Chapter 1: Mummy's Al
Excellent Ginny. She said to herself, admiring her newly written article for her column in the Daily Prophet. Her eyes roamed around her table and fell into their family picture. My treasures. How can I not be utterly inspired?
A soft knock on the door snapped Ginny into the reality. She wondered who it might be when she made sure before starting out doing her work, that the kids were already asleep. Harry? No. Knocking is never his style. He loves surprises. He adores when he is startling me. Then who is…
Her internal question was not yet through when the door slowly opened and an emerald green eyes peeked into the small opening.
"Mummy?"
"Al! Why are you still awake? You should be resting now."
This time, Albus opened the door extensively so that his mother could see his entirety.
"I can't sleep, Mum. Are you busy? Can I stay here with you for a while until I get sleepy?" asked the little boy who has an expression Ginny can comprehend. He is nervous and I reckon I know why.
"Of course, you can stay here with me. I'm done with my work. Though, even if I'm busy, I will still have all the time in the world for my son," said Ginny, striding to where Albus was. "Come in, Sweetheart."
A tiny smile graced Al's worried face with his Mum's words. But before she reached him, he was on his half way. Ginny held her son's hands leading him on the couch to cuddle her baby.
"Daddy's not yet home, Mummy?"
"He'll be here in a few minutes," replied Ginny, enfolding her arms around her son. Albus heaved a deep sigh and this gesture couldn't escape a mother's instinct.
"Tomorrow is the big day. I cannot believe my youngest son is already bound for Hogwarts. I'm dead scared that sooner or maybe later my baby will not let me hold him like this."
She pulled a little to take a look at the boy whose face was at the moment livid. As if he was not sure whether to smile or to let the uncertainties get over him. Ginny let go of her hold to kneel in front of Albus to look at him directly into his eyes.
"You know what, Sweetie, after seeing all my brothers left me for school, September First on the year I turned 11 was the one I have been looking forward ever since I can remember. But believe it or not, when that time came, worries and nerves attacked me still. Can I take good care of myself, now that Dad and Mum are not by my side anymore? Will I be at least half as brilliant as my brothers?"
"You are?" Albus exclaimed with a voice more lively since he came in.
"Yes. And Daddy too. I can still vividly remember his face when we first met him at the King's Cross Station."
"Daddy? The Ministry's Head Auror and you, once the most famous Chaser of the Holyhead Harpies?"
Ginny smiled, amused with her son's reaction.
"But hey, I'm Ginny. The Weasley's only girl. I can do whatever my brothers can."
"That's it, Mum. You are Ginevra Molly Potter, oh, well, you are a Weasley then. You can really prove yourself."
"And you're Albus Severus Weasley Potter. If I can prove my worth, you can too."
"James is brilliant. In everything. He excels in every subjects, the Professors love him, he flies extremely well, he has so many friends. He's very much like you and Dad. How can I be like him?"
Ginny's heart melted by her son's fears. She cupped his face with both hands.
"That should be the last thing you should think of, Al. You can never be like James because you're Albus. You are two different individuals. You just have to take your time to realize your strengths and abilities. You don't need to be like James just to make a mark in this world."
Albus pondered on all of what his mother told him. She was right. Mummy has always been right. I don't know what will I do without her in my life.
"Thank you, Mummy. Each day, I am becoming more convinced why Daddy loves you very much. Why James, me and Lily turn out to be this way."
"Oh, Al…" Ginny couldn't help it but embraced him in a bone-crushing one. She ruffled his unruly hair, making it even messier. "Feel better?"
"Yes. I feel much better. Still scared but more confident."
"That's my Allie."
"Mummy?"
"Hmmm?"
"What if…"
"What if what?"
Albus almost spilled out his greatest fear but held it back the last minute.
"Never mind, Mum. I will be alright. Trust me."
And then a sound of apparition startled the two of them in each other's arms.
"Hi Honey!" Harry yelled with both hands in the air as Ginny and Albus jumped into a fright.
"Daddy!"
He quickly ran to his father and gave him a hug. Harry stooped down to carry his boy then suddenly groaned with mock pain on his back.
"Uggghhh, you're heavy. What did Mum cook for dinner that made you gain weight this much?"
Ginny and Albus laughed.
"You're late."
Harry's eyes traveled, he put his son down to properly greet his wife.
"Of course. So that you'll miss me more," said Harry flirtatiously, giving Ginny an embrace and a peck on the lips.
"And you think this will pay me back?"
"What do you think, Al?"
"Oh, now, you're hiding behind your son!"
"Do you think I'm capable of doing what you're accusing me?"
"Yes."
Harry advanced himself, smiling devilishly, with a wiggling fingers, ready to tickle her, as if they were teenagers all over again. Ginny knew instantly what he was planning and ran for her life, screaming and laughing.
"Harry James Potter, don't you dare in front of your son!"
But her words just went with the wind. He caught her and they ended up tackling each other on the floor, tickles and butterfly kisses. Albus laughed so hard, enjoying himself watching his parents acted like kids themselves. I love Mummy and Daddy. Sometimes they are silly but that won't alter the fact that they are the greatest in both worlds. I know I'll be alright. I'll make them proud of me.
"Kiddo, get off me! Have a little shame, Al is here. Sweetie, do you think…" said Ginny, shoving her husband off her, turning to her son. But her voice chose to fade, upon seeing the little boy fell asleep on the couch, curled like a fetus, with an enormous smile on his face. She looked at Harry and he understood what she meant at once.
Harry scooped up their son and started on his feet. Ginny stood up as well and slithered her hand on his waist and placed her chin on his shoulder. With one flick of her wand, the lights turned off.
She opened the door towards Al's room upstairs, in between James and Lily's, adjacent to their parents' and quickly fixed his bed for his comfort. Harry put him down then carefully splayed the warm quilt over him. They both took turn to give him a kiss on his forehead before they left. He slipped his hand on hers and smiled.
"He's nervous, isn't he? That's why he's with you."
"Yes he is, Daddy," she replied, beaming while swinging their hands in a playful manner.
"So? Al witnessed your talent in handling emotions?"
"I hope so. But I feel something is still bothering him. Maybe we can figure it out tomorrow."
"This is only Jamie's 2nd year, but to be honest, his footsteps are quite difficult to follow."
"Yeah. That's why I'm a little worried with him. In Jamie's case, over confidence. Al's, lack of it. But I have a feeling he'll be alright. After all, he's our son. Potter and Weasley blood running through his veins… there can't be any better with that combination. Undeniably."
She winked at her husband, halting both of them, making them laugh in control. Too careful not to wake their children up.
"Always the modest one, Mrs. Potter."
"Of course! And I'm positive our children have superb coping up mechanism with fame as much as you do. Well… perhaps I can speak for myself too."
Harry threw his arms around his wife, placing a soft kiss on her right cheek.
"That's why I love you so much. From your flowery scent to you being a wife and a mother to us. Our life can be called life because of you."
Ginny grinned in response, deepening herself on his arms. "My life means my husband and my kids."
