to be during the summers."
 

Draco snorted. "Not going to happen, son. She'll have to get through me to take you." He smiled at Ginny as she muttered something about a long red wall. "And the rest of the family, of course," he said, giving her a smile.
 

"Of course," Ginny agreed with a cold grin of her own. She walked in and pulled Denver into her lap, letting Ron lean against her chair. "Neville, come over for dinner some night," she called before he left. "We'd love to hear about your life." He sighed happily before leaving them alone. "So, where's the greedy bitch?" Ginny asked. The judge looked shocked. "What? Can you honestly think of another reason for her to show up now?"
 

"She could be regretting her prior mistakes," the judge offered.
 

Draco snorted. "I'm sure she is. The matter of a prenuptial agreement that took all of her money and gave it to her husband if their divorce was her fault." He handed the papers over. "I found this waiting on me." He looked over at the woman he had spent a week with as she walked in. "Look, it's the gold digger," he said snidely.
 

"Didn't take time to clean up from your manual labor?" she sneered.
 

"Sorry, but saving my daughter took precedence over this matter. Her life was in danger, Denver's wasn't at the moment." He looked at the judge again. "I won't let her have my son. Come Hell or Voldemort returning for a third go-round, she's not getting any of my children, my money, or my name." Ginny looked up at him. "This would be the *perfect* blackmail play to get me to marry her. I'm one of the few eligible wizards around who's rich enough to equal her other husbands."
 

"I loved them," she snapped.
 

"Really? Then why were you with me three months before your first divorce was final," Draco said dryly. She looked like he had just hit her with a cricket bat. "It's amazing what the newspapers report." He looked at the judge again. "I want to hear her demands before I make another statement. I'm tired of this pussy-footing around and I want her out of my son's life for good."
 

"She is the biological mother," Judge Perkins sighed.
 

"Prove it," Draco offered. "Let her take bloodwork and prove it. Her name's not on the birth certificate. By her choice I might add. Unless she's willing to pay for bloodwork to prove this allegation, I'm not saying a word about whether or not we slept together. She can't prove a thing."
 

The judge rubbed a tired hand over his slightly jaundiced forehead. "I know this is tough, Mr. Malfoy, but she can have the bloodwork done, the same as you can."
 

"Yes, but does she really want to gamble on it coming out in the way she wants?" he asked with a smile. He looked at Ginny, who nodded and shrugged. "I can get statements saying that Denver isn't her son."
 

"Wouldn't that be a lie?" the supposed mother suggested snidely. "We both know he's mine."
 

Draco looked over at him. "No I don't. You never put your name on the birth certificate and I slept with a few women back then." He sneered. "Denver could belong to someone else. After all, it's not like you *showed up* and gave me the baby. And house elf testimony isn't legal." He looked at the judge again. "It's true that I've always thought she was the mother, but there were other candidates. While on that vacation, I slept with six different women, any of them who might have dropped my son off on my doorstep. As a matter of fact, a few of them are more likely since I gave them my address and I never gave it to this woman." He waved a hand in the supposed mother's direction. "So, without the bloodwork, it's all been supposition until now."
 

The judge sighed. "Is this more delaying tactics?"
 

Draco shook his head. "Not in the least, I freely admit to being a slut when I was younger. I have a plaque in my house that awarded me the honor of my antics living on through the ages for being such a slut. It's common knowledge that I was very free with my attentions until Ms. Weasley and I formally made an alliance." He smiled. "If she wants to be his mother, then she'll have to prove it was her who had him."
 

Denver looked at his father. "Daddy, thank you for stopping that behavior. I'd hate to see you dead by Ginny's hand."
 

Draco patted him on the arm. "I'm a smart man, Denver, I try to never upset Ginny unnecessarily. I learned the lesson her brothers keep forgetting." Ron coughed, but it sounded like he was trying not to laugh.
 

"Do you want to do the bloodwork?" the judge asked the supposed mother. "It would be at your expense, but it would only lengthen this by a week."
 

She grimaced and looked at Draco. "I'll get you for this," she hissed.
 

He waved a hand again. "What will it take to make you go away, Marble?"
 

"I want a million galleons and a day to get out of the country," she said, glaring at her son. "You're just like your father, you'll never be more than a playboy and a user."
 

"Unlike Father, I have sisters and Aunt Ginny, all of whom have taught me how to deal with women," Denver told her. "Fortunately, they helped teach Father different too. If you were a decent being, you might see that. Unfortunately, you can't see past your money-grubbing, dirty, filthy, *used* little fingers. I hope your next husband treats you like you deserve and sees you for what you are."
 

"Done," Ron said, flicking his wand at her. He grinned. "Have fun with the blessing." He looked at Draco. "Don't pay her. Denver's worth it, but really. She'd probably take less and leave happily before she's arrested."
 

Marble snorted. "I won't take less and you can't prove anything."
 

Draco pointed at the court reporter in the corner. "Official records. You just committed blackmail in front of a sitting judge and it was recorded. I'd take ten thousand and leave faster than you had planned. I think I can hold off my son reporting you to the Ministry for..." He looked at his son and smiled. "Until after breakfast?"
 

"Sounds good to me," Denver told him. "Can we eat here in the city?"
 

"If you wish," Draco agreed. "I'm sure you can spare a few more hours for the resolution of this matter. Dumbledore won't complain too much to me."
 

"What about Lucien?" Ginny asked.
 

"I can go get him," Iggy offered from behind Ron. "He's been resting in with us in the house for few days since Simone's bogged down with homework. The triplets too, Uncle Ron." Ron grimaced. "Uncle Fred tried to snatch them, but we bravely fought him off using funny spells that he vowed to turn into pranks for the store."
 

"Where have Xander and Tara been?" Draco asked.
 

"Tara's been taking care of Maeve," Ginny told him. "Xander's still sick, Draco. His throat isn't quite healed yet. He made it to *one* class and did it by signs. Then Madam Pomfrey dragged him out by his ear and knocked him out in the infirmary and kept him knocked out for the next three days."
 

"Sign language?" the judge asked.
 

"No, like written cards signs," Ginny corrected. She smiled. "Complete with included funny story of the day."
 

The judge laughed, but ended up coughing. "That's a good one. I never thought that Professor Harris had a sense of humor."
 

"He has a great one," Iggy told him. "The only time anyone in this building runs into him though is when he has to be serious. My father's a great guy."
 

"It does bring up a problem I'm seeing," the judge said. "Denver has admitted to learning gryphon magic." Ginny reached over and cuffed him across the back of the head without looking at him. "He said he's been learning it from his cousin."
 

Ron nudged Iggy. "Quit spreading it around, kid. You'll get in trouble."
 

"I asked. And the gryphons did say that Simone was a born," Iggy told him. "Since we can't be sure which side it's on, he might be one of us. A weak one, but still one of us."
 

"True," Draco agreed. "Anastasia reads as one as well."
 

Ginny looked at Ron. "It would explain what happened when your wand broke." Ron nodded. She sighed and shifted. "We can have it checked out. I'm not sure how though."
 

"It'd be in the harder books," Iggy put in. "And I'm banned from the lab for at least a month so I can't mix up the stuff to do it." He stretched. "Snape said that I'm not even allowed in class for the next month." Ron and Ginny looked at him. "It's not my fault he's annoyed with me."
 

"Do the words 'no more dick, daddy,' mean anything?" Ginny asked him.
 

"Oops," Iggy said, blushing. "Never mind. But now I have an extra free period, more time to spend in the library."
 

The judge looked at him. "You're not a normal little boy," he said dryly.
 

Iggy shook his head. "Of course not. Why be normal, it's boring. The whole family lives by that motto." He looked at Ms. Marble. "Why don't you run now?" he suggested with a smile. "It'll save your life." She stood up and stormed out, huffing in indignation. "Watch out for the sister," he yelled after her. "She's much more like Uncle Draco used to be and you trifled with her beloved brother."
 

"Ignatius," Draco said dryly. "Simone is safely at school." Iggy shook his head. "She's not?"
 

"I brought her but she's in the hall interviewing that Neville guy for a class assignment. Oh, Aunt Ginny, can I use you?" She nodded. "Cool. Thanks. I've already written it based on our talk when I was seven." She chuckled. "Denver, yours is written and waiting on your bed. Melvin helped you write it." Denver snickered. "He was really happy to write about your father's job, while he wrote about Uncle Harry's for his paper." Even the judge laughed. They all turned and looked as a woman screamed in the hallway. Simone strolled in, writing the last of her paper with a flourish of her quill. "Feel better?" Iggy asked her.
 

She smiled at him. "What makes you think I did that?" she asked him, looking smug. "Mum, is nice guy two words or one?"
 

"Two," she told her. "And you're right, Neville was always a very nice guy. Very sweet, if a bit clumsy on occasion. I'm looking forward to talking with him and seeing what's been going on in his life." She looked at Draco. "We're taking off next week for a mini-vacation. I'm going to France to lounge on a beach, with the exception of stealing Neville for a lunch date. Want to come?"
 

Draco thought about it, then nodded. "All right. I could go for watching the women in thongs again."
 

Iggy sighed. "No more sex talk, please? It's icky."
 

Denver nodded. "Really icky."
 

"You'll appreciate it when you're older," Ron told them. "Trust me, I used to think the same thing. Then Agatha's mother came along and I was even more convinced."
 

"Gee, thanks," Ginny told him.
 

"You're my sister, I'm not supposed to like you," he said, giving her head a little shove. "You're not a girl."
 

"Oh yes, she is," Draco told him with a leer. "Quite a girl. Even after four pregnancies."
 

"Remember she can't have another one. Hate to have to kill you for that," Ron told him, giving him a level stare. Draco smiled and nodded. "Keep remembering that and we'll be just fine, Malfoy." He looked at the judge. "Are we done yet?"
 

"Yes, Mr. Weasley, it appears she wasn't serious in her desire to see the boy after all." He rubbed his forehead again. "You might want to watch out, Mr. Malfoy, she was quite adamant that you be taken down and she has her supporters."
 

"Is that why you look like hell?" Ron asked him. The judge looked at him but didn't say anything. "Because there's stronger healing potions than anything around here."
 

"I would have to consider that a bribe," the judge said carefully.
 

"Why? The case is closed, isn't it?" Denver asked, trying to sound reasonable. "Trust us, we're all very good with healing potions because of the various scrapes we've gotten into."
 

Ron patted himself down, coming up with a small vial of dark purple stuff. "Try this. It's a super healing potion. Xander's extra dose."
 

"Won't he need that?" Ginny asked him. "I can make him one."
 

"Snape made extra," Iggy told her. "He heard something about a certain Inghram trying to make the judge see things his way."
 

Draco glared at the judge. "Is that true?"
 

The older man uncapped the lid and swallowed the potion. "He tried. I pride myself in not being swayed by political debates. I do my best to be impartial and not use the law as a tool for revenge." He looked at Denver. "Did you feel that I acted wrongly?"
 

"I felt like you were taking the cunt's side," Denver told him. Iggy swatted him. "Hey! You use that word."
 

"Not in front of the family or other random adults," Iggy told him.
 

"If I hear it, ever, you're getting soaped," Ginny told him. Denver sighed and slid down further in his seat. "Apologize."
 

"Yes, mum," Denver said, rolling his eyes. "I'm sorry I used foul language in your presence, sir. Even if it fits."
 

The judge nodded, smiling at him. "I can understand that feeling. The reason I pushed was because the law says that I have to give the filing parent a chance to make an emotional contact with the child in question. I had to give her a chance, even if you didn't want her to have one. Do you understand why?"
 

"Because sometimes parents aren't what she is," Denver told him. "I get it, but it sucks sometimes. You almost punished my father for protecting me." He stood up. "Oh, if you want to order daddy to marry, I'd do it now. Iggy, butterbeer?"
 

"Sure," Iggy agreed, following his cousin out to the floo.
 

"It does worry me that you're unmarried, Mr. Malfoy," the judge admitted. "It is unusual for children from broken homes to grow up normal and well-adjusted. In his case, I see a very strong will." Ginny snickered. "I also see some behavior problems that will need to be addressed." Both parents stared at him. "I see him as a bit spoiled, him and his cousin both."
 

Draco shook his head. "He's much better adjusted than I am. He has more family than he can stand most of the time because they butt in. We do as much as we can to make him happy and safe."
 

"Yes, but a mother might help that," the judge said carefully.
 

"I'm a good mother!" Ginny said sharply. "He knows he can come to me for anything, and often does. He's got no lack of maternal role models. His father and I marrying would only make us miserable and it would show to the children. Therefore, I'm going to say no to that idea and remark that you can't force us to marry without a very good reason." She stood up. "I've heard enough, I'm going to join the boys at the Leaky Cauldron." She walked out.
 

"It really doesn't pay to piss her off," Ron told him, taking her chair. "Any other fruitful suggestions?"
 

"Not really," the judge told him. "Do tell her I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset her, I was trying to make a small suggestion, not an order." He signed some papers and handed a copy to Draco. "For your records. Please, tell her I'm sorry."
 

"I will, once she's had a day of lounging in the sun." He stood up. "Nothing else?"
 

"No, Mr. Malfoy, I find your child mentally old for his age, and very strong willed, but otherwise not abnormal, unsafe, or otherwise in danger."
 

"Good," he said with a smooth smile. "Thank you for handling this matter." He nodded at Ron. "Want a night out on me?"
 

"I'd rather go cuddle with the kids," Ron told him.
 

Draco's smile brightened. "Yes, I think I'd adore a night with the children. Let's go. Ginny can handle Denver for the night." They quickly walked to the floo and sent themselves back to the tower. Fred was there with all six kids, reading to them, so they grabbed their respective children and cuddled in too.
 

***
 

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