A Serpent Among Lions 2 Chapter 4: A New Life Begins, a harry potter fanfic

A Serpent Among Lions 2

Chapter 3 A New Life Begins

Molly was so excited she could barely contain herself. Harry had just sent her a patronus to tell her that he and Ginny were at St. Mungo's and that Ginny was in labor. She had contacted Arthur and the rest of the Weasley clan as they had come to be known since there were so many of them and told them to meet at the hospital.

Apparating to St. Mungo's, she asked for Ginny's room number and found her in a high security room, due to her being Harry Potter's wife and also because of recent events. Every person who went in there required a magical pass. As she entered the room, she could see that Ginny was very uncomfortable, but trying not to show it, "Honey, how are you?"

Ginny smiled as bravely as she could, the contractions were getting really intense, "Doing as well as possible, Mum," She said, giving her mother a hug.

"Where's Meghan?" Molly said, looking around for her granddaughter.

"With Hermione..." Ginny started, then stopped as another contraction hit.

Hermione peeked her head in the room and whispered to Molly, "I took her to get something to eat. Ginny's water broke while they were

having lunch and Meghan was hungry."

Ginny looked at Harry, squeezing his hand tightly, "I don't remember

it hurting this much last time."

Harry smiled and squeezed his wife's hand reassuringly. He could feel her pain and tension and wished there was some way he could take on some of the discomfort. "Sweetheart, from what I've heard, mothers forget the pain after the delivery. I guess if they didn't, every family would be a one child family." He laughed uncomfortably, hoping he was not being inappropriate.

Ginny could feel the beads of sweat forming on her forehead as another contraction hit. Trying to get her mind off of the pain, she

remembered Meghan's reaction when they told her.

They had gone downstairs and Meghan had set the table for lunch. When they had gotten to the bottom of the steps, Ginny had been hit with

another contraction and her water broke.

Meghan had run over to her with concern in her eyes, "Mum, are you all right?"

Harry smiled at the memory. The look on Meghan's face had been priceless. Concern, confusion and fear were written all over her features and Harry was quick to answer her question. 'Sweetie, your mum has gone into labor. The baby will be coming soon so we need to help mum get ready for St. Mungo's.'

A quick flurry of activity ensued as they prepared Ginny for the trip to St. Mungo's and notified friends and family members. Thankfully, they had arrived just as her contractions had become stronger and she was now under the care of a qualified healer. Once Molly had arrived and taken charge of the situation, everything seemed to calm down.

Smiling at Ginny, Harry leaned over to kiss her forehead. "You look so beautiful, Ginny. It's a wonder that you could look more beautiful than usual but you have managed to do just that." He sat in a chair next to the bed without releasing Ginny's hand from his grasp. He wished for a second that the chair was a little more padded before stopping himself. He should just be thankful that he was not in the kind of pain that Ginny was.

Hermione went over to her sister in law's side, "Ginny, you hang in there. Ron and I are keeping an eye on Meghan and she's having a good time with her cousins, so you just concentrate on having the baby and don't worry about a thing."

Ginny smiled thankfully at Hermione. The healer came in and, while everyone but Harry waited outside, examined her. She was fully dilated and could begin pushing. Ginny looked at Harry, "Think Meghan would like to be here for her brother or sister's birth?"

Harry had not the faintest idea what to say to that. He had not even considered having Meghan in the room until now. Thinking about it more, he could not see a reason why it was a bad idea. "Why don't I go ask Meghan if she would like to be in the room? We can leave the choice up to her."

Ginny nodded, "Okay, tell her that she doesn't have to if she doesn..."Ginny was unable to finish the sentence as another pain hit her.

Molly saw Harry coming out of Ginny's room, "Harry, how's she doing? Is she okay?"

Meghan ran up to her father, "Dad, did Mum have the baby yet? Am I a big sister?" She was unable to keep the eagerness out of her voice. Her face was lit up with excitement and there was a huge smile upon her face.

Smiling at his daughter and mother-in-law, Harry said, "No, Ginny has not had the baby yet but she is getting close. Meghan, your mum and I wondered if you would like to be in the room to watch the baby come into the world. You don't have to if you don't want to. We wanted to leave the decision to you."

Meghan looked at her father incredulously, "Really? I can do that?"

She said, furrowing her brow in thought, "I don't know, it could be

kind of scary," It was obvious that she really wanted to do it but she

had mixed emotions about it.

"If you like, sweetheart, I can come in with you and stand by you, and

if you get too nervous I'll take you out, okay?" Molly said, giving her granddaughter a hug, "It's a really special thing to watch a baby

come into the world, Meghan, but we're not going force you into it."

Meghan thought about it and nodded, "I want to come in. I want to

help sing Happy birthday to my new brother or sister," She said,

beaming at her grandmother and dad.

Harry had to smile at how adorable his daughter was. It was great to watch her thought process as she made the decision for herself. He was so proud of how she was growing into a young woman. "Well, then it's decided. Let's not waste anymore time! We don't want to miss the birth." He held the door open for the two ladies and stepped into the room behind them.

Ginny smiled as she saw her mother and Meghan come in, "Meghan, I'm so glad you came in," She said, waving her over, "You ready to be a big

sister?" Ginny's face contorted with pain as another contraction hit

and perspiration dripped into her eyes.

"Yes, I'm ready," Obviously concerned about how much pain her Mum was in, she looked at her with concern, "You going to be okay?" Tears

glistened in Meghan's eyes as she looked at her mother.

"Honey, I'll be fine. Now, go stand with grandmum because you're

going to be a big sister real soon," Reaching up, Ginny gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek.

"Okay, on the next contraction, I want you to push," The healer said,

at the foot of Ginny's bed.

The next contraction hit a minute later and Ginny pushed, squeezing

Harry's hand with all her might.

Harry kept his expression supportive and concerned despite the intense pain running through the hand that Ginny was crushing. He knew that it helped her to have him to hold on to so he bore the pain happily. "You're doing wonderfully, Ginny," he said after a particularly intense contraction. The healer was at Ginny's feet calling out instructions for when to push and when to relax. "Remember to breath," he reminded Ginny when he saw her face becoming red.

Meghan kept her eyes on her mother, making sure that she was okay.

She couldn't see a lot because of the healer in the way, but they did

have a mirror on the ceiling and she did steal a glance at it. All

she could see was a mess of dark hair which her grandmother said was

the baby's head.

"Okay, one more push and you'll have your baby," The healer called.

Ginny took a deep breath and pushed. It wasn't but a minute before

the sound of a newborn's crying was heard throughout the room, "You

have a son." The healer said.

The healer performed a cleaning charm on the baby, then looked at

Harry, "Would you like to cut his cord?"

Harry nodded eagerly. With Meghan, he had been a bit grossed out by cutting the umbilical cord but he now knew that it was a great honor and a great tradition and not as gross as he had first thought. He took the scissors from the healer and cut the cord between the two clamps. As he handed the scissors back to the healer, he got a good look at his new baby boy.

His son had Harry's dark hair and looked plump and healthy. He wondered what color the baby's eyes would become when they changed from blue in several months. He certainly hoped they were green.

When the nurse was finished weighing, measuring and inspecting the baby, Harry took him into his arms and carried him over to Ginny. "Ginny, I would like you to meet our son, James Albus Harrison Potter," he said as he placed the baby into Ginny's arms.

Ginny looked with wonder at the tiny baby in her arms. He was so

beautiful and tears came to her eyes, "He looks like you, Harry," She

whispered softly. Gently she stroked his soft baby hair and leaned

down to kiss his forehead. Seeing Meghan standing with her mother,

she waved to her, "Come over and meet your brother."

Meghan came over shyly to her mother's side and looked at the

blanketed bundle in her mother's arms, "He's so small," She said in

amazement.

"You were this little once, Meghan. All babies are small when they

are first born."

Molly came over to her daughter's side and looked at her new grandson, "He's definitely a Potter," She said, smiling at Harry, "He looks just like you, and your dad before you."

Harry smiled at his family and then down at the new addition. "He certainly has my hair. I was wondering a few minutes ago what color his eyes would be once they change from blue. I really do hope they are green." He laughed blithely. "I hope he doesn't need glasses, though. That would make him look too much like me. He needs to be his own man."

Stroking Ginny's hair, Harry asked, "How do you feel Ginny?"

"I hope he has green eyes too. You have quite a legacy James," She said, bending down to kiss her son on his forehead. Looking at Harry, she smiled tiredly, "I'm tired and sore, but I'm very happy. We now have our perfect family...a beautiful daughter who is making us proud in Hogwarts and a beautiful baby boy who looks like his father."

"Can I touch him, Mum?" Meghan said shyly.

"Of course you can, just be gentle," Ginny said as she watched Meghan stroke his cheek, "You're going to be the best big sister."

Molly smiled at her daughter, son in law, and Meghan, "Well, I better go give the news to everyone else. I'll send them in two at a time so that you don't get too overwhelmed."

"Thanks, Molly," Harry said. "I know I should probably go out and make the birth announcement to everyone but I don't want to leave my family just yet." He smiled at her appreciatively as she left the room.

Harry looked at Ginny and Meghan and said, "Well ladies, are you ready to show the world our new addition?" He sat back in his chair, contentedly waiting for the first visitor.

Molly went out to the waiting room where a large crowd had gathered, waiting for the announcement. Smiling at her family, Molly announced, "Harry, Ginny and Meghan Potter would like to announce the birth of James Albus Harrison Potter. Now, you may go in and see them but only two at a time. We don't want to overwhelm poor Ginny. Arthur, why don't you and Ron go first?"

Arthur stood and took Ron by the arm, "What do you say, Ron? Ready to go see your nephew?"

Back in the room, Ginny smiled at Harry, "I sure am," She said, looking at Meghan, "How about you, big sister?"

Meghan couldn't take her eyes off her brother and simply nodded.

Harry sat back contentedly as one after another of their family and friends came through fussing over the new baby. He answered questions and made small talk with them, all the while keeping half an eye on Ginny and the baby. As soon as he saw her smile begin to droop and her eyes begin to glaze over, he stood and said, "All right guys. Thanks so much for coming to support us. I think it's time for Ginny and the baby to rest." He ushered the visitors to the door and waved to the crowd outside before closing the door and shutting out the noise.

Returning to Ginny's side, Harry said, "Ginny, would you like me to put James into the bassinet while you have a nap? Meghan and I will leave the two of you alone for a little while so you can rest." He placed a cool hand on her forehead and prepared to take the baby from Ginny once she gave the okay.

Ginny nodded, "Yes, that sounds like a good idea. I'll get some rest now while I can before he's ready to eat," She said, looking down at her son who was sleeping in her arms, "He's so beautiful, isn't he Harry?"

"Can I hold James later, Mum?" Meghan said eagerly.

"Of course you can, sweetheart. Later, after we both have rested, okay?" Ginny said, leaning back on her pillows.

"Okay. You get some rest. Dad and I will be real quiet so you can sleep."

Crooking her finger to indicate that Harry should come over and get James, she whispered, "I love you, Harry."

Harry took James carefully in his arms and carried him to the simple bassinet beside Ginny's bed. Before placing the baby in the bed, Harry looked it over carefully for any defects or suspicious characteristics. Satisfied that everything was as it should be, Harry placed James on his stomach in the bassinet and pulled a blanket up to his tiny shoulders. Before turning away, Harry ran a finger down his son's cheek feeling his soft, fragile skin and the strength of life that coursed through his veins.

He held out his hand for Meghan and together they left the room. When they were outside, Harry asked Meghan, "Well, we have about an hour. What would you like to do?" He knew that Meghan may begin to feel left out over the coming days as people paid more attention to James than they did to her. He wanted to avoid this feeling for her from the start by making a conscious effort to spend enough time with Meghan before she returned to Hogwarts.

Meghan tapped her chin as she thought, and then smiled, "Let's go to the store. I want to buy James a birthday present from his big sister," She said, beaming widely, "I love being a big sister and I'll even help Mum change his nappies if she wants me to."

When Harry and Meghan left, Ginny took one last look at her son and smiled. She was so happy and content, and very glad that he was here and healthy. Giving his back a gentle pat, she rolled over on her side and fell asleep, her hand gently laying on his back to make sure that he was breathing.