"We need to figure out who gets to go in," Hermione said, looking around at the large group of Weasleys in St. Mungo's. "The healers said only six more of us can back there at one time. Only eight visitors are allowed, and seeing as Harry and Molly are already in there…"
"Well obviously we get to go," Ron said to his wife. "We're the godparents!"
"So that's two," Hermione said. "Of course you'll get to go back first as well, Arthur."
"One of the many perks of being a grandfather," Arthur smiled.
"Hagrid, Neville, I know you both have to be getting back up to the school soon," Hermione continued. "So why don't you come in with the first group as well?"
"Perfect," Neville said.
"Can't believe we're finally here," Hagrid said gruffly, blowing his nose loudly. "Seems only yes'erday I was carryin' little Harry in the palm of my hand."
"So who get's to be the sixth person to then?" Charlie asked.
"Well," Hermione smiled. "I think Teddy should get to come back and see the baby right away."
Teddy, who had been sitting quietly off to the side, watching Victoire and Dominique play, looked up. "Really?"
"Of course," Hermione said. "I'm sure you're very excited to meet your new godbrother, aren't you?"
Teddy nodded slowly, looking back down at his lap.
"He's here!"
The group spun around and saw Molly rushing out to meet the group.
"Little James Sirius Potter," Molly said, her face glowing with joy. "Mother and baby are doing fine. Everybody's healthy and happy."
"Can we go back then?" Ron asked anxiously.
"Yes, yes, Harry and Ginny are excited to see everybody," Molly said. "But you must keep quiet! Don't startle the poor dear."
"This is hardly our first time doing this," Arthur chuckled to his wife. "We know the drill."
The group of six followed Molly back through the hospital halls.
"Remember, voices down everybody," Molly whispered. "And Ron, use a Scouring Charm on your hands!"
"Huh?" Ron frowned, but Molly had already pushed the door open and led the party into the hospital room.
Ginny was lying in bed, with Harry sitting right at her side. Both of them were staring down at the small bundle of blue blankets in Ginny's arms.
"So he's finally here, huh?" Ron said as everybody gathered around the bed, anxious to get a look at the new arrival. "Took him long enough; we've been down in that waiting room for hours now."
"Sorry we couldn't speed things along for you," Ginny said, rolling her eyes.
"Oh! Look at him!" Hermione gasped. "He's precious!"
"He's perfect," Harry agreed, positively beaming.
"He looks just like Harry," Ginny said, gently brushing a strand of dark hair from James' eyes.
"Except for the eyes," Harry grinned. "He got his mum's eyes."
"Well when do we get to hold him then?" Neville asked.
"Now, if you like," Ginny said. "Be careful though. Teddy? Would you like to hold James first?"
"I get to hold him too?" Teddy asked, surprised.
"Course you do," Harry said. "We know how excited you've been to meet him; you've been talking about this for months now. Just go sit over there by Hagrid and I'll hand him off to you."
After gently taking his newborn son from his wife, Harry stepped across the room and carefully placed the sleeping infant in Teddy's arms.
"How come he's sleeping?" Teddy asked.
"I suppose he's exhausted after being born," Harry smiled. "Seemed to be a bit of a tiring process."
"A bit?" Ginny snapped from her bed.
"I'd keep James near you for a while after that comment," Ron said to Harry. "She won't hex you if you've got him in your arms."
"Smart idea," Harry muttered.
Just then James began to squirm in Teddy's arms, and the baby gave a loud wail.
"I didn't do anything!" Teddy gasped, startled. "Did I?"
"No, you didn't do a thing," Harry assured him, picking James back up. "He's just hungry, that's all."
"No, he needs to be changed," Ginny said. "That's not a hungry cry."
"How on earth can you tell the difference?" Ron frowned.
"All mothers can," Hermione said. "It's intuitive."
"Ah, I remember lil' Norbert used to have a different whimper fer' when he was tired an' when he was hungry," Hagrid said nostalgically.
"Would you like me to change him?" Molly offered as Harry walked over to the small cot that had been set up for James.
"That's alright, I've got it," Harry told her. "I've got to get used to this, don't I?"
"So Harry, Ginny? You feel any different now that you're parents?" Neville asked.
"You know, it does feel different," Ginny nodded. "It's hard to describe, though…"
"She's right," Harry agreed. "It's like I've got this whole new outlook on life."
"All parents go through that," Arthur said, putting an arm around Molly. "After the second child as well, and the third…even all the way through their seventh."
"I believe that," Harry said as he finished fastening James' new diaper.
"Oh, can I hold him next, Harry?" Hermione asked anxiously.
"Sure," Harry nodded. "Come on, James, you've already met Teddy. Now you can say hello to your godmother."
"He's so small," Hermione breathed, cradling James in her arm. "Look at him, Ron. He's barely the size of your forearm."
"The healer said he's on the smaller side," Harry said, sitting back down at the corner of Ginny's bed "But they expect him to grow quite a bit over the next few days."
"Harry?" Ginny said softly.
"You alright?" Harry asked.
Ginny nodded over at Teddy, who was staring down at his feet, looking rather upset.
"I'll be right back," Harry whispered as he got to his feet, understanding what his wife was communicating. "Alright, Ginny, I think I'll head up to the café to get you some food. Anybody else want anything?"
"No, we've been eating down in the waiting room," Neville replied.
"Brilliant," Harry said. "Teddy? Mind coming with me? I could use some company."
Teddy stood up and followed Harry out of the hospital room, leaving the others to continue to admire James.
"Hope you weren't too bored down in the waiting room," Harry said casually as they started for the lift. "Have you been playing with Victoire and Dominique?"
"For a little bit," Teddy mumbled.
"I'm glad your gran let you stay the whole time, even if she had to go back home to rest up," Harry smiled. "We really couldn't wait for you to meet James."
Teddy didn't respond.
"Ginny and him will be coming back home in a couple of days," Harry went on. "Which means I'll need to finish painting the last bit of the nursery. If you like, you could help me with-"
Harry was cut off as Teddy suddenly flung his arms around Harry, tears falling from the six-year old's face.
"Teddy, what's wrong?" Harry asked, kneeling down to properly face the child.
"I love you, Harry," Teddy cried, burying his face in Harry's shoulder. "And Ginny!"
"We love you too, Teddy," Harry said. "So much."
"Not anymore you won't," Teddy sniffed. "Now that you have James."
"What are you-"
"He's your real son," Teddy said. "You'll want to give all of your attention to him and you won't want me around anymore."
Harry hugged Teddy close to him. "Teddy…that is absolutely not true," Harry said firmly.
"Yes it-"
"No, it's not," Harry said. "Teddy, blood has nothing to do with how much somebody care about someone. James may be my son by blood, and you may be my godson, but that doesn't mean I care for you or love you any less than I always have."
"But you're related to James," Teddy sniffed. "That's got to mean something."
"I'm related to the Dursleys," Harry smiled. "But you knew who cared for me and loved me? Sirius. Dumbledore. Molly and Arthur. People who have no blood relation to me at all."
Teddy wiped his eyes, his cries slowly beginning to stop
"I've told you many times, Teddy," Harry said gently. "I may not be your father. I don't want you to forget who your father was. But I will always be here to do everything that he would've done with you. Same thing with Ginny and your mum. We love you, whether you're related to us by blood or not. Us having James now won't change that one bit."
"Promise?" Teddy said softly.
Harry hugged Teddy tightly, kissing the top of his purple locks. "Promise."
