Chapter 3: Surprises

When Ron arrived at work the following morning Harry wasn't at his desk yet, so Ron sat in his chair to wait for him. On Harry's desk sat a photo of Ginny, his wife and Ron's sister, and their son, James. James was refusing to look at the camera, and Ginny was laughing as she desperately tried to get him to so. James was a lot of work, and he exhausted Harry and Ginny, but he brought them so much joy. For that reason, Ron was both excited and nervous for his first child to come into the world. Ron was so involved with his daydream that he didn't hear Harry come in.

Harry suddenly cleared his throat loudly, making Ron jump. "Uh, Ron, why are you sitting at my desk?"

"Oh, sorry," Ron said and got up from Harry's chair. "I was just wondering… well, Hermione and I were wondering if you would like to join us for dinner on Friday night at our place."

"What?" asked Harry. He seemed half asleep. "Oh, sorry Ron, I'm sort of out of it today. The storm woke James up last night. He wasn't scared, but he wouldn't go back to sleep for around four hours."

"Oh no," Ron groaned sympathetically. "That doesn't sound fun." For the first time, Ron was starting to become nervous about fatherhood. Would his child leave him as sleepless as James left Harry?

"It wasn't, believe me." Harry said with a smile. "Although, James seemed to think it was. As for dinner on Friday, it sounds good to me, but let me just send Ginny an owl to make sure it's good with her too."

Ron nodded and watched his best friend as he grabbed a piece of paper and a quill from his desk and scribbled down a message to Ginny on it.

"Can I borrow Pigwidgeon?" Harry asked suddenly.

Ron sighed. His little owl was getting old and was only able to carry packages short distances now, but knowing that Harry's own owl, a snowy owl named Stella, was at home with Ginny, he agreed.

Not too long after Harry and Ron's conversation. Ginny heard a tapping on her kitchen window. It was only eight-thirty in the morning, but Ginny was always up at that time because her son, James, always woke up around eight without fail, no matter what the circumstances. After checking on James to make sure he was still playing with the kitchen pans on the floor, she quickly went to the window and was surprised to see her brother's owl. As she let Pigwidgeon in, Stella hooted a greeting to her older friend from her perch in the corner of the living room. After untying the note from Pigwidgeon's leg, Ginny let him go free, and he flew over to Stella's open cage to say hello.

My dearest Ginny,

What would you say to going over Ron and Hermione's place for dinner on Friday? I think it's a good idea. After all, we haven't spent time with each other for weeks and have a lot to talk about, remember?

Love, Harry

Ginny smiled and quickly wrote a reply.

To the man I love more than anyone in the world,

Of course! I'd love to! Tell Ron, and Hermione if you see her, I say hi.

Love, Ginny.

Ginny walked into the living room to tie her letter back onto Pigwidgeon's leg. She only intended to be gone for no more for thirty seconds, but as soon as she sent Pigwidgeon on his way, she heard a crash coming from the kitchen. Running into the room, Ginny found James sitting on the ground next to the now knocked-over trash can. He was covered in filth, and he laughed when he saw his mother, as if he thought it was the greatest trick an eight-month-old had ever played on someone. Obviously, James must have abandoned his pans, crawled over to the trash can, and somehow tipped it over.

"James!" Ginny exclaimed. Sighing, she took James to the bathroom to give him a bath.

Friday came a lot sooner than Hermione expected. After hours of trying to decide what to make for dinner, Hermione had finally decided on homemade meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and dinner rolls. For beverages, she would offer butterbeers or water. Obviously, because of the slight alcohol content in the butterbeer, Hermione herself would be drinking water. She was sure the others would prefer butterbeer.

At precisely six o'clock, the doorbell rang, and Harry, Ginny, and James came in. The Weasleys and Potters visited each other so often, this was the way they entered each other's homes every time. After welcoming Harry and Ginny, Hermione asked everyone what they wanted to drink. Harry and Ron said "butterbeer" without hesitation, but Ginny said, "I'll just have water, please." When Ron gave her a strange look, she added. "I'm not really in a butterbeer mood."

Ginny poured James a sippy cup full of apple juice, while Hermione served the meal. When she placed her own glass of water on the table, Harry and Ginny looked at her in surprise, but did not say anything.

"Ron and I have something to tell you." Hermione said halfway through the meal.

Harry and Ginny looked at her in interest. Even James was quiet. Hermione looked at Ron, who nodded.

"We're having a baby!" Hermione exclaimed.

Ginny's eyes grew wide. She jumped up from her chair and let out a very unexpected squeal. "WE ARE TOO!" She ran around the table and gave Hermione a hug. "When are you due?" She asked, full of enthusiasm.

"December eighth. What about you?" Hermione was just as excited as her sister-in-law.

"February thirteenth! That means they'll be only two months apart!" Ginny exclaimed.

Meanwhile, Harry and Ron were watching their wives, greatly amused. Then, Harry got up for his spot at the table and shook Ron's hand. "Congratulations, Ron! Welcome to fatherhood. It's a difficult job, but a pleasurable one."

Ron smiled. "Thanks."

"Hey, I just got an idea!" Ginny exclaimed suddenly. "Why don't we go to The Burrow? Mum and Dad will be delighted!"

Everyone agreed, so they all apparated to The Burrow. When Ginny rang the doorbell, Mrs. Weasley answered.

"What a surprise! What were you thinking, coming here unannounced? You didn't give me any time to prepare and -"

"Mum, relax!" Ginny exclaimed. "We came because we have something to tell you. Where's Dad."

Molly's face softened. "Alright. He's in the living room. Come in, all of you."

Molly led them though the house they all knew so well into the living room. Mr. Weasley looked up from the book he was reading, and smiled.

"Look who's here Arthur!" Molly exclaimed. Arthur stood up and hugged everyone. Then, Ron said, "Mum, Dad, you might want to sit down, because we have some big news."

When they were seated, Harry said, "Ginny and I went to Ron and Hermione's house for dinner, and we found out some interesting information. Both Hermione -"

"We're pregnant!" Ginny interrupted, unable to control her impatience. "I'm due in February and Hermione's due in December.'

After Molly and Arthur hugged and congratulated their children and children-in-laws, Ginny, Harry, Ron, and Hermione explained everything they knew about the babies.

"This is so wonderful!" said Arthur. "Two grandchildren within two months of each other. How exciting!"

"Aren't you two tired of grandchildren yet?" teased Ron. "You already have five grandkids, one "adopted" grandchild, and now, three on the way!"

"I'll never be tired of grandkids!" Molly exclaimed. "That would be impossible!"

Everyone laughed. They knew that no matter how many grandchildren Molly and Arthur had, they would always welcome more into their hearts.

Authors Note: Finally I bring you a chapter with more than 1,000 words! And I finally got it posted too! I Hope you enjoy it, and I'll try to get chapter four on here quickly. :)