Confessions

Chapter 5

Aislynn was nervous as they all walked towards the Gryffindor locker room. She hadn't played Quidditch in quite a while, and even then, she was only a reserve Seeker.

"You look sick Aislynn," Harry said patting her on the back.

"Oh, well...yeah I am. I have never played Chaser before."

"Don't worry about it Aislynn. You'll do a great job," Harry said looking down at her. Reaching out, he pulled her into a gentle hug. "You'll do just fine."

"Thanks Harry," Aislynn stated, her voice faltering.

"Hey Harry! I think you might want to see this. They just posted who is on the other team, and we've got three Malfoys on the Slytherin side!"

"What?!?"

"Yeah, it looks like Blaise and Malfoy got married after all. You know she was pregnant seventh year right?" Dean called over to them.

"Great," murmured Harry. "Dean, who is the third one?"

"Their son, I'm presuming. Kid's name is Adrian."

"Hmmm...oh well, if he has half the talent of his mum and dad, we're still going to have an easy win," Harry said smiling at everyone.

"I met a boy named Adrian this morning. He wasn't very pleasant. Well, you've met him Harry. That boy we ran into in the hall yesterday."

"Well, if it is him, the personality certainly fits. Don't worry thought Aislynn, we beat them seventh year, and we will beat them again. Come on everyone, gather round!" Harry spoke with authority. "We have some new people with us, but I believe that we've got a bloody great team right here. So, lets warm up, grab a broom, and get out there and win! We have beat Slytherin before, and we will again! Get dressed and lets get on with it!" the room burst into cheers as Harry smiled at them all. He loved speaking, and he loved being back in the Quidditch locker room.

Aislynn set off to find a uniform that would fit her.

"Hey! Do you need any help?" a voice asked her from behind.

"Yeah," said Aislynn turning around to see Elizabeth standing there already in uniform. "I can't seem to find anything that fits."

"Come over here, that's the boy's stuff," she stated as she walked to the other side of the room. "Here, try these, they should work for you," Elizabeth said in a thick Irish accent.

"Thank you Elizabeth! I appreciate it!"

"Call me Liz," she responded with a smile. "Everyone does!"

"Thanks Liz!" Aislynn said as she walked towards the restroom to change. She was surprised at how well the uniform fit. She actually liked the way it looked on her.

"Is everyone ready?" Harry asked, excitement showing through his voice. They all cheered. "Come on then! Let's go!"

Harry walked over to where Aislynn was standing and whispered in her ear, "Take care Aislynn. You will do great. I know you will."

Ron placed a hand on her shoulder, "Show 'em what you're made of 'Lynn."

"No one has ever called me that before," Aislynn said looking up at him.

"You don't mind do you?" Ron asked looking almost frightened that she would be mad.

"Of course not!" Aislynn said. She quickly hugged both Ron and Harry and walked over to where Liz was standing.

"She's an amazing girl Ron, you should be proud," Harry said watching her.

"I am. From the looks of it, she might end up with two dads though," Ron smiled at Harry.

"What? Oh, well..." Harry blushed slightly and shook his friends hand. "Let's play this game well Ron."

"Don't we always?"

"Are we ready!?!" they all nodded with enthusiasm. "Let's go then!" Harry said as the doors opened. They all mounted their brooms and flew out onto the field.

"Welcome to a re-match between Hogwarts Quidditch Cup winners in 1998, Gryffindor and Second place winners, Slytherin!" a voice said over a loud speaker. "Let's meet our teams!"

They all landed softly on the ground, Aislynn between Harry and Ron, and faced the stands. The crowd went wild.

"On the Gryffindor team, playing as Keeper, we have none other than the Keeper from the Chudley Cannons, Ron Weasley!" the crowd erupted with cheers as Ron lifted his broom high above his head with a smile. "We also have a star player returning to our team. Playing as the Gryffindor Seeker and Captain, we have our own Minister of Magic, Harry Potter!" Harry smiled from the cheers as he waved to the crowd of people surrounding him. "Also returning, our wonderful beaters Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas! We also have a few new players in the mix. Gryffindor's own seventh year students this upcoming school year and members of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, Chasers Elizabeth Finnigan and Zachary Thomas!" the crowd didn't falter a bit. The sound was defining. Aislynn was nervous beyond belief. "And new to the team for this game, and coming from New York City, NY in America, we have the daughter of our most talented student in our class, Aislynn Granger!" Aislynn smiled and raised her hand into the air. The crowd was smiling and cheering down at her, and she could see her mother in the stands waving at her frantically.

"Now for the Slytherin team!" the voice said. "Returning as Captain and Seeker, we have none other than Draco Malfoy!" Aislynn noticed that although the crowed cheered, it was nowhere near the amount that they had for Gryffindor. "For Chasers, we have Blaise Zabini-Malfoy, Gregory Goyle, and Pansy Parkinson! Our returning Beater is Millicent Bulstrod and new on the team is Goyle's son Alexander!" Aislynn looked over and saw a big boy who looked as dumb as a tree stump standing next to what Aislynn presumed was his father. "And new to this group of people, but not new to the Slytherin team. Seventh year student, prefect, Keeper and Captain of Slytherin, Adrian Malfoy!" the crowd cheered a bit more, especially some of the girls. "Captains, please shake hands, and let's have a good game," the teams turned towards each other, and Aislynn found herself standing face-to-face with Adrian who gave her a cunning smile.

"Good luck," he whispered to her as he took off after his father into the air.

The game was on. Aislynn was proud of herself. She had scored three goals and was well onto her fourth when out of the corner of her eye she saw a bludger. She didn't have enough time to dodge out of the way. The bludger smacked into her broom, flipping her over. Aislynn heard the crowd gasp just before she hit the ground, which knocked her out.

***

Aislynn woke up with worst headache she had ever had in her life. She glanced around and saw her mom sitting next to her with her head in her hands.

"Mom?" Hermione looked up with surprise on her face.

"Hey there sweetheart! How do you feel?"

"Like a freight train ran me over, but otherwise great. Did we win?"

"Yeah. Harry caught the snitch just as you hit the ground. Ron and him were both so worried," Hermione said stroking her daughter's hair.

"Where are they?"

"They went to get something to eat. You've been out all day."

"Well, look who's awake. You know you are just like your mum, Ron and Harry. Always in here, they were," said a lady walking in.

"Aislynn, meet Madam Pomfrey, the school nurse."

"Nice to meet you Ma'am."

"Yes, you too. Well, we will be keeping you here over night. Nothing broken, but I want to keep an eye on you. You certainly hit your head hard. Now, Miss Granger, why don't you go get something to eat. You look dreadful. Do you want some chocolate?"

"No, thank you though, Madam Pomfrey. Will you be okay Aislynn if I leave for a moment? I am hungry," Hermione asked.

"I'll be fine mom. Go on and eat something! I will talk to you later," Aislynn said smiling weakly through the throbbing pain in her head.

"Are you sure that you will be okay?"

"Mom! I'm fine!" Aislynn exclaimed with a false smile on her face. "Go on!"

"Alright," she said leaning down and kissing her forehead. "Get some sleep."

"I will," Aislynn replied as Hermione turned and walked out the door. Leaning her head back and closing her eyes, she heard Madam Pomfrey walk towards her.

"Take some of this," the old lady said. "It will make you sleep some."

"Okay," Aislynn replied as she took the cup from the lady. She was amazed. The potion tasted like warm cotton candy. "Thank you," she stated smiling at Madam Pomfrey.

"Get some rest child, I will see you tomorrow morning."

"Goodnight," Aislynn murmured half asleep already.

Quickly Aislynn drifted into a deep and dreamless sleep. At about midnight, she began to wake up. She was uncomfortable. It wasn't the bed's fault or the way she was laying, she felt as if there was someone in the room with her. Someone watching her. Forcing herself to open her eyes, she screamed.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT!?!" she stammered as she pulled the sheets up to her chin.

"Shhh..." the voice whispered. "I didn't mean to frighten you. I just was wanting to make sure that you were okay."

"Who are you? I can barely see you," she said warily as the person stepped into the moonlight trickling through the window.

"Adrian. We met before."

Aislynn watched as he stepped closer to the bed and let go of the sheet, no longer afraid of who he was, but becoming increasingly angry.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" she whispered. "You scared the living daylight out of me!"

"I didn't mean to," Adrian replied looking away from her. "I just was making sure that you were okay. That you weren't hurt from earlier."

Aislynn looked up at him and he anger began to dwindle away. She didn't see the angry boy standing in front of her any longer, she saw a man who obviously cared.

"I...I'm okay. I suppose. I would be better if my head would quit hurting," she smiled up at him. He slowly reached out and placed his wand on her forehead and began whispering a spell that she didn't know. Her skin became warm as the headache slowly lifted away. He didn't take his eyes off of hers as he placed his hand on her forehead.

"Is that better?" he asked, his blue eyes sparkling.

"Hmmm? Oh...yes, much better. Thank you," she said trying to control her breathing. He was gorgeous. That was the only word that came to her mind as he stood looking at her. She didn't care what he had said before. She didn't care that he was apparently a Slytherin. She didn't care that her father and his father hated one another. All she cared about was the fact that he was looking at her. Like that.

"Don't mention it. I'm sorry that I have been so rude to you Aislynn. I...I don't have an excuse."

"It's okay," she said and laughed a bit.

"What?"

"I'm just amazed that you know my name that's all."

"Why?" he asked as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

"I don't know. You just didn't seem to care who I was."

"Oh," he said looking at his hands. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. There isn't a reason to."

"Are you from here?"

"I thought you called me an American?"

"Well, the accent."

"You were right," she said smiling. "I am from New York."

"Do you like it there?" Adrian asked looking back into her eyes.

"Not as much as here. I would love to live here and go to school at Hogwarts. I just don't want to bring it up with my mom."

"Why not?"

"It wouldn't be fair to ask her to leave her job for me."

"Oh, I see," he smiled at her. "I better get going. I just wanted to check on you."

"Okay. Thank you Adrian. I appreciate it."

"You're welcome. Sweet Dreams Aislynn," he said leaning down and kissing her forehead. Aislynn was surprised. She didn't know what to think.

"It's not like he is kissing your lips Aislynn. It is just a friendly gesture surely. I mean come on he's British. They're a very friendly folk. Aren't they?" she thought to herself.

He pulled away slightly and she turned to look up at him. She looked into his eyes and was frightened at what she felt. She had never felt this way about a guy before. And she was shocked that the guy who had been so rude yesterday was now in her room and to top it all of, he was staring at her.

"What would mom think? What about Ron and Harry? This isn't right. We shouldn't even be talking," she chided herself.

Just as she closed her eyes and began to look away, she felt his lips touch hers. She went rigid, shocked at what was happening. Adrian must have sensed this because as soon as the kiss began, he backed away.

"I'm sorry. I don't....I didn't....I have to go," Adrian said as he walked out of the room at a hurried pace.

Aislynn slowly leaned back against the headboard of the bed, not quite sure what had happened. Slowly she reached a trembling hand to her lips and felt the warmness he had left behind.

"Oh my," she said as she laid back down staring at the ceiling.

"How is she doing Hermione?" Ron asked as she walked into the common room. "I stopped in to see her again, but she was asleep."

"She's fine. Although, until she met you two she had never been hurt very bad," she looked over to where Harry and him were playing chess.

"Ahhh 'Mione. Don't blame us. We are just showing her what it is like to be an adventurer."

"Sure you are Ron. What do I look like to you? Both of you, Harry and Ron, are a walking accident. Not like Neville mind you, but you always seem to get hurt. I don't know how much time I spent sitting by your beds worrying about you two. Now I have to worry about her."

"It builds good character Hermione," Harry said as he stood and walked over to her. "Sit down, you look a bit stressed. What's on your mind?" Hermione looked up and him and laughed, playfully hitting him on the arm. Harry smiled down at her.

"You could always make me laugh Harry Potter."

"You're easy Hermione Granger," Harry said as he leaned over and gently kissed her lips.

"You're both grossing me out!" Ron said with a glint of laughter in his eyes.

"Jealous Weasley? Do you want some?" Harry said as he turned and looked at his friend.

"Ewww, Harry. Don't even joke. Unless you're talking about 'Mione," Ron stated smiling. There was the sound of footsteps walking toward them. "Felicity? I thought you were in bed. What are you doing up so late?"

"I needed to take a walk, so I wandered a bit," she said looking at the three of them.

"Are you okay?" Ron asked standing and walking over to his wife.

"Yeah, just a bit nauseous."

"Nauseous? Did you eat something bad? It's not the flu again is it?"

"Oh no, well, I had meant to tell you when we got home, but this seems as good a time as ever. Especially in front of your friends."

"We could leave if you like," Hermione said, standing up.

"No, I mean it. I think that you all should know too," Felicity stated smiling at Harry and Hermione. "Ron dear?"

"Yes," Ron sounded a bit nervous.

"You see, the reason that I came instead of staying home was one, I wanted to see Hogwarts and meet your old friends, and two, I wanted to let you know that you're going to be a father again," Felicity smiled widely, looking into her husband's eyes.

Ron looked shocked to say the least. His mouth opened wide and he couldn't come up with anything to say.

"Ron, breathe!" Harry said patting his friend on the back. "You look like a fish out of the water."

"I...I...I don't know what to say! When are you due?"

"Well, I am about two months along, so that puts me at about March of next year."

"Wow..." was all that Ron could manage as he lifted his wife high into the air and spun her around. "I'm gonna be a daddy again!" he yelled as he set her gently down.

"Congratulations Ron, Felicity. This is wonderful!" Hermione said embracing the other woman. "Do you want to know what it is?"

"You can do that?" Felicity looked at Hermione with an amazed expression.

"If you like."

"Ron?" Felicity looked over at her husband.

"If you want to know, go ahead," he said as Harry hugged him, congratulating him.

"Okay. If you don't mind." Felicity looked worryingly at Hermione.

"Don't worry, it won't hurt a bit. Why don't you lie down on the couch over there. I need to get something," she said as she walked over to where she had set down her purse. Digging for a while she finally came back up with a roll of white string. "Okay, we take a piece of string," she said as she cut a strip about 2 feet long with her wand. "You lay it on your stomach straight up and down stretching from the direction of your head to your feet. Now, close your eyes and relax Felicity," Hermione walked over and stood by the woman and lifted her wand above Felicity's stomach. Winding her wand in small circles, Hermione began her spell. "Alimentazione di fuoco e di acqua, di terra e di aria. Dicami che tipo di babes in là ," a bright white light enveloped both Felicity and Hermione as Ron and Harry watched stunned. Slowly the light faded and Hermione reached down, picking up the string, which was glowing bright pink. "Congratulations, you're going to have a girl," she said smiling.

*************

Aislynn woke up to the bright sun shining on her face. She had slept soundly after Adrian had left. She had dreamed of him though, which disturbed her. Slowly opening her eyes, her gaze fell on someone sitting in a chair next to her bed. Her eyes finally came into focus, and she realized it was Ron.

"Ron? What are you doing here so early? It can't be later than 6:00."

"Hey! You're awake! I've been watching you sleep. I have some good, well I hope you think it is good, news for you," he said excitedly.

"What's going on?"

"Felicity's pregnant. And it's a girl!" he exclaimed.

"That's wonderful Ron! When is she due?"

"March."

"Ron, I am so happy for the two of you!" Aislynn said, swinging her legs over the side of the bed to sit up.

"Aislynn, you know you'll always be my first child, and most of all my first girl," he said as he leaned over to hug her.

"I know Ron. Thank you."

Hermione and Harry walked through the door and smiled at the scene before them.

"Good morning you two!" Hermione said walking quickly over to Aislynn.

"Mom! How are you?"

"I think the question should be how are you?" Hermione said as she hugged her daughter tightly.

"I'm doing great! I haven't felt this rested in a long while, but I am definitely hungry."

"Well, get dressed. We'll eat, and then we are going to head to Hogsmeade."

"For what?" Aislynn asked curiously.

"A surprise. Now hurry up!" Hermione smiled largely.

"Why don't you and Ron go ahead and grab Felicity. I'll bring Aislynn along when she's ready," Harry said smiling at Hermione. He gently reached over and grabbed her hand squeezing it softly.

"Is that okay with you Aislynn?" Ron asked.

"Sure! I don't mind."

"Great! Come on Hermione. You and I will go get Felicity and head back over here."

Aislynn hugged her mom and watched as she and Ron briskly walked out of the room leaving her and Harry alone.

"Great news isn't it? Ron and Felicity having a baby?" Aislynn said turning her attention to Harry.

"Yeah, I know that she has always wanted a little girl of her own from what Ron tells me," Aislynn smiled.

"I don't have any clothes down here with me, but let me try something," Aislynn said reaching for her wand. Starting at her head, she slowly brought the wand down to her feet. Tapping herself on the head, she muttered a few words and with the blink of an eye, she was dressed in her regular clothes. She turned to look in the mirror on the wall and smiled. It had taken a while to get this spell right, but she had finally done it. To actually be wearing the clothes that she had been imagining from her closet was the final thing she had been trying to master.

She was wearing dark Muggle jeans and a white tank top. Over the tank top she wore a loosely knitted periwinkle sweater. She had got the spell right. All the way down to the white sneakers. She didn't have a brush with her, but she did have a white ponytail holder that had been around her wrist since the day before. She quickly pulled her hair back letting her curls tumble out onto her shoulders.

"Wow," she said. "I've never done that right before!" she looked at Harry with a dazed expression in her eyes.

"Has anyone ever told you that you are an amazing witch Aislynn?" Harry asked grinning at her.

"Ahh you're just saying that," she smiled at him.

"No I'm not," Harry stated walking towards her. "You really have an amazing amount of power. Use it well, only for goodness Aislynn. Promise me that?"

"Of course Harry, of course."

"Oh good! You're still here," a voice said as it joined them in the room. Turning Aislynn saw Madam Pomfrey bustle into the room.

"What's going on?" Aislynn asked worried that she wouldn't let her go.

"Oh, well Miss Granger has requested that Mr. Weasley be added to your birth certificate as your father. It won't take but a minute."

"Okay," Aislynn said nervously.

"Come in here you three," she called to the door. Ron, Felicity, and Hermione all walked in smiling. "Now, if you will all stand in a circle, you too Mr. Potter, this is a joyous thing. Should be done with family and friends involved."

Harry stepped into the circle smiling at Aislynn. He looked up and saw that he was standing across from Hermione. He gazed at her and thought, "My god, she is beautiful," he thought.

"Now, this is a standard procedure that has been in place for, well, a while now. The mother's name appears automatically after birth. The father's name is added by this simple ceremony," Madam Pomfrey smiled at each of them. "Now, everyone link hands. Aislynn if you could stand in the middle," Aislynn obeyed. She was slightly apprehensive at what was about to happen. "What will happen is, I will say a simple spell. Each person has a magical aura. Father and child always match. After that, a strand of your DNA and your father's will combine forming the same bond that you have with your mother from birth. Once completed the father's name will appear on your birth certificate, which I have right here."

Aislynn smiled at her mother and immediately began to feel her body relax as Madam Pomfrey began the spell. Everyone began to give off a warm colored glow. Aislynn turned to look at everyone. Hermione's was dark blue, Ron was a bright yellow, Felicity did not have one, and Harry was a royal purple. Aislynn felt her body grow warm as she looked down at her hand. She was shocked. She didn't know what to say. She did not have the same bright yellow as Ron, but the deep Royal purple of Harry's. Aislynn looked at her mother as two strings of purple floated into the air, one from Harry and one from Aislynn. Everyone watched intently as the two strings combined. The birth certificate, which had been on a podium in front of Aislynn, glowed bright white before all the colors disappeared. Looking down at the piece of paper Aislynn read what it said.

This is to certify the birth of Aislynn Noel Granger

Born December 15, 1997 at 12:00pm

Daughter of

Mother: Hermione Anne Granger

Father: Harry James Potter

"Miss Granger, I am afraid that you have been misinformed. This child is Harry's daughter, not Ron's.

Aislynn looked over at Harry, shocked. Hermione looked as if she were about to faint. Oddly enough, Ron had a huge smile on his face. She felt a hand touch her shoulder, and turning she saw Harry standing in front of her. Without thinking of anything else, she wrapped her arms around Harry's waist and began to cry.

Harry smiled down at Aislynn and didn't know what to say to her.

"I have a daughter," was the only thing that ran through Harry's mind as he held her close to him.

Hermione, still in a state of shock, turned to Ron and stuttered, "R-Ron. I-I-I..."

"Hush Hermione, it's is better this way. Congratulations Harry. Aislynn, you will be my honorary daughter, how does that work for you?" Ron said grinning at the small girl.

"Actually Ron, if it is okay with you Hermione, I would like you and Felicity to be her god parents. Hermione?"

"I couldn't think for two better people," Hermione said with a smile as she walked over to her daughter.

Harry leaned down and whispered into Aislynn's ear so no one else could hear, "I had promised myself that when I had a child I would be there through everything. I am so sorry Aislynn, but I promise you this, I will make it up to you. No doubt about that," he kissed her softly on the forehead as she looked up and smiled at him.

"Harry?"

"Yes?"

"Can I call you dad?"

"Of course Aislynn. Nothing would make me happier."

To be continued...