A/N: I know it is September but I still had this oneshot laying around as an epilogue to A Guiding Light so I wanted to share it already. This oneshot is canon compliant so you do not need to read A Guiding Light to read this one.
"Hey Dad," James said, standing in the doorway to his dad's study.
"Yes, son?" Harry answered, putting the papers down to look at his oldest son. It was the first day of the Christmas holidays. James had come home from his travels in Europe. He had finished school a few months before. James was as tall as him now and his hair too was messy more often than not.
"I'm sorry I got into a fight with Al already, he just riles me up," James said.
Harry smiled."Don't worry about it," he reassured him, "In fact, you two not fighting would be weirder."
Now his son smiled as well. He got along fine with his siblings but that didn't mean they did not get on each other's nerves once in a while
Ginny walked into the room as well. "Teddy's here," Ginny announced.
James immediately ran downstairs to greet him.
"It's nice to have them all in the house," Harry commented to his wife, putting an arm around her. It had been nothing but chaos since morning, Harry thought it was the good kind of chaos.
"They grew up so fast," Ginny commented. They shared a look of understanding before going downstairs as well.
When they came down, Teddy was busy hugging Lily.
"Hey, Ted," Harry greeted his godson, who was like a son to him.
"Well, who is going Christmas shopping with me?" Ginny asked. All the kids jumped up.
Lily asked if Teddy was joining too.
"Of course, Lils, I believe I owe you an ice cream," he said. He seemed to have a soft spot for Lily since she was the youngest, even though she was a teenager now.
"It's below freezing, who is eating ice cream?" Albus commented. He had just had a growth spurt and was looking rather lanky.
"It doesn't need to be warm for ice cream," Lily shot back.
Harry quickly came between them. "Looks like we'll just make it a family outing then," Harry told them. At least two of his kids groaned.
"But dad we can't go anywhere if you are with us, you hold up the whole street!" Lily complained.
Harry pretended to be offended. Ginny had to hide her smile.
"I guess we can split up once we're there and meet for ice cream at three, does that sound fine with everyone?" Ginny proposed instead. The kids agreed.
James and Lily went off with their mom, Albus and Teddy were happy to tag along with Harry.
"How's Victoire?" Harry asked, he knew Teddy was thinking of proposing, they had been dating steadily for quite a few years now.
"She is fine … I just sometimes wonder if we are still too young?" Teddy wondered out loud as they stopped in front of the animal store, Albus was busy admiring the owls, he had wanted one for himself for a while.
Harry smiled but then replied when Teddy looked at him for an answer. "Don't ask me, I was already married at your age," Harry replied.
Teddy shook his head with a smile.
"Of course, those were different times. Just talk to her, drop a few hints," Harry told him. Teddy nodded. Then Harry got a better idea. "In fact, you are bringing her for Christmas dinner, yes? Ginny will have a chat with her, she's good at that stuff," Harry told him. They walked on.
"Are you sure?" Teddy asked.
Harry nodded. "I'm sure she'll be happy too. Just don't tell the kids because they're terrible at keeping secrets," Harry said and at that point, Albus's head whipped around.
"What secrets?" he asked excitedly, proving his point.
"Nothing, Al," Harry told him. They entered the next store.
When they had found some gifts, they met back at Florean's Fortescue. Harry had a good laugh when he saw Ginny was signing a paper for a Harpies fan, though she had been retired for some years now.
"Looks like someone picked the wrong parent, our visit was quite smooth," Harry said, Lily frowned at him. Albus found it quite funny and started teasing his sister.
Ginny said goodbye to the fan and turned back to them. "That's hardly fair," Ginny told Harry with a smile.
"Right," Teddy interrupted, "Ice cream on me!"
The Potters followed him into the parlour.
They had all just gotten dressed up for dinner, Harry was cooking in the kitchen and Ginny was yelling at the kids to come downstairs. Harry could hear their footsteps on the landing upstairs. It was already past the time they had agreed and Teddy was rarely late.
"James, now you are an adult, maybe you can finally give up your seat and I can sit there?" Lily tried to convince her brother.
"Excuse me! I am the second oldest, I would have the first choice," Albus interjected.
"That will be a no from me," James said, sitting down in the chair with a satisfied smile. Lily and Albus groaned.
"Remind me why this chair is special?" Harry asked his children. They all looked at him like it was obvious.
"Uncle George charmed it to be extra comfortable," Lily explained.
Harry could see Ginny laugh behind her glass of wine. She set her glass down. "We only told you that because none of you wanted to sit down and we were tired," Ginny told her kids, who looked at her like they just lost an important quidditch game.
James froze in his chair. "Mum, no… you are just joking right?" he now asked. All three of them looked at her to explain.
"If you don't believe me, ask your uncle - not right now!" she added when they all shot up.
Harry was glad the doorbell rang. Teddy let himself in, it was pretty much home for him. He came into the dining room holding hands with Victoire.
"We just passed by Shell Cottage first, we're engaged!" Teddy announced with a wide smile.
Harry was so happy for him and glad Teddy had been able to finally bring it up with her. Harry went up to them to congratulate them and give them a hug. His kids were celebrating because he was 'finally officially part of the family' as if they did not regard him as a brother already. Harry invited both of them to sit down.
"Honestly I was a little worried, her father always terrified me," Teddy told Harry honestly. Harry could relate.
Victoire rolled her eyes and clarified. "He was happy for both of us, as I assured Ted he would be," she said, smiling endearingly at Teddy.
"I understand," Harry told him, "I was scared to tell Ginny's parents as well. Ginny just walked in and announced it, I can tell you I was mortified," Harry told them, which made them chuckle.
"Come on, they adored you," Ginny said but Harry looked at her.
"And yet," Harry told her, then turned around, "I am so happy for both of you. If we can help with anything for the wedding, you just tell us okay."
Teddy thanked them and then shared a look with Victoire. "Actually, as my godfather, I would like you to walk me down the aisle with grandma," Teddy said.
Harry swallowed around the lump in his throat. "I would absolutely love that," he told his godson, trying not to tear up.
Ginny walked back in with some pictures. "I know you don't remember, but you were at our wedding."
Teddy looked over the pictures and their kids came to look as well.
"Ooooh it is so pretty," Lily commented when she saw the pictures of the venue.
"Ewww! you were kissing!" Albus let out.
Harry was amused by that, they never failed to embarrass their kids somehow. Harry stood up to get the food. As he walked out of the kitchen he overlooked everyone at the table and he smiled fondly at his family. It filled him with such happiness, even after all these years. Ginny looked up from the pictures and met his eyes with a fond smile.