Chapter 45
The next day, Harry and Luna were sitting in the living room, trying to enjoy a rare moment of silence while the twins slept in the collapsible crib they had set up in the room. Luna’s teacup trembled slightly in her hands from exhaustion, but for a brief moment, she looked relaxed. Harry, on the other hand, stared distantly at the babies, likely thinking about something that still needed to be done.
The sound of an owl swooping through the window and dropping off a newspaper caught both their attention. Harry stood up to retrieve the Daily Prophet, which had landed on the rug near the window. He opened the paper casually, but the next instant, his body tensed as his eyes fell on the front page. A lump formed in his throat immediately. The headline was a direct blow.
“This can’t be serious...” he muttered, his tone heavy with anger.
“Harry?” Luna asked, already concerned.
He walked back into the room and placed the newspaper on the coffee table. The headline splashed across the front page seemed to scream at them:
“Harry Potter Is a Father! Luna Lovegood’s Twins Born in Style – The Secret Finally Revealed!”
The news was there, in large letters, and the photo accompanying the headline was of Luna and the newborns, with Neville standing beside her, smiling warmly. (Both Harry and Luna wondered how they had gotten that photo.) But what truly caught Harry’s eye were the words next to the image. Rita Skeeter, the ever-boundary-pushing reporter, was once again at the center of the story, and, as always, her writing was far from kind.
“After months of speculation about the paternity of Luna Lovegood’s twins, the confirmation has finally arrived: the war hero Harry Potter is the father of the children. However, the mystery doesn’t end there. While Potter’s identity as the father has been confirmed, anonymous sources suggest that the relationship between Potter and Lovegood was kept under wraps until the last moment, leaving many questions about the true nature of their relationship.”
Harry felt his anger rise but kept reading, his eyes fixed on the article.
“Despite Potter being officially identified as the father, many are wondering: ‘Where was the famous wizard during Lovegood’s pregnancy?’ Contrary to expectations, Potter was notably absent, while the ever-dedicated Neville Longbottom, Lovegood’s close friend, was seen accompanying her throughout the entire pregnancy, raising doubts about who the real father might be.”
Below, a series of photos of Luna and Neville was displayed, some in seemingly intimate moments, such as the two of them sitting together, eating ice cream in Diagon Alley. In several pictures, Luna appeared to be smiling warmly at Neville, while he showed affectionate gestures like touching her belly or kissing her forehead during their last trip to Muggle London.
“It’s impossible not to question: is Harry Potter truly the father of these babies, or does Neville Longbottom, always so present by Lovegood’s side, play a more significant role than it seems?”
Harry felt as though he had been hit by a curse. The photos of Neville with Luna were being used to create an entirely false narrative. Just because Luna and Neville were friends didn’t mean he was the father of the twins. But Rita Skeeter had a knack for twisting any story into something far more dramatic than reality.
Luna looked at Harry, noticing the tension in his expression. She had read the headlines too, but she was trying not to show the frustration she felt. She knew this was just another one of Rita Skeeter’s cruel tricks, but seeing the photos and the distorted words made her feel insecure. She didn’t want people thinking Neville was more than a friend or that he had played a larger role than he actually had. He had been there as a friend, someone who helped her, but the true father of her babies was Harry.
“Harry,” Luna said softly, her voice filled with worry. “I knew this would happen. But I... I didn’t want it to be like this. Not as if Neville were... more than a friend. He helped me so much, but... you’re their father. This... this can’t be happening,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Harry’s face was red with indignation. “That woman has no boundaries. She does this to sell papers, Luna. It’s all lies.”
But Luna didn’t seem consoled. “People will believe her. They always do. And it’s not just about us... it’s about Neville too. He doesn’t deserve this.”
Harry clenched his fists, his eyes blazing. “Neville will understand. He knows what Rita Skeeter is like. But you’re right, it’s not fair.” He hesitated, then placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll handle this. I can go to the Ministry, demand a retraction...”
Luna shook her head, tears finally falling. “It doesn’t matter what you do, Harry. These stories will follow us. People will look at our children and think... think awful things. About you, about me, about Neville.”
Harry took her hands firmly in his. “What matters is that we know the truth, Luna. And the twins, when they grow up, will know it too. That’s all that really matters.”
Luna looked at him, her eyes filled with pain. “But I just wanted them to have a quiet life. Without this, without judgment, without... lies.”
Harry took a deep breath, leaning toward her. “I can’t promise it’ll be easy, but I promise you won’t face this alone.”
Luna closed her eyes, letting more tears fall. “Thank you, Harry.”
For a few minutes, silence filled the room as they leaned on each other, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions the headline had stirred.
Sitting quietly on the sofa, Luna still seemed lost in thought. She glanced over at the babies sleeping soundly in the portable crib placed in the room.
"They're so small," she murmured, almost to herself. "How are we going to protect them from all of this?"
Harry stepped closer, gazing at the babies with the same mix of tenderness and concern. "We'll figure it out. Like we always do."
She sighed, exhausted. "I just wanted... a chance to be normal. At least for them."
He knelt beside her, touching her hand lightly. "Luna, this kind of news is painful, but we can’t let it into our hearts. Nothing about us is normal; anyone close to me deals with these consequences. But I know our kids will feel loved, and nothing in those papers will affect them. Besides, you're the strongest person I know. None of this has the power to break you."
Luna looked at him, surprised, then nodded, though hesitantly. Despite the pain and fear she felt, there was something in the way Harry looked at her that gave her a glimmer of hope. Even in the face of so much adversity, they still had each other, and, most importantly, they had the twins.
The first days at home with the twins were, as Harry and Luna had expected, a whirlwind of emotions. The house, once so quiet and peaceful, was now filled with cries, nervous laughter, and the soft sounds of babies echoing throughout. Harry, still in awe of the fact that he was a father, tried to help as much as he could, but there was a constant weariness hanging in the air. The house had never felt so full of life, yet so full of challenges.
Luna, with her hair loose and her eyes always tired, spent her days trying to adjust to the new routine. The twins were so small and fragile, yet demanded so much attention and care. Harry stayed by her side constantly, offering support, trying to make sure she got some rest, but he could see that Luna was battling something she didn’t want to admit.
That morning, in particular, Luna sat in the armchair in the bedroom, holding the babies in her arms and trying to feed them. She bit her lip, her face contorted in a pained expression. The constant pain in her chest made the process almost unbearable, no matter how much she wanted to give her best to her children.
Harry entered the room quietly, a cup of tea in his hands. He stopped at the doorway when he saw Luna’s face tense with pain and frustration. He knew what was happening. Luna hadn’t said anything, but he could see the struggle written all over her face.
Luna knew breastfeeding was important for the babies; she knew it was best for them. But she hadn’t expected the process to be so painful and exhausting.
"Luna, are you okay?" Harry asked, approaching her carefully.
She opened her eyes, forcing a small smile. "Yes, just... just a little pain. It’s nothing." But her expression said otherwise. She was clearly fighting back tears.
Harry knew she was trying to be strong, but he couldn’t ignore her suffering. He knelt beside her, gently caressing her hand. "Luna, you don’t have to hide this. If you need help, I’m here. Always."
She looked at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I... I think I’m doing it wrong. He’s not latching properly." Luna sighed. "It’s... so hard. I thought it would be easier. They need me, and I want to give them the best, but I can’t... the pain is too much."
Harry held her hand more firmly now, determined not to let her bear this burden alone. "You’re doing your best. You don’t have to be perfect. We’ll figure it out. Together."
Luna shook her head, her voice trembling. "I should know how to do this. I’m their mother, Harry. This should be... natural." Tears spilled down her face. "I just... I wish it were easier. I feel like I’m failing—not just them, but you too."
Harry’s eyes were gentle but resolute. "You’re not failing, Luna," he said firmly. "Just because things aren’t going as planned doesn’t mean you’re failing. The babies love you. What matters is what you’re doing, and you’re doing your absolute best." He paused, wiping the tears from her face. "No one’s born knowing how to do this. This is new for you, for me, for them. We’ll learn together, okay?"
She bit her lip, silent tears falling. "But it hurts so much. I want them to feed, but it’s hurting... and I feel... useless."
Harry watched the babies sleeping on the cushion in her lap for a moment. Then, without a word, he stood and retrieved a small jar of ointment the healer had recommended to ease her discomfort.
"Let’s try something," he suggested, opening the jar and dabbing a little ointment onto his fingertips. "May I?" he asked gently.
Luna nodded slightly, letting him help. Harry’s movements were careful, almost reverent, as he applied the cream to her sensitive skin. She closed her eyes, feeling a wave of relief from both the soothing touch and the unspoken care between them. The silence was filled with a deep mutual understanding.
"You’re incredible, you know that?" Harry said quietly, not looking up.
Luna let out a short, incredulous laugh. "Incredible? I can’t even feed my own babies without crying."
Harry finished applying the ointment and looked at her. "You gave birth to two babies less than a week ago. You’re handling all of this, even through the pain and exhaustion. That’s incredible. I’ve never seen anyone so strong."
Luna sniffled, wiping away a stubborn tear. "Thank you," she murmured. "I needed to hear that."
Harry smiled, picking up one of the babies from her lap to give her a moment of rest. He began to rock the little one gently while Luna adjusted herself in the chair, trying to find a more comfortable position.
And though the days with the twins were challenging, filled with sleepless nights and the struggles of constant feedings, Luna felt an immense love for her children—a love that overcame the pain and kept her going, even in the hardest moments.
The first days at home with the babies were difficult but also deeply special. Harry and Luna were learning how to be parents. Together, they were building a family, and though the road ahead was full of obstacles, they knew that, in the end, nothing in the world could take away the unconditional love they felt for their children.
"We’ll give them everything we have, Luna," Harry whispered, both of them trying to find a way to survive the marathon of caring for their little ones.
And in that moment, with the twins peacefully asleep in their arms, Luna felt a warmth deep inside. She knew that despite the difficulties, she wasn’t alone. She had Harry. And together, they would face anything.