Disclaimer I do not own Harry Potter and everything recognisable belongs to J K Rowling.

Alessiabass' Request - Ginny's pregnant

Ale's and Toobadforyou's Request - Ginny tells Harry he's going to become a father

Wetboy's Requests - Harry and Ginny's first child - Harry and Ginny tell both sides they are going to be Grandparents - Harry and Ginny discuss who should be Godparents to their children and Draco's name pops up. How does Ginny react?

Kaelyn's Request - Harry and Ginny think they are going to have a baby boy and James finds to his dismay, Harry is contemplating naming the baby, 'Tom'

Spyridon's Request - Charlie and Harry talk even if they don't become as close as the
others.

Dedicated to Alessiabass, Ale, Wetboy, Kaelyn, Toobadforyou and Spyridon and all the readers of the Dark Prince Trilogy. You guys are the best! Enjoy! :)

To Be A Father

It had been a long day. A long, frustrating, agitating day. One that Harry was glad to see the end of. None of his Extreme Effective Duelling students had managed to complete the day's objectives. It was annoying, since this was only the start of the course, the so-called 'easy' part of his lessons.

He shrugged out of his cloak and hung it up, running a hand tiredly through his hair. No matter how much he denied it, when the students didn't succeed in his lessons, it bothered him, tremendously.

The delicious aroma of dinner wafted to him, making his stomach growl appreciatively, wiping away his work worries for the time being.

Harry opened the kitchen door to see his wife already had the table set for dinner; various dishes lined along the middle, plate's set, crystal glasses glistening beside them. He met her eyes as she turned around and smiled brightly at him.

"Finally, you're back." she put down the last dish of roasted potatoes and walked over to him. "I've been waiting ages." she tiptoed up to kiss him.

"I'm not late, am I?" he asked, "I left on time."

Ginny smiled and draped both arms around his neck.

"You're not late," she reassured, "I just couldn't wait for you to come home today."

Harry chuckled, the day's aches and pains just melted off him. He leaned down and kissed her again.

"Nice to see I'm missed."

Ginny smirked and playfully swatted him on the arm.

"Don't get too full of yourself," she warned, "dinner's all ready, so quickly wash up."

Harry did just that, and within minutes, he was seated at the table. Ginny sat across from him and both started on the delicious meal Ginny had spent hours preparing.

"What's the occasion?" Harry asked after a mouthful of roasted lamb.

"What do you mean?" Ginny asked, sipping at her orange and cranberry juice.

"You went all out." he gestured to the fully laid table.

A smirk played at the corner of Ginny's mouth but she shook her head in feigned protest.

"No reason. I just thought it would be a nice change from beans on toast."

Harry chuckled.

"I like beans on toast."

"You can have them for tomorrow's dinner then."

Harry shook his head, highly amused.

"You take such good care of me."

Ginny smiled again, her eyes sparkling. She carefully set her glass down.

"Don't get too used to it," she said, "my attention can't always be focused on you."

Harry stopped mid bite, glancing up to look at her with a knitted brow.

"Huh?"

"I'm just saying," Ginny continued, "soon there may be...someone else that requires my attention."

Harry swallowed.

"What?" he asked, "who are you talking about?"

Ginny made a show of putting down her knife and fork. She took in a dramatic breath before looking up to meet his narrowed eyes.

"Harry, you know that I love you." she stated. "You are my one true love," a half smirk before she pushed on, "but sometimes, things happen and relationships...they change, you know?"

Harry went very, very quiet. His eyes darkened a shade, much to Ginny's delight.

"What are you taking about, Ginny?" he asked in a low voice.

"I still love you," Ginny said, "but lately, I've been feeling a little...different. I'm changing in ways you could never imagine." she pushed back her chair and got up, casually making her way to the worktop. "It was bound to happen, I suppose," she mused, picking up the apple pecan pie, "no one can love just one all their life. Someone new was bound to come along-"

She didn't get the chance to turn around. A shadow crossed over before a hand gripped at her arm and twirled her back around. The pie slipped from Ginny's hands and splattered on the tiled floor. She was pushed up against the worktop, held there by Harry's furious grip.

"Who?" he growled, eyes black and slitted, "who are you talking about?"

Ginny smiled up at him.

"The one being that has made me complete."

"Ginny!" Harry growled, his fingers dug into her arms and she knew it was costing Harry everything he had to stay in control.

"Someone special is coming into our lives, Harry," she continued, "and as much as you don't want to hear it, it's going to take all my love and no matter how much you deny it, you too will love it more than you love anything in this world, even me."

The confusion on Harry's face was priceless. It gave Ginny such a thrill to see her usually-in- complete-control husband, look so much like a bewildered child, hanging on her every word. His grip slackened a little and Ginny, finally took pity on him. Smiling, she took a hold of his hand and brought it to rest on her stomach.

"But you're going to have to wait seven and a half months." she said softly.

Harry snapped his head up to look at her, black eyes cleared to a vivid green in a heartbeat.

Ginny beamed, her joy difficult to contain. She nodded her head in answer to Harry's unspoken question.

"I went to the Healer this morning." she said, "she confirmed it. I'm pregnant."

Harry's gaze dropped to his hand, pressed against her flat stomach. He looked completely and utterly, shell shocked. He looked back up at her, his eyes starkly different to only a minute ago. No anger, no rage, no darkness. Now, they were gleaming at her, the brightest green she had ever seen.

"You...you sure?" he asked in a whisper.

"Completely," Ginny grinned, "you're going to be a dad."

That did it.

Harry's joy burst out of him. He swooped Ginny up in his arms, hugging her with such passion, she could barely breathe.

"H-harry!" she gasped, "n-not g-good for b-baby!"

"Oh!" Harry let go, dropping her back on her feet, "sorry, sorry, I didn't squash it, did I?"

"It's not a bug." Ginny smirked, "you can't squash it."

His smile was one she had never seen before. It reached all the way up into his bright green eyes and surpassed it. He was glowing with happiness.

"I'm supposed to be the one with the pregnancy glow." she teased with a grin.

"You couldn't have just told me?" Harry asked, still grinning, "you made me almost blow up the house."

Ginny shrugged.

"I had to have my fun," she replied, "plus, I couldn't just tell you news as big as this. It had to be memorable."

Harry shook his head, but was still grinning at her. It seemed he was unable to stop smiling.

"Hope you enjoyed it," he looked pointedly at the mess on the floor, "dessert's ruined."

"That's okay," Ginny smirked and nodded behind him. "There's another one in the oven."

xxx

Ginny let out a nervous breath as she stared at herself in the mirror. Her hands ran down her dress, stopping at her belly, gently caressing it. A thrill ran through her. Right this moment, her parents along with her parents-in-law, were waiting downstairs for her and Harry. They had no idea why they had been called. In a few minutes, she and Harry would announce her pregnancy. Her stomach clenched in excitement. She felt jittery, like the time she was going to announce her engagement.

Taking in a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down. The mirror's reflection showed the door behind her opening and her husband poked his head in.

"Ready?" he asked with a grin.

She turned around to face him.

"God, Harry, I'm so nervous."

"Nervous?" he walked over, "what for?"

"I...I don't know. I just am."

Harry wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.

"Don't be," he smiled, "it's a happy occasion, just relax and enjoy it."

Ginny nodded, forcing out another long breath.

"Yeah, okay."

"Or if you want, we could have a relaxation session right now." he moved to her neck, trailing little kisses down from her ear to her throat.

Ginny chuckled.

"Yeah, okay," she pushed him back, "I'm not that nervous," she stopped to give him a playful look, scanning him from head to foot, "and you're not that relaxing."

Harry grinned, pulling her back.

"Why, I think I may just accept that as a formal challenge."

"Harry, your mum and dad along with my mum and dad are downstairs." she pointed out as Harry dipped his head and kissed her neck and shoulders.

"So?" he murmured against her skin.

"So," she pushed him back, "seeing my track record of getting caught in indecent moments with you, I'm not going to push my luck."

Harry stood tall, his eyes sparkled at her.

"Alright then."

It was only once she got to the door, that Ginny realised what he had done. She was no longer nervous. She turned to look at him, but Harry only gave her a knowing smile and held her hand, leading her downstairs.

xxx

"Ah, there you are," Molly said, the moment Ginny walked into the living room, "we were wondering where you were."

"Sorry," Ginny breathed, "I didn't mean to keep you waiting."

"Not at all, dear," Molly smiled, "it was nice to have a chance to catch up." she nodded at Lily.

"Yes, lately we don't get to see each other that often." Lily replied.

In darker times, the frequent Order meetings meant the Potters and Weasleys met on a regular basis. When James was an Auror, he met Arthur at the Ministry nearly daily, but so much had changed over the years; there was no more Order since the need for it was diminished, James was no longer an Auror, hadn't been one for almost eight years now so other than Christmas and a few odd occasions around the year, the Potters and Weasleys didn't see much of each other.

But with the news Ginny had, that was about to change. The Potters and Weasleys would have to meet, to see their grandchild regularly.

"Thank you so much, for coming," Ginny said. She glanced once at Harry. "There's something we have to tell you."

She noticed the way her mother-in-law was looking at her, the green-eyed stare darting once to her stomach. Her mother was just the same, smiling but with faint tremble of a person who was holding back an enormous burst of joy.

Ginny changed her mind, mid-speech.

"We have some very exciting news," she was saying, "me and Harry are...we are going to have a...luxury holiday!"

Molly and Lily looked crest fallen. Lines furrowed their brow but they nodded and smiled.

"Oh, that's...nice, dear." Molly said.

"Where are you off to?" Lily asked, in a tone that showed she really didn't care.

"It's a world trip," Ginny said, squeezing her hand around Harry's. He gave her an amused look but kept silent, allowing her to improvise her prank. "It's a great opportunity to travel and see the wizarding communities all over the world. It's for seven months."

"Seven months?" Arthur was immediately concerned, "what about your team?" his eyes went to Harry, "and your classes?"

"We thought we'd take a break." Harry said simply.

"That's some break," James commented with a smile, "but if anyone deserves a long, relaxing break, it's you." he said to his son.

Harry didn't say anything and Ginny quickly took over again.

"We're really excited. We're going to be apparating from one location to the next, staying in luxury hotels, learning about different cultures and practises," she beamed at the rest, "it's really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." she grinned at her mother's obvious lack of enthusiasm. "We wanted to let you know that we won't be here for the next seven months."

"Well, I hope you have fun, dear." Molly dutifully replied, even though she looked sorely disappointed the news wasn't what she had hoped.

"Yes, it all sounds lovely." Lily added, "enjoy it."

"Oh we would, but there's a slight complication," Ginny said with a perfect sigh, "you see, you can't apparate in your third trimester and in seven months time, that's what I'm going to be in," she shrugged, sighing dramatically, "so the trip will have to wait. Instead, we're going to have a baby."

The reaction was priceless. Lily and Molly snapped around to stare at her, eyes wide, mouths dropped open. Arthur and James looked equally surprised.

"Oh my!" Molly looked like she didn't know what to do. She took a step towards her, "really?" she nodded at her daughter, "are you really?"

"A baby?" Lily gushed, "a...a grandchild?"

Ginny nodded, an excited laugh finally escaped her.

"I'm pregnant." she confirmed. "You're going to be grandparents."

Lily and Molly were as bad as each other, squealing with excitement and rushing to Ginny, cuddling and kissing her.

Harry was perfectly ignored.

He stepped back quietly, letting Ginny have all the hugs and kisses.

"We're always neglected," James whispered from beside him, "it's the perks of being a father."

Harry smiled as he turned around. James was beaming at him. He held out a hand.

"Congrats." he said, before pulling Harry into a hug, clapping a hand on his back.

Arthur was next to shake his hand and congratulate him.

Finally, the two women, teary-eyed with happiness, turned to Harry.

"Oh, Harry!" Molly hugged him fiercely, "I'm so happy for you, I'm so happy for you!" she let go and cupped his face in her hands, "my baby's going to have a baby! Oh, I can't believe it."

She left to go hug Ginny again.

Lily stood for a moment, staring at Harry. Her green eyes were sparkling with tears. She held out her arms, something she hadn't done to him since he was a baby, a mere one year old who would always giggle and toddle on unsteady feet into her embrace. Now, the twenty five year old walked towards her and leaned in for a hug. Lily was already choked up but with Harry in her arms, she broke down.

Harry pulled himself away but held onto her, staring at her tears with confusion. She shook her head, wiping at her cheeks and smiled at him.

"You're finally starting your family," she said, "I'm so proud of you, Harry. You've got everything you wanted," her eyes darted to Ginny, "a loving wife, a home and now," her smile widened, "a family."

Harry shook his head at her.

"No, mum, not a family. I've always had my family. I'm not starting my own, I'm just expanding it."

Lily gave him a teary smile and hugged him again, held him tight against her chest.

Nine years had passed since Harry came back to them, but not a day went by when Lily didn't think about what her life would be like, had Harry not returned. The thought alone of what it was like, living fifteen years believing her son was dead, was enough to give Lily chills. She held onto that memory of despair, that cold knot in her stomach; so each and every time she laid eyes on Harry, she could remember just how lucky she was to have her son back.

Every success of his, all his accomplishments, every victory small or big of Harry's brought with it the memory of a time when his future held only certain death or the Dementor's Kiss. Remembering what odds were against him made Lily that much prouder of her son's successes.

"I can't believe you had all us falling for that luxury trip nonsense!" Molly was admonishing Ginny.

"I saw you had an idea of what I was about to announce," Ginny grinned, "so I had to throw you off the scent."

"Yeah, she's all about pranks these days." Harry said, playfully glaring at her, "she got me too."

"It just goes to prove that your baby is the next in line of great marauders," James said with pride. He turned to Ginny, "you're only pregnant with my grandchild and it's making you prank, rather well, may I add." he winked.

Ginny chuckled.

"Have you told Damien yet?" Lily asked, curious if her youngest knew the big news.

"Ginny won't let me tell him," Harry grouched, "she wants to break the news to everyone."

"God help, Damy," James said, "pranking a prankster is always humiliating."

"He's coming over for dinner, tonight, so is Ron and Hermione." Ginny said, mischief glinting in her eyes, "this is going to be so much fun."

xxx

The morning rays flitted into the bedroom, softened by the net curtains that fluttered in the breeze. The bed-covers were creased, pillows askew, half of the duvet hanging off the bed. But the husband and wife were blissfully ignorant, still lying in bed despite the ticking clock, busy making plans for their future arrival.

"It's a little early to go shopping, don't you think?" Ginny asked.

"Doesn't hurt to be prepared." Harry replied.

Ginny ran a hand down her barely there bump and smiled. She turned her head to the side, to stare at her husband.

"I still have six months to go." she said, "there's a superstition, you should never buy anything for a baby that isn't here yet."

Harry smiled, propping himself up on one elbow. His other hand ghosted over her belly.

"I don't believe in superstitions," he said, "besides, there's so much to get, we have nothing."

"We have plenty."

"Yeah, but nothing baby related," Harry held up his hand and started counting on his fingers, "we need a cradle, baby clothes, a baby bath, a cot, a baby chair-"

"Why do we need cradle and a cot?" Ginny asked.

"A cradle for the first six weeks, then it's going to need a cot."

"Can't we get a cradle first and then, when the baby's too big for it, get a cot. It's not going to need a cot straight away." Ginny said.

"It's a cradle or basket for the first six weeks, then a cot bed." Harry said, "may as well get it now. Whose going to be in the mood for shopping when we have a six week old baby to take care of?"

Ginny shook her head at him.

"My mum used to put us in her bed, until we were old enough for our own."

Harry pulled a face.

"Yeah, but that was those days," he said, "research now shows it's extremely dangerous for infants to sleep in their parent's bed."

"Where do you come up with these things?" she asked.

"I read it, in no less than six different books."

Ginny sighed.

"I'm going to kill Hermione."

"Why?"

"She should know better than give you books."

Harry smiled and reached out for Ginny. He wrapped both arms around her, pulling her into his arms. They lay comfortably snuggled together, her head against his chest, her three month pregnant belly just touching his.

"I want to be prepared." he murmured against her hair. "I want to do everything right. I can't mess this up."

Ginny pulled her head up, meeting his green gaze.

"You won't," she uttered softly, "you're going to be an amazing dad."

Harry's grip around her tightened.

"I hope so," he said quietly. "I'm a shitty son. Let's hope I'll be better as a dad."

Ginny pulled herself away, leaning up on one arm.

"How can you say that?" she asked, "Harry, you're a brilliant son! Do you have any idea how much your parents love you? You've been working alongside your dad for years now, do you not see the way he beams with pride every time he looks at you? You're the one that proved his theories of Defensive Strategies. You're the reason he won his Exceptional Wizard of the Year award. You're the one that secured his position on the school board-"

"I'm also the one that tried to kill him." Harry reminded.

Ginny fell silent. It had been nine years and still, still Harry tortured himself with that guilt.

"No one holds that against you," she said, "except you," she reached out and touched the side of his face, her fingers caressed his cheek. "You're your own worst enemy, you know that?"

Harry closed his eyes.

"It's because I'm truthful with myself."

"No, Harry," she shook her head, "it's because you don't forgive yourself," she leaned down and kissed him, "try, please," she whispered against his mouth, "try and forgive yourself."

Harry kissed her back. But he didn't answer.

When Ginny pulled away, she saw to her dismay, his block falling into place. He still did that to her, didn't let her in when it came to issues of guilt, not completely.

"We still have a very important decision to make." he changed the subject.

Ginny mentally sighed and settled back in the warm bed.

"What's that?"

"Godparents."

"Yeah," Ginny agreed, "that's actually very important."

"It has to be someone special." Harry said.

"Absolutely," Ginny nodded, "someone perfect for the role."

"Someone who's powerful."

"And loving." Ginny added.

"Someone who can protect our child."

"And give it support, emotional and otherwise."

"I have the perfect Godfather in mind." Harry grinned.

"So do I." Ginny smiled.

"Are you thinking of who I'm thinking?" Harry asked.

"I think so." Ginny nodded, grinning.

They spoke at the same time.

"Draco."

"Ron."

Both stared at each other in surprise. Harry was the first to sit up.

"Ron?" he questioned incredulously.

Ginny scrambled to sit up too.

"Draco?" she asked incredibly, "are you mad?"

"What's wrong with Draco?" Harry asked defensively. "He's strong, powerful and has the means to provide for our child should anything happen."

"Yeah, but he's also arrogant, narrow-minded and prejudiced!"

Harry frowned at her.

"So?" he asked, "what does that matter?"

"Harry!" Ginny was affronted, "surely you don't want our child to grow up like that?"

"No, of course not," Harry objected, "but Draco's not like that, not completely," he ran a hand through his hair, "I mean he's a little arrogant but let's face it, our kid's gonna get that from me anyway."

Ginny narrowed her eyes.

"I think not!" she snapped, "our child is going to be perfectly polite and sweet and strong and powerful but gentle and exceedingly talented but not with a big ego-"

"You talkin' about the same kid?" Harry asked.

Ginny huffed but took a moment to calm down. She breathed out a sigh.

"All I'm saying is, I want the best for my child."

"So Ron comes to mind?" Harry asked.

"What's wrong with my brother?" Ginny asked.

"Depends," Harry replied dryly, "how much time do we have?"

"Harry!"

"Oh, come on, Gin," Harry implored, "you know the only reason he hasn't blown himself another hole is because of Hermione!"

"Ron is smart," she defended, "he just doesn't show it often."

"Yeah, and that's what I want my kid to learn; keep your intelligence a secret, don't let anyone see it." he mocked.

Ginny got out of the bed.

"You're impossible!" she roughly pulled on her dressing gown.

"Oh, come on, you're storming out because I won't agree with you?" Harry asked.

"No," Ginny shot back, "I'm storming out because you can't, even for one minute, hear me out, so what's the point?"

She turned and walked out, slamming the door shut behind her.

xxx

Ginny was stirring her cup of tea, turning the spoon around and around, with no intentions of actually drinking the stuff. She was too annoyed. She heard Harry's footsteps at the stairs but ignored him. She even ignored him when he opened the kitchen door and stepped in. She tried, but couldn't completely ignore his hands resting on her shoulders, or the gentle kiss on the back of her neck.

"Gin?" he said softly, whispering in her ear, "talk to me, please."

She shook her head.

"What's the point?" she asked, "it's not like you'll actually listen."

Harry slipped into the seat next to her.

"I will listen," he said. "Give me one good reason for not appointing Draco as Godfather and I'll drop the matter."

She turned to look at him.

"One reason?" she raised an eyebrow, "I'll give you ten. He's unkind, arrogant, cruel, unjust, looks down on others, he's prejudiced, selfish, doesn't have a shred of decency, is insanely proud of his money and above all, he hates me!"

Harry's eyes widened and he recoiled a little in his seat.

"He doesn't hate you."

"Yes, Harry, he does," she said, "you don't see it because he's your best mate," she looked down, the spoon, clinking against the china, "he's always hated me and I think I made it worse by marrying you."

"Ginny," Harry reached out, holding onto her hand, making the spoon drop with a tinkle. "Draco doesn't hate you. I know he doesn't."

She smiled bitterly.

"Don't you remember the time you took me to the Malfoys for dinner?" she asked.

Harry did remember, as was evident by the darkening of his eyes.

"That was Lucius," he said at once, "not Draco."

"I know," she replied, "but that doesn't mean the son doesn't share the same opinion as his father."

"Don't do that," Harry said, shaking his head, "don't tar Draco with the same brush as Lucius. They're a world apart."

"Maybe," she replied, "but when it comes to Blood Traitors, like me, they share the same views."

Harry breathed out a sigh, raking a hand through his hair.

"Gin," he paused, trying to work out what he wanted to say, and how to say it, "I know what Draco can be like." he admitted, "he can be all the things you said. He is arrogant, I know that. He can be selfish and cruel and all that," his eyes softened, "but once, I was all those things too. At times, I still am. I can be arrogant. I can be cruel and you know I once had the same prejudices as Draco."

Ginny shifted in her seat, not willing to agree, not out loud anyway.

"But the one thing I know for a fact," he continued, "is that Draco would give everything to protect our child. He would not be cruel or selfish when it came to our child. He would not be prejudiced against my child, because you are the mother." he reached out to cup Ginny's cheek, "and I know, whatever he may feel personally for you, he would give anything to protect you because you are my wife. He wouldn't allow any harm to come to you, because he knows what that would do to me," he tilted his head to the side, "he's my best friend, I know him better than I know myself."

Ginny closed her eyed and nodded.

"Okay," she said, "I believe you. Draco may be able to offer this baby protection and financial comfort,"she met his eyes, "but that doesn't mean I want him caring for our child, should something happen." she said, "money and power isn't what a child needs. I want someone who will reinforce our morals, who will always strive to ensure our child makes the right choices. I want someone who can not only protect and care, but also love our child, truly as if it were their own."

Harry listened. He watched the subtle emotions that passed her face as she spoke. He felt her pain, her deep seated mistrust of Draco. He knew it was misplaced, but was at a loss of how to convince her of that. He mentally cursed at his friend. Draco didn't make life any easier by being a complete git.

Suddenly, an idea sparked bright and clear in his mind's eye and Harry smiled. It prompted Ginny to stop talking.

"What?" she asked with narrowed eyes, "why are you smiling like that?"

"I just had an idea," he said, "a compromise that gives both of us what we want."

xxx

Draco flooed into Harry's home, flicking mere specks of soot off his pristine robes. He stepped out, glancing around the empty living room.

"Hello?" he called, "Harry?"

There was no response.

The floo went off behind him, making Draco turn around in surprise. His grey eyes widened at the sight of Hermione, as she stepped out of the fireplace. She too, was shocked to see him.

"Oh, um, hi." she greeted.

"Granger." he gave her the smallest, barely noticeable of all nods.

Even though Hermione had been married for a year, Draco always greeted her with her maiden name whenever they met, which wasn't all that often. But Hermione never corrected him. At least he was using her name, it was a far cry better than what he used to call her.

"Malfoy," she returned his nod, "how's your wife?" she asked for politeness sake.

"Astoria's fine," Draco returned, making a point of not looking at her. "I think there's been an oversight," he turned to go back, "Harry's obviously not here, so I should take my leave."

"Yeah, I should...go back too." Hermione said. She waved a hand at him, "you first."

Draco took a fist full of floo powder when the door behind him opened.

"Hi, Draco, Hermione," Harry greeted, an arm around Ginny, as they walked in, "glad you could make it."

"Harry," Draco's eyes shifted to rest for a moment on the red haired women before he looked back at Harry, "what's going on? You said you had something important to tell me."

"Take a seat," Harry prompted, "you too Hermione."

Perplexed, Draco and Hermione took their respective seats, as far away from each other as possible. Harry and Ginny remained standing, wearing smug smiles.

"Is everything okay?" Hermione asked, her gaze darting from Harry to Ginny, "you said it was important."

"It is important." Ginny replied. She turned to look at Harry, who was only happy to take the lead.

"Lately, we've been thinking a lot about responsibility," he started. His hand lifted to hover around Ginny's midriff. "With a child coming in six months, your mind starts to wander to a lot of different places." he looked over to see Hermione smiling at him, nodding her head in understanding. "Even though I'm pretty sure I won't be going anywhere anytime soon, and neither am I going to let anything happen to my wife," he tightened his hold on her, making her smile, "I've found myself wondering what would happen to our child, should anything ill befall us."

Draco's grey eyes narrowed a bit but he didn't react. Hermione was shaking her head.

"It's only natural to worry, Harry," she said, "everyone goes through that same thought process, when they're about to have dependants."

"I know," Ginny replied, "so that's what brought us to a realisation."

"Godparents." Harry said simply.

The one word made both Draco and Hermione sit up in rapt attention.

"We want you to be our child's Godparents." Harry said, his gaze on his childhood friend.

Draco grinned.

"You didn't even need to ask." he replied.

"Oh," Hermione was speechless. Her hands came up to fan at her face, eyes brimming with tears, "Oh, Harry! Ginny! Really? I-I can't- this is such an honour! Oh, Ron's going to be so happy when he hear-" Hermione suddenly paused, her gaze darted to Draco and then back to Harry and Ginny. "wait, you want me and Ron to be Godparents, right?"

"I think it's me and Astoria, they're thinking about." Draco drawled. "They're only letting you know beforehand, that's why you're here."

"No," Ginny spoke, "we were talking to both of you."

Draco and Hermione turned to look at each other, sharing a look of sheer disbelief before turning around to stare at the Potters.

"You're not suggesting...?" Draco shook his head.

"Me and h-him?" Hermione asked.

"Yep," Harry grinned, "Draco will be the Godfather and Hermione's the Godmother," he looked down at the smiling Ginny, "everyone wins."

"Everyone does not win!" Hermione shrieked. "you can't possibly think that I can share anything, anything, with Malfoy let alone important responsibilities such as a Godchild!"

"I have one question," Draco said calmly, looking at Harry, "do you hate your kid?"

Harry grinned.

"No, and I know that you and Hermione both, will care for your Godchild."

"You both will have to get together for it's birthdays and Christmas'." Ginny said.

"Being Godparents means we'll involve both of you in important decisions, so you both have to come to mutual understandings." Harry said.

"And that's before our baby grows up and wants to spend time with both of it's Godparents at the same time." Ginny said.

"And that," Harry continued, "is why you two will learn to tolerate each other, for the sake of our child."

Draco and Hermione looked at one another before falling into a frustrated silence.

"I-I just- why?" Draco asked, glaring up at Harry, "why me with...with her?" he nodded at Hermione.

"Because Draco," Harry turned to look at Ginny, "I'm taking a leap of faith, to show my wife that you're more than what meets the eye. I know that you'll always put your Godchild first, even before your own likes and dislikes," he turned around to meet the shocked grey eyes, "and if you can work together and get along with Hermione, who you've always had a prejudice against, for the sake of my child," he smiled, "then you can do anything for your Godchild and so, deserve to be it's Godfather."

Ginny smiled at him. It's what sealed the deal between her and Harry. If Draco could get tolerate the girl he had cruelly labelled, 'Mudblood-Granger' for almost seven years of Hogwarts then she would believe Draco could tolerate her as well.

Draco was quiet. His eyes glanced once to Ginny before they darted to Hermione. She met his gaze and straightened up, holding her head up.

"I would be honoured to be your baby's Godmother." she stated to Ginny.

The room waited for Draco's reply.

The blond let out a breath and met Harry's amused eyes.

"If you think I would be put off by your scare tactic, it's not worked." he told him, although his words were directed at Ginny, "no one else can be this baby's Godfather, but me." he held his head up, "I don't care who I have to work alongside, I'm going to be the Godfather."

Harry grinned in delight.

"Excellent," he beamed, looking from Hermione's quietly furious expression to Draco's stubborn one. "Isn't this going to be fun." he mused.

xxx

James and Lily knocked on the door, patiently waiting for it to be answered. They heard the footsteps, before a click and the door opened to reveal the smiling and glowing form of their daughter-in-law, Ginny Potter.

"Oh," Ginny beamed at them, "isn't this is a surprise."

Lily hurried past the threshold, hugging her daughter-in-law, carefully avoiding her bulging six-month-pregnant belly. She kissed Ginny on both cheeks in greeting.

"We were in the neighbouring village and thought we'd pay a quick visit," she said, "how have you been?"

"Fine, quite good actually," Ginny replied, pausing to greet her father-in-law who leaned in to embrace her, kissing her lightly on the head, just like her own father did, "finding work to be slightly more difficult though." she smiled coyly.

"I told you to take an extended leave," Lily said, "I don't like the idea of you flying around, not in this state."

"You and Harry both," Ginny remarked, "but it's okay, the Healer said there's nothing wrong with a little gentle flying every once in a while." she stood with both hands on her back, elbows sticking out, "I'm doing paperwork most of the time anyway. It's only once in the week that I fly around the pitch, just to stay in practise," she smiled down at her belly, caressing the bump, "the baby already loves flying. I can feel it kicking the most when I'm on my broom."

"It's my grandchild," James beamed, "of course it's going to be a fan of flying."

Ginny chuckled.

"How's Harry? I haven't spoken to him in a while." Lily asked.

"He's fine, working hard these days," Ginny said, heading to the stove to put on the kettle. "He's got his hands full at the moment; his classes for this semester's starting soon, so he's working through the list of a hundred children to select the ones for his class."

"It's really overwhelming," James said, slipping into a seat at the table, "I've never seen so many kids get top marks in Defence and Effective Duelling. It seems every student is aiming for the highest marks so they get into Harry's class.

I think it's because Harry changed the rules last year, taking two students from each house." Ginny said, "every kid thinks they have a winning shot, now that there's thirty two spaces instead of only sixteen, so they're working that extra bit harder to score a place."

"Which, of course, is great," Lily said, taking over from Ginny, ushering her towards a seat, "but it means Harry's left with the impossible task of choosing thirty two pupils from a list of a hundred." she pulled out three mugs from the cupboard.

Ginny settled herself in the chair next to James.

"He's thinking about running two classes this semester." she revealed.

Lily stopped and turned to face her.

"He can't do that," she said, "he's already overworked. Having two classes in the one month, on top of all the other classes he runs at other schools throughout the year," she shook her head, "it'll take too much out of him."

"Try telling him that," Ginny said, "he doesn't want to disappoint and is adamant he can handle two classes."

"I'll talk to him," James said, "his lessons sap a lot of magical energy out of him, especially as he's got a much bigger class than before. Doing twice as much will leave him drained." he shook his head, "he can very easily get ill and I'm telling you now, that's not happening."

Ginny grinned at her father-in-law.

"You're going to talk to him?" she asked, "he hardly listened to you when he was sixteen, you think he'll listen at twenty-five?"

"Good point," James said, "I'll let Lily do it."

Lily smirked at him, preparing the tea.

"Oh, don't you worry, Lily will be talking to him." she levitated the mugs to carry across to the table, muttering under her breath, "sort that boy out, get some sense into him!"

"It's always a bad sign when she talks about herself in third person." James said quietly to Ginny, who only chuckled.

They sat at the table, sipping at the tea, catching up on all the recent happenings. The conversation quickly turned to the baby, the eager grandparents-to-be wanted as much information as possible.

"Have you had a recent scan?" Lily asked.

"Yep, everything's fine." Ginny replied.

"Did you find out if it's a boy or a girl?" James asked. "I need to know what colour broomstick I'm getting, electric blue or flamingo pink."

Lily shot him a look but was too excited to hear Ginny's answer, so didn't reprimand him.

"No, we couldn't tell in the scans. Midwife Keenan did say she could do a test and tell us, but Harry's happy not knowing. Says it keeps the suspense up."

"Aren't you curious?" Lily asked, "I know I was."

"No, not really," Ginny ran a hand down her bump again, "I'm happy either way. All I want is a happy, healthy baby, with ten fingers and ten toes and none of it's father's homicidal tendencies."

James grinned at her.

"We can all hope." he teased, crossing the fingers on one hand.

"We've started to do up the baby's room." Ginny revealed.

"Oh, gosh, really?" Lily's eyes lit up, "what colours?"

"It's a pale yellow, for now. Harry and Ron said they would paint it, pink or blue, once the baby arrives." Ginny revealed. "But Harry did up the furniture last week. Damy helped him put together the cot and the wardrobe-"

"Can I see it?" Lily asked.

"Of course," Ginny pushed herself out of her seat, smiling partly in excitement and partly at the elated look on her mother-in-law's face.

James remained seated.

"I'm going to finish my tea," he said, "get past the squeals and tears first."

"I don't do that." Lily defended.

"No, I'm talking about myself," James teased, "don't want you two to see me like that."

Lily playfully smacked him upside his head before walking out with Ginny. James sat at the table, sipping at his tea. Idly, he glanced around the kitchen until he spotted the stack of paperwork lying at the end of the table. James leaned over to glance at it. It was a folder, thick with leafs of parchment filed inside. A stack of loose papers were heaped on top, scribblings that James recognised as his son's handwriting, covered them. Curious, James reached over and pulled the stack towards himself. He lifted the top parchment and smiled. It had a line drawn roughly down the middle, making two columns. One had the word, Boys and the other Girls. James grinned into his mug. So Harry was making a list of names for the baby. From the looks of it, he had been pretty busy, the parchment was almost full.

James read through the names, starting with the Boys section. He grinned at some of the choices, 'Aidan, Anthony, Brian...' he read on, mentally ticking which names he liked and turning his nose up at the ones he didn't, 'Steven, Scott, Tom...' his eyes widened at the name, the mug nearly slipped out of his hand. Tom? Harry had included, Tom!

James looked back at the parchment, hoping he was just imagining it, but the name was still there, written in Harry's own handwriting. What the hell is he thinking? James thought to himself. Why would he even consider naming his child after Voldemort? He wouldn't really do this, would he?

James didn't know how long he sat, staring at the parchment, but it must have been pretty long, since he heard Lily and Ginny making their way back. James quickly dropped the parchment back on top of the pile and pushed it away, leaving it roughly in the spot he had found it.

It was just in time, as Lily walked in, smiling.

"You not finished your tea yet?" Lily asked, "you have to come see the room. It's so adorable!"

James didn't know how, but he managed a smile.

"I'll just have a look." he got up, forcing himself not to turn in the direction of the offending parchment and rip it up.

xxx

James couldn't rest. He couldn't sleep. He didn't even feel like eating anything. All he could think about was that damned parchment with that evil name on it. Tom. It was burned in his mind's eye. Every time he closed his eyes, he could see it. Taunting him, written by his own son's hand. It was torturing him. Finally, after six days of suffering, not finding it in himself to tell Lily or anyone else what he had read, James decided enough was enough. He wasn't going to sit back and let Harry give his grandson the name of his worst enemy.

It was a Friday. He and Lily usually left Hogwarts on the weekends, choosing to spend the two days at home. It was an opportunity to spend time with Damien, in the rare times he wasn't working weekends. But tonight, James whispered to Lily that he would meet her back home and left Hogwarts after a quick, two-bite dinner. Harry wasn't due to come to Hogwarts until another week, to start his classes. James couldn't wait that long to speak to him.

He apparated to the spot outside Harry's gates and began a quick walk to the front door. He knocked and waited, barely a minute when the door clicked open. This time, it was a tired looking Harry who answered it.

"Dad?" Harry was clearly thrown by his sudden appearance, "what are you doing here? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, yeah everything's fine, son." James assured, stepping inside, "I just...wanted to see you."

Harry didn't look convinced.

James saw the kitchen table was covered in paperwork, spread out to cover the whole surface. His eyes scanned the parchments, wanting to seek out that offensive leaf and hold it up, demanding an explanation from Harry. But he couldn't spot it from this distance.

"Where's Ginny?" he asked, noting his daughter-in-law's absence.

Harry gestured for James to take a seat at the table, while he walked to the cupboard.

"She's got a team meeting today. She'll be back around eight." he took out two glasses. "You want a drink?"

"Yeah, Firewhiskey, please." James said.

Harry looked thrown again, but he silently crossed the kitchen and took out a bottle from their wine rack and popped it open. He filled both glasses and brought them over, handing his dad one.

"Thanks," James took a sip, "what were you doing?" he asked, looking pointedly at the paperwork.

Harry took his former seat, opposite James.

"Trying to make a final decision for this semester's acceptance," he sighed, staring at the paperwork, "it's so hard to choose. I have half a mind to let everyone in."

"That reminds me of something I heard recently," James said, recalling the conversation he had with Ginny, "something about you considering running two classes this month?"

Harry glanced up at him and smirked.

"Ginny complaining to you?"

"That's none of your business," James said, "you answer the question; were you seriously thinking about two classes in the one semester?"

Harry took a sip of his drink, seemingly figuring out his answer.

"I think it's doable."

"Harry," James shook his head, "you can't run two classes, not in the one month. You know it's too much."

Harry, to James' surprise, didn't fight the statement. Instead, he nodded, albeit rather reluctantly.

"I know," he breathed, "but I might be able to recuperate in enough time for the next class-"

"No," James interrupted, "the only thing overworking yourself will accomplish is making yourself ill," he said, "and I think we all can agree, you've had too much of that already, enough to last a lifetime actually."

Harry smiled.

"Look at that," he teased, "twenty-five, on my way to becoming a dad and my dad still tells me what to do."

James smiled back.

"I'm not telling you what to do. I'm telling you what not to do."

Harry chuckled.

"Well, either way, stop it," he said, "you know what happens when someone tells me not to do something."

"You want to do it?"

"Like my life depends on it," Harry took another gulp of his drink, "besides, I can't do the two classes now that Ginny's played her card; told me if I don't listen to her, she won't let me hold the baby."

James laughed.

"Baby blackmail? That started already?"

"Yep," Harry drained his glass. He set it down, his fingers lingering on it. "It's just...there's so many capable applicants this time. Before, there was only a handful that passed the required marks in Defence and Charms and Duelling, so it made it easier to choose the best in each house." he rubbed at his face with both hands, "but now, I have one hundred and ten students, from all four houses, first year to fourth," he held up a parchment, "and all of them deserve a place, so how do I choose only thirty two?"

James didn't have an answer. He gazed at the parchment in front of Harry, noticing the folder he had seen that day, lying empty at one corner of the table. He realised that the thick folder had all this paperwork in it; student records and achievements, Professors' recommendations for particular students and whatever else Harry needed to make his decision.

"Why don't you split it over two months?" James suggested. "Do a batch of thirty-two one month and another a second month."

"I can't," Harry shook his head, "I'm already struggling to find four weeks in six months to come to Hogwarts. I can't find another four weeks, unless I turn my back on another school, which I can't do either."

James found himself smiling.

"There's just not enough of you to go around, is there?" he teased, "and here I was, about to complain that you don't come over and spend enough time with me and your mum."

Harry groaned.

"Don't dad, just don't," he rubbed a hand across chin, grazing at his one-day stubble. "I'm sorely tempted to use a Time Turner just to find more hours in the day." his eyes suddenly sparkled and he looked up at James.

"Don't even think about it." James warned, "Time Turners are not to be messed about with."

Harry leaned back in his chair with a resigned sigh.

"I think I need a break, a real one this time."

The reminder of Ginny's prank the day she announced her pregnancy, brought James back to the reason for his visit. The grip on his glass tightened and he took another, larger gulp, draining the whole lot in one go. He set his glass down, the burn in his throat subsided enough for him to speak.

"There's something I wanted to ask you," James said, "I hope you don't mind what I'm about to say, but understand that I feel strongly about this, that I'm saying anything at all."

Harry was intrigued.

"I knew there was something bothering you," he said, "what's wrong?"

"Last week, me and your mum came over while you were out."

Harry nodded.

"Ginny mentioned it."

"While I was here, I saw your paperwork, lying around and I...I couldn't help myself, I had a look."

Harry's eyes narrowed.

"You were snooping around my things?"

"No," James shook his head, "not snooping. I was here and the parchments were just...lying there and...and well, yes...I guess you could say it was snooping, but I never meant to, it just...sort of happened."

Harry chuckled again, seeming to find his stuttering father rather amusing.

"Okay," he said, "so what's the big deal?"

James took in a breath.

"Harry, I saw it."

Harry's brow furrowed.

"Saw what?"

"The list, I saw the name...his name on the list."

Harry shifted in his seat, sitting up a little straighter, leaning forward.

"Dad, what are you talking about? What name on what list?"

James met his eyes.

"I saw the name Tom on your list of baby names."

Harry stilled.

"It was lying on top of the stack of papers and I just meant to have a quick look," James explained, "I saw the name Tom, under the heading for Boys-"

"Dad-"

"Please Harry, just...just let me finish, please," Harry obliged, much to James' relief and he carried on, "I know that I have no right to interfere. This is your and Ginny's baby and you have every right to name it whatever you like," he said, "and I understand, Merlin knows how, but I do, I understand that you still have...something for...for Voldemort in your heart and maybe...you know...you think naming your baby Tom will be a way to pay your once-upon-a-time-father some sort of homage but..." he struggled to keep calm, "but...it's..." he closed his eyes, "screw it, you can't call him Tom. It's not fair on the rest of us. It's my grandchild too, and if it's a boy, I don't want it named after that monster!"

James finished with a thumping heart and sweaty palms. He met his son's intense gaze and resisted the urge to fidget under those piercing green eyes. But Harry didn't get angry. In fact, a slow smile crept along his lips. Without saying a word, he reached across the table and picked up a stack of parchments, flicking through them.

"Is this the list you saw?" Harry asked, holding out the parchment that had the two columns, titled Boys and Girls.

James' eyes flashed in anger at the offensive name, staring out at him from halfway down the page.

"Yeah," he added, "that's the one."

Harry nodded and placed the parchment on top of the stack, positioning it in front of him. For a moment he didn't do or say anything. Then his head dipped down and his shoulders began to shake, a deep rumbling laughter shook his frame and he looked up at James, eyes gleaming in amusement.

"This-" he struggled to stop laughing, "this isn't a list of baby names," he said, "it's my duelling list from last semester."

James blinked at him.

"Excuse me?"

Harry held up the parchment.

"This is the partner list. I pair up a boy and girl for their duelling matches." he pointed to a tiny scribble between the Boys and Girls titles, "see that, it's a vs, meaning Boy versus Girl."

James saw it then. He hadn't even noticed the faint scratching. He was too busy reading the names.

"But...it's just their first names," James defended, "if they're your students, why haven't you listed their full names?"

"Because they're my students," Harry replied coolly, "I don't need their full names. I know who they are," he put down the list, still smiling and looked at James, tilting his head to one side, "you thought I was going to name the baby, Tom?"

James could feel heat rise in his cheeks. He looked to his empty glass. He wished he hadn't swallowed that last lot in one go.

"I saw the name and I thought, maybe you were considering it?"

Harry shook his head.

"I was going through last semester's stuff and took out all the old sheets," he lifted the stack of papers to show James, "this is from last semester. I was going to throw it out, that's why it was lying on top of the folder." he stressed. "It's just as well I haven't had the chance to do it yet. I would have no clue what you were talking about."

James shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Harry." he said, feeling like a right idiot. He had worried and stressed over nothing.

"But you know, now that you mention it, I think Tom would be a great name for the baby." Harry smirked at James' indignant splutter. "I'm joking," he grinned, "besides, I've already got the name picked out, for a boy at least."

"You-you do?" James asked.

"Yep," his eyes gleamed, "Gus."

James blinked at him.

"Bless you."

"No, that's the name, Gus," Harry repeated, "short for Augustus," he smiled, "it's different, cute, don't you think?"

"It's...different alright." James agreed.

"You like it?" Harry asked.

James grimaced but forced a smile.

"Hey, I'm just happy you're not naming it, Tom," he said, "you can call your child whatever you like."

Harry smiled, eyes sparkling at him.

"Great, it's official then. Gus Potter it is."

xxx

"Gus?" Lily asked, eyes wide and mouth dropped open. The mug in her hand, quite forgotten, "Gus?"

"Short for Augustus," James supplied, before taking a sip of his coffee.

"He is not calling my grandson, Gus!" Lily said with a fervent shake of her head.

"Well, he is," James took another sip, "he seems quite fixed on it."

Lily put down her mug.

"Gus Potter?" she closed her eyes, massaging her forehead, "I'm in pain just thinking about it."

"It's...well...it is bad," James agreed, "but I'm just thankful he's not naming the baby after his father," he put down his mug too, "for a while there, I was pretty certain I was going to have to cradle a Tom Potter in my arms."

Lily met his eyes, ignoring her breakfast completely.

"Gus? Gus, really? You're not even the slightest bit concerned?"

"No," James shrugged, "it's his child, Lily. If he wants to name his baby Gus, what can we do about it?"

"Who's naming their baby Gus?"

James turned to see Damien. He hadn't left for work yet.

"Your brother," he replied, "Augustus to be accurate."

"He is not naming the baby Augustus." Damien objected at once.

"Damn right, he's not." Lily agreed, "I won't let him."

"No," Damien shook his head, "I meant Harry was never planning on the name Augustus. Who told you that?"

"Harry did." James replied.

Damien chuckled, pulling on his jacket.

"Then he's messing with you. Harry's already got the name picked out. He's had the name picked out ever since he found out Ginny was pregnant and it's not Augustus or Gus."

James' heart missed a beat.

"What is it?" he asked, hoping against hope it wasn't in fact, Tom.

Damien gave James a sideways glance, before picking up his satchel and swinging it over his shoulder.

"He's calling the baby, Jamie."

James and Lily both stilled.

"What?" James asked, his voice reduced to a mere whisper.

"Jamie," Damien repeated, fixing his jacket, "see, he figures that way, it doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl. He can call it Jamie either way."

James swallowed.

"He...he told you that?"

Damien smiled.

"Yeah, he thought calling the baby, James might get too confusing," he picked up a slice of toast, "and he wants a fail safe name if it turns out to be a girl," he smiled at his dad. "Harry's pretty adamant his first-born is named after his father."

xxx

Two weeks. There were two weeks left until Ginny's due date. The baby's room was set up. The name plaque with a colourful 'JAMIE' was attached to the door. Everything was in place, set up to perfection, waiting patiently for the arrival of the baby, everything except the mother-to-be.

"God! Do you have to chew so loud? I can hear you from across the room!" Ginny snapped.

Harry looked up from the table, confused.

"I'm drinking tea."

Ginny huffed, uncomfortably sprawled out on the sofa, fanning herself with the magazine she was supposed to be reading. Her stomach was perfectly round and so big, it looked completely bizarre on her petite frame.

"Rub it in, why don't you!" she groaned.

"Gin, if you want some tea, you can have some tea."

Ginny whipped around to glare at him.

"I can't have TEA!" she yelled at him, "TEA has CAFFIENE! which is BAD for me!"

"You know what else is bad for you?" Harry asked, "shouting," he took a sip of his tea and muttered, "especially at me."

Ginny ignored him and tried to shift positions, arms stretched out in front, she rocked awkwardly from side to side, but couldn't get up.

"Damn it!" she gave up, falling listless. "I hate this," she groaned. "I've physically become a couch potato!"

"Here," Harry was by her side in a flash, "let me."

He reached out for her hand but she slapped it away.

"You just stay away!" she warned, "this is all your fault!" she pointed at her huge belly.

Harry could see the tears welling up in her eyes. He knew it was the hormones and the mood swings and her current discomfited state that was speaking, not Ginny. It had been like this for the last two weeks now. As soon as her eighth month of pregnancy kicked in, Ginny had become a horror; yelling and shouting at anyone that crossed her path, which happened to be Harry most of the time. Then, promptly after the anger came the tears and then, the cursing.

Thankfully, before that happened today, the floo went off and their daily visitor walked out of the fireplace, shaking soot from her robes.

"Thank God," Ginny breathed, "mum!"

Molly Weasley hurried over to her daughter, smiling as always.

"Ginny, darling, how are you feeling now?" she bent low and kissed her agitated daughter on the brow.

"Could be better," Ginny grumbled, "could have given birth already!"

"You can't be that uncomfortable to wish labour on yourself." Harry chuckled.

Ginny's glare was a decent competitor to his own.

"You want me to sit on you?" she asked, deadly serious, "cause I'll do it, I will sit on you."

Harry smirked.

"You'd have to get up first."

Ginny made a wild grab for him, but Molly intervened, holding onto her hand and patting it lovingly.

"That's enough, dear, just calm down. It's not good for the baby," she turned to her son-in-law. "Harry, dear, let's not get Ginny's blood pressure any higher than it already is."

Harry smiled and gave Ginny one of his pacifying, 'I-love-you-really' looks that usually had Ginny melting, but now she just huffed at him and looked away.

Molly headed to the kitchen, to start on lunch, leaving husband and wife in the living room. Ginny groaned, her back was killing her. She reached for it awkwardly, trying to rub at her lower back, but the way she was lying, she couldn't do it.

Before she could complain, Harry had took hold of her arms and was already lifting her to sit up. He slipped behind her and let his heavily pregnant wife lean on his chest. His hands slipped under her shirt and rubbed at her lower back, massaging carefully, just the way he was shown at the prenatal classes he and Ginny attended. His strong fingers rubbed at her skin, soothing the aches and pain, eliciting a deep moan from Ginny. She closed her eyes and relaxed into her husband's embrace, sighing in relief. They stayed like that for long, silent minutes, Harry continuing to work on her back and Ginny revelled in the first few moments of relief she'd had in hours.

"Truce?" Harry whispered in her ear.

Ginny took a moment to answer.

"Yeah," she sighed, still with her eyes closed, "it's just...everything you do really annoys me."

Harry chuckled.

"Love you too, honey."

Ginny opened her eyes,

"No, it's...I didn't mean..." she took in a breath, "it's not your fault, I know that," she explained, "it's just...I'm so miserable. I'm done being pregnant. I want the baby now. I want to end the heartburn and the back pain and I want to be able to see my toes again!" she sniffed, "and I would really, really like to stop having my bladder squeezed like a chew toy!" she shifted a little against him, relaxing against his fingers that were now working miracles on her aching shoulders, "and while I'm going through all this, you're just sitting there, perfectly unchanged, sipping at your tea!"

The low rumble of his laughter lifted from his chest and reverberated against her back. He dipped his head to whisper in her ear.

"If it makes you feel better, I've not slept in a week."

"What? Why? What's wrong?" Ginny was raising herself up, instantly worried. Harry's addiction was gone, the withdrawals, the agonising pain and sleepless nights were all a thing of the past. It had been almost five years since he'd had the last withdrawal. He shouldn't be having any trouble sleeping now.

"Relax," his firm grip pulled her back to rest on him, "it's nothing like that," he assured, having read the worry from her voice, "it's the woman in my bed, the one that grumbles and tosses from side to side, pressing pillows between her legs and under her stomach and whatnot, it makes for a very restless night."

"Hmph!" Ginny furrowed her brow, "why don't you go sleep somewhere else then!" she snapped.

"Because," his voice low in her ear, "I can't rest if I don't have my Ginny next to me."

She begrudgingly calmed down and even smiled a little. She let out another sigh.

"Nice save." she mumbled, eyes drooping shut in relaxation, as Harry continued to massage her shoulders.

A kiss, feathery light on her neck had her smiling even deeper.

"Thank you." he whispered.

Ginny was almost asleep when the floo went off, rousing her from her comfortable slumber. At once, Harry's fingers stopped and pulled away. Ginny only just managed to hold back her groan at their loss. She blinked the grogginess out of her eyes and looked up, only to freeze in utter shock. It was a first time visitor to her home and it was enough to wipe all remnants of sleep from her mind.

"Charlie?"

Her brother smiled at her, distractedly shaking soot from his robes. His eyes travelled to Harry, seated behind her and the warmth from his eyes evaporated in just a blink. He scowled at Harry but turned back to smile at her.

"Ginny," he stepped closer, prompting her to sit up, although she would not have managed the task had Harry not helped her from behind, "how are you?" Charlie asked, taking her by the hand and pulling her up.

Ginny hugged Charlie, a little awkwardly as her fully pregnant belly was in the way, but she still clung onto him. It had been a long time since she had seen him. Almost a year.

"When did you get back from Romania?" she asked, pulling back.

"Just today," Charlie replied. "I've literally dropped my stuff off at the Burrow and came here. I couldn't wait to see you."

"I'm glad you came." she smiled, "is Clarissa with you?"

Charlie smiled at the mention of his long time girlfriend.

"No, she couldn't get time off work." he cupped Ginny's face in his hands, "but I didn't want to miss the arrival of my niece or nephew."

Ginny smiled again.

Molly reappeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands with a dishcloth. Her eyes brightened at the sight of her son.

"Charlie!" she beamed, "when did you arrive? I thought you were coming tomorrow?" she bustled up to him, hugging him.

"I had a change of plans," Charlie replied. "I figured why not surprise everyone?"

"It's a surprise alright." Harry muttered.

Charlie ignored him.

"Aw, I wish you had told me," Molly said, "I was planning a welcome brunch for you tomorrow."

"Which is why I didn't tell you." Charlie smiled.

Molly gave him a playful slap.

"You're still getting the brunch. I've already prepared half of the food, I'm not wasting it." she turned to Ginny, "come to the Burrow around noon tomorrow, okay?"

"Yeah, okay," Ginny nodded, "I can't wait." she said excitedly. She felt Harry touch her shoulders and she turned to face him.

"You have a check up appointment at one tomorrow."

Ginny's face fell.

"Oh, yeah," she had a baby check up every week since she was approaching her due date.

"We can still go to the brunch," Harry said, "we'll just have to leave a little earlier than the rest."

"We?" Charlie asked, speaking to Harry for the first time since arriving. "I don't remember anyone inviting you?"

The room hushed at once. Harry's only response was an agitated narrowing of the eyes, but Molly and Ginny were a lot more vocal.

"Charlie!" Molly admonished.

"It's a package deal, Charlie," Ginny said, all previous warmth gone from her voice. "Wherever I go, Harry goes."

Charlie's eyes lifted from Ginny's stubborn face to Harry and he forced a smile.

"I was only joking," he said, "Harry can take a joke," he looked coldly at him, "can't he?"

Harry smirked.

"I can take a whole lot more than just a joke," he said, "try me."

Charlie met his eyes and nodded, a condescending smile on his face.

"Anytime, Potter," he said, "anytime."

xxx

The brunch at the Burrow was a pleasant affair. All the Weasley's were there, along with the Potter family. Even though the brunch was supposed to be a welcome feast for Charlie, everyone was gathered around Ginny; touching her belly to feel the kicks of the baby, or constantly asking her if she needed anything and of course, offering contradictory advice, 'you wanna sit down? You should walk around, it's good for the baby. You need a drink? You should eat more, you're eating for two. Do you need anything? You want your feet rubbed? Eat more fruit salad, fruit's good for you. Drink milk, it's good for heartburn.'

It was enough to drive Ginny mad. She waddled her way from the garden into the house, looking for peace and quiet. She lowered herself awkwardly onto the sofa, sighing in relief. She knew everyone meant well, but she couldn't help feel annoyed by their constant badgering. Her mood swings didn't help either.

She sat with her hands on her belly, gently caressing the stretched skin. She could feel the baby press a tiny foot against her and she smiled, stroking the spot that was bulged out a little bit more than the rest. The foot quickly withdrew and Ginny giggled.

"Oh, ticklish, are we?" she asked, "you're in for a real treat then," she said, "wait till I tell your dad. Harry's going to love tickling you."

The baby gave another kick. All she had to do was say Harry's name and the baby would start kicking. And whenever Harry spoke whilst in the same room as her, the baby would kick so hard it actually hurt a few times. The midwife had explained to Ginny that it was normal. Babies became familiar with different voices and the ones they heard more often, they would react to them.

Ginny felt the niggling pain in her back and she shifted, trying to force a cushion behind her, to support her aching back. Her eyes darted to the wall and she saw the time was approaching quarter to one. They had to leave in five minutes.

It took her a good minute to get to her feet. She grumbled under her breath. She couldn't wait to get the baby out. Then she would be able to move around again. She crossed the doors and walked out, her gaze searching past the numerous faces, until she spotted her husband. He was at the far side of the table, seemingly deep in discussion with Bill. As she approached nearer, she realised the conversation wasn't only between Bill and Harry, Charlie was involved too, even though he was seated three seats down. And it wasn't a pleasant conversation either.

"I think you both should calm down." Bill was saying, his eyes flashing at his brother.

"This is the problem with you," Charlie said to Harry, ignoring Bill completely, "for you there's only one solution to the problem; annihilation."

"Of course it is," Harry replied, "anything else is not only pointless but a risk."

"So you admit it, killing is the only answer?" Charlie asked.

"When it comes to threats, yeah, it is the only answer." Harry replied.

Charlie shook his head with disdain.

"So that's your solution then?" he asked, "anything you deem a threat is destroyed, regardless?"

"Alright guys, enough now." Ron leaned across to speak to both.

"What are you talking about?" Harry exclaimed, ignoring Ron, "what is it you would want to do with a potential threat? Dine and date it?"

Charlie was fuming, his ears and neck flushing a pale pink.

"Not everything that's dangerous deserves to be killed," he argued, "look at Dragons? They are a potential threat. They are termed as dangerous beasts. If control was in your hands, you would kill every last one, making them extinct!"

"So flying beasts that breathe fire are wiped out from the world, what exactly is your argument?" Harry asked.

Charlie's jaw clenched, fists curled.

"I seriously don't understand who allowed you to teach," he said with disgust, "it's a disgrace."

"Charlie, enough!" Bill snapped.

"No, no," Harry waved a hand at him, "let him talk, get it out in the open, once and for all." he glared at Charlie, "go on, tell me, what's your problem?"

"You are the problem!" Charlie hissed, "you and everything you represent!"

The table hushed, every eye on either Harry or Charlie.

"What I represent?" Harry hissed.

"Dark magic!" Charlie spat the word out, "there, I said it!" he glared at Harry, "that's all you've known all your life; how to control dark magic and now, that is exactly what you're teaching innocent children."

"Instinctual magic," Harry returned, "that's what I teach, Instinctual magic, not dark magic."

"You teach children how to manipulate their cores, how to defend against threats but it's not a simple case of disarming the opponent, no, you teach them how to destroy it." Charlie's eyes blazed, "You're teaching them how to kill!"

Harry had enough. He shot to his feet, nearly upturning the table.

"Harry! No!" Damien was up in a flash, by his brother's side. Ron jumped to his feet too.

Charlie had risen, wand clutched in his hand.

"Charlie! Don't!" Bill, Fred and George were by his side.

But it was Ginny's intervention that halted them.

"Stop it!" she yelled, "Stop it, stop it! both of you! Just-just stop!"

They all turned to stare at her. So engrossed they were in the argument, they hadn't noticed her.

"Ginny-" Harry started.

"I don't want to hear it!" she snapped. "I'm sick and tired of this! Of both of you!" she glared at Charlie, "you have no right to talk to my husband like that. You have no right to accuse him of anything!" she turned to Harry, "and you! What were you about to do?" she yelled, "you got up to strike my brother?" she asked, "tell me! What were you about to do?"

Harry didn't answer. His fists unclenched and his darkened eyes began to brighten.

"I'm not the one-"

"I don't care!" Ginny said, "I don't care if you started it," she turned to glare at Charlie, "I don't care if you hate him, I don't care anymore, just stop fighting!" she turned from one to the other, "I've had it! I can't take this anymore! Either you're at his throat or he's at yours! Can't the two of you just quit it?"

"Ginny-"

"No!" Ginny held out a hand as Charlie took a step forward, "don't!" she warned, "I don't want to talk to you. In fact, I don't even want to look at you right now!" she felt a twinge in her side and distractedly rubbed at it, "I can't deal with this crap between you two, not right now," she let out a breath, "right now, I have more important things to deal with, like my baby."

Harry stepped forward.

"It must be almost one," he said quietly, "come on, we should go."

"I'm not going with you." Ginny said at once.

"Gin-"

"No," Ginny glared angrily, "I'm going by myself!"

"I'll take you." Percy stood up, wiping his face clean with a napkin.

"I'll come too." Bill got up.

"It's okay, I've got this." Percy insisted.

"No," Harry said, "I'm her husband, I'll take her."

"I don't want to be near you, right now," Ginny said angrily, "why don't you stay here and duel with my family some more?"

Harry stared at her.

"Gin?"

But she only glared at him, before taking Percy's arm and storming away.

xxx

The brunch had abruptly ended after Ginny's departure. Harry bid a quick goodbye to the perplexed Molly, Arthur and his parents, who knew nothing about the argument, before leaving. He apparated home, annoyed and agitated. He pulled off his cloak and practically threw it across the room. With a sigh he ran a hand through his hair. What was wrong with him? Charlie may be a first-class prick, but he was still his brother-in-law. He had to tolerate him and his taunts, for Ginny's sake.

He grimaced. Ginny had been so angry. He hadn't seen her so worked up before. Guilt bubbled inside him; he knew how much her family meant to her and she was heavily pregnant, he shouldn't have upset her when she was in this state.

Harry barely waited ten minutes before he gave up. He couldn't sit at home when he was supposed to be at the clinic, at the prenatal check with Ginny. He got up and apparated, straight to the main reception of the clinic.

The loud pop of his apparition made the receptionist jump, almost unsettling the thick file in her hands. The petite blond narrowed her eyes at Harry.

"Mr Potter, how many times do I have to request-"

"Not to apparate into the premises, sorry Trish, I forgot." Harry finished for her.

She smiled at him, pushing her wire framed glasses higher on her nose. Eight months ago, she had met the famous Harry Potter for the first time. She had been nervous and jittery the whole day, expecting the worst. She had worried he might blast her into a million pieces if she made him wait too long to see the midwife. Or one look of his infamous black-eyes would set her on fire. But she was pleasantly surprised to see Harry wasn't at all how he was portrayed. He was courteous and very charming. If it wasn't for the petite, fiery haired wife by his side, Trish would've fallen for him, hard.

"You always forget," she teased, "anyway, what can I do for you?"

Harry walked over to her desk.

"I would like to see my wife, please."

Trish's smile faltered and her eyes narrowed.

"Mrs Potter?" she asked, "she's not here."

Harry nodded, rolling his eyes.

"Okay, I know she's pissed at me," he said, "but it's my baby too. I have a right to attend the check up appointments."

Trish shook her head.

"No, Mr Potter, she's not here. I'm not joking."

Harry's smile faltered.

"But, she had a one o'clock appointment. She left to come here."

Trish checked the folder in front of her and then shook her head.

"I can see her appointment booked but it's not been marked. She never turned up."

Harry felt like the ground had slipped from under his feet.

"Never showed up?" he asked, "what does that mean? Where is she?"

Trish suddenly found her long lost fear for him return, tripled in intensity, as she watched the green of his eyes darkening.

"I-I don't know." she stuttered, "I'm sure it's nothing. Maybe she's running late-"

"No," he shook his head, "she left in time. She should be here!"

Trish didn't know what to say.

"Mr Potter, I-" her eyes widened, her gaze on something behind Harry, "Mr-Mr Potter." she pointed a finger at him.

Harry turned around and his breath hitched in his chest.

A patronus, a silvery white owl, flapped it's way in, hovering just in front of Harry.

'Ginny's hurt! Attacked! At St Mungos, hurry!'

Percy's voice was filled with panic, fear so raw it was tangible.

Harry didn't waste a moment. He disapparated on the spot, before the silvery owl faded into nothing.

xxx

Harry stormed his way to the emergency ward of St Mungos. The Healer at the desk flinched as he thundered towards her.

"My wife's been brought here!" he said, "Ginny Potter, where is she?"

The Healer got up, quickly coming around the desk.

"Mr Potter, your wife is having emergency surgery right now-"

"What happened to her?" Harry demanded.

The woman recoiled at the sight of his darkened eyes, but she bravely pushed on.

"She was-was injured in the attack. The surgeons are with her, please, remain calm-"

But Harry had already turned, tearing his way down the length of the corridor, searching for the operation room.

As soon as he passed the heavy double doors, he saw a group of people huddled at the very end, outside the door to the operating room. As Harry approached, Molly and Arthur lifted their heads, eyes red rimmed and moist. Bill, Charlie, Ron and the twins were there too. Damien and Hermione were on the other side, sitting on the bench. As soon as they spotted Harry, they got to their feet. Damien hurried to him.

"Harry."

"What happened?" Harry demanded.

Damien faltered, pale and shaky.

"There was an attack, that's all we know," he said, "Ginny and Percy both were wounded."

Harry's eyes, a deep dark green, darted to the doors and he moved towards them. Damien held onto his arm.

"They're operating on her, Harry. You can't go in."

Harry reacted like someone had burned him.

"Operating on her?"

Damien nodded, sorrow and fear in his eyes.

"It'll be okay, Harry. Ginny's going to be fine and...and...even if they have to take the baby out, it's only two weeks early. It's perfectly okay for it to be born now." he told him, but the conviction was lacking in his voice.

Harry was shaking his head. He moved forward again, but Damien refused to let go. Hermione quickly joined Damien.

"You're not going to make anything better by storming in," she told him, "just wait, everything's going to be okay. Ginny's going to be fine, trust me."

The doors behind Harry opened again and two frantic pairs of footsteps hurried along. It was James and Lily.

"We just got Percy's patronus," James said, slightly out of breath, "what happened?"

"We don't know," Arthur replied, his voice cracked, "we just got Percy's message and when we arrived here, we were told Ginny's having emergency treatment."

Lily couldn't hold back her gasp. Her eyes darted to her son and she quickly came to his side.

"It'll be okay," she assured, "Ginny's strong, she'll be fine, the baby will be fine." she repeated Damien's assurances but Harry couldn't ease the knot of panic that had twisted inside him. He paced the corridor outside, trying with all his might to calm down, to think positive, but he just couldn't.

'I should have been with her!'

The thought ran through his mind again and again, tearing at his heart. He should have been by her side, he should have protected her. She should never have been attacked. She was vulnerable, their baby-Harry closed his eyes, unable to contemplate his child's fate. He had no idea how badly hurt Ginny was. What had happened? Who were the attackers? He didn't know anything and it was the fear of the unknown that was clawing it's way through him, leaving him feeling torn to shreds.

The door to the right clicked open and a stretcher was levitated out, two medi-witches controlling it. Harry whipped around to see a pale looking Percy on the stretcher, a thick bandage wrapped around his torso and arm. In a flash, Harry was by his side, the rest of the Potters and Weasleys running behind him.

"Percy!" Harry halted the stretcher.

Percy's eyes, missing his glasses, widened as he recognised Harry. A trembling hand reached out and a painful whimper left him.

"H-Harry!"

Harry grabbed a hold of his hand.

"Percy, what happened?"

Percy's eyes, horribly bloodshot, began to tear up.

"Harry! I'm-I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry, I-I couldn't...couldn't do anything in time-"

"What happened Percy?" Bill asked, from next to Harry.

"I-I...I tried-but they were too-too fast."

"Who?" Harry demanded, "who attacked you?"

Percy met Harry's darkened gaze and forced the word out in a strained whisper.

"Orcs."

At once, Harry's world tilted. His heart skipped several beats and he could do no more than listen in numbed horror.

"Orcs?" Bill repeated, shaking his head, "no, it can't be, there's no Orcs left in Britain!"

"They-they're back." Percy trembled.

Harry's grip on Percy's hand tightened, so much so, it was a miracle he didn't break any bones.

"What happened?" he asked, "you were supposed to take her to the clinic. Why didn't you get there?"

Percy closed his eyes, suppressing a sob.

"We-we took the Knight Bus, Ginny was...she was still upset. The bus pulled up to one of it's stops and-and there were stalls set up. There was a pickle stand and Ginny-Ginny wanted pickles," Percy shook his head, "she was supposed to stay on the bus," he breathed, "I told the driver to wait and went to the stall, to get her the pickles." his eyes clouded over. "They just came, a whole swarm of Orcs, they just appeared from the fields and attacked the crowd. Ginny had already followed me off the bus," he looked at Harry, meeting the black-as-night gaze. "They attacked her before I could do anything," tears leaked out of his eyes, "They were too fast. I tried, I fought them off but-but they had already bit her-"

Harry let go and stumbled back. His breath seemed to jar at his insides. He felt Damien and Hermione's hands on him, but he pushed them away. It had been many years since he read about Orcs, but the one thing he remembered was how these flesh-eating beasts had fangs; poisonous fangs. His mind repeated one thing over and over; Ginny had been bit.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" Percy continued, tears cut down his cheeks, his apologies aimed at his parents, his brothers and at Harry even as the Medi-witches levitated the stretcher away.

Percy's recollection of the attack left everyone in horrified silence. Worry over Ginny's welfare intensified and nearly everyone was lost in silent prayers. It was almost half an hour later, when the door to the operation theatre opened and a Healer stepped out. The middle aged man glanced at the assembled crowd, his stare resting on Harry. He stepped forward but stopped as the crowd of people rushed to him.

"Is Ginny okay?"

"Healer, how's my daughter? Is she okay?"

The Healer held up both hands.

"Mr Harry Potter," he called to him, "could I speak to you, please."

Harry stepped past Arthur to stand directly before the Healer.

"How's my wife?" he asked, "tell me she's okay."

The Healer nodded.

"She's fine," he confirmed, "she's expected to make a full recovery."

Harry's relief was overwhelming. His lips lifted in a small smile, but his heart continued to thump painfully fast.

"Was she poisoned by the bite?" he asked.

"The Orc literally took a bite out of her," the Healer revealed, to the utmost shock of the others, "we managed to drain the poison out of her and heal the bite wound. It'll take time but she will heal." he grew subdued and dropped his gaze, seemingly preparing himself for something, before meeting Harry's gaze, "but, I'm afraid, we weren't able to save the baby."

Harry stared at him. The words washed over him and he understood the meaning, but somehow, he didn't believe him. It was as if all feeling and thoughts had momentarily deserted him, leaving him numb.

"The poison had spread through her body," the Healer continued, "by the time she was brought here, the baby had already stopped breathing," he shook his head regretfully, "I'm so sorry for your loss, Mr Potter. There was nothing we could do."

Harry was vaguely aware of Mrs Weasley's sobs behind him, but his mind had stopped reacting. He just stood there, eyes locked with this Healer, trying with all his might to speak but he could do nothing.

"We've operated and removed the baby," the Healer was saying "there are grief counsellors available, if you wish to speak to them-"

Then, like a tidal wave, it hit him.

In the blink of an eye, his hands were in the Healer's robes, clutching at his collars. Eyes that had somehow lightened at the news that his wife had survived, were now a bottomless black. Teeth bared, Harry growled at the terrified man in his grip.

"You're lying!" he accused.

"Harry! Harry, stop!" his dad was calling to him, several hands were pulling at him, but Harry ignored them all.

"My baby's not dead!" Harry roared, shaking the Healer, "you're lying! Why are you lying!"

"Harry!" James' voice shouted in his ear, "he saved Ginny's life! He saved her, let him go!"

Harry blinked and his grip slackened, allowing the Healer to pull himself free. Harry found he had his dad, Damien, Bill and Ron all holding onto him, trying to keep him away from the Healer. They let go, all but James, who kept a tight grip on his son, his arms thrown around Harry's shoulders.

"He did all he could, son," James continued, "he's not to blame. He saved Ginny's life."

Harry looked up at the man, his vision blurry all of a sudden. The Healer, although shaken and terrified, straightened up and stepped forward, a little hesitation in his movements.

"I'm really very, very sorry." he said again. "I understand your pain, I do," he said, "it's a tragic loss and my heart goes out to you and your family." he met James' eyes, nodded at him and walked away, passing the weeping crowd.

Harry still had James' arms wrapped around him, but instead of fighting, Harry collapsed into them. His strength left him. His anger, his rage, it all left him. All that remained was pain and the feeling of loss, so strong, it felt like a part of him had been ripped out-out of his very heart-leaving it weeping blood.

xxx

Harry opened the door softly. She was lying on the white bed, her red hair plaited in a loose ponytail, no doubt by the Healers to keep it out of the way. He could see the white bandage, wrapped around her right shoulder, covering part of her neck. She was facing away from the door, but Harry could tell she was awake. His eyes travelled down and stopped at her middle. Her bulging belly was gone. Her wonderful pregnant belly that held their first child. It was gone, just like their child was gone.

Harry steeled himself and walked in. She must have heard him but still, she didn't look his way, but kept staring in the opposite direction. Harry sat down beside her, the bed dipped with his weight, but still, Ginny didn't react. He could see her face now, her eyes were open, a slight bruise on her cheek, mouth pressed into a line. Harry reached out, gently touching her cheek.

"Ginny."

She didn't move. But when his fingers touched her skin, she closed her eyes and drew in a breath, one that shook her slight frame. Slowly, she turned her head so her bloodshot brown eyes could meet his. For the first few seconds nothing happened. Then Ginny's grip broke; her lips quivered, no matter how hard she pressed them, her face crumpled and fresh tears welled in her eyes.

"H-Harry."

He pulled her up, taking her into his embrace. Her head rested against his shoulder as he held her with both hands.

"Harry!" Ginny wept, her hands grabbed fistfuls of his shirt as she clung to him, "Harry, my baby," she cried, "they-they took my baby, Harry, they took my baby!"

Harry didn't know who she meant by they? Whether it was the Orcs who were responsible for the miscarriage or the Healers who had delivered the baby but had taken the body away. Regardless, Harry didn't have anything he could say. He cradled her head, his other hand wrapped around her tightly.

"Shh, Ginny, it's okay." he said in her ear, "it's okay."

Ginny cried, harder than she had ever cried in her life. She clutched at Harry and sobbed desperately.

"It-it was a boy," she breathed, in between her gasping cries.

Harry closed his eyes, his grip around her tightened. His head dipped and fought with himself, but a few tears leaked out regardless.

"It was a boy, Harry," Ginny repeated, "my baby boy, they took my baby boy!" she cried.

"It's okay, Ginny, it's okay," Harry repeated, cradling her head. His eyes were black and his jaw set. "It's going to be okay. I promise, it's all going to be okay."

xxx

When Harry walked out of Ginny's room, he didn't stop to speak to anyone.

"Harry?" Damien called but he was ignored as Harry walked right past him, down the corridor until he came to a room. He kicked the door open and darted inside, prompting James, Damien and a few of the Weasley boys to run in after him.

"Harry!" James called.

But Harry paid him no heed. He swept inside, grabbed the still recovering Percy and dragged him out of the bed.

"Harry! Stop!" Bill yelled and darted towards him.

But Harry had already slammed Percy against the wall, holding him there in a brutal grip.

"Where!" he roared into Percy's face, "tell me exactly where it happened?"

Percy whimpered.

"Harry-"

"Tell me where, Percy!" Harry shook him.

"S-Saltford Market," Percy replied, "d-don't go there, there were so many of them-Harry, please-"

But Harry had let go of him, letting him fall to the floor. He turned and headed out the door, past James and Damien.

Bill and Ron rushed to help their brother, while Damien ran after his.

"Harry! Harry, where are you going?" Damien tried to grab a hold of Harry, but couldn't get a grip on him. "Harry, don't do anything! Don't go after them, you heard, Percy? There are too many of them! Please-listen, Harry!"

James suddenly grabbed a hold of Damien, pulling him away.

"Don't," he said quietly. He turned to watch Harry leave, "let him go. He needs to do this."

Stunned, Damien turned to him.

"What if he gets hurt?" he asked.

James' eyes were on Harry's retreating form.

"He already hurt. There's nothing more anyone can do to hurt him. Let him go."

Damien watched as Harry disapparated, the loud pop echoed in the air, until it became silent once more.

xxx

In a cave, south to Saltford Market, a large crowd of Orcs lazed, sleepy-eyed with satiety. They were an ugly and filthy creation; sallow-skinned, bow-legged, long-armed with broad flat-noses, wide mouths and slanted eyes.

There were at least thirty of them, gathered in a large circle, grunting and some snoring. Their attack today had rewarded them with plenty to eat, their flesh-eating appetite had been sufficiently fulfilled, for toady. Tomorrow brought with it another attack, in another place.

The large stone they had used to block the mouth of the cave suddenly trembled. The sound of it, jittering against the mouth, roused a few Orcs from their slumber. Another moment of complete silence before the rock blew up in an almighty explosion, raining rock dust and debris on the Orcs. They all sat up, grunting and baring their fangs.

All they saw, was one wizard, standing at the entrance. His eyes were black; the darkest, bottomless-pit-black that struck fear in the hearts of even ferocious beasts such as these. They could see the man's dark eyes travel from one Orc to the other. Sparks of magic snapped all around him, illuminating his form in the darkness of the cave. The Orcs stood up, baring their fangs at the dark wizard. With a snarl, Harry leapt inside. If only the Orcs knew they never stood a chance against him, they might had tried fleeing instead.

xxx

Damien was awake when Harry returned, almost three in the morning. He had decided to stay in Harry's home, to be here when he came back. His parents waited in Potter Manor, in case Harry went there, but Damien knew Harry would come back to his own home.

He flicked on the lights as soon as he heard the pop of apparition. He walked out of the room, coming to the stairs but froze. Harry stood in the landing, dripping in blood. The smell, even at this distance, told Damien the blood wasn't Harry's. Drenched in, what was undoubtedly, Orc blood, Harry looked like a deranged beast himself. He took a few steps before looking up to meet Damien's eyes, with deadened black ones.

The sight of him, made shivers run up Damien's back. Never in his life, did Damien fear his brother, but what he saw today, didn't look anything like Harry. The aura around him was palpitating with darkness; so rich Damien could almost taste the fear on his tongue. His hair and face was splattered with blood drops, his front and legs covered. Drops of Orc blood were dripping off his fingers and Damien realised Harry had most likely ripped the beasts apart with his bare hands.

Harry's black eyes watched him, waiting for a response, but all Damien did was stare at him. Without a word, Harry continued to the bathroom, closing the door behind him with a solid click.

xxx

The knocks pounded on the front door, continuing their rapt rhythm until Harry opened it, revealing two blue uniformed Aurors at his doorstep.

"Mr Potter?" one of them, a blond, enquired.

Harry, still dark-eyed which were now red rimmed, leaned against the door frame.

"Yeah?"

"I'm Auror Murray, this is Auror Williams," the blond introduced, "I was wondering if we could ask you some questions?"

"Now's not a good time." Harry replied, his words badly slurred.

"We're making enquiries about a mass murder that took place in a cave, just south of Saltford Market," Auror Williams said, "we would like to question you in regards to that."

Harry just shrugged.

"Why?" he asked.

"May we come in?" Murray asked.

"No." Harry replied.

The two Aurors traded a glance but turned to Harry.

"Mr Potter, we understand there was an attack by a swarm of Orcs yesterday afternoon. We believe you suffered a personal casualty-"

"You better stop there," Harry growled, his eyes rapidly darkening again, "I lost my child yesterday, my wife was nearly killed."

"We're very sorry to hear about your loss." Murray said.

"Like fuck you are," Harry seethed, "what the hell do you want?"

"Mr Potter, where were you between the hours of six in the evening yesterday and two in the morning today?" Murray asked.

Harry smirked at him, black eyes fixed on both, nervous looking men.

"Why?"

"Because a cave full of gutted Orcs was found this morning-"

"Doesn't sound like a loss to me." Harry remarked,.

"-and the essence of dark magic is enriched into the very walls of the cave," the Auror continued, "magic that is so brutal, it could only have come from one source."

Harry smirked at him again.

"Are you trying to suggest it was me?"

"Mr Potter," Williams straightened up, "we believe you had a personal vendetta against them, for their attack on your wife yesterday. The evidence left behind implicates you. Surely you can understand why you're being questioned?"

"If you're here to arrest me, go ahead." Harry said.

The Aurors looked between them again.

"Mr Potter, could you tell us where you were between the hours of six and two, please?"

"He can't," came a voice from behind Harry. He turned to see Charlie Weasley in his hallway, "but I can."

Harry looked at Charlie in surprise as the man walked up and stood next to him.

"Who are you?" Murray asked.

"Charlie Weasley," he answered, "it was my sister that was attacked by those Orcs yesterday."

"Very sorry about that." Murray repeated.

"It's okay," Charlie replied, "but you're not here to pay condolences for our family's loss, are you?" he asked, "no, you're here to see if Harry was in anyway involved in the massacre of the Orcs?"

"We have to follow every possible lead." Williams said.

"I understand," Charlie said, blue eyes firm and set on the Auror, "but you're wasting your time. Harry was here, with me and his younger brother, all evening and night."

Harry glanced at Charlie, finding his surprise hard to mask. The Aurors looked from Harry back to Charlie.

"You were here between the hours of six and-"

"Right up until now? Yes." Charlie interrupted.

"Can we ask what the occasion was?" Williams asked.

"Occasion?" Charlie asked, hissing the word out, "my sister just lost her unborn child yesterday," he pointed at Harry, "his son and my nephew," he stared at the two Aurors, "she was almost killed! Both of us were here, drinking our grief away. As was Damien Potter, who is still sleeping upstairs by the way, so I can call him down if you want to question him too?"

The Aurors shook their heads.

"That won't be necessary." Murray said, "what time did you retire to bed?"

"We didn't," Charlie replied, "any other questions?"

The two men glanced at Harry. He looked like someone who hadn't slept at all the night before and they could smell the alcohol on him. They shared another glance before shaking their heads at Charlie.

"No, thank you, that will be all."

"Good." Charlie closed the door in their faces.

That left only him and Harry in the hallway. A strained silence fell between them. Both men didn't speak. After a long pause, Charlie moved towards the kitchen.

"Mum sent over some food. Figured you might get hungry at some point."

Harry didn't say anything. Charlie was about to head to the floo, leaving as he had arrived, when he stopped. He turned, pained blue eyes on Harry.

"I hope you got every last one of those Orcs."

Harry nodded.

Charlie nodded in return.

"Good."

He turned and disappeared in a flash of green flames.

xxx

The room was small and very white. White walls, white curtains, even the blankets were white. The only two pieces of furniture in the room was a single chair and the small glass cot. Harry sat in the chair, head lowered, his whole frame stooped over, resembling a man who had lost the ability to stand tall.

With great effort he looked up, at the glass cot that had been wheeled in just a few minutes ago. The bundle inside was wrapped up in crisp white blankets, face covered too and Harry got a sudden bout of panic erupt in his chest. How many times had he read in parenting books, never to leave any loose covers in the baby's crib, in case it covered the baby's face.

It could suffocate.

It could die.

Grief was like a blade and it was stuck in Harry's chest, making every breath feel like agony. With slow movements, Harry got up on unsteady feet and walked the two steps to the cot. He reached in and lifted the baby out. It weighed next to nothing, so light and so, so small. Harry cradled his son in his arms, held the tiny cold bundle to his chest. With a trembling hand, Harry pulled the covers away so he could see his son for the first time. The small face that was revealed was the single most achingly beautiful thing he had ever seen. He stared at the face, at the closed eyes, the small nose and the thin lips that had now turned blue. The baby boy had a generous covering of black hair on it's tiny head and Harry found himself idly deducing that was why Ginny got such terrible heartburn.

Holding the dead body of his infant son broke something in Harry. His strength left him and slowly, he knelt to the ground, cradling the baby in his arms.

Harry cried.

Clutching his baby to his chest, Harry broke down, sobs racked through him, shaking his once strong frame.

"Jamie," he breathed, "J-Jamie." he uttered the name again and again, brokenly.

Behind the door, Damien and James watched, tears leaking out of their eyes at the sight of Harry. Damien took in a steadying breath, wiped at his cheeks and reached out to open the door. James stopped him.

"No, Damien, just let him be."

"Dad?" Damien looked at him, "Harry needs us. He-he needs someone to be there with him."

But James shook his head.

"He needs to grieve," he said, "if you go inside now, Harry will close up. He'll put on a strong façade because that's all he knows; how to be strong for everyone else." he looked sadly at his weeping son, crumpled on the ground, "but he needs to grieve, to cry, to get all that pain out because if he doesn't," he turned to Damien, "that grief will kill him."

Damien turned back, tears running freely down his face as he watched his brother. Damien wept at the door, as inside the room, Harry succumbed to his heartache.

xxx

James pushed open the door to the pub, glancing around the deserted place. There was only one person still there, propped on the bar stool, a tall glass in front of him. James sighed before walking towards him. He met the eyes of the barmaid, who nodded at him in greeting. James nodded back and mouthed the words, 'thank-you'. If she never contacted him, he still wouldn't know where Harry had disappeared to. Madame Rosmerta smiled back and glanced at Harry, before walking to the back room, giving the Potters some privacy.

James came to sit next to Harry, who gave no reaction to his arrival. James' gaze raked through Harry; messy haired, eyes still not back to their usual bright green and still bloodshot and puffy, telling him he hadn't slept in days and a four day stubble covered the bottom part of his face.

"Ready to call it a night?" James asked.

Harry shook his head, tilting the glass with amber liquid to his mouth.

"It's almost five in the morning, Harry," James said, "you've been here, drinking since five in the afternoon, that's almost twelve hours of straight drinking," his gaze scanned Harry, "you'll kill yourself."

Harry nodded, that's all the response he gave.

"Ginny's being discharged in two days," James said, "you want her to see you like this?"

Harry didn't reply.

"Come on, Harry," James urged, "you have to pull yourself together, this-drinking yourself to death- it isn't going to help."

Harry nodded again.

"I know." he whispered. He rubbed at his eyes, "I know."

Even though he had been at Three Broomsticks, drinking for half the day, he didn't sound drunk. It was as if the hole inside him was so vast, it took in what he was drinking, leaving him still painfully aware.

"I know what you're thinking, Harry," James said, "I can see it, the guilt, on you as thick as a coat." he reached out to him, "but there's nothing you could have done. No one saw that Orc attack coming. Orcs haven't been a problem for Britain in almost two hundred years." James pointed out, "no one knew that attack was going to happen. Even if you were with Ginny, how do you know for certain you could have protected her?"

Again, Harry said nothing.

"We got lazy," James admitted, "we got comfortable, thinking the world was a safe place, with no more Dark Lords and no more Death Eaters," James held onto Harry's arm, "but it's a mistake that we won't be making again. Remus and Kingsley are already reforming the Order and Diggory is putting forth dozens of practises that will regulate and actively seek out potential threats and-"

He paused when Harry pulled both hands up and cradled his head, eyes closed, jaw clenched.

"It's hard to see it now, but time will heal everything." James said, "I'm not saying you'll forget what happened, but ten years down the line, you'll be so occupied with your family, with your children that this time in your life, it'll be a distant memory."

Harry dropped his hands and shook his head.

"No," he croaked, "no, it won't."

"What?" James asked, confused, "what won't happen?"

"Family," Harry said, "kids," he shook his head, lifting up his drink again, "it won't happen."

"Harry?" James reached out, halting his arm, so he couldn't drink, "why are you saying that?"

Harry turned to look at James, his eyes a dark forest green but so bloodshot it made James' eyes water just looking at them.

"Because I know why it happened," he said, "why Jamie..." he stopped, pain flashed across his features and he grimaced. He shook his head, taking another gulp, "it's punishment," he said, "the fates are punishing me. I'm not supposed to be a father."

"Harry?" James' eyes widened and he shook his head slowly, "don't think like that-"

"Why not?" Harry asked, tears had started to well in his eyes, "I don't deserve to be a father, not after what I did." he smiled, even as drops fell from his eyes, "I killed the man that I called father all my life and tried, twice, to kill my actual father," he shook his head in morbid amusement of his own misfortune. "How can someone hope to become a father themselves after doing all that?" he asked, "Karma doesn't skip anyone, it took nine years, but it finally caught up with me."

James reached over and pulled the glass away from Harry's slack grip. He turned Harry around, so he was facing him.

"Listen to me, once and for all," James said, so angry his words came out more like a snarl, "you. didn't. do. anything. wrong!" each word fierce and powerful, "you were tricked and manipulated. What you did to me was justified, seeing what you believed at the time," he said, "and Voldemort? Harry, you didn't have a choice. Contrary to what you believe, Voldemort would have killed you if you didn't kill him. He had, in all essence, killed Damien. He would have turned on me next or your mum, or the thousands of innocent people of Hogsmeade," he shook his head at Harry, "you may have killed Voldemort but you saved thousands from his cruelty, can't you see that?"

Harry sat quietly, with no response. James sat back, his mind frantically trying to find a way to break Harry out of this vicious trap of guilt, one that had not released him in nine long years.

"Alright, you know what, Harry?" James started, "you're right, you did try to kill me, twice," he held up two fingers, "but you were also the one that saved my life, donated your own core to save me," one finger dropped down, "and you ran out into a street filled with Daywalkers to help me, saving my life again," he dropped the second finger, "and time and time again, you risked your life to save someone else, whether it was Ginny or Nigel or Damien," he tilted his head to the side, "why do you only see the sins, Harry? Why can't you see the good deeds you've done, the one that far surpass your crimes?"

Harry didn't have anything to say.

"Harry?" James cupped his face, forcing Harry to look up so he could meet his gaze, "you, above all, deserve to be a father," he said, "I've seen you when you were only sixteen, the way you would take care of Nigel and the care you showed a child that had no relation to you whatsoever," he smiled, "I remember thinking, even at that time, how wonderful a father you would be." Harry tried to pull away, so he could shake his head. He closed his eyes but James refused to let go. "Look at yourself through my eyes, through your mum's eyes, through Ginny's and Damien's eyes," James said, "and you'll see that you are a good person. Regardless of what's happened in your past, the darkness that's been a part of your life, you, deep down, are still a good person with a pure heart. You possess an innate goodness that even Voldemort couldn't corrupt."

Harry opened his eyes and James almost lost the tight control he had on his own emotions, at the sight of the uncertainty on Harry's face.

"Sometimes, bad things happen to good people, Harry. It's not fate's punishment, it's not Karma, it's got nothing to do with one's past. It's just life," James looked deep into Harry's darkened eyes. "To be a father is a blessing, Harry, and you deserve to be blessed and you will. Mark my words Harry, you will have a family. You will have children and you will be happy. I promise."

xxx

James walked up the stairs, looking for Harry. Lily and Molly were downstairs, preparing a meal in Harry's kitchen. Remus, Sirius and Hermione were tidying the rooms downstairs. James knew Harry was home, but he hadn't seen him yet. He reached the second landing and saw one door left ajar. He walked closer and pushed the door open to see Harry and Damien inside. Brown boxes were dotted around the room. Many of the ornate furnishings had been taken apart and some of it was already packed away. A small wardrobe was being emptied by Damien, while Harry lifted the heavier dismantled parts of a dresser and packed them away.

"What are you doing?" James asked.

Harry glanced up.

"Ginny's coming home in two hours," he said, "I don't want her to see this."

James glanced around the nursery, his heart clenching.

"You need any help?" he asked.

Harry shook his head.

Damien caught James' eye. He sent him a pacifying look, as if to say, 'it's-okay-I'm-here-with-him'.

James watched as Damien packed away the baby's clothes, an assortment of white, cream and yellow outfits, since they didn't know the baby's gender then.

Harry walked to the door, pausing next to James. But Harry's eyes were fixed on the door, and not his dad. Slowly, Harry reached out and gently touched the plaque with JAMIE adorned in pastel colours. His fingers lingered on the name, as if taking their last feel of the word. In one smooth move, Harry lifted the plaque off the door and carried it back into the room. He placed it in the box, on top of Jamie's unworn clothes and stepped away.

James tried, with all his might, to blink back his tears and watched as Harry stood over the crib that had never been slept in. Piece by piece, Harry took it apart.

History had a cruel way of repeating itself. James remembered how he had felt, all those years ago, when he had packed away his son's room, with a bleeding heart. Now, twenty four years later, James was cursed to stand back and watch his son go through that same pain, that same heartbreak.

James' eyes darted to Damien, watching as the ever dutiful brother stayed by Harry's side, helping him gather together all the belongings of the little Potter that would stay in their memories forever, even when he never took a single breath in this world.

Damien had been James' salvation. He was the blessing that gave James a new life.

James looked back at Harry with tear-filled eyes and he knew, he knew Harry would only live again once a Damien came into his life.

To be a father was a blessing, and James prayed with all his heart and soul, his son would be blessed soon.

xxx