A little piece on how I imagine Harry's birth went. I don't know a whole lot about actually giving birth, so forgive me if any details are incorrect.
The stuff you recognise? I wish it belonged to me.
Bright Green
James ran through the halls of St Mungo's, cursing Moody rather colourfully for delaying his departure from the Ministry. Sure, the man was a great Auror, James knew that. But, Merlin, his wife was in labour!
He stopped running a few rooms from Lily's, hoping to compose himself slightly before entering – she'd be at his throat if he showed any sign of suffering more than her.
"JAMES!" Lily screamed, "Where have you been?"
"Moody, he-" James stopped short at the look on his wife's face. The trainee Healer monitoring Lily's condition looked as though he wished he could be anywhere else. James shared a sympathetic look; he knew from years of experience just how frightening Lily could be.
Lily grabbed his hand, pulling him towards her bed and squeezing tightly. James… didn't wince.
"How're you doing?" he asked delicately.
"Fantastic James, really. Just trying to push something way too big out of a space way too small. I'm peachy," she snapped. He turned to the trainee Healer, a questioning look on his face.
"She's been in labour for about an hour. The contractions are very close together now. I was just about to summon Healer Matthews," he spoke quietly, trying desperately not to set Lily off again. James nodded his thanks as the boy left the room.
"See, not long to go. That's good, right?" James spoke to his flushed wife, hoping for all their sakes it would be over soon.
"Brilliant!" he almost smiled, but for her sarcastic tone. She'd noticed it, too. "You really are insufferable, Potter." Surname. It was just like the first six years of school all over again.
"What do you want me to say, Lily! This is just as bad for me," he realised too late the huge mistake he'd made.
"Just as bad for you! How is this bad for you at all?!" She looked murderous.
"I- I never expected to have a kid at 20, okay!" He really should just stop talking.
"So you regret this?" she seethed.
"No!" he was trying not to shout. Lily's short temper was shorter than usual, which only meant bad things for James.
Suddenly, the grip on his hand became vice-like, and Lily let out a scream. Healer Matthews, who had been hovering in the door for the majority of their fight, moved forward and started talking Lily through the final stages of labour.
"Alright, Mrs Potter. You need to remember your breathing exercises, it will make this a lot easier." The pain in Lily's face hurt James too; he'd done this to her.
After what seemed an eternity and no time at all, there was a little bundle wrapped up in Lily's arms. He knew the adoration on her face was reflected on his own. This was their son.
"Sorry to interrupt," the trainee Healer said timidly, still looking terrified of Lily. "We need his name for the papers." They looked at each other.
"Harry," James announced.
"James," Lily said, a few seconds later, smiling at him. "Harry James."
The light in her eyes was beautiful. The trainee nodded, scribbling the name down, before leaving the room.
"He looks just like you, James." She ran a hand over Harry's head, ruffling the tuft of jet-black hair there. "This hair," she said, with mock anger, "is going to be a nightmare." James laughed.
Two little fists emerged from Harry's blankets to rub at his eyes. A yawn broke free, showing off toothless gums. Then, Harry opened his eyes. Bright green. An exact match of Lily's. James didn't think he'd ever been happier.