Archive of Our Own ^beta

Padma stared at her reflection in the mirror, she was going to kill Theo, this was all his fault. He had been the one to start this mess, this…whatever it was. She would never call this a relationship, it was too messy and wild for that. Theo was an annoyance that she let herself get entangled in. He was the cause of too much destruction.

Padma turned to her side and cursed louder than she meant too. She was at a bridesmaid dress fitting for her sister’s wedding. Her twin sister Parvati was getting married to Dean Thomas in a month and she was to be maid of honor.

Or at least she was sure that she was, Parvati had a lot more friends than Padma did.

“Are you okay in there?” asked Parvati from the other side of the changing room door.

“Yeah, I’ll be out in a moment,” said Padma as she reached for the zipper on her right side.

She walked out of the changing room and stood before her sister. Parvati looked unimpressed, as she often was with Padma.

“It’s too tight,” said Parvati with a sigh, as she turned away.

“It’s fine,” Padma told her sister doing a little twist of her hips.

“It won’t be next month,” said Parvati putting a hand on Padma’s stomach.

Padma was at a loss for words, she had been trying so hard to hide her possible pregnancy. She really didn’t want to admit that she was expecting, mostly because she didn’t want to deal with Theo.

She was seeing him tonight, he had a party or event that he wanted her to come with him. She did like getting all dolled up and being able to wear some of her best saris, she also enjoyed the way he asked her to come with him, in the form of expensive gifts, clothes, and jewelry.

“Don’t worry about it,” Padma hissed to Parvati.

“I don’t care that you’re pregnant,” Parvati told her, “I just want you to look acceptable for my wedding.”

“I will look acceptable, Parvati, I just need to get this dumb dress taken out a little,” said Padma turning away from her sister and to the mirror that was at the far side of the dressing rooms. “I don’t understand why you can’t have a more traditional wedding.”

“Because I like the English way of doing things,” said Parvati coming up behind her sister, Padma couldn’t help but note that they had the same face. They had different scars though, Padma could point them out easily.

“What about our traditions? Amma and Appa are not going to be happy about this,” Padma told her sister.

“They weren’t happy about Naveen either, and if you think they’ll be happy about this little accident then you’re mental,” Parvati told Padma as she put her hand to Padma’s stomach.

“I already know this, Parvati.”

“You’ll get this all sorted out by my wedding, right?” asked Parvati, as Padma walked away back to the dressing room, “or should I expect a plus one from you?”

“I don’t know,” said Padma walking into the dressing room and pulling her dress off. “I’ll have to talk to him.”

“Who is it?” asked Parvati as Padma came out of the dressing room, dressed in her Unspeakable robes.

“I’d rather not talk about it,” Padma told her, then she hugged her sister tight. They were sweet to one another, always were, even during the worst of times.

Even when they were fighting, they were warm to one another when they needed to be.

“Please let me know as soon as you can,” said Parvati as she hugged her sister back, “also congratulations on the pregnancy.”

“Thank you,” Padma told her sister, before dropping a kiss on her cheek and leaving the small shop.

~`~

“How do I look?” asked Padma as she stood in front of the full length mirror hanging on her bedroom door. Two of her roommates looked up from where they were laying on the far bed and floor.

Ali was painting Cara’s nails, and the pair of them had been watching her preparations since she came out of the shower, an hour ago.

“Lovely like always,” said Cara, while Ali nodded in agreement and turned back to Cara’s nails.

“Where are you going tonight?” asked her third roommate, Janet, who was lounging on Padma’s bed with Witch Weekly opened in front of her.

“To one of those Muggle celebrations again?” asked her fourth roommate Aria who was lying across Janet’s legs.

“No,” answered Padma, knowing that her roommates would freak out if she told them where she was really going. Theo was taking her to one of St. Mungo’s charity parties, they had one every three months.

Theo was in charge of the charity donations for St. Mungo’s and he took his job very seriously. He even donated his own salary to the hospital, something that he didn’t need to do, but because of his own wealth was happy to do so.

He was the only heir to the Nott family fortune, and with his father in Azkaban he could do whatever he wanted.

Padma’s pregnancy was more than proof of that.

“Then where?” asked Ali, before blowing on Cara’s fingernails to dry them.

“Just a small party, with friends,” Padma told them, it wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t quite true either.

“Have fun then,” said Janet as she turned a page in her magazine.

Padma grabbed her clutch and waved goodbye to her roommates, not sure when she would see them next.

~`~

Theodore threw his head back, taking his fifth shot of vodka, then chased it down by the rest of his beer. He had watched the Ministry charge his father with fifteen known murders, he got a life sentence for each one, over three hundred years to be spent in Azkaban.

Theodore knew that his father was a bad person, but he hadn’t realized how bad he really was.

He had thought that hitting and cursing him was bad parenting, the yelling at the house elves and servants was him being a bad employer. The truth was, Theodore didn’t know how horrible his father really was, until he heard the charges being read out.

It had scared Theodore to learn what kind of person his father was.

“Another?” asked the barmaid, Theodore recognized her from school, and she had been a Hufflepuff in his year, but he couldn’t remember her. “Or are you ready to pay your tab?”

“Another please, can you make it a double?”

The barmaid rolled her eyes at him and sighed as she refilled his glass. Then she grabbed two more and filled them both.

“Cheers,” she said holding her glass up, “to your father being put in Azkaban.”

He knocked back the shot with her, then his second and took the beer from her. “Thank you.”

“Oi Patil!” called the barmaid, waving at someone behind Theodore.

Theodore took a sip of his beer as the most beautiful girl he had ever met sat down beside him. He had been in love with Padma Patil since he was fourteen and she had smiled at him for making a joke in Transfiguration.

“Hi Hannah, can I just get a quick pint?” asked Padma climbing into the seat beside Theodore.

“My treat,” said Theodore putting a few sickles down on the countertop. “I just inherited over a hundred million galleons.”

Hannah scoffed, but took the money before she poured Padma her drink. “No need to brag about it.”

“You were the one to remind me that my father just went to prison.”

“And you didn’t remember my name until Padma said it.”

Theodore was quiet, but Padma giggled into her drink before saying, “I think we all have baggage that we need to get over.”

“Alright,” said Hannah, pulling out three shot glasses, “this one is on you too Theo.”

“I’ll take it,” said Theodore, then he winked at Padma before throwing his head back again.

~`~

Theo’s hair was wild and curly and dark, Padma loved it, especially when he didn’t feel the need to cover it in gel and slick it back. She hated his hair all slick and straight, it was unnatural to her.

He was brown like her, but a darker and warmer shade, she quite liked that too.

She really hated how warm and homely he was, it had made her come back the second time and every time after. The polite invitations and the gifts he always sent her also helped.

She snuggled into his side and kissed his neck softly. He cracked a smile and opened his eyes, they were a beautiful mossy green. They were just as lovely as his smile, his dimples, and his laugh.

“My sister wants to know if you’ll be my plus one to her wedding,” Padma told him, as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

“Do you want me to attend this wedding?” asked Theo, he ran his free hand through his hair and smiled at Padma.

“I’m sure my parents would like to know who the father is of my unborn child,” Padma told him, she had revealed to him last night when she had refused to drink.

“I don’t know Padma,” said Theo turning on his back, his voice heavy and a little sad, “are we in over our heads?”

Padma was silent, letting his words sink in. She knew that they were in over their heads. Padma had no intension of getting married, not even to Theo. She didn’t quite like this thing they had going on, well, she did, but not in that sense. She liked being with him in the physical aspect.

Their arrangement had started about eight months ago, they had become more or less exclusive about three months ago. That had been around the beginning of December, Padma was sure that had been the time she had conceived his little bundle of joy.

“Yeah, we are,” Padma told him, as she laid on her back and rested her hands over her stomach.

She couldn’t feel the baby move yet, but she was for sure feeling the changes in her body.

“Should I even suggest it?” asked Theo and Padma almost got up and left right then.

“Don’t you dare,” Padma told him, as he rolled onto his side and placed a hand on her stomach. His hand was big and warm and comforting, and Padma suddenly felt an overwhelming emotion hit her. She didn’t really want this, but he could make her feel just the slightest bit better.

“I would never,” Theo told her with a small laugh. And Padma knew this, but she could tell that he did want to, he was just humoring her.

“Enough of this talk, Theo,” Padma told him, sitting up and pushing his hand off of her, “I’m hungry.”

“Fine,” said Theo climbing out of bed and Padma took a moment to watch him walk around his bedroom naked. Padma was jealous of this luxury, she had five roommates, sometimes six and she shared a room with one. Theo lived in a one bedroom flat with no one to bother him.

Padma watched as he grabbed a pair jeans off of his dresser and pulled them on, then pulled out a sweater which he threw at her to put on, before finding a shirt for himself. Padma enjoyed wearing his clothes, even though at this point she had room in his closest, a drawer in his dresser, and a shelf in his bathroom for her things. They never stayed at hers mainly because Padma didn’t really want to deal with her roommates, nor did she want anyone to see her with Theo that knew her personally.

She climbed out of bed, pulling his sweater on as she did and enjoyed the look Theo was giving her. She made more of a show finding some clothes to wear, mostly because she knew how much Theo liked to watch her do the mundane.

When she was clothed and had pulled her hair back and they both had their shoes on, they left the flat and began heading down Diagon Alley in turn for the Muggle street. There was a diner that they liked to eat at, where they were unrecognizable and could be ordinary people.

Padma liked to be unrecognizable, mainly because she was often mistaken for Parvati. They had both fought in the Battle of Hogwarts, back to back with the scars to prove it, but because Parvati went off to be an Auror, Padma was often forgotten. She was as much a war hero as her sister, she just chose to end the theatrics after the battle.

Theo had fought too, but his had been more sneaky, more calculating, he had been Head Boy. Theo had spent his time hiding students and getting them away, he had spent his time looking the other way and playing dumb to the Carrows. Theo saved lives by smuggling students to Neville Longbottom and the DA and sending them to the Greengrass mansion.

There were days that Padma felt like he should wear her scars, because while she hid with the DA, Theo had been on the front lines the whole time.

“Are the two of you ready to order?” asked their waitress with a smile that Padma recognized on her worst days. She looked tired and sad and disappointed at the sight of the pair of them.

Padma was quiet as Theo rattled off more food than she was sure they could eat. She didn’t mind it when Theo ordered for the both of them. She just didn’t like how effortless he was bossing around others.

She stayed quiet until their food came, Theo was going on about the latest big donation St. Mungo’s received. She liked that his job was so self-sacrificing, but the way he treated others wasn’t always the best.

He lived a life of hate and mistrust his whole childhood, with his mother dying young in his life and his father being abusive and cruel to everyone he met. Theo was one of many kids in Slytherin house who saw a parent go to Azkaban, he was also one in many to be happy about his parent going to Azkaban.

After breakfast, they walked through the streets arm in arm avoiding puddles and ice spots. It had snowed the night before, but it was all slush and wetness now.

They ducked into a small boutique and after five minutes of instructions, Padma was led to a dressing room, and Theo sat in the waiting area for her return. She quite liked this way of shopping, mainly because nothing here she could afford on her own.

Theo knew exactly what she liked to wear when she wasn’t forced into her Unspeakable robes. Flowing and elegant dresses or relaxing and comfortable trousers and sweaters. Theo could clean up well himself, looking regel and sophisticated in either his dress robes, Muggle suits, or just a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

She could tell what he liked just by a simple raise of his eyebrow or even a small twitch of his lips. If he hated something, he would push his eyebrows together or put a hand to his face.

If he really hated something, he would close his eyes and sigh. If he really liked it, he would ask for shoes.

Padma had a huge collection of shoes that she had only wore for a few hours. All of them heels in four inches or more, all of them beautiful and more elegant than the last.

“What’s all of this for?” asked Padma once she was back in her own clothes.

“The Malfoys are having an event tonight, and I wanted you to have some options,” said Theo as he handed over his card.

Theo’s mother had set up a Muggle bank account in his name and had her whole inheritance put into that account. It was supposed to be for when he was seventeen, for him to choose which life he wanted.

Padma both understood his childhood and didn’t. She grew up between two lives, her English and Indian identities were complete opposites and also completely the same. She was a good daughter to her parents, she dressed right and had a good job, she wanted to someday get married and have a family.

Parvati was a better daughter, she did everything first and was the better of them. She had told their parents to escape England when Voldemort and the Death Eaters began raiding homes and killing anyone that didn’t have the same beliefs.

“Padma, are you ready?” asked Theo, and Padma looked up at him.

“Yes,” she told him, returning the bright smile he was giving her.

~`~

Padma didn’t really like the Malfoy’s mansion. It was dark and gloomy and sad, it had no homely-ness or any love.

It didn’t help that Draco Malfoy had been a horrible classmate the whole time they had been at Hogwarts. He had been rude and mean and racist to both Parvati and Padma and anyone else that looked like them.

Theo was the son of a Death Eater, so was Draco Malfoy, Gregory Goyle, and the late Vincent Crabbe. They were childhood friends who never having siblings became brothers themselves.

Padma didn’t like Draco or Gregory, but she always played nice, simply because Theo was nice to Isobel, Mandy, and Sue. They didn’t run into Padma’s friends often, mainly because they didn’t run in the same circles, but Theo was good at acting his part.

“There’s Pansy and Milli,” Theo whispered in Padma’s ear, and she followed where he was facing. Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode were standing close together and giggling about something. “We should go say hi.”

Padma really didn’t want to, but she let him lead her to his friends. Theo had spent more summers and holidays jumping from his friends couches than at home.

Millicent had taken in Theo more than anyone else. She had hid him in their old groundskeepers’ quarters and made sure that he was well taken care of.

“Hello Pansy, Millie,” said Theo smiling at each of the girls.

Padma smiled at them but quickly turned back to Theo, she would never get along with his friends.

“Padma, don’t be shy,” said Pansy with a laugh. “We don’t bite nearly as hard as we used to.”

“Speak for yourself Pansy,” said Millicent, but she smiled in a way that made her feel warm and secure.

Millicent was actually very sweet and kind to Padma, but she also had a sharp tongue and a wicked sense of humor. She wrote for Witch Weekly and was working on a novel that Padma had read a few experts of. Millicent had a great talent of making even the most dramatic situations funny and enjoyable.

Pansy on the other hand, was working for the Ministry as an MLE. She was studying for her Auror entrance exam and Padma knew from Parvati that she was incredibly good at disguising herself. Pansy had used her talent of disguise to get food and medicine to the DA, she also used it to distract the Carrows whenever needed.

She had only tried to sell out Harry Potter because the last time she saw her parents, there were Dark Marks where there hadn’t been before.

“How have things been for you Padma?” asked Pansy, “I feel like it’s been ages since we last saw you.”

Padma felt Theo tighten his grip on her waist and put his hand on her stomach under one of the ruffles of her dress. She didn’t want to tell anyone about the pregnancy quite yet, it was still so early.

“Well, but you know that I can’t tell you too much,” Padma told her, returning the smile Pansy had given her.

“When are the two of you going to finally move in together?” asked Millicent winking at Theo.

“Never,” said Theo, with a smile.

Padma couldn’t help but giggle with Theo. Thank Merlin they were always on the same page, they always fell into place together.

Theo pulled her away, leaving Pansy and Millicent stunned together. He pulled her to the dance floor and Padma let him twirl her around.

~`~

“You should come to the wedding,” Padma told Theo as they laid in bed together. She had her head tucked under his chin and he was holding her with his hands over her stomach.

“You really want me too?” asked Theo, as he pushed his curls out of his eyes.

“I think so, you’ll want to meet my family before the baby’s born.”

They were quiet, mostly because it was one thing to acknowledge that Padma was pregnant, but to bring in their families was something different.

“Your parents are coming all the way from India for this?”

“Yes… They won’t be staying very long though.”

“They don’t want to move back, be with you and Parvati, or even Naveen?”

“They visit often enough,” Padma told him turning on her side to rest her head on his chest. “They don’t have to deal with the racism there like here.”

“I’m sorry, people can be horrible.”

“You can be horrible sometimes, the way you talk to servers or retail workers isn’t respectful,” said Padma, twisting her fingers with his.

“I’m sorry that I talk to them as if they should be doing their job,” said Theo as he rolled his eyes.

“You just don’t have to be rude to them Theo,” snapped Padma with a sigh.

Theo sighed himself and wrapped his arms back around Padma, she felt him rest his cheek on the top of her head. She tucked herself into him.

As annoying as he could be, Padma could feel herself starting to grow fond of him.

“I’ll be better Padma,” said Theo, pulling his head away, “I promise.”

~`~

Theodore walked into his apartment, pulling Padma in behind him. She had made him buy her dinner and a bunch of drinks and they talked and talked and talked. Hannah had eventually kicked them out, told them that she was tired of looking at their faces.

Padma had been fine with it, laughing off Hannah and leading Theodore out to Diagon Alley.

He liked the feel of her hand in his, she was warm and he felt safe with her.

Theodore immediately grabbed them two glasses and a bottle of Firewhiskey. He poured them both a shot, then another, then he grabbed them both a beer and moved them out of the kitchen and into the living room.

Theodore was impressed by how quickly she made herself at home, letting her hair down and taking her shoes off. He wanted to get her out of her robes, but he was sure that would come later.

He hoped it would come later.

~`~

“You look beautiful Parvati,” said Padma as she brushed through her sisters’ hair. It was just the two of them, waiting for the rest of the family and Parvati’s bridesmaids to show up. Padma was trying to stay calm, somewhere outside Theo was sitting or standing, waiting for them.

“Thank you,” said Parvati turning her head to smile up at Padma. It was so rarely that one was taller than the other.

“I’m really happy for you,” Padma told her, suddenly feeling a rush of emotion come to her. Her hormones were driving her mad, giving her emotional whiplash.

“Don’t cry,” said Parvati jumping up and hugging Padma to her. “I’ll still be there for you.”

“It’s not that,” said Padma trying and failing to not smear her makeup as she wiped at her eyes. “It’s these damn hormones that are killing me.”

Parvati began laughing and pulled out a handkerchief for Padma to blow her nose with. Then Parvati helped her reapply her makeup.

“I swear I almost killed Dean a thousand times while I was pregnant with Naveen,” Parvati whispered to Padma as the room began to fill with their family and Parvati’s friends.

Padma began giggling, which caused Parvati to also begin giggling.

This was what she wanted to take away from Parvati’s wedding, warmth and happiness and last minute jokes between sisters.

~`~

“Will you please just let me dance with you?” asked Theo as they sat together at his assigned table. “I just want to have one dance with you.”

Padma ignored him and instead watched her parents. They hadn’t been very warm to Padma when she picked them up at the international portkey and floo center at the Ministry. She was sure it was because her stomach had been showing, as it had been for the last two weeks.

“Calm down,” Padma told him, waving his hands away. “We can dance later.”

“Is it because of your family?” asked Theo, suddenly right beside her.

“I haven’t told them that you’re the father.”

“But you brought me here, to meet your family.”

“I know, Theo,” said Padma turning to look at him. He left his hair ungelled and natural, but it looked so much nicer than when he slicked it back, even if Padma hated it that way.

“Padma we need to figure this out,” said Theo, moving away from her, she rolled her eyes at him.

“Let’s go dance,” said Padma standing up and holding a hand out to him.

“No, go dance by yourself Padma.”

“You can’t just sulk all night, Theodore,” Padma hissed at him and began walking away.

Padma found her parents just as the song changed and they were walking off the dance floor.

“Oh my love,” said Amma, pulling Padma into a hug. “It’s okay, baby girl.”

Padma hadn’t realized that she was crying again, but now the tears couldn’t be stopped. She let her mother and father lead her out of the hall and into the room where the girls had gotten ready earlier.

Her mother pulled her down onto a small loveseat and Padma let her pull her even closer.

“Did he hurt you?” asked Appa as he pulled a chair up across from them.

“No, Appa, it’s okay,” Padma told him, even though it obviously wasn’t. “It’s just my hormones are trying to kill me today.”

“Why couldn’t you marry that nice boy you dated a few years ago?” asked Amma as she ran her hand up and down Padma’s back.

“Because Terry was killed in the Battle of Hogwarts, Amma.”

They were quiet, all of them except for Padma’s sobs. She tried to relax, to calm down, she knew that she would need to fix her makeup again and go back out to face Theo and all of the wedding guests.

“Who is the young man you brought?” asked Appa, “I don’t remember ever seeing him before.”

“His name is Theodore Nott, and we’ve been together for about nine months now,” Padma told her parents, “he’s the father of my baby.”

“Why didn’t you tell us, he should’ve been at dinner last night to meet everyone,” said Amma as Padma turned her face away from them.

“Because I don’t want him to meet everyone,” Padma told her, she stood up and went over to the mirror she had been using earlier. “Because I don’t know what exactly is going on between us.”

“It sounds like you need to talk to him, that the two of you need to figure out what you’re doing before your little one comes,” said Appa. Padma could hear the disappointment in his voice, her parents always thought of her as the wise one.

“I know Appa,” said Padma as she wiped under her eyes.

“Well, let us know before you have this baby if we need to welcome him into the family properly,” said Appa and Padma nodded before leaving her parents to return to the reception.

~`~

“You looked really nice today Padma,” said Theo as he pushed her hair out of her face. “Even in those horrible robes.”

“Yellow really isn’t my color.”

“Should’ve done blue,” said Theo, tucking her hair back behind her ear. “Blue and green.”

Padma was quiet, because those were the colors she wanted to have at her own wedding someday.

“I’m sorry for earlier Theo,” Padma told him after a few minutes had passed. “I did tell my parents that you’re the father.”

“Thank you.”

“We’re having breakfast with them before they leave tomorrow.”

“What time?”

“Nine,” answered Padma, as Theo wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

They laid together in the quiet, Padma trying to get the courage, the strength, to explain Terry. The only problem was, Terry had been in her life so long ago, but he had been a big part of it. Padma had wanted to marry him, she had been so in love that it scared her.

But what scared her more was that she was beginning to feel the same way all over again.

Just with Theo this time.

“I know it sounds crazy,” said Theo breaking the silence this time, “but I’m excited to have a baby. Even if things don’t work right for us.”

“I just figured this would’ve happened at the beginning, not now.”

Theo laughed and held Padma just a bit tighter, then he kissed her, and Padma felt herself relax.

They could do this, even with no plans or ideas as to how.

But they could do this.

~•~

Anamika sat down at the table she had been assigned to, as if she was a child who needed looking after. Louis sat down beside her and put his hands in his lap. It was loud and noisy and bright, all the things that Anamika knew Louis hated.

But he was here, he was sitting beside her, he talked to her family and was nice to her siblings. He had danced with her and laughed at her Appa’s bad jokes, he was sweet and funny and he made her smile the whole night.

Anamika squeezed his hand and put her head on his shoulder.

“What are your parents doing?” asked Louis, and Anamika followed his line of eyesight.

“They’re dancing, just like we were,” Anamika told him, as he pressed his cheek to her forehead.

Louis was quiet and wrapped an arm around Anamika’s shoulders. She pressed closer to him and asked, “do you know how they met?”

“No.”

“Would you like to known?”

“Sure.”

~`~

Theodore stood outside the bathroom door, Padma had been in there for the last forty minutes doing Merlin knows. Even though Millie was his closest friend, he didn’t know that much about girls.

He knocked lightly on the door, and Padma opened it. She had her hair pulled back in a long ponytail and was wearing nothing except for his shirt from the day before. The rest of her was clean and smelled just like soap.

“Hi,” said Theodore and he watched as Padma blushed.

“Hi,” said Padma, with a nervous smile. Theodore had to admit that she was even more beautiful with nothing covering her scars.

“You want to go get some breakfast?” asked Theodore, returning her smile. “My treat, of course.”

“Of course,” answered Padma taking a step forward, so they were only inches apart.

“Let me get you some pants then.”

~`~

“They knew each other at school, they were in the same year, but different houses. Amma was a Ravenclaw like you and Appa was a Slytherin like me. I like to think that’s why we make such a great pair,” explained Mia, and Louis nodded. Mia had such a great way of telling stories, it was something that Louis admired about her.

He wasn’t very good at talking to others, he wasn’t even remotely good at keeping eye contact.

“They never really talked at school, Amma had her friends and Auntie Parvati, while Appa had his own friends. Then the war happened, Amma went into hiding with the DA and Appa was Head Boy. He helped the DA sneak kids out of the castle and out of the country with their families,” said Mia as she played with his fingers. His hands were never this clean, but Victoire had helped him get ready and had scrubbed his hands until all the charcoal stains were gone.

“So it was after the war?” asked Louis, wondering where his own parents would be if it wasn’t for the war.

“Yes, about a year after.”

~`~

Padma stared at herself in the mirror, she felt so uncomfortable with her baby bump. All of her clothes were too tight and she was sore in weird places and her energy levels spiked and dropped at any second.

Not to mention her constant stress and all the sudden crying.

She really just wanted to be done with this, but she had another four months to go. Theo, she had to admit, was really supporting her. He was constantly soothing her and getting things for her and helping her whenever he could.

He didn’t let on that her whining and crying and bad attitude was bothering him.

“You look lovely, Padma,” said Theo coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her. They still hadn’t talked about what they were going to do when the baby came, they hadn’t talked about officially moving in together, they hadn’t even discussed what names they liked.

“I look fat and tired,” she said as she pushed him away and headed to the closest.

“You’re pregnant, no one is going to judge you for that,” Theo told her as she began going through the dresses hanging in front of her. They were all too small for her body now.

“I’m pregnant, I’m not married, and I don’t have anything to wear Theo,” she told him, as she went through the dresses a second and third time. “The rest of my life is going to be all judgement.”

“We can fix one of those things.”

“I’m not going to marry y-“

“Look on the next rack Padma,” he said brushing pass her and grabbing a beautiful blue gown off the rack for her. “I had it delivered to the office just this morning.”

Padma looked at him and sighed, feeling herself calm down. “Thank you, Theo.”

“You have to take the time to calm down Padma,” said Theo as he pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear, “it’s not good for either of you.”

“I know,” said Padma taking his hand and placing it on her bump. She could feel her heart flutter at the warmth of his hand on her stomach. “I just don’t know what to do anymore.”

“If you don’t want to come tonight, we don’t have to go. Merlin knows I would much rather order pizza and watch the telly anyways,” said Theo and Padma could feel herself wanting to take his offer.

“We’ve never done anything like that before Theo.”

Theo stood in the doorway of his closest, the gown hanging over one arm and a sad look in his eyes despite his smile. The event they were supposed to go to tonight was for St. Mungo’s, it was for Theo’s job.

But if he didn’t want to go, who was she to make him.

“Let’s stay then,” said Padma, taking a step forward to hug him to her. She could see the happiness return to his eyes as he bent his head down to kiss her.

She hoped that he could see the same happiness reflected in her own.

~`~

“They started dating, and then Amma found out that she was pregnant. She was really upset because she and Appa weren’t really anything yet,” Anamika told Louis while she played with his fingers. “It was the first big step to them admitting to wanting more.”

“What happened then?” asked Louis, he was staring at the dance floor, though Anamika knew that he didn’t really want to go there. Louis didn’t like people touching him without his permission.

“They had Devansh and they moved in together and started to accept one another in their lives. They accepted that they were officially apart of each other’s lives.”

Louis nodded, as if he had heard all of this before. Though knowing what she did about the Weasley family, it wouldn’t surprise Anamika that much if it was true.

Louis’ cousins were all over the place, they were a loud and chaotic entity.

They were just like Anamika’s family.

~`~

Padma unlocked the door to Theo’s flat. The farther along she was in her pregnancy, the more she took advantage of his flat. He had no roommates, he didn’t have to share his food or space with anyone; he just had to worry about himself. Padma took advantage of his long days to take naps in his bed and watch whatever she wanted on the telly.

She was twenty-six weeks along and tired all of the time. She went back to her two bedroom, one bathroom apartment with her five or six roommates and then would just turn on her heel and leave. It was too much for her to deal with, too loud, too messy, and too chaotic at this point.

So she would go to Theo’s curl up on the bed and sleep or watch television on the couch until he either came home with food or she would fall asleep. Sometimes he would take her to dinner and they would talk about their days and possible baby names.

More often he would bring something home with him and they would eat together either in his bed or on the couch. Then they would cuddle before getting ready for bed.

Padma enjoyed having Theo come home to her, she enjoyed feeling his hand on her shoulder shaking her awake or hearing him laugh at something on the telly. Either way, she enjoyed being with him, even if she didn’t want to tell herself that.

“You should just move in Padma,” said Theo as they curled up around one another on his bed. It was much later than they would admit to being up as of late, seeing as they had started to cut out the parties and events that they were going to. Padma just didn’t have the energy and Theo preferred only spending time with his closest friends.

“I don’t know, Theo,” said Padma as she played with the ring on his finger, it was the last of his family heirlooms. “I don’t think we’re ready for that.”

“You spend all your time here when you’re not working,” said Theo, as Padma twisted the ring around his finger. “You’ve taken half of my closet and dresser, not to mention the bathroom-“

“You told me to take as much room as I needed,” Padma told him, rolling her eyes.

“That’s beside the point Padma,” said Theo, relaxing his hands even more for her to play with. “What I’m trying to say, is that you should just make it official and move in. You won’t have to pay rent, and there’s obviously more than enough room for us.”

“We’ll drive each other crazy,” said Padma, as she put a hand to her stomach. The baby had started kicking about a month ago and hadn’t stopped since. Padma could feel the baby at all times of the day, turning, twisting, kicking, and rolling over. She woke up at night with Theo’s head on her stomach almost every night.

“We haven’t yet,” said Theo, as he let go of her hands and placed them on her stomach. “If you ever need a night to yourself I can stay with Millie or Greg or Draco.”

“I’m not going to force you to do that when I have my own bed and apartment.”

“You don’t have your own apartment though,” said Theo, angrily. “You share a two bedroom apartment with five, sometimes six other girls. You don’t have room to roll over Padma.”

“Let me just think about it,” Padma told him, placing her hands over his. “We’ll be okay until then.”

“Padma, we’re going to have this baby before the end of the summer,” said Theo pressing his forehead to her’s. “We need to have an idea or a plan of what we’re going to be doing. I would prefer for us to all be at least staying in the same flat together.”

“I can’t promise anything Theo,” she told him, as she gripped his hands in her own.

He was quiet, and Padma held onto his fingers. She was worried about them, about the baby, about their lives. She had no idea what she wanted, for them, for the baby, or for their lives.

“I don’t want the baby at that mad house,” said Theo and Padma pulled away from him.

“You can’t decide what to do with my baby,” Padma mumbled to the wall in front of her, feeling hurt and pushed around.

“I can when it’s my child.”

“We’re not going to have this fight Theo,” she told him, as she held her stomach. “I’m tired, you’re tired, and we don’t want to do this tonight. I need time to think and you need time to relax.”

“Padma,” said Theo putting a hand on her shoulder. “Please?”

She turned around, feeling tears prickly in her eyes, “give me time Theo.”

“Fine,” said Theo resting his head on her shoulder. “Okay.”

~`~

Padma opened the door to Theo’s flat and almost immediately turned back around. She was too tired not to turn away though. It was football day, which meant that Theo and all of his friends were over to watch their favorite guilty pleasure.

They started listening to football games on the radio when they were kids, having watched the muggle kids in the villages and towns play from the distance. After the war, they began watching it on the telly and crowding together around whosever small television they could get to. Theo was one of the very few who didn’t still live with his parents, which meant that ever third week they had everyone over.

Padma didn’t know why, but she enjoyed seeing the camaraderie. She was beginning to enjoy spending time with Theo’s friends, they were more different than the rare glances she had seen at school or when Theo took her out.

Today though, she had no patience for football or Theo’s friends.

She wanted a nap and food and to stay in bed until she couldn’t stand it any longer.

“Oh Padma,” said Millicent as she walked into the kitchen, “come sit with us, its India verse Ireland.”

She grew up listening to the Indian cricket, football, and Quidditch teams on the radio. She did enjoy being able to watch it on the telly, but she wasn’t for it today.

“I’m not feeling quite well,” Padma told her, which was both true and untrue. The truth was, the baby kept her up all night kicking and rolling over and tossing and turning. Theo never came to bed, he had fallen asleep on the couch.

She was tired, so tired.

“Oh,” said Millicent, “well if you feel better come sit with us. I’ll make the boys stay quiet.”

“Thank you, Millicent,” said Padma, as she headed into the bedroom. She crawled into bed and was out after a few seconds.

Padma woke up to Theo running his fingers through her hair and rubbing a hand over her shoulders. He looked beautiful with his hair flopping in his eyes and the sunshine on his skin.

“I thought you would want to have some food before Greg and Blaise eat it all,” said Theo, leaning down and kissing her.

Padma kissed him back and moved forward slightly as he pulled back.

“Good evening to you too,” said Theo, before kissing her again, and again, and again. He was practically on top of her by the time her stomach started to grumble.

“Get off,” said Padma with a giggle as she climbed out of bed. “I’m too hungry to have sex.”

“It’s okay, I meant to just wake you up,” said Theo as he helped her to her feet. “But I did tell the guys to stop eating so you could.”

Padma emerged with Theo just behind her and sat down in Theo’s favorite arm chair. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes at the spread of junk food and take out. She was no stranger to take out, she and Theo couldn’t really cook, though that was more from lack of trying.

She picked at the left behind pizza and chips and snacks that had long gone cold, but was still delicious. She cheered on England verse Germany, and giggled at Pansy’s bad jokes and the jokes that everyone made at Draco’s expense. Padma let herself be submerged in a family of choice and not of blood, a family of friends, of chosen brothers and sisters.

Padma let Pansy, Millicent, and Daphne Greengrass rub her stomach when the baby began kicking. She even let the boys feel, though they didn’t stay that long, except for Theo of course.

He had given her the armchair and had sat at the couch squished between Draco, Greg, and Blaise. She couldn’t help but notice how much they looked alike, the same brightness in their eyes, the same smile, and the same laugh. Pansy, Millicent, and Daphne had the same shiny hair, the same pierced ears, and the same pale, pale skin.

They really didn’t look at all the same, but there was enough of a resemblance between them that anyone could see that they were a family.

“Have the two of you considered any names yet?” asked Pansy as she rubbed her hand over Padma’s stomach. “Or are you just waiting until they’re born?”

“Umm,” said Padma not sure of how to answer.

“Devansh for a boy,” said Theo, not even looking away from the game. “Minali for a girl.”

“Those are Indian names Theo,” said Padma, feeling a sudden tightness in her limbs and stomach.

“I like them,” said Theo, turning and smiling at her.

Padma felt warmth spread through her and held her stomach, she liked those names too, she always had.

~`~

“Appa was the one to name Devansh, he found the name in a baby name book that Auntie Parvati had given them. He told Amma that he loved it when he had all of his friends over just before he was born,” said Mia, as Louis held her hand in his.

“Papa named Dominique,” Louis whispered, putting his mouth at her ear. “He liked the name Dominic and asked Maman if there was a female equivalent.”

“A lot of people call Devansh, Devon or Dev, Amma hates it, she hates all of our nicknames,” Mia told him, and Louis nodded. He didn’t like being called Lou or Louie like everyone loved to call him.

“I hate my nicknames,” Louis told her.

“That’s why I only call you Louis.”

~`~

Devansh Theodore Nott was born at 3:52am on August 30, 2000. He was small and chubby at eight pounds and eighteen inches long. He fit in Padma’s arms perfectly and she spent more time kissing his adorable little face than paying attention to what was going on around her. He was her life now, warm and sweet and adorable.

“Are you hungry?” asked Theo as Padma burped Devansh.

“No,” said Padma rubbing Devansh’s back and cuddling him against her chest.

“You need to eat Padma,” said Theo as he climbed into her bed. “Devansh will be okay if you put him down for one minute.”

“I don’t want to put him down Theo,” Padma told him, as she played with her son’s wispy dark hair. She could tell that he would have Theo’s hair.

“How about you eat and I’ll hold him,” said Theo, reaching his arms for him. “You can watch me the whole time.”

Padma trusted Theo with her son, how could she not with him being the father.

“I’m just really not hungry right now Theo,” Padma told him as she rested her head on his shoulder.

She just wanted to sleep for the next year, she had no idea having a baby would be so tiring.

“Okay, but at least let me hold him so you can get some sleep.”

Padma passed over Devansh and then tucked her head into his neck. She could feel herself beginning to drift off. “I love you Theo.”

“I love you too Padma.”

~`~

Theodore ran his fingers through her dark silky hair. The girl was beautiful, even with the pound of too light makeup on and her too short dress. Her legs looked like they go on for miles and she was almost as tall as him in her heels, which he liked. She was curvy and built in all the right places.

Theodore wanted her, he wanted her like he never wanted someone before.

It had been two years since he had last seen Padma Patil across the Battle Field that had been the Hogwarts grounds. He had cursed his father for the first and last time and had watched him fall, only to see Padma and Parvati Patil stand back to back fighting for their lives. They were once identical twins, same face, same smile, same body, until the last year of the war. Then the scars started to adore their skin and faces.

But they looked softer on Padma than her sister.

Theodore touched Padma’s face, where a scar adored her cheek, it was long healed over, but the skin was still soft. It still showed through her makeup.

Theodore kissed her again, pulling her closer to him. She really was unbelievable beautiful and he was mesmerized by it.

Two years ago she had been practically engaged to Terrance Boot, a fellow Ravenclaw of her’s. Theodore had hated him, had hated how he walked around with Padma on his arm, both of them too sweet to one another.

The truth was that he wanted to be Terrance Boot, wanted to have her on his arm and be able to kiss her anytime he wanted.

Padma was smart and witty and a single smile could knock the breath out of anyone. Her laugh would make heads turn and her voice was the only way that he passed Transfiguration fourth year. He would sit in the library behind the stacks of wherever Padma and her friends sat and studied together, listening to her read from her book or notes.

Theodore put a hand on her waist and pulled her closer to him, he kissed her harder and moaned as she bit his lip. He wouldn’t pull away even if his life depended on it.

At some point, Theodore had blocked out the music, and the darkness, and the throbbing of sound and bodies around him. He could feel a heat spreading throughout his body with the mere touch of her body.

“Let’s go,” moaned Padma, breaking away just long enough to say those two words.

He wanted too, he wanted to leave with her and never leave whichever room they ended up in. He would keep her in his bed for as long as he could stand it.

“Please,” she whined into his mouth, “let’s go.”

Theodore didn’t want to pull away from her mouth, from her lips, but he did.

But only because he had an empty flat and large bed waiting for them.

~`~

Padma stared at herself in the mirror, she looked a lot better than she had the year before. Devansh was playing in the sink with one of her lotion bottles. He was Theo in miniature, sweet and adorable, with his curly floppy dark hair, tan skin, and bright green eyes.

“Happy birthday baby,” Padma told him as she brushed her hair out. It was getting too long, but Theo liked to run his fingers through it and braid it back for her.

“Amma,” said Devansh looking up at her, Padma smiled down at him and brushed his hair with her brush. “Amma ma.”

With a quick twirl of her wand, Padma put her hair up in bun to keep it away from Devansh’s grabby fingers. He loved to pull on her hair and Theo’s and anyone who had long enough hair.

She picked up Devansh and blew a raspberry against his cheek as they left the bathroom. Theo was standing in the kitchen, making pancakes at the stove in only his boxers. In about three hours, they would be having everyone over. His friends and Parvati, Dean, and Naveen. She still didn’t care that much for Theo’s friends, but they were all sweet on Devansh, even if they all called him Devon.

Padma wasn’t dumb, it was better to have an English name or alternative for her son. Devon was close enough to Devansh, and he recognized both names as his own.

“And here’s the birthday boy!” said Theo, reaching out to take Devansh from Padma. She handed him over and then leaned forward to kiss Theo.

“Morning love,” Theo whispered in her ear as he tickled Devansh in his arms.

Padma smiled up at him and went to set up Devansh’s high chair while Theo finished making the pancakes. They didn’t have a table to sit at, most meals were spent either at a restaurant or on the couch. They weren’t out in the complete circuit of parties and events, not with Devansh to look after, but they did enjoy themselves whenever they could.

Padma cut up a few pancakes for Devansh and then put a little bit of honey and melted butter over the whole mess for him, just how he liked them. She made a plate for herself and Theo and sat up on the counter, laughing at Devansh as he munch away.

“Your sister is bringing over the cake with her?” asked Theo as he grabbed a damp towel to wipe off Devansh’s honey covered face.

“Yeah, and you better tell Gregory that if he gets into it early I’ll curse his ears off again,” Padma told him, and Theo gripped the sides of Devansh’s high chair as he laughed.

“I can’t believe you remember that,” said Theo as he shook with laughter. “That was fifth year, wasn’t it?”

“You can’t blame me for that one,” Padma told him, as she took the towel from him and wiped off Devansh’s face. “He kept trying to blow my robes up.”

“I just about cursed him myself for that one,” Theo told her, as he picked up their son. “I almost pushed him over a staircase when he did that.”

Padma smiled at him, then sent him off to go shower and put some clothes on. She took Devansh with her to the couch to nurse before his morning nap.

There was still plenty of cleaning up to do before their guests came over, but Padma would not miss out on this time with her son for the end of the world. Devansh was the most important person in her whole world.

Padma pushed Devansh’s crib into the bedroom before laying him down to nap. He looked so peaceful when he slept, with his hair sticking up and his little thumb in his mouth. Padma kissed his forehead and pushed his hair back, only to watch it spring back.

They really hadn’t bothered much to prepare for Devansh. They had bought the crib, but everything else was secondhand from Parvati and Dean. Naveen had a lot of cute clothes that Padma had given him, so being able to use them for Devansh was wonderful.

In the next few hours, they spent their time cleaning and preparing for the party. Everyone was bringing food, Padma had told Theo that was the only way they could come.

She should have known better, because they all came with more than she could’ve imagine. Gregory brought the most, they had all brought take out from various places. The only person to bring something homemade was Daphne, who also brought her sister Astoria, and Audrey Phillips.

Padma remembered Audrey, her twin brother Lucas had been friends with Terry.

They had fought and died side by side in the Battle of Hogwarts.

Daphne had brought biscuits, they were slightly over baked with icing running all over them, but Padma loved them more than anything else the others brought.

Parvati and Dean were the last two to show up, but they brought the cake and Naveen. Padma let the two little boys play together in the living room under Theo and Dean’s watchful eyes.

Padma kept her sister by her side for the next few hours, until the boys were starting to tire out. Then she pulled Parvati into the bathroom with her.

“I think I’m pregnant again,” she whispered to Parvati once the door was closed.

“I got your tests for you,” Parvati said taking a small package out of her pocket.

Padma sat down on the toilet, she didn’t want to be pregnant again. She hadn’t wanted it the first time, but the maybe was killing her.

“How long?” asked Parvati, as Padma took one of the tests, she really hoped that it was negative.

“Since June or May.”

“You’re pregnant then.”

Padma set the test down half off the counter and washed her hands. They had three minutes until they would know.

Padma wasn’t sure she would want to know.

“Will you marry him?” asked Parvati, looking at her reflection in the mirror. “Or are you going to keep playing this game with him?”

“I told him no last time,” said Padma, as she dried her hands off. “And the time before that, and before that.”

“Why? You love him, just as much as you loved Terry,” said Parvati, she was staring Padma down like she always did.

“No, I don’t,” said Padma looking everywhere except at the test and her sister. “I don’t love him like Terry, I don’t even like him most days. His friends are all horrible and he lets them call Devansh by the wrong name. He has no respect for our family or traditions.”

“You can’t be honest.”

“I didn’t stutter Parvati,” Padma told her. “I don’t want to be married to him, I didn’t even want to have a baby with him.”

“Well your about to have another,” said Parvati pointing to the pregnancy test.

Padma threw the test in the garbage and walked out of the bathroom, only to walk right into Theo.

“So you’re pregnant again.”

~`~

Theodore wrapped his arms around Padma’s waist and pressed his ear to her stomach. He was going to be a father, he never thought that it would be possible. He had no idea what he was going to do when their child came.

Padma would have to quit her job, there was no going around that. She needed to be around to take care of their child. It really wasn’t like they needed the money, Theo had more money than he knew what to do with. As an only child, with his mother gone and father in Azkaban, he was the only heir to his parent’s fortune.

He donated his paycheck from St. Mungo’s right back to them, along with all the money he made from renting out the family mansion. He had it cleaned and got rid of all the dark artifacts that his father kept as heirlooms.

Now it was rented out to Muggle and Wizarding families throughout the year.

He did keep some money from renting out the property, it paid for his rent and some of the gifts he gave Padma.

Padma let out a snore the same time the baby began to kick. Theo pressed his ear closer to her stomach and listened to movement in her womb.

“Shh, it’s okay little one,” Theo whispered as he rubbed small circles where the baby had been kicking. “Appa’s here.”

He felt a hand run through his hair and looked up to see that Padma was awake. She had been having trouble sleeping ever since the baby had started to kick at all times of the day.

“You’ve been doing your research, Theo,” said Padma as Theodore climbed back up the bed. He loved it when she called him Theo, it sounded so sweet and lovely from her.

“I like it more than papa or dad,” Theodore told him as she put her head on his chest.

“I like it too,” she mumbled before falling back asleep.

~`~

Padma spoke to Theo for the first time in six months, and only because she was giving birth to their second child. Hajari Raavi Nott was born on January 19, 2002. He was smaller than his brother Devansh, with no hair and dark eyes. Padma didn’t want to admit that he was ugly, but she knew that it took a couple of months before babies got really cute, and once his hair came in he would be cuter than his brother.

Theo only knew she was giving birth because Dean had told him. Padma didn’t know where that friendship had come from, but it was there and it annoyed both Padma and Parvati to no end.

“Theodore I swear on Dumbledore’s grave if you don’t leave me alone I will curse you up and down this whole hall,” Padma told him as she rocked Hajari in her arms.

“Should I remind you that Hajari is my son also and that Devansh has been asking for you for the last day,” said Theo, he was rubbing Devansh’s back as he slept on his shoulder.

Padma had left Theo after Devansh’s birthday party, she had pack her bags and left with Parvati and Dean. Devansh had cried that whole first night without Theo, Padma had cried with him that night and the next and the next.

She only gave up Devansh because she needed to be able to give herself a second, or really a weekend, to breathe and figure out her problems. So she let Theo take Devansh for her so she could sleep and cry in peace.

It became the arrangement, she had Devansh from Tuesday morning to Friday evening, and Theo had him from Friday evening to Tuesday morning. That had to of been when Dean and Theo became friends, Padma had asked Dean to handle the drop off and pick up for her.

“Switch me then, Hajari doesn’t want to sleep,” said Padma, ready to pass off her youngest for her oldest. Theo held Hajari with absolute care, the same way he always held Devansh.

“Hello my little man,” said Theo rubbing his youngest son’s back.

Padma felt Devansh completely relax into her, he was such an Amma’s boy, and Padma loved it.

“Oh my big boy, you’ve been so good for Appa haven’t you?” asked Padma kissing her son’s forehead.

Devansh nodded and then was out like a light, Padma envied him; just being able to fall asleep like that was amazing to her.

“Padma move back in,” said Theo as he sat down in the open seat by her bed. “Devansh misses having you around.”

She missed them both, but the fight she and Theo had was unforgiving.

“No, I can’t,” she told him, feeling a part of her hurt inside.

Theo didn’t look at her for the rest of his visit, nor did he talk to her. He just held their son and ignored her.

~`~

“What happened after Devansh?” asked Louis, as Anamika held his hand in both of hers and rested her head on his shoulder.

“She found out that she was pregnant on Devansh’s first birthday, and she got into a big fight with Appa over it. Well, sort of.”

“What do you mean sort of?” asked Louis, squeezing her hand.

“She means that they got into a fight about everything except me,” said Hajari sitting down on Louis’ other side. “They fought about Appa’s friends and money and how unhappy they were being happy.”

“That’s not true Hajari,” said Anamika, picking her head up off of Louis’ shoulder to glare at her older brother.

“It is,” said Hajari, “I was there.”

“You weren’t born yet, Hajari,” said Anamika, rolling her eyes at her brother.

“They still fought about everything after I was born, Dev and I slept on cots in the living room. Even when Appa was sick,” Hajari told them, before taking a sip from his champagne.

“Your dad was sick?” Louis asked them, and he watched as they both nodded.

“That’s kind of how they came back together,” said Anamika, squeezing Louis’ arm.

~`~

Padma rubbed Hajari’s back and kissed his forehead, he was a cute kid. He looked like her father, same wiry black hair, dark eyes, and big ears. He was just a shade darker than Padma, and two lighter than Devansh and Theo.

She looked up at her reflection in the dark window. Hajari was asleep in her arms and Devansh was reading a book Theo gave him for Christmas.

Padma felt that she looked older than she should, but being a single mother, at least half time, had aged her. She was still living with her sister and brother-in-law Dean with their three children, Naveen, Sasha, and Anika, their newborn daughter.

Padma stood up, holding Hajari against her chest and grabbing Devansh’s hand. Together they got off the train at the next stop and headed up to the street.

Devansh was already five, something that surprised Padma still. She didn’t think that she would be a mother to a five year old already.

“Come on my loves,” said Padma as they crossed the street, even though they were both attached to her. “Let’s go see Appa.”

Padma and Theo spent more time fighting about how to raise their children than talking to one another. The last time they had a real conversation had been at Hajari’s third birthday party. It had barely been civil, let alone even nice.

She unlocked Theo’s flat door and walked inside. It was late, but Theo said to bring them over anyways. Padma had work in the morning, but Devansh didn’t have school in the morning and Theo also didn’t have work.

“Theodore!” called Padma as she put Hajari down on his small bed set up in the living room, Devansh climbed into his just a space farther down the wall. “Theodore?”

Padma knocked on the bedroom door, Theo knew that they were coming. Though at no answer, she opened the door. Theo was lying on the floor on his stomach, Padma rushed over to him and rolled him over. His nose was bleeding and he looked pale, too pale.

“Theo?” whispered Padma, but his eyes didn’t focus on her, they weren’t focused on anything.

“Uhh.”

“Theo your bleeding, you need to get up,” Padma told him as she helped him to his feet, they made it half a step before his knees fell out.

~`~

“Justin we’ve known each other since we met on the train at eleven, what is wrong with Theodore?” pleaded Padma, she gripped his robes and held onto him. She needed to know, he was the father to her children.

“I told you Padma that I can’t tell you,” said Justin, “you’re not married, you’re not family; I’m not allowed to tell you.”

“Someone needs to tell Devansh and Hajari why their Appa is in the hospital, Justin,” said Padma letting him go. “You’re not going to be the one to tell them, so tell their Amma.”

“Their Amma isn’t family to their father,” said Justin, putting a hand over Padma’s. “And I can’t tell her anything, but if you happen to be in the room while I talk to Theodore then I can’t do anything about what you overhear.”

“Just please Justin, tell me if its cancer? Just a yes or no?”

Padma watched as Justin’s shoulders stiffened and he gave an almost unnoticeable nod.

She sat down in the chair in Justin’s office, feeling her whole world slip away.

~`~

Theodore looked at himself in the mirror, he was too pale, too thin, too sick. He looked like a ghost, his sons thought he wasn’t who he was. Even Padma and his friends had trouble being around him.

He was still himself, just he didn’t look like himself.

The door to his room opened and in walked Padma and Healer Justin Flinch-Fletchley. Justin went to school with him and Padma, he had been a Hufflepuff and a Muggleborn who Theodore had once made fun of.

Well Draco had made fun of him and Theodore had sat and watched him insult Justin.

There were a lot of things that Theodore regretted from his early Hogwarts days. Letting people say things that weren’t right about people he didn’t know, racist horrible things that would’ve made him angry to be said about him.

“How are you feeling Theodore?” asked Justin as Theodore sat back down on his hospital bed.

“The same as always, tired, sick, gross,” answered Theodore, as Padma sat down in the seat beside his bed. It was still weird to him to see Padma sit in that seat, its where he sat whenever he came to visit Padma.

“We’ll be able to fix two of those things, the tired part is on you,” said Justin as he looked over Theodore’s charts. “I know you probably mean that you’re tired of being here though.”

“This is going to sound crazy, but if anything I could really eat a whole stack of chocolate chip pancakes with eggs and sausage,” Theodore told him, as Justin laughed.

“That’s the usual response actually, though normally most people want fish and chips or a burger,” said Justin, as he put Theodore’s chart back.

“The boys love pancakes,” Theodore told him, “and so do I.”

“Well we still have to run a few test, but everything is looking good for right now,” said Justin with a smile, “I’ll let the two of you be for now.”

Padma moved so she was sitting beside Theodore on the bed. She smiled at him and kissed his cheek. “Things are looking up now.”

“Possibly looking up,” Theodore reminded her, it would hurt him more than anything if he got his hopes up too soon.

If he hurt his children or Padma.

~`~

“So he got better?” asked Louis, as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Hajari had left them, to go dance with Tarika, their younger sister.

“Yes, he and Amma finally decided to get their life together. They decided to get married, to move into our home, to have the rest of us,” said Mia, smiling up at Louis.

“So happily ever after then?”

“No, raising us has not been easy,” said Mia covering her hand to giggle. “Seven of us with a sixteen year age range is not easy to deal with.”

“You’re close with all of them though,” said Louis, thinking about how his own family wouldn’t be able to function at a wedding like this.

“Yeah, but Devansh is twenty-four, Hajari is twenty-two, I’m seventeen, Ali is thirteen, Vee is eleven, and the twins are eight, were kind of crazy,” Mia told him, and Louis wanted to laugh, his sister Victoire was the oldest and his cousin Lily was a month younger than him and the youngest of them. They had an eight year age difference, but most of the family was born within four years.

“Okay, that’s kind of crazy,” said Louis, leaning down to whisper in her ear.

Mia turned her head and kissed him quickly.

“So they went apartment hunting while Amma was pregnant with me,” said Mia, jumping back into her story.

~`~

Padma crawled into bed beside Theo, she was exhausted. She was let go from the Ministry for taking too much time off to care for Theo.

“This is familiar,” muttered Theo as Padma put her head on his shoulder.

“I’m so tired Theo, I don’t want to fight over this,” Padma told him as she wrapped an arm around his waist.

“We’re not fighting Padma,” said Theo rubbing her back. “I’ve just missed falling asleep next to you.”

Padma pressed her nose into Theo’s neck, she missed him too. Now that he was home, away from St. Mungo’s, their lives could go on.

She had spent more time at St. Mungo’s in the last six months than she had anywhere else. Her parents had moved back into their old house just to help Padma take care of Devansh and Hajari.

Padma would make sure to thank her parents in the morning when she went to get her boys. It was time to bring them home.

“I think I’m ready Theo,” Padma whispered, she could feel her consciousness about to leave her, but it was important that he knew this.

“For what?”

“To get married.”

~`~

Padma stared at herself in the mirror, her stomach seemed bigger than the last two times she was pregnant. She knew that she was only having one baby, but she just felt bigger for some reason.

“Amma!” yelled Hajari, bursting into the bathroom. He was already five, he had gone from three to five in the blink of an eye.

Or in the distraction of his father’s cancer diagnosis.

“Yes my love?” asked Padma as she began brushing her hair into a high ponytail.

“Appa says it’s time to go,” Hajari told her, then just like that he was gone, like a whirlwind of movement.

Padma finished doing her hair, then she went to the front door to meet Theo and her sons. They were going to look at apartments, because it was time for everyone to have a proper bedroom.

The boys were too big to be sleeping in tiny beds in the living room, and Padma wanted to have a proper nursery for their baby.

“Are you sure you want bring the boys with us?” asked Theo as Padma adjusted his tie and smoothed down his shirt. Even though she was wearing one of her old maternity dresses, she wanted to set a good impression to their relator.

“It’ll be their home too,” Padma told him, as he bent down to pick up Hajari. Padma took Devansh’s hand and together the four of them left the flat.

It was pass time for them to move, as soon as Padma moved back in, she realized how much easier it was to live in a one bedroom flat when they only had a twelve month old baby.

They had been searching for somewhere else to live before Padma had found out she was pregnant. They were also planning their wedding and saving up for a car. On top of it all Padma was job searching because the Ministry was refusing to take her back.

She knew there was a possible lawsuit somewhere for her, but she couldn’t find the time to do any research. It was hard being a full time mother to her boys.

Their newest baby was going to be a girl, Padma could tell. It drove Theo crazy, mostly because he couldn’t believe her on no facts, just a gut feeling.

“Amma, the baby’s kicking,” said Devansh as they walked down the street. He was staring at the movement coming from Padma’s stomach.

“Yes she is,” said Theo, rubbing Padma’s stomach as they came to a stoplight. Padma put her hand over his and held it to her stomach.

The first place they went to was an apartment that was barely better than their little flat. It had one more bedroom and next to no kitchen, not that they were good about eating at home. The next one was the same with a smaller bathroom, but slightly better kitchen.

They walked through an open house for a three bedroom house, but Theo didn’t like how small it was still.

“We need to find somewhere to live, Theo,” said Padma as they walked through another tiny apartment. “We can’t keep living in that shoebox.”

“I think it’s time that I throw some of my inheritance around then,” said Theo as he wrapped his arm around Padma’s shoulders, she relaxed into his side. “There’s more than enough money for us to buy something.”

“What about the manor?”

“No,” said Theo, pulling away from her and Padma sighed.

She should’ve known better anyways, Theo hated just the mere mention of his family’s manor.

“Then what do you have in mind Theo?” asked Padma as the boys ran up to them.

“Milli told me that her editor is looking to sell her apartment, I could pop over and ask if she could tell us where it is,” said Theo, as he picked up Hajari. “It would only take me a few minutes. If you want to take the boys to get lunch, I’ll meet up with the three of you.”

“Okay, but if we don’t like this place, then I think it’s time we look at houses in the suburbs,” Padma told him, as Devansh grabbed at her stomach.

“Deal,” said Theo, as he put Hajari back on his feet, “I’ll meet you at the Leaky Cauldron then?”

“Alright,” said Padma, as Theo headed off to a dark lit alley to disapparate.

Theo met up with them about ten minutes later, just as their food was coming out. Neville stood at their table and chatted for a few minutes before going off to greet another table.

“I can’t believe he’s teaching at Hogwarts now,” said Theo as he took a bite of his burger, “I thought he would’ve gone off to the Aurors like Parvati and all those other Gryffindors.”

“Not all of them went to the Ministry,” said Padma, thinking of Seamus at the bakery, “but Neville was never much of a fighter, he was always a sweet guy.”

“You went to the Yule Ball with him, didn’t you?” asked Theo, and Padma rolled her eyes. Her Yule Ball experience hadn’t been the best, she had gone with Ron Weasley and he had spent more time staring at Hermione Granger than even talking to Padma.

“We’re not going to have this conversation,” Padma told him, because they had had it more times than she wanted to count. He always teased her about that failure.

“Sorry love,” said Theo, leaning over to kiss her cheek.

After lunch, they headed to the apartment. Padma was ready to veto this one so she could start looking at houses in the suburbs.

What she didn’t expect was a penthouse apartment with six bedroom and four bathrooms. It was large and more than spacious even for the four, soon to be five, of them. Padma had to admit that the kitchen was big enough that she would want to learn how to cook in it, and it was open to the dining room and living room so she could keep an eye on the boys.

She was almost angry at Theo, because it was prefect for them, each of the kids could have their own bedroom and they would still have rooms left over.

“Damn it, Theo,” said Padma as the boys ran through the rooms, knowing that they would be living here from now on.

~`~

Anamika Parvati Nott was born on July 29, 2007 at 4:10pm, she was six pounds and twenty inches long. The boys called her baby Mia, which Padma didn’t mind as much as she thought she would.

Anamika looked just like Padma and Parvati did when they were born, only about a shade lighter. She was beautiful, and very happy and warm with everyone who held her.

She was born less than a week after they moved into the new apartment. Padma hadn’t had the time to even unpack, let alone set up the nursery or the boy’s room.

Devansh and Hajari asked to share a bedroom, so they put them in one of the bigger bedrooms. They shared most of their clothes and played together quite well anyways.

“Amma, is baby Mia coming home today?” asked Hajari as he climbed up onto her bed. He crawled into her lap and Padma made room for him to sit with her.

“No, my love,” said Padma pushing her fingers through his hair. “Just a few more days before we come home.”

“Oh,” he said, and Padma leaned down to kiss his forehead.

“Is Appa not good enough?” asked Padma, she rubbed his back and let him relax into her.

“I don’t like you being here, like Appa was,” said Hajari wrapping his arms around her.

Padma hugged him back and held him close to her. Theo’s cancer was gone, at least on his last check he was still clear, but Padma could understand her children’s concern.

There had been a month where Padma was sure that she was going to lose Theo. She was sure that he was going to die and leave her with their sons. She was scared that he would never know how much he meant to her.

“Hajari, let’s let Amma sleep,” said Theo, as he walked into the room and saw Hajari on her lap. “Auntie Parvati is looking for you.”

“Sorry Appa,” said Hajari slipping off the bed and running out to the hall.

“He was fine Theo,” Padma told him, as Theo sat down in the chair next to her bed.

Theo stayed quiet and Padma waited for him to say something. She knew that he was stewing on his words. They were having a rough week, with Anamika bring born three weeks early and just moving into their new home.

“Parvati told me that she looks just like you,” said Theo, he wasn’t even looking at her.

“Theo, what’s wrong?” asked Padma, looking at him.

“She’s three weeks early.”

“We’ll be okay.”

“My sister was three weeks early too.”

~`~

“I was six when my mother died,” said Theodore as he pushed Padma’s hair out of her face. “She died giving birth to my little sister.”

“You were there?” asked Padma, tucking her face into his neck.

“Yes, I was just outside the door,” said Theodore wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “I heard the baby crying and ran into the room. The midwife had her in her arms, but I just wanted my mum.”

She waited for him to continue, he always got emotional talking about his mother.

“She hugged me and I remember her telling me that she loved me and to be good to Teresa,” Theodore told her, he was staring straight up at the ceiling. He could feel the emotion in his throat. “Then she was gone.”

Padma picked her head up and looked at him, he avoided her eyes.

“My father came in at the sound of Teresa crying and threw me out of the room. He just picked me up and threw me out of the room, luckily I bounced off the wall.

“He closed the door behind him, and I saw the green light and heard the thumps on the floor.”

Theodore was crying now, but he could also hear Padma quietly sobbing against his chest. His sister never had a chance to live, while he never had a chance to grow out of his father’s attention.

“He buried my mother out in the garden, I don’t know what happened to Teresa or the midwife,” said Theodore, as Padma pulled her face up to his. She wiped away his tears and kissed him on the cheek.

“I’m sorry he did that to you Theo,” Padma told him, as he held her. “None of you deserved that.”

“She was twenty when she had me Padma,” Theodore whispered as he put his head on her shoulder, “my father arranged their marriage for when she graduated from Hogwarts. He was already fifty-five when they got married, she was only eighteen.”

“That’s disgusting,” said Padma rubbing a hand down his spine. “I can’t believe your grandparents allowed that.”

“Daughters are disposable in Pure-Blood Society Padma,” explained Theodore, he hated how true it still was. “Milli and Pansy were betrothed by the time they were six months old.”

Theodore felt Padma shiver in disgust under his head. Milli had been engaged to Vincent, and they had hated one another. Vincent had been killed in the Battle of Hogwarts, and even though they all missed him, they were more than happy to not have to go to that wedding.

Pansy was engaged to Gregory, but the two of them were going slow with their wedding planning. Theodore didn’t see them working for very long, and the two of them planned on breaking things off after a few years so they didn’t have to deal with their parents.

“At least he’s in Azkaban now,” said Padma, pressing her forehead against his. “He can’t touch you from there.”

“If I ever have a daughter, she’ll be the first girl born in my family for five generations,” said Theodore. “She’ll be the most important thing in my world.”

Padma was quiet and Theodore knew that she was thinking how if he had a child, a daughter, it wouldn’t be her’s.

~`~

“They didn’t get married right away actually,” said Anamika, as she unrolled her silverware. “They had me and they moved, then Amma started up the Society with Astoria.”

“The charity thing?” asked Louis taking her spoon to look at his reflection.

“Yeah, they started it together and they run it together. Every idea and every event they planned,” Anamika told him. “I grew up going to those events, it’s where I met Lyla and it’s where I learned to dance. Amma and Appa’s friends are the biggest donors.”

“I thought it was anonymous,” said Louis as he twirled the spoon in his fingers.

“It is, but when you grow up with the creators and donors, you know whose who,” said Anamika with a smile. She began folding the napkin into something new, she had learn how to fold napkins from the Goyle’s house elf.

~`~

Padma finally went back to work when Mia was eighteen months old. Theo worked for St. Mungo’s as their lead donations accountant, Padma went to work with Astoria Malfoy to create ‘The Society’.

The Society was a joke that Padma made with Astoria years ago, back before Astoria had started dating Draco and before Padma was pregnant with Devansh. They had watched the boys slip out back, and Padma had leaned down and whispered in Astoria’s ear about how the high society only knew how to get high.

Now the Society was an anonymous charity organization, made up of Slytherin alumni who grew up together during the war. The oldest of the group was Marcus Flint, who was six years Padma’s senior, and the youngest was Astoria, who was two years younger than Padma.

Padma and Astoria were taking the dues and reinvesting them in various businesses and using the profits to put into various charities. They were working with both the Ministry and St. Mungo’s, funding scholarships and internships, along with paying for treatments for underprivileged patients.

Theo was helping them keep their numbers straight, while Padma was talking to Ministry officials and the businesses they invested in. Astoria was bringing in the members, and their money. Astoria was the private face, while Padma was the public face.

Draco even helped them with setting up an account at Gringotts and getting a board of members together. They were working on getting a member meeting together and setting up a fundraising event.

Padma wanted to throw a ball of her own, but it would have to be at the Malfoy’s manor. She couldn’t even talk Theo into getting married at his family’s manor. She thought if he could associate something wonderful and nice with the manor, then he would be more open to visiting.

She spent her days meeting with Astoria either at the Malfoy manor or the penthouse, Astoria always with little Scorpius in tow while Padma kept Anamika with her.

Padma never thought she would be able to have a job that she could bring her children too and be able to look after them.

Her life was finally falling into place.

~`~

Minali Teresa Nott was born on February 3, 2011, exactly nine months after Padma and Theo’s wedding. She was very small, only five pounds and sixteen inches, she was the darkest of their children, she was born with dark curly hair and Theo’s eyes. She was cuddly and sweet to Padma and Theo and her siblings, always wanting to be held.

Devansh spent as much time as he could with her, Padma found them sitting together in the nursery reading, or singing, or just talking. Devansh of course was the one talking to her, and Padma loved seeing them together cuddling on the floor or in the rocking chair.

“Ali, Ali, Ali,” said Devansh as he tickled Minali’s sides. Padma stood in the doorway of the nursery watching the two of them. Devansh was laying on the floor with Minali on his chest, Padma loved spying on them.

“It’s going to be hard when Dev goes to Hogwarts,” said Theo, as he wrapped his arms around Padma’s waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. “We’ll lose our best babysitter.”

Padma smiled and held his hands, she would miss Devansh when he left for school, but she was happy to see him grow into a responsible and mature young man.

“He’ll be good, probably find someone else to care for at Hogwarts,” Padma told him, as she rested her cheek on his head.

“Maybe not his first year, at least Naveen has already started and will be able to keep an eye on him,” said Theo. “Dean told me that he fits in really well and has already made a bunch of friends.”

“Parvati told me that he still writes home twice a week though,” said Padma with a small laugh, “she said that he misses his sisters.”

“Devansh will be the same,” said Theo, as he stood to his full height. “He’ll miss the girls and Hajari more than he’ll let on.”

Padma turned away from their children and walked down the hall, her arm looped in Theo’s. They walked pass Anamika and Hajari playing in the main room, on the way to the kitchen. Theo led her to the stove, where his latest creation was sitting on the stovetop.

Theo had taken the lead and signed them up for a cooking class, he was much better at it than Padma. He had grown up hiding in the kitchen with the house elves, watching them work hiding from his father. Padma was proud of him, he was really taking the lead on cooking for their family.

“I made chicken pot pie,” said Theo showing off his perfectly browned pie. “I though the kids would like it.”

Padma smiled and leaned over to kiss him, she was perfectly happy with their family, with their life.

~`~

Theodore had never worn robes this comfortable before. They were soft and warm and he felt completely relaxed.  He was dressed in gold colored robes with a bright red scarf wrapped around his neck. Parvati had put it on him before he walked out to the Mandap.

He had met their priest a few times before, at different ceremonies for their children. He lit a small fire in front of Theo, who out of shock took a small step back. Behind him, he could hear his friends snicker and laugh at him. They had subbed in for his family during the last two weeks of parties that involved all of Padma’s family and extended family.

Theodore was grateful for them, but they were pissing him off right now.

He kept his back to his friends, until he heard the music start up.

They’re wedding was pretty traditional, but they were adding a couple of English traditions that they both wanted to include. The first was the walk down the aisle, Theodore knew that everyone was standing, but he only had eyes for Padma.

She was a vision in her red and gold gown, her arms and feet were covered in beautifully applied henna. Theodore watched her walk closer to him, followed behind by her sister and their children, arm and arm with both of her parents.

He took a step forward to Padma, and took her hand as her father handed it to him. They stood still as her mother wrapped the scarf that Theo had been wearing around both of their shoulders, tying them together.

They both stepped forward and kneeled in front of the fire as the priest led them in prayer. Theodore kept his hand in Padma’s as they bowed their heads together and listened. Once the prayer was over, they stood up and turned to one another. They weren’t going to exchange their vows until they took their first seven steps together.

They listened to the priest as he blessed them and their marriage. Then they walked around the fire, once, twice, three times, and then the final fourth circle. They both sat down quickly, both hitting the ground at the same time, Theo couldn’t help himself, he began laughing and Padma kissed him.

They stood up as the priest gave them their final blessing. Together they took their first seven steps down the aisle, each sharing a vow, a promise to the other.

“I promise to love you every day that we’re together,” promised Theodore, holding Padma close, “and I promise to tell you every day, from now to the end of our time.”

“I promise to love and care for you every day,” said Padma, and Theodore saw the tears in her eyes, “I promise to love our family and watch it grow every day were together.”

They took their next step.

“I promise to love our children more with each passing day,” promised Padma, and that was when the first tears fell, “and I promise to care for them as our family grows together.”

“I promise to be the father that mine never was,” said Theodore, feeling tears run down his cheeks. “I promise to love and care for them like mine never did, to never hurt or unjustly punish them, and to only give them bad advice that I thought was good.”

They giggled together as they took their next step.

“I promise to make you laugh every day,” promised Theodore, leaning in to kiss her forehead, “and to make you smile even more.”

“I promise to laugh at all of your bad jokes,” said Padma, squeezing his hands, “even when they’re actually funny.”

Step four.

“I promise to never go to bed angry at you or our children. To never start a fight that we can’t finish.”

“I promise to not let you lure me into a fight or argument, and to never lure you into one. I promise to be more open to our different ideas and to listen and compromise.”

Step five.

“I promise to always listen to your day, even when I’m so tired I can’t keep my eyes open,” promised Theodore, squeezing her fingers with his own.

Padma smiled at him, “I promise to not bore you and listen to your boring work stories.”

Step six.

“I promise to wake up next to you every morning and fall asleep next to you every night, come hell or high water,” promised Padma, and Theodore saw that she was crying as hard as he was.

“I promise to spend every night and every day by your side, to be by your side through the thick and thin,” said Theodore, as he wiped away her tears.

They took their last step.

“I promise you that I will love you from now to the end of our time.”

“I promise you that I will love you from now to the end of our time.”

Theodore placed a ring on her fourth finger and Padma did the same for him. Once they were done, Theodore kissed her and held her close.

“I love you,” he whispered to her as their family and friends cheered for them.

“Thank you,” whispered Padma, kissing him again.

Part Three: Devansh and Samantha

Vinanti “Vee” Padma Nott was born on May 1, 2013, at noon exactly, she was six pounds and twenty-two inches long. She looked like Padma, but with Theo’s green eyes and nose. Padma thought that she was perfect, but Theo reminded her that she was biased.

“I’m allowed to think that she’s perfect Theo,” said Padma, holding little Vee against her chest. “I did just give birth to her.”

“I know she’s perfect,” said Theo, climbing into the bed beside her. “I watched you give birth to her.”

Padma cuddled into his side and leaned her head back so he could kiss her. Parvati was watching the girls for them, as Devansh and Hajari were at Hogwarts, Devansh in his third year and Hajari in his first. Both of them had been upset when Padma had told them during their Christmas holidays that they would have a new sibling by the time they came home for the summer.

“Theo,” said Padma, knowing that he wasn’t going to like what she had to say. He looked down at her, almost as if he already knew what she was going to say. “You have to go see them tomorrow, take them pictures of Vee.”

Theo sighed, and Padma knew why, he had been avoiding the ceremony for years. “Do I have too?”

“For our children, Theo,” Padma told him, resting her head on his shoulder. “Let them know that she’s here, that we’re all okay.”

“I can’t promise that I’ll be there the whole time,” Theo told her, and Padma nodded, she didn’t expect him to be, she wouldn’t force him.

“It’s okay,” Padma told him, as he wrapped his arm around her waist, “I wouldn’t ask you to do this if I could go myself.”

“I should be offering to go, not fearing what will happen when I do go,” said Theo, and Padma could hear the disappointment in his voice, the sadness.

“Theo,” said Padma, looking up at him, “I love you, and you have no reason to be scared or worried about what anyone thinks of you. You helped just as many people behind the lines as any of them, any of us. Don’t let anyone think that you don’t deserve to be there too.”

Theo was quiet and Padma waited for him to say something, anything. Instead he leaned down and kissed her, he kissed her like he had on their wedding day, after their vows.

“Thank you,” he whispered as he pressed his face into her shoulder, tears streaming from his eyes. “I love you so much Padma.”

~`~

Padma stared at herself in the mirror, her three daughters sat on the sink in front of her; she had just finished doing their hair for school. Theo sat on the toilet, having just watched Padma brush and braid and twist all the girl’s hair.

Vee was almost three, she was playing in the sink while Anamika and Minali made funny face for her in the mirror. Padma helped the older girls down and picked up Vee who grabbed at Padma’s hair, Vee loved to play in Padma’s hair. It didn’t help that Padma’s hair went pass her waist, though she normally kept it pulled back.

“Can you take her?” Padma asked Theo, and he stood up to take Vee from her. He kissed her cheek and left the bathroom, Padma brushed through her own hair and with a quick twirl of her wand, it twisted into a bun on top of her head.

She looked down at the bathroom floor, all of their children had thick dark hair, some with curly and course texture, others with straight and silky. Hajari had the most annoying hair, it was wiry and curly and impossible to brush through. It was just like her father’s hair, she was thankful that she didn’t have that hair.

She was about to leave the bathroom, when she saw something weird in the mirror. Her dress normally fit perfectly, but now her stomach was poking out slightly.

There was no way she was having another baby, she and Theo had decided that they would be done after Vee.

She would need to talk to Ernie, luckily she had a meeting at St. Mungo’s today.

~`~

“So you, Minali, and Vinanti are born, your Amma goes to work with Mrs. Malfoy for the charity, you’re parents finally got married, anything else?” asked Louis, as he took a piece of cake from a passing server. He handed the cake to Mia before taking another for himself.

“That’s about right,” said Mia, as she took a bite of wedding cake.

Louis always thought that celebration cake tasted better than regular cake.

“Then what about the twins?”

“They came after the House of Black pitch.”

Louis had spent quite a bit of time at the House of Black, but it was different to learn that the Society was the reason it was able to exist.

~`~

Theodore stood in one of the Malfoy’s parlor rooms, they were having a meeting to discuss the Society’s next charity endeavor. Padma was talking to Marcus, letting him play with baby Vee. They needed to get started, but they were waiting for Astoria who left to answer the door.

Theodore heard Gregory make a joke about how that was the house elves job, and Theodore couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

“Please don’t tell me that you have a house elf for your three bedroom apartment Greg,” said Theodore, thinking about how they could use one, but didn’t need one.

“Of course I have a house elf, who else will cook and clean up after the kids?” asked Greg, and Theo shook his head.

“You could do it yourself, it’s not hard,” Theodore told him, it was the truth, Padma would never let them have a house elf. At this point, Theodore didn’t see why they would need one. They were home with their children most of the time, if Padma was gone then Theodore was there and vice versa. If they were both gone, then Parvati and Dean watched Vee and Minali, or Padma took them with her. Theodore had brought the kids with him to his office a few times before, but they weren’t good with staying within his sight and not wandering off, even when he put the safety gate up.

“Just because you have one more kid than me doesn’t mean that you’re an expert Nott,” said Greg, and not for the first time had Theodore felt the need to roll his eyes.

“I’m just saying that it’s not that hard Gregory,” said Theodore, as Padma put a hand on his shoulder.

“What isn’t hard?” asked Padma, looking at both of them.

“Cooking and cleaning up after ourselves,” Theodore told her and Padma rolled her eyes.

“I see I walked into a fight I don’t want to deal with,” said Padma wrapping her arm in his. “Gregory, thank you for coming today, Theo, don’t forget that he doesn’t have me.”

Theodore laughed and hugged Padma to him, he rested his head on top of hers. Padma pulled away from him as the door to the parlor room opened and in came Astoria, followed by Audrey Weasley, and a teenaged boy.

He looked familiar, but Theodore couldn’t quite name who he reminded him of. He was tall and lanky with shoulder length brown hair and dark blue eyes. He was dressed nice, in dark jeans and a button down shirt, as if he knew what he was facing.

“Everyone,” said Astoria addressing the room, “this is Theodore Lupin, and he has a proposal for us. Theodore, after you.”

Theodore Lupin nodded and smiled nervously at Astoria, before turning to all of them.

“My name is Teddy Lupin and as some of you have now figured out, I’m the son of Remus and Nymphadora Lupin, and Harry and Ginny Potter’s oldest godson,” explained Teddy, holding his hands tight together. “I know your all wondering why I’m here, that’s because I have an idea, a building, and no funding.”

“So just here for money,” said Milli, with a sigh and a roll of her eyes. “What a surprise?”

“I’m here for more than just money,” said Teddy, and Theodore watched as his nervousness disappeared in front of them. “I’m here because a friend of mine was killed last summer because his father beat him and threw him out on the streets because he came out to his parents. He was only fourteen years old.”

The room was silent, and Theodore couldn’t help himself from looking at Marcus who still had Vee in his arms.

“He went to a shelter, but they had turned him away for being too young, he went to a hospital, but it was too late. If he had been able to go to the shelter, then they would have made him go through a medical examination and found out that he was bleeding internally and that his lung was puncture. He died because there was nowhere for him to go,” explained Teddy, he was mesmerizing as he paced in front of them.

“I didn’t find out about his passing until I came back to school, he had no way of contacting me or any of our friends. If we had known what his home life had been like, then one of us could have stepped in and help. His parents were Muggles, he had no contact with the Wizarding community, he had nothing,” said Teddy, and Theodore watched as he wiped at his eyes.

“I have a proposal, to create a shelter for Hogwarts students who can’t live at home,” said Teddy, standing still for the first time since he started talking. “Who need a place to stay during the holidays because their home is unstable or unsafe, who need medical attention and therapy, who need protection.”

“So you need more than just money,” said Draco from where he was sitting, he stood up and walked closer to Teddy. “You need cooperation with St. Mungo’s for medical care and the MLEs or Aurors for protection and security. Not to mention that you’ll need transportation for students and possibly scholarships for school supplies. You’re not here for money, you’re here for connections.”

“I have connections to both St. Mungo’s and to the Aurors, I have a building in need of renovations and those who are willing to help with them,” Teddy paused, carefully considering his next words, “what I’m asking is for help getting the word out. My friend, his name was Elazar Black, he was a Slytherin, and he used to tell us stories about his dorm mates who all had plans of leaving their homes as soon as they could. He told me stories about how they would be locked out for the night if they were just a minute pass curfew; not given meals because they gained weight while at school; not allowed to leave their rooms unless their homework was done; not being allowed to use the bathroom but once a day.”

The room was silent, except for Teddy’s quiet pacing and Vee’s cooing.

“If the Society supports the shelter, then it will help more kids, it will help kids like Elazar. It will help them get out of abusive homes, it will save kids from their parents.”

The door to the parlor opened, and in walked Devansh and Hajari, followed by their sisters, the Parkinson/Goyle children, Draco and Astoria’s son Scorpius, and Daphne and Blaise’s daughter Lyla. Theodore couldn’t take his eyes off of his children, he was thinking about what Teddy said, he was thinking about his father.

“I support this endeavor,” Theodore told the room, but most importantly Teddy. “If no one else does, then come see me, I’ll finance this whole thing if I have too.”

“You won’t,” said Marcus, and Theodore turned his head to find Marcus behind him. Padma took Vee from him and held her close to her. “I vote that we fund this.”

“I second,” said Milli, and Theodore smiled at her.

“We’ll start work to set up a scholarship fund, and we’ll be sending someone out to the location to see what we need to do for renovations. We want to help you Teddy,” said Padma, as she rubbed Vee’s back. “All of this is procedure.”

“Thank you,” said Teddy, smiling at everyone in the room. “This will really help.”

Theodore wrapped his arm around Padma and leaned down to kiss her cheek. If this shelter had existed when he was a kid, he would’ve been there in a heartbeat.

~`~

Padma looked at herself in the mirror, she was going to kill Theo; they had said that they were done. No more babies after Vee, it was the agreement. Now though, she was having twins, and they had no supplies, no clothes, nothing for them.

“We could have a baby shower,” said Theo, as they laid together on the couch. All of the kids were asleep, or pretending to be at least. “We didn’t have one for any of the others kids.”

“We could, but doesn’t that seem dumb at this point?” asked Padma as she rubbed a hand over her stomach.

“It’s our last shot,” said Theo as he pushed his hand under Padma’s. “We could have Astoria plan it for you, or Parvati.”

“It sounds like you already thought this out Theo,” said Padma as she held his hands over her stomach.

“Astoria has already got into contact with your sister,” said Theo, “they already have it all planned out and ready to go.”

“This was very sneaky of you Theodore,” said Padma as she leaned forward slightly, Theo moved forward and kissed her.

“I’m just the messenger, I knew if they surprised you, you would’ve been more upset,” Theo told her, “but we have more pressing matters.”

“What do you mean?”

“Where are we going to put everyone?”

~`~

Rishi Terrance Nott and Tarika Millicent Nott were their smallest babies, both were four and half pounds and about sixteen inches long. They were born on February 9, 2016 at 3:32am, they were very quiet, and they came into the world quiet too.

Padma was happy that they were healthy and well, but she was tired and sad. Rishi and Tarika were going to be her last babies.

“I just sent an owl to Dev and Hajari,” said Theo walking into the room, Vee was on his hip. “Dean is taking the girls to school.”

“Thank you,” said Padma, she was laying on her side, the twins were asleep in their bassinet.

Theo put Vee down on the small couch on the other side of the room, then walked over to Padma. He knelt down in front of her and pushed her hair behind her ear.

“You okay?” he whispered and Padma didn’t know how to answer him. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine, just tired, didn’t get much sleep last night,” answered Padma, as Theo held her face.

“Sleep then, I think I can handle the three of them,” Theo told her, then he leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

Padma tried to sleep, but she felt so uncomfortable in her bed. She was over exhausted, she knew that, but for the first time since she gave birth to Devansh, she felt anxiety.

This anxiety was different though, it was tearing her apart inside, making her feel cold. It was like during the war, memories of hiding and being scared were coming back.

Later, when Theo left to get the girls, Padma called one of her old friends, Tony Goldstein. Tony came down and held Tarika while Padma nursed Rishi.

“I’ve never felt this way after having any of the others, Tony,” Padma told him, as she carefully held her youngest son. “I feel anxious and scared that something is going to happen. I feel like I can’t do anything because I get this fear that I’ll do something wrong or hurt them.”

“It just sounds like the baby blues, Padma,” said Tony bouncing Tarika in his arms. “You only gave birth two days ago, this could clear up in a few days.”

“What if it doesn’t?” asked Padma, looking down at Rishi in her arms, “what if it’s permeant?”

“Then we’ll talk again, but if this keeps up after you go home, then let me know. Sometimes it’s hard to be in the ward. If after two weeks you’re still having these feelings or getting worse, then I would like for you to come see me or even Ernie,” said Tony, as he put Tarika in her bassinet.

“Thank you Tony,” said Padma, as Tony leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I’ll come back around before you leave.”

Padma watched as Tony left and she laid back down in her pillows. She just couldn’t handle this pain right now.

~`~

Anamika put down her fork, she had gone and grabbed them both a second piece of cake. It was a delicious creation that was made by Rose Weasley, Louis’ cousin.

“Amma had the twins, but she was different afterwards. She wasn’t as happy as she had been after having the rest of us,” Anamika told Louis, as he played with twines of his fork.

“Maman was like that after I was born,” said Louis, as Anamika grabbed his hand.

“It was scary to see her like that,” said Anamika as leaned her head on his shoulder.

“That’s what Victoire always said.”

“She’s right.”

~`~

Theodore stood in front of the mirror, he looked thin and sickly, and he was pale and had no hair. He was going to be released from St. Mungo’s soon, released into the world of the healthy and the living. He was going back home, to his sons, to Padma.

He stared at the scars on his arms, the port in his stomach, the loss of his hair. He now had his own battle scars, scars that matched Padma, scars of a war fought on his body, in his body.

He had leukemia with no knowledge that he could pass it on or if it would stop with him. His mother had died when he was too young to know about the family medical history, and he vowed to never speak to his father when he went to Azkaban.

Theodore pulled his robes back around him and walked slowly back to his bed. Being sick made him tired, being unable to live his life made him angry and upset. Being away from his family, his friends, his life was beginning to be too much.

“How are we doing, Theodore?” asked Healer Flinch-Fletchley, as he walked into the room.

“I need to get out of here,” Theodore told him, he had a life to live outside of these walls. “My treatments are done, when can I leave?”

“As soon as someone can come get you,” said Healer Flinch-Fletchley, smiling at him.

Theodore smiled and stood up, being able to go home, to see his children again. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

“You’ll be on limitations, and I’ll be having you come back in every three months for testing,” said Healer Flinch-Fletchley, “at least for the first year, then we’ll be testing every six months if all signs are clear.”

“How long until its official?” asked Theodore, he sat back down carefully.

“Five years is procedure Theodore and that’s only if you’re clear.”

Theodore mulled over the healers words, there was a possibility that his cancer could come back or never leave him.

“So I have to wait five years before I move forward in life?” asked Theodore, feeling all of his hopes and happiness fall away.

“No, if you want to get married, move, or have another baby, you’re more than free to do so,” answered the healer, walking across the room to sit in front of Theodore. “I wouldn’t suggest jumping in so quickly, but I do think after six months or a year you’ll be more than able to do so.”

“So my life is still on hold for a year,” said Theodore, letting his face fall into his hands.

“I’m not saying that you can’t do anything, I’m just suggesting that you give yourself time to heal, time to reacquaint yourself with your family, with Padma and the boys,” said Healer Finch-Fletchley, looking more serious than Theodore thought he could. “Theodore, you just need time to heal, not just your body, but also your mind.”

“Okay,” said Theodore pulling his hands away from his face. “Okay I get it.”

“It’s not the end, it’s the beginning,” said Healer Finch-Fletchley, “and sometimes it takes a bit of time to get going again.”

“To jump back in.”

“Yes, to jump back in.”

~`~

“Padma love, Rishi and Tarika are hungry,” said Theodore as he walked into their bedroom. Padma was curled up on the bed in the dark, ever since they came back from St. Mungo’s she had spent more time in bed than anywhere else. It had been like pulling teeth to get Padma to leave the bedroom.

He had talked to Ernie, Tony, and Rose about what was going on, but it was becoming more and more clear how upset Padma was.

“Go away,” mumbled Padma turning away from him.

“Padma, they need you,” Theodore told her, he sat down on the bed and rubbed her back. “We all need you.”

“Go away.”

The twins were already four months old, and Devansh and Hajari would be home in a few days from school. Theodore was having a hard enough time taking care of everyone without Padma, he hated that he was relying on Parvati, Dean, and his friends. They were all bending over backwards to help him, but he couldn’t return the favor.

“We can’t keep doing this Padma,” whispered Theodore, he could feel himself falling apart, “you need help, we need help.”

He didn’t like to cry, his father had tried to beat the weakness out of him, cursing him whenever he cried. But Padma was scaring him, he missed her, their children missed her.

“I’m going to go get Rose, she’s Ernie’s wife, and a healer who works with those suffering with their mental health,” said Theodore, knowing that he wasn’t explaining Rose’s job correctly.

“I’m not crazy Theo,” whispered Padma, and Theodore could hear her sobbing. “I don’t know what’s wrong.”

“I’m going to get you some help,” Theodore told her, “I promise you’ll get better.”

~`~

Padma rubbed Tarika’s back and held her to her chest. Tarika had long ago fallen asleep, but Padma found that holding her was helping her nervousness.

Devansh was graduating today, he was graduating as Head Boy and Valedictorian; he was everything that Padma could wish for. Though if she was honest, the second the sorting hat named him a Ravenclaw she was proud of him.

“Amma! Appa!” called Hajari, running towards them. Padma smiled at him and opened her free arm to him once he came over. Padma held him close and kissed his cheek.

“How are you love?” asked Padma as she pulled away, Hajari took Tarika from her. “Your exams treat you well?”

“Do they ever?” asked Hajari as he bounced Tarika in his arms.

“I guess not, where’s Anamika?” asked Padma, pulling him down into a seat beside her. Theo was right beside her, holding a sleeping Rishi in his arms, while Vee sat on his legs.

“Don’t know, hi Appa,” said Hajari, and Padma allowed him to play musical chairs so she could look for her oldest daughter.

She found Anamika with Lyla Zabini, the two of them were a giggling pair of sweetness that made Padma’s heartache. It was like watching Lavender and Parvati all over again.

“Can Lyla sit with us Amma?” asked Anamika as she hugged Padma. Padma smiled down at her daughter, before nodding.

“How have you been Lyla?” asked Padma as she led the girls to their seats.

“Well, now that exams are over Mrs. Nott,” answered Lyla as they walked down the aisle.

Padma smiled and ushered the girls into seats, she sat down beside Theo, and pulled Minali onto her lap. It wasn’t long before the ceremony started, they sat and watched as Devansh spoke to his class, to his family.

Padma squeezed Theo’s hand as they watched their son speak, laugh, and cry on the stage that neither of them ever crossed.

“Amma,” whispered Minali turning to look up at Padma, “why are you crying?”

“Because I’m happy for Devansh,” Padma whispered back, hugging her daughter close to her. “He’s all grown up now.”

Minali leaned into Padma’s chest while Padma rested her head on Theo’s shoulder. She could feel tears prickling in her eyes as Theo squeezed her hand.

“He’s going to the Auror’s,” whispered Theo, his lips at Padma’s ear, “I don’t know how I feel about that though.”

“Just because we weren’t meant for the Ministry doesn’t mean that he isn’t,” Padma whispered back to him.

Theo smiled and kissed her forehead, before turning back to the stage.

Once the ceremony was over, they went to Devansh, who was already being hugged by his girlfriend Samantha Goyle. Padma adored Samantha, she was a sweet girl, who doted on her younger siblings and Devansh’s younger siblings.

“Congratulations honey,” said Padma hugging Devansh. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Thank you Amma,” whispered Devansh as he held her close. Padma still couldn’t believe how tall he was, but he was still her baby boy.

“I love you,” Padma told him as she let him go.

~`~

Padma stood in front of the mirror with Rishi in her arms, he was incredibly clingy with her. Though if Padma was honest, she quite liked it, he was warm and very cuddly, and he was her youngest. Rishi was four minutes younger than Tarika, and has been about four minutes behind her since.

“Amma,” said Rishi as Padma set him down to brush his hair. “Amma up.”

“Let me brush your hair sweetheart,” Padma told him as the door to the bathroom opened, Theo walked in and stopped to watch them.

Padma brushed through Rishi’s hair, then her own, and pulled her hair back. It was starting to get out of hand, but she knew that Theo liked her long hair.

“You look beautiful,” Theo whispered in her ear as Padma picked Rishi back up.

Padma smiled and let him kiss her cheek. “Thank you Theo.”

Theo kissed Rishi’s forehead and ran a hand through his hair, Padma rolled her eyes and left Theo in the bathroom. She headed to the kitchen where Devansh was cutting up an apple for Tarika.

It was nice to have her oldest two home, Devansh and Hajari were both helpful and nice to their younger siblings. They never complained about helping with the shopping or helping with babysitting. They were all good kids who helped each other out.

“Thank you Devansh,” said Padma, squeezing his arm. She put Rishi in his booster seat and helped Tarika up into her’s. It had annoyed Padma that they had to buy a second set of baby items as all of their friends had stopped having children years ago.

That and they really hadn’t planned on having Rishi or Tarika.

“She was hungry and I had the time,” said Devansh, as he put the cut up apple and some peanut butter on plate for Tarika. “Would you like me to cut up an apple for Rishi too?”

“If you don’t mind, when do you have to go the Ministry?” asked Padma as she handed him an apple.

“At nine,” said Devansh glancing at his watch, “I have orientation then I’ll start my training.”

“Sounds exciting,” said Padma as Devansh set Rishi’s apple in front of him.

“I know it doesn’t,” said Devansh and Padma rolled her eyes.

“Have a good time, and don’t let Harry Potter or Ron Weasley push you around,” Padma told him as Devansh kissed her cheek.

“Yes Amma,” said Devansh as he left the kitchen.

Padma smiled as she watched him walk away, she was so proud of him and the young man he had become.

~`~

“Okay, so I’m all caught up then?” asked Louis, Mia smiled up at him.

“Almost,” said Mia and Louis could feel himself wanting to break down, he was tired, the music was too loud, and he was hungry again.

“We can get out of here if you want,” said Mia, as Louis sighed.

“It’s your brother’s wedding,” said Louis, but he could feel the stress of the day hitting him.

“And Devansh won’t miss me,” said Mia, standing up and pulling Louis to his feet. “Come on, let’s go, I’ll finish telling you the story.”

Louis let Mia lead him out of ballroom and through the halls until they went out a door and were outside. It was cold and snowing lightly, Louis had never been to a winter wedding before, but he was happy that it hadn’t been outside in the cold.

Mia held his hand tightly as they walked down a side alley and disapparated.

~`~

“Congratulations Hajari!” said Padma as she pulled her second oldest into a tight hug. Hajari had graduated as Head Boy and was heading straight to St. Mungo’s to start his internship.

“Thank you Amma,” said Hajari hugging her, before turning to Theo, “thank you Appa.”

Padma turned to Samantha, who was already entangled with Devansh. She waved them over and gave Samantha a big hug.

“Congratulations honey,” said Padma as she kissed the younger girl’s forehead.

“Thank you Padma,” said Samantha hugging Padma tightly.

“Would you and your parents like to join us for lunch?” asked Theo as he gave Samantha a hug himself.

“My parents couldn’t make it today, I’m having dinner with them when I get back,” said Samantha as she gravitated back to Devansh.

“Please join us before you run off with Devansh,” said Padma as Rishi hugged her waist. “It’s our treat and we don’t know when we’ll see you again since Devansh moved out a few months ago.”

“Okay,” said Samantha with a shy smile, “thank you Padma, Theo.”

~`~

Anamika pulled off her dress and threw it on the floor as she walked into her room. She took off her necklace and rings and earrings and placed them on her desk on top of her homework. She kicked off her shoes as she ran her fingers through her hair, pulling out all the knots and braids.

She turned back around to the door, where Louis stood. He stood in the doorway, avoiding looking at her. She suddenly felt self-conscious, before remembering that Louis had seen her naked before.

“Come on, Louis,” said Anamika taking his hands and pulling him to her, into her room. “Relax, take your suit off.”

Louis did what he was told, Anamika loved that about him; he always listened to her.

“Does this feel better?” Anamika asked him as they cuddled together in her bed. They were stripped down to their underwear and curled up around one another.

“Yes,” said Louis putting his nose in her hair, “much better.”

“So where was I in the story?” said Anamika as she pulled Louis’ arms around her.

“Devansh had just started his Auror training.”

“That’s right, thank you Louis.”

~`~

Devansh curled up on his bed with Samantha, she was asleep and he couldn’t sleep. She had been living with this news for the last few months, while he was just coming to reality about it.

Samantha was pregnant.

He didn’t know if he was ready to be a father.

He wanted to get married, he loved Samantha, always had. More than anything he wanted her to be happy.

His parents had him and his brother Hajari while they were young, and then they broke up for almost three years after that. He was sure that if his Appa hadn’t had cancer that his younger siblings wouldn’t have ever been born.

He was sure that his parents wouldn’t have gotten married at all.

He tucked his face into Samantha’s neck and cuddled with her. He loved her so much, she was brilliant and funny and incredibly smart. She was kind and sweet and his best friend.

Devansh was close to Hajari and his cousin Naveen, but Samantha was his first friend who wasn’t related to him.

“Will you just go to sleep?” mumbled Samantha as she rolled over in bed.

“I’m just worried,” whispered Devansh as she pushed his hair out of his eyes. “I’ve just learned that our lives are never going to be the same.”

“I want to keep the baby,” said Samantha, she had told him right away that she wanted to keep the baby.

But he was twenty and she was eighteen, she had just graduated and he was a Junior Auror. They had no money, they would have no support, and they would have nothing.

“I love you,” whispered Devansh, hugging her close to him. “Let’s have this baby then.”

“If only telling my parents was as easy as telling you,” whispered Samantha leaning forward to kiss him.

~`~

Padma could see herself being reflected in Samantha in this moment. She was young, she was scared, and she was pregnant.

“You’re barely eighteen Sam,” said Gregory from where he sat across the table from Padma and Theo. Gregory was holding his fork so tightly Padma was getting worried that he was going to bend it.

“I know dad,” said Samantha quietly, Padma could see her stomach poking through her shirt already. “It was an accident.”

“Well we’ll just get it taken care of,” said Pansy as she twirled her wand.

“I don’t want to,” said Samantha putting a hand over her stomach. Devansh wrapped his arm around Samantha’s shoulders and held her close to him. “I want to have this baby with Dev.”

“You’re too young, Samantha,” said Gregory putting his bent fork on the table.

“Are you sure Devansh?” asked Theo and Padma turned to him, he had been quiet since Devansh and Samantha had given their announcement.

“Yes, I’m ready Appa,” said Devansh not meeting anyone’s eyes.

“Okay,” said Theo, standing up and beginning to pace, “the two of you can move back into your old room Devansh. Hajari moved out last week and-“

“No,” said Devansh standing up, “no, Sam just moved in! We just got our lives started! This baby is just the beginning for us!”

“So then you’ll get married,” said Gregory, turning to look at Pansy, “that’ll get everything taken care of.”

“I don’t want to get married right away,” said Samantha, shrinking into herself.

“If you need anything,” said Padma catching Samantha’s eyes, “let us know.”

“Thank you Padma,” whispered Samantha, and Padma felt something in herself break, she wished she had someone to support her like how she would for Samantha.

~`~

Padma held her granddaughter carefully, she was the most precious thing she had every held. She had never been nervous to hold a baby before, but it was different holding someone else’s child.

“You said her name was Erinn?” asked Padma as she sat across from Samantha.

“Yes, Erinn Margret Nott,” said Samantha as she laid in her hospital bed.

“I like it,” Padma told her, Erinn was a beautiful little girl. She was the perfect mix of Devansh and Samantha, dark curly hair, green eyes, and tan skin. She was small, only six pounds and nineteen inches long.

“Her Hindu name is Ernika, Devansh told me it means sunlight,” said Samantha as Erinn began fussing in Padma’s arms.

“He’s right, it’s very beautiful,” Padma told him as she handed Samantha her daughter.

“Come here little bug,” mumbled Samantha as she took her daughter from Padma. Padma helped her sit up and adjust her pillows so she could nurse her daughter easier.

“Thank you for all of your help, Padma,” said Samantha as she adjusted herself, “you and Theo have been so helpful.”

“Of course sweetheart, you’ve been part of the family since before you and Devansh even started dating,” Padma told her, as she brushed her fingers through her hair.

Samantha nodded and Padma kissed her forehead as Devansh came in the room. Padma let Devansh take her seat and left the new parents to their newborn daughter.

~`~

“I have a niece and three nephews,” said Louis as he held Mia, “though Dominique gave up her son.”

“I know,” whispered Mia, who had met Louis’ niece and nephews a few days ago when he babysat them.

“She was the flower girl right?” asked Louis, thinking of the little girl who Hajari had held throughout the ceremony.

“Yes, that was Ernika, or as her birth certificate says, Erinn,” said Mia with a small laugh.

There was a noise outside Mia’s bedroom and the door opened quietly before closing quickly. Louis could see the outline of another girl and he closed his eyes so he wouldn’t see anything that he wasn’t supposed too.

“Why is he here Anamika?” asked Minali, Mia’s younger sister.

“Because Amma and Appa said it was okay.”

“Not to sleep in our room.”

~`~

Padma kissed Ernika’s forehead as she rocked her in her arms, she loved having a baby in the house, even though Rishi and Tarika were only four years older than Ernika, they weren’t little anymore. She was tasked with babysitting Ernika ever Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, while Devansh and Samantha were at the Ministry all day. Devansh was now running his own missions with minimum interference from the Senior Aurors. Samantha was taking the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes by storm, she breezed through her Obliviator training, but spent most of her time with the Muggle-worthy excuse committee.

“I miss having a baby around,” said Astoria from her seat across from Padma.

“Take her for me,” said Padma, handing over her granddaughter, “my arms are killing me.”

Astoria took the little girl and held her close to her. Padma went to the kitchen to make them some tea, but she couldn’t help but look over at Astoria.

She knew her dreams of having more than one child was taken away from her. Padma didn’t like the details of what happened, but she knew that it had been against Astoria and Draco’s choice.

When Padma returned, she found Astoria sobbing as she held baby Ernika.

“I’m sorry, Padma,” whispered Astoria through her sobs, “I just wanted a daughter so much.”

“It’s okay,” Padma told her, she sat down beside her and wrapped her arms around her. “You have Scorpius, and Rose, and I’m sure they’ll give you lots of grandchildren.”

“They’re only sixteen Padma,” Astoria told her, “but Cassy would’ve been ten this year.”

“Last month,” Padma reminded her, knowing that Astoria would remember her due date better than anyone else.

October 8, 2011.

Padma remembered it only because Theo’s birthday was the day before, Draco had told them if the baby was born on Theo’s birthday, they would make them the godparents. Astoria had told that they would be the godparents anyways.

“I just wish that she would’ve had the chance to live, to take a breath,” said Astoria, putting her head on Padma’s shoulder. “I just wanted to see her eyes, see a little life.”

“You know I had to fight with Theo to make you and Draco Anamika’s godparents,” said Padma, as she wrapped her arms just a bit tighter around Astoria. “He wanted Milli to be godmother, but he had named Gregory and Pansy Hajari’s godparents, so it was my turn.”

“Thank you, you know how much I love her,” said Astoria as she wiped at her eyes. “I always hoped that our daughters would be friends.”

“Minali and Cassy would’ve been inseparable.”

“Yeah,” said Astoria, leaning down to kiss Ernika’s forehead, “they would have.”

“I think we need to move forward with the foster bill, see if we can talk to the Minster about working with the House of Black to get some of those kids into a better situation. At least the younger ones,” said Padma letting go of Astoria to grab her papers off the coffee table.

“Yeah, let’s get working on that, maybe see if we can set up a lunch with Hermione.”

~`~

Theodore paced just outside the hospital room, he had never been to a Muggle hospital before, but this is where Draco had asked them to meet him. He hated waiting, always had, luckily Padma always had quick labors.

Draco was sitting with Scorpius asleep on his legs, he hadn’t taken his face out of his hands since Theodore arrived. Padma was asleep in a chair with her head on Gregory’s shoulder. Pansy sat between Draco and Padma with little Calvin asleep on her lap, she was rubbing Draco’s shoulders.

Blaise and Daphne and Milli were sitting across from them, Milli had one of her articles in her hands, but hadn’t read anything for the last twenty minutes.

Since the Muggle Healer had gone into the room.

“Theodore,” said Blaise annoyed, “sit down already.”

“Shut up,” Theodore told him, his pacing was the only thing stopping him from exploding.

“Daddy, is mummy okay?”

Theodore stopped his pacing and looked over at Scorpius, he was pulling at Draco’s hands, trying to see his face. “Where’s mummy?”

Draco pulled his hands away and for the first time in years, Draco looked like a wreck. His face was blotchy and red, and his eyes were completely bloodshot.

“Scorpius, come sit with me,” said Daphne, standing up to take her nephew.

“No, I want mummy!” screamed Scorpius as Daphne grabbed his arm. Scorpius began fighting against her. “I want my mummy!”

“Mummy’s sick Scorpius,” said Draco quietly as he pulled Daphne’s hand off of her son, waving her off. “The Healer said that she needs to rest.”

“Can we say goodnight?” asked Scorpius, leaning into Draco’s side.

“Okay, I’m sure she’ll like that,” said Draco, standing up with Scorpius in his arms. Theodore moved out of the way as the father and son walked into the hospital room.

As soon as the door closed, Pansy said what they were all thinking, “Lucius killed that baby.”

“He almost killed her,” said Daphne, wiping at her eyes. “He almost killed my baby sister.”

“He’s not going to get away with it,” said Gregory, cracking his knuckles. “Not if I have anything to do with it.”

“That’s not important right now,” said Padma, and Theodore watched as she put her hand to her stomach, “right now we need to be there for Draco and Astoria.”

~`~

Padma opened the door to Anamika and Minali’s bedroom, Minali was asleep with her back to the door, while Anamika was sitting up in bed with a book open. Anamika reminded Padma of herself, she would keep Parvati up at night reading her textbooks and doing her homework late into the night.

“Its late sweetheart,” said Padma sitting at the edge of Anamika’s bed.

“I know Amma,” said Anamika, not taking her eyes off of her book.

Padma pushed back one of Anamika’s curls, and leaned forward to kiss her cheek. Anamika sighed and put her book down. “Amma, is everything okay?”

“Of course sweetheart,” said Padma taking one of Anamika’s hands and holding it in her own. “I’ve just miss having you around.”

Anamika was quiet, but then she leaned forward and put her head on Padma’s shoulder. Padma moved closer to her daughter and wrapped her arms around her, holding her close.

“I’ve missed you too Amma, it’s so weird not having Hajari or Devansh at school anymore,” Anamika told her.

“Your Appa and I are going to dinner with your brothers tomorrow, would you like to join us?” Padma asked her, rubbing her back. “It’ll just be the five of us.”

“Samantha’s not coming?”

“No, she’s coming here with Ernika to help watch your siblings.”

“Amma,” said Anamika quietly, “can we have some tea?”

“Sure, let’s go to the kitchen, I’ll make us a pot,” said Padma, climbing out of bed with Anamika following after her.

~`~

Theodore ran his hands through his hair and played with his wedding ring. It was Devansh’s birthday, but it was also Padma’s baby shower.

He had told Parvati and Astoria to not do it on Devansh’s birthday, but Padma had asked for all the kids to be there as they couldn’t be there for when the babies were born.

Theodore still couldn’t believe that they were having twins, just their luck that they call it quits then have twins. He was both excited and worried that they were in over their heads, but they also had five kids already.

“Appa!” called Vee, before running into his legs. Theodore picked up Vee and kissed his youngest daughter’s cheeks. Vee giggled and held onto Theodore’s neck as Theodore started walking down the hall. He checked into each of the kid’s rooms, making sure that they were dressed and ready, before handing Vee off to Hajari and going to check on Padma.

She was having a rougher time with this pregnancy than any of her others. Theodore was worried that it was because they were having twins, but it wasn’t helping that they were blindsided. They had no clothes, no furniture, no toys for their newborns.

It had been Theodore’s idea to have a baby shower, they never had one for any of their other children. He had talked Astoria and Parvati into throwing one for Padma.

“I’m almost ready, Theo,” said Padma as Theodore walked into their bathroom. Padma was in the process of brushing her hair, a real feat at this point, her hair was ridiculously long.

“Would you like some help?” asked Theodore taking her brush from her. He brushed her hair, then sectioned it off and started braiding. He called in Anamika to help him and together they got Padma’s hair all pulled back and braided.

“You look so pretty Amma,” said Anamika hugging Padma.

“Thank you sweetheart,” said Padma just before Anamika ran off. “Thank you too Theo.”

“Of course, now let’s get going so we’re not running late to our dinner reservation later,” said Theodore as he helped Padma up to her feet.

Padma pulled on his arm as he led the way out of their bedroom, Theodore turned back and let her pull him close into a kiss. “I love you Theo.”

“I love you too Padma.”

~`~

Anamika played with Louis’ fingers, she had no idea why Minali was being so dumb about Louis being here. She was always nice whenever Minali had her posse of friends over, she even slept in the living room last time they were over.

“What happened to Mrs. Malfoy?” asked Louis, pressing his forehead to Anamika’s.

“She was poisoned, it killed her daughter and almost killed her. She couldn’t have children after that and they went to live with Daphne and Blaise for a few months,” explained Anamika as she held his hands.

“I always liked Scorpius, he’s always very nice,” whispered Louis at the sound of Minali’s snores, “I thought that he had a younger sibling though.”

“You mean Lyla, his cousin?”

Louis closed his eyes and sighed, “yeah, sorry I’m tired.”

“We can go to sleep if you want,” said Anamika as Louis pulled his hands out of her grasp and wrapped them around her waist.

“We’re almost done, right?” asked Louis, his mouth right at Anamika’s ear.

Anamika shivered and tucked her head under Louis’ chin, “yeah, almost there.”

~`~

Padma hugged Vee to her chest, she didn’t want to say goodbye to her little girl, but it was time to see her off to Hogwarts. It was hard for her to see her children go off to school, it gave her a new appreciation for her parents sending her and Parvati off.

“Amma, let go,” said Vee as she pushed away from Padma. Padma had to admit that she was hurt, but it was time for her to go, to grow and learn.

It would just be weird not to have her three girls’ home. Devansh and Hajari had left years ago, but Padma would miss her girls.

“Amma,” said Minali, sliding in next to Vee to keep her from leaving. “I thought you wanted to get a picture of the three of us off together.”

“Yeah Amma,” said Anamika appearing on Vee’s other side and wrapping her arm around her shoulders. “Appa has the camera ready.”

Padma wanted to kiss each of her daughters over and over again, she loved her girls so much.

“We’ll do one of the three of you, then everyone together,” said Theo, pulling out the camera they only used for family pictures.

The girls posed together, then they got one with all of them, having Daphne and Blaise take the photo. Then Theo had them take one with all five of them, Anamika, Minali, Vee, Padma, and Tarika.

“The two of you be good for Amma and Appa,” Anamika told Tarika and Rishi, she was hiding with the two of them behind Theo, Daphne, and Blaise. “And remember if you need anything, I’m just a letter away. Devansh and Hajari are just a phone call to being there. I love you both, and I’ll make sure to write you both soon.”

Hearing Anamika talk to her younger siblings with such care and love, made Padma feel horrible about the conversation they had a few weeks ago. But what Padma and Theo had told her had been out of love and concern.

Padma walked up to Anamika as Tarika and Rishi ran over to a few of their friends from their school. “Anamika sweetheart, let me give you a proper send off.”

Padma hugged her oldest daughter and held her close, Anamika could’ve passed off as her and Parvati’s younger sister. She could’ve passed off as their triplet if she didn’t have Theo’s green eyes.

“I love you sweetheart, and your Appa and I just want what’s best for you,” Padma told her as she pulled away from Anamika. “We want to see you be as open and involved as your siblings.”

“Yes Amma,” said Anamika not meeting Padma’s eyes. “I understand.”

“Okay, sweetheart,” said Padma as she wrapped her arms around her daughter’s shoulders and led her to the train. “I love you, have a good semester.”

“I will Amma,” said Anamika as she climbed up on the train, “I love you.”

~`~

Louis understood what it was like to be told over and over again what to do, his family thought that he needed constant reminders. They reminded him to smile, to shake hands, to look others in the eyes, all normal and basic behaviors that he struggled with.

Except for with Mia. She was the only person that he didn’t mind touching him, holding his hand, running her fingers through his hair. He always felt warm with her around.

Right now though, he felt sleepy and tired.

“Are you asleep?” whispered Mia, her lips right at Louis’ ear.

“No, what happened over the summer?”

“Amma and Appa told me that I needed to do something more than hang out with Lyla,” said Anamika, tucking her chin to her chest. “They told me that they set it up so I could be the editor for the paper, even though I told them I shouldn’t be. Appa owns the Prophet, he said that he could make sure I got a job there, but that I needed some experience. I don’t want to be the editor Louis, I just want to write.”

“I know Mia,” Louis told her, pulling her into his chest, “I just want to draw, but no one seems to understand.”

“That’s why we have each other.”

~`~

Theodore opened the door to his oldest daughter’s bedroom, Minali was asleep, with her back to the door and her hair braided down her back. From the distance, he could see it was Anamika’s doing, ever since Devansh and Hajari had moved out, Anamika had taken a lot more of their responsibilities.

The other bed was empty, which was a little concerning for Theodore, Anamika wasn’t one to sneak out or cause trouble. He checked in on the other bedrooms, Vee and Tarika were both asleep, they were cuddled up together in the same bed. They didn’t do that often, but it always made Theodore smile to see how close his children were. Rishi was asleep spread eagle in his bed, Theodore could see that he had taken the blanket off of Devansh’s bed and Hajari’s pillow.

He missed having his oldest two home, but they were moving forward with their lives. Devansh was a father and an Auror who was getting married just before the New Year. Hajari was moving up at St. Mungo’s with his own loyal group of parents and their children who all loved him.

He walked down the hall to the living room and found Anamika and Padma.

Anamika was asleep, with Padma curled up against her. The two of them were identical in sleep, the same face, the same hair, the same everything.

Anamika was the most like Padma, she was calm and thoughtful, she was responsible and incredibly smart. The only thing that Theodore worried about, was that she was so walled off that it was keeping her from making new friends and trying new experiences.

Theodore gentle shook Padma awake, and she looked up at him sleepily.

“Maybe we should talk to her,” Theodore whispered as he sat down on the arm of the couch, right next to Padma. “Now might be better than at dinner.”

Padma rubbed at her eyes and pulled herself up into a sitting position, before she gentle rubbed Anamika’s shoulders. Anamika tried to pull away, but Padma was persistent and Anamika eventually opened her eyes.

“Amma I’m tired,” whined Anamika as Padma wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

“I know sweetheart, but Appa and I want to talk to you real quick, okay?” said Padma as Anamika cuddled into her side.

“Can’t it wait until the morning?” whined Anamika and Theodore came and sat on her under side.

“It won’t take long,” Theodore told her as he pushed her hair out of her eyes. “I promise.”

“We’re just a little worried about you sweetheart,” said Padma, as she started to prop Anamika up between her and Theodore.

“We just want to see you branch out a little more this year,” said Theodore, as he helped Padma. Anamika turned to look up at him.

“What do you mean Appa?”

“We’ve talked to your Head of House and few of your professors, they all told us that you keep to yourself or Lyla. You don’t talk in class anymore and while all of your school work is perfect, there isn’t the participation there,” explained Theodore, holding his hands in his lap. He really didn’t want to feel as if he was putting her down, but he just wanted what was best for her.

“Amma,” said Anamika, looking at Padma.

“I agree with your Appa,” said Padma holding Anamika to her. “We love you and just want to see you be as open as you are with us.”

“Amma, I’m fine.”

“We’ve set it up with Professor Harper for you to take over as editor of the newspaper. We know you want to work for the Prophet and that your writing is amazing, and this way you’ll get some experience,” said Theodore, looking down at her. “Professor Harper thinks that you’ll be great at the position and is more than willing to help you take over, but this way you’ll be able to open up to others and take charge of something.”

Anamika buried her face in her hands and began crying, pulling away from Padma and bring her knees up to her chest.

“Oh sweetheart, this is for the best, you’ll be wonderful,” said Padma rubbing Anamika’s shoulders. “We pushed your brothers to step up when they became Head Boys, it’s just the same for you.”

“Amma, Appa, you don’t get it,” said Anamika through her sobs, “I’ve been working for the paper for the last four years. I’ve been an anonymous writer for the last four years. You took away the editor position from Louis Weasley.”

“He’s a Weasley,” said Theodore with a roll of his eyes, “he’ll be fine.”

“Appa, it’s not right,” said Anamika louder than intended. “He deserves it!”

“Well now you can work with him,” said Padma and in that moment, Theodore realized that Padma knew something that he didn’t. “It’ll be okay.”

“No it won’t,” said Anamika pulling away from them and standing up, “you’ve ruined everything!”

Theodore sighed and moved closer to Padma and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, she rested her head on his chest. “She has a crush on Louis Weasley, Theo.”

“It’s for the best Padma.”

“I know, but I didn’t know that you and Elijah went behind my back to have her become editor, Theo,” said Padma, looking up at him.

“I’ll apologize when she calms down in the morning,” said Theodore, rubbing Padma’s arm, “we’ll still take her to dinner with us.”

“Of course, we will Theo,” said Padma with a roll of her eyes. “We have to make it up to her.”

“She’ll love us more in the long run, maybe this will be the bridge for her to open up to that Weasley kid.”

Padma sighed and pulled herself out from under Theodore to stand up, she turned back to him and took his hands, pulling him up. “Come on, let’s go to bed.”

“Alright, love.”

~`~

Padma sighed, the penthouse was too quiet without her girls, without Devansh and Hajari, and with the twins at primary school. Theo had started to come home for lunch on his slower days, but those were far and few between.

She was being called on less to babysit Ernika now that Samantha’s younger siblings had graduated, Mira and Jacob adored Ernika. That and now that she was four, they had enrolled her in preschool.

Normally Astoria came over for a while to do their Society work in the morning, then came back after lunch for their tea and whine time, but she was getting ready to have Scorpius and Rose over for dinner.

It was just so quiet.

“Auntie Padma!” called a voice from the fireplace, Padma walked over, knowing that there was only two people who called her ‘Auntie’.

Her niece Sasha had just her head sticking out of the fireplace, and Padma was still blown away by how much Sasha looked like herself and Parvati, like Anamika. “I’m here Sasha.”

“Oh great, can I pop over real quick?”

“Of course, I’ll put a pot on for us,” Padma told her as she turned to go to the kitchen. She heard a pop then about a minute later Sasha was walking into the kitchen. Padma hugged her and kissed her cheek. “How are you Sasha?”

“Tired auntie,” said Sasha as she pulled away.

“Well go sit down and I’ll bring us out our tea,” Padma told her. She turned around while Sasha went to go find a spot to sit.

As soon as the kettle went off, Padma grabbed a pair of mugs and walked out into the living room with the kettle following after her. Padma sat across from Sasha and handed her a mug, the kettle filled them up and hovered just above the coffee table.

“What’s wrong Sasha?” asked Padma, before taking a sip of her tea.

“Dad and Seamus are talking about adopting a bunch of kids,” Sasha told her, and Padma suddenly felt herself struggle to want to listen. Dean had hurt Parvati when he ran off with Seamus, he had hurt them all.

“Why?” asked Padma, “the six of you aren’t enough?” Padma was referring to Sasha and her siblings, and Seamus’ own three kids.

“I guess not,” said Sasha playing with one of her rings. Sasha was always well dressed, with beautiful clothes and jewelry, her hair and makeup and nails always perfectly done, Sasha took more after Padma than Parvati.

Sasha was twenty-two, her brother Naveen three years older than her, and her sister Anika two year younger. Padma could understand Dean wanting to raise more children, but Seamus had raised his three on his own with next to no help. Padma wasn’t even sure how old they are, but by the sound of it, Seamus was looking for a do over with Dean and a new group of children.

She would have to talk to Parvati about all of this.

“They already ripped us all apart,” said Sasha, “now they want to add in more confusion.”

“I don’t know what to tell you Sasha,” Padma told her, reaching forward to squeeze Sasha’s hand. “Have you met any of the kids?”

“No, none of us have,” answered Sasha, “but I guess two of them are at Hogwarts.”

“How did they meet them? Through the House of Black?”

“I don’t know, dad just came around this morning to ask me what I felt about having new siblings,” explained Sasha, before taking a sip of her tea.

“I’m sorry Sasha,” Padma told her, “but you don’t have to interact with them if you don’t want to.”

“That wouldn’t be right,” said Sasha, “they’ll be family. Just because I’m not happy with dad and Seamus, doesn’t mean I should shut them out.”

“You’re much more mature than I was at twenty-two and I had both Devansh and Hajari by then,” Padma told her, and the two of them shared a laugh and a smile.

Sasha ran her fingers through her hair, and finished off her tea. Padma sat back in her seat and held her cup in her hands. She looked at the photos on the walls of her family, quite a few including Sasha and her siblings. Devansh and Hajari were right in between their three cousins, and Padma was happy that the five of them were close, but she wished her younger children had the same relationship.

“Sasha can I ask you something?” asked Padma, turning her attention back to her oldest niece.

“Of course auntie,” said Sasha, turning to Padma, “what is it?”

“When did you know that you were attracted to girls?” asked Padma, thinking of Vee’s last letter home and how awkward it sounded.

“This isn’t about you, is it auntie?”

“No,” said Padma with a small laugh, “I just got a very odd letter from Vee and I was wondering what I should expect.”

“Well for one,” said Sasha, “she’ll tell you in her own time, and two, she probably hasn’t realized anything yet herself. I was completely clueless until I was about fourteen, Vee will let you know when she’s ready. Give her time, and if you want I can write her or talk to her when they come home for the holidays.”

“If you would like to,” Padma told her, “I’ll never tell you to not write or talk to any of your cousins.”

“Thank you auntie.”

Padma smile at her niece and leaned over to kiss Sasha’s forehead.

~`~

Theodore sat at the most awkward dinner he had been to since he was living with his father. Not only had he been totted to all of his father’s friend’s houses, but also had been forced to be quiet while eating horrible food.

Hearing that his sister-in-law and her husband were getting a divorce was wild to Theodore. Their wedding had been the first big step in Padma and Theodore’s relationship and now it was all over.

Dean wasn’t even here, he had ran off with Seamus.

Theodore was sure that they didn’t actually run off, but he wasn’t going to argue with Parvati. She wasn’t in the best spot, after writing to her daughters and telling Naveen along with Padma and Theodore, she was quite a wreck.

“It’ll be okay Parvati,” said Padma as she rubbed her sister’s shoulders, “you’ll come stay with us for a while. We’ll set up a room for you and help you get up on your feet again.”

“I don’t want your help Padma,” said Parvati pulling away from her sister. “I just want my husband back.”

“How did the girls take it?” asked Theodore, he wanted to take the heat off of Padma, because he could live with Parvati hating him, but Padma couldn’t.

“I haven’t heard back from them, but Cho told me that Sasha hasn’t come out of her dorm all day,” said Parvati, putting a hand to her face. Padma took a seat beside her sister. “I just don’t know what to do with work, Dean has been my partner since before we were married. I don’t know how to tell Harry that we’re done, I don’t know how to tell anyone.”

Theodore watched as Parvati fell to pieces all over again, he felt small and hopeless at the sight of her. Parvati was so strong, she was smart, and she was braver than anyone he knew, she had a fire that could never be doused.

Except for now.

The next time that Theodore saw Dean, he would punch him in the face, it was one thing to hurt Parvati, but this was bringing Padma down too. He couldn’t stand for this, watching Padma be pushed away from her sister, her closest friend, her best friend.

“Parvati come stay with us,” said Theodore, “please, just for a few days. Take some time off, get in contact with your daughters, stay with us just for a few days. If it’s too much, then come back here. We’re family, we’re supposed too lean on one another.”

They had had Milli over a few months ago after she had a miscarriage. She had stayed with them for two weeks, long enough to get herself pulled together again. It had brought Padma and Milli closer and for the first time Padma had come close to one of Theodore’s childhood friends.

“Are you sure?” asked Parvati, wiping at her eyes, “because if it’s too much then I don’t have too.”

“It’ll never be a problem,” Theodore told her, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand before pulling away. “Family is family, Parvati.”

“Thank you,” said Parvati, looking from Theodore to Padma, “thank you so much.”

~`~

Anamika ran her fingers through Louis’ hair, she knew that he didn’t like anyone touching his hair, but she liked how soft it was.

“Mia don’t,” said Louis sleepily pulling her hands away, he held them in his own.

“I was just checking that you were awake,” Anamika whispered, entwining her fingers in his.

“The next part is the wedding?” asked Louis, “right?”

“Pretty much,” said Anamika, resting her forehead against his. “Let’s go to sleep.”

“Sure,” mumbled Louis and Anamika felt herself drifting off.

“Okay.”

~`~

Padma stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was dressed in a blue and gray sari with gold detailing. It was both elegant and beautiful and it matched Theo’s dark gray suit. They looked wonderful together, as they always did.

“Amma, Appa,” called Rishi from their bedroom. Padma sighed as she put her earrings on, Theo smiled in the mirror as he brushed a comb through his hair.

“We’re coming Rishi,” called Padma as Theo pushed a curl behind her ear. They had gone to get haircuts from Sasha about two weeks ago to look nice for the wedding.

“You look beautiful Padma,” said Theo as he left the bathroom, Padma smiled after him.

The truth was, she didn’t think that she looked old enough to be the grandmother of a four year old. Devansh was twenty-four already, but Rishi and Tarika were only eight, they hadn’t even started Hogwarts yet, but by the time they graduated, Ernika would be thirteen.

Their house was more than experienced in chaos though, Padma had spent a good amount of time watching over Ernika until she had started preschool.

Padma followed after Theo into the living room, where all but her two oldest sons were assembled. Anamika and Minali had both brought dates, as they had been asked too. Anamika had brought her boyfriend Louis Weasley, who was polite and sweet and very quiet. While Minali had brought Carver Brooks, who was a friend of hers and had also been very polite and nice.

Her girls were all wearing blue and gray dresses and her sons in dark gray suits with blue ties. They all looked beautiful and adorable, she didn’t often ever see her kids in matching clothes, mainly because she didn’t like to do that to her children. She would have to make sure that she got a picture of the family.

“Anamika, you’ll drive yourself, Minali, Louis, and Carver. Vee, you’ll come with your Amma and me, along with Rishi and Tarika,” said Theo as he handed Anamika a pair of keys.

“Okay Appa,” said Anamika taking the keys and heading out the door with the others.

Padma still had her worries about her children driving, but Anamika was her most responsible and careful of her children.

~`~

Devansh nervously adjusted his tie, he was happy that his parents hadn’t insisted on certain things for the wedding. Everything had been his and Samantha’s decision, they put everything together with the help of Becca Havings.

Becca Havings was a godsend, she had helped them come up with every solution to any and every problem they had. She claimed that it was good training for her own wedding, which was coming up in a few months.

Devansh was recommending her to everyone he knew, for any event that he could think of.

“If you keep it up you’ll choke yourself, Dev,” said Appa as he gently pulled him away from the mirror. “You look dapper anyways, Samantha’s lucky to have you.”

“I think you got it the wrong way around, Appa,” called Hajari from the liquor cabinet. “Devon’s the lucky one, Samantha’s a catch and more, even with Ernika.”

“That’s your goddaughter, Hajari,” Devansh told him as he accepted a glass of Champagne from his brother. “And you’re badmouthing my future wife.”

“And our sister,” said Jacob from the bathroom as he fixed his own tie. “Not that you seem to care.”

“Of course I care, I love Sam as a sister,” said Hajari, as he handed Jacob and Calvin glasses of Champagne. “So a toast to Sam and Devon on finally tying the knot.”

“To Sam and Dev!” yelled the room, as there was a knock on the door.

Devansh answered the door, only to be greeted by his youngest sibling, Rishi. Rishi was sixteen years younger than Devansh, but that never stopped them from having a relationship.

Even though Rishi was much closer with Hajari, Devansh made sure to take advantage of his father’s season tickets to the Tutshill Tornadoes. If there was one thing that they could all do together, it was to go watch Quidditch.

“Come in Rishi,” said Devansh, allowing his younger brother in. “Would you like an apple juice?”

“Amma said I could only have water until the party,” said Rishi as he came into the room. Hajari began laughing and started to choke on his Champagne.

“What Amma doesn’t know won’t hurt her,” said Appa as he handed Rishi an apple juice. “We’re having a mini party in here anyways.”

“Okay Appa,” said Rishi cheerfully as he sat on the bed beside Naveen.

Devansh smiled at the group assembled before him, his father and future father-in-law, his brothers and future brothers-in-law, and his cousin. They were all a part of the family that shaped him into who he was.

~`~

Theodore watched his children run around on the Hogwarts grounds, he never felt comfortable coming back. He had been part of the problem during the war.

At least, that’s what everyone thought. He and Milli had tried to save as many kids as they could, he had helped the DA before he knew what they even were.

But everyone remembered him as the Head Boy who ruled during the war.

“Appa! Amma!” yelled Anamika as she ran to them, every day that she was away, Theodore missed her more and more. She was a good girl, sweet to her siblings, helpful at home, and an absolute delight to be around.

“I’ve missed you sweetheart,” said Theodore as he hugged his daughter.

Hajari had picked up Vee and was walking towards them with Devansh at his side with Minali on his back. His oldest sons were missed at home, Devansh and Hajari got along so well with all of their younger siblings; Devansh especially got along well with Minali and Tarika, while Hajari doted on Vee and Rishi.

Theodore couldn’t wait until all of the kids were home, even if it meant that Devansh would be done with school.

Tarika reached for Anamika from Padma’s arms, and Anamika took her and laid down on the ground with her. Theodore knew that Padma loved coming to Hogwarts, she loved seeing their children at school, letting them show them around, and telling them all the secrets they didn’t share at home.

Padma loved Hogwarts for the good memories she had from before the war, Theodore hated Hogwarts for the memories of the war.

He had constantly been afraid that his father was going to find him there.

Rishi toddled over to Tarika and Anamika and fell on top of his sisters. The three of them began giggling and playing together.

“Theo calm down,” whispered Padma as she tangled her fingers in his. “No one cares that you’re here.”

“I just don’t think I belong here Padma,” Theodore whispered back to her. “I was a pain during the war.”

“You have to stop letting the abuse that your father pounded into you control your life Theodore,” said Padma, looking away from him.

Theodore was quiet, they never really talked about his childhood. They never discussed his father or the way he treated Theodore.

He never talked about it.

“Padma! Theodore!” called Astoria waving to them as she dragged Draco behind her. “It’s so nice to see you.”

Theodore shook Draco’s hand as Padma hugged Astoria as if they didn’t see each other almost every day.

“Where’s Scorpius?” asked Padma and Theodore cracked a smile as Draco rolled his eyes.

“Off with Albus, Rose, and Becca somewhere,” said Astoria off handedly. “Anamika how are you sweetheart?”

“Hello Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy,” said Anamika as she hugged her godparents, Tarika and Rishi were entertaining themselves with the grass on the ground. “How have you been?”

“Very well,” said Draco as he tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “And you, Little Bug?”

Theodore didn’t completely understand Draco’s weird pet names, but Anamika liked it and that was all that mattered. “I’ll be better after exams.”

“Don’t fret Mia,” said Devansh as he put a hand on Anamika’s shoulder, “it’s not like you have to take your NEWTs or OWLs yet.”

“They’re not that bad,” Astoria told them and Theodore smiled, Astoria and Draco were the only two in their group of friends to take both of their OWLs and NEWTs.

“You’ll do wonderful, Little Bug,” Draco told Anamika, before giving her a quick hug.

~`~

Anamika cuddled against Louis, he liked to wrap his whole body around her when they slept together. She loved how warm she felt with him, whether they were sleeping together or sitting at the same desk at school.

“Mia,” mumbled Louis sleepily as he put his lips to her forehead. “Sleep.”

She giggled and entwined her fingers with his, she pulled his hand to her lips. Today had been the first time since they were kids that she had seen his hands clean. There was no charcoal, no ink stains, no paint under the nails, they were just clean.

She didn’t like it.

“Let’s paint your nails later,” mumbled Anamika, as she felt herself falling back asleep.

“Sounds fun.”

~`~

Padma brushed her fingers through Vee’s hair, Anamika and Minali had done their own and had helped with Tarika’s, but Vee’s hair was just as stubborn as Vee.

“Sit still my love,” Padma told her she steadied her daughter’s shoulders. Sasha handed her a brush and together they got to work.

Ernika sat with Mira, Samantha’s younger sister, and Olivia, Mira’s girlfriend. Ernika adored all of her aunts and uncles, Padma knew that if she didn’t go to school then her feet would never touch the ground.

Padma began working on braiding Vee’s hair back, while out of the corner of her eye, she saw Anamika and Minali slip out of the room. She would find them later and remind them the duty they had to their family.

“Thank you for everything Padma,” said Samantha as she stood up from the vanity table. She was quite the vision in her red and gold dress, it was the same dress that Padma wore at her wedding, her something old. She was borrowing a pair of earrings from her sister, she had new shoes that matched her dress, and she had a beautiful sapphire necklace that was an engagement gift from Devansh.

Samantha was always a beautiful girl, with her long dark shiny hair, bright blue eyes, and her pale elfish features, she was almost ethereal. Samantha had definitely gotten the best of her parents.

The door to the suite room opened and in came Pansy. Padma never really liked Pansy, she was still the same catty-mean girl as she was at school. But she loved her children and grandchildren, even if she didn’t ever love their father.

Ernika ran straight to Pansy and let her pick her up. Padma had to admit that Pansy was wonderful to Ernika, she was also polite to Devansh. Padma would always thank her for not blaming Ernika solely on Devansh.

“Hello my love,” said Pansy kissing Ernika’s forehead, before turning to her oldest daughter. “You look beautiful Sami, your father is going to stick out like a sore thumb next to you.”

“Mum don’t be so mean,” said Mira while she checked her nails, “Calvin made sure he was dressed well anyways.”

“Devansh had a very strict dress code for all the boys,” said Samantha taking Ernika from Pansy. “Just as I had for all of you. Now it’s my day and I want everyone to behave themselves.”

“Okay,” said Vee as she climbed out of her seat and went to look at her hair, “I can do that.”

Padma smiled at her daughter and looked to her daughter-in-law, through all of it, this was her family.

~`~

Theodore played with his wine glass as he listened to Parvati tease and make fun of her sister. He had wanted Milli to be his Best Man, but social norms dictated that it had to be one of his male friends, so he asked Draco.

The problem was that he wasn’t as close to Draco as he was with Milli.

She was like a sister to him and his best friend. She was sweet to his kids, supportive of Padma, and she always stood by him whenever or wherever.

She was his person.

Theodore clapped with everyone as Parvati walked back to her seat. And he watched as Draco went to stand behind the microphone.

“Don’t you dare weasel boy,” yelled Millicent as she came up behind him. Theodore could see a roll of parchment in her hand and her wand in the other, ready to curse anyone who got in her way.

Draco covered the microphone, but it became clear after a minute of half whispered conversation that he could not convince Milli to step away.

“I told her that she was supposed to speak for you,” whispered Padma from Theodore’s side. She looked giddy with her sneaky little smirk.

“Thank you,” Theodore whispered back before bringing her fingers to his lips.

“I’ve known Theodore since we were born,” said Millicent, smiling at Theodore, “he’s four months younger than me, but that never stopped him from jumping ahead. He’s actually the youngest of all of us, but I think he’s gone the farthest of us all.

“My first big memory of the two of us together, was sneaking out of the garden and watching all the Muggle kids play football. We watched them for hours, then grabbed my father’s Quaffle which was signed by England’s 1972 World Cup team. We got into so much trouble that I thought I never would see Theo ever again, until he showed up a few days later and we went to play in the garden again.

“Theodore always got us into trouble, at home, at school, anywhere we went,” said Milli, giggling at her own joke. “He would run off for hours at a time, he would disappear behind tables and cabinets at any moment, I called him the ultimate escape artist. It had been no surprise to me that he was the first person in our year to disapparate perfectly.”

Milli rolled her eyes and smiled at Theodore again.

“Theodore was my confidante at Hogwarts, he was my best friend through thick and thin, and he was by my side through the war. That last year, he lived with me and my family when we weren’t at school, and he stood beside me as Head Boy.”

Milli paused and wiped at her eyes, both of her parents had been killed at the end of the war. Her father had been a Death Eater and her mother had been caught in the crossfire.

“Theodore, I’m so happy you have Padma. And Padma, please take care of him, you’re the first person who he hasn’t tried to disappear on. I’ve never seen Theodore as happy as he is with you. I wish you both the best every day, I wish you happiness and hope and love. The two of you are wonderful and I hope that someday I can find the same happiness that you have.

“So I’ll finally say this,” said Milli holding her Champagne up high, “Theodore and Padma, I love you both and I wish you a long and happy marriage!”

~`~

Padma sat with Theo and watched as her oldest son married his best friend. He was holding Ernika in his arms as they exchanged their vows and Padma felt tears stream down her cheeks as they held one another. Samantha leaned forward and kissed Devansh while Ernika held onto both of her parents.

She was so proud of her Devansh, the boy he had been and the man he was now.

“They’re going to be really happy,” Theo whispered in her ear as he helped her up to her feet. She wanted to run forward and hug them, but Theo’s arm wrapped around her waist was keeping her rooted.

“I think so,” Padma whispered back as Devansh and Samantha walked back down the aisle.

Around them, the staff was waving their wands, tables began appearing and the chairs they had been sitting in began filing around the tables. Everyone began filing away to the tables, but Padma and Theo moved forward to the wedding party.

They still had to take pictures.

“Anamika, Minali,” said Theo, putting a hand on their daughter’s shoulders to keep them from running off, “I know you have guests, but there are still obligations to your brother.”

“Yes Appa,” said Minali, while Anamika rolled her eyes.

“Thank you girls,” said Padma pulling them both into a hug.

~`~

Louis laid across Mia’s bed and watched her get dressed, he had put on the clothes he had packed away in his overnight bag. He had been waiting for her to get dressed for the last hour, they had had breakfast with her family and she had set up her sisters with nail polish and let them attack his nails.

The truth was, he didn’t like anyone to touch him, he hated being hugged, he hated it when people put their hands on his shoulder, and he hated it when others grabbed at his hands and face.

But it was different with Mia, she was polite and kind and always asked for permission. She didn’t always outright say it, but the hesitation before she touched him was question enough for him.

He sighed and tucked his face in her sheets as she grabbed a blouse then put it away again. He was supposed to meet up with his friends, or well, family.

“Alright, I’m dressed Louis,” said Anamika, and Louis looked up to find her standing before him.

She looked nice in her dark jeans and green sweater, it brought out the green in her eyes.

“You look beautiful Anamika,” whispered Louis, reaching for her.

“Thank you,” said Mia, leaning down to kiss him.

~`~

The wedding was over, dinner had been served, then the cake, dancing had taken up the rest of the night. Padma had watched each of her kids sneak out and leave, Hajari taking Vee, Tarika, and Rishi home before coming back. Minali had left with Carver, but Anamika had texted her that she made it home, and Anamika had left with Louis, who she had given permission to stay the night.

Everyone else had left after Devansh and Samantha had disappeared upstairs to their suite. Ernika was staying with Hajari for the night.

The staff had started cleaning up and though every bill had long ago been paid, there was still the gratuity.

“Twelve thousand should be enough, right?” asked Gregory, as he took a card out of his wallet.

“Twelve?” said Becca, her eyes wide.

“Oh,” said Pansy with a roll of her eyes, “just do fifteen thousand.”

“We’ll do half, the rest split between the two of you?” asked Theo taking his own card out of wallet.

“That’s fine with me,” said Gregory as Pansy dug a card out of her clutch.

“Don’t take too long,” said Pansy handing over her card, Padma rolled her eyes at her.

Pansy tsked and Padma resisted rolling her eyes again, “I’m tired Padma, don’t start with me.”

“Shut up Pansy,” sighed Theo as he wrapped his arm around Padma’s shoulders. “It was a long day for all of us.”

“Your daughter didn’t get married.”

“Neither did your son.”

“Thank you very much for the gratuity, our staff will greatly appreciate it,” said Becca handing the cards back.

“You’re very welcome, the ceremony and reception was beautiful and it was all thanks to you and your staff,” said Padma shaking Becca’s hand.

“Well if you and either of your families every have an event or another wedding, please think of us again,” said Becca, before turning and walking to a tall lanky brown haired boy.

Padma took Theo’s hand and led him back through the reception area and to their car. She was ready for bed, today had been a long day, she felt like she was saying goodbye to Devansh all over again.

“They’ll be happy, I’m sure of it,” said Theo, squeezing Padma’s hand over the center consul. “Very happy.”