Chapter 95: The Show Must Go On
February 23, 1997 =
Harry and Hermione head up to the Infirmary. "What brings you two here?" Pomphrey asks.
"First, we wanted to check on Professor Flitwick and Pansy." Hermione answers.
"I was able to create an antivenom for Filius, he'll be out of here tomorrow." Pomphrey says. "Miss Parkinson had her magical pattern damaged, nothing that can't be fixed, it'll just take time."
"Thank you for taking care of them." Harry says.
"Was there something else?" Pomphrey asks
"I took the labor delay potion last night, it should be wearing off soon." Hermione answers.
Pomphrey nods. "I'll get things ready."
"Are you ready for this?" Harry asks.
"As ready as I can be." Hermione answers.
"I'll be here the whole time." Harry says as he kisses her lightly.
"No more of that." Pomphrey teases. "That's what got you into this situation."
"Yes, ma'am." Hermione says then groans. "There's the first contraction."
Some time later Harry walks into the Daycare. "Dad!" Rose and Iris say in unison as they hug him.
"I love you too." Harry says as he hugs them back.
"Where's mum?" Rose asks.
"She's in the infirmary, and would like to see you two." Harry says. "Shannon, you can come as well."
"Are you sure?" Shannon asks.
"Of course." Harry says then he leads them all to the infirmary where they find Hermione laying in the bed.
"Mum?" Iris asks as she reaches for Hermione's hand.
Hermione takes it. "I'm fine."
"What happened?" Rose asks.
"You two officially became big sisters." Pomphrey says as she comes in with a cart that has three bundles wrapped up on it. "These are your siblings."
"Look at how little they are." Shannon says.
"Here, Shannon, come sit and I'll show you how to hold one of the babies." Harry says then turns to Rose and Iris. "Then if you two want you can do so."
Shannon sits. "Alright, now you need to make sure you support their head." Harry explains as he positions Shannon's hands. "You think you have it?"
Shannon nods. "I do."
Harry brings a pink bundle to her. "This is Clover Claire, the youngest."
Shannon takes the bundle. "She seems even smaller in my arms. Like there's nothing to her."
"You get used to it." Harry says.
Iris climbs up into a chair. "Can I try?"
"You want to hold one of your brothers?" Harry asks.
Iris nods. "Like this right?" She holds her hands up mimicking Shannon.
"Very good." Harry says as he brings a blue bundle to her. "This is William Sirius."
Iris carefully takes the bundle, which is almost half her size. "Hi there Will," she says softly. "I'm your big sister Iris."
Harry seeing Iris is fine looks at Rose. "What about you?"
Rose nods as she gets in a chair. Harry hands her the final bundle. "And this is Aaron James." Harry says.
"Hi, Aaron." Rose says as she holds him.
"I'm not too late, am I?" Ginny asks, then sees who is holding the triplets. "That's so sweet." She pulls out Colin's camera. "Could I take a picture?"
"Please do." Hermione says. "This is a memory I don't want to forget."
Ginny snaps a few pictures. "They're so cute."
"Are one of you ready to let Aunt Ginny hold one of the babies?"
"Here," Shannon says. "She can have Clover."
Ginny comes over and takes Clover. "Thank you, Shannon."
"You're welcome." Shannon says.
February 23, 1997 =
Harry and Hermione carry the triplets between them as the twins walk ahead of them. Iris walks up to the Fat Lady and gives the password, and they all enter the common room.
"Congratulations!" Several voices shout.
Hermione smiles at the scene before her. The other expectant mothers all sit with their spouses on couches, arranged in a semi-circle. She notices that in the semi-circle two couches are empty.
"Here, I'll take the baby." Luna says as she comes up to Hermione and takes Clover. "Everyone wants a chance to hold one of them."
"With three there won't be much waiting." Ginny says as she comes up to Harry and takes one of the boys.
Colin comes right behind Ginny and takes the other, leaving Harry and Hermione to sit. They each pass one the babies off to one of the expectant mothers then Colin and Luna sit. Ginny turns to Rose and Iris. "Now, you two want to go play with Aunt Ginny?"
"It's okay." Iris says. "We can occupy ourselves."
"We know the babies need more attention." Rose adds.
"It's going to get worse before it gets better." Ginny says. "See, soon more babies are going to be born."
"We know." Iris says.
"Miss Maria says she's going to teach us how to take care of them so we can help." Rose says.
"You girls know you don't have to do that." Hermione says.
They both nod. "We want to help." Rose says.
"Then you can come here and give us a hug." Harry says and the twins gladly comply.
Sometime later Harry and Hermione head to the room with the triplets, the twins follow behind sleepily. Upon entering the room they see a new door has been added. Iris goes and opens it, revealing a nursery with three bassinets. "All three of them will share this nursery?" Iris asks.
"That's the plan." Hermione asks as she places Clover down on the changing table. "It makes it easier to take care of them."
Iris nods. "Can I help?"
"If you want to learn to change diapers." Hermione answers.
"Sure." Iris says.
Hermione conjurs a step stool for Iris, who climbs it. "Alright, now I'll hold her still and instruct you." Hermione instructs and Iris nods.
"That's all there is to it." Hermione says as Iris rebuttons Clover's outfit.
"Is there any difference with the boys?" Iris asks. "Other than the obvious."
"How do you know the difference?" Hermione asks, surprised.
"Magnus is potty training." Iris answers with a slight blush. "He left the door open."
Hermione chuckles. "From what I read there's a bigger chance that boys will pee on you. Though I haven't changed their diapers much yet."
Iris nods. "I'll remember that."
February 24, 1997 =
It's only thanks to the twins being able to help with the triplets that the Potters all make it downstairs right on time for breakfast. As they approach the table stands appear for them to put the muggle baby carriers with the triplets and they all eat.
Hermione smiles as student after student comes by congratulating them. Soon the whole room is full as every student is there.
McGonagall stands up at the head table and raises her hand. "May I have your attention please?" She asks confidentally and the room becomes silent. "Thank you. I am pleased to announce that thanks to the efforts of some of your fellow students we have been able to fill our vacant teaching positions and classes will resume tomorrow."
A groan sounds throughout the majority of the students. McGonagall continues. "Please allow me to introduce them to you: Potions and new head of Slytherin, Andromeda Tonks."
Andromeda steps forward. McGonagall continues. "Defense Against the Dark Arts, and new head of Gryffindor, Nymphadora Lupin."
Tonks rolls her eyes as she steps up beside her mother. A long talk between them all settled her not hyphenating her name as a professor for the students sake. "And lastly, please welcome Bathsheda Babbling as our temporary transfiguration professor!"
With their kids in tow Harry and Hermione knock on the door for their head of house.
"We're not settled yet!" Remus shouts.
Harry nods and Iris opens the door and they go in. "You can't have that much stuff living in Malachi's cabin." Harry says as he walks in and sees Remus and Tonks sorting through paperwork.
"Harry, Hermione." Remus says with a smile. "Glad to see you two."
"What bout us?" Iris asks, pointing to her then Rose, then the baby carriers.
"Of course we're glad to see all of you Iris." Remus says. "Adults tend to forget to include children, sorry."
"It ok." Iris says.
"So do we call you Lupin now?" Hermione teases.
"No, it's Tonks-Lupin so when we're not in class please still call me Tonks." She answers.
"When did you two get married anyway?" Harry asks.
"Right after you fixed the Ministry." Remus answers.
"Well, congratulations." Harry says.
"Thank you." Tonks says. "Now we really do need to settle in."
"Of course, sorry." Harry says and they all leave.
February 24, 1997 =
The Potters all arrive at the Daycare, the twins rush in to find Magnus. Maria comes walking up to them. "I hear I have some more children to take care of."
"You certainly do." Hermione says as she lifts the carrier in her hand. "Let me introduce you to them."
"Before you do, I have somebody I'd like you to meet." Maria says. "Come on in." A young man, about Maria's age walks in. "I'd like you to meet Georg, my husband."
"When did you get married?" Hermione asks.
"Over summer break." Maria says.
"You should have invited us." Hermione says.
"We eloped." Georg says, "our families were against our union. All because of Maria's blood status." He says the last words with obvious distaste. "So we eloped. Our families have since disowned us."
Harry steps forward. "Then you can join ours'. As Head of House Potter I offer Maria a place as my sister."
"I can't accept that." Maria says.
"Why not?" Hermione asks. "Ask the twins, they'd love it if you were their aunt. After all, they missed you terribly over the summer."
"Why would you do this?" Georg asks.
"I had been debating asking Maria if she wanted to be my sister for a while now." Harry answers, "even if it would just be an excuse for the twins to keep seeing her."
"Do I have to take the name?" Maria asks.
"You do not have to, but it's there if you want it."
"Maria and Georg Potter?" Georg asks.
Maria nods. "I accept then."
"So mote it be." Harry says.
Immediately afterwards an owl flies in and drops a letter in Maria's hands. Maria opens it. "A dowry?"
Harry grins. "I set it up with the goblins, every female Potter gets one."
Maria's hands shake, tears in her eyes. She leaps forward and hugs Harry. "Thank you."
Harry hugs her back. "You're welcome."
Harry and Hermione walk up to the Potions classroom and walk in. The usually dingy room, while still feeling sterile, is bright and feels a bit like home. "I like what you did with the room, Professor." Harry says as he and Hermione take their seats.
"Thank you, Mister Potter." Andromeda says. "I changed all kinds of things, you wouldn't believe how badly vented this place was."
"I would," Hermione says. "I had to use the bubble-head charm anytime we were brewing anything when I was pregnant."
"Not a bad habit to do while pregnant anyway, there are several potions that have odors that are harmful, especially to unborn children." Andromeda says.
"True," Hermione says as she goes to start setting her area.
"We won't be brewing anything today, though I appreciate you trying to get it set up early." Andromeda says.
Hermione nods. "We never knew with our previous professors."
"We'll be brewing in most classes. Today though I want you all to take a quiz so I know where to start, my predecessor didn't leave notes."
"We did the same thing in defense." Harry says.
"Where do you think my daughter got the idea?" Andromeda smiles.
"If we're not brewing for class, would you mind if I work on a personal potion if I have time?" Hermione asks.
"Of course." Andromeda answers.
Hermione bottles up the last of the potion, as Harry cleans up. They are just finishing putting everything up when the class ends.
"Mister and Missus Potter, would you please stay for a moment?" Andromeda asks.
They both nod and wait for everyone to leave before walking up to her desk. "Can we help you Professor?" Harry asks.
"The entire class did fairly well on the quiz, you two did much better than anticipated." Andromeda explains. "Especially since the quiz I gave you is actually practice for the N.E. ."
"Are you implying we cheated?" Hermione asks.
"No, I know you two better than that." Andromeda replies. "I'm telling you that you two could take your N.E. this year if you wanted."
"Then we wouldn't have to return to Hogwarts." Harry says. "A place that's like a
second home, not only to us, but to our children. It's going to be hard enough leaving after next year, I'm not sure I want to leave a year early."
"Besides," Hermione says, thinking about the spirit of Morgan le Fay trapped in the dungeons below. "We have unfinished business here."