Thank you for reading on, here goes chapter 2!


The sun was shining in the small hospital room. It was well after noon as Harry sat on a chair next to the bed, clutching the small bundle in his arms. Ginny watched her husband and son drowsily. She gave a small laugh.

"Don't be afraid to hold him," she said.

"Am I holding his head right?" Harry asked. "I keep thinking I'll break him somehow."

"You're doing fine. I bet after a few days you'll be a natural."

Harry hoped so. His whole life he was able to fly on a broom, catch a small, flying gold ball, steal a dragon's egg without breaking it...but those seemed like trivial tasks compared to holding his baby son. It didn't matter if those other things broke, but his son was not replaceable. James slept happily in his father's arms. He had a patch of unruly dark hair like Harry but had Ginny's sweet brown eyes. Little James was the perfect combination of his mother and father.

"Harry take him into the waiting room before they all come charging in here," she said quietly, a hint of a smile on her face.

"You think it's safe to send me out there alone?" Harry raised an eyebrow playfully.

"You'll be safe, no one is interested in you," Ginny teased.

Harry laughed. "I'll be off then." Harry started to the door when Ginny spoke again.

"By the way," she smiled. "You owe me a sickle."

When Harry walked into the waiting room, the entire Weasley clan jumped and ran over to Harry and James. Harry noticed another person had arrived, for Hagrid's unmistakable form dominated one corner of the room. He was sitting on the floor because there were no chairs big enough to hold the half giant.

"Alrigh' Harry?" he grinned.

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet James Sirius Potter."

Molly immediately burst into tears. "Oh he's beautiful! Another grandchild Arthur!" she cried, dabbing her eyes with Mr. Weasley's handkerchief.

Hermione started to tear as well, "Congratulations Harry!"

"Don't mind them," Ron grinned. "They've been tearing up since they heard the baby crying."

"Blimey Harry, he looks just like yeh when you was a baby. I'll never forget the day when I picked yeh up on the motorbike," Hagrid also pulled out a large polka dot hanky.

"Not you too Hagrid!" Bill laughed, patting Hagrid's back.

"Wait until Victoire meets 'er leetle cousin!" Fleur cooed dreamily. "He looks just like you 'Arry!"

"Don't say that," George said. "He might grow into the fine Weasley looks." George's tone was light but there was a slight hollowness in his voice. He was probably thinking about Fred.

"How's Ginny?" Mr. Weasley asked.

"She's fine, exhausted. She only threw one cup of ice at me," Harry said, laughing.

At this Ron, George and Bill laughed.

"I should probably head back. Ginny wanted me to just pop out and show off the baby."

Hermione checked her watch, "We should get going and let you rest for a while."

There was a flurry of hugs and kisses and promises to stop by later in the day. Harry watched his family leave one by one until he was alone in the waiting room.

"You see all those people James?" He whispered to the baby, who had woken up from all the commotion. "All those people are our family. You'll always know how it feels to have a family. I promise."

Harry gently kissed his son's forehead and walked back to Ginny's room. Ginny was already sound asleep. Harry placed James in a little bassinet beside the bed and plopped down in the chair. The new family slept for the rest of the day.


The next day, after James had been weighed, measured and subjected to all different tests, they were released from the hospital and the young family traveled home. The sun was bright that late April morning and there wasn't a cloud in the sky as Harry opened the door for Ginny and James.

"Welcome to our home James," Ginny cooed as they walked into the cottage.

They walked up the stairs to the nursery.

"What do you think of the room huh?" Harry asked the baby, who was fast asleep by the time Ginny gently placed him in the crib.

"You get back to me later then," Harry smiled, gently rubbing his son's head.

Ginny stretched as she turned to Harry and whispered, "Lets go downstairs while he's resting."

"Are we allowed to leave him?" Harry asked.

"Well we won't get house points taken off if we let him sleep," Ginny teased.

"But what if he stops breathing? Or he gets scared?"

Ginny tried not to laugh. "Trust me, I've set a charm around the room so we can hear any noise through this." Harry couldn't believe it but she held up an altered extendable ear. "I've improved the ear a little," she said, placing a little ear by the crib and the other in her pocket.

Harry nodded. "Kind of like a magical baby monitor?"

"A baby what?"

"Nevermind."

When they walked into the kitchen they noticed a note on the table:

Dear Harry, Ginny and sweet James,

We stopped by to do some tidying up before the baby came home. (Something must have crashed on the way down the stairs). Mrs. Weasley also wanted us to drop off a few casseroles she had made for you. They are in the refrigerator, along with a few groceries we bought. Ron picked up your post and there are a ton of cards waiting for you! I put them in the office. Ron said he would keep things running at the Ministry and tell everyone the good news. We'll stop by tomorrow to check in. If you need anything just send an owl.

Love, Hermione

Ginny tried not to laugh as Harry blushed when he read about something crashing down the stairs. (He could have sworn that sock was on all the way.) He smiled to himself after finishing the note. Not for the first time, Harry was grateful to have Hermione and Ron as friends.

Ginny opened the refrigerator and there were at least fifteen different casseroles neatly stocked on the shelves. There was also an assortment of vegetables, fruit, cheeses and three small pies.

Most wizards did not have a typical refrigerator but it had been a wedding present from Harry's cousin Dudley. Dudley had always had a strong fondness for food and the only surprise was that he actually sent Harry a present. Dudley was the only one of Harry's muggle family that he talked to. Harry had expected never to see the Dursleys again. He was never quite sure who told Dudley about the wedding but one morning a large crate appeared at the Burrow.

Mr. Weasley's face lit up when he saw the present and did a thorough examination of the 'ferigadator' as he called it. He helped Harry adapt it to the magic cottage, all while Mrs. Weasley was distracted of course. She never approved of Mr. Weasley tampering with muggle things, but over the years Arthur had managed to sneak his hobby in here and there. As a thank you for helping, Harry let Arthur keep the plug to add to his collection and Arthur looked as though Christmas had come early. Even though Harry was a powerful wizard, Arthur was ecstatic that his only son-in-law had a muggle upbringing. After the refrigerator was installed in the cottage, even Molly was impressed with it.

"I think Mum's trying to feed an army," Ginny said, motioning to the small mountain of food.

"I don't mind," Harry smiled, his mouth already watering for the wonderful food that Molly prepared. "Do you want me to make you something?"

"Yes! That hospital food was horrible. I would rather have eaten some of Hagrid's rock cakes than that garbage!"

Harry turned on the oven and randomly chose a casserole. On each casserole Harry noticed detailed instructions on how to reheat and serve each meal in Molly's handwriting. He wondered if there were any other notes hidden throughout their house.

Ginny took the ear out of her pocket and placed it on the table. It was quiet up in the nursery, but that didn't stop Harry from wanting to check on the baby about a dozen times in the twenty minutes it took to make lunch. Ginny insisted each time that the baby was fine and managed to keep her husband in the kitchen. Just as they started digging into the shepherd's pie Ginny put her fork down.

"Harry?"

"What's the matter? Is the food still cold?"

"Can we eat closer to the baby?"

Harry smiled, "I'll get the plates."


For the next week Ginny and Harry practically lived in the nursery. They didn't need the extendable ear because they were constantly checking on James. They were there for every cry, every nap and anything else that newborn James needed. Mostly they watched James as he slept and were amazed that something so beautiful and small could be theirs. Harry practically set up post in the hallway while James was in the nursery. On the rare occasion where James would actually sleep when they wanted him to, Ginny would try to persuade Harry to get some rest. He would always say he would be there in a couple of minutes, that he had to check on something. Ginny would wake up hours later, and find Harry not next to her but exactly where she left him. She thought it was sweet that Harry was so protective but she had to wonder if he was a little too protective. When Harry was asleep one afternoon, Ginny talked to her mother about him.

"Oh Ginny, he's just being a new father," Mrs. Weasley said as she directed the laundry into the right closets. She wasn't too concerned about Harry's behavior but Ginny still felt unsure about it.

Molly came over every few days and offered to watch the baby so Ginny and Harry could get some sleep. However, when they tried to relax they would wind up talking about James until their eyes could not stay open. Other than Molly, Ron and Hermione were their only visitors that first week. Ron would update Harry about the office but he was so tired that the information went in one ear and out the other. Hermione offered to clean the dishes and do the laundry but Molly usually beat her to it. She also offered to write thank you notes for all the cards the Potters received. This was no easy task because the cards came by the dozens. As a matter of fact it was from Ron that Ginny found an indirect answer to her worry about Harry.

Ron was helping Ginny clear some dishes while Hermione and Harry were talking about some Ministry business. Hermione was senior in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Her department was working on a secret project with the Aurors and she had to ask Harry a few questions. Ron tried to stop her but unfortunately since Harry was head of his department his opinion was necessary.

"It's pretty weird having a baby sister who's a mother," Ron, never one for tact, said.

"I'm just glad you aren't ready to kill Harry like you used to be when he and I started dating," Ginny said, rolling her eyes.

Ron made a face, "that was ages ago! Besides I always thought you were a good pair."

"You did not! You were ready to punch him."

"I wasn't serious," Ron said, turning all sorts of red. "It's hard being a big brother. Constantly worrying that some creep will take advantage of your little sister."

"I grew up with all boys, I could always take care of myself," Ginny said indignantly. "And you know that Harry wasn't a creep, he's your best friend!"

"Yeah, but I'm always going to look out for you. Once you start watching out for some one you love, it's always hard to balance it out. Even if you want to step aside, it's not easy to let things go."

Ginny stopped and looked at her brother. She thought of Harry, constantly watching over his new family. "Once you start watching out for some one you love...it's not easy to let things go."

Ron noticed Ginny staring at him. "What?" he asked.

Ginny gave her brother a hug. "Sometimes you make a lot of sense Ron."

Ron sighed and muttered, "Always the tone of surprise."


Harry was so tired that first week he forgot all about his fatherhood worries. He and Ginny got into a parenting rhythm. They took turns feeding, rocking and changing diapers. It wasn't until the night before he had to return to work that Harry felt a little sad. He was in the nursery, sitting in the rocking chair while James slept against Harry's chest. Harry kept the chair at a steady pace and a twinkling melody was floating from a music box on the chest of drawers. The music box was a gift from Hermione. She had read that music helped settle the baby from stress. Not to mention that Hermione had always loved the music box one of her aunts had given her as a baby. It was a Granger tradition. The box had quickly become one of James' favorite things.

Harry quickly adapted to the basics of baby care. He didn't mind waking up in the middle of the night to give Ginny a break. He didn't mind changing dirty diapers, fetching blankets or doing anything for Ginny while she nursed James. It wasn't until he caught up on sleep that the reality of baby set in. James was a miracle and the only person who totally belonged to him. James was the first living relative of Harry's who seemed to enjoy being with Harry. James didn't do much but he was quick to learn his parents' voices. He was a good baby but he was the most content when Harry or Ginny was in the room. Harry loved to watch James sleep. He was so sweet, and there was something about feeling his son's chest rise and fall, and hearing the little sighs that was out of this world.

Harry knew he could handle the basics. It was easy once he got used to a routine. It was exhausting but he knew what to expect. He wondered what would happen when the unexpected came along. He wondered if he could even make it a whole day away from the house. He knew Ginny would be fine. She was fantastic as always. Harry was nervous to be away from the baby. He had spent the first two weeks of James' life no more than a cry away. Would he have the strength to be separated from his son? It would only be for a few hours but it was a few hours more than he was comfortable.

This feeling was new to Harry. There had been times in his life where he was separated from his loved ones. For the first eleven years of his life he had always felt alone in the stuffy house on Privet Drive. He had always been able to manage it, even if at the time he would drown in his loneliness. He had always taken care of himself.

Now he had a son and things were completely different. He tried to figure out why leaving for work was so hard to think about. He felt slightly ridiculous.

The music box stopped playing as Harry closed his eyes for a moment. He thought he would rest his eyes and try to enjoy the moment. He was determined not to fall asleep. The cottage was quiet, the night was so calm that even the crickets were still. Harry was losing the fight with his dreams when a clear voice spoke out.

"I've always dreamt of this moment."

Harry's eyes popped open with a start. He knew that voice but...it was impossible. Harry held the baby tight as he jumped from the chair. Standing by the doorway was the figure of Lily Potter, smiling.

"Harry, you should know by now that nothing is impossible."