Chapter 7 – First Steps
"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear James! Happy birthday to you!"
The small crowd in Harry and Ginny's house finished the song with loud applause, taking turns in kissing both James's and Ginny's cheeks.
"Time for cake!" announced Ginny and went to the kitchen, followed by the loud approving calls. Harry followed her into the kitchen, closed the door, and leaned on the counter.
Ginny took a knife from one of the drawers and put her on the table, turning to Harry with a tearful smile.
Harry hugged her close; "I can't believe he's already one year old" she said tearfully. "I mean, I was still carrying him here-" she put Harry's hand on her stomach "-a year ago. And now he's all grown, he can crawl, he can smile, next thing we know he'll get married!"
"I know," said Harry, smiling. He, too, felt that James was growing up too fast.
"Ma!" they hears James's voice calling them from the lounge. Ginny stepped out of Harry's embrace and wiped her tears on her sleeve.
"We better go," said Harry, stroking Ginny's hair. Ginny nodded and took his hand. Grabbing the knife on the way, she entered the lounge.
"Here we go," she said as she handed a piece of cake to George. "Do you want some cake too?" she asked James, stroking his hair.
"Ma!" exclaimed James, smiling brightly at Ginny.
Ginny smiled "I'll take that as a 'yes'".
While James was stuffing himself, and made his entire surroundings eat some cake too, Ginny joined the boys on the sofa, whom were discussing the latest break from Azkaban. She saw that her mother took care of James.
"Had us on our toes-"
"Always knew he'll break out-"
"Mad."
"Who escaped?" said Ginny.
"Malfoy," said Harry grimly. Draco Malfoy was accused of being a Death Eater at the end of the war. He murdered 22 people, 15 of them children.
On the trial, he said (under the influence of Veritaserum) that he enjoyed killing children and pregnant women more than he enjoyed killing men.
Ginny shivered and Harry put his arm around her shoulder, drawing her closer. "Don't worry," he said in her ear, "We'll get him."
Ginny sighed and looked at James, who was now 'playing' with Fred and George.
"Fred!" called Ginny sharply, making everyone jump. "Get that candy out of my son's mouth this instant!"
"George!" yelled Mrs Weasley "I told you not to bring those candies to the party!"
"Sorry mom," the twins said together.
"I don't care! What were you feeding my grandson?" Mrs Weasley yelled.
Fred muttered something "What was that?" said Mrs Weasley.
But no one heard what Fred said since this moment James started to wave his hands towards Ginny, wanting her to pick him up.
As his finger pointed at Ginny, a small red balloon flew from his finger. James looked at his finger with wonder while the adults gaped in shock – except Fred and George.
James pointed his finger again and another balloon flew from his finger, this time blue. Soon, there were at least ten small colourful balloons flying around the room.
"Ok, that is enough. Fred, George, take that hex off him," said Mrs Weasley with a slightly soft voice – it was sweet.
"Can't," said Fred "Lasts for half an hour."
Ginny blew air out of her mouth and picked James up. Kissing his cheek and smothering his hair, she turned to the smirking Fred and George, whom immediately erased the smirks off their faces.
"This is the last time in at least ten years you are going to feed him in one of your sweets," she said to the twins threateningly.
Fred and George knew better than to argue and nodded with fearful looks at Ginny's wand, which was pointing to them.
"Ginny dear, I think it is time to open the presents," said Molly from the chair near the dining table.
"Thank you mom," said Ginny, picking James up "Do you want to open your presents now?" she whispered in James's ear, making him giggle.
"Presents time!" announced Molly everybody gathered around Harry and Ginny, who was holding James on her lap, stroking his hair.
"Us first!" said Hermione, winking to Ginny. Hermione was especially happy these days – she had found out a few weeks ago that she was three months pregnant.
Ginny thought that was odd because Hermione is a healer and an exceptionally smart with and the chances she didn't notice her period was missing stuck Ginny as a little odd.
Ginny gave James the present. James looked at the present curiously and lifted his head to look at Harry.
Harry smiled "Go on," he said encouragingly "Open it."
So James did whatever he always does when he didn't know what to do with what he touched – he gave it to Harry.
Harry chuckled and tore a part of the wrapping paper. He handed the gift back to James, watching in amusement, as James understood the trick, tearing the wrapping paper in enthusiasm.
It was a small box, made of red velvet. Ginny opened the box and saw a small snitch. Gasping, she muttered an astonished 'wow'.
"Don't worry," said Hermione "It's perfect for toddlers, it is much slower than a regular one and will help develop James's muscles."
"Yes, we want him to be a stud at two," said George sarcastically. Hermione smacked his head.
"Mommy, why did you hit Uncle George? You told me I am not allowed to hit other people," said Dan to Hermione. He was nearing the age of three and he was quite the mixture of his parents – he had Hermione's curiosity and Ron's mischievousness.
Hermione looked embarrassed "Well, I made a mistake Dan, everybody can make mistakes."
Dan still looked serious "You need to say 'sorry'" he said sternly. While everybody was sniggering, Hermione turned to George frostily.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"No problem at all milady," said George with a slight bow. Ron scowled.
"We next!" said Tonks. She and Remus seemed very close when Harry was seventeen, and by the end of his seventh year, Tonks and Remus were already married.
While the Werewolf Registration did allow werewolves to get married, it didn't allow them to have kids, which meant it was just Remus and Tonks (who insisted to continue be called like that even after the marriage).
Remus found this clause annoying, as he really wanted children. But Tonks was happy – she said she didn't want children anyway.
Three hours later, all the presents were unwrapped and the guests were in their homes. Harry and Ginny were sprawled on the floor from exhaustion.
Ginny was sitting (or, rather - lying) on top of Harry, who was lying on the floor. James was examining his new presents, occasionally inserting them into his little mouth.
Harry and Ginny looked at him, wondering on the miracle they created together. Suddenly Harry breathed in Ginny's ear – "Did it turn plus yet?"
Ginny shook her head and smiled. Harry kissed her temple "Maybe next time."
"Harry we need to move James into one of the other rooms soon," Ginny informed Harry one morning, as they all sat to breakfast. Harry lowered his cup of coffee and looked at Ginny hopefully.
"Are you…"
"No," said Ginny quickly, a bit sad at Harry's disappointed look. "Not yet anyway. He is just growing big and he needs to learn to be on his own sometimes. I already started reducing his breastfeeding to once a day," Ginny said with a fond look at James.
"You have?" said Harry in surprise.
"Yep."
"Anyway, we need to buy furniture and all of the regular stuff," she said, wiping James's cheeks from the remaining of the milk.
"Lets go to Diagon Alley than," said Harry "But it must be quick because I have a shift at eleven."
"Right," said Ginny and picked James up, humming quietly to herself as she went up the stairs to get herself and James ready.
Harry frowned. He had felt that every time he mentioned his work Ginny would become oddly cool towards him. From previous arguments, he knew she didn't like his long shifts, leaving her to deal with James alone.
He tried to find a solution, but simply couldn't think of one except resigning. But then he would be left unemployed, which didn't suit him at all.
"Are you coming Harry?" said Ginny, holding the newly dressed James in her arms.
"Yes. You want me to hold him?" he asked.
"Would you?" she sounded grateful. Harry took James from her arms and wondered how many hours she held him like that every day.
"You look handsome today young man," whispered Harry loudly. Ginny giggled and grabbed Harry's arm.
"Lets go you handsome men of mine," she said and Harry, still holding James, apparated all three of them out.
"Where to first?" asked Harry.
"Mm…I think we better go into 'Greengrass's'," Ginny said, pointing at the furniture store.
Harry and Ginny entered 'Greengrass's' and saw a big store, much bigger than it looked in the front. Inside the shop stood hundreds of dining tables, chairs, beds, closets, cribs and more.
"Is there anything I can do for you dears?" said a gentle voice behind them. Harry and Ginny turned and saw an old woman – around 85 – with a slightly old green dress and small glasses.
"Yes," said Ginny immediately "We are looking for a bed or a crib big enough and safe enough for this little boy over here," Ginny said fondly, pointing at James.
Mrs Greengrass's eyes sparkled as she caught sight of James.
"Of course!" she said, glancing at Harry. "And what's the little tyke's name?" she cooed.
"James," said Harry. The old lady burst out laughing.
"Should've known!" she wiped the tears of mirth out of her eyes. "See, this little fella looks exactly like a baby that was here 22 years ago. Yes, yes Mr Potter," she said as Harry's eyes widened, "Your parents were also here when they intended to expand the family a bit." Ginny and Harry blushed.
Mrs Greengrass shook her head sadly "So tragic. Now, where were we? Yes, I think a crib would be a good idea for his age, he might fall off a regular bed."
"What would you suggest?" asked Ginny.
The lady seemed to ponder. "I think out new model will suit you perfectly." She said as she led them through the large store.
"It is a crib that also has a Monitoring Charm if you want to activate it, a shield against falling and it will turn into a small child's bed if you want."
The crib looked like any other crib. "Are you sure that's the right one?" asked Harry, preying James's fingers off his glasses. The old lady nodded.
"Looks can be deceiving," Mrs Greengrass said, sending chills down Harry's spine.
"I think we'll take this one," said Ginny firmly.
"As you wish," said the lady with a smile "Do you wish to pay now or at delivery time?"
"Now please."
"Very well, it is 37 gallons," Mrs Greengrass said. Handing James to Ginny, Harry paid Mrs Greengrass the money.
"Hope to see you soon," Mrs Greengrass said as the came out of the shop, blinking at the sun.
"Now what?" said Harry.
"I think the baby cloths shop," Ginny said, looking at James who was watching the alley with great interest. "James is getting really big."
They spent over forty-five minutes in the baby cloths shop because James refused to wear anything. Eventually, they gave up and had James's size written down so the tailor could make them custom made.
Harry looked at his watch "I have to go Gin," he said. Ginny sighed and adjusted James on her lap.
"Ok."
Harry kissed her cheek, "Just be careful ok? Malfoy is still on the loose." Ginny smiled reassuringly.
"Love you," she said.
Harry smiled and gave her a kiss on her mouth. "Love you too," he said, kissing James's forehead.
"Da!" James exclaimed and Harry and Ginny laughed.
"I love you too James," Harry said before apparating.
Ginny went to the Apothecary and found it just as stinky and dungy as it always had been.
"Can I help you miss?" said the pleasant vendor.
"Yes please," said Ginny politely and pulled out of the pocket of her robe a list of things. "I need all the potions."
"No problem miss," said the vendor. After ten minutes where the vendor kept going back to the desk with the potions and herbs, he stood in front of Ginny. "Anything else?"
"I – I was just wondering whether there is such a thing as a fertility potion?" Ginny said with a bright blush.
The vendor glanced at James "Well, yes."
"Can you give me one of those too?" Ginny asked eagerly.
"I'm afraid I can't do that ma'am. This potion is only allowed those who have permission from a certified healer."
Ginny frowned in disappointment "Oh."
"It is 12 gallons, 9 sickles and 2 knots ma'am."
"Yes, yes," said Ginny absently and pulled the money out of her purse.
"Ma! Ba!"
James snapped Ginny out of her reverie and she saw she was standing in the middle of Diagon Alley, staring at the Apothecary blankly.
The truth was that she and Harry were trying for a second baby for two months now, and with no results whatsoever. It distressed Ginny greatly that she was not able to get pregnant again because both she and Harry wanted a bit family.
Not that she didn't enjoy the actual trying process…Ginny allowed herself to smirk on the thought and handed James his bottle.
She entered Flourish and Blotts and handed the vendor a list since she couldn't walk around a bookshop with James eating – Hermione would be horrified.
After finishing her visit to Diagon Alley with a cold bottle of butterbeer, she apparated back home with all of the bags in her hands and James on her shoulder, sleeping.
She put the bags on the floor in her bedroom and stretched her fingers painfully. After putting James in his crib she fell back on her bed out of sheer exhaustion, knowing Harry won't be home for plenty of time, she allowed herself to fall asleep.
Harry however, wasn't anywhere near sleeping. He was currently interrogating Gregory Goyle who was caught at one of the crime scenes where Draco Malfoy was trying to kidnap a five years old boy.
Goyle was the first Malfoy supporter the Ministry caught and therefore, Harry and Ron had the pleasure of interrogating him.
"Does Draco Malfoy leave an marks on his supporters?" asked Harry.
"No," said Goyle with a blank expression. They gave him three drops of Veritaserum.
"Where is he currently hiding?" asked Ron.
"I don't know."
"Who is Draco Malfoy's next victim?" asked Harry.
"I don't know. He chooses a women or a child by hiding in a store and seeing the people who enter it."
"What store?" asked Ron excitedly; they were finally getting something useful out of him.
"Greengrass's in Diagon Alley."
Harry's heart stopped and he paled. Thoughts about Ginny and James were running a marathon in his head.
"Is the shopkeeper a member of your group?" Ron continued the interrogation, completely oblivious to the near heart attack Harry was having.
Harry only managed to hear Goyle's 'no' when he pulled the room's doors, running as fast as he can to the entrance hall, where he could apparate.
He apparated home as soon as he got off the elevator and saw no signs of struggle in the bottom floor.
"Ginny?" he called with a constricted voice.
No answer.
"Ginny?" he called again, more loudly "Ginny? James?"
He was panicked now, and ran as fast as he could to the upper floor, where he yelled again. "Ginny?"
He wrenched their bedroom door open, just in time to see Ginny lying on the bed and saying "What?" sleepily. James was in the crib.
"Oh thank god!" he cried with relief and fell onto the bed, hugging Ginny tight to his chest. Always muttering 'thank god.'
"What happened?" Ginny said concernedly when she saw tears of relief in Harry's eyes.
"Malfoy chooses his victims be hiding in Greengrass's store," said Harry "I was so afraid – so scared-"
Ginny stroked Harry's hair and kissed his cheek. Her heart was beating very fast – if Malfoy was in Greengrass's today, she is going to be next. She and James.
"Da!" called James's delighted tones. He obviously heard Harry's voice.
Harry kissed Ginny deeply and broke the kiss almost as soon as he started it. He got up from the bed and went to fetch James up.
He entered the nursery and his eyes lit up as he saw James – he couldn't stop the wide smile that was spreading on his face.
"Had a nice nap little man?" asked Harry as he picked James up, kissing his cheek.
James poked Harry's cheek in response and just as Harry entered the bedroom again.
"Ma!"
Harry sat on the bed and put James between Ginny and himself. Lying down himself, he felt Ginny's fingers closing with his and allowed himself to close his eyes.
He felt drained – for a couple of scaring minutes he thought he lost everything he cares about – everything he is living for.
He felt Ginny tucking the blankets around him and heard her saying 'sleep' quietly. He didn't have the energy to protest before falling asleep, feeling a feather-like kiss on his forehead.
Ginny sighed. The thought of Malfoy lurking at Greengrass's has distressed her greatly. Not just because of the fact that James could be harmed.
Harry was known as a person who loved to blame himself whenever something bad happens and didn't want him to come back to the schooldays where he was sulky and sullen.
Ginny looked at Harry, saw him frowning in his sleep, and sighed again.
Looking at James, she saw that despite the fact that he just got up, he fell asleep again. She smiled at stroked his slightly long hair.
She wasn't tired so she got up and decided to take a shower. She entered the bathroom and saw the innocent looking box that could determine if she was pregnant or not.
She and Harry decided – no more hospitals, which meant they had to test and deliver at home.
She hated the muggle technology and thought Harry was crazy when he told her that all she had to do is to pee on a stick.
Ginny took the box and opened it determinedly. After doing what she had to do (with great disgust), she put the stick on the bathroom stall and took a shower.
She let the hot water wash her body from the sweat and make up and rinsed her hair. She let a little smile stretch on her face as she thought about the sweet picture of Harry and James sleeping peacefully together.
After getting out of the shower and wrapping herself in a towel, she checked the stick. It was minus again and Ginny slammed the stick on the stall in disappointment. Why isn't she pregnant!
She had tears of disappointment in her eyes – what was wrong with her? They managed to conceive James, what is the problem with another baby!
The first tears hit her cheeks and even though Ginny fought to stop them, she couldn't stop the sob that came out of her throat.
Harry woke up in alarm; there was noise in the house. He took out his wand out of his pocket and made to get up.
The sight of James sleeping peacefully made him put two pillows near James: one behind him and one in front of him, so he want roll and fall.
Getting out of the bed, he went with his wand out to the bathroom. He opened the door and immediately dropped his wand. Ginny was sitting in a heap on the floor, weeping.
"Ginny! What's wrong?" Harry cried in alarm, he didn't see Ginny actually sob for a few years.
"Why isn't it working?" she sobbed on his shoulder as he gathered her to his chest. "We had J-James a-and n-no one in m-my family have f-fertility problem."
Harry hugged her. Having another baby wasn't so urgent to him as it was to Ginny – he had James and Ginny and it was enough for now. He didn't mind having another baby at all but if it's not working…
"Maybe we ought to go to the healer?" he asked her gently.
"But…no more hospitals!" Ginny said, wiping her tears – ashamed at he emotionally outburst.
"Aren't there healers who don't work in hospitals? Privet healers?" he asked. After more than a decade, he still didn't know everything about the magical world – and he knew he never will.
Ginny sniffed, "It's worth a try."
"Do you want to start looking?" he asked, stroking her hair absently.
"Not now," she said lazily "I'm exhausted," she yawned.
Harry smiled and yawned too "Me too," he said and picked her up.
Ginny shrieked in surprise and yelled "Harry! Put me down this instant!"
Harry smiled at her innocently and she swatted his arm. Harry laughed at that – "So violent," he said with mock disappointment.
Ginny couldn't help but laugh with him and they entered the bedroom. James, it seems, has woken up yet again and was staring at them sleepily.
Harry put Ginny, that was still wrapped in the towel – that was dangerously loose, on the bed and turned to James. Ginny immediately tightened the towel around her body and put a dressing gown. She climbed to bed and watched, as Harry played pick-a-boo with James.
James giggled, revealing several small teeth. Ginny, couldn't help the wave of mushiness and cuteness that had flooded her and dragged James into her arms, kissing him all over his face and tickling him.
James giggled harder and tried to stop his mommy with his small hands - a movement that caused Ginny to stop the kissing and tickling. Harry wrapped his arm around Ginny's waist, and watch James.
James, that wasn't used to his parents watching him intensely, watched them with a curious expression on his chubby face.
Suddenly, he grabbed a handful of Harry's hair and pulled.
"Ouch!" called Harry in astonishment, causing Ginny to burst out laughing.
James, encouraged by Ginny's laughing, pulled Harry's hair again, causing Harry to "Ouch!" again and Ginny laugh harder.
Harry preyed his hair gently out of James's fingers and stared at James sternly. "No pulling daddy's hair!"
This however, caused Ginny to laugh even harder. James lifted his arm to pull again, but Harry was smarter – he took James's arm and put it in his mouth.
James, bewildered by his father's behaviour, didn't do a thing. Harry pretended to chew James's hand, but his teeth didn't touch James's hand.
Ginny took James's hand out of Harry's mouth and kissed it. "Did daddy eat your hand? Bad daddy," said Ginny and swatted Harry's head.
"Ouch!" Harry called in what he thought was the tenth time today and glared at Ginny.
"You'll get over it," Ginny said dismissively.
Harry growled and started tickling her mercilessly. James was not used to be ignored and saw the tears on Ginny's cheeks.
He grabbed a handful of Harry's hair again and pulled harder. Harry stopped tickling Ginny and grabbed his hair.
"Now you!" said Harry sternly to James, making Ginny giggle. "I thought we agreed not to pull daddy's hair!"
James, who mistook Harry's stern look, giggled. Making Ginny laugh and even Harry had a small smile tugging at his lips.
He took James and put him on the floor, a foot from the bed. "When you reach here you will be allowed to pull mummy's hair ok?" he said.
James swayed in his place, looking in confusion at Harry and slowly lifted his right leg and put her on the floor again, several inches away from the other one.
Harry and Ginny stared in joy as James took his left leg off the floor and took another step. Ginny shrieked in delight and James fell.
"Oh my baby!" she said happily, jumping off the bed and taking James in her arms. "You took your first steps!"
James realised his parents were happy and smiled toothily, making Harry smile even wider and jumped off the bed, kissing James's head.
Kissing Ginny's lips seconds later he smiled. Even without another baby they had a wonderful life.
A/N: Ok, first of all let me tell you how sorry I am for not updating for so long, my computer is blocked and it's very hard to update or even write in a normal pace like that. I know that this chapter was a huge leap from the other one - I mean, a year passed! But most of the chapters are going to be like that because (let me tell you now) they are going to have A LOT of children. At least in my agenda. I am also sorry about any grammar, spelling or any other mistakes in the chapter, I didn't send it to my beta because I wanted it posted ASAP...Sorry...forgive me..
Thanks:
Mrs.KristinePotter, Barbossa'sApples, Insanity-of-the-owl, EmotionalSoul, Destiny Xavior, carabeara, Mrs.Poynter and Mrs.Judd, Bouncerok, todderbaby.
Monai- I know and once again, I am sorry. I can't promise you that my updates are going to be that often again until my computer is going to be back.
Thanks for the support,
Lily