Beyond Fear

Harry was still feeling the despair and stupor when he entered the waiting room, and everyone looked at him expectantly.

“Luna is fine.”

The collective sigh of relief was palpable.

“She had a placental abruption. Hermione, I’ll need you to explain that to me later.” She nodded, and from the look in her eyes, she was already ready to give a lecture. Harry continued, “She’ll need to stay in the hospital for two days and then can go home, but on complete bed rest.”

Harry prepared himself to deliver the news.

“The babies are fine... and they’re boys.”

The room went utterly silent, and it was Ron, of all people, who spoke.

“What do you mean babies? You mean baby, right? Just one?”

“No, actually, it’s two. We just found out.” He stood there looking helpless, and everyone appeared equally shocked. It was Molly who stepped forward and hugged Harry.

“Congratulations, dear. Those boys will have the best father they could ever ask for.”

“But… but I didn’t even know how to take care of one! How am I supposed to handle two?” His voice was strangled. He knew this would be funny later, but right now, he was terrified.

“You’ll find that when they’re here, everything will fall into place, and you’ll know what to do,” Arthur reassured him with a pat on the back.

Harry nodded, comforted by the words.

“Well, I’m going to stay with Luna now. She can have visitors tomorrow. Ron, could you bring me a change of clothes?”

“Sure, mate. We’ll come see her tomorrow.”

With that, everyone said their goodbyes, and Harry returned to Luna’s room. She was lying down but still awake.

“How did they react?” There was almost a smile in her voice.

“They were appropriately shocked.” Harry smiled. He then approached the bed and took Luna’s hand. “We’ll do this together, you and I.” She smiled at him, and within minutes, she was asleep, still holding Harry’s hand.

Harry sat in the chair beside the bed, watching her sleep. She looked like an angel, all pale skin and blonde hair. Her face was peaceful, with delicate features, a small nose, and a heart-shaped, rosy mouth. He leaned closer, brushing his hand through her hair and then across her face. She truly seemed like a fairy; there was an aura of magic around her that was warm and gentle. Their children would be lucky to have her as a mother.

He imagined her teaching them about Nargles and other invisible creatures, maybe even making them wear butterbeer cork necklaces—an image that nearly made him laugh aloud. But he knew she would love them unconditionally, teach them kindness, and pass down all her Ravenclaw brilliance.

Harry allowed himself to imagine life with two boys, teaching them how to fly, play Quidditch, and maybe even sneak around with the Invisibility Cloak. That would drive Luna mad. He chuckled softly at the thought. Would they have his hair and eyes? Or would they resemble Luna? He pictured two babies with black hair and silvery eyes. Warmth filled his heart, but so did fear. Would he be good enough? Would he know how to love and care for these babies? And Luna—what did she expect of him? With those turbulent thoughts, he drifted off to sleep.

Later that night, Harry was awakened in his chair by soft whimpering.

Immediately alert, he looked at Luna, who was still sleeping. He realized she was having a nightmare, which reminded him of when he found her at Shell Cottage.

“Luna.” He whispered softly, not wanting to startle her, but she continued to whimper. Harry’s heart clenched.

“Luna, wake up. You’re having a bad dream.” He gently touched her, and she opened her eyes immediately, terror etched on her face. Then she saw it was Harry and relaxed.

“Harry.” Her voice was broken.

“I’m here, Luna. It was just a dream. You’re safe now.” He squeezed her hand. She closed her eyes and nodded. It occurred to Harry that, like him, she had these nightmares often.

“Can you lie down with me for a bit?” She sounded so vulnerable. All Harry wanted to do was hold her.

“Of course.”

He pulled out his wand, enlarging the bed slightly, then kicked off his shoes and climbed in beside her. She shifted, lying on her side and curling into him completely. Without hesitation, he draped an arm over her, resting his hand on her belly, gently stroking it. She fell asleep quickly, and Harry was glad she felt safe. He drifted off holding her protectively.

The next morning, Harry woke to a nurse entering the room.

When she saw them, her face lit up in a wide smile, and Harry’s face burned with embarrassment. Luna had woken up too, but she didn’t seem embarrassed at all. Harry quickly excused himself to find coffee and left the room.

Later, when he returned, Luna was sitting up, eating breakfast.

“Hey, how are you?” he asked, helping move the tray aside when she finished.

“I’m fine. My back still aches a little.” Her dreamy tone was back.

“Do you need help getting more comfortable?” Without waiting for an answer, he adjusted the pillows behind her and then the sheets over her legs.

“Harry, I’m really fine.” She smiled at his concern. “I slept so well last night. Thank you for staying with me.” Harry could tell her cheeks were slightly pink.

“It was nothing. I slept great too.” It was true; he hadn’t had nightmares and felt completely relaxed. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept so well, even on a hospital bed.

Then he broached the topic that had been on his mind all morning.

“Luna, you’re being discharged tomorrow, and I’ve been thinking about your bed rest.”

“Harry, you don’t need to wor—”

Harry interrupted her.

“Luna, of course I’ll worry. You’re my friend, and you’re carrying my children.” He gave her a shy smile, and she returned it. “So, I thought the best thing would be for me to move in with you, at least until your bed rest is over.”

“Harry... are you sure?” She knew she’d need his help, but she could already imagine the trouble this would cause with Ginny. “I don’t want to bring you more problems.” They both knew she meant Ginny.

“I’m absolutely sure. I’ll always be here for you. It’s my responsibility, and more than that, it’s what I want.” He didn’t care what Ginny or anyone else thought. He would never leave Luna alone.

“Alright,” she relented. “We’ll have to set up one of the rooms for you.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

Luna stayed another day in the hospital. Harry refused to let anyone else stay with her. He wore the clothes Ron brought and ate at the hospital cafeteria. The only time he left was when Neville visited Luna, and Harry went to her house to prepare the room he’d use. Afterward, he returned immediately.

He thought little of anything but Luna and the babies. However, on their final night in the hospital, while watching Luna sleep, he realized he needed to talk to Ginny soon. He knew she’d be furious, especially since the last time they’d seen each other, he’d left her in her underwear, screaming in anger. But he wouldn’t allow himself to feel guilty. Luna and his children came first.

When Luna was discharged, she was taken to the Floo in a wheelchair but walked through it on her own. Harry followed her immediately, slipping an arm around her waist.

“Do you want to stay here in the living room or lie down in your room?”

“I’d rather lie down in my room.” She still seemed weak.

When Harry picked her up, she began protesting.

“Harry, you don’t have to carry me. I can walk, even if it’s slowly.” It was as close to reprimanding him as Luna ever got, but he didn’t mind.

“Not a chance. You’re not climbing those stairs. Besides, the doctor said complete bed rest, which means I’ll carry you.” He gave her a wide smile that clearly declared he’d won the argument.

“Let’s see if you’ll keep saying that when they grow bigger, and you have to carry the weight of three.” Her dreamy tone was back, along with an innocent smile.

“Don’t worry. I’ll always carry all three of you.” He’d sooner be cursed than fail to hold them in his arms.

Luna simply wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder, letting him carry her upstairs to her room. Harry held her closer. They were both entirely at ease with the warmth of each other’s presence.

When Harry set her down on the bed, she held his hand, pulling him to sit beside her.

“Harry.” Her eyes were kind. “Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me, Luna.” He began to protest, but she placed a hand on his face, and he had to resist the urge to lean into her touch. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had touched him so tenderly.

“Yes, I do. I called you, and you came running.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I was so scared, but you saved us. Once again, you saved me, and I’ll never be able to thank you enough for that.”

She leaned forward and gently kissed his forehead.

“I’ll always come when you call.” He smiled at her, his heart beating a little faster.

“You are my most precious person, Harry Potter,” she said with affection, as if it were an everyday fact rather than something profound—though it stirred something deep within him, something he didn’t recognize.

“You’re precious to me, too.” He kissed her hand. “Now get some rest. When you wake up, I’ll be here.”