This chapter was harder to write than I thought it was going to be. Let me know what you think. We are not far from the end now, just a few things to tie together probably three or four chapters and this story will be at an end. And what a wild ride it has been. But it's not over yet.

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When Harry arrived back, it was to a full room. All the Weasley's were there busy shaking hands with everyone else. Fred was shaking George's hand and beaming. Ron was bright red and being hugged by his mother who was crying yet smiling happily at the same time. Arthur was hugging an embarrassed Draco who was looking awkward yet happy.

"Is this what it's always like?" Dudley asked from his left. He had little Rose back in his arms who was awake and looking around with alert little eyes.

"Well, their youngest son just got married so they're excited, and not just that, married to his three soul mates." Harry explained still watching the happy family group.

"Ah, well I think that's a fair reason to be excited." Dudley laughed. "So is it just magical people who have soul mates or can people like me find one too?"

"I have no clue. I only knew I might have one when I was married to mine." Harry admitted. "But I'll help you to find out if you like." He offered.

"Thanks, be nice to find someone who is my other half."

Harry looked over at Severus, who was sitting with his father. "Yeah, it's pretty cool, but it may not be what you expect."

"You're happy though aren't you?" Dudley asked, but it wasn't really a question.

Harry nodded his agreement anyway. "So what are you doing with yourself now Dud?" You finished school? How are you coping with bringing up Rose on your own?"

"I've only had her for two weeks, she stayed in hospital for the first two days, she had a touch of Jaundice."

"What about her mum?" Harry asked carefully.

Dudley sighed deeply. "We'd been together about a year when we found out she was pregnant. I was so excited, I had images of playing football in the park with my son. At first Betty was happy too, but when her body started changing she started to hate being pregnant and me for being the cause. After seven months she started to say she wanted to get rid of the baby, she wanted to get a job abroad, a rep or something. She told me she wanted to have fun while she was still young and the baby would stop her from doing that. Dudley paused, this was clearly painful for him.

"Can I hold Rose?" Harry asked hopefully.

"Of course, do you want to sit down? Holding a baby for the first time is scary."

Harry eagerly moved to the closed unoccupied sofa and sat down.

"Ok, I'll put her into your arms, just make sure you support her head." Dudley made sure both Harry and Rose were happy then sat down next to them.

"Betty was getting more and more angry at me because I wanted the baby, she refused to go to the doctor or see the midwife, I went to see them on my own, I told her it was about how much weight I'd lost, they thought it sounded like post-natal depression, possibly even post-natal psychosis. One day I got home and she gave me a wedge of paper. They were the papers to sign over all parental rights so she could put the baby up for adoption. I broke down and begged her not to take my child away from me. In the end she said I could have her or the baby but not both. I chose the baby without even thinking. Betty stayed in the flat until she went into labour, as soon as she was given the all clear she left. I stayed at the hospital, when they kicked me out for the night and went home she'd packed up all her stuff and gone. All the papers to give me full parental rights were signed and on the table waiting for me."

Dudley explained, not noticing the room had gone almost silent now.

"Didn't she want any contact?" Harry asked, upset at the thought of a mother not wanting to know her own baby. He'd heard of post-natal depression and women really needed to get more help when they had it.

"I've promised I'll send an e-mail every few months and she can e-mail to ask questions and send me an occasional picture for Rose or letters, for when she's older. I've tried to keep the door open for her to have contact. But she'll never have Rose."

"You're going to be a great dad Dudley. Look how much you've already fought for her."

"Thanks Harry. I will do my best."

"What are you doing for work?" Harry asked.

"I work for the forestry commission, I'm on paternity leave for a few months. They know I'm a single dad so I'm getting the same package as if I were female."

"You'll have to come back to Hogwarts, you'd love the forest there."

"I'd love to see you school. I like to see some magic that doesn't end up with me having new body parts."

They laughed together, shifting so he could get his wand without jostling Rose to much, he transfigured a cushion into a small brown teddy bear and gave it to Rose.

Rose held onto the bear and stared at it, very slowly, it turned blue.

There was a gasp behind them and the pair noticed the silence in the room.

"Did she just do magic?" Dudley asked in a small voice.

"Accidental magic." Harry acknowledged.

"That's the colour as the cover of her Moses basket."

Severus sat down on the table in front of them. "That shows she feels safe there."

"I just finished baby proofing the flat, how do I magic proof stuff?"

"It will be fine," Molly told him, she was standing just behind them with Hermione. "Most of the time accidental magic is just to get what they really want. When Bill was a baby he used to summon Arthur's jumper all the time, he liked to cuddle it."

Dudley nodded. "I need to get more blue stuff."

"Who's hungry?" Ron asked successfully distracting the room.

The meal was lovely, everyone took turns in holding Rose so everyone could eat while it was still hot. There was plenty of happy chatter between all the members of this new family group as they got to know each other better.

"It will be getting dark soon, we should get back to the castle." Severus suggested, starting a cascade of goodbyes and hugs. Even Severus found himself being hugged by Molly, (no one else was brave enough).

When everyone was wasn't going back to the castle had left everyone gathered their belongings and between all the house elves they popped to the castle entrance hall.

"How are we all going to find a place to sleep?" Hermione asked looking around at the large group.

An old looking house elf coughed to get their attention. "Pardon me my Lady, there is a family wing on the seventh floor. It has been prepared for you." The elf bowed respectfully, he was wearing an odd looking uniform, a real one rather than a pillow case.

"Um, thank you, but are we allowed to go there?" She asked nervously.

"They are now the rooms of the Princely family."

"How do you know that name?" Severus asked sharply

The elf turned to him and bowed again, deeper this time. "My Lord Princely, the founders have informed me that 'Princely' is the new family name. My name is Carter, I am the head elf on the family side of the castle. We are separate to the main castle elves." Carter looked over at the new elves. "I will see to it that your elves are properly attired and their speech corrected. They can attend the school for a time to prepare them for family service."

"There's a school for house elves…" Hermione started.

"Not now love. Let's all get comfortable and rest tonight. Tomorrow you can ask questions." Draco stopped her.

"We'll follow later, I want to go down to the classroom." Harry told them.

Severus nodded, he wanted to see Sal too.

"Can we go for a walk or something tomorrow son, I think we have some catching up to do." Tobias asked.

"I'd like that." Severus agreed. "We won't take long, I'll help you unpack when I get back."

Dudley was hesitant to leave Harry, not wanting to be along in a crowd of people he'd only just met.

"We really won't be long, I want a cuddle with my niece."

Dudley gave a smile. "She already loves her uncle Harry."

"Her uncle Harry is going to spoil her rotten." Severus teased. "If you need your belongings ask Dobby to take you, or better still, send him to pack up the whole flat and live here. I'm sure Harry would love that, and Rose can grow up learning about magic."

Harry looked hopefully at his cousin.

"Would that be ok with you?" Dudley asked

"Sure it would, we can start being the brothers we always should have been." Harry beamed bouncing on the balls of his feet.

Dudley's returning smile was just as bright. "I guess I'm going to pack then."

Carter repapered to show the two stragglers where to go. "Mr Snape, Mr Dursley, if you would like to follow me. Should I contact the goblins to amend Mr Dursley to Mr Princely?" He asked innocently.

That took them by surprise.

"How about we talk about that another time." Dudley suggested.

"Good idea, although I think I quite like it. And Rose too of course."

"We'll talk in a few days if we haven't killed each other." Dudley laughed.

Harry grinned back. "See you in a bit."

Harry and Severus headed down into the dungeons to the potions classroom. Carefully listening for noises that would stop them interrupting before opening the door.