I'll Be Home For Christmas

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Unexpected Understandings



"What?!" Ginny Weasley shreiked in surprise, "Harry, are you joking?"

"No, not at all," Harry assured her, "I swear, Gin. I could hardly believe it myself."

"Wow," Ginny mused, "who would have thought? Severus Snape, former spy, former Death Eater, the bane of every student at Hogwarts, down on his knees proposing!"

"Yeah," Harry said fondly, "it was...at the risk of sounding girly... really romantic."

Ginny laughed and said, "I think your pregger hormones are surging, Loverboy."

"Maybe," Harry smiled, "but I'm really happy, Ginny. Really happy. After you and I broke up, I never really thought I'd be happy again, you know? And even after Sev and I were together and I knew how much I loved him, I always thought that kids just weren't going to be in the picture. And now, here I am, pregnant, with twins no less, and going to be married in a couple of days.....it's just all I ever wanted. A home, a family of my own, someone to love and be loved by. I couldn't ask for more."

"Oh Harry," Ginny said affectionately, "I'm so happy for you, too. If anyone deserves it, you do. Well, and Sev too, even if he'll probably frighten his own children to death."

"I think he wanted boys though," Harry said thoughtfully, "even though he said he didn't care what their gender is. In the end, I think it'll be the girls who intimidate him rather than the other way round."

"Yeah," Ginny snickered, "I can just picture old Sev trying to plait their hair or helping them choose an outfit. Actually...no I can't! I think you're going to end up being "Mummy", Harry."

"Sev said that I'm considered their father," Harry said with a small frown, "but...I'm the one having them...."

"You're still a man, Harry, don't worry about that," Ginny said dismissively, "having babies doesn't make you less of one."

"It's so funny that that stuff doesn't seem to matter at all in this world," Harry mused, "I'd be a complete freak in the Muggle world. They'd probably lock me away in some lab somewhere and put me under a microscope to see how we did it. And the rest of it.." he shuddered, "they'd probably stone me in the streets. There's a lot of hate for gay men in the Muggle world. They think the only saving grace is that they can't have kids."

"Where in this world, you're truly blessed," Ginny said, "not every wizard couple can make babies, Harry. It means that you and Sev..."

"Are meant to be, yeah," Harry said pensively, "that's what everyone keeps telling me."

"It's true," Ginny said, "and I'm so glad for both of you Harry. I meant it when I said nobody deserves it more."

"Even if it isn't us?" Harry asked thinking about what he'd said to Severus.

"Harry," Ginny said, pragmatic as ever, "you know I love you, but things wouldn't have worked out and you know that. Don't be sorry for it, be glad we found out before it was too late and we started to resent each other. This way, we can still be happy, and we'll always love each other. You belong with Sev, I know that and so do you. You're just letting those pregger hormones get the best of you."

"You always know the right thing to say, Gin," Harry said fondly.

"And Sev always knows the right thing to do," Ginny sniggered wickedly, "that's how you ended up so hormonal to begin with. All that hot man sex, eh Harry?"

"Wait'll I tell Ron you said that," Harry laughed back, "he'll swallow his teeth!"

"Too bad I can't be there when you do tell him you're knocked up," Ginny laughed, "the expression that's bound to be on his face alone is worth the penalty for missing a practice. Speaking of which, I've got to be going, Harry. I'll see you at the ceremony."


**********

Severus looked at his intended and frowned. "Are you telling me you want a wedding?" he said, "this was only intended to be a private bonding ceremony, Harry."

"How come you get all the say?" Harry countered, "I don't get a voice in my own bonding?"

Severus sighed and tried to remain patient. Harry seemed to be more and more likely to suddenly fire up at anything these past few days. "Of course you do," Severus said, "I simply thought that you would want to avoid a lot of fuss, is all."

"What if I want a lot of fuss?" Harry said belligerently, "what if I want to make a big stinking deal out of it? What if I want the whole world to know I'm getting married?"

"The whole world will know soon enough, I'm sure," Severus said with another sigh, "I only wish to avoid a lot of unwelcome publicity, Harry. And....I would ask the same of you. Does what I want not count?"

"Yeah, of course it does," Harry conceded, "but if I really do want to have a big wedding, will you do it?"

"If it means that much to you, yes, I suppose I will," Severus resigned himself with yet another sigh.

Harry smiled happily and said, "Thanks, Sev. I appreciate that."

He knew he was being childish, but he somehow couldn't help himself teasing Severus lately, and let the man think the worst a few moments longer before he relented and let him off the hook.

"Actually, Sev," Harry said, "I think a small private ceremony is what I want too," and tried not to laugh outloud at the man's look of abject relief. "But...I do want a few people there. That's alright, isn't it?"

"Of course," Severus said, "we do have to choose witnesses, one for each of us. I would imagine you will ask Ronald Weasley for..."

"Actually, I already asked Ginny," Harry said, watching his lover try to hide the scowl that was determined to show itself on his face.

Severus cleared his throat and said, "Ronald is your best friend," evenly.

"So is Ginny," Harry pointed out.

"But you were Ronald's witness," Severus pointed out to him, "it is customary to return the courtesy. Surely Ginevra understands this."

"I'm sure Ron will understand too," Harry countered.

Severus stood there trying to decide whether or not to argue the point. He didn't suppose he would be able to banish her completely from the proceedings, but he hadn't thought that Harry would ask anyone other than Ronald Weasley to witness for him. He tried telling himself that it didn't matter and that his jealousy was unfounded, that Harry was with him, was marrying him, was having his children, but it was no use. He couldn't fathom why on earth Harry would choose the one person he must know Severus would be displeased with. Was he doing this on purpose? To revenge some imagined slight on Severus' part? Harry had become slightly touchy lately. Had Severus unknowingly done something that had upset him and this is how he was paying him back? Why, of all people, Ginny Weasley? Severus found that he could not bring himself to accept this, and he didn't care if it was because of his petty jealousy. The fact remained, he was jealous and he did not want her witnessing at their bonding.

"I do not appreciate you choosing your past lover to stand up for you at our bonding," he said stiffly.

"I know you don't," Harry said simply. "You're jealous of her, still, but...you're missing the point, Sev, of why I asked her instead of Ron."

"Obviously I am," Severus snapped, "It escapes me completely why you would purposely ask the one person you know perfectly well I do not wish to be there. I cannot imagine why she would agree to essentially give you away to.......me...." Severus stopped his tirade as it occurred to him what exactly the point was. Suddenly he felt quite small and foolish indeed.

"I've told you, Sev, time and time again, you have no reason to be jealous," Harry said, coming to put his arms around the man he was marrying, "but you still are. I love her, yeah, I always will, but not anything like I love you, don't you get that by now? Everything you told me about this bond, how it made our babies, and how it shows we're meant to be, that they're the proof of it....that's great, but the truth is, I didn't need anymore proof than what I already knew in my heart, and Ginny nor anybody else will ever change that. But even with the babies, you still seem to need proof, so here it is. You're right, she's there to give me away to you, to show you she doesn't have a hold on me. That you're the one I belong to, not her. That's why I want her and not Ron. So you'll see that and know that, and stop being jealous of something that isn't there, and know that I'm yours, Sev. Yours."

When Severus could speak again he clutched Harry tightly and rasped into his hair, "Are you sure you want to marry this foolish old man?"

"Well, seeing as how this foolish old man is my foolish old man, I'm pretty sure," Harry smiled and kissed his lover's throat. "Besides, you're only old enough to be my father. Still young enough to shag me all night long and make me pregnant."

"Yes," Severus said, rolling his eyes, "randy as I apparently am."

"That's how I like you best," Harry chuckled, "promise to do it again?"

"And again and again," promised Severus.


***********

"Harry!," Hermione shreiked, rushing forward to hug him tightly as he stepped from the fireplace into her and Ron's living room.

"Hermione.......how's Junior doing in there?" he asked, patting her stomach as he stepped back. He closed his eyes momentarily against the dizziness that swept over him, then opened them in time to see Ron's smiling face next to Hermione's. He glanced at Hermione's swollen stomach and patted it again, wondering if he was going to be as enormous as she was.

"Oh, we're fine," Hermione said cheerfully, "Just waiting for the day. I've had quite enough of being pregnant, thanks."

"Is is bad?" Harry asked, trying to keep the wariness out of his voice.

"No, of course not," she shrugged, "only it's almost time, and I can barely move anymore is all. It's gets tiring towards the end, but other than that, I'm fine."

"So, Harry," Ron said as they sat, "what did you want to talk to us about?"

"Well," Harry said, taking the tea cup Hermione spelled to float to him, "I've got some news, actually..."

"Dad says Kingsley Shacklebolt says you've taken a desk job," Ron said, sipping from his own cup, "what's up with that, Mate? Severus finally guilt you out of your Auror's robes?"

Harry knew he meant it as a joke; Harry often whinged about Sev's incessant worry over him and his job to Ron and they always joked about it, but this time it grated on Harry a little for some reason. "Leave Sev alone, Ron," he nearly snapped, "he just cares about my safety, alright?"

Before Ron could say anything, Hermione asked with a frown, "Is something wrong, Harry? Did something happen on your last mission? You looked at bit ill when you came through the floo."

"No, I'm fine," Harry sighed and mentally shook himself into a better mood, "nothing happened at work, I'm still and Auror, and the reason I took the desk job is part of what I have to tell you. Sev and I are getting married. On Saturday, actually, and we want you there, of course."

"Oh Harry, that's wonderful!," Hermione said happily.

"Married?," Ron said at the same time, with a frown. "Why now, after all this time?"

"Ron!" Hermione said, slapping his leg, "what's the difference? The point is, they're doing it, isn't it?"

Ron, however, was looking intently at Harry, who was watching him with wary eyes. Ron had accepted Harry being gay with no problem, it wasn't a big deal in the Wizarding World. What Ron had had a problem with, initially, was Harry's choice of lover. He'd gotten past that, although he still liked to tease both Harry and Severus, and he didn't particularly care to hear about any sort of intimate details, but Harry had had a feeling that this might be different somehow. Severus had explained to Harry that although wizard couples were and always had been free to marry, most didn't bother with it because the issue of children so rarely came up, although some did it anyway out of sentimentality. Ron had been raised in the Wizarding World, he already knew all this, and as Severus was, in Ron's view, as unsentimental as a person could possibly be, Harry suspected he would put two and two together any second now. Yup, here it was, he could see it in his eyes.

"You're joking," Ron said rather than asked.

"Are you going to go mental on me?" Harry asked, steeling himself, but Ron totally threw him for a loop.

"Wow.......Harry......," Ron breathed, "that's.....that's....I'm so happy for you , Mate!" He got up and to Harry's utter astonishment came round the coffee table, grabbed Harry up out of his chair, and hugged him quite tightly for several seconds before jumping back with a yelp.

"Sorry! Sorry, Harry..did I hurt anything? I'm sorry, I just...I'm just really happy for you, Harry, really happy!" Ron enthused. He reached out and grasped Harry's hand shaking it vigourously and laughing giddily.

Harry looked at Hermione, who was gaping at her husband as if she didn't recognise him, then back at Ron, who'd finally let his hand go and returned to his seat and tea cup where he sat beaming up at Harry. "Erm....thanks, Ron," Harry said, still nonplussed.

"What the hell's gotten into you?!" Hermione blurted at her husband, "Ronald Weasley, have you been sneaking drinks of Moste Potente Potion down at the shop again?!"

Harry shook his head in disbelief and said wonderingly to Ron, "You're really alright with this, Ron? You're not gonna.....like....obliviate yourself later..... or something?"

"No, of course not," Ron laughed, "why would I do that?"

"Erm....cause you always freak even when you come to our house and we're in our pajamas still," Harry said doubtfully, "cause you go completely mental if we even hold hands...."

"But Harry," Ron said, "that was different. This...this changes everything."

"It does?" Harry said, feeling as if he'd fallen into some sort of surreal dreamland or something. He pinched his own leg just to be sure he was awake.

"Well, yeah, Harry, not everyone is lucky enough to find their soulmate," Ron said, then glancing at his fiercely scowling wife added hastily, "well I am, of course, but....this...this is different. It's living proof. How could I not be happy for you? Oh, and Harry....I apologise for every nasty thing I ever said about Severus...."

This, apparently, was too much for Hermione, who screeched, "Did you Confund him, Harry?! What's going on here?! What's gotten into him and what changes everything?!"

"Harry's pregnant, Hermione," Ron said, "stop screeching or you'll scare both babies. Ours and his."

Hermione was, probably for the first time in her life, struck speechless, so Harry took the opportunity to inform them of the rest of his news.

"Three," he said, "all three babies. I'm having twins. Girls. Twin girls."

At that, Ron began to laugh loudly, gasping, "I'm sorry, Harry.....but....girls?! Severus......Severus Snape is Daddy to.....girls?!"

"How can you be pregnant?" Hermione sputtered, "you're a man, Harry!"

Now it was both Harry and Ron's turn to gape at Hermione.

"Wow," Ron said to his wife, "I actually know something you don't? This is a day of surprises!"

Hermione looked only momentarily affronted by Ron's comment then said, "Well...was it a potion? Severus made a potion so you could get pregnant? Or a spell?"

Harry looked at Ron who said, "There isn't any potion or spell that can make a man get pregnant, Hermione. It's a magically created bond that creates the child. If you don't have the bond, you can't create the child, and you can't have a child if the bond isn't created."

"So a spell creates the bond..." she began.

"No, you can't create the bond," Ron said, "it's magically created. The magic of both wizards combines and creates the bond. Nobody can cause it. You either have it or you don't. Not all wizard couples do. They can't all have children because they don't all have the bond. Nobody knows why, it's just one of those things. But those that do have it know without a doubt they're truly meant to be together."

"So how did you and Severus know you had the bond?" Hermione asked, "could you feel it? Was there some sign?"

"Harry's pregnant," Ron said, "that's how they knew."

"Well yes, but how did you know you'd be able to have children, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"I didn't," Harry said, "I didn't even know it was possible to begin with. You know Muggle men can't have kids."

"So....you mean to say....there's no way of knowing if you have the bond until you end up pregnant?!" Hermione said with a look of horror, "what if you didn't want children?!"

"Who wouldn't want their children?!" Ron said incredulously, gaping at his pregnant wife.

"Well...I mean, what if the time wasn't right?" she said, "and there's plenty of people who don't want children. Why do you think there's contraceptive potions and spells?"

"Well, yeah, to prevent a pregnancy," Ron said, "but it's not the same with a wizard pregnancy. It won't happen if the time isn't right." He turned to Harry and said, "If you didn't even know you could get pregnant, you probably weren't using any contraceptives, right? So either the bond was just created, or all the time you've been together until now, the time wasn't right."

"Really.....," Harry mused, "cause....it was quite the surprise. For both of us. Especially Sev.......I mean....I thought he didn't want it..them...at first."

"I'm sure he was surprised," Ron said matter-of-factly, "but he got over it."

"Yeah, he did, actually," Harry said reflectively, "well, for the most part anyway. I think he's kind of nervous about it still, and he fainted dead away when Poppy said it was twin girls, but ....yeah, he's accepted it."

"Of course he has," Ron laughed, "what else did you expect? Deny the child means you deny the bond, and you can't deny the bond, because you have the child."

"Yeah, it's a paradox or something like that," Harry said.

"It's a miracle," Hermione said, "it would be in the world we grew up in anyway."

"Yeah, I won't be venturing into the Muggle world for a while," Harry said and she nodded her agreement, eyes wide.

"So where's the wedding?" Hermione asked, "I'm going to have to transfigure something to wear. It's too late to go get anything new now."

"Sev wanted it to be at Hogwarts, so that's where it is," Harry said, "and....erm... Ron...I know I was witness at your wedding, but...I asked Ginny to be my witness. Not that I don't want you to be, of course, but it's sort of symbolic, my choosing her, because of our past together. You know how jealous Sev is of her, and I just thought that this would show him she's got no hold over me, you know, that I belong to him and she knows that. You can understand that, right? Why I chose her? I mean, you're still my best friend and all..."

"It's no problem, Harry," Ron said graciously, "its not like I'm gonna stop being your friend or anything. Or not be happy for you. It's fine."

"Thanks, Ron," Harry said with relief, "I knew you'd understand."

Ron shook his head, chuckling to himself and said, "Severus fainted. Too funny."

**********

A/N Hmmmm....I hear wedding bells ringing....and we all know what follows weddings....


wedding nights!

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