Prompt: Post War

Word Count: 1,369

Note: The following story is a submission to a Facebook group Platform 9 ¾. All stories on this profile are works submitted by multiple authors through means of the group. Contestants will remain anonymous until voting is completed. Only the author and moderators of the challenge are aware of the identities.

Disclaimer: The authors of these stories did not create these characters and will in no way claim ownership therein. All things Harry Potter related belong to JK Rowling.

Story Title: A New Life

Rating: T

Genre: Drama

Your Fanfic AND Facebook Name: -Undisclosed at this Time-

Pairing: Harry Potter / Ginny Weasley

Summary: A sad day gets a joyous ending

A New Life

She sat in her rocking chair staring out the window absently stroking her swollen belly, thoughts a million miles away. In her mind's eye, she could see it all again: the crumbling walls, the bodies everywhere, carrying the dead into a line in the Great Hall – her older brother in that line. The screams of the injured would echo through her brain at the oddest of moments. It had been six years since that day, the day a school full of students, teachers, and family stood together to stop tyranny and hate.

Ginny was brought out of her reveries by the feel of the kick in her belly, and she glanced down with a laugh. "Hi, you." She said softly, "Daddy should be home soon. Now, let's go get supper ready, shall we?"

Hefting herself out of the rocker, Ginny waddled to the kitchen, wand in hand, and started the meal she and Harry would eat when he got home. A glance at the magical clock said he was at the Ministry, which meant he was likely doing paperwork before the end of the day.

As she cooked, she let her mind wander again, back to the days before the war when everything had been semi-peaceful and happy – 'the eye before the storm' she thought. Those were the days: post-Umbridge and Sirius's death, when Harry had decided he deserved something good in his life. Ron had surprisingly only been slightly uncomfortable with the thought of his best friend and his sister together – somehow it had been easier to accept than Dean Thomas - all starting the day Gryffindor had won the last game of the season against Ravenclaw. She remembered the win vividly, the party in the common room, and Harry's kiss like it had happened yesterday, although really he still kissed her like that every day.

Ginny jumped at the knock on the door. Glancing at her clock, she knew it wasn't Harry yet. Opening the door she found her mother smiling softly at her.

"I couldn't sit home alone," she said. "Not today."

Ginny leaned in and hugged her as hard as she could, struggling to keep tears at bay. "Come in Mum." she whispered stepping back to allow her mother entrance.

"Mmmm, something smells good." Molly said, walking into the kitchen and glancing into the pot.

"Thanks." Ginny smiled. She got her mother a drink of pumpkin juice and then sat down with a glass of water in her hands.

"You seem far away," Molly observed. "Down-time from the Harpies has you retrospective huh?"

"I've definitely had more time to think lately." Ginny giggled patting her belly, which obliged with a kick. "Today has been harder though, I've been remembering."

"Me too, it's hard to believe it's been six years already." Molly said with a quick dab at her eye with a kerchief.

Normally, Ginny would have been playing quidditch with the Hollyhead Harpies, getting ready for some big match, but being very pregnant definitely put a damper on that. That meant a day she'd normally keep busy through, was instead sitting alone and reminiscing, or was until now.

Suddenly, the last thing Ginny wanted to be was alone. She looked at her mother and smiling said. "Let's make a real dinner. Invite everyone! It's last minute, but I doubt they'll say no today!"

With that thought, she sent out her patronus with a simple message - Come to dinner; 6:00pm - and then she and her mother happily busied themselves cooking.

Arthur and Harry were the first to arrive, coming straight from work, and just like in her musing of earlier, Harry kissed her as he had that first time. He never failed to make her feel loved. He then crouched down and spoke a warm hello to her belly, feeling their child happily kick within.

"How can I help?" he asked.

"Set the table please, dear." Molly requested as she bounced around the kitchen, clearly happy to be preparing for a gathering.

Soon the house was bustling: George and Angelina, Bill and Fleur, and Percy and Audrey had arrived with their children, and Ron and Hermione arriving a little later. There were all sorts of conversations at once as everyone caught up on the latest gossip, or talked about recent happenings at work. The kids of all ages ran about the house, playing as their parents shushed their noise. Finally Molly, who had by now made Ginny sit down, called everyone to the table and all sat down to a lovely dinner together.

After dinner, Harry poured some fire whiskey for all of the adults, save Ginny, and they toasted the fallen from the wars that had brought them all here. There was much reminiscing and some tears. Ginny looked around the room at her family and was grateful for each and every one. She sat down to enjoy the company and relax, but baby had different ideas.

Suddenly, there was a lot of pain and a rush of liquid between her legs. In shock, she raised her head to look at her gathered family. If it weren't for the fact that she hurt, she would have laughed at the varying looks of surprise scattered among them. Harry's was the most comical as he stood with his mouth in an OH, and his eyes as big as saucers.

This was definitely not how she'd planned the evening to go, but she'd learned a long time ago that somethings you just had to roll with. Once the pain subsided, she turned to everyone and said, "So, it looks like we have an entirely different reason to celebrate tonight. Who's ready to have a baby?" At her words, there was a rush of movement as fathers gathered up children, saying goodnight, and left.

Harry was soon the only male in the building. The ladies ushered Ginny to the bedroom and there was a constant flurry of activity in and out of the room as they gathered things to make her more comfortable. There were blankets and herbs, potions brewing; it was quite the sight to be seen. It felt like forever that Harry paced outside that room, waiting for news, waiting to see his beautiful wife, wondering why he wasn't allowed in the room too – although really, with that many women in there, where would he fit? Time seemed to crawl, like someone had performed a time-slowing spell. He hadn't felt time move this slow since sixth year, when Snape had assigned him the punishment card sorting detention.

At last, there was a baby cry from the bedroom, and he was allowed inside to meet his new baby son. Pride like nothing he'd ever felt before filled his chest and he came over to sit beside his tired, but joyous wife. Smiling up at him, she said weakly.

"Meet James."

She lifted a bundle of blankets toward him as he took his son into his arms. Amazement shone brightly on his face as he looked down at James, then Ginny.

"Really?" He asked in awe.

"Yes of course," she whispered back, "your Dad's name sake."

He'd never loved this woman more than he did right in that moment. Holding his son in his arms, stroking his wife's hair as she rested; this was the happiness Harry had sought his whole life.