Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the chapter you've all been waiting for. Hope you like it.

Life

Ginny groaned and rolled over on her side. The pain soothing draught was starting to wear off. She knew what that meant. Harry rubbed her back gently and whispered soothingly in her ear. She was rather exhausted, as it was now nearly eight o'clock at night, and she'd now been in labour for over seven hours. She'd tried many times to take a nap, but between excitement/pre-birth jitters and the fact that the draught merely dulled the pain (and had been gradually wearing off for the past hour), she found herself unable. What in Merlin's name was taking so long? Why couldn't the kid just be born already?

"Well," Healer Merville said after completing her third examination. "You're about seven centimetres dilated. From this point it could go either way, you could start dilating quickly and deliver in half an hour or you could stay like this for another few hours. There's really no way to tell."

Ginny sighed and leaned her head against Harry's chest. "It hurts," she said quietly.

"I know," Harry said. "You're doing so great. Just think about the baby, Ginny. Think of our son."

Ginny smiled weakly. "I can't wait to hold him."

"Me neither," Harry said. "But we're just going to have to wait a little while longer. Do you think you can do that?"

Ginny nodded.

"See, it's not so bad," he said, unaware of the sheer wrongness of his statement.

Ginny glared at him. "No uterus, no right to comment."

xxx

In the waiting room of the St Mungo's delivery wing, something of a small gathering had formed. Ron and Hermione sat on one couch, holding hands and frequently glancing up at the clock impatiently; Arthur and Molly Weasley spoke animatedly in low voices about the upcoming arrival of their first grandchild; Bill and Fleur sat together on another couch, chatting with Remus and Tonks (who had come to the hospital for a scan and stumbled on the group, deciding to wait with them); and Fred and George sat opposite each other at a small table by the window, playing wizard chess to pass the time.

Molly looked around at the hospital walls. This area of the hospital was rather familiar to her. She'd delivered seven children here ... brought life seven times into the world. She smiled and rolled her eyes at the memory of Fred and George's birth. A series of April Fools jokes from the day had cause havoc in the hospital, and after a long string of strange events, Molly had given birth to the twins in a broom cupboard, with nurses walking in and out. It was quite the show.

"I'm worried about her," Arthur Weasley said to his wife, interrupting her thoughts. "She's our little girl and she's..."

"She's having a baby, yes," Molly said. "I know it's scary, but it's okay. She'll do great, I know it."

"It's just strange," He said. "It feels like just yesterday we were changing her nappies and trying to feed her puréed pumpkin without getting most of it on the ceiling; and now, well... she's about to do all those things for her own child!"

"In a way it's sort of beautiful," Molly said. "Our baby girl is all grown up. Our youngest is giving us a grandchild! Doesn't that make us old?"

Arthur smirked. "You'll never be old Molly. And when you think about it, she might be our youngest, but she's still the first to have a baby." His smile faded slightly. "Though not under the idealist of circumstances."

Molly shrugged and gave him a sad smile. "They were meant to be together. We know that, they know that, everyone knows that. So they got a bit of an early start. Worse things can happen. We just have to see this whole situation as it really is: Two young people who really love each other having a baby together. Our little girl has grown up."

Arthur smiled. "You're very right," he said. "And I'm happy for them. I just wish it wasn't so soon."

"Yeah," Molly agreed. "But, of course, we were only nineteen when Bill was born. Just shy of eighteen when we got married."

"Nineteen is adult," Arthur pointed out.

"Think of all they've been through. Think of all the mature decisions they've made and all the adult things they've had to do. Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Ron are more adult now than most people ever will be. Never forget that."

"I suppose so," Arthur said. He thought for a moment. "I just hope their baby doesn't have to go through that."

"Well that's why we're all still fighting." Molly said. "So he won't have to."

On the other side of the room, Fred and George had struck up a conversation with Ron and Hermione. "Godparents?"Fred asked.

"Does that mean if they kick the bucket, you two get the kid?" George cut in.

"In less rude words, yes," Hermione said.

"Huh," The twins said together.

"I'm rather hurt that they didn't choose us," Fred joked.

"Right you are, Fred," George agreed. "We'd be excellent godfathers."

"Right," Hermione said sarcastically. "You two would be just the best influence."

"Was that sarcasm, I detect," George asked.

"I think it is, George," Fred agreed. They both laughed. "You know, George, I'm still pretty sure they've got twins in there. I mean, Ginny's ungodly huge."

"That would explain it," Fred agreed.

"I think," Hermione said. "That if they were having twins, the healers would know by now. And you can't base the number of infants she carries off of her size. Besides, she would have felt kicking from two areas at once and figured it out by now. Your logic is rather flawed."

"She's got a point," Ron agreed, glad to have something above his brothers.

The twins rolled their eyes and spoke together. "Go snog or something."

xxx

Ginny doubled over in pain, clutching onto Harry's arm for support. "I think it's completely worn off," she said as she composed herself again.

"Should I get the Healer?" He asked, jumping to his feet.

"No- Ow!" she screamed as the pain overwhelmed her again. The contractions were getting closer and closer, and much more intense.

"I'll get him then," Harry said, turning to leave.

"No, don't leave," Ginny said, suddenly feeling very vulnerable. "Not now."

"But Ginny-"

"I need you Harry," Ginny said pleadingly. "Please stay."

Harry looked from Ginny to the door, torn. Part of him knew that she needed to see the Healer, but another part of him couldn't leave her in her state. It was at this point that he got a brilliant idea. "Alright," he said as he crossed the room to stand in front of her. He scooped the very pregnant and therefore very heavy Ginny up into his arms. "Then you're coming with me."

Ginny laughed amidst her discomfort as Harry carried her out of the room and down the hall. They received strange looks from passersby as Harry ran toward the main desk of the wing, carrying his pregnant wife. Their family laughed but was rather unfazed by the strangeness of as they passed the waiting room. "Hi," Ginny called over her shoulder, laughing. They finally reached Healer Merville, who was chatting with a nurse. He gave them a questioning look.

"I think she's ready," Harry said.

The healer smiled and nodded. "I trust your judgment. Off we go then."

They arrived back in the hospital room, where Harry laid Ginny down gently on the bed. She groaned as she was hit with another contraction. She suddenly felt a very strong pressure forming around her hips, giving her the urge to push. "Oh god," she whispered. "This is happening. This is really happening."

"You're right," the Healer said. "It's time. Alright Ginny, he's coming right now. You might want to sit up. You're going t feel a very strong urge to push-"

"Already feeling it," Ginny said breathlessly.

"Alright," The healer said. "Miranda?" He called over his shoulder. A short nurse sped in to stand next to him. "This is Nurse Miranda," he explained. "She's going to assist me with the delivery. Miranda, this is Ginny."

"Hi there luv," She said, smiling. "Alright," she said, "Spread you legs, and on the count of three, you're going to push, okay?"

Ginny nodded quickly, her head shining with sweat. She grabbed Harry's hand and squeezed it tightly.

"Alright luv, one..."

Ginny could feel the pressure building up.

"Two..."

"You're doing great love," Harry said, though he wore a horrified expression.

"Three. Push!"

Ginny felt every ounce of strength in her body bearing down. It was the most excruciating pain she had ever felt, and she squeezed Harry's hand so tightly she nearly broke it. After enormous amounts of effort, Ginny felt that she could not do it anymore, and she gave in.

"Good," the nurse said. "Now try it again. One, two, three, as hard as you can, Ginny."

Ginny, beyond the point of exhaustion and in unfathomable amounts of pain, bore down again, pushing with all her might, until she could no longer.

"Alright, the baby's crowning ... One more big push!"

"I can't do it..." Ginny whimpered.

"Yes you can Ginny!" Harry said encouragingly. "I believe in you!"

"But!"

"Do it for the baby," he said, brushing the hair from her face. "Do it for our son."

Ginny thought of the precious life inside her and dug deep within herself, finding another well of strength she never knew she had. She nodded and in her newfound, grim determination gasped out, "Okay."

Ginny gave one last strong effort and suddenly felt something slip out. She knew instantly what had happened. There were no longer two hearts beating inside of her. Her child was born. The baby wailed instantly at the top of his lungs. A strong, powerful, beautiful cry. Tears rolled down Ginny's face.

"It's a boy," the Healer announced. Ginny and Harry exchanged a happy look, as if to silently say, "We already knew that." The healer lifted the small and beautiful child so Ginny and Harry could see him. There were no words to explain the feeling that they shared. Harry, his own face glistening with tears, moved to cut the umbilical cord. Once that was finished he took his son in his arms and carried him over to Ginny.

"Our boy," he said through his tears, passing his still screaming son to his mother. The feeling of love between the two parents was unimaginable.

Ginny sobbed tears of joy as she took the small boy in her arms. "Our son," She turned to Harry and kissed him. "Harry, we have a son."

"He's beautiful," Harry said, leaning down to kiss him on the head.

The nurse moved to stand next to the young new family. "We just need to examine him," she said.

Ginny nodded. "Of course," she said, passing the child over. She was hit with a slight feeling of loss as she watched the woman walk away with her child. She remained unfazed as the Healer told her that she had to deliver the placenta.

When both mother and baby had finished their procedures, the infant was returned to his parents, clean and wrapped up in a tight blue blanket. The nurse and the healer left the room, giving the parents time to be alone with their child.

Ginny gently stroked her son's wrinkly little face. "What should we name him?"

Harry stared down at his son in total awe and grabbed the gurgling baby's hand. He wrapped his tiny fingers tightly around Harry's index finger. "We could name him after your dad."

Ginny giggled. "I have six brothers. I'm sure my father will have plenty of grandsons named after him. Besides, he doesn't look like an Arthur." She kissed her son's forehead and smoothed his soft sprouting brown hair down. "Let's name him after your dad."

Harry felt a lump forming in his throat. "James?" He looked from the little red faced boy to his smiling wife. "Really?"

Ginny nodded. "I like it, it's a good name. Strong and brave just like his father."

"Okay," Harry said, smiling down at his son. "James it is."

"James Sirius," Ginny corrected him. "James Sirius Potter."

James began to cry again. His tiny eyes opened slightly, revealing their chocolaty brown colour. His whine became more high pitched and he turned his head into his mother's arm as she cradled him.

"Shh," Ginny said as she lifted her son to her shoulder and soothed him. She suddenly felt as if she knew exactly what to do, how to be a good mum, though she'd only been a mother for about ten minutes. She turned to Harry. "I'll calm him down," she said. "Why don't you go get everyone and tell them the news?"

Harry grinned and leaned in to kiss James' forehead, then plant a soft kiss on Ginny's lips. "I'll be right back. I love you."

Harry marched proudly down the hall and into the waiting room. Everyone stood as he entered. "It's a boy," he said, smiling widely.

"We knew it!" Hermione exclaimed. The group ran toward the new father, overwhelming him with questions about the baby.

"Would you like to come meet him?" He asked. He received an excited response all around. "Alright," he said. "Come with me."

Everyone followed Harry down the hall and into the room where Ginny sat in bed, cradling James in her arms. Harry gestured for the group to be quiet as they entered, unsure of whether James was asleep, and not wanting to startle him, either way. Ginny looked up from the tiny infant to see her family flooding into the room. She smiled at them.

"Hi guys," she said, lifting the baby boy up slightly so that everyone could see him. "This is James. James Sirius."

"He's beautiful," Molly said. "He looks just like you." She moved to stand closer to her daughter. "Could I hold him?"

Ginny nodded and passed him to her mother, who took him in her arms like the practiced pro that she was. The woman cooed over her new grandson, rocking him slightly. "Arthur, do you want to hold your grandson?"

"Of course," he said as Molly passed the baby to him. James was passed around from Arthur to Fred, to George, to Bill, and then to Fleur before Ginny finally spoke up. "Alright, I think his godparents should get a chance to hold him now.

Hermione smiled tentatively as Fleur handed her the tiny blue bundle. She stared down at the boy with his little pink face. "He's so adorable," she cooed, bouncing him lightly in her arms."Oh, Ginny," she said. "Good job." She hugged the baby to her chest. "Oh, I want one." Ron stared at her. "You know what I mean," she said. "Here, you hold him," she said softly, passing James over.

Ron, having no idea how to hold a baby and honestly afraid of breaking him, shyly took the child in his arms. "Hey there little guy," he said. "I'm your uncle Ron." He looked at his sister and best friend, who both smiled back at him. "I'm going to be the best uncle ever. I'll buy you lots of sweets and let you do things that your parents won't let you do."

"I'll hex you if you do," Ginny joked.

Ron smirked. "And I'll show you loads of ways to bug your Mum," he whispered.

"Alright," Ginny said playfully. "Give me my son back before you turn him into a trouble maker like his uncles."

As Ron passed his new nephew back to his sister, saying, "Congratulations Gin."

James began to cry, a loud, distinctive wail that Molly knew well. "He's hungry," she told her daughter.

Ginny took the baby in one arm and began to unbutton the top of her hospital gown with the other. "I'll feed him."

"Well," Fred said as she did so. "Love to stick around for the show, but I have a feeling this is about to get awkward."

"Agreed," George said.

"We ought to give them some family time anyway," Molly chimed in. "Come on you lot, let's let them be. Get some rest Ginny."

Each member of the group said their goodbyes and headed out. Hermione and Ron were the last to leave, insisting that they would be back the next morning to see them. After everyone had left, Harry and Ginny were alone with their son. "I think he's doomed to be a trouble maker," Ginny said as she lifted the child to feed him. "Given his family history."

"Yeah, he comes from a long line of them," Harry agreed.

Ginny giggled, but her face quickly turned serious. "James," she said, looking down at the small infant she held to her chest. "Your daddy and I will always protect you. I promise. No matter what happens, we'll always be here to keep you safe because we love you more than anything else in the entire world."

"Always," Harry said. He smiled as he stared down at his son and took a moment to think about his new life. He had a beautiful wife, and a beautiful son, and a whole group of people who would always support him. The two most important people in his entire life were right here with him. How could things get much better?

The young family sat together in the hospital room, silently enjoying each other's presence and blissfully thinking of the future. Harry and Ginny were not supposed to fall in love. They were not supposed to get married, and Ginny certainly wasn't supposed to get pregnant. But tonight, as they held their son, they knew that neither would have it any other way. Things were perfect just as they were. They were going to be okay.

Something became quite clear to Ginny as she stared down at the face of her beautiful new born son, then into the eyes of her husband. You don't pick who you fall in love with, and it never happens the right way.

The End