I am often asked what it's like to have one daughter to six sons. Having a son is brilliant, it's like having a miniature version of yourself, that you can teach how to ride their first broomstick, or play chess, or even to climb trees with, if you're into that sort of thing, that is. But I think fathers always have a secret hope that they will have a daughter, so that they can dress her up in cute little skirts, and carry her on his shoulders, telling her she's his princess and that he is her knight in shining armour, to chase away the monster in her closet, and to push her on the swing as she giggles madly, chanting 'higher daddy, higher!'
I remember the day I became a knight in shining armour… although, to be honest, I wasn't expecting it.
Arthur Weasley paced anxiously outside the maternity ward at St Mungos. This was his seventh visit to this particular area of the hospital, and he was getting to know everyone rather well. This had been shown when two passing healers greeted him by name as he wore a hole in the carpet. He was running through the names in his head.
Ben, James, Terry, Eric, George… Oh wait, already got that one… Liam, Sam, Daniel… Why do we never decide on names BEFORE the child is born?
He was interrupted by the door opening and a healer smiling at him.
"You can come in now Mr Weasley."
With his heart pounding, although he'd done this many times before, Arthur Weasley walked through the door, and went to his wife. She was holding a small bundle of white blankets. She smiled at him as he sat down, glimpsing a tuft of red hair.
Yup, that's a Weasley he thought smiling at his wife.
"Arthur, we may have a problem with the names."
"Yes, I was thinking that outside, we haven't decided anything yet! Personally I like James, but…"
"Well I don't think she would appreciate that"
"I know you liked Daniel so… what?"
"I don't think our daughter would like the name James."
Arthur Weasley felt his jaw drop.
"D, D, Daughter?"
"Yes Arthur. We have a gorgeous baby girl."
"I… I have a daughter?"
"Yes Arthur. Is there-"
"Don't even finish that sentence Molly. It's just… unexpected. There hasn't been a female Weasley born for… I think four generations!"
Molly smiled kindly. "Well congrats, you just broke the record."
Arthur grinned. "No, we broke the record."
"Would you like to hold her?"
"Yes, but… what if I drop her or something?"
"After six sons, I should hope you know how to hold a baby, after all Ronald's only one and half!" Molly replied rolling her eyes as she carefully passed the baby girl to the outstretched hands of her father.
"Yes, well that's just it! Sons! I have a daughter! Boys I understand, but girls… What if she hates me? What if I mess it up Molly? What if-"
"You're a great Father and all this silly worrying is a waste of breath?"
"I don't know Molly. I mean, we never prepared for this! We don't even have any names sorted out!"
"Mmm. I have a few I like."
"Oh, what are they?"
"Amy"
"Nah, it's to… plain."
"Emma?"
"Over used."
"Luna?"
"Isn't that the name of the Lovegood's daughter?"
"Oh, that's right…"
"Do you have any more?"
"Just one"
"Well?"
"How about Ginerva"
"Ginerva… what does that mean?"
"It's an off take of Ginevra, which is French. It mean fair, pure."
"Ginerva… We could have Ginny for short…"
"So you like it?" Molly asked
Arthur looked down at the baby in his arms and smiled softly. She was his little princess…
"..Yes. I do, very much."