The laughter that flowed through the house was contagious, and sweet, and oh so precious in these dark times.

The young couple looked to be very much in love and almost oblivious of their friend. Almost, but not quite. As a pair of intelligent green eyes spotted the brief longing that crossed the hazel depths of their friend's eyes. Knowing that it was time, she nudged her husband and tilted her head. His slight nod was all she needed, but the fact that his eyes lit up even more in anticipation made what they were about to do all the more special to her.

"James, are you all right? You have been awful quiet. You have laughed with us, but your normal humor has not shown it's self in the least tonight. Please, tell us what has that dark cloud hanging over you," Lily implored.

"It is nothing and everything. I have just been thinking of the future and seeing the two of you so happy together, it kind of made me realize how lucky any of us are to have what you have in normal times, much less when things are so dark and uncertain. I am grateful for the friendship the three of us have built since we left school, especially with the uncertainty and suspicions that plague my other friendships now. But I cannot help but want for more. None of us know how much time we have left, but with as high up as I am on our very own Dark Vader's hit list, I will be lucky to see the end of this year much less any of 1980." He paused when Lily rolled her eyes at him, but waved his hand at her as she tried to repress her giggles, he would never get the names of the characters in the Muggle movies Lily made him take her to right. There were just too many of them. "He might just end the Potter line. Merlin knows he has done his best to wipe out as many of Albus' supporters as he can, as if that would make Albus weaker. It hurts to know that I will never be able to have children," James said, looking even more lost than before.

"What would you say if we had a way for you to have at least one child, with Lily and I? I know we have come a long way from our antagonistic relationship at school, but have you come far enough to share something like this?" Severus asked.

"You should know that we both have. The only person I care for as much as I do the two of you is Sirius. He is my brother in all ways but blood, but with the suspicion running between him and Remus, well, the three of us have become so much closer than I ever thought possible. I would be honored to share a child with the both of you. What needs to be done?" James asked, hope, and a tad bit of mischief gleaming from his eyes once again.

Lily smiled as Severus squeezed her hand and nodded for her to explain.

"Well, you see, I found this charm that can combine DNA, but you both have to..."

Harry stretched to shake off the stiffness left behind from being in a meditative state for so long.

"How far were you able to see this time?" his father asked, once he was sure Harry was once again fully in their time.

Harry smiled as he remembered the scene he had just witnessed.

"I was able to see back far enough to see that you lied to me. James never once demanded that you and mum help secure the Potter line and you damned well know that it was you and mum who asked him. So, why couldn't you have just told me the truth? Too afraid to show you have a noble side, or was it the soft side you were afraid of showing?" Harry asked with a mixture of tease and seriousness.

If Severus was uncomfortable by being caught and called on it, he did not show it. He merely crossed his arms and asked, "Can you honestly tell me that had you been told the truth, that you would have believed it at the time? No, I doubt that you would have believed that James and I could have been civil with each other, much less how close we truly were before their deaths.

For safeties sake, you were told certain untruths, while other truths were exaggerations. I already had planned for you to learn the entire truth when it was safe, but as usual, you found a way to get to the information before it was given to you.

I have a feeling this was for the best. No matter who told you, or how you were shown the truth, after everything you have been put through I doubt you would have ever believed fully. This is completely understandable, as everyone you should have been able to trust to guide you as you grew and matured has let you down. We all owe it to you to try and make it up to you. Especially myself."

"Had you shown me your memories, I would have believed them. One of Dumbledore's lessons was how to tell a memory had been changed or faked. I may not have wanted to believe it, but eventually I would have had to, no matter how much it boggles the mind to think you were ever that close to James," Harry paused.

"Go on, ask. I will try my best to be as honest as I can with you from now on. Merlin has seen fit to grant me a second chance with you, and I would be a fool to throw it and you away a second time."

Harry couldn't help but give him a bright smile. "You know, I think one of the things I have wanted most, since finding out about the wizarding world, is honesty. So, I thank you for that. I am not sure you know how much this means to me, as long as you mean it and follow through, that is."

"Well, it seems you acquired my paranoia. There may be hope for you yet."

"Have you always been this funny? And, no, that wasn't my question. I was wondering what this charm means for me."

"As I am sure you have gathered, the explanation that I gave you, while not completely truthful, was not completely dishonest either. Simply put, you have three parents instead of two. Which was how it was so easy to make you look like James, his DNA was already there and in use," Severus explained.

"So, James being my father was never a lie. The lie was really the omission of you being my father, as well?" At Severus' slightly nervous nod, Harry continued. "You know, I think you were right before. This was a better way for me to find out. I find I just can't be as mad as I think I should be. Well, as long as you promise me something. After seeing what Ron, Ginny, and their brothers are going through, I just can't see a valid excuse to waste this possibility that we have now. Do you think that maybe we can give this a try, this father and son thing?" Harry asked, almost stumbling over his words in nervousness.

"Yes, I would like to visit this possibility as well." Severus said, as he tried to hold the flood gates around his hope from opening full out.

Sensing his father's discomfort, Harry asked, "So, would you like to see something from our past? What is the one day you'd like to relive the most?"

"I would love to experience the day you were born, again. To really re-live it. I think you should see it as well. You might just learn a thing or two about your family. Do you think you could take us both back to then?" Severus asked with his eyes almost shining with hope.

"With as new as this all is, I never know until I try. Here, give me your hands, close your eyes, and start clearing your mind. I'm not sure if it will help, but it can't hurt any. Now, think about that day, where you want us to go back to. I'll try and latch onto that thought and take us back...

"Severus, James, wake up. Come on, now is not the time for either of you to be sound sleepers. You both are normally wide awake at a pin drop. Fine, this will wake you. Sonorus! WAKE UP NOW!" Lily shouted at the sleeping men.

Harry couldn't help but chuckle when both men literally jumped into the air, wands at the ready, only to get tangled together and fall to the ground.

"Quietus. Thank you both for joining the land of the living. I was starting to wonder if you would sleep through the birth of your child. Now, would one of you be so kind as to call Eileen? I would do it myself, but the idea of getting up off the hearth right now, is almost as painful as these damned contractions. On second thought, James, you call Eileen, I want Severus to find me something for this pain. I do not care what Pomfrey said about natural childbirth, the woman has never been in labor! I want something NOW! Well, what are the both of you staring at, get busy! Oooooohhhhh, ow ow owo Severus, it hurts, really badly. Make it stop, please!" Lily begged as she folded herself around her pregnant stomach.

Seeing their beloved in pain caused both Severus and James to snap out of it and get to work.

"Princeps Antheneum. Eileen, EILEEN! Come on, she's in labor. You have too..Oh, there you are. Yes, hurry up, she's in a lot of pain. Yes, he's taking care of it, but she wants you too. Well, you know him, he will most likely pass out, again. No, I don't understand either. How one can cut up all those nasty things, yet pass out when you talk about childbirth. Good, you will be right through then? Oh, Apparating? Yes, the wards will let you straight through. Yes, I'll prepare whatever you want. Yes, see you up there."

"She's on her way. She wants Lily in the spare room upstairs. She also said that you would know what potions she could have...Severus, why are you glaring at me like that? I haven't seen you look at me like that since our sixth year." James finished with a slight shudder.

"You know why I am glaring at you. Must you constantly mention when I passed out? You never seem to remember that I had just come from a meeting, and had lost quite a lot of blood. No, you just remember the embaras..."

"BOYS! Pregnant woman in labor here? Could we put away the rivalry for a moment and take care of what is the most pressing matter in the house. Speaking of pressing, I think my water just...broke." Lily finished as a trail of liquid ran down her legs.

Once again Severus and James were spurred into action. Severus picked up Lily and carried her up the stairs as James ran off to collect the list of things Eileen had given him.

"There you are, son. I wondered why I was in an empty room. Lay her down right in the middle of the bed, but close to the end. Yes, right like that. Lily, drink this, it will help lessen the pain. Yes, I know baby girl, but this is the strongest I can give you until after the baby is born. Come on, drink up, then I can see how far along you are. Oh, goodness, this is going to happen sooner than I thought. James, good drop those on the bed and grab a towel. Severus, I want you to use your most precise cutting charm right were I tell you, right when I tell you. I'll take care of the little one and Lily as well. Everyone ready? Lily, when you feel like pushing, I want you to take a deep breath then go right ahead and push. That is good Lily, keep pushing 1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10. Good, now breathe, and once more, take a deep breath and push, 1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10. Good, no hold. Hello little one, let me clean out your mouth, then your mum can finish delivering you and you can scream your lungs out. Alright, Lily, once more should do it. Take a deep breath and push with all your might. 1...2...3...4...5...6...and he's out. You three have a beautiful son. Oh, my little one, you are so beautiful. Yes, that is it, let the world hear how upset you are. Severus, cut right between here and here, yes right between where I charmed the cord sealed, very good. James, I'll take that towel now. Let me clean you up just a bit, then your mum can hold you. The three of you did such a wonderful job. He is very healthy! Congratulations, what is his name?" Eileen asked.

The three of them answered together, unable to take their eyes off of the little bundle in Lily's arms. "Harry James Severus Potter-Snape."

"That is all well and good, but what do I put on the official form?" Eileen asked.

"Call Albus, he promised that he would help charm the document, so that is only showed what was safe until after the threat was gone, for good." James answered.

"So, that's my full name? You really cared for them both, didn't you? I could see it in the way you looked at them. I know you told me that you and James got closer before the end. I guess I just didn't believe it, until I saw it with my own eyes." Harry said, as he searched Severus' face for the truth.

"Yes, I cared, still care for them both, dearly. There is only one person that I ever cared more for, and up until recently I was positive that you would always hate me. Thank you for sharing this day with me, and thank you for giving me a second chance. You know I will never be the demonstrative type. But, I never want you to doubt how much I care for you, that you are no longer alone in the world. You have family now that will fight with you, no matter what." Severus said, before he squeezed Harry's shoulder and left the young man to his thoughts.

HPHPHPHPHPHPHP

‘Why does the room always go quiet when I walk in?' Harry wondered to himself as he walked to his normal place at the table to eat breakfast. Unable to ignore the quiet any longer, he asked, "What? Did I change again? What is it this time? Did I get some long distant relation's huge hairy wart?"

"No, Harry, it is nothing of the sort. We were just discussing what should be done with the cup. As most of us see it, the cup is the last obstacle left between you and the Dark Lord." Narcissa explained, once again, ignoring the disparaging snort that came from her husband.

"What's wrong with using a fang like I did? There is an entire mouthfull down there waiting to be pulled," questioned Harry.

"Seeing that you decided to go off on your own to destroy the locket, no one had the chance to see the reaction. I refuse to put anyone in danger, simply because your luck saved you once again," Severus growled.

Harry looked around the room for support. "Haven't I apologized enough for that yet? I promised I'd never do anything like that again, and I've behaved...well, for the most part I have. OK, fine, we all know I get an idea and run with it when I don't get the back-up from the elders. So, why not back me up from now on, and quit doubting me? Seems like a simple solution to me." Harry cheekily said, trying to lighten his father's mood.  ‘He's just scared for me. No need to get worked up anymore, over things like this. I swear I will try harder to think first, act later. Well, no need to tell them that, might get their hopes up, and you never really do know what might come up.'

"Yes, you have. But you can never stop a parent from worrying about their child, especially when times are as dangerous as they are now. Back to the subject at hand, has anyone spoken to the portrait of Albus? Surely he would know what method he used to destroy the ring?" Narcissa suggested.

Harry and Severus shared a look. After the last visit, the last person either of them wanted to see was Albus Dumbledore. Unfortunately, they both knew that they really had no other choice.

"I'll go. I wanted to check up on Ginny, too. She's been in the infirmary for a few weeks now. She should be getting out soon," Harry added.

"I shall go with you. I should take the time to update Minerva, as well as my mother. Both of them have been beleaguering me, wanting to know how you have been doing, Harry. We can question the old coot together." Severus said, getting up and motioning for Harry to precede him.

HPHPHPHPHPHPHP

"Here, take the cloak. I know you will floo to the office, but I'd rather you have it, just in case." Harry said as he handed his invisibility cloak to his father.

"Thank you. Please do not tarry long in the infirmary. I really would rather not be at the mercy of both my mother, and Minerva for any amount of time. As it is, I will have a hard enough time getting us use of the office alone, and it is not safe enough for me to travel to the Room of Requirement, cloak or no." Severus said.

Harry nodded, transfigured his robes to show Slytherin House colors, and gave his father a cheeky grin before he left.

Severus just shook his head before activating the floo and calling out his intended destination.

HPHPHPHPHPHPHP

When he saw the screen around the only bed currently in use, Harry decided to check with Madam Pomfrey before going to see if Ginny was in it.

"Hello, what is ailing you, young man? Wait, who are you? I haven't seen a student with those looks in years." She said, eyeing him suspiciously.

Harry put his hands up in a non-threatening gesture. "It's Harry Potter, Madam Pomfrey. Scan me if you don't believe me. I'm sure all my old injuries will show up, and prove to you that I am me." Harry suggested.

Taking the suggestion, she quickly scanned him. Recognizing many of the injuries, she breathed a sigh of relief. "Mr. Potter, what are you doing in those robes? No, I understand. Who would look for Harry Potter in Slytherin robes? No matter that you look nothing like yourself. I'd be careful, if I were you. That glamour makes you look a lot like a certain former professor. Now, what did you need?"

Harry tried his best to look offended. "I will have you know that I look nothing like Lockhart, or Moody for that matter, and don't even mention Umbridge! I was wondering if I could see Ginny. Has she already gone back to the tower?" he asked.

"She is still here, but not for much longer. The screen is up because Bill wanted to talk to her without being disturbed. He has been here for a while, I am sure he would not mind a disruption from you. Go on, see your friends." She said as she shooed him out of her office.

"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey."

Harry tried to make a little noise on his way to the bed. He didn't want to startle the siblings. "Hey, mind if I interrupt? Ginny, you look so much better. Pomfrey said you're getting out soon. Looking forward to going back to the tower?"

"Actually, that is what I am here to talk to her about. Fleur is going back to France, where it is currently safer. I wanted Ginny to transfer to Beauxbatons, and live with Fleur's family for the duration of the war. We both agree that she needs time to heal, and can't do that here. Right, Gin?"

She looked shyly at Harry. "Yeah, I agree. While I will miss you all, some more than others," she said blushing, "I just can't face everyone, seeing the pity in their eyes. Not to mention all the questions. Bill thinks the best would be for me to get away and start over. I...uh...I agree with him. It will be nice going were hardly anyone knows me, and all I've been through. My second year started out almost horrific with the way everyone treated me. I can't handle that on top of everything. Um, Bill, can you give us a few minutes, please? Thank you.

Harry, I know you broke up with me, and I thought I understood why, even if I really didn't like it. Bill and I talked about more than me leaving. He mentioned our relationship, and made me realize a few things. I think they are things you have already realized, too. You and me, we're never really going to work out, are we? So, me going away, that will give me the chance to move on. I'll always love you, Harry, but you'll never really love me that way, will you?"

Harry wasn't sure if that last question was for him, or was her trying to convince herself, so he just shook his head and reached down to hug her. "You're right, I'll always love you, Gin, but Bill is right. We just aren't what the other needs right now, if ever. Go on with Fleur and heal. Bill is right about a lot of things, just ask Ron when you get the chance. When are you leaving?"

Ginny sniffed slightly, but smiled up at Harry. "I'll be leaving in a day or two, long enough to say good-bye to everyone. I'm getting tired, though, so I'm going to try and take a nap. Harry...thanks." She finished, right before she rolled onto her side, facing away from him.

"You're welcome, Gin. Do us all a big favor and get better!"