Visions of Ginger (after The Better Man)

July was coming to a close and August loomed with all of its portents. A year ago Bill and Fleur were married. A year ago the Death Eaters seized control of the Ministry. A year ago Harry, Ron and Hermione left on the mission that would test them all to their limits. But before that emotional anniversary could occur, Harry Potter had to turn eighteen. This was, all things considered, something of an accomplishment.

For weeks before the day, he had insisted to everyone that would listen that all he wanted was a small gathering of his family. He didn't need nor want anything else. Molly had promised him that it would just be family, but in Harry's case 'family' was a loose term.

Charlie arrived the night before via port key. Hagrid flew in on his repaired motorbike in the morning for the occasion. Finally, Andromeda arrived a short time later with Teddy, who had become rather fond of his godfather over the last couple of months.

Including all the Weasleys who lived in England, it was a cozy gathering of fourteen. Fifteen, if the Minister of Magic, whom arrived late in the afternoon, was also counted. The day had been filled with heaping piles of food, laughter and somber moments when those who were lost were remembered.

With so much of the family gathered, the inevitable Quidditch game was started with the Minister himself as referee. Never had a game of Weasley-House-Rules Quidditch been played with such sportsmanship.

After the game finished, Ron looked round to find Hermione whom he had seen watching from the shade of a tree.

"She's gone into the house, dear." Molly called to her son. "Teddy needed a clean nappy."

Ron helped himself to a bottle of Butterbeer and wandered back to the house. Standing his broom at the garden door, he entered quietly in case Teddy had finally managed to fall asleep.

He found Hermione in the sitting room, reclining in an armchair, Teddy dozing on her chest. Since his arrival, she had taken to the infant like a gnome to dirt- and he to her. Andromeda said she was "a natural."

Teddy's hair was still ginger- it had quickly turned so when presented with so many red heads- and Hermione was gently stroking it and humming quietly. Ron didn't know the tune, but it seemed to be working. With so much activity, Teddy fought against sleep despite his drooping eyelids.

Watching Hermione coo over and care for the ginger baby caused several lingering doubts in Ron vanish. It wasn't far to stretch to imagine Teddy was their own child- and presented with the reality of it, Ron's heart beat a little quicker and his smile was a little broader.

At the sound of his feet shuffling, Hermione looked at him. She smiled and glanced down at Teddy before returning her gaze to Ron and her smile brightened, her eyes twinkling.

Neither had to say anything- they were both thinking the same thing.

Someday.

A/N: I had thought this might be a chapter, but ideas changed and it ended up just a little drabble. Conveniently, I have this place to drop such stories.

Holding tradition, this chapter was beta'd by Microsoft Word and all errors contained within are my own fault.

I'm convinced that one of my readers if J.K. Rowling in disguise and that she likes my story and thus approves of it. So her solicitors can go shove off.