Father

AN-Sorry for killing off Arthur Weasley. It is canon compliant though as all the epilogue tells us is Ron says Grandad Weasley won't forgive you if you marry a pureblood. That doesn't mean he is alive. Also, a key scene in this fic should make all those of you who don't like know-it-all Hermione very happy. I think it is highly realistic. Feedback appreciated.

Harry awoke with a start as Ginny stirred. "Do you need anything?" He asked, worried, leaning over to peer at his wife. "Should I call your mum? Is the baby on the way?"

"Harry." Ginny said, calmly. "I am only seven months along. We still have two months to go. We are not doing this every time I get gas."

"Sorry." Harry said, not eased. What if something else went wrong? After all, Harry had no experience as a father. The only father he had really ever seen was Vernon Dursley. His father-in-law, Arthur Weasley, was more the type of father he would like to be. But, Arthur had not outlasted Fred too long and Harry had not been able to learn too much from him either.

Harry wondered what to do when the baby cried. How to teach him the little things. How to teach him to respect his elders…Not to get a big head….

"All right." Ginny said, half an hour later, irritated. "Harry. I need to sleep. Go pace somewhere else."

Harry got out of bed, his head still full of thoughts. He really needed to get out his thoughts. I mean, how could he be a father when he didn't know what that word meant?

Harry apparated. He didn't even know when he decided to go there…. He came here like clockwork once a year on October 31st but Halloween was still awhile away….

But somehow he ended up at his parents' grave. He put his hands on his father's grave and thought… he thought about all the times he had thought of his father. Wishing his father was there to tuck him in or beat up Dudley for bullying him…. Seeing him in the mirror of Erised… growing up and feeling angry at him and ashamed of having him for a father after seeing the memory in Snape's pensieve. Then wondering what James would have thought of him berating Lupin… finally, Harry considered all the times he had imagined his father with him.

But now was when he needed his dad most. After all, his dad had been younger than him and had no mentors except for the memory of his dad. James was the first of his friends to even be married! James had had him during a war that James knew might claim his life. How had his father done it….

Harry sat by his parents' graves wishing once more that they were here with him.

Harry sat there for hours…thankful that the next day was a Saturday and he wouldn't have to go to work.

A few hours later, Harry was startled by a rustling behind him. He groaned when he turned around and saw Hermione with a lecturing look on her face. "Harry. This is not the answer. You are going to be a great dad-"

"How do you know." Harry interrupted.

"Harry. Your parents wouldn't want you to be here. You know what to do. You have read all the books. I saw them on your table."

Harry felt his temper boiling. What did Hermione understand? She always thought that books could answer everything. Books couldn't tell him how to not spoil his son, a child that would always be known as the son of the Man Who Killed Voldemort. Who was on chocolate frogs and in nearly every book.

Harry tuned Hermione out as she kept talking until she sighed and pushed him slightly. "Listen!"

"Go away, Hermione." Harry said, turning back to the gravestone.

Hermione sighed, but thankfully apparated away after touching him on the shoulder.

Harry sat there listlessly for some more time as he heard another pop. Harry turned around angrily expecting it to be Hermione but relaxed when he saw that it was Ginny.

He gave her an apologetic smile. She did need her sleep. She just smiled in return walking to the grave, one hand on her stomach. "See, baby, that is the graves of your Grandma and Grandpa Potter. They were amazing and not just because they gave birth to your father. They were strong and capable people who knew how to love and live."

Harry's eyes watered at that. But Ginny fell silent and just snuggled into Harry. She sat there with him for another hour not saying a word.

Finally Harry had had enough. Ginny had also been quiet but he knew her bladder was heavy because of how much she was squirming.

"Thanks." He said, "Let's go."

Harry was listless as they got home. What had going to the grave solved except for reminding him of what he was already feeling… like an orphan all over again.

"Oh, Harry." Ginny said, brightly. "I forgot to tell you. Andromeda flooed. Apparently you promised Teddy and Victoire a playdate and since you promised it Andromeda felt you should host it."

Harry sighed. He vaguely remembered that conversation. Teddy and Victoire had become best friends at all the various Weasley family functions and Victoire had become teary-eyed last month as Harry had tried to get Teddy to leave so he had promised her that the two could have a playdate soon.

"Fine. When?"

"Well with the baby coming we are going to get busy so I figured tonight was as good a night as any. Both are going to be here this evening."

Harry forgot his melancholy as he swung into action cleaning out the room that Teddy used every time when he was over and conjuring a cot for Victoire.

But he was hit by the feeling once more when Victoire asked. "I am soo excited for the new baby. What is her name, Uncle Harry?"

Harry blanked. That was a good question… Ginny and Harry hadn't even discussed a name. What father hadn't thought of a name for his baby!

Harry didn't notice Ginny sighing in the background as she saw Harry sinking back into depression.

Harry didn't even try to sleep in his room that night. With his head as full as it was he knew he would simply toss and keep Ginny awake. And she needed to sleep. She had ended up watching Teddy and Victoire all night as Harry had ruminated.

He walked to the guest room with his blankets and was about to fall asleep when he heard something. He shook his head. Teddy and Victoire could also fight like cats and dogs. And when they weren't fighting they were up to some mischief. So that noise didn't bode well particularly an hour after their bedtime.

Harry listened again. It sounded like an argument. He walked quickly to the side room dismayed as he saw that Teddy and Victoire were in each other's faces. "Corners. Now."

Harry watched as the children obeyed and went to separate corners of the room.

"Victoire, Teddy went first last time so you go first this time." Harry said, his tone leaving no room for argument He had realized that both kids reacted best when treated like adults but dealt with firmly.

"Teddy said that Celestina Warbuck is for sissies and that real adults listen to the Weird Dames."

"And then Victoire said that no one in their right mind supports the British Quidditch Team!" Teddy added, angrily.

"And then-"

"I get the idea." Harry interrupted. "Both of you need to apologize. You can like different singers and Quidditch teams. And you cannot criticize the other's choices."

"But we are supposed to be best friends." Victoire said. "Best friends like the same things!"

"Are Uncle Ron and I best friends?" Harry asked.

Both kids nodded, their expressions conveying that they felt they had been asked if the sky was blue.

"What Quidditch team do I like, Teddy?" Harry asked, facing his godson

"Puddlemore United."

"And Uncle Ron, Victoire." Harry turned to look at Victoire

"Chudley Cann-"

Both kids paused and looked at each other. Harry smiled, success!

"If Uncle Ron and I can be best friends though we like different Quidditch teams, why can't the two of you?"

"Now apologize then sleep! You were supposed to have slept an hour ago."

"Yes, sir." They both chorused

Harry tucked both kids into bed. "You are the best godfather." Teddy said, sleepily.

"And a good Uncle." Victoire added.

"And you are the best godson and niece." Harry said. "And I appreciate it."

"Good night. Sweet Dreams." He said, closing the door.

He smiled as he walked away until he walked right into Ginny. "You are the best, you know." She said. She touched his face. "I have missed that smile the past few months."

He took her hands. He really hadn't been fair to her. "I know. I am sorry. Its just-"

"Harry. My mum told me this when I was freaking out about being a parent. The good ones are always nervous. It doesn't matter if you have had 6 kids before. Every kid is new. And every parent who cares is nervous."

She stopped him from talking by putting a finger on his lips. "And don't the words of those kids mean anything to you? You are, in their words, the best godfather and a great Uncle. You have lived those responsibilities every day. See what you just did in there. You have been a second father to Teddy! Taking him for weekends, to school, being there for him every step of the day. Why can't you believe you will do the same for our child?"

Harry hugged Ginny and walked with her to their room, not saying a word. Maybe Ginny was right. Maybe he had more experience than he gave himself credit for. Maybe he would be a great father.

Harry waited anxiously as the mediwitch handed the baby boy to him. "What is his name?" She asked.

Harry looked at Ginny who nodded. They had finally agreed that Harry could name their first child. Harry had thought long and hard and had decided he wanted his parents to live on. He wanted the parents that he had missed so incredibly these last few months to be there with him. So, since they had a son. "James-"

For Harry, the middle name had given him more of a problem. He had two people who were nearly fathers to him that he wanted to live on. In the end however, his decision had been made easy by the fact that Arthur's death was still raw. Ginny, when he had mentioned his naming scheme, had said her mother would have a hard time with Arthur as a name. "Sirius." Harry thought of his godfather. The man who had been the only father figure he could truly remember.

Harry was at peace as he held his son and filled with love. Fathers were important and Harry would be the best father he could be. He would do the best he could be. With Ginny by his side.

AN-I omitted a scene between Ginny and Hermione because it interrupted the flow. But I am considering making it its own chapter. Let me know if you want to see it. It basically is Ginny telling Hermione I got this.