The Whole Nine Yards

Chapter Twenty-Eight - The Beginning Or The End?

~ The Great Hall ~

"When do you think they'll get here?" Ron asked anxiously.

"They left at breakfast, and it's now after dinner, so I'd say they'll be here soon," Hermione replied as she glanced over at Isabella who was currently being held by Albus and entertained by Minerva. It was amusing to watch the two older professors cooing over the little girl.

Remus Lupin had arrived around lunchtime and would be staying for a week or two. He had come as soon as possible after Sirius had owled him. The two remaining marauders were currently making a list of pranks to teach James' grandson.

Hermione stopped pacing for a moment and listened carefully. She noticed Ron staring at her questioningly but she ignored him. They were here!

*

Harry pushed the doors to the Great Hall open. Draco stepped in, the baby in his arms, and glanced around at the group waiting for them.

"Is that him?" Ron asked as he hurried over to the family.

"No," Draco drawled, rolling his eyes. "This one's a loaner."

"Shut up, Draco," Harry said, playfully. "Yes, this is him. This is Daniel."

"Daniel?" Remus asked, arching an eyebrow at Sirius.

"It was my idea," Draco said quickly as he noticed the look that passed between them.

"Daniel Potter. A fine name," Albus said, smiling warmly at them.

"Can I hold him?" Hermione asked Draco.

He nodded and passed her the baby.

"He's perfect," she declared. Daniel opened his eyes and peered up at the stranger who was holding him. "Oh look, he's got your eyes, Draco."

"And Harry's hair, poor kid," Ron said with a laugh.

"Hey, at least my child isn't bald!" Harry retorted, grinning wickedly at Ron.

"Her hair will grow soon," Ron replied heatedly.

"Alright, alright boys. It's not a competition," Sirius said, standing between the two of them.

"You're right, Sirius. I'm sorry Ron," Harry said, holding out his hand.

Ron shook his hand. "I'm sorry too, Harry."

"Now that we are all here, I have something to show you all," Albus said, his eyes twinkling. "Follow me."

Hermione handed Daniel back to Draco and took Isabella from Albus and they all followed the headmaster out of the Great Hall and down the corridor. After a few minutes, he stopped in front of a door.

"This is a room I have had specially designed over the past few months," he said. "As our staff has gotten younger over the past few years, I thought it might be prudent to provide childcare for their children so they can continue teaching. This room is equipped for caring for babies until they are six years old and then they will move next door which will be a classroom for primary school age children, until they are old enough to attend Hogwarts at eleven."

"Wow," Draco said.

"Who will look after the babies while they are here?" Hermione asked.

"See for yourself," Albus said, opening the door.

They all crowded into the room.

"Surprise!" cried Ginny and Lavender.

"Ginny?" Ron said, hugging her. "You're going to be working at Hogwarts now? What about Dean?"

"He will be teaching Muggle Studies," she explained.

"I didn't know the Muggle Studies professor had left," Hermione said.

"His contract expires at the end of this year and he has chosen not to renew it," Albus said, shrugging. "It was his decision. I think he's been offered a job in an Australian school."

"The two girls will share the job. It is too much for one person," Albus explained.

Draco gazed around the room. It had an inviting atmosphere. The room had been decorated in the style of a muggle nursery. There were a number of cribs lining one wall.

"Are you expecting an influx of babies, Albus?" Draco asked, pointing at the cribs.

"I have a feeling we'll be needing them over the years," Albus replied with a grin.

"But we only need two now," Harry said.

"Actually soon we'll be needing three," Ginny said with a secretive smile.

"You're pregnant?" Ron asked. "My little sister is pregnant?"

Ginny nodded and Ron enveloped her in a hug.

"Wow, I bet Dean was excited," he said. "When are you due?"

"In about seven months," she replied, glowing with happiness. "Dean was over the moon. He's so cute, he talks to my stomach."

"Congratulations," Hermione said, hugging her sister-in-law.

Draco lay Daniel down in the nearest crib and hugged Ginny too. "I'm so glad it's going to be you looking after my son while I'm teaching."

"Thank you, Draco. That means a lot to me," Ginny replied.

Draco hugged Lavender then. She'd been pretty much ignored since she wasn't related to anyone in the room. "I'm glad you're here too, Lavender."

She smiled at him gratefully as they parted. "Thanks. I promise I'll take good care of your son. I've grown up a lot since we finished school and I'm no longer the ditzy blonde you probably remember me being."

"Are you married?" he asked her suddenly.

"No, I'm single," she replied, looking confused by the sudden interest in her personal life. "Why?"

"Oh, no reason," Draco replied. He glanced at his husband, expecting to see him looking knowingly at him.

But Harry wasn't paying attention to anyone around him. He was leaning on the rail of the crib Daniel was sleeping in. He was staring down at their son with a strange expression on his face. If Draco didn't know better, he would swear that Harry was staring sadly down at their son. But that couldn't be. This was a happy time. There was no reason to be sad.

Draco returned his attention to the rest of the group. Ginny was holding her niece for the first time. Draco smiled as she introduced herself to Isabella.

"I'm your Auntie Ginny," she said softly, as Isabella grabbed her finger and held tight.

Draco sighed happily. This was what it was all about. He had his husband and his son and he couldn't be happier. After years of one problem after another, life was finally perfect.

The End