October 9th, 2007
In the wee hours of the morning on October ninth, the soft cries of a newborn baby sounded through the top floor of the Potter home. Teddy stirred from his sleep in James' room. At first he thought it might have been Al crying, but then he remembered that Albus' yells sounded much different. Careful not to wake James, Teddy slid out of bed and opened the door. The hallway was quiet, but for the light coming from Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny's room. He looked back at the window in James' room. It had to be very early; why were they up? Then he heard the sound of the baby's cry again, and his heart gave a little leap. Aunt Ginny had had the baby! He had a new cousin!
He scampered quietly over to the slightly open door and heard his adopted grandfather, Arthur's voice. "She's beautiful, Ginny."
Teddy leaned forward a little more, accidentally brushing against the door. It gave a loud creak.
"Molly? Are you here already?" Pop quickly blew his nose.
There was a moment of silence, where Teddy froze on the carpet, unsure of what to do. Then, the door was opened wide. Uncle Harry stood there, a smile on his face.
"I thought it might be you," he said. "Do you want to come meet your new cousin?"
Teddy nodded wordlessly, and allowed Harry to scoop him up and carry him over to sit by Aunty Ginny, who lay in her bed looking positively exhausted. She held a small bundle on a pillow in her lap. A pretty young witch in green clothing that bore the mark of a crossed wand and bone, the sign of St. Mungo's Hospital, held her wand over Ginny and the baby as she read a bit of parchment. Arthur stood at the end of the bed, beaming.
"Hi, Ted," said Ginny, sounding very tired indeed. She rested back against her pillows and adjusted the baby in her arms. "This is Lily." Teddy's mouth was slightly open. Albus and James had both been screaming and loud when he had first seen them. This new baby was soundly asleep. She was wonderful. A wide grin spread across his face.
"What do you think, Ted?" Harry asked. Teddy blushed and buried his face in Harry's collar. Harry laughed and swept the boy up again, then placed him on the floor.
"Oh, Ted, come here," said Pop, holding out his arms and wrapping Teddy in a tight hug.
The Healer had finished checking her parchment and monitoring her patients.
"Harry, Ginny?" Healer Thomas smiled at them. "Everything seems to be just fine. I'll be back tomorrow to make sure you're doing well, and then I think we'll want to see you and the baby at St. Mungo's just to get everything sorted out. Try not to get out of bed for a few days, Ginny."
Harry sat down next to Ginny on the bed and gave her a kiss on her temple. She sighed and closed her eyes, leaning against him, too tired to protest.
"Thanks, Lavender," Harry said. "Tell Dean hi for us."
"Will do," Lavender whispered as headed for the door.
"Oh, and Lav?" Ginny asked. Lavender looked back. "Tell Hermione and Ron we're sorry we stole Hugo's birthday!"
Lavender laughed gently and looked at her watch. "I'm sure Hermione is too worked up at Ron to be bothered about your children arriving on the same day. I'll send an owl when I get back to let you know how they're doing." Harry laughed and stood up, accompanying Lavender to the front door.
Teddy sneaked up onto the bed once again as Pop sat down beside Aunt Ginny.
"Where's Gran?" he asked quietly.
"Aunty Hermione and Uncle Ron are having their baby tonight as well," Ginny told him. "Gran's at St. Mungo's with them."
Teddy's face broke into a huge smile. Two cousins in one day! He thought. But then he caught sight of the soft, gently squirming bundle in Ginny's arms. This baby would be his favorite; he wanted nothing more than to spoil and protect her. He gently picked up Lily's little fist and kissed it. "I love you, Lily."