A/N: Well, now, it's been a really long time since I updated, hasn't it? I apologize about that. I've been working on this chapter, and nothing seemed to go the right way with how to end it. Until tonight. I want to thank all of you who have read my fics over the years. I truly appreciate and love each and every one of you. I know this is going to disappoint some of you, and I apologize for that. I tried to get everything in here that I could, but when the plot bunnies don't cooperate for so long, you go with what they do give you. Without further ado, enjoy. :)

From Always to Forever

Looking up, Severus stared at the large window shrouded by dark curtains on the stately manor. His lip curled upwards as soon as he saw the light from a candle flickering likely bathing the inside of the room in warmth. It was the only room with a light on, just as he knew it would be. He glanced to his left and then to his right, seeing no movement whatsoever on the grounds. All was quiet, it seemed, except for the waves crashing against the nearby cliffs and the occasional whinny from a horse or two.

His heart raced as he strode across the dark grounds towards the manor. Would she even want to see him? He scoffed and shook his head. Of course she would. She always had. If anything had ever sunken into his head this year, it was that.

He considered for half a moment about doing the proper thing and knocking on the door. But he quickly dismissed that idea. There was no need to involve her father in this and run the risk of him telling Severus to leave because of some ridiculous 16th Century old superstition of grooms and brides and wedding days. Searching for something on the manor he could use as leverage to pull himself up, he smirked. His father-in-law would soon learn that he had no intention of leaving Aurora alone ever again. He had spent too long as it was away from her over the years. He was ready for happy. They all were.

Finding himself two seconds later slipping and sliding back towards the ground below, he huffed and jumped back down. If climbing wasn't going to work, then he'd have to do it another way. Closing his eyes, he concentrated on his actions and focused all his energy into flying. It was a skill few wizards knew, and that made it much more valuable than ever learning how to Disapparate properly.

The moment his feet touched the balcony outside the desired room, he reopened his eyes. He paused, hearing Orin's voice coming from inside the room. He'd wait his turn then. The man deserved these last moments to impart his fatherly advice on his daughter without Severus's interruption.

As the seconds passed by, Severus found himself craning his head more and more towards the window. He couldn't help himself, he realized. Just what words of wisdom did Orin have for her?

"You're not planning on running, are you, Aura?" Orin's rich tones filtered through the walls. "Because I very much doubt that boy would let you."

"What makes you so certain it wouldn't be him running, Dad?" Aurora replied. Severus could hear the smile in her voice.

"Because I know you, my dear Aurora. You'd stop at nothing to get your way, and he's been in your eyes for far too long, I'm afraid."

"Meaning?"

Meaning she'd use every Unforgivable and Dark curse she could find to make him marry her, Severus thought with a faint smirk. She always had worn her heart on her sleeve when it came to him. He just was too blind to see it.

"You won't let him slip away this time. Not after all you've been through."

"I guess we'll have to see, then, won't we?"

Severus heard her loud laughs and rolled his eyes. She was fooling no one. The silence then drug on, deafening almost. Yes, he could see where she'd equate the waves crashing against the cliffs like shattering glass. In this moment, it sounded exactly like that.

"Did you ever hear the story of how I met your mother?" Orin asked suddenly.

"She was at Mungo's when you were brought in. Working on her residency or something."

"She sat at my bed side for months. Months, Aurora. Nursing me back to health, being patient with me when I had difficult days. And, oh, did I have difficult days back then. When I woke up and saw her . . . I knew. I just knew."

"You loved her."

"I still do," Orin declared. "When I knew her, back before the darkness settled around this family, she was good at one time, Aurora. She was kind. Loving even at times."

"And then she had me."

"No. You weren't the cause, baby girl. She saw pain, unimaginable heartbreak day after day after day. It destroys your soul. Eats at it until there's nothing left but a shell. She loved you, Aurora. I know you don't believe it, but deep down I know she did."

"So you keep saying, Dad."

Severus closed his eyes, turning from the window. Perhaps he'd give them some privacy.

"Don't let the darkness fester. That's all I'm saying," Orin said. "Don't let it rot away at your marriage and love for one another as it did for your mother and me. If you're having a bad day, let him know it. Don't try to be brave. There's no shame in admitting that you need help from time to time."

"I'm good. Really."

"For now. But, trust me, there will be days when you'll be tested. You, him, your love for one another, all of it. It's how you come out of that, baby girl, that defines your marriage."

"All right."

What else could be said but that? Severus surely couldn't think of anything else.

"I'll let you get your rest now," Orin declared. "No need to dampen such a joyous night as tonight, right?" He softly chuckled before the sounds of retreating footsteps were heard.

Severus waited a few more minutes before he moved closer to Aurora's bedroom window. He just happened to catch a fleeting glimpse of her through a small opening in her curtains. She was sitting on the edge of her bed looking at a photo book of something. Deciding that coast was now clear, he moved even closer and slowly opened her window. The moment he stuck his head inside her room, he found himself coming face to face with a familiar wand that was slowly being lowered.

"What in the world—Severus?"

He glanced up at her and plastered on a thin smile. "I don't suppose we could finish our duel once and for all before we are to say our vows, hmm?"

"Our duel?" she repeated incredulously before she rolled her eyes. "You came all this way for that?" She then leaned closer to him, her voice lowering. "Afraid that I'll win once we're married?"

"Win?" He let out a hushed chuckle. "Hardly. You're not known for your exemplary wand work after all or even your magic."

"Oh my, what big words coming from the man currently crouching in my window like some Muggle creep."

"Just pointing out key facts, dear." When she pushed him back a moment later, he found himself falling back onto his butt. He stared at her as she closed the window with a wink before she snapped the curtains closed. This was not going the way he had expected it.

With a slight frown, he moved to reopen her window. A Stinging Hex put all that aside, though, a moment later. His frown deepened as he shook out his hands. That witch put a hex on her window! Well, he'd show her a thing or two. He reached into his pocket for his wand.

"All right there, son?" a voice suddenly called out from below.

Severus stopped in mid-wandwaving. Orin? He then watched as the curtains flew open along with the window a moment later.

"Dad?" Aurora murmured, staring at Severus as she said it. She leaned out partially as if to look around him to see her father.

"It's all right, Aura. I got this," Orin replied from where he stood on the ground.

"Um, okay, but . . ."

"I know, baby girl. I'll make sure your fiancé is in one piece for the wedding later." That answer seemed to satisfy Aurora for the moment. "Now, young man, down you go."

Unable to move now surprisingly, Severus found himself being levitated down to the ground slowly a moment later. Had Orin Stunned him? He supposed that was the only reasonable explanation. And that meant only one thing . . . he had gotten soft. He watched Aurora try and fail to conceal her amusement as he was taken from her. She could laugh all she wanted now, but he'd get her back for this someday. He was certain of it.

When he came face to face a moment later with the man that would soon become his father-in-law, he did his best not to seem unsettled. That would be a weakness after all. A weakness one could try to exploit. Then again, this was Orin he was talking about, not a Lestrange.

"Hello, Severus."

Cordial, he could do that. "Hello," Severus replied, not wanting to back down and show how awkward he was feeling right then.

"Let's take a walk. Shall we, son?" It was clear that wasn't a request, so they walked.

With the stars shining brightly overhead and the moonlight bathing the gathered party on the grounds several hours later, it began. There was no music, no fanfare really. Neither bride nor groom would have enjoyed it frankly. Just a simple ceremony, Harry realized as he looked around. There weren't even any decorations in fact. Just Aurora and his dad and the Minister of Magic Shacklebolt standing in front of a few of the Hogwarts staff, both sides of their families, and Harry and Luna. That was it. It seemed . . . Weren't weddings supposed to be big deals?

"It's peaceful, isn't it?"

Harry glanced immediately to his side at Luna the moment she spoke. "What?"

She smiled politely before she nodded her head towards his parents. "Their wedding, of course. Though, it makes sense that they'd choose it like this."

"It does?" Harry frowned as he stared at her. On what planet?

"Professor Snape's a very private person. He'd likely feel uncomfortable with a large wedding, I'd imagine." Yeah, that sounded plausible, Harry supposed. Hell, he would be more nervous too if it was any bigger than what it was. Too many people watching always made him do stupid things. Like forget to close his mouth when he was taking a sip of water at breakfast in the Great Hall. "It's better this way. Only selecting a few to witness it. Less reason for him to be nervous."

"Yeah." Harry smiled faintly before he glanced back up towards his parents, who were exchanging their vows to one another. They looked happy, relaxed even.

"Are ya . . . wait . . . El, are ya—?" Tobias murmured next to Harry.

Harry's head snapped back around, and he looked towards his grandmother. She seemed all right. His eyes then narrowed as he caught a shimmer of something near her eye. Was she—?

"Hush, Tobias," Eileen scolded quietly, her eyes remaining trained on Severus and Aurora.

"Ya are. Yer cryin'!"

"Tobias," she replied through grit teeth, clearly ready to hex him if he continued. However, the stray tear rolling down her cheek had given it away.

"Why are ya cryin'? This ain't—"

Luna then leaned forward. "I suspect it was the Pudgewumpers, sir."

Harry's eyes widened. She did not just say that, did she? Judging by the looks on both of his grandfathers' faces, Luna had said it, though. This was not going to be pretty.

"The what?" Orin and Tobias asked simultaneously.

"The Pudgewumpers," Luna repeated as if everything was perfectly normal. "They tend to be found mostly at weddings for some reason. They're harmless, but they do have an unfortunate effect on some people." Harry blinked as he continued to stare at Luna. Was she mad? "You see, sir, they feel very deeply. And, for some, the Pudgewumpers' heightened emotional response is transferred to them."

"Wait. What?"

"The Pudge-whatevers, Tobias," Eileen stated coldly under her breath. "They're to blame." She then glanced towards Luna and inclined her head to her before she turned away.

It was as if someone had flipped a switch on his grandmother then. One moment she looked like she was close to sobbing, and now she seemed perfectly fine except for little bit of flushed cheeks. He turned to look at Luna. Were these Pudgewumpers really to blame? After all, his grandmother didn't seem to be one to let her emotions control her usually. But then again, she wasn't usually allowing for silliness, and what Luna was saying was clearly silly.

"You may now kiss the bride," Shacklebolt declared loudly, snapping Harry from his thoughts.

Wait . . . had he just missed the whole thing because of the Pudgewumpers? He swallowed nervously when he saw his parents kiss. Yep. He missed their vows. Not that he really cared what they were. After all, he understood the basics. The telly at the Dursleys' had taught him that. But . . .

"It was a beautiful ceremony," Luna said with a wide smile, clapping happily.

"Yeah," Harry found himself saying, tugging awkwardly on his collar. Judging by how Professors Sprout and Vector were clapping and carrying on, it had to be. Right?

"Damn Pudgewumpers," Tobias muttered as he came to stand. "They ruin everythin'." As the newlyweds moved to walk towards them, he mumbled. "If they ask, we saw the whole thing. Got it?"

After the wedding, everything seemed to blur together for the family. Severus continued to teach while Aurora remained on her leave of absence, and Harry remained focusing on his studies just as he had promised he would. Though, he'd admit that he was starting to see why Draco enjoyed his study time with Hermione. It certainly made things interesting when it came to studying with Luna. He was learning about all sorts of interesting things. Who would have known there were Fipgos, who liked to tie your shoelaces together and make you trip, and Red Jarvies, who would tickle their unsuspecting prey? Harry couldn't help but come up with a few of his own wicked creatures to talk to her about.

"You've got a letter, dear," Aurora announced as she walked up behind Harry, who was sitting on the sofa writing his latest Charms essay.

Harry paused for half a moment before he glanced up at her. "From whom?"

She shrugged in response and handed him the rolled up parchment. "No idea." She then moved slowly around the sofa towards one of the recliners, a hand quickly rubbing her back. "Oh, what I would give for a good massage right about now," she mumbled before sitting down.

He chuckled and gave her a lopsided grin. "Dare you to send a house elf to tell Dad that."

"Now?" She rolled her eyes. "Uh-huh. I may be nine months pregnant with his child, but even I know that he wouldn't be above hexing the hell out of me for that one. I'll live, thanks."

"Well, you could always, you know, say you're having contractions again?" He ducked when she threw one of the throw pillows at him.

"That was one time, young man!" she replied with a huff, crossing her arms and resting them on her swollen abdomen. "And how was I supposed to know that they weren't real contractions anyway? I mean, they felt like real contractions."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I mean, the damn things hurt like a bitch. But, by all means, do laugh and make fun of me, dear. I live to amuse you."

Harry chuckled again, hearing her playful tone. "Admit it. You love seeing Dad race in here all in a panic just as much as I do."

She shrugged. "Regardless, your father is in his fifth year class. I am not to—" She then inhaled sharply and winced. Her right hand rubbed her belly in what Harry guessed was supposed to be a soothing manner.

"Want me to get Dad?"

"No."

"Okay." Harry then glanced down at his letter. It wasn't from Luna obviously, because otherwise it'd be in a shape of some animal. And it didn't seem to be from Hermione either, because it seemed too messy in its rolling up. He undid the bindings that held it together and unrolled it.

Dear Harry.

Closing his eyes, Harry sighed. He should have known that git would write him now of all times.

"That good?"

Opening one eye and looking at her, he shook his head. "It's just Ron being Ron."

"Ah." She then squirmed and winced again.

"Sure you don't want me to get Dad?" That was at least her third wince in a few minutes now.

"Positive. Your little brother is just deciding to be a little more active today than usual."

Harry's eyes narrowed on her. Didn't more active usually mean, though . . .

"I'm fine, sweetheart. Honest." She then motioned with her free hand towards his letter. "What's Mister Weasley have to say this time?"

He shrugged before he glanced back at the letter. "Not much. It's mostly just apologies for how he acted. That he was being a git. That he shouldn't have lashed out. You know, the usual stuff."

"Well, maybe his sessions have been helping lately."

Harry couldn't help but stare at her unbelieving.

"Love, we don't know the pain he's been feeling, and I hope you never find out. But, well, the fact remains that he's reaching out to you again."

"So after everything, I should just be friends with him again? That's what you're saying?"

"No. That's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is that maybe you hear him out, read the letter, before you write him out for good."

"He said terrible things, Mum."

"I said terrible things too after the trauma I endured. It didn't mean any of it was true."

"Yeah, but you had a reason."

"So did he, Harry." She shifted again, rubbing her abdomen with a slight wince.

"I guess." He looked back at the letter before he shook his head. "I get what you're saying. I do. But . . . I can't forgive him, Mum. I just can't. I mean, I know we've been through so much together and stuff. And he was my mate and all, but . . . we're different now, you know? Ron's not the same guy I knew back then. I'm not the same guy. And when it comes down to it, he will always bring up Dad's mistakes, bring up that you're not my biological mum, say hurtful crap to Hermione . . . and I just, well, I guess, I don't want to be around that sort of negativity, you know? Not after everything we've been through lately. I've had enough of that crap, you know?" He glanced at her before he flew to his feet with wide eyes. "Fuck! Mum, are you . . . is that . . . um . . . ?" His eyes darted to the door before he turned back to her and kept his eyes focused on her wincing face. He was going to have nightmares for weeks now thanks to the horror show he had just saw. "Dad . . . yeah . . . I'm getting Dad now."

"No. No, Harry. It's . . . it's fine." She leaned her head back, her face flushed once more.

"But, Mum, that didn't happen before! None of that . . . you weren't . . . last time wasn't like that!" Harry knew he shouldn't have been panicking as he was, and he definitely knew that yelling at her wasn't going to help matters, but what was he supposed to do? "I'm getting Dad."

"Harry, it's fi—fucking Merlin's balls!" she yelled, clutching her abdomen. Her breathing was becoming very irregular. "No. It's . . . I've got a bit. We can . . . holy hell!" Her knuckles were white as she deathgripped the armrests for what seemed a lifetime. Once she relaxed, she said, "Get him! Now!"

The young man didn't need to be told twice. He went sprinting out of their rooms and ran as hard as he could down the cold dungeon halls towards the potions classroom. He slammed hard into the door forcing it to fly open and slamming hard against the stone wall.

"Dad!" he yelled, realizing right away that was the exactly wrong thing to do.

"What in the Nine Hells—Harry!"

"Mum! She's . . . there's stuff . . . I . . ." He watched his father wave his hand swiftly, causing every single cauldron in the classroom to cease bubbling and every fire to go out.

"Go, Professor. We got this," one of the Weasley twins, George Harry recognized later, stated.

Harry found himself being pushed out of his dad's classroom a moment later with his dad striding quickly in front of him and down the hall. They burst into their rooms a moment later just as Aurora let out a loud yell. Harry nearly covered his ears from how piercing her scream was.

"Here," his dad directed, holding his hand out to her. "I'll help—"

"No. No. It . . . it won't work," Aurora replied through loud pants after the pain seemed to subside for a bit. "It's . . ." Her head fell back against the top of the armchair before she screamed again, her hands clenching the armrests as if they were her only lifelines.

"What do you mean? I don't understand," he asked once her scream had subsided.

"No time."

What did she mean, 'No time,' Harry wondered. Didn't they have all the time in the world now to be a family? Unless she meant before the baby came, and then, well, Harry wasn't sure how these things went but he was pretty certain there was time there too. Wasn't there?

"You're certain?" his dad asked, his eyes darting towards the fireplace one last time.

"Oh yeah," she replied with a sardonic laugh. "They're too . . . oh FUCK!"

"Uh, should I get Pomfrey then?" Harry winced when he caught his parents' look. "I'll take that as a yes." He quickly moved to the fireplace and grabbed a bit of the Floo powder from the mantel. "Hospital wing," he commanded after tossing in the powder and turning the flames green. "Madam Pomfrey!" he yelled as soon as the hospital wing came into view.

"Judging by how quick your contractions seem to be," his dad said behind him to his mum, "I believe you're right."

Harry kept his head down into the green flames when he heard the harsh forced responding laugh from his mum. At least she wasn't hexing anyone yet. After all, wasn't that what all pregnant women did during this time? Or was that just some sort of fake thing they did on the telly for ratings?

"Well, thank Merlin for that," his mum grumbled before letting out a higher-pitched scream.

It was then Harry noticed the matron bustling towards her fireplace.

"Mister Potter? What—" Pomfrey started to say.

"It's time!" he replied, his voice squeaking slightly. When he saw her surprise, he added meekly, "I mean, we think so at least."

"Well, out of the way then, so I may step through," she stated, grabbing her bag from somewhere on Harry's left.

He did as she requested and backed out of the fireplace, stepping to the side for her. Once she was in their rooms, the matron set off right away towards Aurora.

"How far apart are your contractions, dear?"

At the look Pomfrey received from her, Harry wondered if the Madam was at all worried. She didn't seem it, but that didn't mean she wasn't.

"All right, then. Let's have a look, shall we?"

The moment Harry heard those words, he knew he needed to leave the room. Now! There was . . . it'd just be too—nope he wasn't doing it. He could maybe get over the whole water breaking thing in a few years, but the rest . . . no, a walk to his room and just wait it out in there would be good enough. His dad had it from here after all. He'd cheer from afar this time.

Erecting a privacy shield around his room soon after arriving, the young man did his very best to keep out Aurora's screams. To him, it sounded like she was being tortured or worse even. Deep down he knew that was all in his head, and that her screams were just because it was pretty painful pushing out a human being. But . . . there was only so much the young man could deal with. And he had surpassed that limit long ago.

So, there he sat. Alone in his room. In complete silence.

He considered picking up the dirty clothes from the floor, but he quickly dismissed this. He didn't want to move from his bed.

Sighing, he glanced around. This was probably going to take quite a bit of time, he decided. Sure, Aurora seemed convinced that the baby was coming right then and there, but, well, adults were wrong sometimes. Maybe she was too.

That meant he needed to find something to do for the next few hours, if it took that long. Essays were out. He didn't feel like reading or thinking about Ron's letter because nothing Ron could say would make their friendship be like before. He really didn't feel much like anything. Well, that wasn't true. He did find himself wishing Luna was there with him. She'd know just the trick to distract him.

With a laugh, he recalled her story earlier about the Pengzowla, a breed of penguins who actually can fly and change colors too. They have a flair for the dramatics, she had said.

His hand reached for the book from his nightstand a moment later. He opened it and quickly leafed through the pages with James and Lily only to stop when he found the smiling dishwater blond staring back up at him.

It was amazing to think how well she got him. Like, she really understood him. Hermione tried, but she didn't have the same life experiences as he did. Luna sort of did. She knew what it was like to be an outsider all the time, someone who didn't fit in. She owned her uniqueness. All those years he had cared what others had thought about him, worried about if people knew the real him how they'd react.

His fingers traced over Luna's smiling face.

She understood it all. The good and the bad. And she didn't judge or tell him how he was supposed to act like the others did. She just . . . let him be.

A smile tugged at Harry's lips. Sort of like how Aurora was with his dad. She didn't try to change his dad. She'd let him keep going on and be the grumpy git he always was if it'd make him happy. And she'd call him out when he was wrong. Like Luna would with him if she thought he wasn't listening to her about something serious . . like putting himself in danger or being stupid.

Maybe this growing up thing wouldn't be so hard after all. Not when he had Luna and his family.

When he felt the vibration several hours later, the young man glanced at his closed door anxiously. His dad was outside his room, wanting to speak with him. Sighing, Harry grabbed his wand and cancelled his privacy shield.

He didn't hear any screams, so that was good, he guessed.

"Yeah?" Harry called out quietly before he turned his attention back to the book in his hands. He smiled faintly as he watched Luna in the moving photo dance with her hands up in the air. He didn't move when his door slowly opened. He still unfortunately was too afraid to look.

"Would you like to come see your brother now?" his dad asked softly from the doorway.

Cautiously, Harry peeked through his long hair towards the door. "Is it, you know, safe?"

"Safe?"

"Yeah, like, with Mum and all?"

"I don't follow, Harry."

The young man sighed. "Well, before she was bleeding and stuff, you know . . ."

"Oh."

"Yeah." He turned back to his book and sighed.

"Unfortunately, childbirth is a messy process. I'm certain she didn't mean—"

"I know that," he said with a look of 'Duh, Dad.' "I just—I know it's ridiculous, but—"

"It's fine, son. Your reaction is perfectly natural and understandable. That being said, allow me to subside your fears. Aurora is once again herself, and the mess you unfortunately witnessed is gone."

"All of it?" he asked skeptically.

"All of it. I promise."

"Okay." Harry slowly closed his book, setting it on the nightstand beside him. "Is the baby okay too? Like, does it have all its fingers and toes?"

His dad chuckled quietly. "He's perfectly healthy."

"Good." He stood up and walked towards his father. "I'm sorry for running out on—"

"It's fine. As I said, it's perfectly natural for someone of your age to have that sort of reaction. In fact, I'm certain it's done a better job at making certain I'm not a grandfather anytime soon than anything else would, am I correct?" He smiled faintly when Harry nodded. "That's what I thought."

They walked down the hallway together towards the master bedroom. Harry paused and hovered near the door for half a moment when they reached it. He could hear Aurora's voice from inside. She seemed to be talking to someone. Expecting to see Madam Pomfrey, he glanced in and found only Aurora propped up on the bed with a bundle in front of her chest.

"And there's your big brother Harry, love. He's been very anxious to meet you. We all have been," Aurora murmured to the newborn she was cradling.

Harry couldn't keep the grin from his face at the word 'brother'. He was a brother now. A real brother. A big brother in fact. He glanced up when he felt his dad's hand rest on his shoulder soon after.

"Does he have a name yet?" the young man asked, moving closer to Aurora and the baby. He couldn't really see much of his little brother. The blanket was doing a good job hiding him. If only he could see his brother, then . . . He laughed quietly a moment later when he saw tiny little fingers emerge from the bundle.

"He does. It's Aiden Xavier Snape."

His eyes narrowed slightly before he glanced at his dad. "Xavier? Isn't that the guy from—"

"Your dad's comics?" Aurora finished with a laugh when they both turned towards her with looks of surprise. "Hey, I may be a Pureblood, but I did recently have loads of time on my hands. Plenty of time, in fact, to brush up on my Mugglese." She then laughed. "Is that even a word, Mugglese?"

"Who cares?" Harry said with a laugh. "You still caught Dad."

"Excuse me? Caught me? Caught me doing what exactly?" his dad replied clearly outraged.

"Need we spell it out, love?" Aurora drawled with a faint smile.

"You both seem to be under the misguided—"

"Admit it, Severus. You named our son after one of your comic book characters."

"I did no such—"

"Oh? Then Xavier is a very common name in the Wizarding world, is it?"

Harry saw his dad blink blankly.

"Uh-huh. Thought so." She rolled her eyes before she cradled her son closer.

"If you didn't like—"

"I didn't say that, Severus," she replied, glancing at Harry's dad.

"I'm afraid that I don't follow then."

Harry snorted, earning a swift glare from his father. "Dad, what she's trying to say is that she knew and still went with it."

"Yes, I believe I understood that much. Thank you," his dad quipped before he turned back to Aurora. "What is it that you'd like me to say exactly?"

"Nothing."

Harry saw his dad's eyes narrow on her. "You want me to say nothing?"

She shrugged in response before she readjusted Aidan's blanket. "There's really nothing more to be said. Our son's middle name is based off a bald, middle-aged professor confined to a wheelchair who happened to teach a bunch of superheroes."

Biting his lip, the young man tried to stop himself from laughing. When she put it like that . . .

"Xavier was much more than just that over simplistic characterization you gave, Aurora," his dad argued. "He was a scientific genius."

"Not to mention a telepath," Harry chimed in, knowing it'd only egg his dad on even more.

"Precisely, Harry." His dad nodded with a brief proud smile. "Xavier created a device that—"

"Was later used for evil purposes by the government to hunt down people with special abilities," Aurora pointed out.

"Well, yes, that did occur, but he did so much good with it, though."

"So did Magneto before he became Magneto. That doesn't prove anything."

"Xavier was the leader, though, who saw the good in people and led them to control their gifts."

"So, then, what? You want our son to be some sort of savior like Harry is?"

Harry winced instantly and rubbed the back of his neck. Maybe on second thought he shouldn't have pointed out the whole 'Xavier' thing. He didn't want them to fight.

"Of course not. I just wanted our son to have a strong name."

"I see."

Oh, Harry didn't like the way she had said that. Luna's Wrackspurts or whatever could show up any moment now . . . any . . . moment.

"What?"

"So, Aiden wasn't a strong enough name in your opinion."

"I didn't say that."

"No, but you insinuated it, Severus."

Harry's eyes closed. Where the hell were those Wrackspurts?

"I insinuated no such thing, Aurora!"

Loud crying then erupted from underneath the blue blanket. Confused for a second, Harry had nearly jumped the second he heard it. He watched his dad and his mum then quickly jump into action.

"Shh, love. It's all right," Aurora murmured, rocking the small newborn. "Daddy just got a little excited there."

"Indeed. I meant no ill-will towards your mother," his dad replied, his voice lowered and almost tender-like.

Cocking his head to the side, the young man looked on curiously. It was almost as if his parents were afraid of his little brother. Sure, Aidan's banshee-like scream was pretty scary (who knew someone so little could cry that loud anyway), but he was just a startled baby, though. What was there to be scared of exactly?

Aidan quickly became silent, settling once again against his mother happily.

His parents seemed to relax once more.

There was a lot they were going to have to learn now, Harry guessed. Like trying to appease a baby for one. But he knew they were up to the task. He certainly was. He watched his mum and dad silently fuss over Aidan. He couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy followed by sadness. Unlike him, his little brother would be loved right from the start. It was stupid, he knew, to be jealous of a newborn, but he was.

"Harry?"

"Love?"

He glanced up when he heard his parents' voices.

"Yeah?"

"Did you hear me before? I asked if you'd like to hold your brother."

Harry swallowed nervously. "Hold him?"

"Yes. If you'd like to, that is," his father replied.

His eyes darted to his baby brother and then back to his parents. "What if I drop him?"

"You won't."

"But what if—"

"Then we'll suspend his fall with magic," Aurora said with a shrug. "Like we did earlier."

"What?" He caught his dad's slight flush. "You dropped Aidan?" His dad's eyes darted to him.

"No, sweetheart. He didn't. I did," she admitted.

"You?" Harry couldn't believe his own ears. Aurora nearly dropped Aidan? "But . . ."

"Hey, it's the first time I actually held a squirming child, thank you. I'm bound to make a few mistakes here and there. And, you know, Severus caught him."

"If you nearly dropped him, I'm sure to, Mum."

"It wasn't nearly, Harry. It was dropped him. If it wasn't for Severus's quick reaction—"

"I don't want to hurt him, though. He's so tiny."

"You won't. I promise." She then moved her arm up a bit more so Harry could see a bit more of his little brother. "We'll teach you how to hold him, and we'll be right here to help you."

"Promise?"

"We promise," his dad replied firmly.

Harry nodded hesitantly then. He watched his parents' smiles and moved beside Aurora's bedside. He felt his heart race the moment he saw the tiny little blue bundled newborn slowly be placed into his outstretched hands.

Warmth. That was the first thing he felt. His baby brother felt warm. A sign of his being alive.

His eyes then widened when the little bundle started to squirm. His arm slid more to get a better hold on Aidan instinctively, and his other hand pulled the newborn further into his chest. Only when he was absolutely certain that he wouldn't drop his brother did he let out a breath.

"See? You did loads better than I did, Harry," Aurora said softly with a smile.

Harry snorted. It was luck. That's all it was. "Thanks." He smiled down, seeing the chubby little cheeks and dark eyes staring up at him. He couldn't help but want to play with those cute little chubby cheeks of his brother's. "Hi, Aidan," he whispered down to the newborn. "I'm your brother, Harry."

He laughed quietly when Aidan gave him one of his father's 'And your point is' looks.

"You're going to have an amazing life with us, brother. I promise you that. You have two parents who love you more than anything, and a big brother who is going to stop at nothing to make sure you're okay. But you know that, don't you?"

He could feel his parents' eyes on him as he spoke to the newborn.

"We're going to give these two heart attacks probably over the years. Especially when I teach you how to do a corkscrew on a broom or a Bat-Boogey hex or something." Harry heard his dad's resulting snort. "But deep down we'll know that we're loved. And that as long as we have one another, everything is going to be all right. Yeah?" He smiled when Aidan turned into the crook of his arm, seemingly drifting back off into another nap. "You just sleep now, baby brother, and know that we're all looking out for you." He then glanced at Aurora and slowly but gently handed Aidan back to her.

"Very sweet, love, but if you teach your brother the corkscrew or anything of the sort, know that your dad and I will kill you, my sweet boy."

Harry laughed. He didn't doubt it one bit. "Just wait until you see what I teach my sister, Mum."

He smiled when his dad lightly hit him upside the head. Now, this was what family and love was all about. It was so strange to think how it started with always but ended with forever.