A/N: Lily Rose is celebrating her first birthday, but it's also been a year since I began writing! This chapter concludes her babyhood. I'll be having time skips in the remaining chapters that way I can cover more years. Thank you so much for reading until now! I'm looking forward to showing Lily Rose growing up after this xD
- 7 -
Kittens & Cupcakes
*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*
Hermione was in the kitchen mixing up a pitcher of iced tea when she heard the doorbell ring. She looked through the peep hole to see a woman with a friendly face and short brown hair. Hermione knew that she must be a Muggle because the alarm that detected wands hadn't gone off inside. Probably a neighbor, she added to herself as she unlocked the bolt. Their cottage was located on seven acres of land so they didn't see people that often.
Hermione opened the door and said hello. Then she spotted the cat carrier on the stoop. She pried her eyes away to look back up at the woman.
"Hi, I'm sorry to bother you on the weekend like this. My name is Cath Perkins. I live just down the road."
"Oh it's no bother at all, I'm glad to meet you." She offered her hand as she introduced herself.
Cath had a warm handshake. "Likewise. Do you own a big ginger cat by any chance?"
"Yes, I do. Has Crookshanks wandered over to your house before?"
"He has. In fact, he got quite friendly with my Sophie if you know what I mean," she replied with a chuckle.
Hermione heard a small mew. Her eyes widened in comprehension. "Do you mean he's the father?"
"Well he is of these two," she replied, pointing to the carrier. "Your cat hadn't come around in a while, but we saw him a few days ago, and I had my son ride his bike after him to see where he lived. So here I am." Cath smiled. "The kittens have just been weaned and they've had their shots. Would you be interested in taking them?"
"Absolutely," Hermione replied without hesitation. "Please come in, Cath. I was just preparing some iced tea. Would you like some?"
"Thank you, that would be great."
Hermione showed her into the living room and then hurried off to get the refreshments. Kittens! She grinned as she brought a tray back with her. After handing Cath a tall glass, Hermione sat on the floor and lifted the carrier's latch. Two orange balls of fluff tumbled out, mewing excitedly. Her heart melted as she gathered them into her lap.
"The little boy looks just like your Crookshanks. The one with the white chest and feet is the little girl."
"Oh they're so precious, I already adore them!" Both kittens had gold-green eyes, but the girl's face wasn't as pushed in as her brother's.
"Here's the papa now," Cath announced.
Crookshanks sauntered towards her. "Well done, you! Come and meet your babies."
The kittens ran towards him and he sniffed their fur with interest. He lay down on the rug, letting his children climb over him. Crookshanks even gave them affectionate licks on the head.
"Thank you so much for bringing them over!"
"You're welcome. I'm glad it worked out this way. The kittens will have a wonderful home now." Cath reached into her purse and pulled out some cans of food. "Just to get you started. They know how to use the litter box, but I didn't have an extra one to bring over."
"Oh that's alright. My husband and I can pop over to the store later." Hermione put the kitten food on the side table. "I really appreciate this. My kids are going to love them."
They made small talk for about ten minutes until Cath said she had to be getting back. "My son has a football match soon."
Hermione walked her to the door. When she arrived back in the living room, the boy kitten was using his needle nails to climb up the couch, and the girl was investigating a basket of toys. That gave her an idea. She emptied out the toys and put the kittens inside the basket. Then Hermione headed for the garden.
Harry was pushing Lily Rose in her little swing, while Teddy flew around on his broom. An invisibility barrier ensured that he wouldn't be seen by any Muggles.
"I have a surprise for you," she called out. "Come and see!" Hermione sat down on the grass. She placed the kittens beside the proud father. "Look what Crookshanks has given us." Hermione explained about the neighbor to Harry and Teddy.
Lily Rose crawled after them on the grass, squealing excitedly. Hermione showed her how to gently pet their fur. She would have to watch her daughter carefully until the kittens were bigger.
"Teddy, I thought you could have the boy, and Lily Rose the girl. They're part Kneazle, which makes them magical cats. You'll be able to take him to Hogwarts with you."
"Really? Thanks, mum!" Teddy held his kitten. "I think I'll call him Hercules!"
Harry dropped down beside Hermione. He gave Crookshanks a scratch underneath the chin and said, "I didn't know you had it in you, old man," in a joking tone.
"Kneazles live longer than regular cats, so Crookshanks might not be as old as we think," she added.
"Well he hasn't been as active lately."
"That's true…" Hermione felt a twinge in her heart when she considered that Crookshanks might not always be there.
Harry slipped his arm around her back. "Don't worry, love, he still has plenty of years left in him."
She leaned against his shoulder. "Yes, I hope so."
"So what are we going to name the little girl?"
Hermione watched as Lily Rose put a small daisy on the kitten's back. "I think she wants it to be Daisy."
Harry reached over to touch their daughter's curls. "That's perfect, pumpkin."
Lily Rose used Hermione's arm to pull herself up. She stood on her wobbly little legs for a few seconds before sitting back down on the grass.
"Bet she'll be walking soon," said Teddy. "I want to stay here until she does. I might miss it if I go back to granma's."
"We'll talk to Andromeda about it," she told him.
"Ask her if I can stay until Lilybud's birthday. I want to help with the party preparations too."
"Okay, sweetie."
They let Daisy and Hercules scamper around the garden for a bit. Crookshanks kept a close eye on them. When they strayed too far, he picked his children up by the scruff of their necks and carried them back.
"We can't let the kittens roam the house at night," Harry said. "They're still too small."
"You're right, they might get hurt."
"They can stay with me in my room," Teddy offered. "Let's get them their own bed!"
"Good idea," Hermione agreed. "We can go to the pet shop after lunch."
*.*.*
Harry, Hermione, and Teddy made the birthday cupcakes when Lily Rose was taking a nap upstairs. Teddy was in charge of putting the rose patterned liners inside the thirty-six tins. Hermione whipped up the ingredients, and Harry used a small scoop to drop the batter inside the liners. After sliding the tins in the oven and setting the timer, they went into the living room to play with the kittens. Hercules loved chasing the ribbon snake, but Daisy preferred the feather wand.
They let the cupcakes cool on the rack for ten minutes. Hermione used a piping bag to apply precise, lacy swirls of pale pink frosting.
"Teddy, will you pick some wild strawberries from the garden? You can take that colander out with you."
"Okay!"
"I'll do the dishes while you frost them," Harry said, pushing up the sleeves of his button-down.
"Thank you, honey."
They finished up at about the same time. Hermione placed her hands on his waist. "You know, you look quite good in that apron... like a barista at a coffee house."
"Ah, is that so?" he asked with a smirk.
"Mmm-hmm." He hadn't shaved that morning and the stubble scratched against her chin when she kissed him. Harry pulled her closer.
Teddy's face went bright red at finding his parents locked in a passionate embrace. "Errr, I brought the strawberries," he stammered. "Should I just leave them here?"
Harry laughed. "No, you can stay." They disentangled themselves from each other.
"Why don't you rinse the strawberries and put one on each cupcake?" Hermione suggested.
Teddy gave an eager nod. "Sure thing."
Harry ruffled his turquoise hair. "Sorry to embarrass you like that, Ted. Your mum and I can't help ourselves sometimes."
Teddy grinned. "It's fine. I know you love each other lots."
"Yes, we most certainly do."
Harry cast a drying spell over the miniature strawberries before Teddy stuck them in the frosting. "They look awesome, huh? We did a good job!"
Hermione bent down to give Teddy a hug. "Yes, and we couldn't have done it without you. Thanks for your help, sweetheart."
"You're welcome, mum. I had fun!"
The covered trays had just been put into the fridge when they heard Lily Rose chattering to herself on the monitor. "She's got good timing," said Harry. "I'll bring her down."
Lily Rose was standing up in her crib when he opened her nursery door. "Hi da!"
Harry smiled back at her. "Hi Lilybud." He picked her up and kissed her cheek. She returned the gesture as he carried her over to the changing table. Lily Rose was a very affectionate child, and Harry hoped she would never grow out of it.
"Hi ma! Hi Ted!" she greeted when they arrived downstairs. When she saw the cats, she yelled "kitty!" It was all very cute. Hermione took her from Harry. "Ba-ba?" she asked.
"Yes, sweetie, let's go get it." Lily Rose only breastfed at bedtime now. Otherwise, she drank formula from a bottle. Hermione had been slowly weaning her, which was going well.
Lily Rose took her first steps after dinner. She held onto the couch and did a sort of side shuffle to reach the kittens, who were curled up on a pillow. Unfortunately, she fell on her butt when she tried to pet them. But instead of crying, Lily Rose looked over at her parents with a satisfied smile as if to say: did you see me?
Hermione helped her stand up. "Harry, move closer to us and let's see if she'll walk to you."
He slid forwards on the carpet and held his arms out for her. "Come here, sweetheart, we know you can do it."
Hermione placed one hand on their daughter's back and another on her tummy to keep her upright. This allowed Lily Rose to wobble towards him. "Keep going, pumpkin. You're doing so well!"
And with her mother's support, she made the short distance over to her father. Hermione released her only when Harry had her little hands in his. Lily Rose took two more steps before losing her balance.
"Wow, Lilybud, that was awesome!" Teddy praised from the armchair.
She gave them a toothy grin from her seated position.
Now it was Harry's turn to steady her so she could walk to Hermione. She stayed upright a few seconds longer that time. Lily Rose laughed happily at the new skill. Teddy joined them on the floor that way he could help her too.
"Okay, that's enough practice for today," Hermione announced after five minutes of exercise. "Bath time." Lily Rose rested her head on Hermione's shoulder as she carried her upstairs. She kept yawning and rubbing her eyes in the tub. Hermione decided to put her to bed without a story. Lily Rose drifted off after a minute of nursing. At least she'll be well rested… she's going to need all her energy for tomorrow.
*.*.*
Fleur and Victoire arrived at the Potter residence at 10:30 AM. "I have brought the petite ensemble that I promised," Fleur said after kissing Hermione's cheeks. She held out a midnight blue bag with 'Le Ciel Etoile' spelled out in tiny silver stars. Inside was a puffy aquamarine dress with embroidered flowers around the hemline, pale pink ruffled socks, and white Mary Jane shoes.
"It's adorable!" She gave her a big hug. "Thank you, Fleur."
"You are most welcome," she replied with a smile. "Now, where is the birthday angel?"
"In the garden with Harry and Teddy. I think the kittens are out there too."
Victoire's violet eyes lit up. "Oh, I want to see them!"
Hermione led the way through the back door. The pavilion was decorated with turquoise streamers and strings of golden bells that sounded lovely in the summer breeze. Harry was busy inflating pearly balloons.
Teddy kept Lily Rose entertained by blowing bubbles towards her. She was laughing in her swing and trying to catch them. Victoire said hello to everyone before going over to the kittens in the playpen.
"They're so fluffy and cute! Aunt Hermione, can I take them out?"
"Of course you can, but let me get you something to sit on first." She summoned a blanket to spread over the ground that way Victoire wouldn't stain her white eyelet dress.
Fleur and Hermione walked towards the pavilion. It had been enlarged inside to accommodate their guests. Turquoise vases filled with coral roses and lily of the valley were placed down the center of the long table. Hermione would put out the place settings just before the party began at 12 o'clock.
Harry stopped inflating the balloons to greet Fleur. "Are Bill and Louis still at the cottage?" Harry remembered to pronounce the baby's name the French way: Louie.
"Yes, Louis was being very cranky this morning. I told Bill to come by when he is in a better mood." She sighed. "That one is much more difficult than Victoire. I'm lucky if I get five hours of sleep a night because of his colic."
The Potters murmured a sympathetic apology, although they didn't know what Fleur was going through. Lily Rose had always been such a good-natured baby. Hermione could see that she needed to talk.
"Why don't we go inside for some pink lemonade?"
Fleur gratefully agreed. They sat across from each other at the kitchen table, sipping from frosty glasses. Fleur spoke after a moment. "Hermione, please be honest. Do I look as exhausted as I feel?"
"Not at all. You're as lovely as you always are." Granted she was missing the ethereal Veela glow, but otherwise, not a blemish or an under-eye circle to be found.
Fleur patted Hermione's hand. "You are very sweet. I am glad the beauty potions are hiding it from everyone. I love Louis, but he is such a handful."
The two mothers talked until the doorbell rang. "That's probably Bill now."
Louis was asleep in his car seat when Hermione opened the door. He looked rather adorable in his little sailor outfit.
"He nodded off when I was flying here," Bill said in an undertone as they went into the living room. "Poor little chap wore himself out with crying."
Hermione set up the baby monitor and they took the other outside with them. Lily Rose was sitting with Victoire on the blanket. She heard her daughter say: "Vee, pretty!" as she touched a silvery strand of her long hair.
Victoire brushed aside her chestnut curls to give her a kiss on the forehead. "Lily Rose is pretty too."
Fleur had to hurry inside when Louis started crying fifteen minutes later. He was still whimpering when she brought him out. "I changed him, but he would not eat."
"That's alright. I gave him a bottle before I left the house," Bill told her.
Fleur carried him around the garden, rubbing his back, but the movement didn't calm him. Hermione got out Lily Rose's bouncy chair to put Louis in. He was temporarily distracted by the hanging toys, but he soon started up again. Lily Rose crawled over to investigate. She pet his blond fuzz and made soothing baby noises. When that didn't work, she leaned forward to kiss his forehead. Louis stared at her with his big blue eyes – lip trembling with suppressed emotion. Lily Rose held onto his hand.
The mothers melted at how sweet it was. "Perhaps it is love at first sight," Fleur suggested.
Bill and Harry laughed about this. "Oh come on, they're just babies!"
"Darling, I know you're a romantic, but that's taking it a little too far," Bill said to his wife.
Hermione didn't think it was such a ridiculous idea though. Louis had stopped crying when Lily Rose went to comfort him after all. And when she brought her daughter inside to put on her party clothes, Louis began to wail again.
*.*.*
Teddy stood behind his sister, holding both of her upraised hands as she walked into the garden. It was a grand entrance that earned claps and cheers from the guests. Lily Rose laughed gleefully at the attention. Harry could hardly believe that a year had gone by. His eyes stung with tears as he watched his daughter. All of the misery he had experienced in his life had led him to this perfect moment. His family brought him the kind of happiness that he never could have imagined growing up. Harry was thankful for them every single day.
When Lily Rose's legs began to tire, he swept her up in his arms, and carried her around to greet everyone. Luna placed a crown of wildflowers on her curls. Lily Rose stayed with godmother "Noona" until it was time for the photo shoot. The kids posed on the bench underneath the apple tree while the parents snapped pictures. Little Fred sat in the middle of the twins with an arm around each of them; Victoire cradled Louis, who was happily drowsing now that he had eaten; and Teddy held a waving Lily Rose on his lap.
Mr. Granger and Mr. Weasley helped Harry grill the chicken and hamburgers. Teddy zoomed overhead, showing off his flying skills. Fred watched him enviously and yelled out: "Me too, me too!"
"George, go ahead and use my broom," Harry told him. Hermione summoned the baby carrier so George could strap his son securely to his chest. The little boy was ecstatic at being up in the air. Harry had a feeling that Teddy and Fred would be future Quidditch stars at Hogwarts.
When they sat down for lunch, Lily Rose tried a little of the cold pasta salad, although she preferred to drink her bottle. Dessert appeared half an hour later. Besides the birthday cupcakes, there were also dishes of caramel ice cream and colorful macarons from Nimue Azuma's bakery.
She was overjoyed when they sang to her. Lily Rose couldn't quite manage to blow out the candle, so Teddy helped her. She ate the cupcake with her hands, getting pink frosting everywhere. A quick cleansing spell took care of the mess. Then Harry fed her spoonfuls of ice cream.
Lily Rose started to get sleepy after opening gifts. Hermione carried her up to the nursery for a nap. Audrey brought Lucy and Molly along, who rested in the portable playpen. Fleur took Louis into Teddy's room to nurse him. She joined the others outside once she got her son to calm down.
Fred ran energetically across the grass with Crookshanks and the kittens. It was almost comical when the little boy flopped down on the picnic blanket and promptly fell asleep. Daisy settled herself beside his curly head, while Hercules clambered onto his back.
"Thank god he finally stopped," Angelina said wearily, sinking into her chair. "I can't keep up with him."
"Boys are very different than girls," Fleur added. "I have learned this now."
Angelina patted her shoulder. "You still have a long way to go – it's only just started for you."
The little girls woke after an hour and were able to play together for a while. The party came to an end at 5 o'clock. Lily Rose hugged the twins goodbye, and tried to give Fred one too, but he darted away from her. Hermione stood with Lily Rose at the front door. "Bye bye!" she called out, waving to the departing guests.
*.*.*
As always, the family of four nestled together for story time. Lily Rose loved Luna's illustrated book of woodland animals. Hermione, Harry, and Teddy each read through it once. But when her brother set the book down on the bed, she reached for it again with an outstretched hand. The pages began to flip slowly on their own. Lily Rose let out a delighted screech when she saw the fox kits scampering through a forest clearing.
"Oh my god, she just did her very first magic!"
And somewhere in Hogwarts, an enchanted quill wrote: Lily Rose Potter, manifestation of magic on 17 August, 2005.
It had been a wonderful birthday.
