Beyond Fear

Harry climbed the steps to Luna’s house with a mix of anxiety and determination. In one hand, he carried two heavy bags filled with baby items, and in the other, he held a small, carefully wrapped package. He knew she needed help, even if she wouldn’t admit it outright. Deep down, he was grateful for an excuse to be near her.

The winter wind howled through the trees, but it wasn’t the cold that made his hands tremble slightly. It was the blend of nervousness and longing—a constant feeling since he had left her house weeks ago.

He knocked on the door, waiting for Luna’s light footsteps. When she opened it, she looked even more exhausted than the last time he had seen her. Her hair was messily tied back, and her now-enormous belly seemed to weigh her forward. Her usually radiant eyes were dull and tinged with redness from fatigue.

He felt an overwhelming urge to hug her, to care for her, to protect her. And with it came a pang of guilt, his old companion, because it was his fault she was facing the end of her pregnancy alone.

“Harry, what are you doing here?” Her voice was soft, tinged with a bit of surprise.

“I brought some things for the babies.” He lifted the bags, trying to smile, but something in her expression made him feel slightly awkward. Maybe he shouldn’t have come uninvited, but he had been so eager for her to see the things he’d bought. He had wandered through Diagon Alley, picking out anything that seemed beautiful or useful. He had no experience with these things, but he’d started reading a few books on the subject.

She hesitated for a moment before stepping aside, allowing him to enter.

“You didn’t have to, but... thank you.”

Harry stepped inside, feeling the comforting warmth of the house in stark contrast to the chill outside. He set the bags on the table and began pulling out items, trying to mask the nervousness that always lingered around her now. Luna watched silently, her gaze moving over the objects as he unpacked tiny clothes, soft blankets, and diapers.

“I thought they might need these. Plus, they were so cute, I couldn’t resist,” he said, attempting to sound casual.

She picked up one of the tiny outfits, holding it delicately. 

“They’re adorable. Thank you, Harry.” She smiled at the outfit, her expression softening slightly.

Harry continued showing her the items he had purchased, but when he pulled out a small mobile with magical creatures that floated delicately at the slightest movement, Luna’s eyes lit up with something close to enchantment.

“This is... beautiful,” she murmured, reaching out to touch the mobile gently.

“I thought it might be nice for their room. I brought two, so each can have one.” Harry felt a little more at ease, even a bit proud—he had known she would love this.

Luna nodded and placed the mobile on the table.

Feeling a little bolder, Harry pulled a smaller package from his coat pocket and handed it to her.

“This is for you. It’s not for the babies, just something I thought you might like.”

She accepted the package, one eyebrow raised in curiosity. Slowly, she undid the ribbon, revealing a small leather-bound journal embossed with a design of trees. Her fingers traced the embossed cover, and she smiled—a genuine smile that brightened her tired face.

“A journal?” She held it against her chest.

“Yes. I thought you might want to write about the babies or anything else. You were always carrying a notebook around at Hogwarts.”

“It’s perfect. Thank you, Harry.” Her voice carried a softness that made his heart clench.

A silence fell between them, heavy with unspoken words. Finally, Harry broke the tension.

“How are you?” he asked quietly. “You look so tired.”

“I’m fine, Harry. Or as fine as anyone can be a few weeks away from giving birth to twins.” Her tone was light, but he could see the weariness behind her words.

He gestured toward her belly. “That looks really heavy. You’re so small—it’s amazing they even fit in there.” His voice carried awe and admiration.

She laughed softly. Harry’s heart leaped—it had been so long since he’d heard her laugh. It was beautiful.

“It’s incredibly heavy. Even I’m amazed when I look in the mirror.”

He watched her for a moment. This had to be painful, but she wasn’t complaining. Harry felt like he’d never stop being impressed by her.

“And your back? Is it still hurting?”

She nodded, leaning against the table. “All the time.”

Harry hesitated, but concern overruled his shyness.

“If you want, I can help,” he offered timidly.

“I don’t think you can transfer them into your belly,” she joked, and despite his worry, Harry smiled, glad they could share at least a small laugh.

“No, I guess we can’t do that. But I could give you a back rub.” He watched her face for a reaction.

Luna raised an eyebrow, surprised. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Harry.”

He had expected her to refuse. Since he’d left, she had kept not only an emotional distance but a physical one as well.

“It’s just a massage, Luna. It used to help you before, and I think it might help now.”

She studied him, indecision flickering in her eyes, but eventually, exhaustion won out, and she nodded.

“Alright. I suppose I really could use it,” she admitted.

Her face showed a hint of apprehension, but Harry pushed past his own nerves, grateful for the chance to touch her again, even in a friendly way.

She sat on the sofa, adjusting herself carefully, and Harry positioned himself behind her. She wouldn’t be wearing just a bra as she used to, but their closeness filled Harry with emotion. He began massaging her shoulders, slowly working on the tense spots in her back. The warmth of her skin beneath his fingers felt both intimate and distant. Luna let out a long sigh, leaning slightly into his touch.

“That feels amazing,” she murmured, her voice laced with relief.

Harry smiled, feeling useful.

“I’m glad I could help.”

They stayed silent for a while, the atmosphere heavy with something undefined. The small sounds she made hit Harry in a way he wasn’t prepared for, reminding him of how he loved hearing her soft gasps when they made love. He took a deep, quiet breath, forcing his mind back to the present. When Harry finally finished, Luna turned to him, her face more relaxed, though still marked by fatigue.

“Thank you, really. I’d forgotten how good that feels. Sometimes, I think I underestimate how much all of this is weighing on me.”

Harry didn’t know what to say, so he suddenly stood up. 

“I’ll make you something to eat. You need the energy.”

“Harry, you don’t need to—”

“I want to.”

He headed to the kitchen and began rummaging through the cupboards. He found some eggs, vegetables, and bread and decided on an omelet. While cooking, he couldn’t stop thinking about her expression—the vulnerability and strength mixed in every word, every gesture. It was a combination that fascinated him and left him restless.

When he returned with a plate and a cup of tea, Luna took them hesitantly and thanked him. Harry returned to the kitchen to clean up, and when he came back, he found her staring at the plate, tears streaming down her face. He froze.

“Luna? What’s wrong?” His voice betrayed his concern.

She shook her head, quickly wiping at her tears.

“Nothing. Don’t worry about it.” When he didn’t respond, she continued. “It’s just… it’s a lot. All of this. The babies, the exhaustion... sometimes, it feels like I won’t be able to do it.”

Harry took the plate from her hands, set it on the table, and sat down beside her, holding her hands.

“You’re going to do it, Luna. You’re the strongest person I know.”

She looked at him, her eyes shimmering with more tears.

“I feel so guilty for crying. I love being their home; they’re everything to me. But... my whole body hurts. I can’t sleep, and I’m always tired now.” Harry kept holding her hands firmly, letting her vent. “And I don’t know anything about being a mother. What if they hate me?”

She looked at Harry, completely vulnerable.

"Lu, it’s okay to cry and get upset. That doesn’t mean you don’t love them. It just means this is an exhausting job, and you’re worn out.” He called her by the affectionate nickname he used to use, not realizing it, but Luna did.

“We both have no experience with this, but we’ll do our best, and I’m sure you’ll be the best mother they could ever have. They’ll love you so much, I’ll have to complain about being left out.” He tried to make a joke to get her to smile, and felt relieved when she laughed through her tears.

“Thank you, Harry.” She squeezed his hand, and Harry squeezed her hands a bit more firmly in return.

“I know it’s hard, but you don’t have to do this alone. I’m here. I’ll always be here.”

She nodded but said nothing, holding his hand a moment longer than necessary.

Harry returned the next morning, carrying another bag. Luna opened the door, looking less tired than the day before, but there was still a shadow of exhaustion in her eyes. Still, she looked beautiful to him.

“You again?” she asked playfully, with a light smile.

“I thought I could help with a few more things.” He lifted the bag. “And you promised to let me fold the baby clothes.”

She laughed, the sound soft and unexpected, and let him in. They’d agreed the day before that he could come back to help.

The thought of seeing her again had made him happier than he was willing to admit.

As they climbed the stairs, Harry noticed how difficult it seemed for Luna. He wanted to offer to carry her but knew she wouldn’t accept, so he simply stayed close, ready to assist if she needed help.

When Harry stepped into the babies’ room, his heart warmed. He remembered every moment of painting the walls and assembling the furniture. The room made everything feel so real. In less than a month, his two babies would be sleeping in these cribs. The room already smelled faintly of baby powder, and he felt an overwhelming urge to hold them, to breathe in their scent.

Luna seemed to notice his expression and the emotion behind it.

“I feel the same way when I come in here.” She smiled softly at him.

“I can’t believe that in just a few weeks, I’ll have two babies—my children—in my arms.” His voice betrayed his emotion as he walked slowly toward one of the cribs. “I still feel like a kid sometimes.” Harry felt completely vulnerable now. “I never had a father—how will I know how to be one?” He didn’t look at Luna, afraid to see disappointment in her eyes.

“Harry.” She said his name so gently, a tone he hadn’t heard from her in a long time. “Look at me.” He hesitated but eventually tore his gaze from the crib to meet hers. Her silver-gray eyes were filled with tenderness, and he felt a lump in his throat. There was no disappointment there. Luna took his hand.

“You’re the best man I could have chosen to be the father of my children. I have no doubt that you’ll do wonderfully. You’re already doing so much before they’re even born. The four of us will learn together, and what matters most is that you love them.”

She kept looking at him with those large, gentle eyes. Her words touched him deeply, healing parts of him he hadn’t realized were still hurting.

“Can I hug you?” The question slipped from his lips before he could think.

Luna looked at him for a few seconds, then nodded.

Harry stepped closer and hugged her as best as he could, with her belly pressed between them. Luna rested her head on his chest, and he caught the strawberry scent of her hair. He knew she could feel his racing heart but didn’t care. In that moment, he believed he could be a good father.

After longer than either of them would admit, they pulled apart.

“Thank you, Luna.” Harry smiled at her. “How about I set up the mobile on the crib?”

She handed it to him, and they worked in silence as he fixed it to the two cribs.

“It looks beautiful,” Luna said with a smile. “What did you bring today?” She gestured to the bag at his feet.

Harry picked up the bag and began pulling things out: two baby slings, several children’s books, and a giant pillow. For the last item, Luna raised an eyebrow.

Harry smiled sheepishly. “I went to Muggle London, and the salesperson said this pillow helps with nursing. You can rest the baby on it.”

Luna studied it thoughtfully. “That seems useful.”

“I brought this too.” Harry pulled out a box.

“What’s that?” Luna asked, curious.

“It’s a digital Muggle camera.” He took it out of the box.

Luna watched with interest. “It’s small. How do the pictures come out?”

Harry chuckled. “It takes the photo, but you have to connect the memory card to another machine to transfer the pictures and videos.”

Luna nodded.

“I bought it so we can take pictures of the babies and record videos of them.” Harry seemed excited now.

“That’s wonderful! We can show them when they’re older.” She seemed to like the idea too. “Do you know how to use it?”

“The salesperson taught me. Want to see how it works?”

Luna stepped closer, and he turned the camera on, aiming it at the crib and its mobile before snapping a photo. They both marveled at the image. Then he demonstrated how to record a video.

“Luna, would you like to take some pictures?” He blushed a little. “That way, you’ll have a keepsake of your belly,” he quickly added.

Luna immediately agreed. She leaned against the crib, her hands resting on her belly, a soft smile on her lips. Harry found himself momentarily admiring her, then snapped two photos: one showing her and the crib, the other capturing her and the mural on the wall.

“They’re beautiful,” he said, showing her the images.

Luna simply smiled at the photos.

“Shall we start folding these clothes?” Luna asked.

“Let’s do it.”

Harry was happy to be there. It felt like the weight between them was lifting, leaving behind some of the lightness they’d shared when they were just friends.

He began folding the tiny clothes, laughing at how small some of them were.

“Seriously, these are so tiny. I can’t believe they’ll actually fit into these.”

Luna laughed too, her eyes sparkling.

“It does seem impossible, doesn’t it?”

As they worked, Harry felt like something was healing between them, slowly but surely. With each shared moment, the pain and confusion eased a little.

He was so focused that he didn’t notice Luna had gotten up from her chair until she called his name.

“Harry.”

He looked up from his spot on the rug and saw her holding the camera. He smiled, a little confused. Then she began to speak, and he realized she was filming.

“James and Albus, this is your daddy, Harry.” His smile grew impossibly wide. “We’re getting ready for your arrival.” She panned the camera to show the folded clothes and the open hospital bag.

Harry stood and gently took the camera from her, turning it to film her. “This is Mommy, and you two are in there.” Luna placed her hand on her belly. “Which is why she looks like she’s about to explode.” He joked, and to his delight, she let out a loud laugh. His heart leapt with joy.

As he looked at her, a wave of admiration and affection swept through his chest. Luna was strong in a way he couldn’t describe, and he knew he would do anything to ensure she and the babies were safe, even if it meant confronting his own fears and uncertainties.

In that moment, Harry realized that despite all the unknowns, he couldn’t imagine his life without her or the babies who were about to enter their world.