Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, brilliantly created by J.K.
Rowling. Most situations are based on those created by J.K. Rowling.
Chapter Nine: James
"It sounds like you enjoy your job, Ron," said Professor McGonagall.
"I do," said Ron. "I like to take the cases with children a lot, because even with injuries or a sickness they always seem to be in a good mood."
"You've just named one of the perks of being a teacher," said Professor McGonagall. She turned to Harry. "And what about you? How are things going?"
"Great," said Harry. "I'll be retiring soon though, and I think it'll disappoint a lot of fans."
"I'm sure it will," said Professor McGonagall. Harry was a seeker for the Chudley Canons and had been for years. "But I'm still surprised you chose to play Quidditch over being an Auror."
"Well," said Harry, "I do still have the Auror training, so maybe when I stop playing Quidditch."
"I'm sure there's a job for you in the Department of Magical Games and Sports," said Ron. "Just think! You could be the next Ludo Bagman!" The friends laughed at the sarcasm in his voice when he said the man's name.
"It seems like only yesterday you wrote to Dumbledore and told him you were selected for the team," said Professor McGonagall. "And if I recall, that was the same time you told Dumbledore that you and Ginny were expecting James."
Harry smiled, "It was a really busy time."
* * *
It was a nice Saturday afternoon in September, but Ginny didn't notice. She sat in her and Harry's flat, waiting for Hermione to arrive. Harry had gone out with Ron, and she was sure they were playing Quidditch somewhere, but she had declined, saying she needed to talk to Hermione. She called her and told her to come over right away, but apparently Hermione decided not to apparate, as she hadn't arrived yet. Ginny was trying to sit still, but she was having trouble and started pacing across the living room. Even though she was expecting Hermione, she still jumped when she heard the knock at the door.
"Ginny?" Hermione called. "It's me!"
Ginny rushed to the door and flew it open, and pulled Hermione into the apartment right away. "Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed, surprised. "What's going on?"
"I have a problem," Ginny stated quickly.
"What is it?" Hermione asked.
"It's really big," Ginny stressed.
"What IS it?" Hermione repeated. "Is something wrong?"
"Well, not exactly," Ginny started. "But maybe."
"Gin! Stop! Just tell me what's going on!" Hermione was getting frustrated.
"I think I may be pregnant," Ginny said quickly.
Hermione gasped, "Really? Oh my god, that's so wonderful!" She hugged Ginny tightly, but felt her stiffen. "What's the matter? Don't you think it's wonderful?"
"I don't know," said Ginny, biting a nail.
"How come?"
"Harry and I have only been married five months," she said. "I mean, we talked about children, but we didn't expect to have them right away!"
"But, Ginny, if it's something you both want, then why is it a problem?" Hermione asked.
"Because we haven't been married long," she repeated. "And because we're so young. I don't know if we're ready. I mean, we don't have THAT much money."
"All good points," said Hermione. "But, you don't know if you're really pregnant or not yet. You need to find out."
"I know," said Ginny. "I'm just scared."
"Well, I'm here, and I'll help you," said Hermione. "Do you know the proper spell?"
"Yes," Ginny said, "but I want to do it myself." She went into her bedroom and Hermione sat on the couch and waited until Ginny came back out, a stricken look on her face.
Though she knew the answer, she asked the question anyway, "You are, aren't you?"
Ginny nodded, her face white. "What am I going to do?"
"You're going to have a baby," said Hermione, trying to sound upbeat. Ginny still didn't smile, but sat down in a chair. Hermione leaned forward. "Ginny? Come on. Aren't you the least bit excited? You and Harry are going to be parents. You're going to have a baby."
Ginny kept her head down, but Hermione could see the sides of her mouth twitching up in a small smile. This caused Hermione to smile as well. "Okay," Ginny said, looking up. "I am happy. Now that I know I really am pregnant!"
Both women stood up and hugged again. "I'm so happy for you!" Hermione exclaimed.
"I can't believe it!" Ginny exclaimed. "I'm going to have a baby!" She then seemed to calm down a bit. "Please don't tell Harry yet."
"You have to tell him," said Hermione.
"I know," said Ginny. "And I will. I just want to do it my own way." Hermione agreed, and the two spent the rest of the afternoon trying to decide what the baby would look like.
* * *
Harry and Ron ended their day at the Leaky Cauldron, where Harry shared the news he had with Ron. "I got a letter yesterday," he began. "From the Canons. They want me to play for them."
"The Chudley Canon wants you?" Ron asked in disbelief. "That's great, mate!"
"I haven't even told Ginny yet," Harry continued. "I thought maybe you would want to know first. Seeing as they are your favorite team. They still are, aren't they?" Ron blushed and nodded. The answer was rather obvious, since he was currently wearing a Chudley Canons shirt.
"When are you going to tell her?" Ron asked.
"Tonight, I think," said Harry. "Don't go telling her first! I'm really excited about this! It's a great opportunity, and I really have missed playing Quidditch. Plus it means a lot more money than I'm making now."
Ron nodded, agreeing with Harry's words. "I won't tell Ginny," he promised. "Anyway, are you ready? I need to head back home."
"I'll come with you," Harry said. "Apparently Ginny left something there the last time we were at your house and she begged me to pick it up for her today."
"Sure thing," said Ron, and they headed into the alley behind the Leaky Cauldron and dissapparated, appearing quickly inside Ron and Hermione's living room. Ron looked around, and called out, "Hermione?" When he received no answer, he turned to Harry. "Guess she's not home. She mentioned she might need to run some errands. So what did you need to get?"
"Ginny's notes from work," Harry said. "Any idea where those might be?"
"No idea," said Ron. "Try the desk." Harry headed over to the desk and searched around, careful not to mess up the piles of paper Hermione had organized very meticulously. He found some parchment with Ginny's handwriting on them and assumed they must be what he was looking for.
"Found 'em!" he said, and he turned around.
"You want to stick around a while?" Ron asked. "I'm sure Hermione will be home soon. We could tell Ginny to come over as well and have dinner."
"Nah," said Harry. "I want to tell Ginny the big news tonight."
Ron nodded, "Right."
"So I'm going to get going," Harry said. "But let's celebrate tomorrow. Come over anytime."
"Sure," said Ron, and he saw Harry out of the apartment (their homes were just eight blocks apart so Harry decided to walk instead of disapparate). Once he was outside, he ran into Hermione.
"Hermione!" he exclaimed. "Glad I ran into you! I have great news!"
Hermione looked surprised that Ginny had already told Harry the news, but she hugged him anyway. "I know!" she exclaimed.
"How do you know?" Harry asked. Now he was the one who was surprised. "How? Ron told you?"
"No. Ginny told me," she said. "I was with her when she found out about the baby!"
"What baby?"
Hermione gasped, realizing her mistake. "How could I be so stupid!" she hissed to herself.
"What baby Hermione?" Harry asked, this time with more urgency in his voice.
Hermione looked at him. "Yours."
"My baby?" Harry asked, confused. "I don't have a ba... Wait a minute. Are you saying that Ginny? Is pregnant?"
"That's what we found out," said Hermione. "I wasn't supposed to tell you."
"Me and Ginny are going to be parents?" Harry asked, and suddenly his own good news seemed silly.
"Looks like it," said Hermione. "I'm sorry I spilled the beans. What were you going to tell me?"
"I got an offer from the Chudley Canons to play as Seeker," Harry said, though the wonder of his announcement seemed have faded. "I was going to take the job, but now, I don't know."
"Does Ginny know about it?" Hermione asked.
Harry shook his head. "I was going to tell her tonight."
"Then I think you'd better get home and talk to Ginny," was Hermione's only advice.
* * *
Meanwhile, upstairs in the flat, Ron was talking to Ginny through the fireplace. "Hi big brother!" Ginny said when she saw his head appear. "Want to hear some good news?"
"I already did!" said Ron. "And I think it's great!"
"Hermione told you?" Ginny asked, not surprised.
"Hermione? No, she doesn't even know yet. Harry told me," Ron said. "It's great, this offer from the Canons."
"WHAT?!" Ginny asked, causing Ron to jump and hit his head on the brick.
"Ow!" he exclaimed. "Ginny, you scared the hell out of me!"
"Sorry," she said. "It's just, Ron, that's not the big news I had!"
Ron's eyes widened and he realized he ruined Harry's surprise. "Bloody hell!" he exclaimed. "I wasn't supposed to tell you."
"What are you talking about? Harry got an offer from the Canons?"
"He told me this afternoon," he said. "Got the letter yesterday."
"And he didn't tell me?" Ginny asked, suddenly feeling a little hurt.
"He wanted to tell me," said Ron, "because they're my favorite team. And I've blown the first part of the surprise so I might as well tell you that he's on his way home to tell you now. He wanted to have a real celebration with you."
Ginny's feeling softened. "Oh," she said. "I suppose that's okay, but he's still going to get a stern talking to."
"What was your news?" Ron asked.
"Oh," Ginny said, and she blushed. Telling Hermione was one thing, but telling her brother was another, especially considering the fact that he knew how babies were made. "It seems as though Harry and I are going to have a baby." Saying the words again made the reality hit her, and suddenly her news seemed bad again, as she realized it would be a bad time for Harry to have a baby around.
Ron smiled and said, "That's great!"
"I don't know," said Ginny. "It seems like a bad time. Especially now that Harry's gotten this offer. I don't want him to give it up."
"You'd better talk to him," said Ron. "I can't fix it. He should be home soon, and you can talk then."
"I think I hear him now," said Ginny as she heard a set of keys in the door. "See you later Ron!" Ron's head disappeared from the fireplace and Ginny stood next to it and watched Harry walk into the apartment.
She walked over to him and hugged him, tight. "Hi," she said. "I missed you today."
"Missed you too," Harry said, and he was smiling. He seemed to be looking at her in a strange way as well.
"What is it?" Ginny asked, uncomfortable under his gaze.
"I know," Harry said.
"Know what?" Ginny asked.
"About the baby. Our baby."
Ginny gasped, "How do you know?"
"Hermione accidentally told me," Harry said. "Don't get mad at her! Ginny, I can't believe it! We're actually going to have a child. That's part of both of us?"
Ginny nodded, "Yes, Harry. I am pregnant."
Harry smiled and picked Ginny up and twirled her around the room. He stopped suddenly and looked at her, concerned, "You're not getting sick yet, are you?"
"No," said Ginny, "but I might if you do that again."
"Sorry," Harry said, and he looked at Ginny for a moment before suddenly kissing her. "Ginny, I can't even tell you how happy I am!"
"Are you really?" Ginny asked.
"Of course," said Harry. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"Because I know your news too," said Ginny. "I know you got an offer from the Canons."
This time it was Harry who was surprised, but all he said was, "Ron?"
"Yeah," said Ginny, "but he didn't mean to tell me either."
"So..." said Harry.
"So," said Ginny, "I want to know what you think about it."
"I think it's a great opportunity," Harry said honestly. "But I'm going to turn it down."
"What?!" Ginny exclaimed. "Why?"
"Because we're going to have a baby. That is so much better, and so much more important than this opportunity," said Harry. "I want to be here for you and the baby. If I'm on a team, I'm going to be traveling and playing late games and I'm going to have a very unpredictable schedule."
"Harry, listen to yourself!" Ginny exclaimed. "You love Quidditch, and you and I both know that you want to do this. Don't you?"
"Well, yeah," said Harry, "But-"
"No buts, Harry," Ginny said. "There's no reason why you can't play Quidditch and be a father at the same time. You know the Quidditch season doesn't last all year, and until the baby is old enough to go to school we can come along with you when you travel sometimes. Besides, if you play for the Canons, we'll have enough money to get a bigger house for ourselves, and actually have room for this baby."
"True," said Harry. "Are you sure about this Ginny?"
"Absolutely!"
* * *
In June, Ron and Hermione sat in the waiting are of St. Mungo's, watching the doors to the maternity ward for any sign of Harry. He had called that morning, informing them that they were headed for the hospital: the baby was on the way! Even though they left the flat right away, they were still the latest ones to get there. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley greeted them when they showed up - with the now frequent question of when they would have their own baby. Fred and Angelina were there, and they were expecting their own baby in September. Also joining them were George and Katie, who had married in February.
At three o'clock, Harry emerged from the doors and the entire family was immediately on their feet. "Well?" Mrs. Weasley asked before Harry even had a chance to speak.
Suddenly, he was beaming. "It's a boy!" he exclaimed. "He was born at 2:30, weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces." Mrs. Weasley caught Harry in one of her "cut-your-breathing-off" embraces.
"Congratulations mate!" Ron exclaimed, and he and Harry shook hands before turning the gesture into a hug. Ron moved aside so that Hermione could also hug her friend.
"I'm so happy for you," she said before she let go. "For both of you."
"Thanks," said Harry. He turned to the crowd. "Do you want to meet him?"
"Yes!" came the chorus of voices. Harry gestured in the direction of Ginny's room, and they followed him through the door and down the hallway. Harry stopped outside the door.
"I don't know if you're all allowed in at the same time," Harry said, cautiously.
"It's all right," said Ron, taking advantage of his pull at the hospital. "I'll take care of it if anyone has a problem."
"Thanks mate," said Harry, but he still turned to the family again. "Ginny's resting, and the baby is probably sleeping, so be quiet when you go in."
"Sure thing," said Fred, and Harry finally opened the door and walked into the room, trailed by the family.
Ginny looked up from the baby she was holding and smiled when she saw her family. "Hi," she said as they came in.
Mrs. Weasley had tears in her eyes as she looked at Ginny holding the small bundle. "I can't believe my baby has a baby!" Mr. Weasley took her hand and gave it a squeeze, and she smiled.
Ginny turned the baby slightly so that they could see his little pink face. Harry sat next to her on the bed and put his arm around her. "Everyone," Ginny began, "I'd like you to meet the newest member of our family, James Ronald Potter."
* * *
"It seems like only yesterday," Ginny said with a far off look in her eyes. "I can't believe he's six years old now."
"I imagine him to be a lot like his father," Professor McGonagall said. "Am I right?"
"I guess," said Harry, shrugging. "He's certainly happier than I was when I was six years old."
"Have you kept in touch with your aunt and uncle at all?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Some," said Harry. "But not directly. I get a Christmas card from them every year. Dudley is on his way to becoming wrestling champ of Britain. And Uncle Vernon finally got his vacation home in Majorca, and he did not hesitate to tell me that I was not welcome at it."
"Always the charmer, that Vernon Dursley," said Professor McGonagall sarcastically, causing the friends to laugh.
Professor Dumbledore appeared and placed a hand on Professor McGonagall's shoulder. "May I speak with you, Minerva?"
"Of course," said Professor McGonagall. She turned to the friends. "It was lovely catching up. I do hope you won't be strangers."
"Of course not," said Hermione, with a smile.
Dumbledore turned to address the friends. "I hope you don't mind my stealing Minerva," he said. "We have something important to discuss about the festivities later on this evening."
"No problem," said Ron.
"I'd like to catch up with you a little more later," said Professor Dumbledore.
"Sure," said Harry. "We'll look for you." Dumbledore nodded, and then he and Professor McGonagall headed off into another room. They were soon replaced by Neville and Luna.
"Are you having a good time, Neville?" Ginny asked.
"Oh, yes," said Neville. "It's good to see all these old faces again. Are you having a nice time?"
"I feel like I've been taking all evening," said Hermione. "I'd like to listen to a story. Have any good ones, Neville?"
"I don't know," he said.
Luna cut in. "Well, I suppose there's the story of how we got married," she said.
"Oh, yes," said Neville. "That's an interesting story. In fact, it almost didn't happen. We broke up for a while, you know."
"Really?" Ginny asked.
Neville nodded and continued, "And then one day she walked back into my life...."
Chapter Nine: James
"It sounds like you enjoy your job, Ron," said Professor McGonagall.
"I do," said Ron. "I like to take the cases with children a lot, because even with injuries or a sickness they always seem to be in a good mood."
"You've just named one of the perks of being a teacher," said Professor McGonagall. She turned to Harry. "And what about you? How are things going?"
"Great," said Harry. "I'll be retiring soon though, and I think it'll disappoint a lot of fans."
"I'm sure it will," said Professor McGonagall. Harry was a seeker for the Chudley Canons and had been for years. "But I'm still surprised you chose to play Quidditch over being an Auror."
"Well," said Harry, "I do still have the Auror training, so maybe when I stop playing Quidditch."
"I'm sure there's a job for you in the Department of Magical Games and Sports," said Ron. "Just think! You could be the next Ludo Bagman!" The friends laughed at the sarcasm in his voice when he said the man's name.
"It seems like only yesterday you wrote to Dumbledore and told him you were selected for the team," said Professor McGonagall. "And if I recall, that was the same time you told Dumbledore that you and Ginny were expecting James."
Harry smiled, "It was a really busy time."
* * *
It was a nice Saturday afternoon in September, but Ginny didn't notice. She sat in her and Harry's flat, waiting for Hermione to arrive. Harry had gone out with Ron, and she was sure they were playing Quidditch somewhere, but she had declined, saying she needed to talk to Hermione. She called her and told her to come over right away, but apparently Hermione decided not to apparate, as she hadn't arrived yet. Ginny was trying to sit still, but she was having trouble and started pacing across the living room. Even though she was expecting Hermione, she still jumped when she heard the knock at the door.
"Ginny?" Hermione called. "It's me!"
Ginny rushed to the door and flew it open, and pulled Hermione into the apartment right away. "Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed, surprised. "What's going on?"
"I have a problem," Ginny stated quickly.
"What is it?" Hermione asked.
"It's really big," Ginny stressed.
"What IS it?" Hermione repeated. "Is something wrong?"
"Well, not exactly," Ginny started. "But maybe."
"Gin! Stop! Just tell me what's going on!" Hermione was getting frustrated.
"I think I may be pregnant," Ginny said quickly.
Hermione gasped, "Really? Oh my god, that's so wonderful!" She hugged Ginny tightly, but felt her stiffen. "What's the matter? Don't you think it's wonderful?"
"I don't know," said Ginny, biting a nail.
"How come?"
"Harry and I have only been married five months," she said. "I mean, we talked about children, but we didn't expect to have them right away!"
"But, Ginny, if it's something you both want, then why is it a problem?" Hermione asked.
"Because we haven't been married long," she repeated. "And because we're so young. I don't know if we're ready. I mean, we don't have THAT much money."
"All good points," said Hermione. "But, you don't know if you're really pregnant or not yet. You need to find out."
"I know," said Ginny. "I'm just scared."
"Well, I'm here, and I'll help you," said Hermione. "Do you know the proper spell?"
"Yes," Ginny said, "but I want to do it myself." She went into her bedroom and Hermione sat on the couch and waited until Ginny came back out, a stricken look on her face.
Though she knew the answer, she asked the question anyway, "You are, aren't you?"
Ginny nodded, her face white. "What am I going to do?"
"You're going to have a baby," said Hermione, trying to sound upbeat. Ginny still didn't smile, but sat down in a chair. Hermione leaned forward. "Ginny? Come on. Aren't you the least bit excited? You and Harry are going to be parents. You're going to have a baby."
Ginny kept her head down, but Hermione could see the sides of her mouth twitching up in a small smile. This caused Hermione to smile as well. "Okay," Ginny said, looking up. "I am happy. Now that I know I really am pregnant!"
Both women stood up and hugged again. "I'm so happy for you!" Hermione exclaimed.
"I can't believe it!" Ginny exclaimed. "I'm going to have a baby!" She then seemed to calm down a bit. "Please don't tell Harry yet."
"You have to tell him," said Hermione.
"I know," said Ginny. "And I will. I just want to do it my own way." Hermione agreed, and the two spent the rest of the afternoon trying to decide what the baby would look like.
* * *
Harry and Ron ended their day at the Leaky Cauldron, where Harry shared the news he had with Ron. "I got a letter yesterday," he began. "From the Canons. They want me to play for them."
"The Chudley Canon wants you?" Ron asked in disbelief. "That's great, mate!"
"I haven't even told Ginny yet," Harry continued. "I thought maybe you would want to know first. Seeing as they are your favorite team. They still are, aren't they?" Ron blushed and nodded. The answer was rather obvious, since he was currently wearing a Chudley Canons shirt.
"When are you going to tell her?" Ron asked.
"Tonight, I think," said Harry. "Don't go telling her first! I'm really excited about this! It's a great opportunity, and I really have missed playing Quidditch. Plus it means a lot more money than I'm making now."
Ron nodded, agreeing with Harry's words. "I won't tell Ginny," he promised. "Anyway, are you ready? I need to head back home."
"I'll come with you," Harry said. "Apparently Ginny left something there the last time we were at your house and she begged me to pick it up for her today."
"Sure thing," said Ron, and they headed into the alley behind the Leaky Cauldron and dissapparated, appearing quickly inside Ron and Hermione's living room. Ron looked around, and called out, "Hermione?" When he received no answer, he turned to Harry. "Guess she's not home. She mentioned she might need to run some errands. So what did you need to get?"
"Ginny's notes from work," Harry said. "Any idea where those might be?"
"No idea," said Ron. "Try the desk." Harry headed over to the desk and searched around, careful not to mess up the piles of paper Hermione had organized very meticulously. He found some parchment with Ginny's handwriting on them and assumed they must be what he was looking for.
"Found 'em!" he said, and he turned around.
"You want to stick around a while?" Ron asked. "I'm sure Hermione will be home soon. We could tell Ginny to come over as well and have dinner."
"Nah," said Harry. "I want to tell Ginny the big news tonight."
Ron nodded, "Right."
"So I'm going to get going," Harry said. "But let's celebrate tomorrow. Come over anytime."
"Sure," said Ron, and he saw Harry out of the apartment (their homes were just eight blocks apart so Harry decided to walk instead of disapparate). Once he was outside, he ran into Hermione.
"Hermione!" he exclaimed. "Glad I ran into you! I have great news!"
Hermione looked surprised that Ginny had already told Harry the news, but she hugged him anyway. "I know!" she exclaimed.
"How do you know?" Harry asked. Now he was the one who was surprised. "How? Ron told you?"
"No. Ginny told me," she said. "I was with her when she found out about the baby!"
"What baby?"
Hermione gasped, realizing her mistake. "How could I be so stupid!" she hissed to herself.
"What baby Hermione?" Harry asked, this time with more urgency in his voice.
Hermione looked at him. "Yours."
"My baby?" Harry asked, confused. "I don't have a ba... Wait a minute. Are you saying that Ginny? Is pregnant?"
"That's what we found out," said Hermione. "I wasn't supposed to tell you."
"Me and Ginny are going to be parents?" Harry asked, and suddenly his own good news seemed silly.
"Looks like it," said Hermione. "I'm sorry I spilled the beans. What were you going to tell me?"
"I got an offer from the Chudley Canons to play as Seeker," Harry said, though the wonder of his announcement seemed have faded. "I was going to take the job, but now, I don't know."
"Does Ginny know about it?" Hermione asked.
Harry shook his head. "I was going to tell her tonight."
"Then I think you'd better get home and talk to Ginny," was Hermione's only advice.
* * *
Meanwhile, upstairs in the flat, Ron was talking to Ginny through the fireplace. "Hi big brother!" Ginny said when she saw his head appear. "Want to hear some good news?"
"I already did!" said Ron. "And I think it's great!"
"Hermione told you?" Ginny asked, not surprised.
"Hermione? No, she doesn't even know yet. Harry told me," Ron said. "It's great, this offer from the Canons."
"WHAT?!" Ginny asked, causing Ron to jump and hit his head on the brick.
"Ow!" he exclaimed. "Ginny, you scared the hell out of me!"
"Sorry," she said. "It's just, Ron, that's not the big news I had!"
Ron's eyes widened and he realized he ruined Harry's surprise. "Bloody hell!" he exclaimed. "I wasn't supposed to tell you."
"What are you talking about? Harry got an offer from the Canons?"
"He told me this afternoon," he said. "Got the letter yesterday."
"And he didn't tell me?" Ginny asked, suddenly feeling a little hurt.
"He wanted to tell me," said Ron, "because they're my favorite team. And I've blown the first part of the surprise so I might as well tell you that he's on his way home to tell you now. He wanted to have a real celebration with you."
Ginny's feeling softened. "Oh," she said. "I suppose that's okay, but he's still going to get a stern talking to."
"What was your news?" Ron asked.
"Oh," Ginny said, and she blushed. Telling Hermione was one thing, but telling her brother was another, especially considering the fact that he knew how babies were made. "It seems as though Harry and I are going to have a baby." Saying the words again made the reality hit her, and suddenly her news seemed bad again, as she realized it would be a bad time for Harry to have a baby around.
Ron smiled and said, "That's great!"
"I don't know," said Ginny. "It seems like a bad time. Especially now that Harry's gotten this offer. I don't want him to give it up."
"You'd better talk to him," said Ron. "I can't fix it. He should be home soon, and you can talk then."
"I think I hear him now," said Ginny as she heard a set of keys in the door. "See you later Ron!" Ron's head disappeared from the fireplace and Ginny stood next to it and watched Harry walk into the apartment.
She walked over to him and hugged him, tight. "Hi," she said. "I missed you today."
"Missed you too," Harry said, and he was smiling. He seemed to be looking at her in a strange way as well.
"What is it?" Ginny asked, uncomfortable under his gaze.
"I know," Harry said.
"Know what?" Ginny asked.
"About the baby. Our baby."
Ginny gasped, "How do you know?"
"Hermione accidentally told me," Harry said. "Don't get mad at her! Ginny, I can't believe it! We're actually going to have a child. That's part of both of us?"
Ginny nodded, "Yes, Harry. I am pregnant."
Harry smiled and picked Ginny up and twirled her around the room. He stopped suddenly and looked at her, concerned, "You're not getting sick yet, are you?"
"No," said Ginny, "but I might if you do that again."
"Sorry," Harry said, and he looked at Ginny for a moment before suddenly kissing her. "Ginny, I can't even tell you how happy I am!"
"Are you really?" Ginny asked.
"Of course," said Harry. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"Because I know your news too," said Ginny. "I know you got an offer from the Canons."
This time it was Harry who was surprised, but all he said was, "Ron?"
"Yeah," said Ginny, "but he didn't mean to tell me either."
"So..." said Harry.
"So," said Ginny, "I want to know what you think about it."
"I think it's a great opportunity," Harry said honestly. "But I'm going to turn it down."
"What?!" Ginny exclaimed. "Why?"
"Because we're going to have a baby. That is so much better, and so much more important than this opportunity," said Harry. "I want to be here for you and the baby. If I'm on a team, I'm going to be traveling and playing late games and I'm going to have a very unpredictable schedule."
"Harry, listen to yourself!" Ginny exclaimed. "You love Quidditch, and you and I both know that you want to do this. Don't you?"
"Well, yeah," said Harry, "But-"
"No buts, Harry," Ginny said. "There's no reason why you can't play Quidditch and be a father at the same time. You know the Quidditch season doesn't last all year, and until the baby is old enough to go to school we can come along with you when you travel sometimes. Besides, if you play for the Canons, we'll have enough money to get a bigger house for ourselves, and actually have room for this baby."
"True," said Harry. "Are you sure about this Ginny?"
"Absolutely!"
* * *
In June, Ron and Hermione sat in the waiting are of St. Mungo's, watching the doors to the maternity ward for any sign of Harry. He had called that morning, informing them that they were headed for the hospital: the baby was on the way! Even though they left the flat right away, they were still the latest ones to get there. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley greeted them when they showed up - with the now frequent question of when they would have their own baby. Fred and Angelina were there, and they were expecting their own baby in September. Also joining them were George and Katie, who had married in February.
At three o'clock, Harry emerged from the doors and the entire family was immediately on their feet. "Well?" Mrs. Weasley asked before Harry even had a chance to speak.
Suddenly, he was beaming. "It's a boy!" he exclaimed. "He was born at 2:30, weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces." Mrs. Weasley caught Harry in one of her "cut-your-breathing-off" embraces.
"Congratulations mate!" Ron exclaimed, and he and Harry shook hands before turning the gesture into a hug. Ron moved aside so that Hermione could also hug her friend.
"I'm so happy for you," she said before she let go. "For both of you."
"Thanks," said Harry. He turned to the crowd. "Do you want to meet him?"
"Yes!" came the chorus of voices. Harry gestured in the direction of Ginny's room, and they followed him through the door and down the hallway. Harry stopped outside the door.
"I don't know if you're all allowed in at the same time," Harry said, cautiously.
"It's all right," said Ron, taking advantage of his pull at the hospital. "I'll take care of it if anyone has a problem."
"Thanks mate," said Harry, but he still turned to the family again. "Ginny's resting, and the baby is probably sleeping, so be quiet when you go in."
"Sure thing," said Fred, and Harry finally opened the door and walked into the room, trailed by the family.
Ginny looked up from the baby she was holding and smiled when she saw her family. "Hi," she said as they came in.
Mrs. Weasley had tears in her eyes as she looked at Ginny holding the small bundle. "I can't believe my baby has a baby!" Mr. Weasley took her hand and gave it a squeeze, and she smiled.
Ginny turned the baby slightly so that they could see his little pink face. Harry sat next to her on the bed and put his arm around her. "Everyone," Ginny began, "I'd like you to meet the newest member of our family, James Ronald Potter."
* * *
"It seems like only yesterday," Ginny said with a far off look in her eyes. "I can't believe he's six years old now."
"I imagine him to be a lot like his father," Professor McGonagall said. "Am I right?"
"I guess," said Harry, shrugging. "He's certainly happier than I was when I was six years old."
"Have you kept in touch with your aunt and uncle at all?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Some," said Harry. "But not directly. I get a Christmas card from them every year. Dudley is on his way to becoming wrestling champ of Britain. And Uncle Vernon finally got his vacation home in Majorca, and he did not hesitate to tell me that I was not welcome at it."
"Always the charmer, that Vernon Dursley," said Professor McGonagall sarcastically, causing the friends to laugh.
Professor Dumbledore appeared and placed a hand on Professor McGonagall's shoulder. "May I speak with you, Minerva?"
"Of course," said Professor McGonagall. She turned to the friends. "It was lovely catching up. I do hope you won't be strangers."
"Of course not," said Hermione, with a smile.
Dumbledore turned to address the friends. "I hope you don't mind my stealing Minerva," he said. "We have something important to discuss about the festivities later on this evening."
"No problem," said Ron.
"I'd like to catch up with you a little more later," said Professor Dumbledore.
"Sure," said Harry. "We'll look for you." Dumbledore nodded, and then he and Professor McGonagall headed off into another room. They were soon replaced by Neville and Luna.
"Are you having a good time, Neville?" Ginny asked.
"Oh, yes," said Neville. "It's good to see all these old faces again. Are you having a nice time?"
"I feel like I've been taking all evening," said Hermione. "I'd like to listen to a story. Have any good ones, Neville?"
"I don't know," he said.
Luna cut in. "Well, I suppose there's the story of how we got married," she said.
"Oh, yes," said Neville. "That's an interesting story. In fact, it almost didn't happen. We broke up for a while, you know."
"Really?" Ginny asked.
Neville nodded and continued, "And then one day she walked back into my life...."