Harry and Ginny: Starting Over
Author's note: This one had zipped forward a bit, due to the fact that if I did it chapter by chapter of each child they all had it would take forever and I think I may end up with enough chapters to make a whole book…
Platform nine and three quarters.
'James, Albus can you both please stop destroying the house! Lily's sleeping.' Harry called though the door of James' room where he was supposed to be packing for his first year at Hogwarts. James now eleven, Albus Severus, their second son, was ten and Lily their only daughter was eight. 'Mind please Harry, he'll never be packed in time if I don't help.' Ginny stressed pushing past Harry into James' room. 'Al, bed, now please.' She said as she started placed all the necessary on his bed next to his trunk. Albus skulked past Harry to his room next to James' and shut his door noisily. Harry watched from the doorway as Ginny packed all of James' clothing with a flick of her wand. 'You always did have a knack for household spells, Gin.' Harry smiled as he came in and kissed her forehead. You go see Al, I'll help James. Lily's fast asleep so she's ok. She cried a bit not wanting James to go but I told her he's coming back. Bless her she thought he was going forever.' Harry said shaking his head.
Ginny went to Albus' room and Harry took out a large piece of folded parchment from his pocket. 'What's that Dad?' James asked quizzically. 'This is the Marauders Map. You just tap it and say 'I solemnly swear I'm up to no good.' Harry demonstrated. 'And the map of Hogwarts comes up, its how I got about at school to avoid teachers when I was supposed to be in bed, when I was at school. When you're done with the map just say: Mischief Managed. So no one else can read it.' Harry explained. 'Also, I want you to promise not to get into any duels before you know how to duel properly.' Harry said sternly as he hid the map under James' robes. 'Thanks Dad.' James said as he locked his trunk carefully.
'All packed then? I got Albus to go to bed and promised him he can go on the train next year when he goes to Hogwarts.' Ginny flustered as she came in and checked the trunk was locked. 'Would you
stop worrying? He'll be fine: won't you James?' Harry asked his eldest child. 'Yeah, I can't wait, I hope I'm in Gryffindor, and then Teddy will be my prefect! And Victoire is there as well.' James replied enthusiastically. 'And don't forget Neville, he'll be his Herbology teacher, you know Uncle Neville don't you James. He can keep an eye on him for us and Hagrid too. See, that's at least four, and we aren't counting the twins or Nellie and Noah…' Harry rambled trying to stop Ginny worrying.
'Your right. Well, off to bed then James, early start tomorrow. Night my love.' Ginny flushed a tear in her eye. 'Goodnight son.' Harry called as he shut his door. With Kreatcher asleep in his den in the attic, their three children in their beds on the first floor, Harry and Ginny made their way to their room which was on the second floor.
Harry dragged Ginny into bed and slipped her nightgown off and kissed her collar bone softly. 'Demino Taba.' Harry whispered.
The next morning Ginny awoke at half seven. She gently woke James and Albus up before going into Lily's room. She was already sat on her bed fully dressed in a lilac robe with white trousers and tee shirt.
'Are we going yet Mummy?' Lily asked her eyes full of hope. 'No Lily not for another couple of hours. The train doesn't leave until eleven sweet heart.' Ginny reminded her softly as she brushed her auburn curls into plaited pigtails. Lily had tears in her eyes but nodded. Ginny enveloped her into a hug and stroked her rosy cheeks. 'There, there my love. James will come back. We'll see him at Christmas won't we, and Easter and over the summer. If you like we'll pop into Diagon Ally later and buy you some new pretty parchment and you can write to him.' Ginny reasoned rocking Lily back and fourth.
Lily sniffed and nodded, wiping her eyes on her handkerchief. 'Good girl. Come on, let's get some breakfast going. Is Dora coming?' Ginny asked referring to Lily's toy doll which had a charm on it to make her act like a real baby when Lily said a certain word. Lily picked Dora up and said 'Wolf' and the doll's eyes opened; the doll gurgled and moved its arms slowly.
Albus was sat in the living room when Ginny came down, talking to Kreatcher. 'So most house elves don't wear clothes or get paid?' James was asking. James, can you keep an eye on Lily while I sort breakfast, Dad and James should be down soon too.
Lily plonked herself in front of the fire with Dora while Ginny waved her wand and set a frying pan cooking bacon and eggs going.
'Ouch, James be careful! Don't push your trunk down the stairs I could have used magic to do that!' Harry exclaimed loudly as the trunk crashed into his legs, sending him flying. 'Sorry Dad!' James replied helping his father up. 'In future let me get the heavy things, you just go find Gilbert and get him into his cage.' Harry laughed. He entered the kitchen as James booming footsteps died away. 'That kid is certainly giving George a run for his money – more mischief than anything else! Knocked me flying down the stairs with his trunk.' He said kissing Ginny. Lily, who was holding Dora, sat down opposite Harry at the table and Albus joined them. Moments later James came through the door with Gilbert swaying happily on his shoulder. Harry threw Gilbert an owl treat before turning to the plate of breakfast Ginny had just placed in front of him.
At half ten then set off from the burrow to King's cross station which wasn't too far away from Grimmauld place. 'Right James with me then Ginny, Albus and Lily. Ready?' Harry asked turning to James who nodded. Harry and James ran headlong at the wall between platforms nine and ten and emerged on platform nine and three quarters.