A/N So I've decided to go ahead and respond to some reviewers, hopefully this will answer any questions/concerns. Guest: I chose Draco to be the other half of the parentage just because creating a half-Weasley/half-Malfoy seemed like a lot of fun! Sakura Liesel, the grandparents unfortunately were the next of kin to Caleb, plus I picture it as the grandparents making snippy comments about the "importance of being pureblood" and Harry just taking that and running with it. In regards to Lucius and Narcissa, the only magical family tree I know of is the one in Grimmauld Place, and at this time Harry owns Grimmauld Place, so Lucius and Narcissa aren't currently aware of Haley's existence. Palil-Chan, this is an AU which means that while in the canon Harry and Ginny didn't have any other children, in this alternative universe they do. Okay! So, giant A/N finished, onto chapter 4!
May 2004
Standing beside Bill, Harry couldn't help but shake his head. Six years ago today, he had thought the world was ending. Yet here he was, celebrating what had been won, and remembering those who had lost their lives for the cause. And of course, being able to celebrating his young niece's birthday was something Harry never dreamed he'd be able to experience. At four years old, Victoire was angelic looking like her mother, and mischievous like her father. Most of her exploits included a five-year-old Haley and six-year-old Teddy.
"So, who is going to be Vic's first victim with that new potion set you reckon?"
Bill glared at the man beside him. "For someone who practically failed potions, I'm failing to understand why you would buy Vic that torture device! I expected something like that from Georgie, but not from you."
Harry shrugged, a small smirk playing on his lips. "To be fair, Hales picked it out, I just paid for it."
Bill shook his head in shame. "That almost makes it worse." He was able to keep the disappointed look for another five seconds before both men broke with laughter.
"Think about how they're going to be at Hogwarts at this rate. They may break the twins record." A small pained smile graced Bill's lips as he thought about his lost brother.
Harry nudged Bill's shoulder with his own. "As long as they don't break the marauders record, we should be okay."
"Well between just Haley and Teddy the three are represented," Bill shot back with a smirk. "I mean technically and all."
Harry rolled his eyes. While Harry and Ginny had never told the Weasley's, other than Ron and Hermione, that Haley wasn't biologically his, it had been assumed. Due to the timing of the pregnancy and Haley's blonde hair, Harry's lack of involvement in Ginny becoming "knocked up" (Charlie's words), was obvious. That didn't mean Bill didn't like to give Harry hell of course. He was one of the very few who were either brave enough or stupid enough (Ginny's words) to comment on it.
"About that, I have a question."
Bill's eyes scrunched together in worry. "Did he owl?"
Now Harry was confused. "Did who owl?"
"You know… him?"
Harry stared at Bill with glazed over eyes. "Huh?"
"Merlin, no wonder you weren't in Ravenclaw. The sperm donor."
"What? No! No, no, no. We haven't heard from him since Ginny told him. Nothing to worry about there. No, it's more concerning James. How did Vic react, when you brought Dom home?"
Bill's face showed sympathy, but not surprise. "Ah. Yes I can imagine that's been… interesting for you. Well if it helps, Vic took one look at Dom and told us to return her. Said she'd rather have a puppy. Is Haley acting jealous or having tantrums?"
"No… she's been the opposite. Since Jamie's been home, she's been incredible. Not a single tantrum or even prank. But she's almost distant with him. When we ask her if she wants to hold him, she immediately agrees, but otherwise she just watches him, watches us. When she picked out the prank potion set for Vic, she seemed to shut down. Which is also why it was bought."
Bill looked at Harry, sighed, and looked away.
Harry narrowed his eyes at his brother-in-law. "What?"
Bill sighed again. "Harry… Who does James look like?"
Harry shrugged. "Gin says he looks like me, why?"
"No. Everyone says he looks like you. When he was born, that's what we all said. We all compared him to you. Mom even said 'He looks just like Harry, but with Ginny's eyes'. Tell me, when has Haley ever been compared to either of you?"
Harry fell silent as he watched his daughter run around the field with her cousin. His blonde hair, blue eyed daughter. His daughter with a pointed face and pale skin. His daughter.
"Harry. You need to talk to Haley. I know she's young, but she's not oblivious. She knows there's a difference between her and James, she just doesn't know what it is."
"Well. That's awfully specific." Harry stared at Bill unflinching until Bill turned with a scoff.
"Yeah well. Vic may have asked me, because Haley asked her, if they were actually sisters since they both have blonde hair and Jamie doesn't. Of course, I told her no, but I don't know how much she believed me."
Harry grimaced. It was a conversation he knew he'd have to have with Haley one day, he just never expected it would come so soon. It was either that or he had to talk Ginny into immediately adopting another kid with blonde hair…
