Harry waited tensely for his friends to say something. More than ever he was very glad that Ginny was at his side. He leaned into her slightly and she kissed him on the cheek.

"A baby?" Hermione finally spoke up. "Are you even sure it's yours? What if it's a trap or something? What on earth are you going to do with her? Can you put her up for adoption or something?"

"No, Hermione," Harry said firmly cutting off Hermione's rapidly approaching hysteria. "I am not giving her up for adoption or anything like that. She is my daughter and I will raise her. Yes, I know this will put a kink in our plans, but that's the way it will have to be. I was sent to an aunt and uncle who hated me and I will not have the same thing for Faith."

"That's her name, Faith?" Ron asked.

Harry smiled for the first time since the conversation began. "Yes, I've named her Faith Irene. She's a little over four months old and she's beautiful."

Ron looked over at his sister. "That's where you've been going every day."

With a laugh, Ginny nodded. "He called me and Kingsley as soon as he found her." She looked over at Harry and he nodded so she continued. "We took her to the new safe house they'd been working on for Harry. He and Faith have been living there since. Madam Pomfrey examined her and she's perfectly healthy. Professor McGonagall's brother is a solicitor and he helped Harry terminate that witch's parental rights."

"I…I was hoping if it was alright with your parents, I could bring her to the Burrow while I'm here," Harry said hesitantly when he realized that at least Ron was taking this well.

"Of course, mate," Ron said promptly.

Ginny kissed Harry and stood up. "I'll be right back. I saw Kingsley, maybe he can talk to Mum and Dad. I don't want you to have to tell your story again, love."

"Thank you, baby," Harry said with a slight smile.

"Who is watching her now?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Dobby," Harry said after a moment. "Dobby and Winky are working for me now. They both have a lot of experience with child care and they've been wonderful."

Hermione narrowed her eyes, but she didn't comment. A fact for which Harry was quite grateful, he wasn't up to a lecture on elf rights at the moment.

A few minutes later, Ginny returned. "Kingsley will talk to Mum and Dad." She looked over at Hermione. "How's your summer been so far?"

Realizing that Ginny was telling her the subject was closed for the moment, Hermione told them about her trip to Paris with her parents. The four friends sat talking and catching up.

The sound of footsteps caused them all to look up. Mr and Mrs Weasley were approaching. Harry got to his feet and pulled Ginny up next to him. He gripped her hand tightly as he waited.

"Harry, dear," Mrs Weasley began. Reaching out she pulled Harry into a gentle embrace. Putting her fingers under his chin, she lifted his face to look into his eyes. "I am so sorry for what happened to you. Of course your daughter is very welcome to stay here with you. Kingsley has increased the security around the Burrow and he explained that your elves can add more levels of protection."

Harry searched her eyes and found the love and acceptance he'd longed for in them. He hugged her. "Thank you, Mrs Weasley. Can I go get her?"

"Of course, dear," Mrs Weasley said. "I've asked Charlie to get the old cot from the attic and set it up in your room."

"I'll go with Harry," Ginny announced.

"Don't take too long," her father cautioned her with a smile.

With a nod the couple hurried down to the Apparition point. Pulling Ginny in closer, Harry Apparated back to his house.

Mrs Weasley looked at the other two and beckoned them inside. Once they were settled into the sitting room, Kingsley joined them.

"I'm sure the two of you might have questions," Kingsley began, "but I ask that you not…overwhelm Harry with questions."

"How was she even able to get to him?" Hermione asked. "I thought the wards kept anyone who wanted to hurt him out. Are you sure the baby is even his?"

"She didn't 'hurt' him per se," Kingsley said. "She went with the intent of getting pregnant. I believe his treatment at the hands of his relatives warped the wards to a degree that unless she went to torture or kill him they wouldn't stop her. Madam Pomfrey performed the paternity testing. Faith is his daughter and Bellatrix Lestrange is the mother."

"He can't really be serious about keeping this baby, right?" Hermione asked looked around the room. "Can't it be put up for adoption? Or can't it live with another wizarding couple? He's only just turned seventeen; he's way too young to raise a baby. He was raped, he shouldn't be forced to raise the baby. This is completely ridiculous."

"Hermione, dear, I know you are concerned about Harry, but I would recommend you not talking like that around him," Mrs Weasley said gently. "He may be young and yes, I wish he was older and established, but he is her father and he wants to raise her."

"But…he's just so young," Hermione repeated. "This is going to affect all of his future relationships. What is he going to do when he starts dating someone new? 'Oh, this is my daughter with Bellatrix Lestrange.' He needs to finish school, how will he do this burdened down by a baby? He doesn't deserve this."

"No, he doesn't," Kingsley answered, "but you need to understand he doesn't see her as a burden. He loves that little girl and he will fight for her with everything in his being. If you cannot be supportive it would be best if you weren't here when he returned."

"No," Hermione protested. "Of course I'll be there for him. I'm just very worried about him."

"He was really raped?" Ron asked quietly.

Kingsley nodded. "From what we've discovered the other men who were raped last summer were practice. Bellatrix didn't rape all of them herself, but she was always there. She supplied the potions. Working backwards, we have found a few additional cases in which we believe the potions either didn't work or the potions were too potent and the men were killed."

"Didn't work?" Ron asked.

"You have seen Bellatrix, haven't you?" Kingsley asked a touch impatiently. "It would be a miracle if anyone would respond to her. Harry reported that not only did she take some potions, she gave him some as well. They acted as a stimulant and forced him to respond to her, we also think she gave him a potion to ensure she conceived."

"So he was really forced to…have sex with her?"

Kingsley nodded.

"Merlin," Ron breathed. He looked rather ill. He understood a little better why Harry had gotten so angry at him in the autumn about the man who committed suicide. Between Harry hitting him and Bill yelling at him, Ron had been forced to look at his assumptions a bit more critically. He'd examined his reactions and found himself feeling ill and rather disgusted with himself for his immaturity. He looked up at Kingsley. "Do you think if he hadn't heard me laughing about the other men being raped he would have told us earlier?"

Hermione looked up as well. Kingsley hesitated. "I don't think so. He didn't want to think about it much less talk about it. If it wasn't for Faith I don't think he would have ever said anything. He hadn't even told Ginny."

"He should have said something," Hermione fussed, obviously upset that Harry hadn't confided in them.

"Hermione, it's partially my fault he didn't say anything to begin with," Ron spoke up. "He may be young and he might not make the same decisions that you or I would make. I've been thinking about it and I would have lost it. I couldn't have gone a whole year without yelling about the unfairness of it all. I know I'm not mature enough to raise a baby, but I'm not Harry. He knows what it's like to not be wanted. Bellatrix is expecting him to react like you are and be so disgusted by the fact that it's her child that he rejects her. He wouldn't do that."

Hermione stared at her best friend in shock; she almost didn't know how to respond to this mature version of Ron. Kingsley nodded approvingly. "I'm glad to hear you say that, Ron. You are right, he only sees her as his daughter."

Harry sagged in relief when he arrived back at his house. He pulled Ginny more tightly into his arms and held her close. "Thank you, baby. I love you."

Ginny held him back just as tightly, letting him draw comfort from him. Eventually she pulled back and smiled up at him. "Let's go get that beautiful baby."

Laughing, the two raced up the stairs to the nursery. Harry skidded to a stop in the doorway as he was faced with a rather irate elf. "Harry Potter, sir. You woke up the baby."

"I'm sorry, Winky," Harry said sincerely. "I'm going to take her to the Burrow. Could you pack up a bag for her? We'll be there a few nights."

"Certainly," Winky said.

Harry headed over to the cot and lifted out the slightly fussy baby. She quieted when her father lifted her and he kissed her before taking her over to the changing table. After quickly and efficiently changing her nappy, he dressed her in a pink and white dress with a pink jumper and little pink socks.

"She looks adorable," Ginny said with a smile. She really liked watching Harry with his daughter. He was so careful with her, but it was obvious how much he loved her. She really hoped that Hermione would be able to see that. Hermione's reaction wasn't totally unexpected, but Ginny hoped she didn't persist in her negativity.

"She does," Harry agreed. He grinned over at Ginny. "I'm kind of glad she doesn't seem to have inherited my hair."

Ginny shook her head with a smile. "I like your hair. I think it's sexy, but she looks cute with the curls."

He blushed when she said he was sexy, but looked pleased. "Sweetie, will you grab her carrier?"

"Of course," Ginny said. Before she could look around for it, Winky had reappeared. "Winky packed the carrier, Harry Potter, sir."

"Thanks, Winky," Harry said. He looked down at the little elf. "Faith and I will be at the Burrow for at least two days."

"Dobby will make certain the charms are in place there," Winky said. "Winky and Dobby will finish making this house look nice."

"Okay," Harry said a bit doubtfully. He really hoped that Winky and Dobby would make it into a house he'd like to live in.

He Apparated them back to the Burrow. Looking around, he noticed his friends were no longer outside and vaguely wondered where they might be.

"Let's put her bag up in your room," Ginny said. Harry followed and found Dobby already hard at work fixing up the cot and completing the charms on Harry's room.

"Thanks, Dobby," Harry said gratefully.

Dobby nodded. "Dobby is always happy to help Harry Potter."

As they started downstairs, Ginny stopped Harry at her room. "Come on in for a minute."

Harry followed her into her room and sat down on the bed with the baby. Ginny looked a bit nervous for some reason, but she smiled and said, "I hope you don't mind me being too forward." She reached into her wardrobe and brought out a tiny, baby sized gold dress. "This is like the dress I'm wearing tomorrow for the wedding. Well, it's made of the same material. I made it for Faith if you don't mind her wearing it."

"You made this?" Harry looked at the dress in astonishment. It was beautiful, but simple with a row of golden lace at the hem. He turned the dress around marvelling that Ginny had taken the time to make this herself. The dress was simple, but well made. "Ginny, this is amazing. Of course I don't mind Faith wearing it. Why would I?"

Ginny shrugged. "Well I'm dressing her like me and I'm not her mum. I don't want to overstep my bounds or anything."

After carefully setting the baby on the bed and placing pillows around her so she wouldn't fall, Harry stepped closer to Ginny. "Ginny, I love you and I really would much rather that you were Faith's mother than…well, who was. I'm really hoping that in the future you will be her mum, once we're out of school and Voldemort is gone."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a beautiful sapphire and diamond ring. "This was my great-great grandmother's betrothal ring. I found it in the box I brought back from Gringotts. I wanted to give it to you as…as a promise that once Voldemort is defeated that we can…well that we can get married and be a real family. I remember you saying you liked sapphires so it seemed perfect for you."

He waited anxiously as she stared at the ring. He was staring to think maybe this was a really bad idea and maybe she didn't want to think about being a mum at her age. She was only 15, was it really fair of him to ask her to make the same commitment he'd made? He'd almost talked himself into believing he should just take Faith and leave when she broke out of her stupor.

"Yes, of course I want to marry you and be a family," Ginny said with tears in her eyes.

"Really?" Harry looked at her in astonishment. She laughed and held out her hand for him to put the ring on. He slipped it on and it sized to her finger. He smiled. "That means it accepts you as my future wife."

"What do you mean?" Ginny asked as she admired the ring.

"It's been in the Potter family for a long time and if the Potter heir offers it to someone who isn't their true love it won't fit. That happened to my grandfather when he asked a girl to marry him. The ring wouldn't size, but when he met my grandmother it fit her perfectly," he explained.

She reached up and pulled him close. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she said, "Thank you, love. I love you and can't wait to marry you."

Leaning down he kissed her deeply. Eventually Faith started fussing, causing them to break apart laughing. Harry reached over and picked up the baby and returned to Ginny's embrace with the baby.

"Ginny is going to be your mummy someday," Harry told the baby kissing her on top of the head.

Together the three of them headed downstairs to find the rest of the family.

Harry found everyone in the sitting room and from the looks on all of their faces, they all now knew about Faith. Mrs Weasley rose with a smile when she saw them.

"Is this the little one?"

Smiling proudly, Harry said, "This is Faith Irene Potter."

"Oh, she's a beauty," Mrs Weasley said as she took the little one in her arms. "Look at her eyes."

"I know," Harry said. "She has Sirius's eyes. Isn't that cool?"

"It is," the matriarch said with a gentle smile. "She is a sweet baby."

Mr Weasley joined her and had soon stolen the baby, taking her over to meet the Weasley brothers. Mrs Weasley looked over the couple standing in front of her. "Anything else you want to tell me?"

Ginny started laughing while Harry gaped at her in astonishment. Still giggling, Ginny said, "I told you she'd know." Turning back to her mother she held out her hand to show off her ring.

Mrs Weasley took her daughter's hand and examined the ring. "It is very beautiful."

Looking at the couple who were waiting for her next words she said kindly, "You realize you can't get married until she finishes school."

"I know," Harry spoke up. "We both need to finish school and I need to defeat Voldemort, but I found this ring and it just seemed to belong to her."

"This is your family's betrothal ring, isn't it?"

"How did you know?" Harry asked in amazement.

Mrs Weasley smiled gently. "That is how they work. Once the heir falls in love with the girl for whom he is matched it is almost a compulsion to offer her the ring. The ring will only accept the heir's true love."

"I knew that part," Harry said. "Dobby found a diary of one my ancestors and they talked about how my grandfather's first love wasn't the right one and ring wouldn't fit her." He smiled at Ginny. "I guess that explains why it seemed so important to give this to you."

She just grinned up at him in happiness.

"Arthur," Mrs Weasley called. Mr Weasley joined them still carrying Faith. When he reached them, Ginny wordlessly held out her hand. Mr Weasley's face was unreadable as he looked from Ginny's ring to her smiling face. He exchanged a sad look with his wife before turning back to his daughter. "Does this mean I'm losing my little girl?"

Ginny laughed and hugged him as Harry took the baby back. "No, Daddy, you are not losing me. I'll be here and finish school."

"I know it's all a little rushed," Harry said nervously, "but I want Ginny to be part of Faith's life as well. I love Ginny and I don't want to…I don't know, exclude her, I don't know if I'm saying it right, but I've had to start my family much earlier than I planned. I don't want Ginny to not be a part of it, even if she can't be with us for a while."

Mr Weasley smiled as he listened to Harry babble nervously. He held up his hand. "It's okay, son. I do understand." He looked between the young couple and said, "I am very happy for you and I think you will do very well together. I think you've both been forced to grow up much faster than you would have wished. Who am I to stand in the way of young love?"

He hugged his daughter and kissed her on the cheek before holding his hand out to Harry. With a relieved smile, Harry held out his hand. Ron cheered in the background.

Harry laughed as he turned to face the Weasley brothers. To his relief they all had smiles on their faces because standing shoulder to shoulder they all suddenly looked rather large and intimidating.

Looking down at his daughter, he said, "Faith, these are all your uncles. You need to watch out for the twins, but I think you'll have them all wrapped around your finger."

Later in the day, Harry lay his sleeping daughter down in the cot. She'd been passed around from Weasley to Weasley and seemed to have a great time. After covering her with a blanket, Harry debated what to do. Finally he gave into his concerns.

"Dobby!"

The little elf arrived quickly. "Yes, Harry Potter, sir."

"Can you sit and watch Faith?" Harry asked quietly. "I'll be outside and I don't want her to cry and…"

"Don't worry, Harry Potter," Dobby broke in. "Dobby will watch baby Faith while you visit with your Wheezy family."

Harry smiled as he nodded and headed back downstairs. He ran into Bill in the kitchen.

Without a word, the older man pulled Harry into a heartfelt hug. Pulling back he looked at his future brother-in-law. "Harry, I am so sorry for everything that has happened. I'm kicking myself for not realizing sooner."

Harry shook his head. "I didn't want anyone to know. After you told me about your friend, Tom, that was the closest I came to telling anyone. If it hadn't been for Ginny in my life, I don't know what I would have done. That could have been me."

He looked around before confiding, "I thought about it…ending everything. Right after it happened, I remember looking at my cousin's straight razor and thinking how easy it would be to just end everything. I could be with my parents and Sirius."

"What stopped you?"

"Part of it is I want to be a part of defeating Voldemort and I realized I wanted to do things with my life. I wanted to fall in love," Harry smiled as the thought of Ginny entered his mind. "I'm really glad I didn't do it. I could never have imagined anything as wonderful as having Ginny in my life. Now to have both Ginny and Faith…I'm very lucky."

Bill smiled. "I'm glad she was there for you and I'm very glad you are still here with us. Anything you and that beautiful baby need, you let me know. Okay?"

"Okay," Harry grinned.

Together the two of them headed outside. Harry had to smile, he couldn't believe how liberating it was to tell people about everything. He wasn't sure he was happy that everyone knew about Bellatrix, but he was thrilled to share Faith with them.

Harry showed Ron and Hermione around his house. "I figured we could stay here and use the house as our base while we look for the other Horcruxes," he said a bit nervously. "Hermione, I thought you would like the front bedroom on the first floor and Ron, you can take the back bedroom. Dobby and Winky have helped me find furniture and if you need anything we can find it, I'm sure."

"How did you have the money for this house and all the furniture?" Hermione asked a touch suspiciously.

"Sirius bought the house," he explained simply. "Most of the furniture I found in my family's vault. Ginny helped me pick out what would go well in the different rooms."

"I think it's great," Ron said. The three of them were standing on the landing of the first floor and he was looking at the bedroom Harry had assigned to him. There was even a Chudley Cannons' quilt on the bed.

Harry smiled. "Good. By the way, Ginny says you are not allowed to paint your room orange."

The three friends headed down to the ground floor study that Harry had jokingly named the 'War Room.' He had a large white board set up with the missing Horcruxes listed on one side and possible locations listed on the other. The three of them got to work trying to find the hiding places chosen by a madman.

Hermione glared at Harry as the two of them headed into the South London neighbourhood where Riddle's orphanage once stood. It was a rather cool, late November day. It was overcast and grey which rather suited her mood. She'd had to basically force Harry to come check out the orphanage. He didn't think it was a place Voldemort would have hidden a Horcrux. Mentally she rolled her eyes, to her the orphanage made a lot more sense than Hogwarts which is where Harry wanted to go.

Hermione was furious with Harry for actually enslaving not only Dobby, but Winky as well. It had taken her some time to realize that the elves were no longer free, but once she had…her anger flared once more as she recalled the worst fight she and Harry had ever had.

He refused to see that what he'd done was wrong. It infuriated her no end. Nothing was going according to her plans. She'd borrowed the tent from Mr Weasley thinking they would camp and switch places frequently while they searched for the Horcruxes. All of her planning was for naught as Harry insisted they stay at his house so he could play daddy. Hermione didn't think that Harry was paying enough attention to their mission, he was too busy playing with the baby. Ron wasn't much better, he didn't have any ideas and seemed to be perfectly happy to sit around eating whatever Dobby fixed for them. At least Ron didn't seem to be enthralled with the baby.

The baby was the biggest bone of contention between them. Hermione had tried to convince Harry to let Mrs Weasley or Tonks watch the baby. He stubbornly refused to do so and often had the baby with him even in their planning sessions. Hermione refused to have anything to do with little Faith. She wouldn't hold her, feed her, or change her hoping that Harry would realize it was a lot of work and give up his idea of keeping the baby. So far it wasn't working.

A noise from up ahead caught her attention. She mentally castigated herself for not paying more attention to her surroundings. To her surprise, Harry already had his wand out. She discretely drew hers. In front of them was a squat, grey office building. It had replaced the orphanage in the mid-1950s, but Hermione had hoped Riddle would have left something behind.

Harry looked over at her and whispered, "I don't think there's anything here. If you want to cast your sensing spells, I'll keep a look out. Something doesn't feel right here."

Nodding Hermione started casting the sensing spells and to her frustration she came up with nothing. "There's nothing here."

"Okay," Harry replied.

The pair headed back down the street, still on alert. They had almost reached the safety of the alley from which they planned to Apparate when the attack came. Harry was in front and had a shield up and was casting spells before Hermione even realized what was happening. A green killing curse hit the wall behind her causing her to scream. She sent a pair of stunning spells into the group of five Death Eaters, hitting one of them.

She didn't even recognize half of the spells Harry was casting as he took out three of the Death Eaters handily. Hermione was so busy watching Harry, she forgot for a moment about the remaining Death Eater. She was caught with a Cutting Curse on her leg.

The Death Eater laughed at her as she almost dropped her wand. Fear spiked through her as she read the malevolence in his eyes.

"Crucio!"

Hermione screamed as the Unforgivable Curse left the man's lips. She closed her eyes waiting for the incredible pain, but to her surprise it didn't come. Opening her eyes, she saw that Harry had thrown himself in front of her and had taken the curse himself. He screamed with pain and Hermione watched helplessly.

The Death Eater released the curse and Hermione realized she should do something, but her brain jammed and she couldn't figure out what curse to use. The Death Eater sent a pair of Cutting Curses towards them, both hitting Harry.

Hermione raised a shield and sent another Stunner towards the Death Eater, but he easily avoided the spell.

"Confringo!" Harry yelled. Hermione watched in a fascinated horror as the Death Eater was sent hurtling backwards. He hit the brick wall behind him with a sickening thud. Hermione gasped as she realized the man was dead.

"Come on!" Harry yelled. He held out his hand and pulled her to her feet. Half dragging her to the alley, he Apparated the pair of them back to his house.

Ron came running at the sound of them arriving on the living room. He gasped to see Harry covered in blood and Hermione pale and shaking. "Bloody Hell, Harry! What happened?"

"We ran into company," Harry said. He turned to look at Hermione. "Were you going to join the fight at any point in time?"

"Harry…you killed that man," Hermione said horrified.

"Yes, I did," Harry said bitterly. "Maybe if you had helped I wouldn't have had to kill him. We get attacked by five Death Eaters and you cast what three or four spells?"

Ron looked between the two of them uncertainly. He didn't like Harry talking to Hermione that way, but he didn't know what to say. Especially after Harry pulled his blood soaked shirt off over his head exposing to long, deep cuts to his back and bruising along his side.

Dobby popped into the room with a bowl of warm water and a flannel as Harry fell heavily into the chair. Harry grimaced as the little elf tended to him, cleaning and healing the wounds. Winky soon appeared with some potions for Harry who took them without comment.

Turning to the other two teens, Dobby surveyed Hermione. "Miss Grangy is not hurt?"

"She took a Cutting Curse to the leg," Harry said with his eyes closed.

"What?!" Ron was at her side in an instant. "Hermione, why didn't you say anything?"

He helped her sit on the couch and gently pulled up the leg of her trousers to reveal a cut across her shin. It wasn't very deep and had stopped bleeding already. Dobby silently joined them and quickly and efficiently cleaned and bandaged her injury.

The little elf surveyed Hermione before he popped away and returned with a small vial of potion. "This is a Calming Draught. Miss Grangy should take it."

Swallowing the potion, Hermione leaned back on the couch. She was sitting across from Harry who was starting to look a bit better. She managed a small smile for Ron when he sat next to her and squeezed her hand. "I'm sorry, Harry. I…I didn't know what to do. How did you learn to fight like that? I've never seen you fight like that before."

"I took lessons with Kingsley and Bill all last year, Hermione. What did you think they were teaching me?"

"You don't have to yell at her," Ron jumped in. "She only asked a question."

"It was a stupid question," Harry fired back. "We get jumped by five Death Eaters and she just stood there and watched like it was some damn exhibition or something. I jumped in front of a damn Cruciatus Curse thinking surely she would stun him or something and she just stood there staring at us. I mean, what the hell, Hermione?"

"I'm sorry," Hermione wailed. "I didn't know what to do and he had you under that awful curse. I didn't think to curse him."

"You need to practice," Harry said. "You can't just freeze in the face of Death Eaters. You did the same thing with those Death Eaters at the café in York. You got hysterical and you cut Ron instead of helping him. If you can't fight them, what are you doing here?"

"I'm helping you!" Hermione yelled, clearly stung by his comments. "You wouldn't even know how to destroy them if not for me. You didn't prepare for anything, everything since the end of the school year has been Faith this and Faith that. Do you know what I gave up for this? I sent my parents to another country without any memories of me. I did it so I could be there to help you end this and all you are interested in is playing Daddy."

"What?" Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You are helping me?" Harry laughed. "You mean by yelling at me about my house elves and telling me I need to get rid of my daughter? I didn't ask you to wipe your parents' memories and send them to Australia! You decided that on your own. You never asked Kingsley or Professor McGonagall if they could be protected or anything like that. You decided on your own to do that. Don't blame me for your decisions."

"I'm not blaming you," Hermione returned angrily. "I'm just saying that you are not paying enough attention to our mission. I had to take all of Professor Dumbledore's books and I had to research how to destroy Horcruxes. I got the tent and potions and extra clothes."

"News flash, Hermione," Harry interrupted angrily. "I knew how to destroy a Horcrux because Ginny and I destroyed the locket in March not to mention the fact that I destroyed the diary when I was twelve. I didn't even know what a Horcrux was, but I figured out how to destroy it. I have the sword, I provided a place for us to live, money for us to live on, and my elves have been preparing your food and doing your laundry when you aren't complaining about me abusing my elves."

"Yes, we know," Hermione ground out. "Ginny so brilliantly deduced that the locket was at Grimmauld Place. You've told us several times. Of course you couldn't tell us at the time so we could go with you."

"You weren't talking to me or each other," Harry shot back. "Was I supposed to drag Ron away from Lavender? I think you're just mad because Ginny remembered and you didn't."

"I'm sure I would have remembered eventually," Hermione said angrily. If she wasn't so angry she would have agreed that she was upset that Ginny had remembered something that she had not.

Harry didn't bother to respond, but the knowing look on his face was humiliating for her.

"Did you even think about your daughter at all while you were fighting?" Hermione asked casting about for a topic she felt more certain she was right about. "What would happen to her if something happened to you? This mission is rather dangerous. Have you even thought about that?"

"Of course I have," Harry replied coolly. "I didn't just realize the mission was dangerous. If I die, Faith goes to Ginny and they are both well taken care of in my will."

"What?!" Hermione and Ron both yelled in shock.

"Why is that so surprising?" Harry challenged them. "She is my fiancée. I talked to her and her parents before signing the paperwork."

"Damn, Harry, she's only 16," Ron said.

"I know how old she is," Harry said wearily. "I'm not planning on dying and leaving Faith with her, but Hermione asked."

"Why don't you just have Mrs Weasley watch her?" Hermione suggested not for the first time. "Or Remus and Tonks, I'm sure they would be happy to raise her."

"For the last time, Hermione, Faith is my daughter and I'm not going to have someone else raise her because it would be more convenient for me. Mrs Weasley would be happy to watch her, but I'm not going to just leave my daughter for months at a time. Tonks's failure to stand guard duty is the main reason Bellatrix was able to get to me in the first place, why the hell would I trust her with my daughter? I don't think Remus is too thrilled to be having his own child, I wouldn't want my child in that sort of environment. Faith is not going to be raised by people who don't want her."

He sent a scathing look in her direction. "Don't even try to pretend you are concerned about Faith. You've made it perfectly clear that you think she doesn't belong here and that you don't care anything about her. Don't worry, you aren't anywhere on the list of people to get Faith if something happens to me. I wouldn't do that to my baby girl."

Harry stood and swayed for a moment ignoring Hermione's noise of outrage. "I'm going to check on my daughter."

Hermione leaned back against Ron, tears in her eyes. She looked up at him. "Why can't he just understand I only want what is best for him?"

"I don't know, Hermione." Ron replied. He hated seeing her so upset and he was kicking himself for letting her go check the orphanage instead of him. He knew that Hermione tended to freeze or lose her head in a crisis situation, but Harry didn't need to call her out on it.

She shivered as she reviewed the day's events. "I was so scared. I didn't know what to do and I hate not knowing what to do."

Ron hugged her consolingly. "It's okay. He shouldn't have yelled at you like that."

An hour later, Hermione was resting on the couch. She heard raised voiced coming towards her and she sat up anxiously.

"I should have been nicer?" Harry yelled. "I took a damn Cruciatus for her, I think that's pretty damn nice of me. She froze out there and she can't keep doing that."

"She's not used to fighting," Ron yelled back. "Not all of us are used to being jumped by Death Eaters or fighting off Dementors. She's a damn good researcher and where would we be without her?"

"I don't know about you," Harry said, "but I'd be right here in my own house not getting nagged about house elves."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione burst out as the two boys had reached the living room.

"What do you think it means?" Harry asked. "You ranted and raved for over a week about Dobby and Winky. I asked them to be part of my family. I didn't force them, I'm not mean to them. I think house elves are wonderful. You won't even let them work half the time. You fix your own breakfast and wash your own clothes while you extol the virtues of being free. They've both been free and they preferred to join my family."

"Of course, I'm not going to rely on slave labour for my comfort," Hermione replied scathingly.

Harry rolled his eyes. "They are helping me with my daughter. Kingsley said it would be safer for them to be bound to me so they couldn't give away my secrets. Is that so hard to understand?"

"If you weren't stupid enough to keep her you wouldn't be in this mess."

Harry froze as he looked at her hoping he hadn't heard what he thought he heard. "What?"

"Harry, there is no reason you need to keep that baby," Hermione replied in what she hoped was a calm voice. "She is the daughter of a Death Eater and will always be a reminder of that awful night. You are young and don't need this hanging over your head. Why should you be forced to keep this baby? Already you've become engaged and enslaved house elves because of her. You could give her up to a good home with good parents."

"I will not listen to this crap," Harry raged. "Faith is my daughter. No one is forcing me to do anything. She is my daughter and I will raise her how I see fit. If you don't like it, no one is making you stay."

"Don't yell at her!" Ron broke in.

"Enough!" Harry yelled back. "All night it's been poor Hermione, poor Hermione. I'm sorry she got scared and didn't know what to do. I'm the one who had to kill a man, I'm the one who was injured, and I'm the one who was tortured. Sorry if I don't have a lot of sympathy. She pretends she cares what happens to Faith, if she really cared maybe she would have helped a little!"

"We don't need to be talked to like that!" Ron yelled. "You're the one who mucked up our plans, she's right – you don't need to keep the baby Death Eater!"

Ron took a step back at the fury he saw in Harry's eyes. He knew he'd gone too far, but he didn't know how to back out of it.

"Don't you dare call my daughter that!"

"That's what she is and you're dragging my sister down with you!"

"Get out!" Harry screamed. At that moment, he hated both of them. All they had done is whine and complain and discount his ideas. "Get out of my house! Go back to your mummy."

"Fine!" Ron yelled. He helped Hermione up. "When you come to your senses you can find us at the Burrow!"

Harry looked up at the Christmas tree. He'd tried to make it as nice as the Weasleys' had been last Christmas, but he wasn't sure he'd achieved it. Glancing down at Faith, he had to smile. She was fascinated with the lights on the tree.

Crouching down next to her he said, "What do you think, baby girl? Is it pretty?"

"I think it looks great," came a familiar voice from the doorway.

Harry stood and spun around. Almost before he registered what was happening, Ginny was in his arms. He held her tightly, enjoying the feel of her after missing her for so many months. He kissed her deeply, scarcely believing that she was in his arms.

"What are you doing here?" Harry asked once they'd pulled out of their embrace. "I figured you'd be at the Burrow."

Ginny grinned as she picked up and excited Faith and kissed her. "After I spoke to my brother and his idiot girlfriend, I decided I needed to spend Christmas with my fiancé. My parents agreed."

"Really?" Harry's eyes widened. "You're going to stay here?"

She kissed the baby once more before carefully setting her down and turning her attention to the handsome wizard in front of her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. When she finally pulled away she whispered, "Really, I'm going to stay here for the holidays."

For Harry it was the best holiday ever. Ginny just brightened up everything. She listened to his progress and made helpful suggestions. She held him when he poured out his anguish over killing a man. Most of all she just loved him and Faith unconditionally.

The first night, Ginny climbed into his large sleigh bed with him. He though it would be awkward having someone else in his bed, but he loved holding Ginny in his arms – even if it was a bit embarrassing that she knew his reaction to her. She didn't say anything or tease him, she simply curled up with him.

The young couple spent the next afternoon at a Christmas Festival in a nearby town. It was a fun afternoon, they were able to act like any other young couple and blend in with the Muggles. Ginny was also fascinated by the houses decorated with Christmas lights. She'd never spent much time with Muggles, so it was all new to her. She really liked the nativity scene set up outside of St Mary's Church.

Ginny brushed out her long red hair and listened to Harry read Faith a Christmas story. It surprised her at first, but he explained that his aunt used to read to Dudley every night. Of course Harry had never had stories read to him, so Faith already had a small bookshelf filled with children's books.

Nervously she looked over herself in the mirror. She was wearing a short silvery, lace nighty that if her mother knew she owned Ginny was certain she'd never hear the end of it. She'd taken the Anti-Conception Potion in September, but while she and Harry had fooled around a bit they hadn't done anything else.

Taking a deep breath, she left the loo and headed for Harry's bedroom. Harry had left Faith and turned when she entered the room. His jaw dropped open as he stared at her.

With a confidence she wasn't entirely certain she was feeling, Ginny led him to bed. He allowed her to pull him into bed and they started kissing. He eagerly helped Ginny take his shirt off, but was a bit shy about anything else.

The feel of Ginny's hands on his bare chest was amazing. She was soft and warm, even as the thought crossed his mind, he flashed to that awful July night and he froze. Ginny stopped when she felt him stop moving.

"I'm sorry," Harry whispered, blushing. He couldn't look Ginny in the eyes. What if he couldn't do this?

"Hey," she whispered soothingly. "It's okay. I don't want to do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable."

"I just remembered that she did that," Harry explained miserably. "You are so warm and alive and amazing, but for some reason I could just feel her cold hands."

Pushing herself up on one elbow, Ginny leaned over him. She brushed kisses all around his face and when she felt him relax slightly, she kissed him on the chest. Soon she was rewarded with Harry sliding his hands into her hair. She smiled against the firm skin of his chest, he loved playing with her hair.

They kissed and caressed each other. Ginny suddenly sat up. "Love, I am going to take this nightie off."

Harry nodded and Ginny removed the nightie and lay back down next to him. Slowly, the young couple explored each other's bodies. For Harry it was an amazing experience. He was able to make Ginny feel good, the first time she shuddered to his touch, it was intoxicating.

She opened her eyes and looked into his warm and loving eyes. "That was amazing, Harry." She smiled at the mixture of pride and embarrassment in his eyes. "Will you make love to me?"

Fear and desire warred in his eyes. "W-what if I'm not good at it or something?"

Ginny bit her lip, she didn't want to push the issue if he wasn't ready. "D-do you want to?"

Harry looked at her like she was crazy. He pressed closer so she could feel his erection again her thigh. "I want to, I just…what if I get a flashback or whatever?"

"If you want to stop, we'll stop," Ginny said softly.

Reaching out, he pulled her into his arms, revelling in the feel of her body. Rolling, he turned them so he was on top of her. "Can…" He blushed, but continued, "I don't want you on top, if that's okay. It's too much like…her."

"Of course, baby," Ginny whispered as she slid against him enjoying the delicious feel of his weight on her.

Slowly, joyfully the two made love. Ginny was careful to respond to Harry's cues. To her amazement, he was thrilled to be able to bring her pleasure. He spent a great deal of time exploring her body before he finally entered her. When she felt a warmth flood inside of her, she pulled him close. After a minute, she felt warm tears splash down on her shoulder.

"Harry," Ginny said softly. When he didn't answer right away, she became nervous. Had she messed everything up by pushing him? Gently running her hand in his hair, she pulled his head back enough to see his face.

"Are you okay?"

He nodded and blushed as he quickly wiped his eyes. "I…I can't explain it, but you are the complete opposite of her and everything was so different and so…brilliant. I was so worried that I wouldn't be able to…make love to you."

Easing his weight off of her, Harry was shocked to see blood. Seeing the look on his face, Ginny hastened to say, "It's okay, Harry."

"I made you bleed," Harry whispered in an anguished voice. "I didn't mean to, did I do something wrong?"

"No, baby," Ginny replied. "No, a woman always bleeds her first time." Seeing that he didn't really understand, Ginny gently and carefully explained a woman's experience in losing her virginity.

"I hurt you, too?" Harry seemed to crumble.

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Ginny hastened to reassure him. "No, baby. There was a little pain when you first entered me, but it was nothing compared to all of the pleasure you've given me. Next time it shouldn't hurt at all."

Harry's eyes widened. "You would trust me to do this again?"

Ginny giggled causing him to relax. "Of course, it was amazing."

A slow smile lit his face. "It was."

He pulled her into his arms and she settled her head against his shoulder and wrapped her arm around him. "Thank you for being so patient with me, love."

The next two weeks were the best of Harry's life. The three of them just worked together. While he adored his daughter and loved caring for her, it thrilled him that Ginny would step in and feed her or play with her. The nights spent with Ginny were just amazing and unbelievable to someone who'd never experienced any physical affection in his life.

Ginny listened to his plans and thoughts about the Horcruxes. She even went with him to explore some of his ideas. Her experiences with Riddle made her an ideal person to bounce ideas off of.

Mr and Mrs Weasley had stopped by his house once or twice, but to Harry's surprise they seemed to be fine with Ginny staying with him. Mrs Weasley loved and spoiled the baby, making her a baby blanket as well as her own tiny jumper for Christmas. Harry was touched with their acceptance of Faith. He hadn't realized how much Hermione's and Ron's negativity had affected him.

When he commented on that to Ginny she smiled gently. "Sweetie, Hermione is not used to having to compete for your attention. She expected that you and Ron would fall in with whatever she had planned. She doesn't like her plans disrupted. Ron…I don't know. He doesn't want to make her mad so he didn't want to act like he thought Faith was acceptable."

"He called her a baby Death Eater," Harry said angrily.

Ginny's expression changed. "He said what? I knew one measly Bat Boogey was letting him off easily."

"You hexed him?"

"I hexed both of them,"

Harry laughed as he gathered her in his arms. "Well whatever the reason, I think I needed a break from them and I'm thrilled to have you here."

On a cold February afternoon, Harry opened his door to find a bleeding Kingsley on the other side. Harry quickly helped Kingsley in and summoned Dobby. The elf cleaned and bandaged Kingsley's wound while Kingsley explained what happened.

"The Ministry has fallen," Kingsley said in a shocked tone of voice. "They've been positioning their people for weeks and we thought they were neutralized, but unfortunately they were not. Moody was killed this morning in the take-over. I think Gawain Robards is under the Imperius Curse because he was cooperating and I know he is against the Death Eaters."

"What about the Minister?" Harry asked.

"Scrimgeour is dead," Kingsley said flatly. "Pius Thicknesse has been named Minister. We know he's been compromised for weeks."

"Damn!"

"Oh, don't say his name - You-Know-Who. They put a Taboo on his name, if you say it they will be able to track you," Kingsley said. "That's how they caught me this morning."

"I'm glad you told me," Harry said. "I use his name all the time."

Kingsley nodded with a ghost of a smile. "That is the idea. Only strong witches or wizards who oppose him will use his name."

"Has Tom been seen in all of this?" Harry asked.

Kingsley smiled at Harry's casual reference to the most feared Dark Wizard and shook his head. "No, he is still very much behind the scenes. Rumours are floating around the Ministry that a Muggle-born Commission is being formed to 'round up' the Muggle-borns to 'discover how they stole magic.'"

"Please tell me you are joking."

"Unfortunately, I'm not. There will be a lot of changes over the next few weeks. I heard from Minerva this morning that she is no longer Headmistress, she will be back to teaching Transfiguration. Snape is being installed as Headmaster."

Harry swore as he paced in front of the Auror. "What can we do? Can I get Ginny out of there?"

"We think she will be safe for now," Kingsley said. "She has a Portkey that will bring her here if there are any problems. Snape is the only Death Eater on staff for now. Plans are being made for the autumn term that are truly terrifying. We need to end things before then."

"We will," Harry promised.

Two weeks later an apologetic Ron and Hermione showed up on his doorstep. While Harry didn't necessarily want to forgive and forget, he knew he needed help. He grudgingly took them back, but watched his back carefully.

A few months later, Harry smiled when he caught sight of Ginny among those staying to fight against Voldemort. He started towards her, but she saw him approaching and started running in his direction. He caught her as she jumped towards him and swung her around. After kissing her deeply, he slowly set her down.

"I missed you, love," he whispered. He held her tightly for a minute.

"Did you get them all?" she asked.

"Almost, we just found one in the room of hidden things, here at Hogwarts. We need to get Nagini, but she should be with him. She's the last one."

"He's on his way?"

Harry let out a groan as he received another flash of Voldemort's anger when the wizard realized that his locket was gone. He came back to see Ginny's concerned face. "I'm okay, he's just very angry."

"Please be careful, love," Ginny said as she held him tightly. "We are so close to the end. Please don't do anything stupid."

Harry smiled down into her beautiful face. "I won't, my love. I want to get through this and get back to my beautiful baby girl and marry my gorgeous fiancée."

Ginny giggled in spite of the seriousness of it all. She didn't know how he did it, but he always made her feel better.

She looked over his shoulder at Hermione and Ron. "Are things better?"

He nodded. "They came back after all of the Death Eater attacks in February and apologized, but I don't think they really believed in me until we found the Horcrux at Gringotts."

Ginny giggled slightly. "I'm sure Faith will be thrilled with you emptying Bellatrix's vault for her."

"Well, it should be hers, right?" He hugged her tightly to him. "I missed you so much, I was so worried about you. When we heard about Professor Snape taking over from Professor McGonagall I wanted nothing more than to come and get you."

She leaned up and kissed him quickly. "It hasn't been great, but I know it could have been a lot worse." She glanced up at him. "I think Professor Snape knows about Faith. He never said anything outright, but he made a few comments about children and playing Mummy."

Harry growled. "Bastard. I bet he helped her with her damn potions."

Ginny ran her hands through his hair and pulled him down for another kiss before she said, "This is it, love. I know you will defeat Tom and then you and I will get married and raise Faith."

He nodded and smiled down at her as Professor McGonagall called the room to order.

Harry stumbled almost blindly towards the forest and his destiny. How could it end this way? Before he would have had no qualms about dying, but now…how could he leave his daughter? Ginny's beautiful face swam in front of his eyes. He knew Ginny would raise his daughter and she would never let Faith feel unloved or unwanted.

Reaching into the mokeskin pouch around his neck he pulled out the Golden Snitch. Looking at the Snitch, he pressed it to his lips and whispered, "I am about to die."

The Snitch broke in half and a black stone fell into his hand. As he looked at the stone, he could see the now familiar representation of the Deathly Hallows etched into the stone. Without even thinking about it, he turned the stone over three times. He closed his eyes and could almost feel the ancient magic working.

When he opened his eyes, he could see the three of them approaching him. Sirius looked young and happy, a smile on his face as he approached his godson. James looked just as Harry imagined he would, it was a bit disconcerting to see his own face with brown eyes.

His eyes were drawn to the third member of the ghostly group. She approached him with a big smile on her face. She didn't stop until she was right in front of him. "Sweetie, I am so proud of you. I wish it didn't have to be this way, but I am so incredibly proud of the man you've become."

Harry had to swallow before he could say, "Mum."

Her smile widened even more. Harry had to tear his eyes from her beautiful face and his eyes landed on Sirius. "Sirius, I'm so sorry."

"Nonsense," Sirius replied. "You did nothing wrong. I should have taken that slag more seriously." His face darkened. "Harry, I am so sorry for what she did to you."

Harry blushed and looked away. He looked back up when his mother spoke again. "Your daughter is beautiful."

Harry started to smile, but the thought of leaving her forever seemed so hard. He looked at his mother. "How can I leave her?"

"You'll never truly leave her, son."

Turning, Harry looked at his father who looked as unhappy as he did. In a flash, Harry realized that if anyone could know what he was going through it was his parents. They had given their lives for him as he was about to for Faith.

"Will it hurt?" Harry felt a bit childish asking, but Sirius responded easily, "No, it's as easy as falling asleep."

Harry looked at the three figures around him. "You will stay with me?"

"Of course." They all responded.

As they started towards the clearing, Harry had to smile when Sirius said, "So you finally wised up about Ginny, huh?"

Their company buoyed him. Before he knew it, they had reached the clearing and Harry pulled off his Invisibility Cloak and stuffed it in his pocket. The forest felt very cold to him and for a silent second Harry watched the monster that had so thoroughly ruined his life. The stone slipped through his numb fingers and out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw the ghostly figures leave. Watching Voldemort, Harry wanted nothing more than to run his sword through him, but he knew that wasn't his destiny.

"I'm here, Tom."

Voldemort spun with a look of delight on his inhuman face. Harry could see Nagini slithering around and he was filled with a desire to kill the snake, but he knew he'd never be able to get to the snake before he died.

Focusing his attention, he stared at Voldemort. Voldemort was staring back at him, a mixture of delight and to Harry's surprise a hint of fear shone in those unnatural scarlet eyes.

"Harry Potter," the monster hissed. "The Boy-Who-Lived."

As Harry watched the wand raise against him, he thought of Faith. Her sweet, baby scent and soft snuggly body. He would miss her more than he could say, but he knew his Ginny would care for her. The thought of Ginny took hold as Voldemort formed the familiar words of the Killing Curse. As the green light hurtled towards him he thought of the look in Ginny's eyes when she told him she loved him. He could almost feel her lips on his before the spell sent him flying across the clearing.

Ginny jumped in when she saw Bellatrix fighting Luna. Bellatrix's face lit up when she realized who she was fighting.

"My, my, it's the little Weasley whore," Bellatrix cackled. "Having fun playing Mummy to my baby? Harry tell you about our night of passion? Did he tell you how well he responded to me?"

"He can't even talk about it without vomiting," Ginny replied coolly as she avoided another curse. "He did tell me how repulsive he found you and how you needed to drug him before he would respond to you." She laughed. "I don't need drugs to make him respond."

Bellatrix's eye narrowed and she wildly cast another Cruciatus Curse that Ginny easily avoided.

"Faith loves me," Ginny taunted. "She thinks I'm her Mummy. She's not going to even know who you are."

"You bitch!" Bellatrix's speech was almost unintelligible in her rage.

A Killing Curse missed Ginny by millimetres and Harry couldn't stay hidden any longer. He sent a Blasting Curse at the Death Eater, causing her to turn.

"Stay away from her, you bitch!" The two exchanged rapid spell fire. At first it seemed as though they were evenly matched, but it soon became apparent that Harry had the upper hand.

Bellatrix, realizing she needed to throw him off, cackled her maniacal laugh. "Have you missed me Harry? I was disappointed that you didn't put any sort of birth announcement in the papers."

"I certainly am not going to link my name with you," Harry snarled. "What did your Dark Lord think of you raping a 15 year old?"

He laughed at the look on her face and suddenly he knew. "You didn't tell Tom what you were planning, did you? He didn't want an heir. Why would he need one with all of the steps he's taken to try to become immortal?"

He had to duck under an Entrail-Expelling Curse, she was becoming more unstable the longer they fought.

"He would have accepted a boy to tutor in the Dark Arts," Bellatrix screamed. "We could have raised a boy as an Apprentice. It would have been perfect, the next Dark Lord, the son of the Boy-Who-Lived! But you couldn't even manage that, a girl! What was I to do with a useless little girl?"

"Love her," Harry said simply. He didn't want to waste any more time on her. Drawing his sword, he ran it through Bellatrix without a second thought. His eyes briefly met Ginny's and she nodded at him and somehow managed to convey her love before he turned to face Voldemort.

As he watched Voldemort fall, all he could think was it was finally over. He pulled Ginny into a heartfelt embrace, holding her tightly and blocking out the rest of the world. He reluctantly released his tight hold on her, but he held her hand tightly as he received hugs from what seemed like all of the other combatants.

Harry looked up as Dobby entered the living room. It was a month after the Battle at Hogwarts and Harry was enjoying just living here with Faith. Having Ginny living here would have been perfect, but she was spending time with her parents and brothers. The loss of Fred had really shaken the Weasleys. Harry was proud of Ginny for being there for everyone.

"Harry Potter, sir, you have a visitor."

"Who is it, Dobby?" Harry asked in surprise. Only a few people knew where he lived so he was surprised that Dobby hadn't shown his visitor in.

"Mrs Andromeda Tonks," Dobby said.

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Okay, show her in."

A few moments later, Mrs Tonks arrived carrying a baby carrier. Harry was able to supress his reaction to her likeness to her sister and quickly stood. "Mrs Tonks."

"Harry," she replied. She gestured to the baby. "This is my grandson, Teddy. I don't know if you are aware of it, but my daughter and her husband named you his godfather."

Harry's eyes widened as he looked at the baby. "No, I didn't know."

She smiled gently. "Don't worry, I plan to raise him, but I would like for you to be part of his life." She looked down at the baby before looking back up at him. "I heard what happened to you and I am so sorry for the horrors my sister inflicted upon you. I don't know if you've considered the fact that your daughter is my niece and she and Teddy are cousins. I am asking a lot of you, but would you consider letting them know each other as cousins?"

Harry froze when she started talking. He wasn't certain if it was her resemblance to Bellatrix or not, but suddenly the whole experience came rushing back. He could see Bellatrix's skeletal body as she approached his bed. Swallowing painfully, he stood and walked to the window. Drawing a calming breath, he looked out over the back garden. He focused on memories of Ginny's latest visit when they watched Faith walking around her playroom.

When he felt calm enough, he turned to face Mrs Tonks. She was watching him carefully. Before he could say anything, she said, "I'm sorry, Mr Potter. I can see that the memories are still very raw."

He held up his hand. "Mrs Tonks, first call me Harry. I'm sorry, I…I haven't had a flashback like that in quite some time. It caught me off guard, I hadn't thought about Faith being your niece. As much as I hated your sister, part of her is in Faith. If I can show her some good in that part of her family, I would like to do so. One point I would like to be very clear on - my fiancée, Ginny, is Faith's mother for all intents and purposes."

"Of course, Harry," Mrs Tonks replied. "Please, call me Andromeda. I have lost more of my family than I care to think about to this war. I would like to keep close those that I have left."

Nodding absently, Harry crouched down next to the baby carrier. The baby had rather startling turquoise hair, but as he was sleeping Harry couldn't tell much else about him.

"How old is he?"

Andromeda smiled proudly, "He's three months old. Obviously he's a metamorphmagus like his mother."

"He's cute," Harry offered. "He's the same age Faith was when I got her."

With a sigh, he looked at the older woman. "Do you know…did they name me godfather because they felt guilty?"

"I'm not certain," she replied candidly. "I know when Dora found out that it was her dereliction of duty that allowed my sister to get to you she was physically ill. I do know she felt very badly that she had…misdirected her anger. I was rather angry with her for that. Sirius loved you very much. He would be furious at her for even thinking about blaming you for his death."

"I know what it's like to grow up without parents," Harry said after a moment. "I would like to be a part of Teddy's life. I didn't know Remus that well, but he and my father were good friends. I think my dad would like that."

A noise alerted him to his daughter's imminent arrival. She tottered into the room followed by Dobby. She lit up when she saw her father. "Da da."

He swooped over and picked her up. "Hello, princess. Did you have a good nap?"

"Da," she repeated with a large grin. She leaned in and placed a sloppy kiss near his mouth.

Turning, Harry said, "Andromeda, this is Faith."

Andromeda stood with her hand over her mouth. "Merlin, she is beautiful."

"I think so," Harry said proudly as he looked at his now fourteen month old daughter. Her black hair was pulled back into a small, curly ponytail and her light grey eyes shone with laughter. "She has Sirius's eyes."

"That she does," Andromeda said. "Our grandmother, Irma, had those same beautiful grey eyes."

Looking down at his daughter, Harry said, "Faith, this is your Aunt Andromeda."

Faith looked over at the older witch and offered a slobbery smile. Andromeda smiled at the little girl. "Hello, Faith."

Faith allowed Andromeda to hold her for a moment before she demanded to be put down. She tottered over to the carrier. "Baby."

"That's right, love," Harry said as he knelt next to her. "That's a baby. His name is Teddy, he's your cousin."

"De," Faith offered as she looked at the baby.

Harry laughed, "Teddy, yes. You need to be gentle with the baby."

Faith sat down heavily next to the carrier fascinated with the baby. Harry looked over at Andromeda. "I think that answers that question. I'm sure they will get along well."

"Don't get dirty," Ginny called as Faith ran through the kitchen.

Flashing her mother a smile, Faith replied, "No, Mummy. I not dirty."

"I know you're not dirty yet," Ginny said as she watched the now three year old run into the back garden.

Harry walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. He dropped a kiss on her neck before resting his chin on her head and watched their daughter playing happily in the garden. Her black and white puppy, Zoey, was running alongside her barking joyfully.

"She looks happy," Harry observed. He looked down at his wife of six months. Something seemed a bit off, so Harry turned her so she was facing him. "What's wrong, love?"

Ginny sighed as she looked up at him. "Nothing exactly, I'm just nervous I guess."

"You're going to be great!" Harry said with a tender smile. "Starting chaser after only one year in the reserves! You did great in the last game, you scored eight goals. What are you worried about now?"

"I didn't know I was going to play last game, I didn't have time to psych myself out," Ginny admitted. "My whole family is coming to the game."

"And they will be so impressed with what an amazing player you are," Harry said.

Ginny smiled up at him. "You really think so?"

"Yes, I know so," Harry replied. He leaned down and kissed her deeply. By the time he pulled back, Ginny was smiling as well.

"Thank you, love," she said. "You are always there when I need you."

"I think it's the other way around," he laughed. "Go get ready."

Two hours later Harry, Faith, and Teddy joined the rest of the Weasleys in the family box. Faith was wearing a dress of Harpies' green and Harry was proudly wearing a replica of his wife's jersey. Teddy had managed to turn his hair the right shade of Harpies' green.

"Harry," Ron said when he saw his best mate. "Do you need a hand?"

Harry shook his head as he watched Faith and Teddy rush over to the edge of the box and look at the field. "I'm good."

Hermione looked up at the sound of his voice and hurried over to hug him. "Harry, how are you?"

"I'm great," Harry said with a smile.

It had taken a while after the end of the war, but after many long talks Harry and Hermione's relationship was back on track. She had finally realized how much Faith meant to him and accepted that while his choice was different than hers, it was still a valid choice. Ginny, realizing how important Hermione was to Harry, had put aside her own anger at the older witch and helped bridge the gap between the two of them.

"What are you going to be doing now?" Hermione asked as they all settled down.

Harry had spent the two years since the end of the war working with Kingsley to ensure all of the Death Eaters were captured and put away. The Wizengamot was being rebuilt for the first time accepting not only half-blood members, but Muggle-borns as well. Most of the horrid laws that had been pushed through over the past decade were being dismantled and laws protecting Muggle-borns were being put in their place.

Harry shrugged. "I'm enjoying my time at home with Faith. I have enough investments and such that I can take my time deciding what I want to do. Oliver wants me to play for him, but I don't know that I want to play Quidditch professionally. It's a lot of hours and a lot of travelling. I like being able to go to Ginny's practices and games and travel to see her games."

"So you're just staying at home?" Hermione asked in a half horrified voice. "I can't imagine not working."

"I'm still doing work for Kingsley now and them," Harry said. "I like this consulting thing. I consulted in America for a month and got paid an outrageous amount of money. Ginny and Faith joined me at the end and we had a nice holiday. I'm traveling to New Zealand in a few months during the season break. Gin and Faith are coming with me."

"Sounds nice," Ron put in.

Harry nodded. "How's it going at the shop?"

"Great," Ron said. "My first new products are hitting the shelves next month and I'm very excited about that."

"He's doing a wonderful job," Hermione said proudly as she looked at her boyfriend.

"Hermione's still in school if you can believe that," Ron said fondly as he looked at her.

"It's not that unusual," Hermione defended herself. "I always planned to go to University after Hogwarts."

Harry and Ron both laughed at her predictable response. Harry asked, "When do you graduate?"

"I'm taking extra courses," Hermione said ignoring her boyfriend's comment of 'Of course.' "I'm studying politics and philosophy. I hope to finish in another year and a half."

"Kingsley will be thrilled to have you on his staff once you finish," Harry said.

George dropped down into the seat next to Harry. "Angelina was happy to hear little Ginnykins is starting today. She and Alicia will be here soon."

"Great," Harry said. "Ginny was a bit nervous, but I know she'll do great."

A cheer pulled their attention to the field. Harry watched proudly as Ginny led the Harpies to victory scoring a rookie record twelve goals in the game. As he held his now sleeping godson and watched his daughter cheer on her mother, Harry reflected that life was much better than anything he could have ever imagined four years earlier.

A/N: Thank you again to my wonderful betas StephanieO and seekers_destiny as well as Mark for his Brit picking and suggestions. The response I've gotten from this story has been phenomenal and I really appreciate the reviews and messages I've received. I've added a small section to this story and hope it improves the story.