Shadow - Sequel To Light

Chapter Three: Next Term And Family

Though there was still the great evil to worry about, Harry, Ron and I still needed to prepare for next term. Most of our important steps had been taken before last term had ended but, with the newest developments, some things needed to change. All of the protection spells had been reinforced multiple times and tested. I had spent long hours concocting new spells and potions to ensure the safety of our students when they came back.

In addition to all the protective measures I was taking for the students, I had worked twice as hard for Lily and James. The babies had just reached the two month old mark and I was always happy to see new changes. I spent as much time as I could with them and often ended up working with them strapped to my back and front. It was a difficult task but I was getting used to it. If I didn't have them with me Harry had them or Hagrid. Ron had taken to doing most of our dangerous runs to the underground. He was so gruff looking now that he could fit in pretty well done there but he was always careful. Who would have thought he would be the one to brave the dark side? Whenever Ron was close though, he stayed with Lily and James, he took being their godfather so serious..., it was so beautiful to see.

"Alright, love?" Harry asked, coming into my office as I was getting ready to feed Lily. James slept silently in the crib I had set up for them, I had just put him down. Noticing his sleeping son, Harry quickly quieted, stopping to kiss his forehead. I got Lily to latch on for her feeding and Harry kissed my cheek softly.

"How's everything?" I asked quietly.

"Ace, we've made some good strides. Right now we have all the protective measures we can have up and ready to go and it's all thanks to you." He smiled.

"Thank you, hun." I tiredly attempted to smile.

Everyday, I had gotten into the habit of coming in from working all day and just falling into bed because I was so knackered. I was grateful that the babies had seemed to know when it was time for sleep and when their parents would be up. It was strange because, though they slept long hours, they slept most of them at night. My babies were an amazing help for me simply because they slept through the night.

Harry sat, watching Lily nurse and holding me around my waist, until Lily drifted to sleep against my chest. I sat her in the crib near her brother, it always seemed to make them sleep better. I flicked my wand, using a spell I had created to muffle sound around the crib while they slept. It allowed for us to hear them if they cried but there could be noise around them waking them up.

"You know, I was walking the corridors, thinking about our years here and marveling at how far we've come." Harry mused, pulling me onto his lap. "We've faced some of the worst times for wizard kind and survived, sweetheart. I think we might be a little durable." He joked.

"Just a little, hun, not invincible." I grinned, laying my forehead on his shoulder.

"Not invincible but damn near it." He chuckled, nestling his head in the crook of my neck and nibbling at my skin. I giggled just as a letter was dropped onto my desk. I had set it that any letter addressed to me, came to my office directly. "Hm, and what might this be?" Harry picked it up and opened it, beginning to read it. "Krum? Why is Viktor Krum writing to you?" He narrowed his eyes at me.

"He's writing because we're still mates and he's taken over Durmstrang. He's a good ally to have and he's interested in keeping good contact. Do I detect some jealousy here, Headmaster?" I jested, taking the letter.

"No, no jealousy at all. It's not like you two ever did anything." He said and I didn't reply to his statement. "Love, you didn't do anything with him, right?"

"No, Harry, I didn't. I mean, we necked a couple of time but we were young and nothing else was going to happen." I laughed, kissing the tip of his nose. "Besides, it wouldn't matter if we did. I'm married to you now and we have two beautiful babies. I'm happy right where I am." I smiled.

"Good because we're going to be having some visitors soon and I don't need to be worrying about my gorgeous wife running away with the competition." He smiled.

"What are you going on about, hun?" I quirked a brow at him.

"Krum and I recently spoke about the Triwizard Tournament and we, along with the new Headmistress of Beauxbatons, decided it might be nice to have a friendly competition again. Well, to be fair, they decided and asked if, as the most recent champion and one of the new Headmasters of Hogwarts, I would host the competition. I said I would, so that's another thing we have to contend with next term. It should be fun though."

"Well, I'll go ahead and get started on accommodations. I'll have Hagrid prepare for them as well, since he'll have to be wherever they plan to come in as to guide them in. Ooo, this could be a great opportunity to do the Quidditch for faculty tournament. We could call in some old friends for the competition and, between events, we could have the games." I smiled excitedly, picking up my quill and parchment and making some notes and bouncing on Harry's lap.

"Sweetheart, I love the enthusiasm and all but, if you keep bouncing on my lap, you won't be getting anything set up." He groaned, pressing his lips to the back of my neck.

"Maybe that's not a bad thing." I quipped and he chuckled.

"We both know you won't be satisfied until your work is finished and I should go finish mine before you start hounding me about it." He joked, nudging me off his lap and standing up. "I'll come get you before supper." He smiled, kissing my forehead. "Bye, loves." He whispered to the babies, kissing them on their foreheads. "Don't work too hard." He smirked over his shoulder before he walked out. His birthday was coming in a couple of weeks and I was gearing up for that too so work and busy were about to be my middle names. Yeah, right, like that's ever stopped me before, I mused to myself as the door closed.