Ginny Potter went home feeling ill. The absence of Harry had really taken its toll, and she just wanted to go home and do nothing. She drove into their driveway and got out the car, picking up Lily, and then Al.
"When's Dada home?" Al squeaked, as Ginny pulled out her wand to lock the car, and unlock the house.
"I don't know Al" Ginny sighed, leading Albus into the spotless house. Ginny had been taken to clean it 4 or 5 times a day after Harry went away; she had nothing better to do.
She let go of Al's hand and put her wand back into her pocket. A sudden rustling caught her attention, and she looked up to see an owl holding an official looking letter in its beak.
"Where did you come from?" she murmured, walking over and gently taking the letter from the owl. She flipped it over and to her panic, she saw the Ministry of Magic Auror logo on the back. She glanced back up at the owl, and then back at the letter.
She moved into the living room, sitting on the sofa, and peeling back her clothes to breastfeed Lily. However, the baby kept her mouth tightly shut, and refused to nurse.
"Not hungry?" Ginny muttered, turning her gaze from the baby and back at the letter. Nervously, Ginny slid open the envelope, and started to read. The letter was short, but it was enough to make Ginny's heart beat faster. To Mrs Potter, The Ministry of Magic's Auror department have, as you will know, been under serious lockdown conditions since 12:37 on Wednesday Afternoon. However, our remaining Aurors are ready to be released, so please come over to the ministry of magic immediately, and await their arrival. Regards, Arlen Starcoff.
Ginny looked up, her mind whirring. She needed someone in her family to look after Al immediately. She got up, bringing Lily with her, and stood in front of the floo fireplace. She gently placed the baby on the sofa, putting a charm ensuring she wouldn't fall off, and grabbed a heap of floo powder. She knelt down in front of the old fireplace and yelled, 'The burrow'.
Her sister in law was the one who answered, and she looked into Ginny's worried face, before speaking.
"Ginny, what's the matter, is it Harry?" Hermione said nervously.
"Yes, listen, Hermione, I just got a note from the Ministry" Ginny said quickly, waving the letter in front of Hermione's face, "I need to go, but I need someone to look after Al"
"I'll come over, but I'll need to bring Hugo and Rose too" Hermione said swiftly, starting to leave.
"WAIT!" Ginny said a little too loudly, and Hermione turned panicked towards her, "Sorry, didn't mean to shout, just, I'm bringing Lily with me, so don't assume you've lost her" Hermione shot her a bemused glance before nodding, and disappearing.
Ginny got up herself, and sat down next to her wriggling daughter.
"Let's get you ready, eh, Lils?" Ginny said, smiling as Lily opened her eyes in search for the voice. Lily waved up her fists and Ginny grinned, catching one. Lily yawned and closed her eyes again, lying still against the pillows. Ginny stroked her hair lovingly, and pulled her up.
A knock at the door indicated Hermione's arrival, and she flicked her wand towards the sound. The door flung open to see Hermione, Rose, and Hugo, looking a bit flustered. Albus came tearing into the hall, and cried out in delight to see his favourite cousin.
"Wose!" he exclaimed, running to embrace Rose. Hermione and Ginny smiled at the tow, before embracing themselves, careful not to crush to two infants between them.
"Could you collect James from school for me, please, Hermione" Ginny said quietly, guilt washing over for leaving her son again.
"Of course," Hermione said, nodding, "Do you want to bring them straight back here, or-?" but Ginny shook her head.
"No, bring them back around 5, I want time with Harry alone" Ginny said, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. Hermione put a hand on Ginny's shoulder.
"It'll be fine" Hermione said, trying to reassure Ginny. Ginny let out a breath.
"He might be dead, Hermione. They haven't even said if he was alive" Ginny muttered, turning away, and putting on a cloak that wrapped around Lily's small body.
"Stop thinking like that, it's not any good to any of you!" Hermione said firmly, exasperated. Ginny ignored her and bent down to hug Albus.
"I'm going, Al, be good for Auntie Hermione please" Ginny pleaded. Albus' eyes widened.
"Where?" he said, as Ginny stood up straight.
"To go and retrieve your father, hopefully" Ginny smiled sadly.
"Daddy come home?" Al said excitedly.
"Maybe, we'll see, but stay here ok?" Ginny nodded, shifting the baby that lay snuggled under Ginny's robe.
"I come too?" he asked, his head to one side.
"No" Ginny said, walking towards the door after one final goodbye, she left, leaving Albus confused and scared with his Aunt.
With a swish of her robe, Ginny arrived in the atrium, around busy workers bustling around in the usual morning hustle. Lily squirmed in discomfort and Ginny felt a small hand clasp her shirt, the tiny nails scratching against her skin. Ginny held the baby close, and away from prying eyes, until she entered a lift. She stood in silence, trying not to catch anyone's eye, but people were starting to stare now, all trying to catch a glimpse of the youngest Potter.
The lift stopped, and Ginny hurried out, striding swiftly towards the Auror Department. She got there in only a few seconds, and she saw Nadia looking troubled behind the desk.
"Nadia!" Ginny exclaimed, reaching the desk, "Where are they?"
"They'll be out soon" Nadia breathed, looking a bit more relaxed, "The amount of people asking me for information was becoming unbearable"
Ginny glanced around, and saw other family members around the corridor, leaning against the walls looking terrified.
"I can't wait there with all of them" Ginny muttered to Nadia, who nodded in agreement, "I'll stay here, if that's alright"
"Yes, yes, of course" Nadia said at once, eyeing the little bundle in Ginny's arms. Ginny followed her gaze and smiled, knowing Nadia's (along with the rest of the Wizarding Worlds) curiosity with their children. Ginny gently shifted her cloak to reveal Lily, who was sleeping soundly with her head against Ginny's chest.
"She's gorgeous!" gasped Nadia, looking at the baby adoringly. Ginny smiled again, and lifted the baby so she was lying in the crook of her arm.
"And she has her Daddy wrapped around her tiny little finger" Ginny laughed, and Lily moaned in protest of the jumping movement.
"I better get the Auror's out quick then" Nadia smiled, turning around, and ringing a bell, that echoed throughout the room. Ginny's wand quickly swished down upon the baby, casting muffliato, as people started to look up hopefully. The doors to the Auror office slid open, and several tired looking men flooded out, causing cries of relief from their families. Ginny searched their midst for the familiar form of her husband, but he didn't come. Nadia was watching as well, and worry engulfed her face. Ginny started to panic, and turned back to Nadia, who was speaking through a device that lay on the wall. Nadia set down the tube slowly, and looked at Ginny.
"Arlen said that he should have come out with the rest of them" she said in a squeaky voice. Ginny's heart started to pound against her chest, before suddenly, a few minutes after the rest, two lone figures slumbered out of the doors, looking horrible, but alive. Ginny's gasps of relief caused Harry to look up, and Ginny saw tears in his eyes.
"Ginny" he whispered, barely audible, but he was soon swallowed up in an embrace from his partner. Ginny cupped her hand along his cheek, and looked up into his eyes.
"I missed you so much" she breathed, taking in his appearance, "But you honestly look terrible"
Harry grinned, and leaned down to kiss her. She returned it with as much gusto as he had intended, but pulled away when the squashing of their new born daughter became imminent.
"You'll crush the baby, Potter" Ginny muttered, placing a hand on his chest.
"You… Lil… you brought Lily" Harry started, looking down between them.
"Sure I did" Ginny said, shrugging, and letting Harry take the child. He nuzzled her cheek, and Lily opened her eyes to take in her father.
"I missed you too" Harry murmured, pulling Ginny in close. Ginny put one hand on Lily's head, and the other wrapped around Harry's neck, securing his position.
They lost track of time, just standing there, holding each other, breathing the others scent, before Harry slowly pulled back, brushing his hair from his eyes.
"I'm so sorry Ginny" he whispered, concern clouding his green eyes, "I tried to write, I really did, but Starcoff wanted us all hands down, especially after 15 of us were caught in the curse" he added. Ginny's eyes grew round, and she placed a hand on Harry's arm.
"Who?" she asked gently.
"7 trainees, Ramos, Titen, Gails, Robbinson, Fiesta, Mucho, Leonard and Dawlish, all blasted away" he said frostily, looking over his shoulder to see Proudfoot looking downcast.
"You have no idea how scared I was" Ginny said shakily, "James didn't sleep, Harry. He didn't want to go school, for Merlin's sake!"
"It wasn't my decision! You know that!" Harry protested, his voice cracking.
"I know, but your children shouldn't have to worry because your away, Harry. James is old enough to know you might not even come home, now" Ginny said, burying her head into Harry's chest. Harry wrapped his arms around her, and placed his chin on the top of her head.
"I hope by all means you've been telling him I will" Harry said, worry filling his mind.
"He's not stupid Harry. He gets told that so often, he doesn't even know what to believe" was Ginny muffled reply.
"What about Al?" Harry asked nervously.
"Injured, not talking, and scared, but he's fine" Ginny grumbled, lifting her head, and looking Harry dead in the eye.
"Injured? What do you mean?" Harry said sharply.
"He's got a gash in his forehead, that has nothing to do with James." She said simply, reaching for Lily, but Harry held her close.
"Let me hold her, Gin, I haven't seen her in 2 days" he pleaded, and Ginny sighed, before nodding her head, "So, Al, what happened?"
"He fell, we think, but it wasn't too bad" Ginny muttered, pulling Harry away from the ever-increasing stares as people walked by.
"You're too famous for this job, Harry" Ginny growled, guiding him towards his own office.
"What do you mean 'we'?" Harry questioned, looking apprehensive as Ginny shut the door, away from goggling people.
"Katie, and Robert" Ginny said, sitting down on Harry's desk.
"And why-?" Harry began, before Ginny interrupted him.
"James and Al went to Katie's house last night" Ginny said, gesturing him to pass over Lily now making Harry look slightly annoyed.
"You said I could hold her, Gin" Harry said, adjusting Lily on his shoulder. Ginny rolled her eyes.
"You can have her back, you protective idiot, I need to feed her, seeing as she refused to nurse earlier" Ginny grinned, and Harry passed her the baby.
"Right, let's see if you'll starve yourself, of if you'll eat" Ginny told the infant, guiding her to her breast. Lily latched on, and started guzzling greedily.
"That's good" Ginny muttered, covering herself, and looking back up at Harry.
"You genuinely do look terrible" Ginny grinned, as Harry settled down next to her. Now it was Harry's turn to roll his eyes.
"Thanks, love" he said sarcastically, as Ginny quirked up her eyebrows quickly, "It hasn't exactly been a breeze. This murderer is on a rampage"
"Do you have any idea who-?" Ginny started but Harry shook his head.
"Not yet, but I've narrowed it down to 9 suspects, each one worse then the next" he said grimly, before a gurgling sound came up from in between the couple.
"That was a quick feed" Harry commented, as Ginny pulled up a finished Lily.
"I don't know why, but I don't think its good. Apparently she's about the same weight Katie's children were at birth" Ginny told him quietly, and Harry frowned.
"She's not unhealthy though, is she? She's had all the medical checks at St. Mungo's" he said, watching as Ginny attempted to burp Lily.
"I don't know" shrugged Ginny, pleased as Lily let out the tiniest burp only a parent could hear, "But she's never been much of an eater"
"How on earth did she manage that? Being related to Ron and all?" Harry laughed, as his office door swung open, revealing a very relieved looking Ron.
"Speak of the devil" grinned Ginny, as Ron looked curiously between the two. However, he ignored this, and hurried up to hug his best friend. Ginny laughed silently as Harry was engulfed by Ron, and he narrowed his eyes at her.
"Thought you were a goner, mate" Ron said, releasing Harry.
"Well, Ron, I hope you haven't been telling everyone that" Harry said grinning.
"No, course not" Ron replied, thumping Harry on the back, "and by the way, you look horrible"
Harry grimaced, "I've been told"
"When did you come back?" Ron said, sitting on the desk with Harry and Ginny.
"About 30 minutes ago" Ginny said, bouncing Lily up and down.
"Brought the littlest Potter did you?" Ron said, looking at his niece. Ginny nodded, before opening her mouth to speak.
"Was Hugo eating alright at 2 weeks?" She asked, looking at her brother, then back down at her child.
"Yeah, right greedy thing" Ron said, surprised, "why?"
"She's not eating. I mean, a few minutes an all, but not as much as James or even Al" Ginny said, placing Lily on her lap.
"Oh" Ron replied, looking confused, "I was gonna offer to take her so you could catch up more"
Ginny glanced at Harry, but he was looking at Ron curiously.
"I've been two days, Ron" he said, a little bemused.
"No, he's right" Ginny said, looking at Harry carefully.
"Who has James and Al?" he questioned.
"Well that's my point, Hermione has the boys, so why not take Lily as well?" Ron said, and Harry returned his gaze to Ron.
"I, Well, I don't mind" he said slowly, finding Lily's hand, and placing his finger there.
"If you're worried about not spending time with her don't worry, she'll be up all night, and you can be in charge" Ginny smirked, but Harry looked up sharply.
"I haven't slept, Gin, for almost 2 days, I don't think I'll have the energy to entertain her at 2 in the morning" he told her, making her smile falter.
"Fine" she huffed, looking at the baby in her lap, and smiling as Lily kicked up her little legs.
"Thank you" Harry sighed, brushing his hand along her cheek.
"So, am I taking her or what?" Ron said, making all three Potter's jump. Lily screwed up her face and Harry swiftly pulled her from Ginny's lap, bouncing down from the desk, and starting to pace the room 'shhing' the restless baby.
"I don't know" Ginny muttered, watching her husband speak soft words to their daughter.
"Thanks, great answer" Ron said, rolling his eyes.
"No problem" Ginny said, grinning at Ron.
"But seriously"
"I mean, yeah, I guess" Ginny said, looking back at Harry, who nodded silently.
"Bring her back around 5 then, as you are with the boys" Ginny said, reaching for her wand, and summoning a glass of water, and sipping on it, giving Harry a look that made Ron exclaim,
"Now, I really didn't need to see that"
After a few more minutes of chatting, Harry carefully handed Lily to Ron, a little unsure.
"Just, easy with her" Harry said, kissing Lily's hand.
"I have 2 children Harry, I'm not gonna drop her" Ron said, gripping the baby, "but blimey she's light"
"Exactly, see what I mean?" Ginny said, brushing her thumb over Lily's forehead.
"Are you even feeding her at all?" Ron said jokingly, but Ginny scowled, making Ron sober up.
"It's a joke little sis" He said nervously, holding Lily tight, for he knew Ginny wouldn't try and curse him whilst holding her baby.
"She's more delicate then your robust children, and so is Al, so mind you don't break them" Ginny said, making Ron smirk.
"Hugo and Rose are literal bricks"
"Sure they are, now move it, or we'll set James on you" Ginny grinned.
"Oh I'm absolutely terrified" exclaimed Ron, putting his free hand over his heart.
"You should be" Harry said honestly, "the kid hid my Auror badge last week. Couldn't find it without a summoning charm"
"Course he did" Ron muttered, waving farewell to his sister and his friend.
"Remember, delicate!" Called Ginny, "and don't forget to hold her head when you apperate" but Ron had already left.
Thanks to Helen, I was in an extremely bad mood all day. I had refused to play with Mabel, and instead lay back on the sofa, and switching on the television.
I wasn't in the mood to watch Antiques Roadshow, so I put on the news, hoping to find something interesting.
'-derer has yet to be found, stay on guard at all times, the usual' the reporter was saying, and I groaned, knowing the murders were still the hot news. I didn't want to know about any more killings, so I got up, and went to the computer, browsing for unnecessary things, as I usually do.
Soon the time came to pick up Liam, so I opened the door and plonked Mabel in the front seat for a change.
"Why you sad Mummy?" Mabel asked me innocently, as I said no to putting on the music. I sighed apologetically.
"I'm worried Mabel" I told her, as I saw her widen her eyes.
"Why?" she persisted.
"Grown up things" I replied, eyes on the road.
"It's ok. I'll look after you" said Mabel innocently, patting my thigh.
"I love you sweetie" I smiled.
We got smoothly into the school gates, and I parked close to the entrance and pulled Mabel out. I was brushing her down when I saw Zara approach me with a tall dark man holding their small son. The man I assumed was her husband.
"Katie!" Zara exclaimed, looking at me carefully, "We haven't spoken recently have we?"
"Uh, no. I don't suppose we have" I said nervously, glancing for any sign of Ginny.
"Helen told me all about Harry and the murders" she said, nodding her head slowly. I wondered why Zara, who had never met Harry, was calling him by his first name.
"Don't believe her, Zara, she doesn't know anything" I said sharply, eyes darting back to her.
"She seems to know enough" Zara snapped back.
"We don't know anything about The Potters" I growled, surprising Zara slightly.
"By we…"
"We, as in us in the playground" I replied.
"That includes you"
"I know. I'm not meddling" I said, reddening slightly. Zara opened her mouth to speak, but I saw a wave of red hair out of the corner of my eye.
"I'm off. Nice talking" I said swiftly, and turned around to face the red properly.
I realised it was a tall gangly man with blue eyes and red hair, beside someone I knew; Hermione. Hermione saw me and waved, all the while holding a baby boy with hair as red as the mans. She beckoned me over, so I reached down to clasp Mabel, before I trotted towards her. The man looked at me curiously, and I noticed he was holding a baby carrier containing, to my surprise, Lily Potter.
"Katie, meet my husband Ron, and my son Hugo" Hermione smiled, gesturing the man and the small boy, "And you've met Rose, Al and Lily" I nodded, and offered my hand to Ron.
"Katie Williams, pleasure" I said, as we shook hands.
"I've heard about you" I grinned, "Helped out my baby sis and that husband of hers plenty of time haven't you" I nodded again, and Hermione smiled at me reassuringly.
"Hi Al" Mabel said cheerily, waving at Albus, who stood beside his uncle with Rose Weasley.
"Hullo Mabel" Al smiled shyly, glancing at his cousin.
"I saw you's before" Mabel said, pointing at Rose, who nodded enthusiastically.
"I wose" she said. I looked up at Hermione.
"How old are your children?" I asked. Hermione smiled again.
"Rose is 2 next month, and Hugo is 7 months"
"Rose is only one" I exclaimed, noting her speech was already pretty developed. Ron grinned proudly.
"She can almost read now" he said. I gaped at him, then back at the little girl talking happily to Mabel.
"Oh my" I said quietly, "Can Al read?"
"A bit, but he's very quiet, so we don't really know how much he can really speak" Hermione said, and Ron rolled his eyes.
"Sometimes I wonder is James and Al both have the same parents" he grinned, earning a swat from Hermione.
"Watch it, I don't want to drop the only Potter to have inherited red hair" Ron replied, gesturing Lily.
"Apparently James Potter Sr's genes were strong" Hermione shrugged, rolling her eyes at me. I grinned back at their banter, but the school bell rang out, saving me from any awkward reply.
James, Liam, Josh and a boy with pale skin and brown hair all ran out together, laughing with one another.
"Uncle Ron! Hugo!" James cried, reaching us. Hermione raised her eyebrow.
"I saw you yesterday" James said, blinking. Hermione just laughed.
"Who are your friends?" Ron asked, looking at the small gathering of children.
"Liam, Josh and Luis" James said, pointing each one out.
"Josh, let's go" I heard Zara call, and Josh waved sadly.
"See ya tomorrow" he said, and the three other boys waved too.
"Bye." James said shortly, before rolling his eyes at Liam.
"What was that, James?" Hermione said, catching on his eye roll.
"He's annoying" James said, Liam and Luis nodding in agreement.
"He obviously likes you three though, so be nice to him" Hermione said sternly.
"Has Daddy come home yet?" James said suddenly, looking from Hermione to Ron. The adults glanced at each other, and then back at James.
"He did, James-" Hermione started, but the rest of her answer was silenced as James leapt up and down in excitement, before grabbing Al but the wrists and swinging him around.
"Ow ow ow!" little Al said, yearning to be free and scraping his feet along the ground. Harry was home! My head was full of questions I was dying to ask. But I wanted to wait. Ron stepped forwards and peeled James from a shaking Albus.
"I wanna see him!" James cried again, his eyes lit up in delight. Ron glanced at Hermione again, and she nodded slightly.
"You'll see him tonight, James, but Mummy and Daddy just want to be together for some time" Ron said quietly, brushing his hair from his eyes. James' face fell slightly.
"Why?"
"I've told you, Mummy just wants to talk to Daddy on their own for a bit, you'll see him very soon we promise"
"Daddy home?" piped in Al from Ron's arms. Ron sighed but nodded.
"Yes, your Dad is home, but your all coming back to the Treeside with us" Hermione explained. Suddenly, a woman I knew came up and told Luis to come home.
"Hi Katie, you good?" Penelope asked, smiling at me.
"Yes, I'm great" I answered, a bit surprised. She waved as she pulled Luis away with her, and I waved back, all be it a bit unsure.
Ron and Hermione watch curiously as she departed, but started to gather the children up in order to leave.
"Do you know if Ginny's going to be dropping James off at school tomorrow?" I asked.
"Uh, I'm not too sure. Probably" Ron shrugged, placing Albus on the floor, and starting to walk to the gates.
"Send her my love" I said, bidding them a farewell.
"I will" said Hermione, grabbing Al's hand and walking after Ron.
"Bye Liam" James waved, looking put out, but following his family out.
