six

I thought I had been fairly clear on whose kids belonged to whom. Apparently, I had not. To curb other emails and reviews of a "whaaa" nature, I present this list:

Taryn and Rachel are the twin daughters of Harry Potter and Willow Rosenberg
Chase is the daughter of Xander Harris and Cordelia Chase
Berkley (Berk) is the son of Buffy Summers
Max and Marc are the twin sons of Ron Weasley and Luna Lovegood
Levi and Gwen are Draco Malfoy and Ginny Weasley's son and daughter, respectively
Liam and Sunshine (Sunny) are Dawn Summers and Connor Angel's son and daughter, respectively
Orion is Severus Snape and Nymphadora Tonks's son


*~* By Memory *~*

Willow was nervous as the car they'd rented pulled up outside the Burrow.

"Whoa." Berk said from the back seat in awe.

Chase cocked her head. "How's it standing?"

Rachel grinned at them. "Magic."

Willow was glad Buffy, Xander, and Cordelia had let their kids come along. Sunny and Liam had been rather pouty about not being old enough to go too, but Dawn had said she'd bring them for a visit another time.

Wesley reached over from the driver's seat and gave Willow's leg a comforting pat. He had come in the guise of checking on the council's London office. Willow knew he was really there for moral support. Spike and Connor had promised when they could get away, they would come as well. Willow told them they did not have to, but she knew they would show anyhow. And she had a feeling Buffy, Xander, and Cordelia might turn up as well. Faith had certainly threatened to when Willow had spoken to her on the phone about it.

She was glad they had shopped in Diagon Alley first. They'd all bought robes. Even Berk. He'd had to be persuaded, naturally, but Willow nearly laughed aloud when all it had taken was Rachel pressing her hand to her heart and muttering a breathy 'oh' for Berk to agree to taking the set of black robes he'd had on at the time. Wesley had gotten himself something in a dignified dark gray. Chase had picked herself out something in a stunning dark rose. Rachel had chosen a daring number in mint with dark green leaves embroidered on it. Willow had been a bit proud and sad because her daughter had looked so grown up in those robes, and the green had really complimented her skin and brought out her eyes.

Rachel had purchased her new friend Chase a novelty t shirt in black with the word 'muggle' scrawled across it in bright pink glitter. She'd purchased Berk and owl. For writing her... and she said she'd explain later. Willow was amused. Berk had taken to the bird instantly. He cooed at it in a very unmanly manner, petted the tiny owl's head and back with a finger, and was already well on his way to spoiling it. Even the name was spoiling. Empress. But he already seemed to be calling the cute little thing Emp. She was mostly white with yellowish eyes. She reminded Willow of Harry's owl Hedwig. She wondered if Harry still had her. It was unlikely because Hedwig had been fairly aged by the time Willow knew her, but one could hope.

As their little group exited the car, Willow became even more nervous. Rachel had insisted she wear the new navy robes she'd bought. Willow wasn't sure. They were awfully... clinging, this set. Even Wesley, who had long treated her like a little sister, had given her a very appreciative once-over before looking away with a pink blush staining his cheeks. She knew she looked good, but the way the built in corset in the dress part was heaving up her breasts made Willow feel just a bit on display. Wesley rapped on the front door before Willow could stop him... not that she would have.

The door was flung open by one Ron Weasley.

"Willow?"

"Hi, Ron."

"Bloody hell!" He scooped her up in a fierce hug. "What brings you 'round?"

"We've come for my daughter."

Ron bristled.

Rachel leaned out then. "Hullo, Uncle Ron."

His brows furrowed.

Rachel pointed at herself. "Rachel."

Ron's eyes went wide. "Harry's had Taryn all this time." He laughed heartily. "Oh hell, he thought Rachel'd gone nutters or something. She was shooting crossbows and hitting people and befriending Malfoy's kids and acting like a harridan. He didn't know what to do with her."

Berk snorted. "Tare acting like a harridan, Chase, imagine that."

Rachel slapped at him. "That's my sister, you git."

Ron blinked. "I don't believe I've had the pleasure."

"Oh!" Willow said. "Sorry. This-"

"Ron's, who's at the door? What's taking you?"

Willow gasped. It had been so long since she'd heard that voice. "Molly."

"My manners." Ron shook his head. "Come in. Come in."

Ron ushered them inside. It was just like Willow remembered it. She turned to see how Chase and Berk were fairing. Both of them had their mouths hanging open as the tried to take in the wonderful chaos that had always been the Burrow.

"This place is fucking awesome."

"Berkley." Willow warned. "Language, mister."

"Well, it is."

Chase rushed over to the big grandfather clock. "Oh, look at the clock. How cool."

Rachel was just grinning as she watched her two newest friends examine the Burrow. They were both currently fascinated with the large Weasley clock that did not tell time. Each hand held a picture and pointed to where the person in that picture was. There were so many hands on it now. Rachel blinked though. For the first time she noticed the there was not a blank circle on the hand holding her picture, and it was not just 'Rachel' printed on said hand any longer. There were two photos... like on Uncle Fred and George's hand and Max and Marc's hand. The picture of her was current, but the one of Taryn was from when she was a baby. The names read Rachel and Taryn now. Rachel noticed it was pointed to the Burrow. She touched it.

"Mum had it charmed so you'd never see it as it really was." Ron said quietly. "Suppose now we'll have to get a current picture of Taryn and then split it up since you'll be here, and Taryn'll be in LA with your mum."

"I wouldn't wager on that if I were you, Uncle Ron. Don't got splitting me and my sister up just yet."

Ron looked at her with wide eyes. She reminded him of Harry back in the day when Harry'd gotten a plan. It was usually something that got him, Harry, and Hermione in loads of trouble too.

"Ronald Weasley, are you deliberately ignore..." Molly cut herself off when her eyes landed on Willow.

"Hello, Molly."

Molly just let out a sound that was half shout and half sob and rushed to the younger woman. She hugged her so tight Willow was certain ribs were mere seconds away from being cracked.

"Oh Willow dear, it's so good to see you again." Molly said, wiping a few tears from her eyes. "And who's with you?"

"Hullo, Nana Molly."

Molly turned. She cocked her head to the side. "Rachel?"

Rachel nodded.

"So Harry's had Taryn all the while?"

Rachel nodded.

"Oh dear. I was beginning to suspect you were developing your grandfather James's temperament. You'd always been so cool and collected like your grandmother Lily. Taryn's definitely the 'James'."

"Well, I know Dad's been making Tare pretty angry, and she gets kind of difficult to handle if she's mad at you."

Berk snorted. Molly looked at him and Chase. About that time, Gwen, Max, and Marc filtered in.

"Max! Marc!" Rachel was at both of them instantly.

"Oh thank Merlin you're home." Max said. "That sister of yours is plenty to deal with."

"Not that we don't like her." Marc added.

"Naturally. She's fabulous. Spiffing... just a bit different from you. Took some getting used to."

"And she has this horrible penchant for Malfoys."

Rachel gaped. "You knew."

"Of course we did."

"We've switched enough times to know a switch when we see one."

"Problem was, we didn't know you were a twin."

"Right you are, brother. We had no clue our little Ickle Rachelkins had a mirror."

"It actually took us quite a while to realize that's what it had to be... not body snatching."

Rachel laughed and hugged both of them again. Berk coughed loudly.

"Oh!" Rachel squealed. "Come here! These are Taryn's best friends Berkley and Chase. Just call him Berk."

"Berk?" Max asked with a raise of his brow while Marc started snickering.

"What of it?" Berk snapped, coming to his full menacing height.

Rachel turned and shoved at his chest with both hands. "These are my best friends. Don't."

"But-"

"The word berk just has another meaning here."

"And that would be?"

Max took a deep breath to answer.

Rachel turned around and glared at him so icily, he clamped his mouth shut. "Not important just now."

"Well, I'm Chase." Chase said breaking the tension and taking a hand each from Max and Marc and shaking them heartily. "Nice to meet you. Don't expect me to be able to tell you apart. Ever."

They both laughed at her.

Chase's eyes landed on Gwen and narrowed. "Who's the potential goddess?"

"I'm... I'm Gw-Gwendolin Malfoy."

Chase arched a brow. "Do they call you Gwendolin or Gwen?"

"Both."

"Which do you prefer?" Chase asked as she stalked over to the other girl.

"Gwen."

"Hmm." Chase took Gwen's chin in her hand and tilted the girl's head up and from left to right. "With a few this and thats, you'll be knocking boys... or girls... over."

"Wh-what?"

"Haven't you ever looked in a mirror, sweetie? You're gorgeous. And with a few basic beauty treatments, you'll be even more so. You don't need any makeup really. That's natural beauty. Very rare, just so you know. Fabulous skin here, and wow to all that red hair and those gorgeous gray eyes. I just may have to stick around here. Between you, me, and the witchy twins, I think we could turn this country on its ear. What'dya say, freckles?"

Gwen gasped as one hand went to the sprinkle of freckles on her nose.

"Oh don't. That HAS to be the cutest part of your face. And any boy... or girl... who doesn't think so, is SO not worth your time, cutie. And stand up straight please."

Gwen straightened.

"Much better."

Rachel was completely fascinated watching Chase and Gwen. She had never realized any of what Chase was pointing out. All her life, she had seen the Malfoy... and not the girl underneath. Suddenly she was quite glad Taryn had gotten a hold of Gwen. It had been wrong of herself, Max, and Marc to shun the younger girl all these years because she was Draco Malfoy's daughter, and their fathers had not been fond of the man.

"And who might you be, dear?" Molly asked of Wesley.

"Oh!" Willow said. "Sorry! This is Wesley."

When Willow said no more after that, Wesley gave her a very sarcastic look that said 'yes, that certainly told them who I was'. He reached out and shook Molly's hand.

"I'm Wesley Wyndam-Pryce. I run the Los Angels branch of the Watcher's Council. Willow is my right hand man, so to speak. You could say I'm her boss, but I'd rather you called us friends."

"And are the children yours?" Molly asked, gesturing to Berk and Chase.

Berk actually laughed.

"No. Berkley is Buffy Summers's son, the slayer, and Chase is the daughter of Cordelia and Xander Harris."

"Ah yes." Molly said. "I do remember Buffy and Xander. Especially that Buffy."

Willow cringed. She didn't imagine Molly... or anyone... who'd been at hers and Harry's wedding would forget Buffy. It seemed no Scooby or Angel Investigations team member was destined to have a wedding ceremony without demons or forces of darkness attacking and trying to muck things up. It had been true when Xander had nearly married Anya, true when Xander married Cordy, most certainly true at Dawn and Connor's wedding, and painfully obvious at Harry and Willow's. Death Eaters. Rogue Death Eaters. And Buffy had been pretty pissed. She'd given a lot of them a fierce walloping before the Aurors had decided to show up and 'officially' handle the situation.

No, Willow didn't think anyone at that wedding would forget Buffy... ever. Much less the bride and groom and how ragged they had looked after the attack. Harry with that nasty bleeding cut above his blackening eye to go along with his busted lips, and her with several nice shreds and hex burns in her wedding gown with half her hair up and the other half hanging partially in her face, they'd been quite the sight.

But Willow knew Molly remembering Buffy as 'that Buffy' was not a bad thing. After all, Buffy had saved Percy Weasley's life that day. Molly could not thank her enough. Percy had been shell-shocked and oddly quiet. But Willow had noted he pretty much kept to himself anyhow. She wondered if he was still like that. Harry had told her that Percy had lost his wife in the final battle with Voldemort, and he had not been the same after. Penelope had been about six months pregnant with hers and Percy's son. The baby had lived for a few days on life support then passed. Willow now found herself wondering if he had ever recovered. She wondered if one COULD recover from a loss like that.

"Were's Tare?" Rachel asked, breaking Willow from her sad thoughts.

"Still asleep, the lazy little slugabed." Molly teased.

Rachel just grinned and rushed up the stairs. She hurried to the room Molly would have put Taryn in... because it was the room Rachel was always put in for her visits. She pushed the oak door open and froze. Rachel blinked a few times to make sure she was seeing what she was seeing.

"MUM!"

Taryn and Levi bolted up in the bed just as Willow skidded into the doorway... with much of the rest of the house behind her.

"Mom!" Taryn squeaked.

"Oh good heavens!" Molly shouted. "What do think... what have the two of you... in the bed... I don't... you're just both in deep... the biggest... most horrible..."

"Shit." Berk offered.

"I don't like that word, young man." Molly snapped before pointing back at Taryn and Levi. "But that's exactly what you two are in."

Levi was staring at Willow Rosenberg with wide eyes. This woman was not Rachel and Taryn's mother. She was gorgeous. She didn't look old enough to have two teenage daughters.

"This is your mother?" He whispered to Taryn.

"Uh huh."

"She's lovely. You father must be the right wanker mine is always saying he is to give that up."

Willow ground her teeth not to laugh. Goddess, he could be Draco talking like that. Willow was startled by the sudden revelation that she had actually missed Draco Malfoy's quips and barbs.

"What did you do to her?" Berk asked as he came forward.

"Who's the mountain troll?" Levi asked.

"That's Berk." Taryn snapped. "Be nice."

"You going to tell him to be nice as well, Tare? He looks about ready to rip me limb from bloody limb."

"If you're lucky." Berk snarled.

"Did you say his name was..." Levi snickered. "Berk?"

Berk bristled and started forward at Levi.

Rachel finally started moving again. She rushed around and began shoved Berk back. "Are you going to try to fight everyone you meet today? Merlin's beard, you overgrown bear, just stop your growling."

"Hey, Rachel."

Rachel turned. "Oh take that thing off. I want to hear you talk like you."

Taryn pulled the charm off her neck. "Hey, Rach."

"Hey, Tare."

In the next instant, Taryn was out of the bed and she and Rachel were hugging. They were laughing and giggling and muttering words in some sort of twin code that no one save the two of them seemed to understand. Max and Marc exchanged a look. They did this too. Not the girlie giggling and hugging, but the saying a whole sentence with a word. Taryn grabbed Rachel's glasses off the bedside table and placed them on the other girl's face.

"You can certainly have these back now."

Rachel giggled and adjusted her glasses on her face. No one was moving. It was too fascinating watching the two girls.

"But I sort of liked them on you, Potter." Levi said, causing both girls to look at him.

He was lounged back against the pillow, un-bashfully still bare-chested with his arms up and hands hooked behind his head. Rachel turned back to Taryn and pinned her with a look.

"Look." Taryn said. "This is all quite innocent. We were talking and we fell asleep. Nothing else."

"Talking?" Ron asked. "Why did his shirt have to be off for you to talk? And why can't he be in the chair, not the bed?"

"Not that it's any of your business, Uncle Ron, but there was some arms-only comforting hugs as well. In case you've forgotten or haven't heard, my father bowled me out last night."

"What?" Willow asked.

"Mom." Taryn rushed at her.

"Hey, baby." Willow said hugging her back and kissing her temple. "Now what's this about your father bowling you out? What did you do?"

Taryn looked at Rachel. "You didn't tell her?"

"Didn't tell me what?"

"Harry's under the delusion that he wants to marry Gabrielle Delacour." Ron said.

Molly elbowed him.

"Ow! Mum!"

Willow had to concentrate very hard so that her legs did not fail her. Harry? Married to someone else? Why was this making her feel like she was gonna pass out? Or vomit. She was definitely feeling some bile rising.

"So..." Willow said in an overly calm voice. "When is the happy event?"

"I wouldn't know." Taryn snapped. "He's not talking to ME right now. I'm bratty and selfish and nothing I say or do is gonna stop him from marrying that annoying little succubus."

Willow gasped. Good grief! She'd never heard her daughter speak so ill of anyone... ever. Then she, for the first time, noticed what Taryn had on.

"Where are your pants?!"

"What?"

"Pants! Holy poop, Taryn! I just caught a glimpse of your underpants! More clothes, young lady! Now!"

Taryn grumbled and grabbed a pair of pajama pants from the chair in her room and stalked behind the dressing screen that was in the room. When she reemerged, she was wearing the pants. Levi was smirking at her.

"What are you smirking at, mister?" Willow snapped. "Get out of that bed and go find yourself a shirt. You and I are gonna have a big talk about what's appropriate with one of my daughters."

No one had ever seen Levi move so quickly... even though he was still smirking.

"You're not gonna give ME that talk, are ya, Aunt Will?" Berk asked.

Willow turned to him. "Come to think of it... yes I am. Thanks for reminding me. Don't think I didn't notice the kissing."

Rachel and Taryn both exchanged a look before groaning simultaneously.

Then there was a voice downstairs. Everyone went rigid.

"Molly? Hello? Rachel? Is anyone here?"

Harry. Willow's heart started thundering in her chest. Not yet! She wasn't ready to see him. Not now. She needed more time to prepare.

"Dad." Rachel whispered.

She took off running before anyone could stop her. Taryn quickly followed, but stopped at the top of the stairs where she wouldn't be seen.

"Dad!" Rachel said as she threw herself into Harry's arms.

Harry held her back to look at her. "So... talking to me again, are we?"

"What?"

"Have you already forgotten all those nasty things you shouted to me last night."

Rachel stiffened. "To hear tell of it, you weren't exactly speaking in your most quiet voice either."

"I can get married anytime I want, you realize."

Rachel took a step back, blinking. She had thought Taryn had been exaggerating a bit on their father's temper on this subject. She now realized Taryn hadn't been a bit off.

"Don't stand there pretending not to know what you've been about for the last few days. You were so rude to Gabrielle last night that she refused to come over with me to collect you today. And after you refused to go home with such a... what was it... poopeheaded jerk of a tyrant last night, I'm am a little surprised at the warm welcome."

"Well... I was upset. I guess I have been a bit difficult lately."

"Difficult? That's the understatement of all time. You haven't been difficult, you've been impossible. Rachel, I thought you were possessed. You've been a holy terror lately. There are evil wood sprites and cave trolls that cause less disturbances that you."

Rachel actually giggled at that. She hoped Taryn was listening.

"It's not funny. I was actually starting to fear you'd shoot Gabrielle with that crossbow you brought home from camp. I mean, you nearly made Neville wet his pants... and I don't think the painting of Sirius over the fireplace will ever forgive you."

Rachel laughed louder at that. Taryn and her weapons.

"It's not funny! You're too old to pout and throw tantrums, Rachel. As I said before, if I want to marry Gabrielle, I can."

Rachel turned to ice. "Yes, I suppose you can."

A new voice interrupted.

"There's just one tiny little fly in that marriage ointment. When I checked with the America Wizardry Association about portkeys and such to come here, I, er, found out we never actually got a divorce. Still married. Surprise. Hi. Nice to see you again, Harry. You look well. Do you still work for the Ministry? Of course you do. Rachel said that. She also said Snape and Tonks got married and had kids. How freakish is that? And... you're just staring. I said hello to you already, right?"

Harry gaped. He couldn't help it. And it wasn't because she had nervously babbled her entire bit so quickly he almost had not been able to follow. No. It was because Willow was standing on the first landing of the stairs. Willow. His Willow.... and she looked.... she looked... no different that she had about fifteen years earlier. She was exactly the same beautiful redhead he'd fallen head over heels for nearly two decades ago. She looked lovely. Her hair was pulled back into a bun with little wisps of hair framing her face. The dark blue robes on her clung to every curve she still had.

"Willow."

They just stared at one another. Taryn came down into the light to stand next to her mother. Everyone else was still crowded back on the stairs, out of sight, to listen to what was going on. Harry's eyes bugged when Taryn walk down. His glanced from Taryn to Rachel then back to Taryn, then he looked at Willow.

"That's right. Both of them. They met at camp and switched on us. You've had Taryn all this time. Rachel's been with me in LA."

Harry looked at Rachel. She smiled sheepishly at him. No wonder she hadn't looked like she knew what he was talking about earlier. Then he looked back at Taryn.

She waved at him slightly. "I'm the shouty ranty one who's been the impossible holy terror."

He looked back to Rachel.

"And I'm the unflappable cold fish."

She heard Berk snort. Loudly. Her mother was looking at her with one brow raised.

"Fine. Nearly-unflappable then."

Harry looked back at Willow. She was smiling at him sadly.

Then something dawned on him.

"Did... you just say we were still... married?"

"Uh... I might have."

"Are we?"

"Um... yes."

It was all too much for Harry.

He passed out due to shock. It was much like the dementors. His mind shut down, things went black, and he heard someone scream his name as he fell. But this time it wasn't his mother shouting like when the dementors got at him.

It was his wife. His Willow.

And for some reason he was filled with this warm and soothing knowledge that he would not hit the floor right before things were completely black, and he knew nothing else.

*~*

end part 6