Reflections -
Ginny sat at the kitchen table sipping hot tea as she read over her shopping list. Her eyes roamed aimlessly from the dull task of writing needed items to stare randomly around the room. Her mind began to wander back in time. Over four wondrous years full of first steps, first words and first boo-boos had passed. Each and every day was a new adventure in the Potter home. Ginny smiled and began to chuckle remembering the first time Harry had attempted to change a diaper. . .
Ginny stood by Matrim's crib, after picking him up and cuddling her newborn son to her as Harry struggled at the changing table with Perrin. Ginny turned around in time to see Harry let out a cry of surprise and jump back as a stream shot up in an arch from Perrin's open diaper, drenching the front of Harry's shirt.
"Shut it off! Shut it off!" Harry yelped, attempting to put the diaper back over his son's privates.
Ginny gave in to her fit of laughter.
"You can't shut it off Harry," she said through a giggle.
Harry looked down at the tiny infant lying innocently on the changing table staring up at his father. Harry's expression softened and he chuckled, grabbing a spit rag that was lying at the foot of the changing table and began mopping himself off.
"I'll have to be more careful of that thing," he said. . .
Ginny smiled, looking down at her list and added another item. She picked up her tea and took a sip. Clark, lying curled at her feet, stretched his paws out in front of him as his pink tongue curled up as he yawned widely. Ginny watched as the cat curled up once more into a large fluffy black ball before dozing back off. Ginny thought back fondly to one evening that she and Harry had tried to feed the twins baby food. . . .
Harry was sitting in front of six month old Mat's high chair, a bowl of mashed carrots in his hands along with a tiny baby spoon. Ginny sat across from Perrin with the same.
"Come on now, take a bite for Daddy," Harry said, trying to coax Matrix to open up for the spoon. "See, Daddy likes it," said Harry.
"Harry I wouldn't ---" Ginny began, but was too late as Harry put a bite of the mashed carrot into his mouth. His happy expression quickly turned to one of pained disgust.
"This is horrible," He said through gritted teeth, raising his eyebrows high to force an over exaggerated smile, trying to look happy for the twins sake.
"I did try to warn you dear," Ginny said sympathetically as she handed him a glass of water. "Ok now sweetheart, take a bite for Mummy!" Ginny said snaking the spoon too and fro in front of Perrin as she brought it closer to his mouth. Perrin opened wide and accepted the bite. Ginny looked triumphantly over at her husband. Harry wrinkled his nose at his wife. Matrim chose that moment to happily blow a rather wet raspberry as he slapped the top of his high chair with a pudgy hand. Ginny turned to Perrin, ready to offer another bite of food. Perrin, deciding to join in on Matrim's fun, blew a carrot-filled raspberry covering Ginny. Harry took one look at his mashed carrot covered wife and threw his head back laughing. Ginny reached over for a spit rag and calmly wiped her face off. "I see your uncles Fred and George have taught you a new game," she said, wiping a large glob of carrot from her forehead. . . .
Crawling had been an adventure that left Ginny frazzled and exhausted by the end of the day, but it didn't even compare to when the boys mastered walking -- correction -- running. For Perrin and Matrim Potter never walked anywhere, they ran. From the moment they were able to master balance on their two little legs, they were off, giggling with mischievous grins on their identical faces. She, daily, thanked the stars that she was a witch and not Muggle. She was able to put locking charms to prevent any extra grief that Perrin and Matrix could come up with, but that didn't stop them from trying.
With each day that passed, and with each adventure her children go into, Ginny could only love them more and more. Ginny couldn't imagine what life was like before her children and every day she fell in love with them all over again. Everyday Lex lived up to the vow Draco had made in his note the day the kitten had entered their lives. The moment her precious boys would begin to get into mischief, Lex was right there to alert her. She had lost count of all the times she would be in the middle of something to find a blur of white fur racing at her, rubbing against her and meowing loudly for her to follow. She learned early that this meant her little men were up to no good. Even though the boys knew of their fluffy white spy, they loved the cat all the same and showered both Lex and Clark with affection. There were still times though, on occasion, when Ginny would turn and notice Lex watching her closely with intensity beyond that of a normal cat.
Just when Harry and Ginny thought their world could be no more complete, under three years after Perrin and Matrim came into their lives, they welcomed their daughter, Moiraine Ara.
Ginny smiled softly, remembering the exact look on Harry's face when she told him the wonderful news that he was to again be a father. . .
She had been practicing with the twins all day getting them to say the word baby, and point to her belly. The boys would giggle and rush around playing. She wasn't quiet sure if it would work or not, so when dinner time came, Ginny felt nervous and excited about breaking the news to her husband. The twins were seated at the table in booster chairs, giggling at each other from across the table. There were time when Ginny believed that her children spoke a secret form of language and she would instantly be made to think of her brothers, Fred and George. Ginny had already served the boys their food, knowing after receiving a note from Harry earlier, that he would be late from work. With her back turned she heard squeals of laughter that only meant trouble to her ears. Turning around she found peas strewn across the table and two little boys attempting to put on their most innocent of toddler faces.
"You uncles, Fred and George, would be proud of that attempt boys, but I know better," Ginny said with hands on hips, looking at the mess before her, knowing that her words were well over their understanding.
The front door opening let Ginny know that Harry had arrived; her heart skipped a beat in excitement as she put the last of the thrown peas into a napkin to be discarded. Ginny turned to look as Harry came through the doorway and her heart skipped excitedly in her chest. No matter how many times she saw him come through the door, she still felt weak in the knees knowing that he was returning home to her.
"Daa-deee!" Matrim and Perrin called out happily.
Harry smiled brightly as he walked over to stand beside Ginny, putting a hand on the small of her back as he looked at the boys.
"And how are my two favorite mischief makers today?" Harry asked, kissing Ginny on the cheek.
"You just missed the War of the Peas," Ginny said, leaning into Harry's kiss before taking the napkin to the bin.
Harry smiled down at his boys, ruffling Matrim's hair.
"Who won?"
Ginny clucked her tongue and stepped back to the table as Harry moved around to gently pinch Perrin's cheek and then take his seat. Ginny placed a protective hand over her abdomen as another wave of nervous excitement washed over her.
Ginny sat quietly through the rest of the meal pushing the food around on her plate. Harry would give her an occasional curious glance while eating his food.
"Something the matter?" he asked, reaching for his drink.
Ginny looked up from her plate and gave him a nervous smile, "I'm fine," she answered.
They continued to eat, occasionally tending to the twins with the wiping of a face or picking up a dropped spoon. Ginny glanced over to see Perrin silently staring at Matrim, who in turn looked back at his brother for a moment before both boys smiled brightly and began to squirm in their seats.
"I down, I down," the two chorused.
"I think they're done," Harry said, reaching over to pull Perrin's chair out.
"Beebee," Matrim said, picking up a pea off of his plate and throwing it across the table.
Ginny froze as she made to stand.
"No throw," Harry chastised Matrim as he lifted Perrin out of his booster and set the child on his feet.
Perrin ran the couple of steps over to Harry's side and threw his arms up in the air.
"Up, up," the toddler begged his father.
Harry scooped Perrin up and settled the child on his lap. Perrin squirmed for a moment, reaching for Harry's peas and picked one up.
"Did he say pea?" Harry asked, gently stroking Perrin's head before reaching for his fork.
Ginny felt her heart jump within her chest. "I'm not sure," she lied, taking a step over to lift Matrim out of his booster seat.
"Beebee," said Perrin, throwing the pea at his brother.
"Perrin, no throw," Harry said sternly before giving Perrin a curious look.
Ginny bent to put Matrim on the floor but the toddler clung tightly to his mother's arms.
"No down."
Ginny straightened, holding onto Matrim and sat down on her chair again. Ginny gave her boys a suspicious look before going back to her dinner.
Later that night, they tucked the boys into their beds after an evening of rough-housing with their daddy and a bubbly bath where each boy splashed their weight in water all over the bathroom. Ginny bent forward, holding her hair back as she placed a kiss onto Perrin's forehead. His lids drooped heavily over startling green eyes, so much like their father's. Ginny gently squeezed Perrin's shoulder before reaching up to stroke his soft cheek with the backs of her slender fingers.
"Goodnight precious," she whispered near his ear. Perrin's response was to turn his head and snuggle closer to the golden stuffed lion held tightly in his arm.
Straightening, Ginny turned to step to Matrim's bed, where Harry was saying his goodnights. Crossing paths in the middle of the room Harry reached out, brushing his hand on Ginny's hip as she ran her hand down his arm until the were out of reach. Once again Ginny bent forward, pressing a warm kiss on her son's forehead. Matrim's closed eyes squeezed before relaxing as he lightly fingered the scarlet bow of his golden lion.
"Night sweetheart," Ginny whispered into Matrim's ear.
Ginny moved to stand again but paused as Matrim's hand reached up, grasping a lock of her hair. Ginny felt him gently move the silken hairs between his fingers before he let out a sigh, allowing her hair to slip out of his grasp to once again play with the ribbon of his beloved stuffed toy. Looking down at the foot of Matrim's bed, Lex laid curled into a fluffy white ball. Ginny reached out giving the cat a quick stroke near his ear. Lex moved his head, licking Ginny's finger with his rough tongue before settling back into a comfortable position again.
Ginny stood and turned to the nursery door only to find Harry standing against the frame, hands tucked in his pockets looking at them intently. She felt her stomach flutter nervously and caught herself in time before she placed a hand over her abdomen. She watched Harry's eyes slowly roam from Perrin to Matrim before his gaze came to rest on her. The tired smile Harry gave her spoke more than a million words he could have ever said. In that one instance she saw a man who was finally whole and content. Walking to him Ginny placed a hand onto his side, leaning up to brush a light kiss on his cheek.
"I love you," she whispered.
Harry reached up, gently squeezing her arm before bringing his hand to rest on her hip.
"I love you," he whispered back, taking a deep breath as he nuzzled her temple.
Half closing her eyes, Ginny smiled before taking a hold of her husband's hand and led him away from the nursery. Harry followed her silently through the master bedroom, where Clark laid sprawled across Ginny's pillow. Ginny turned and looked over her shoulder with a smile as she walked down the dark hall and into the den. The couple sank down onto the sofa and enjoyed the luxury of silence for a brief few minutes.
Ginny sighed, snuggling down further into the crook of Harry's arm that he had wrapped around her. She felt him kiss the top of her head, giving her a gentle squeeze.
"Harry?" Ginny said.
"Hmm?" Harry answered, leaning his head back against the couch.
"I think it's time we considered moving the boys into one of the bedrooms," said Ginny, sitting up.
Harry gave her a curious look as she tucked a foot under her, now facing him.
"Why do we need to do that?" He asked.
Ginny fought to hide her smile as she picked an invisible piece of lint off of her slacks.
"I think their old enough now to leave the nursery," she said, brushing at her pants before looking back up at him again.
Harry stared at her with those piercing eyes, studying her.
"I don't see why there is the need to rush," he said finally.
Ginny couldn't help but grin, his over protective nature for his children reminded her of her own mother at times. Harry frowned at Ginny's grin.
"Why don't we simply wait until they're three before we consider moving them upstairs?" Harry asked, adjusting himself so that he was turned slightly in his seat to face Ginny better.
"It would be too late by then. We simply need the space." Ginny answered, waiting to see how long it took this time for her words to sink in.
Harry sat with a confused expression on his face.
"Now why would we need the space?" he asked.
Ginny smiled and said nothing, content to wait until he figured it out.
Harry's brows furrowed as he looked at his wife. Slowly, his expression changed, his eyes roaming over her.
"Ginny. . ." Harry said, sitting up further.
Ginny's smile grew, watching the light of understanding come over him.
"I was just about to conjure some pink and blue pudding," she said teasingly.
"You're. . . You're not?" Harry asked hopefully.
Ginny's only answer was a nod of her head.
Harry's eyes widened, quickly looking down at his wife's stomach. Harry reached up, cupping the side of Ginny's face with his hand. A huge smile crossed his features as he leaned in kissing her gently. Suddenly Harry wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a fierce hug. He buried his face into the side of her neck, laughing happily.
"Another baby," he said kissing her shoulder.
Ginny hugged him tightly, looking up at the ceiling with a smile.
"Another baby," she whispered. . . .
Four and a half year old Perrin came bounding into the kitchen, his twin brother Matrim only a couple of steps behind. Both boys were giggling as they spotted their mother at the table. On the floor playing with a dolly sat their two year old sister, Moiraine. Beside her was their fluffy white cat, Lex, comfortably stretched out with his eyes squeezed shut. Ginny glanced up from her parchment as her sons approached her. No matter how many times she saw them, she was still stunned by the fact that they were the exact image of their father with his raven black hair and vivid green eyes. The only true distinction was that their hair lay smooth as black silk on their heads instead of a wild disarray like their father's.
Moiraine looked up from her doll and squealed in delight as her older brothers ran into the room. Her hair was pulled back into two pig-tails, already a dark red that matched shockingly with photos Harry had of his mother, Lily. Moiraine's eyes crinkled in delight as she scrambled to her feet, those pretty hazel eyes that matched her mother's save for the deep emerald flecks that caused an almost mesmerizing effect when someone stared into them.
"Hi, Morie," Matrim said, reaching out to twirl his sister's pig tail as she raised her arms up to her brother.
"Can we go outside, Mum?" Perrin asked, shuffling his feet on the floor as he looked at the back door anxiously.
Ginny turned to look through the kitchen window at the sun filled sky outside.
"If you promise to take Morie with you and stay out of your father's shed," Ginny said, giving Perrin and Mat each a stern look.
The two boys glanced at the other and grinned, communicating silently for a moment before saying in unison:
"We promise."
Ginny gave them a skeptical look before sighing.
"Alright then, I'll be out in a moment after I finish this list," Ginny said, dipping her quill into the ink bottle before scratching off another item onto the parchment.
"Thank you Mum!" Matrim said, throwing his arms around Ginny's waist in a quick hug.
"C'mon Morie," Perrin said, reaching down to take the toddler's hand as Mat raced to open the back screen door.
Ginny watched her children hurry out into the warm spring day. A hoot from the adjoining room drew Ginny's attention away. She got up from the table to see what Hedwig needed. She found two owls atop the perch attached to the window sill of the owl receiving room. Hedwig sat on her own stand, fluffing her feathers before settling down again. Opening a drawer, Ginny took out the appropriate change and gave it to the large tawny owl that held the day's edition of the, Daily Prophet.
A small spotted owl sat patiently until after the other owl took flight before sticking its leg out for Ginny to take the note.
"Thank you Iona," Ginny said, reaching into a tin of owl treats and giving one to Angelina's owl. Ginny tucked the news paper under her arm, stepping over to give Hedwig a treat as well. "Good morning," Ginny said as Hedwig took the treat from her open palm.
Ginny walked through the kitchen and out onto the back patio as she opened the envelope addressed to her. She heard giggling coming form further in the yard as she pulled out a patio chair to sit, dropping the newspaper onto the table. Glancing at the brief note Ginny's eye caught a caption on the front page of the Daily Prophet. Setting the letter aside she opened up the newspaper to get a full look at the large picture that took up half the page.
Malfoy Heir to Finally Wed.
Below the caption was a black and white photo of Draco Malfoy standing tall and regal, looking much as his father had always carried himself. Beside him was an equally regal looking woman who held her chin high with an air of superiority. Neither of the couple looked happy, neither looked deeply in love. For that Ginny felt a flash of sadness. Shaking her head she folded the paper and set it aside to pick up the note again. A streak of furry white interrupted her this time as Lex flew up the stone path and stopped at Ginny's feet, howling loudly.
"What mischief are they into now?" Ginny asked Lex as the cat took off again, leading Ginny to the trouble she knew her children were now into.
Quickly Ginny followed the cat. Around the curve of the stone path Ginny found her three children behind a large oak tree hunched down with their backs to her.
"Do it again!" Perrin demanded.
Even Moiraine was in on the fun, giggling and clapping her hands. Ginny stepped forward, making no noise as she peered over her children's shoulders. None of the them took notice to their mother as Matrim took the wand and prodded a caterpillar, causing it to fatten and grow beside a magically increased dandelion. Ginny's jaw dropped her hand flying to her pocket where sure enough, her wand was missing.
"Matrim Arthur," Ginny said firmly, putting her hands on her hips.
She watched the twins freeze, their shoulders slowly going up as they attempted to shrink within themselves. Slowly the boys turned around, matching cringes set on their adorable faces.
"Petty," Moiraine said, grabbing for the swollen yellow weed.
Ginny glared down at the boys, hands on hips as she waited for an answer.
"We were only playing Mum," Perrin said, looking up at her with his most innocent of expressions.
"We though Morie would like to see the catah – cater ---"Matrim said, scrunching his face to think. "Caterpillar!" Matrim said finally, smiling proudly at himself. His smile quickly slipped when he looked back up at his mother's expression. "Sorry Mum," said Matrim, quickly thrusting Ginny's wand up for her to take.
Ginny frowned down, taking the wand away and putting her hand back on her hip.
"What have I told you?" She asked sternly.
"Not to touch your wand or Dad's," Perrin and Matrim chorused.
Deep within Ginny, she fought a smile that sat beneath her aggravation.
"House. Now." Ginny said, pointing towards their home.
Matrim and Perrin scrambled to their feet and hurried off without a backwards glance. Lex sat beside Moiraine, rubbing his cheek against her leg as the toddler tore at the engorged dandelion. Ginny bend down, lifting her daughter up into her arms.
"Come on love, let's go before your brothers try to blow up the house," she said, giving Moiraine a kiss on the temple.
Ginny paused long enough to gather her letter and paper before stepping back into the house. Perrin and Matrim stood together in the kitchen looking apologetic but Ginny wasn't buying it.
"We're sorry Mum," Matrim said.
Perrin nodded his head in agreement.
"Mm-Hmm," Ginny said, sitting Moiraine onto the floor before reading her forgotten note quickly. Casting the note onto the counter beside the paper she turned back to her boys. "I think a week with no pudding should do as punishment, for now," said Ginny, crossing her arms beneath her breasts.
Perrin opened his mouth to protest but Matrim elbowed him lightly. Perrin closed his mouth again before uttering a single word. Moiraine sat happily on the floor beside her mother's feet, watching the scene unfold.
"I've half a mind to not let you go visit your uncles Fred and George at the shop today," she said, watching them closely.
Both boys' jaws dropped in shock and immediately rushed forward, arms outstretched.
"Please mum, please don't do that," Perrin and Matrim said together.
Ginny looked down at her two boys with a shrewd eyes.
"Are you going to touch my wand again?" she asked.
"No mum!" the boys said as one, slipping their hands behind their back to cross their fingers.
Ginny noted this, her eyes narrowing. "Alright, you can go," she said.
The twins began to jump up and down excitedly.
"I will tell your father what happened after he arrives home today," Ginny said firmly.
All celebration from the twins abruptly stopped. The boys looked up at her in an almost panic state.
"Please don't tell Daddy," Perrin begged.
"Honestly Mum, we won't do it again!" Matrim promised.
Ginny suppressed another grin, taking on a sterner expression than before.
"To your rooms then to think about what you've done until your Aunt Angelina arrives to take you," Ginny said, bending down to pick up Moiraine as the toddler tugged on her pant leg.
Perrin and Matrim turned and ran out of the room as if someone had set a flame to their bottoms. Ginny could hear the pounding of their feet and they tore down the hall and up the stairs to the bedrooms on the second level. Lex sauntered into the kitchen from the back door and rubbed up against Ginny's leg.
"Thank you, precious," Ginny said.
With a final rub against her Lex padded out of the kitchen following the twins' path.
Ginny shook her head, hugging Moiraine closer to her.
"Those two are going to be the end of me. Soon I shall be hearing explosions from their room and be receiving letters from the school concerning their misbehavior." she said, walking toward the doorway of the kitchen. "One of these days I'm going to find that mold maker and smack him hard," Ginny grumbled, rounding the corner and walking down the hall.
TBC. . .