The sun was slipping over the horizon, shading the sky purple and pink. Golden rays still trying to stretch out to touch the land in a last ditch effort to provide warmth and light.

Harry Potter stood staring out at the sinking sun on the back porch of his house, a mug of warm tea held in one hand. A soft smile on his face as he watched the sun go down. The night was still warm and peaceful, the stars just beginning to come out and twinkle in the sky, the moon just beginning to show.

He watched as a soft breeze moved the old tire swing tied to the lone tree in the yard. His smile grew as he remembered his youngest daughter just hours ago, laughing in delight as her daddy pushed her in it, yelling for him to push her higher.

He had of course, gently told her that if he did that her mother would not like it very much and the little girl could get hurt. Huffing, she had agreed but made him promise to do it next time.

Harry sighed, still wondering how he had gotten so lucky as to have such a wonderful daughter and on top of that a wonderful wife and a beautiful home.

It seemed not so long ago that he was just barely seventeen, and on the hunt for horcruxes and Voldemort. It seemed a life ago that he had fought his nemesis and won.

The years seemed to have agreed with him though, as he slowly approached 30. Still leaning on the post near the porch steps, the sound of the screen door opening quietly behind him went barely noticed. As did the soft patter of small footsteps until arms were slipping around his waist.

"Hey," his wife said quietly, resting her head against his shoulder.

"Hey yourself," Harry said quietly, smiling.

"What are you doing out here?"

"Just thinking."

"About?"

"Stuff."

"Like?"

"That it just seems like it's been a lifetime since the end of the war. And just how lucky I am to have you and Gracie," he replied, setting his mug on the railing and turning so he was facing his wife.

"Hmm, it does seem like a lifetime doesn't it?" she asked; now resting her head on his chest, sighing as Harry thread his fingers through her hair.

"Yes it does. However, I am so happy now. Especially now that we have little Gracie. I still cannot believe she is going to be five soon. I still remember the day she was born," Harry, said, amazement lacing his voice.

Laughing quietly, Hermione raised her head. "I know what you mean, but she has been such a blessing. She is lucky you know. To have such a great dad."

Harry laughed at that, "Yeah but she's even luckier to have such a clever mum," Harry said, leaning in to kiss the tip of Hermione's nose.

Hermione blushed at his compliment and sighed quietly, content.

They stood in silence for a while before Harry spoke again, "It's the like the dawn sort of. As if, my life is just starting even though the war has been over for nearly 10 years now. Does that sound stupid?"

"Not at all," Hermione said immediately. "You were the one that went through the most during all that. And all the time to recover from it. Harry, you have every right to feel that way. And I agree, it does seem like our lives are just starting."

Kissing the top of her head, Harry chuckled, "I should have known that nothing would sound stupid to you."

Hermione nodded, distracted once more. She bit her lip nervously wondering if now would be a good time to tell Harry her news.

Sensing like he always did the change in her mood, Harry gently reached a hand down to lift her chin so she was looking right at him. "What is it? What's wrong?" he asked quietly, not taking his hand away from her chin.

The gentle concern that Hermione heard in Harry's voice warmed her heart but also made her nervous. Finally, she pulled herself together and whispered, "What would you do if I told you you were going to be a father again?"

Harry's breathing seemed to stop and he dropped his hand from her chin, his eyes widening in shock. "Y-y-you're p-p-pregnant?" he stuttered, his mind a whirl of thoughts.

Hermione simply nodded, her stomach a tight knot of nerves.

"I-I-I'm going to be a dad? Again?" he asked, as if he could not believe it.

Hermione nodded once more.

Harry was quiet for a few moments, and his face seemed to transform into the brightest smile Hermione had ever seen.

"That's great Hermione!" Harry practically yelled, picking her up and spinning her around in his arms.

Hermione laughed as he spun her, feeling the tension leaving her body. She had no idea why she had been so nervous to tell him. She knew that Harry's greatest dream was to have a family of his own.

After several seconds of happy whooping and spinning, Harry set Hermione on her feet again, and grasped her face, kissing each of her cheeks and then descending on her lips.

"This is great! When are you due? How long have you known? How far along are you?" The questions seemed to spill out all at once in jumble, but Hermione managed to catch them all.

"Breath, Harry," Hermione said laughing at her husband. "First, I'm due sometime in March of next year, second I'm about a month along. And I found out this afternoon."

Harry hugged Hermione tightly to him, tears of happiness starting to spill down his face. "I hope it's a boy this time. I will teach him how to play quidditch and everything. Not that I won't be teaching Gracie," Harry babbled.

"We'll see about that," Hermione said, secretly hoping it was a boy too.

"Another baby. We're going to be parents again," Harry, whispered, excitement still in his voice.

"Yes, Harry," Hermione, said, shaking her head.

A cry from inside the house echoed out into the yard, breaking the moment. Sighing, Hermione reluctantly let go of Harry, "I suppose I should get in there," she said.

"I'll go with you, and maybe we can tell her about her new brother or sister," Harry suggested.

Hermione laughed again, shaking her head. "If you insist," she said, holding out her hand to him.

Slipping his hand into hers, Harry let Hermione lead him back into their house, and upstairs to their daughter.

Yeah, I think my life is finally beginning dawn.

Fin