Harry and Ginny visited the Dursleys on the second day of the following month. They had dropped by to say hello to "little Daisy and her family" as Harry liked to describe the Dursleys now.
"It is so good to see you both!" Petunia smiled warmly.
"Harry, do you guys drink beer?" Vernon wondered, "Dudley and I will be having some."
"Ginny and I drink loads of butterbeer. I think we can handle beer!" Harry said enthusiastically.
"Strong stuff, this is!" Ginny said.
"Yes," Harry said as he watched Ginny take a second dose while he poured his second dose. No sooner had Ginny taken a sip than she had emesis right on the table. Harry freaked out since the Dursleys loathed such behavior. But Vernon merely laughed, "See? This is strong!"
Ginny held tight to Harry, wholly drunk, and refused to let go. So, Harry had to excuse himself and take his wife to the room.
That was all Harry remembered the following morning at nine when he woke up, Ginny's head on his bare chest. He wondered when he had removed his shirt. The next minute, he doubled over and puked at the side of the bed. His head hurt, and he could see Ginny waking up holding her head as though a catastrophe had set in. She puked right on the bedside table.
Harry used the Vanishing Charm and went downstairs with Ginny. Dudley was reading a muggle fairytale to Daisy as she crawled into his lap and shook her fists with glee. Clara had almost finished wiping the dining table clean. Petunia seemed to be in the garden with Vernon, asking him to trim a particularly nasty weed.
"Mr. and Mrs. Potter!" Clara exclaimed and immediately took out a vessel and two plates. She quickly scooped some scrambled eggs into each plate and handed it over to the Potters as Harry said, "Clara can call us by our names, isn't it, Mrs. Dursley?"
"Sure, Harry, Ginny," Clara said. Harry gave the first plate to Ginny and sat with the second plate just as Vernon walked in.
"Here are the Potters! So good to see you! Petunia and I are planning to go to Downtown London and will be back late tonight or tomorrow. This is urgent, so we had to leave. I was telling Petunia just as she pointed out this nasty weed in the garden. We will also be visiting a doctor our family doctor recommended. Make yourselves comfortable."
"Sure thing, Uncle Vernon," Harry said.
Half an hour later, Uncle Vernon's old company car left the driveway and slithered into the main road. From Harry's window, he saw the place where years ago, he had seen Albus Dumbledore arrive to pick him up so he could go to meet Professor Horace Slughorn. He smiled at the memory of his Hogwarts years. As Harry turned, he was rewarded with the familiar taste of strawberries with cherry. He cherished every moment of that. His hands went into the fiery redness, and he kissed her passionately.
Ginny loved the familiar taste of treacle tart she got from snogging Harry. She thrust her hands into his messy black hair as she deepened the kiss. She wanted more when she felt someone pulling her skirt. She looked down to see little Daisy. "Baddle the Beerd." She demanded. Ginny smiled as Harry groaned. Ginny would now spend the rest of the afternoon reading "Beedle the Bard" to Daisy.
Harry didn't get bored, though. Dudley showed a fantastic movie themed around basketball that Harry enjoyed. It so much reminded him of Quidditch! Dudley was pleased to hear some more about Quidditch from Harry as the brothers watched the film. Even Clara, who wasn't into sports at all, had been interested to know about what she called "Kwee-dich."
It was now two-thirty, and Harry walked back into his old room when he saw Daisy sleeping on Ginny's lap as her head lay in an awkward position at the wall where she had presumably kept her head when she fell asleep reading to Daisy. Harry grinned and put his arm around her, her head sinking into his chest. Just then, Dudley walked in. He grinned at his cousin and carefully scooped up his daughter from Ginny's lap.
"Now, she can sleep well, Harry. I'll take Daisy to my room." Dudley said as Harry nodded with a grin. Harry didn't know when he had fallen asleep, but when he woke up, both his arms were around Ginny, and there were long shadows in the room than earlier. It was four-thirty. Harry knew it because he had spent days each year locked up in this room during his teenage years. He felt Ginny stir and felt her nose against his heart, "H-Harry?"
"It's me, Gin." He replied, kissing the top of her head. She lifted her head. "Where's Daisy?"
"With Big D. Probably sleeping still. You slept for at least two hours, Gin. That's how long I slept holding you." Harry said.
Ginny kissed him with a smile and got down. "I'll go to the loo."
Harry walked down and saw the outline of a fat figure sitting on the armchair. He didn't quite recognize who it was until he heard that horrible voice that could belong to one person only and could rival that of Dolores Umbitch. Marjourie Dursley!
"Still here, are you? I'd have thought you'd have left my brothers family for good, but no, you had to drag your sorry ass back in here!"
"I did not come here of my own will. It was Dudley who called me." Harry replied coldly as memories of his childhood with Marge's abuse filled his mind. Ripper chasing him up a tree, Marge giving him dog biscuits, Marge beating him to prevent him from winning a game on Dudley's birthday, Marge insulting Lily and James Potter.
"Why the f* should I care? You get the hell outta here!" Marge shouted, turning around. To Harry's horror, she was holding a sleeping Daisy in her arms. Next to the couch lay an advertisement, "Selling children to satiate your sexual needs."
"What are you doing with Daisy?! And what's that advertisement doing there?!" Harry screamed in a fury, just as Ginny walked in, "Harry?" Ginny quickly saw the advertisement and Daisy in Marge's arms. Her eyes widened in shock and realization.
"Oh, this brat here? Well, you couldn't be sold into this brothel, so I thought, why not her?" Marge said lazily. "Once Vernon dies, which will happen soon because I get him the tablets and I get the wrong ones, I'll get the property. I'll finish off that dratted aunt of yours and silence Dudley. His 'girlfriend' and this brat here can go there!" She smiled maliciously.
"Don't you dare!! I will not let you!" Harry shouted as Ginny took out her wand. They heard the front door open and close. Marge fisted her hand and roughly hit Daisy on the back! Daisy started bawling her eyes out in pain. "Such a noisy brat!" Marge laughed. When Clara rushed in, she hurried to scoop Daisy into her arms, and Marge said," These brats here hurt my Daisy poo!" Marge pulled a sad face as she cleverly hid the pamphlet from Clara's view.
Clara, however, shot Marge a disgusted look and left the room. Harry continued to glare at Marge. "I will not let you ruin another innocent child's life like what you did to me!"
"Like I f* care" You insolent fool!" Marge raged.
"Don't you dare talk to my husband like that!" Ginny glared daggers at Marge.
"What are you going to do about that? You're just like this brat's mother. Both are bitches and will give birth to rotten puppies!" Marge sneered.
"Shut up and apologize to my wife now! You do not deserve to lick the dirt on my parent's shoes! That's how low you stand compared to them! They were martyrs... Heroes who sacrificed their lives fighting for a cause... Fighting in a war!"
"Bull*! They were nothing but drunks!" Marge said. Tears, red hot tears were streaming down Ginny's face, her nostrils were flaring, her eyes flashed dangerously, her famous Weasley temper rivaling that of her mother. Before Marge could say another word, she heard the slap before she felt it. Her left cheek was swelling with the impact as Ginny stood in front of her. Ginny was small, but it wasn't to be underestimated. Ginny slapped Marge again with the back of her hand, thus making Marge's other cheek go red too.
"You made my husband's childhood hell! You insult my parents-in-law all the time! Now, you're planning terrible things for my husband's aunt and her family, who happens to be your brother and his family! The very family you depend upon for your daily needs for decades is like a parasite! Don't you feel ashamed of your pathetic existence?"
"I will rid you of your miserable existence, bitch!" Marge roared. But before she could so much as lay a finger on Ginny, Harry held her arm.
"You dare touch me, you filthy son of a drunk!" Marge shouted. "Lay a finger on my wife, and that will be your death sentence!" Harry hissed angrily as he pulled Ginny towards him with his free arm.
"Are you alright, love?" Harry asked, just as Ginny raised her wand. Her infamous Bat Bogey Hex on Marge Dursley would be one of the most memorable and fhnniest memories Harry would ever have.
Marge pulled her hand roughly out of Harry's grasp and shrieked before she stormed away, muttering darkly. Harry noticed the pamphlet now on the ground. Marge had dropped it in anger. He picked it up just as he heard sniffing.
"I-I am so sorry t-to hear that t-that monster m-made you suffer so much, H-Harry! B-Beating you, t-treating you several times worse than we would want even our worst enemies not to go through!" Harry heard Ginny. The front of Harry's shirt was getting damp quickly as he held Ginny close.
"Shh, Gin! It's okay, I have already left it in my past. I don't want to bring that up. I'm more worried about the Dursleys now."
Ginny looked up, her face glistening with tears, "We have to warn Clara! Now!" She and Harry rushed to Clara, who was upstairs. "Clara, you have no idea what Marge is planning!" Harry stopped short when he saw that Clara was crying, too.
"Clara, is everything alright?" Harry asked.
"I think I have a fair idea. Tell me what you both wanted to say." Clara wiped her eyes furiously.
"Harry and I saw it! That disgusting pamphlet! Marge is planning to destroy your family!" Ginny said, tears running down her cheeks. Clara broke into sobs again, "I knew it!"
"You knew what? Can't you do anything about it, if you know?" Harry and Ginny said together.
"I can't help it. Marge controls everything here. Vernon, Petunia, Dudley, and I are nothing but puppets to her. We are just supposed to follow her bidding. She comes and goes whenever she pleases. She also had nasty magazines and pamphlets with her always. We are all aware that Marge is planning something horrible for us, especially since she hates my guts."
"She wants to kill my uncle and aunt, silence Dudley, and sell you and Daisy!" Harry exclaimed angrily. Clara buried her face in Ginny's shoulder, "I don't know how to escape this hellhole! Dudley wants to fight for his rights to the property, while I say it is better that we all just leave before Marge does real damage to us."
Marge obviously hadn't heard Clara. "Did you see the accusations this Potter brat is making on me, Clara?" She cried just as Dudley walked in. "Dudley, see what this brat here says! He is accusing me of all nonsense! Of course, I care deeply about the family, but this brat accuses me falsely..."
Dudley rolled his eyes as he said, "I'll look into it." He was shocked to see his girlfriend and his cousin's wife crying and rushed into the room. His cousin had an angry glare. He pulled Clara and his daughter into his arms as Clara explained between sobs what Harry and Ginny had just said. Dudley's knuckles had gone white.
"Big D. I'll make this simple. Who do you believe, us or her?" Harry said, indicating at the door to mean Marge, who had just left, smirking at the idea of creating another family fight.
"She can't be trusted, Harry. I'll have to trust you both, and I know I can." Dudley smiled at Harry but suddenly had a grim expression. "So she is going to kill us... threaten us... and sell us, is it?" Clara sobbed harder into his chest as he held tighter, "Dudley, I keep telling you. L-let's get the hell out of here! I d-don't understand why Petunia and Vernon, a-and now you, s-stick around that monster who so obviously wants to destroy us! I'm scared!"
"My father has worked his ass off to earn this property, Clara! Frankly speaking, ever since I turned seventeen, I have been working part-time jobs and late full-time jobs since the age of eighteen and contributing to this property! We can't just leave it in the hands of someone who has been depending on our hard earned money like a parasite!" Dudley hissed.
"Do you have any proof? About Marge? Or know someone or someplace where we can find it?" Harry questioned Dudley.
"Auror Potter." Dudley's eyes widened in realization. "Aunt Marge has a stack of such pamphlets. It would definitely be in her house as far as I know. She is daft, arrogant, lazy, and nontrusting. I wonder how she has been able to run such things without arousing suspicion in the police."
Harry put a hand on Dudley's shoulder, "I'm sure we will find evidence if we search. I'll get Ron and some Aurors to help me with that. Daisy and you all should never have to suffer under somebody like Marge.
Marge did not come out of her room that evening, which made Harry glad. He wasn't sure if he could keep his temper in check if this woman materialized in front of him. Neither he nor Ginny could not look away from Daisy every minute of their stay, and they slept only when they saw Clara carry Daisy into her and Dudley's room and lock it.
Thankfully, Petunia and Vernon returned early the following morning and Marge kept to herself. Harry and Ginny left the house after briefly explaining the previous evening's events to Vernon and Petunia, who were shell shocked and promised to be careful and take care of their son, his girlfriend and the baby.
--
Harry had just woken up and gone to the kitchen. Spring at the Burrow was his favorite. He and Ginny had been playing Exploding Snap with Hermione and Ron until past midnight. Grimacing to himself at the memory, Harry decided to make himself something to drink. "Hey, Gin. Fancy something to drink?"
Ginny nodded, just as his mobile rang. He answered the call. "Hello?"
Ginny had started boiling some milk to prepare Hot Chocolate. She hummed to herself as she glanced at Harry. A dark shadow over his eyes had suddenly replaced the casual expression on Harry's face, "Right you are. This is Mr. Potter speaking… Yes, we are related to the Dursleys…." He looked up at Ginny, white-faced. Ginny knew something had gone awfully wrong the moment she had glanced at Harry.
"What? When? How?"
Harry's mouth had gone dry. His eyes burned, and a large lump came up to his throat. Ginny sat beside him. "H-Harry?" Her voice was fearful. He didn't respond. He couldn't. Ginny shook him, "Harry, what happened?"
Ginny's hands went over to her mouth as her eyes filled up.
"I have to go, Gin." Harry stood up.
"Let me come with you."
"No, you're agitated." Harry tried to reason.
"I don't care! I want to come!" Ginny cried.
He immediately scrambled up and ran to fetch his coat. Ron and Hermione were coming down the stairs. "Morning, Harry." But Harry ran past them.
"What? Harry?" Ron was taken aback. He looked over his shoulder and then looked ahead at his sister. She was crying! He couldn't see his baby sister in tears!
"Ginny! What happened?" He ran to Ginny. Hermione put an arm around Ginny, "What is wrong, Gin? Why isn't Harry saying anything?" But Ginny was speechless. Just then, Harry bounced back into the living room.
"Harry, what's going on?" Hermione asked, almost tearing up. This did not look good.
Ron looked concerned and kept asking Harry and Ginny in turns what had happened. Then, Harry spoke for the first time, which made Ron and Hermione lose their speech momentarily. They watched Harry disapparate with Ginny before collapsing to the sofa.
"Bloody hell!" Ron said in a shaking voice.
"I do wonder why such things happen only to Harry!" Hermione began sobbing.
Meanwhile, the Potters had reached the Dursley residence and were sitting in front of an officer.
"So, you are Mr. and Mrs. Potter, related to the Dursley Family?" An officer asked.
Ginny had her head on Harry's shoulder, and Harry nodded.
"I'm sorry to inform you, Mr. and Mrs. Potter, that Mr. V. Dursley, Mrs. Petunia Dursley, Mr. D. Dursley, Mrs. Clara Dursley, and a baby got involved in a nasty accident in the early hours of the day. We suspect they were going on a trip."
Harry was devastated. He had met the Dursleys only a few weeks ago. They had all been good to him and Ginny. Not to mention Daisy! Harry felt like a personal loss. He didn't like to think of Baby Daisy under the wheels of a lorry driven by a drunken arsehole! Clara and Dudley were a cute couple. Their daughter brought out their best features, Harry felt.
Ginny's heart had broken into a million pieces. She remembered the necklace Petunia had given her, remembered the food the Dursleys had cooked that night, remembered their kind gesture, and most of all, the little darling, Daisy! She was getting visions of a baby looking up to see a lorry drive over her, Dudley and Clara watching in horror as the Grim Reaper took them in.
"Aunt Petunia wanted to go to Hogwarts. She wanted Dudley to be able to go. And now, she hoped she would be able to see her granddaughter go to Hogwarts! She was my Mum's sister, the last living memory of Mum." Harry's stomach turned.
"My condolences, Mr. Potter." The officer said with his nose buried in some files, without really catching on to what Harry said.
"Well, here is the survivor." The officer sympathetically continued, "The baby girl miraculously survived the accident. As it is, you, Mr. H. Potter, are her only living relative. You will be required for the formalities, which include little Miss Dursley."
Another officer brought a light brown basket with a bundle in it. Harry and Ginny rushed to him. Ginny took the baby in her arms. Harry held Ginny and Daisy together. They were relieved that Daisy had survived, sad that Daisy had now become an orphan.
The officers gave Harry and Ginny some time to mourn and comfort Daisy. Then, the officer said, "Mr. and Mrs. Potter. Mr. Dudley Dursley has named you Godfather and Godmother of Daisy. If you're not willing to take in the child, Marge Dursley is the only other who can do so."
Harry was horrified! He would not let Marge Dursley get her hands on this little bundle of joy. Daisy was now his daughter for all intent and purposes. Even the law was on his side, given that Dudley had officially declared him Daisy's Godfather.
"No!" Harry said, a little louder than he meant to. "We will take her with us!" Harry and Ginny looked at each other. Harry whispered to Ginny as they sat down. "Gin, I'm sorry you have to go through this. Taking care of another baby when we already have Teddy Lupin." "Say no more, Harry. Like Teddy is my son, Daisy is my daughter. End of story." Ginny gave a watery smile.
"There you are, Mr. and Mrs. Potter." The officer smiled at them, indicating that they could now take the baby home. Harry took Daisy in his arms, and Ginny stood close to Harry, kissing Daisy's forehead. Harry pulled Ginny into an embrace, and the two of them held the baby together.
Just then, a horrible voice echoed. "Daisy is my bloody niece! How can you deny me that! I demand that Daisy be given to me, not some stupid 'godfather' nonsense!"
"Ms. Dursley. Please look at this statement. Mr. Dudley Dursley himself has declared who his daughter, Daisy's godparents are."
"Who the ruddy hell are they! I would like to give them a piece of my mind!" Marge roared.
Harry made to go and confront Marge, but Ginny held his arm, "Don't, please!"
Marge unfortunately noticed Harry and Ginny with the baby. "There you are!" She made to grab the baby, but found Ginny's wand at her chest.
"Leave, before you regret this!" She snarled at her as she held Daisy closer to her own chest. Her wand wasn't visible to anyone except Marge.
"Didn't you hear me? I said keep your filthy hands away from my daughter!"
"I will not have a freak speak to me like that!"
"You have already shown everybody what kind of a pathethic dolt you are! You really think you can get away with this behaviour and still gain custody of the child?" Ginny threatened.
"Ah! Threats? Officer, she is threatening me!" Marge turned around and roared, only to turn back and see Ginny weeping.
"There is no need to cry, Gin. Let me give Marge a piece of her mind!" Harry snarled the first sentence aloud, and said the second sentence so that only Ginny and Marge could hear.
"No, let's go. The officials will handle this." Ginny pleaded loudly.
"Yes, Mrs. Potter. We will handle it. Mr. Potter, please do not worry. You can take the child and leave."
Marge was shocked! She was sure she had seen Ginny point a long wooden stick at her and threaten her but the officers apparently hadn't seen it. When the officers came closer, Ginny wasn't holding any stick. Nor was she or Harry threatening Marge.
As Ginny and Harry left the house, a thunderous voice echoed the front lawn. The neighbors craned their necks to look above their fence or peep from their windows for the source of the commotion.
"You brat! Where do you think you are carrying my precious little niece! You're going to make her a wastrel just like your parents!! He is kidnapping the child! Somebody get him!" Marge roared. Ginny looked tearful.
"Hello, Marjorie Dursley. You didn't specify there what I can do for you?" Harry smiled.
"What the f* are you grinning like a maniac for!" Marge roared just as four policewomen grabbed her from behind.
"Ms. Marjorie Dursley. You have been arrested for child abuse and animal abuse for over two decades. Your animal victims have mainly been dogs, such as Tony, Bull, and Lax. Your human victims include Mr. Potter here and…."
"Stop it!" Marge screamed. "You have got the wrong person! That brat is who you're looking for! Arrest him! He has killed my brother, sister-in-law, my Diddykins, and that stupid blonde girl. Now, he is kidnapping my Diddkins' daughter!"
Harry was furious. How dare she make such an accusation! "Neither did I cause my aunt, uncle, cousin and his girlfriend to die, nor am I kidnapping the child! Daisy is my daughter!" Harry took a step forward.
"You probably remember this?" He pulled out the pamphlet Marge had had a few days ago when she talked about selling Clara and Daisy for money. Marge's eyes widened and her face paled. "You said you were giving the wrong medicines to Uncle Vernon, and his chemist agrees that you always brought the jet green tablets for Uncle Vernon instead of the parrot green tablets his doctor had prescribed for him. Not to mention you wanted my Aunt Petunia dead, and my cousin Dudley out of the way. Isn't it strange how just a couple of days later, the entire family dies mysteriously?"
"A-ha! One moment you're declared Daisy's godfather and the next moment, the family is involved in an accident that killed everyone nought the baby! Isn't that suspicious?" Marge retaliated.
"There is absolutely zero evidence of Mr. Potter being involved in this. However, all the evidence points towards you that the accusations made about you are correct!"
"I will not let this son of a layabout and bitch dictate my fate! You wait until I press charges against you and ensure you never go around scot free again!" Marge roared. Harry's ears were ringing now. There she goes, again! How Dare she talk about James and Lily Potter! He angrily stepped forward.
But Ginny was pleading with him with the effort of restraining him, saying, "Please, Harry. Let's just go away."
"Too late, Ms. Dursley." A lady officer had come. "Mrs. Potter. Mr. Potter. You're free of all charges and may leave immediately."
"Why would you do this to me?" Marge snarled at Harry.
"Mr. Potter did not submit the complaint alone. Mr. D. Dursley was with him that day." The female officer said.
"What a load of bull*! I refuse to believe my precious Diddykins would so much as complain about me!" Marge cursed.
"On the contrary, your precious Diddykins wasn't so precious to you whenever you had no favours from my aunt and uncle, did you?" Harry said. "You definitely did not find them precious when you made Uncle Vernon's childhood hell, taunted Aunt Petunia about my mum, and slandered my mum and dad! Not to mention you were secretly plotting their deaths already!"
Marge continued cursing as another male officer handcuffed her and took away the prisoner.
Harry and Ginny walked for a considerable while into a more lonely area before disapparating.
"T-Thanks, Ginny! I was worried that Marge would claim Daisy. You were brave enough to threaten her and clever enough to hide the threats from everyone else. Sorry to put you through this." Harry broke down.
Ginny pulled Harry into a comforting hug as he wailed into her chest. This was like Harry when he had nightmares about the war, his parents, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Fred, Dumbledore, Snape, Cedric, Hedwig, Dobby and the countless others who sacrificed their lives in the war. She knew the Dursleys were to Harry from his mothers side somewhat like what Sirius and Remus were to Harry from his fathers side. Even if the Dursleys had been horrible to Harry his entire childhood.
It was in Harry's character that he would easily forgive the Dursleys and consider them close. Close enough to grieve their deaths so much. Ginny could not stop tears streaming down her face. Thankfully the baby was fast asleep throughout all the commotion.
That evening, Ginny and Harry took Daisy for the first time to the Burrow.
"We have reached home, Gin!" Harry comforted his wife, who was still weeping on his shoulder silently. "That's Ron and Hermione at the lawn. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are running out of the kitchen towards us too!"
The four of them rushed to the couple returning with the baby. Molly reached first.
"What happened?" Molly asked, taken aback.
"My Uncle's sister, Marge Dursley, had created a huge ruckus. She would have sold Daisy for money had she got her hands on her. Getting Daisy safe out of her reach and bringing her here wasn't easy." Harry said.
Ginny looked up at Harry. It was Harry, not her, who was still in shock and was white in the face thinking of what Marge would've done to Daisy.
Ginny looked ahead, "Mum!" She sobbed and jumped into her arms, "That bitch wanted this baby. We couldn't let her have an innocent baby for her selfish uses!"
"Language, Ginny!" Molly said but still comforted Ginny. "Oh, Dear! Why is life so cruel?" Molly cried.
"We have to take good care of Daisy," Arthur said grimly.
Ron and Hermione helped Harry and Ginny inside as Mrs. Weasley took the baby in. Mr. Weasley accompanied his wife.
Back in the kitchen, Molly looked at Ginny as though scanning her. "Ginny. You and Harry are still in your teens. Are you sure you want to be full-time parents to this child? You're both already taking care of Teddy at this age." She looked at Harry concernedly. Harry didn't meet her eyes but stared into the garden behind her with determined eyes.
"We are fine, Mum! We can and will take care of Daisy."
"I'm not saying you can't. But you might be too young…."
"She is an orphan, Mum! Where will she go? You're getting worried over nothing. As you pointed out, Harry and I already take care of Teddy. I don't care if Harry and I are young or old. Daisy is our daughter. Period!"
Molly and Arthur looked at each other and shook their heads. Arthur spoke, "What actually happened?"
"Some bl… Sorry. A drunken driver decided to have a bit of fun. He drove his lorry right into the car the Dursleys were in." Harry said. His voice choked, "D-Daisy was inside that car!" Ginny stood up and put her arms around his neck.
Just then, Percy, Fred, and George walked in.
"Harry! Ginny!" Percy said aloud.
"Blimey, are you all okay?" Fred said hysterically.
George rushed to Harry and Ginny and pulled them into a massive hug. Harry could feel Ginny break down against George's shoulders.
Percy looked grim. "Ginny, you must know by now how hard it is to take care of children, given that you've been taking care of Teddy."
"Yes, Perce. I've already told Mum that I'm ready to take care of her. Harry and I are Godparents officially. We are happy to be Daisy's parents." Ginny broke herself from George and wiped her eyes. George patted Harry on the back sympathetically.
Ten minutes later, they all sat at the table. Molly had filled their plates with bacon. Harry and Ginny did not very much fancy eating.
Their silence was broken by Fred snorting, "Revenge time! How about conjuring a closet under the staircase and dumping this kid down there? And maybe make the kid do occasional chores around the house."
George and Fred laughed at the idea but found out no one found this funny. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Percy, Ron, and Hermione were glaring daggers at them. Harry screamed, "NO!" and stood up, clutching the child to his chest tightly. "I won't… let anything… come to her!" He ran upstairs with the baby. Ginny had stood up suddenly, too, angry tears in her eyes. She kicked her chair backward, causing it to slam hard on the ground, and slammed her fists on the table.
"You insensitive gits! How dare you suggest something like this?! She is my daughter, and that makes her your niece! You should be ashamed of yourselves for talking about treating a human being, much less a baby like this! If any harm were to come to Daisy, it would come over my dead body!" Ginny growled and stormed out sobbing hard.
Percy had a disapproving look on his face. "Grow up, you bullies." He left the kitchen, disgust showing on his face.
Ron shouted angrily, "I may have been silent this time. Fred. George. But I will not tolerate it if this happens a second time! Have I made myself clear?" He slammed his bare fists on the table as he stood up. His fists hurt, but he couldn't care less.
"R-Ron, your hands!" Hermione wailed, taking his hands. He had slammed hem into the plates, and his hands were bleeding now. But that didn't deter Ron.
"You both have always bullied Ginny and me as children! You have bullied Percy too! Even at Hogwarts, your pranks would go over the top a lot of times! I should've stopped you as a prefect then, but I didn't. You both have overstepped your bloody boundaries long back!" He thundered. He violently grabbed his hands back from Hermione and stormed out. Hermione shot a glare at the twins before crying out, "Ron!" and clutching his bleeding hands.
"You both are grounded! I don't care that you're 20 something, but you clearly have the emotional range of a teaspoon and a clear lack of shame and manners!" Molly said. Arthur stood up and walked out of the kitchen, muttering, "I've had enough of their stupid antics!" Molly followed him.
Fred and George were left sitting in the empty kitchen, ensuring that the entire family lost their appetite that night because of them. The plates were full; their stomachs, empty; and their hearts full of weight.
Harry sat on the bed, facing the wall, holding the child to his chest. "I won't let anything happen to you. Even if Lord Voldemort somehow returns, I will face him and die but won't give you up!" He sobbed.
The door opened, and Ginny rushed to him, "What was that about Lord Voldemort returning and you dying?! Don't talk like that, Harry!" she sobbed. She sat on the bed, resting her head on his crouched back, "I am here, Harry. I will ensure nothing… Absolutely nothing happens… To Daisy. Or even Teddy."
"H-How can those insensitive brats even imagine we would let them think about… Our innocent baby… growing up like that!" She wailed.
That was when Ron and Hermione walked in. "You okay?" Ron asked fiercely. "Their misdeeds need to be pointed out; they have to face the consequences of their thoughts and actions!"
Harry turned around and said, "Thank you, everyone, for the support."
But Hermione still held Ron's hands to her bosom and sobbed. "It's okay, Hermione," Ginny said, alarmed.
"Family and friends don't say thank you, Harry." Ron huffed.
"Frankly, I was surprised Ron told the twins off threateningly. But your hands… Oh, Ron!" Hermione cried.
"I had to, Hermione. They took it too far!" Ron said. Harry and Ginny saw that his hands were bleeding and stood up, alarmed.
"Ron! What happened?"
"How did that happen, Ron?"
Hermione recounted whatever had happened at the dinner table. "Then we heard Molly ground the twins." She pulled out her wand and conjured some band-aids. Ginny applied medicine on Ron's hands because Hermione was shaking with fright and emotion. Just then, Molly stormed in. "Ron, let me see to your hand."
"It's okay, Mum. Hermione and I fixed it." Ginny smiled reassuringly.
Molly hugged her son and Hermione, "Thank you for telling them off. They never listen to us. Maybe they will listen to you."
She hugged her daughter and Harry too, "Don't worry, dears! We will take good care of Daisy and make sure no harm comes her way."
"Go to bed, all of you!" Molly said, somewhere between a sob and being strict.
Ginny took out the necklace Petunia had given her. She caressed it and looked lovingly at Harry. "Your grandmothers necklace is so beautiful I don't know if I deserve to wear it."
"Don't say that, Gin! There is nobody in the world who deserves that better than you." Harry said. He took the necklace from Ginny's hand and tied it around her neck. "You look gorgeous."Ginny turned and Harry pulled her into his arms. She heard his heartbeat as she dissolved into his warm embrace.
Hermione was beaming at them in embrace and Ron thumped Harry on the back, "You both are such a cute pair, mate!"
--GWHP--RWHG--
Not for the first time in the Burrow, even in the recent past, the house was filled with the cries of a baby at the stroke of midnight, "Shh! Go to sleep, my love!" Ginny cradled the baby and walked around the room.
"Maybe check her diaper." Harry fished for a new diaper. After disposing of the smelly diaper, Harry put an arm around Ginny, "Same as Teddy, don't you think?" Ginny nodded with a tired smile.
The baby started bawling again not two hours later, and Harry carried the baby around the house to soothe her. Ginny fed her some milk. By sawn, Harry held the baby over his shoulders with one hand and sat on the sofa with his face tilted upwards. His other hand f=held Ginny who sat with her head buried into his shoulder. They were fast asleep.
This wasn't new to them. Teddy was a baby not long ago. Poor Andromeda Tonks couldn't always tend to the baby, given her age. Harry and Ginny had done the parenting for the most part and intended to continue. Now that Teddy was older than an infant, and his grandmother could manage him, he was with his grandmother. Harry and Ginny would visit him at least once a week.
Ron took Daisy from Harry as Hermione put a warm blanket over the couple. Ron and Hermione went into the garden before the baby awoke. Hermione and Ron had developed the habit of walking around with pillows and blankets every morning ever since Ginny and Harry had started taking care of Teddy. They would nurse him all night and would be in random places in the house the following morning. Hermione and Ron would take over Teddy's responsibility during the day, letting Harry and Ginny get their rest.
On days or nights when Harry had to attend his Auror training or when Ginny had to attend practice sessions or contest matches, Ron and Hermione volunteered and took care of the baby while Harry/Ginny got their rest prepared for the day or night.
It was midday when Ginny awoke first. She looked around and saw Ron and Hermione caring for the baby. They looked just like her and Harry while caring for the baby. She almost wanted to name them the child's godparents. She had felt the same in Teddy's case, also only that she needed to remind herself that she and Harry are godparents of Daisy and Teddy already.
"Merlins Pants!" She said, awaking Harry. "Oh, sorry, Harry."
"No worries, Gin. I was already half-awake when you woke up." Harry said.
The young couple stood up, watching the couple with the baby come in.
Ginny smiled, "Ron. Hermione. You both are already good at being parents."
"Not as good as you and Harry." Ron shrugged but patted Daisy slowly on the head, making sure she was comfortable. Hermione was singing softly to the child, as though she were her natural-born daughter.
"She really looks like your daughter, Ron, Hermione," Ginny said.
"Would it be too much to wish she really was?" Ron sighed.
"That's exactly how I feel, Ron." Harry grinned.
The four of them hadn't seen Arthur and Molly enter the living room. They smiled at the four teenagers. Memories flooded their minds of how they had married straight out of Hogwarts. Bill, Charlie, Percy, the twins, Ronald, and Ginevra, were their bundles of joy. These kids had fought in wars, seen death and destruction, and matured so quickly that one day they were a child, the next day they went to Hogwarts, the third day they were out of Hogwarts, the fourth day they were all war heroes and the fifth day they all had families of their own! The four teenagers standing here were majorly involved in the war compared to the rest of their siblings and emerged battle-hardened, just like the entire family.
They really thought they had lost Fred. When that explosion happened in the battle, Fred has slipped into a coma, and no one knew how long he would be in that state. But by the time Hermione and Ginny completed their seventh year at Hogwarts, Fred had come out of his coma. Ginny and Hermione had come to the Burrow to see Fred helping with the girls' welcome party arrangements.
Percy and Fred walked into the living room, followed by George. It was Fred who spoke.
"Ginny and Harry. I apologize for my insensitive comments last evening. I know I hurt you both severely. In fact, I have hurt Ron, Hermione, Percy, and Mum and Dad deeply too. I was being a prat!" Fred said.
Ginny glared at them. "Just go before I hex you!" she snarled. Harry put his arms around Ginny and closed his eyes, not uttering a word. Ron and Hermione were glaring at the twins.
"Ginny, we are sorry," George said. "I regret laughing when Fred gave that insensitive comment. Ron! Hermione! We mean it. We truly regret our words last night! Harry, we meant it as a light hearted comment on getting back at them for ruining your childhood. We do not have any such intentions for real. Please don't hate us."
Fred and George stood on their knees and held their ears. Harry did not fancy making somebody apologize on their knees. He said, "Don't do that, guys. But remember never to repeat this!" He looked down at Ginny, "Gin, it is okay."
Ginny looked up and said, "No parent will ever allow someone to hurt their child. George, you are engaged to Angelina, right? Once you have children, you will know why this is such a big deal to Harry and me. It is good that you and Fred owned up to your mistakes. Just don't repeat them."
"Glad to see you took a leaf out of Percy's book." Ron nodded. "Anybody wanting anything to do with Daisy or even Teddy will have the four of us to answer to."
Hermione and Percy said at the same time, "All good, then!"
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley stood amused by how their children had made up for their quarrels on their own. Their children were now adults who were capable of independent thought and action. No longer were they curious little children who always wanted Dad and Mum to be alongside them for everything. Of course, they had realized this long back, even as they watched their youngest, Ginny, go to Hogwarts. But as the years progressed, the fact that their children were no longer children was becoming apparent and more pronounced.
--HPGW--HGRW--
A week later
Bill sat calmly on the sofa, looking at the baby peacefully sleeping against Harry's chest. Ginny sat next to Harry, calmly patting the child.
"Won't you say anything, Bill?" Ron asked him. "Not just Harry and Ginny, Hermione and I also thought you'd say something."
"I have only one question to ask. That concerns my sister and Harry. I believe that question has already been asked by Dad and Mum as soon as the baby first visited the Burrow. If Ginny and Harry are fine with keeping the baby and caring for her, I see no problem."
Ginny relaxed, "Thank you, Bill!" She rested her head on Harry's shoulder.
Ten days later
Charlie sat on the garden steps as he watched Ginny nursing the baby and Harry having both in his arms. Ginny could hear Harry's heartbeats, and was imitating it to the child who giggled merrily. Harry kissed the top of Ginny's head.
"Charlie," It was Ron."You have been silent since you arrived this morning. Your reaction has so far been like Bill's."
"Here's the thing, Ron. You could directly ask me why I'm not saying anything to our sister and Harry. But, if Ginny and Harry have made a mutual decision, they're perfectly entitled as adults for that. There is nothing for me to say. I'm just happy for them." Charlie said, as Hermione handed him Hot Chocolate.
Charlie watched as Ron nodded and set off with Hermione across the lawn. Harry and Ginny looked up and giggled to themselves as Ron lifted Hermione up and kissed her full on the mouth. Hermione returned it with equal enthusiasm. Harry and Ginny too kissed each other full on the mouth as the baby slept against Ginny's chest.
Charlie's eyes watered, as he saw that his baby siblings were no longer 'babies' but were capable of raising babies themselves. He could only wish he had had more time to spend with them before they grew up all of a sudden.
Genuinely happy for his family, Charlie went inside the house. His no-longer-baby siblings were now busy making babies. No one should dare interrupt them.
--GWHP--HGRW--
As soon as Teddy had started growing teeth, Hermione had gotten into the habit of calling her parents to check Teddy's teeth regularly. When a bemused Mr. Granger asked Hermione why she was so insistent, she had looked at her father with a straight face and said, "Because he is my son!"
That was exactly what she told her mother, Mrs. Granger, as she held Daisy. Her question, "Y-Your daughter?" only earned a nod from Hermione.
By default, Teddy had become Daisy's older brother, and the two siblings had two sets of godparents; one being Harry and Ginny; the second but equally important set was Ron and Hermione. The Potter and Granger-Weasleys now lived in the now renovated Number 12, Grimmauld Place. Following Kreacher's death, the ugly portraits, tapestries, and elf heads had been burnt down, and beautiful colors were painted across the house. This was possible because Kreachers' house-elf magic had made it impossible to remove the portraits, tapestries, etc. Once Kreacher died, that magic died too. Not that Kreachers' death wasn't mourned. The house had been renovated only after the mourning period for Kreacher.
Ginny, Harry, Hermione, and Ron lived there with the children. Harry and Ginny had three more children apart from their adopted children, James Sirius Potter, Albus Severus Potter, and Lily Luna Potter. Ron and Hermione had two children, Rose Granger Weasley and Hugo Granger Weasley.
Teddy, James, Albus, and Hugo shared one spacious room. Daisy, Rose, and Lily shared one spacious room. Both the childrens' rooms were on the second floor, the first floor having two rooms, one for Ginny and Harry, the other for Hermione and Ron. Harry had kept the rooms on the third floor in memory of Sirius Black, his Godfather, and the Brave Regulus Black, who had defied Lord Voldemort and had sacrificed his life. The guest rooms were on the ground floor.
Up until the age of eleven, Teddy, Daisy, James, Albus, Lily, Rose, and Hugo would attend Muggle Primary School. They all attended the same school as per Harry's insistence and the agreement of Ginny, Hermione, and Ron.
The children knew all about the Two Wizarding Wars, were familiarwithHarry Potter's story, never forgot the Lupins' and the Dursleys' since Teddy and Daisy were related to them respectively, and were equipped with how the times were during Voldemort's days and how the times changed after Harry Potter killed Voldemort forgood.
Harry and Ginny went over awkward stuff from their Hogwarts days, not sparing even Hermione and Ron. They spoke about Harry and Cho, Ginny and Micheal, Ginny and Dean, Hermione and Viktor, and Ron and Lavender.
Ginny and Harry were enthusiastic to talk about Quidditch, their time at Hogwarts, and their old professors and friends, just like Ron and Hermione. The children had all grown up listening to stories of Hogwarts and were themselves eager for their turn.
Neither Teddy nor Daisy were ever given a single opportunity to feel lost, hopeless, or like orphans. Ginny and Harry loved them like their own children. Ron and Hermione showered them with love and affection like their own children.
Even for Harry and Ginny and Hermione and Ron, neither Teddy nor Daisy was anything lesser than their firstborn children. That was how they saw and treated them. They were the eldest Weasley Potter children. End of discussion.
--HPGW--RWHG--
Before the adults and children knew it, it was time for Teddy Lupin to attend Hogwarts.
In July, before Teddy's first year at Hogwarts, Harry and Ginny were in the sitting room. one evening.
"Ginny, I was thinking of buying something for Teddy and Daisy once they go to Hogwarts."
"Oh, Wow, Harry! That's sweet! What have you planned?"
Harry leaned across the table and took both of Ginny's hands in his hands. "Look, it is okay if you don't think it is a good idea. I'm just putting my thoughts forward. We can totally decide against it if that makes you uncomfortable."
"I don't know what you are getting at, Harry. Don't scare me." Ginny said.
"I was thinking of getting them a diary each." Harry said, carefully looking at Ginny. Ginny stared at him, traces of fear still evident on her face. She looked down. Harry got up from his chair, went around the table and sat next to Ginny. Holding her hands again, he asked, "Are you alright, Gin?" Ginny tried nodding but only managed a grunt.
Harry pulled her into his arms, "I don't want to hurt you, Gin. If you don't like this idea, I'll think of something else." He held her close; worried that he had upset her.
"Harry, no." Ginny said, "The Chamber incident won't happen. You and I will make sure everything Daisy and Teddy have with them is properly checked before it reaches their hands." She looked up and smiled at Harry before dissolving into his embrace. "We should get them some more things. I'm considering some muggle items." Harry nodded happily.
September the First arrived. Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione watched with apprehension, excitement, and worry as Teddy boarded the Hogwarts Express and left. Although Harry and Ginny kept a brave smile in front of Teddy, their worry became apparent as the train left.
"If only Andromeda had lived to see her grandson go to Hogwarts!" Harry sighed.
Ginny said, "She died even before James was born, and James is elder than Rose, Albus, Hugo, and Lily."
Ginny rested her forehead against Harry's chest, and he held her close to him as the two of them closed their eyes and mourned Andromeda Tonks, Ted Tonks, Nymphadora Tonks, and their old Professor and Marauder, Remus Lupin.
Ron wrapped Hermione in a tight embrace as well. They too remembered Ted, Andromeda, Nymphadora, and their favorite Professor, Remus Lupin, Ron sadly patted Harry's shoulder, while Hermione grimly patted Ginny's back.
Ginny wiped the tears from her eyes and looked up, "Let us go, then?" Harry nodded, evidently still reminiscing the Lupins' and Tonks'. They followed the crowd and made their way into the muggle world.
Two years later
"Teddy, here is your Hogsmeade permission slip. Have fun. But you also need to take care of your sister. Do you understand?" Ginny asked Teddy.
"Yes, Mother," Teddy said. "It's Daisy's first year at Hogwarts."
Harry chuckled as Ginny went to Daisy. "You will have fun at Hogwarts. Ask your brother, Teddy, if you need anything."
"I am scared, Mother. Father said Mum and Dad never attended Hogwarts, nor did GrandDad and GrandMa Dursley."
"You still do not have to be scared," Harry said, "Hogwarts is a fun place. You'll make friends, meet amazing people, and enjoy your time. Just remember to focus on studies too."
Ron gave Teddy and Daisy a bar of muggle chocolate each. "From now on, you'll find more of Wizarding sweets, like Chocolate Frogs, Cauldron Cakes, etc. Enjoy…"
"Daisy! Teddy! No more than one sweet per day!" Hermione looked stern. "It will ruin your teeth!"
"Still the daughter of two dentists, eh?" Harry looked at her, amused. Hermione did not return the smile.
"We understand, Mother." Teddy dutifully nodded at Hermione before holding Daisy's hand and leading her inside one of the compartments. The train pulled out of the station.
Harry put an arm around Ginny's waist, and she rested her head against his shoulder as the couple walked back into the muggle world, with Ron and Hermione hurrying along in their wake.
Late that night, James Potter, Albus Potter, Lily Potter, Rose Weasley, and Hugo Weasley sat by the fire. Ginny sat in Harry's arms, still worried about Teddy and Daisy. Harry wasn't any less worried either. He kept running his hand through his messy hair. Ron and Hermione looked at each other.
"It's fine. You both are getting worked up for nothing," Ron said.
"Two of our kids are at Hogwarts," Ginny said.
"Don't we all miss our Hogwarts days?" Hermione said, reminiscing the past. The other three nodded.
That was when McGonagall's barn owl reached tapped the window. Lily, being the youngest and the most excited, ran and opened the window. The owl dropped a letter and sat on the table.
No one paid her any attention. The letter, in Ginny's hands, read,
Mother.
Like me, Daisy is in Hufflepuff too. That makes me glad. I've assured Daisy that she will make friends with people here. Love, Teddy.
The children roared in excitement. "Now, will you all go to sleep? It is past midnight!" Hermione said. The children agreed and went upstairs. They had refused to go to bed until they found out about Daisy's Hogwarts House.
Harry gave the owl some nuts, which she gladly ate before flying into the night.