Disclaimer: I don't own any Harry Potter or Harry Potter related copyrights.

-b-r-e-a-k-

The next day Serena decided that she was going to take Madame Pomphrey's advice and visit the joke shop. She packed a bag with stuff Freddie might need, said goodbye to Andi and Teddy, and, Freddy secured in a special cloth wrap that cradled him in front of her, Floo-ed to the Leaky Cauldron.

She was nearly bowled off her feet by the reception she received by the patrons. Once they realized she was there, they started clapping and cheering. As she moved through the room, people clapped her on the shoulder and congratulated her for giving birth to "the first child to be free of Voldemort," or something. She couldn't really tell exactly what they were saying over the din of voices. She had to put her finger to her lips to get anyone to be a little quieter for Freddy who was looking around with big eyes.

They politely let her pass and continue on her errand, and she sincerely hoped that the reception was due to the amount of alcohol flowing in that particular establishment. If everywhere she went was going to be like this, she had a feeling it would just exacerbate her condition. Luckily, walking down Diagon Alley, most people simply smiled and nodded or waved at her, giving congratulations and cooing over how cute Freddy was.

Serena breathed a sigh of relief when Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes came into view. She picked up her pace. That is, until someone stepped into her path. It was a man she didn't think she'd ever seen before; she instantly tensed and gripped her wand tightly

"Hi," he said, sounding friendly enough.

"Hi," she said warily, "Do I know you?"

"Probably not, but I do have an Uncle on the Wizengamot," he said arrogantly.

"That's great. Good for you, really, but I have someplace to be," she said, trying to pass him by.

He grabbed her shoulder. She pulled her wand on him, snapping; "Don't touch me!"

"Whoa, calm down! My name's Cormac McLaggen, I was in Gryffindor, a year below you. I figured that now that Weasley was gone you might be a little lonely; maybe we could get a drink?" McLaggen said, trying to appease her.

This did not make her less mad; "Are you so arrogant to think that not a fortnight after the death of my soul mate and the birth of my son, I would just go out with you? Let me tell you something: If this is how you approach women, you're just going to get kicked in the balls more often than not," she said, shooting a stinging hex at him, and storming away towards the shop.

She looked down at Freddy and smiled. He was fast asleep, three of his fingers in his mouth.

When she walked in, she was greeted by both Lee and George looking up from where they were helping customers and exclaiming joyously; "Hey, hey," and "Look who's here."

"Hi guys," Serena said. She smiled at the girl attending the cash register as she went behind the counter to stow her bag.

"What's going on?" George said coming up to her as his customer was rung up.

"Oh, nothing," Serena sighed. "Some guy just hit on me, at least, that's what I think it was supposed to be: he was a real jerk. Said he was in Gryffindor, a year below us. Cormac McLaggen."

"Ew, him? Really?" George asked, making a face. "He tried out for Keeper with Ron. He was an arrogant prick then too."

"George, you shouldn't call yourself an arrogant prick," Lee said joining the conversation as he sidled up beside George and throwing an arm around his waist.

"I wasn't calling myself an arrogant prick. If anyone's an arrogant prick around here, it's you, my dear Lee," George responded playfully.

Serena watched them banter with a fond smile on her face. Then, Freddy began fussing. Lee and George immediately looked at her.

"Is he all right?" Lee asked the same time that George asked, "Is he hungry?"

"Yeah, he's probably hungry," Serena said, grabbing a bottle from her bag and pulling out the powdered baby formula.

"Here, I'll hold him," Lee said.

"Ok," Serena said, handing Freddy to Lee, and making the bottle. George and Lee were able to keep Freddy distracted enough for her to finish without feeling frazzled or frustrated with herself that she had to keep him waiting.

The three of them shared a smile once Freddy was happily suckling from the bottle.