There's a baby...of course there is.

It has been long acknowledged that the best way to avoid a fight between two best friends is for one friend not to date the crush of another. Sirius knew this and, for that reason had stayed clear of the red-haired muggleborn in their House. That was not to say that he and Lily Evans had not had encounters. Ever since his cousin had gotten engaged to Professor Fawkes, she had been noticeably hostile towards Narcissa. He had called her out on it each time he'd heard it, but all that had done was make her do it more often.

Sirius knew this as well. He was many things, a slacker, a prankster, a terrible Gobstones player, he was even, to his eternal shame, a decent ballroom dancer for his age, but he was not stupid. If Evans and I ever had a thing, James would never forgive me...

So why was she in his mind right now? Why was he watching her and Marlene McKinnon talking instead of working on his Transfiguration essay? Maybe Professor Fawkes is rubbing off on me and I'm becoming attracted to witches that can do me absolutely no good...

Still, it beats Moony...that 'Puff Thornton asked him to help her with Charms and it's all he can think of... He shook his head, banishing thoughts of Lily Evans to the wayside and returned to his work.

From their spot by the fireplace, Marlene and Lily looked up from their study session and saw that Sirius Black had finally stopped looking their way. "I think he likes you..." Lily said to her blonde friend.

"Come off it Evans, Black was staring at you the whole time." Marlene scoffed and turned back to her work. Lily tried to keep her mind focused, but it was hard going. Does Sirius like me? I hope not, I have enough trouble with Potter eyeing me...Remus wouldn't be so bad, I like the way he actually talks to me instead of trying impress me by harassing my best friend.

For Lily Evans, the quickest way for someone to become dead to her was for them to bully Severus Snape. He was her first magical friend, even before that he'd been one of her only friends as Petunia did a fine job of running others off. The fact that James Potter had made it his mission from day one to harass her best friend meant that it had been very easy for her to write him off. Could that change one day? Maybe, but it would require a drastic change in his personality and that was something Lily did not think he was capable of.

Remus Lupin was in the library with Jane Thornton. "It's amazing Remus, that you are three years below me, but you know this stuff better than most of the ones in my class..." Jane said quietly as they looked over the Orchideous Charm.

"Thank you, but this is one of the easiest charms to master. You simply think of the flowers you want to produce, spin your wand like this," Remus said, circling his wand lazily, "and say orchideous!" With that, a bunch of yellow tulips sprouted from his wand.

Jane caught them, and smirked even as she sniffed them, "Flowers on our first date? It's a little trite, but it'll do Lupin." She fought a chuckle as she watched the younger wizards eyes bulge at the word date, "When you hit your third year, I'll expect butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks...and that's at the very least."

Scene Break

Narcissa grinned to herself as she stood in front of her mirror, Harry got permission to take me out of the castle tonight! Her fiancee was taking her on a date in Muggle London, Dinner, dancing, the works...that's what he promised... She looked at the outfit she'd been given by Dobby the Fawkes House Elf. It's very...shimmery... She mused.

The dress, bought by Andromeda for her from a boutique she frequented after being thrown out, was a deep crimson red. It was cut so that there was a long slit going to about her knee along the side with matching heels and a purse sitting beside the bed.

The purse, she'd decided, was something she wanted to keep around. I can keep all my things inside it and not have to rely on the pockets of my robes.

It was nearly time. Narcissa quickly dressed, flicking her wand to allow the zipper along the back to slide up on its own. She had just slid her shoes on when she heard a knock on her door.

Harry stood there, dressed in what she assumed was a muggle suit. "You look wonderful," Harry said, as he drew her into his arms and kissed her.

"You look very dashing yourself, though I do wonder if you told Andi what color dress to get...this is very nearly Gryffindor red Mr. Potter..." She teased him, both in referencing his old House and his old name. Still, she kissed him back and drew her arms around him tightly.

"I did no such thing. That said, Andromeda and I did talk today..." He said quietly. Narcissa took one look at his face and some of the mirth she'd felt left her body, at her look Harry continued, "She's...pregnant. Thinks it had to have happened the last time she and Ted were together."

"Will she tell him?" Narcissa asked.

Harry shook his head, "She's asking me to make them both Wards of House Peverell." He sighed, "She also wants me, if anyone asks, to claim the child as mine."

Narcissa was confused by this, "Why would she want you to claim the child?" It doesn't make sense...Andi has the chance to be a Black now...wait.. "She's afraid a half-blood child would not be treated well by the rest of House Black isn't she?"

Harry nodded, "No one knows me, so she can claim that her baby is pure-blood. I don't mind the idea, I mean we've got enough money now that we could afford to help her take care of her daughter."

"Her daughter, that was the metamorphmagus from your time, you called her Tonks?" Narcissa asked Harry had shown them the young Auror.

"I don't know if Andromeda will give birth to her, but if she does then I want to make sure she gets a better shake than she had in my time. In my time, she was considered a novelty by the other Aurors for her abilities." Harry sighed softly, "She was one of my best friends and if I can help her have a better life, then I want to do that."

Narcissa nodded, "Have you told Bella about this? You told me about her reaction to becoming my fiancee, I doubt she'll take your first child being from her other sister very well." In fact, Narcissa was worried that this would be the thing that made Bellatrix snap and actually kill Harry.

"I haven't yet. But I will tell her, I want her approval before I do anything." Harry said, memories of the cruciatus she'd used on him flowed into his mind, "But we can figure that stuff out later," He said putting on a smile and offering her his arm, "I believe I owe you a date in London?"

Narcissa took his arm and allowed herself to be led out of the room towards his quarters. They would go from Hogwarts to the Leaky Cauldron and then apparate from there into London proper.

Scene Break

Bellatrix had been in the study when Andromeda approached her, "Bella, can I talk to you for a moment?" She asked her sister. What happened to Andi? Bellatrix thought She looks as if she'd just seen a ghost, and there aren't any here...

"What's on your mind?" She asked Andromeda. Andromeda sat down beside her and was silent. She's playing with her fingernails...Bellatrix noticed That's her tell for when she's worried...

"I'm pregnant," Andromeda said quietly.

"Does Ted know?" She asked. Andromeda frowned softly and shook her head. Bellatrix supposed that she shouldn't be surprised her sister hadn't told her former husband. Would I tell Harry if I was pregnant and we weren't together anymore? A scary thought, imagining a life where she was no longer with him. In the end, she supposed that she would most likely do the same thing as Andromeda.

"No. I don't want my child to be a Tonks. I also don't want them to be a Black." She said looking down at her hands and then up to Bellatrix, "I've asked Harry to name us both as Wards of House Peverell...and to..to claim my child as his."

"What?" Bellatrix couldn't believe what she'd just heard, "Why would you want to have your child be considered a bastard of Harry? I mean, the scandal-"

"The scandal would be nothing compared to how our family would treat a child of myself and Ted." Andromeda interrupted her, "They would be treated as no better than a House Elf."

"Harry wouldn't allow that, he's the Regent." Bellatrix said, trying to soothe her sister, "Your child would be safe."

"As we were safe? They sold you to Lestrange, tried to sell Cissy to Malfoy...if I have a daughter, I would rather her be born a Fawkes. Harry would not force a marriage contract upon her." Andromeda pressed, "I am not asking to marry him. I don't want his hand, just his last name for my child."

"And you've come to me for permission to ask him?" Bellatrix wasn't sure what her answer would be. She did not like the idea of a fourth woman with children connected to Harry, even tangentially. But she also knew the truth Andromeda spoke. Even with Sirius at the Head of House Black, Mother would most likely go behind his back to marry a granddaughter, even a half-blood one...

"No." Andromeda said, "I've already spoken to Harry."

"Then why tell me this?" Bellatrix asked, feeling anger beginning to brew within her, "If you were just going to go around my back and ask my husband anyway, why tell me anything?"

"Because, even if I was going to ask him, I wanted you to know about it. Besides, we both know that if you said no, Harry wouldn't do it." Andromeda explained. She was right, Bellatrix knew that. Her husband would never do anything like this, not without telling her, not after what happened when he'd asked for Narcissa's hand.

"So, you're trapping me between my desire to give my husband a child first, and preventing our mother from selling your future child to whatever family would have them?" Bellatrix said quietly, "You do Slytherin proud..." She sighed softly, "Alright. If Harry approves of your scheme, then I will not fight it. But I do not like it Andromeda." She said looking at her sister.

Andromeda sighed, "I wouldn't either. You're lucky. Harry loves you... He fights for you... I'm not going to lie Bella, I am jealous of what you have with him. I thought I could have that with Ted, but Ted was so wrapped up in himself that after we graduated and got married, he hardly had time for me. I was lucky to be with him once a month. Harry makes it a point to come home to you." She stood up, "Thank you for your permission..." She said to her sister as she left the room.

She was stopped by Apolline, "May I speak with you Andromeda?" Apolline said, leading her into her room. "I overheard your conversation with Harry today...given the reaction from his wife, I think I will postpone asking to be made a Consort.."

Andromeda chuckled softly at that, "That might be wise. I didn't ask for that, all I want is the protection for my child that will come from their being named Fawkes." That said, people will assume that I am a Consort, especially since Harry would be claiming my child as his... Perhaps letting people think she was his Consort would be wise. She would have to think about it.

"Hypothetically," Andromeda began, "If you were to ask him to make you a Consort, which House would you want?" It was a good question. Harry was Lord of Peverell and Slytherin. He could technically have two Consorts, one for each House. No. Absolutely not. I don't mind letting others think I'm his Consort, but I will not do that to Bella or Cissy. She shook her mind of the thoughts as Apolline prepared to answer.

"Peverell. From what I've seen your youngest sister is the more reasonable one." Apolline answered truthfully, watching a slight smile come to Andromeda's lips.