Ginny put her book down on the table and ran her hands over her face. She looked at the clock on the mantel and noting the time, she uncurled herself from the couch, set her book on the table and stretched her arms above her head. Standing up, she moved from the living room to the kitchen, turning off the lights as she went. Out of habit, she checked the doors and windows to make sure they were locked. She threw a few owl treats on the perch for Maurice, even though he was out hunting at the moment. She figured it couldn't hurt for when he got home.

When she reached the top of the stairs, she turned towards the first room to the left. She quietly opened the door and moved inside. She smiled down at Lily's sleeping form. She was on her back, her arms and legs spread wide, her red hair fanned across her face, and her small mouth hung half open. Ginny had to stifle a laugh as she pulled Lily's blankets up over her body. She pushed her hair back and kissed her forehead softly. Looking down at her, there was no doubt in Ginny's mind that she was her daughter through and through. She smiled to herself as she tiptoed back out of the room, shutting the door quietly behind her.

She continued down the hall to the next door and peeked in again. The difference between Lily and Albus was outstanding. Where Lily was splayed out on the bed with her covers kicked off, Albus was curled up on his side, the blankets tucked right up under his chin. She walked in and brushed his messy dark hair, that was so much like his father and brothers, out of his eyes and leaned down to kiss him on the forehead as well.

After leaving Albus' room, she crossed the hallway to James'. She turned the knob and poked her head in. She furrowed her brows together when she saw her oldest son sitting on his bed wide awake. She pushed into the room.

"James?" He looked up at her with wide eyes, like he was worried he was in trouble. "What are you doing up?"

"I couldn't sleep," he answered nervously. She moved to sit on the bed with him and placed her hand on his shoulder rubbing his back.

"What's wrong?" she asked. James looked down and picked at his blankets.

"When is dad coming home?" he asked quietly, avoiding his mother's eyes. Her hand stilled on his back.

"I don't know love," she said after a moment.

"I thought he said he wasn't going away for this long anymore. He promised."

She sighed, she knew just how he was feeling. She started rubbing his back once more and took a deep breath before responding. "I know he did honey, but something must have happened. I'm sure he'll be home soon."

"But you don't know that for sure."

"No… I don't." She pulled her son into her side and kissed the top of his head. They sat there in silence for a few more minutes. "Why don't you try to get some sleep love?" she asked.

"Yeah… okay" James nodded. Ginny moved from the bed and pulled her son's blankets up as he laid down. Before she left, she crouched down and brushed his messy hair out of his eyes, like she had with Albus not too long ago.

"I'm sure he'll be home soon, I can feel it," she said, pressing a kiss to her oldest son's forehead. Closing the door behind her, she leaned back against it and sighed. She missed her husband just as much as her son missed his father, he had been away for a month now and James was right. He had promised them that he wouldn't be away this long anymore, and until now, she couldn't remember the last time he had been. It didn't help that wherever he was, he couldn't send or receive owls, so she had absolutely no idea where he was or when in fact, he would be home.

Pushing herself from the door she walked back down the hallway. She turned the hall light off and headed into her own bedroom. She washed her face, brushed her teeth, and threw her hair into a sloppy bun. Moving to the dresser, she pulled on some joggers and an old t-shirt. She felt the need to be closer to him after her talk with James. Climbing into bed, she pulled his pillow closer to her and inhaled. Her heart aching a little more than previous nights, she eventually fell into a fitful sleep.

She awoke to the sound of a loud crash. Ginny bolted upright in bed, grabbing her wand off her nightstand. Her heart beat rapidly as her eyes scanned around the room, assessing her surroundings. Her breathing slowed when she realized she wasn't in any imminent danger. Thinking that it was probably Maurice returning from his hunt, she settled back into the bed and took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing nerves. That was when she heard the floorboards in the hall creak. She gripped her wand tighter and crawled out of bed as quietly as she could. She crept over to her bedroom door but froze when she heard the door handle turn, she brought her wand up as the door started to open.

"STUPEF-"

"Gin it's me!" a voice whispered in a hurry to stop the stunning spell she was about to fire off.

"Harry?" she whispered.

"Yeah, it's me" he whispered back, pushing the bedroom door open and stepping inside. Ginny took him in. His hair was longer than it had been when he left, the circles under his eyes were darker than they should be, his clothes were hanging limply from his body, like he had lost a bit of weight, but still, her husband was here, in the flesh, standing less than six inches from her. She dropped her wand and rushed forward, wrapping her arms around his waist. She breathed him in, thinking that the real thing was far better than his pillow.

Harry brought his arms up around her, squeezing her to him. "Sorry if I scared you, I stubbed my toe on the table downstairs. Then I went to check in on the kids." She felt the tears building behind her eyes and before she could stop it, she let out a sob, and the tears were flowing down her face. "Gin? What's wrong?" he asked, hugging her tighter. As hard as she tried, she couldn't stop the tears coming.

"You were g-g-gone so..so long" she sobbed into his chest.

"Hey, hey, hey. It's okay, I'm here now" he soothed, rubbing her back, like she had done for James a few hours ago. She just hugged him tighter, not wanting to let him go. He must have picked up on what she was feeling because he lifted one of his strong arms from around her and shut their bedroom door. Turning back to her he lifted her up and carried her to their bed. He climbed in, still holding her, then settled back against the headboard and cradled her to him. He continued rubbing her back and whispering comforting words in her ear.

After what seemed like forever, she finally calmed down enough to look up at Harry, she ran her fingers along the stubble on his jaw. "I missed you," she whispered.

"I missed you too," he whispered back, his gaze never leaving hers as he brought his head down and captured her lips in his. They broke apart after a few moments and Harry pulled her up against him again, tucking her head under his chin and running his hand through her hair.

"If you tell anyone I cried," she threatened.

Harry chuckled that low laugh she loved, she squeezed him harder. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.

"Damn right you don't," she said, getting another chuckle from Harry. "I love you," she added quietly.

"I love you too, Gin," he replied, kissing the top of her head.

"DADDY!" Was the first thing Ginny heard that next morning, followed by a deep grunt. She couldn't help but laugh softly.

"Good morning Lily-pad," she heard Harry say. She felt the bed shift and heard the sound of Lily's little feet running across their bedroom.

"JAMES! ALBIE! DADDY'S HOME!" they heard their daughter yell in the hallway before she turned and came rushing back to their bed. They heard two doors swing open and loud footsteps in the hall, coming toward their own room.

"Incoming," Ginny whispered, as she opened her eyes to watch Lily scramble back up onto the bed and onto Harry's chest.

"Dad!" James and Albus yelled as they threw themselves onto their bed as well. Harry laughed as they landed with loud thuds.

"Hey boys!" he said back, hugging them both, sitting up and pushing his glasses on his face. Ginny followed suit, making room for the kids. She watched with a small smile as all three kids fought for their father's attention and he did his best to give each of them the amount they deserved.

"Welcome home," she said to Harry and she leaned around the kids to give him a kiss. He threw his arm around her and kissed her back.

"It's good to be home." He smiled, squeezing her shoulder and turning his attention back to the kids.