I went home feeling ecstatic. Harry was home! Relief flooded through me for Ginny and the children, but I was also relieved he was home to save James from snapping at Liam.
"Mummy happy now?" Mabel asked, from her seat. I looked in the wind mirror, and nodded.
"Happy Mummy!" Mabel said, swinging her feet against the seat.
"How was James today?" I asked Liam, wincing as Mabel's feet collided with the back of my chair, pushing it forwards with considerable force.
"Crying" Liam said, looking down.
"When was he crying?" I asked gently.
"At playtime" Liam muttered, playing with his sleeve.
"Did you cheer him up?"
"Mrs Daley spoke to him" Liam replied, looking a little upset himself.
"Was he ok after that?"
"He was all strange" Liam told me stiffly.
"How do you mean?" I asked quickly.
"He was saying his Daddy had died" Liam sniffed, wiping his nose on his arm. I was surprised at James' unfriendly vibes that Liam was telling me, and I chanced glance at my son.
"James' Daddy's fine, Li, and it doesn't matter to you anyway" I said quietly, pulling into our driveway, "And he was fine at the end of the day with you, Josh and Luis" I added on a slightly more cheerful note.
"Yeah!" Liam said, looking happier, "Presley said she's gonna marry James, but I said she couldn't" he told me wisely. I stifled a chuckle, and nodded in agreement.
"Is Presley your friend too?"
Liam nodded enthusiastically, "Presley's cool! James an' me play hide n' seek with her, Isabella, Lucy an' Poppy!" I was glad Liam was getting along so well with so many people now, and I added that to the list of outcomes that occurred after the Potter's arrival.
I stopped the car, and let Mabel hop out onto the pebbles. She raced Liam to the door, and giggled as she got there just before him, her hand slapping on the letterbox.
"You had a head start" Liam grumbled, rolling his eyes, and repeatedly started lifting the handle up and down.
"I win" Mabel said, giddy with excitement. Liam glared at her, and chanced a swipe at her with his hand. It mercifully missed her, but that didn't stop Mabel from yelling in fright, and stating to wail.
"I didn't even touch her! Mummy! That's not fair!" Liam cried, looking furious.
"I know, Liam, lets just get inside" I sighed, unlocking the door.
That evening wasn't in any way special; just an ordinary Thursday afternoon with my family. Robert got in around 7, and I had already started to put Mabel to bed.
"Evening Williams" he announced, placing his keys on the side with a clatter. I scowled as Mabel's sleepy face suddenly lit up, and she started to get out of bed.
"Oi!" I laughed, as she shot under my arms and darted down the stairs, giggling manically. She ran up to Robert and wrapped her arms around his legs. He grinned, and picked her up. I looked at him disapprovingly, placing my hands on my hips, and he looked up at me.
"Nice to see you too" he said with a lop-sided grin, and I melted at that, walking up and giving him a quick kiss.
"Yucky yucky" Mabel squirmed, pulling a face. We both laughed and I prised Mabel of her father.
"She was almost settled, you know" I said, as he followed me up the stairs, "Before you came"
Robert just laughed, "I'm going to see Liam, have fun trying to put her back to sleep."
I stuck my tongue out as he walked into Liam's room, kicking open his door.
"Right" I said, turning back to Mabel, who's eyes were thankfully starting to droop again, "Let's put you to sleep, missy"
She yawned as I placed her gently on the mattress, and didn't protest as I pulled the covers over her. I stayed with her until she had dozed off completely, and then I got up, making my way to Liam's room.
I shut the door gently, and strolled into my son's room. He was there, looking out the window with his chin in his hand. Robert was there too, sitting on his bed and speaking softly to Liam. Robert turned when I entered, but Liam didn't do so much as bat an eyelid. I looked questioningly at Robert, who shrugged.
"Hi, Li, everything ok?" I asked, sitting next to Robert. He nodded, but didn't turn his head.
"Well that's not telling the truth, is it?" Robert said, glancing at me worriedly.
"I'm fine" Liam said forcefully, still not turning around.
"What happened?" I asked quietly, placing my hand on Robert's leg.
"I'm fine" Liam repeated, sounding close to tears.
"Is it about school?" Robert asked.
"Yes" Liam said quietly, refusing to look at us.
"Want to share?"
"No" Liam cried, his voice sounding higher than usual.
"Is it about James?" I questioned, keeping my voice soft. Finally, Liam turned around, and nodded slightly, before crumbling into my lap, and sobbing hysterically. Robert was looking at him bewildered, but put a comforting hand on his back.
"I thought he was over the popularity faze" Robert told me, confused.
"I almost certain it's not just that" I said quietly, letting Liam cry into my chest.
"Has he said anything unpleasant?" Robert asked me, shocked, but I shook my head firmly.
"No, not on purpose" I replied, as Liam shook his head.
"What happened?" Robert chanced asking Liam again. Liam peeled his tear stained face away from me, and looked at Robert, wide eyed.
"He told me he wished that my Daddy didn't come home because he wanted his Daddy home first" Liam said, before choking on his words, and pummelling into my chest again. Robert and I exchanged shocked looks, before I pulled Liam's head away, and looked him in the eye.
"Why didn't you tell me in the car?" I said gently.
"I didn't want too" he said tearfully.
"I didn't know James would be capable of saying that" Robert muttered, running a had along Liam's hair.
"You should have seen him this morning, he was distraught, and Ginny apologised to me before, saying that if James was moody towards Liam, just let her know" I told him quietly.
"Oh. Harry still not home?"
"Apparently he came back this afternoon"
"So James will be better tomorrow then?" Robert said, stroking Liam's cheek, "But speak to Ginny, Katie, that's no way our son should be spoken too" I nodded slightly, not really wanting to grass James up when his father had just come home.
"Is James still your friend?" I asked Liam, as he recovered slightly, hiccupping into a sitting position.
"He has lots of friends" Liam grumbled, sliding off the bed.
"Ginny says you're his favourite, though" I pointed out, and I was pleased to see a smug look creep upon Liam's face.
"Yeah, he's my favourite too" Liam muttered, climbing into bed. Robert nodded in satisfaction, and stood up, pulling the covers over Liam as he went.
"Night, Li, sweet dreams" he murmured, kissing Liam's forehead, and switching off the light. I followed suit, brushing his hair out from his eyes.
"Love you" I whispered, and he rolled over, almost asleep already.
Hermione looked at her watch; 5 to 5. She pushed another spoonful of food into Hugo's mouth, before getting up, and calling for Ron.
"Ron, bring James and Al down, we have to go" she yelled, pulling Hugo from his seat, and setting him on the floor. He rolled onto his tummy, and cooed form the floor. Hermione smiled, and walked over to where Lily was lying curled up in Hugo's bassinet.
"Hello Lily, lets go get you home" Hermione told the infant, lifting her up, and cradling her. Lily started to whimper, so Hermione started to bounce her.
"Come on Ron!" Hermione called again, trying to keep her voice calm. Eventually, Ron came down the stairs, leading Albus and James, and holding Rose in his arms.
"Merlin Hermione, keep your hair on" Ron protested, grabbing Hugo off the floor. Hermione scowled, but didn't shoot back a snotty reply.
"Right, Al, James, take a finger" Hermione said, holding out her spare hand and waiting as her nephews clasped a finger each.
"Meet you in Kent" Ron smirked, turning on the spot with a slight crack. Hermione rolled her eyes, and followed suit, disappearing, and ending up outside the Potter's front door.
James instantly let go, running up to the door, and banging on it loudly with his fists.
"Woah, James" Ron said, placing Rose on the ground next to Al, and walking over to stand next to James.
"Daddy's home uncle Ron!" James cried, jumping up and down excitedly.
"I know, I've seen him" Ron said smartly, watching as James' face contorted with jealously.
"I am his son" James grumbled, turning away from Ron, and continuing to bang on the door. Ron grinned cheekily, and jumped in surprise as the door flew open, and Ginny was almost knocked over by her own son.
"MUMMY!" James shrieked, pulling of his shoes, and hugging Ginny tightly.
"Hi Jamie" she said, lifting him up, and snuggling into his cheek. James started to giggle, and he squirmed to get away.
"That tickles" he grinned, as Ginny put him back down. She spotted Al on the ground and bent down to retrieve him.
"Dada home?" he asked, wrapping his arms around Ginny's neck.
"That's right" Ginny said, kissing Al on the head before putting him next to James, who was waiting impatiently. She gestured for Hermione to hand over Lily, who compiled, and the baby was transferred from her Aunt, to her Mother. Lily sensed the change of person, and opened her eyes, before sending up a reflex smile.
"Stop being cute Lily, you're stealing Mummy" announced James, glaring up at his sister. Ron laughed, but was silenced as Ginny shot him a look.
"You can go and find Daddy now" she said, grinning down at her son's. James instantly darted off, running up the stairs, but unfortunately slipping on the 8th leap. Before his shout of pain could be heard, however, Ginny had whipped out her wand and summoned James back to her. A few seconds later, he made himself heard. Ginny groaned and bent down, looking at the small scratch James had on his head.
"You'll match with Al, now" she sighed, pulling James in for a hug.
"Al's fallen down the stairs too?" Ron snickered, before Hermione whacked him. Ginny narrowed her eyes, and reached out to brush Al's fringe out the way. The cut from last night was still there, and Ron rolled his eyes.
"So he did fall down the stairs" he added, but Ginny shook her head.
"No, he doesn't like going up stairs by himself," she told her brother, sweeping Al's hair back over his forehead, "he fell into a bed yesterday whilst he was at a friend's house"
"Who?" Ron persisted, looking at Ginny curiously.
"Hermione's met her, Katie Williams, and her children Liam and Mabel" Ginny said, handing James a peppermint toad that was in a pot by the door.
"You've met her too, Ron" Hermione nodded, watching as James unwrapped the chocolate, "You shouldn't bribe them with chocolate, Ginny" she added.
"I don't, Harry and I don't give them sweets at all" she frowned at her sister in law, "And how does Ron know Katie?"
"He came with me this afternoon" Hermione said, still watching James suspiciously.
"The boy with the blond hair?" Ron asked, and both Hermione and Ginny nodded, "Oh, she's nice"
"She is," Ginny agreed, reaching over to shut the door, as it started to let in a breeze. James was looking apprehensively up at his mum, and meekly asked,
"Can I go again?" Ginny nodded, and indicated that Ron and Hermione could follow. James walked up the stairs slower, missing out the 8th one, and carefully advised that everyone else should too.
"Is Dada sleepy?" Al asked, reaching for Ginny's hand.
"I don't think so, but he's in the bedroom" Ginny said, and James immediately scurried into the room. Ginny grinned as she heard James yell 'DADDY!' and pushed Al forwards, encouraging the shy child to enter the room.
"Dada?" he said, eyeing the door.
"I'm pretty sure, Al" Ginny said, rolling her eyes. Al's face lit up, and he bounded into the room, before crashing into Harry, who already had his arm's full with James.
Ginny walked in, and sat down on the bed, placing Lily next to her, and looking on fondly as her son's bombarded Harry with hugs.
"I missed you!" she heard a muffled voice yell, and noted that it was James.
"I missed you more, I bet" Harry grinned, kissing James' head.
"Dada go?" came another voice, and Harry's head turned slightly.
"Not for a while, now Al" Harry said, promises ringing through his tone. Hermione and Ron entered slightly after everyone else, not wanting to intrude on this family moment.
"Unca Harry" Rose squealed, launching herself upon her cousins, jamming her foot in between Al's chin.
"Ow ow!" Al cried, trying to move away, but he was wedged. Ginny quickly leapt up, and prised Albus away, Harry leaning back slightly to allow her to do it more easily.
"Oh, God I didn't even notice" Hermione gasped, noticing the small red mark along Al's neck.
"It's fine, I think he's ok" Harry said, checking over Albus with his eyes, "you are ok, aren't you Al?"
"Ouch" is all that came out from his mouth, and Hermione looked devastated. Ginny caught her eye and grinned sympathetically.
"James and Al might be different and all, but they're still related" she said, eyes glinting at Harry.
"You're fine, Al, stop milking it" Harry chuckled, trying to stand up, but being flattened straight on his back by James. James sprawled across Harry's chest, and refused to be moved.
"I'm gonna sleep here" James said, content.
"I think not" Harry said, again, attempting to sit up, but James put a small hand on his Dad's chest, pushing him firmly back down.
"James, let him up" Ginny sighed, the 5th time this evening, reaching over to pull her child of her husband.
"Watch out Ginny, your daughter's going to roll of the bed" Ron said, pointing to Lily, who was kicking out her legs, and getting dangerously close to the edge. Ginny span around sharply, and relocated Lily to the safety of her own basket.
"So, James, are you going to get off" Ginny said, turning back to the situation on the carpet.
"No" James said, crawling further up Harry's chest. Ginny crouched over, and picked up James, making the boy cry out in annoyance but giving Harry time to leapt up, and lie back on the bed.
"Harry, mate, don't go to sleep now" Ron said, placing Hugo on the floor.
"I'm not" Harry said simply, letting James clamber on top of him once again. Albus looked up longingly at Harry and James, and turned to Ginny.
"Up up" he said, pointing to the bed.
"I'm adding another, Harry" Ginny grinned, plonking Al on Harry.
"No" moaned James, pushing Al off.
"My Daddy too" Albus protested, clambering back on Harry.
"But you'll take up all the space" James said, attempting to push Al off again.
"I'm not that small!" Harry said, "You can both fit"
"Lily come too" Al suggested, after making himself comfortable across Harry. Harry raised an eyebrow, and looked over at Ginny.
"Just be gentle" she said warningly, laying the final Potter across Harry. He secured her by placing an arm over her body, and his eyes started to close, as did James' Al's and Lily's. Ginny smiled fondly, and resisted a yawn herself. She turned to Hermione and Ron, and said her goodbyes.
"Look after him" Ron muttered, looking warily at Harry.
"I'll try my best" she replied, hugging him.
"I'll see you soon, ok?" Hermione said, as she embraced Ginny.
"Yeah, yeah, that'll be nice" Ginny murmured, looking back at her family. She accompanied them to the door, and waved as the family of 4 disapperated, leaving her hand hanging in mid-air.
About 45 minutes later, she heard the first sound coming from the master bedroom, and she looked up expectantly. A second after, small footsteps were heard, and saw James wandering out, rubbing his eyes.
"Hi" Ginny said, walking over and picking him up, "Have a nice snooze? Is Daddy still sleeping?"
"No, Daddy's up" James said, yawning again. Ginny quirked an eyebrow, and went to investigate. Indeed, Harry was up, she could tell, but his eyes were closed. She lay down next to him, bringing James with her, and she saw his eyes open.
"Hi" he said, sitting up, cradling the still sleeping Lily and Albus, "Everything ok?"
"Yes, I'm great" she said, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Did you have a good day at school, James?" Harry asked his first born, and James nodded, before a small frown started to appear on his face.
"What's the mat-" Harry started, noticing the look James was giving.
"Did Liam's daddy come home too?" he said, now looking scared.
"Uh, I don't know" Harry said, looking confused, "Why wouldn't he?" James looked into his lap.
"I said I wish his Daddy won't come home" James confessed, looking heartbroken.
"Oh James" Ginny muttered, pulling James in, once again, for a reassuring hug.
"Maybe Liam doesn't like me anymore" he said, looking utterly distraught.
"Of course he'll like you" Harry said, watching as Al started to unstick his green eyes.
"Maybe he'll like Luis more" James said, choking on his tears.
"Who?" Harry asked, looking at Ginny, who shrugged her shoulders.
"It rings a bell, but I don't know who-" she began,
"Luis with dark hair and light skin" James said, trying to explain. Ginny and Harry shot each other bemused glances, thinking that James could referring to anyone, including himself, at this description.
"Ok" Ginny said, still sharing a grin with Harry.
"Will it be sunny tomorrow?" James suddenly said, looking out the window hopefully. Harry reached for his wand, and waved it across the room. The room went grey, and rain poured from floating clouds by the ceiling. Harry sighed, and waved his wand again, clearing the room.
"It's raining tomorrow" he announced, watching James.
"Puddles!" squeaked Albus from Harry's lap, looking excited.
"Oh god, no puddles" Ginny muttered in Harry's ear, thinking back to the last time they let the boys out whilst it was raining, and remembering the 2 soggy children flapping water all over the house. Harry grinned, but nodded at Al.
"Definitely puddles" he laughed.
"Don't encourage them!" Ginny said, poking Harry in the side.
"Puddles are great, don't you agree?" Harry asked Ginny, turning his head idly.
"Don't even try me" she growled. Lily started to stir, and her eyes widened at all the noise her brothers were making, pretending to be stomping around in puddles.
"Are you going to jump in puddles too, Lily Lu?" Harry grinned, lifting her up. She gave a face that Harry could only define as 'Ginny's glare', and he started to laugh.
"Maybe you won't like puddles" he said, kissing her on the cheek.
"I swear to god if we have 3 children all jumping around in puddles, I might just leave" Ginny grumbled, starting to get up. Harry grinned again, and placed Lily on his lap, pulling faces at her.
"Right, Albus Potter, lets get you ready for bed" Ginny announced scooping Albus off the floor. Al frowned.
"Just had nap" he said, pointing to the bed.
"Then you'll be up all night" Ginny said, bringing him to the bathroom.
"No bath! No bath!" Al cried, scrambling to get away.
"I thought you liked puddles" Ginny said slowly, making Albus furrow his eye brows in utmost confusion.
I woke up to rain, the complete opposite from yesterday. It thundered like bullets upon our window, and I pulled back the curtains to see a steady downpour, drowning our flowers and turning our front lawn into a muddy swamp. I groaned as I realised that I would be in charge of 2 muddy children this morning, so I went into the cupboard, and fished out the wellies.
Liam loved rain, and I usually had to force him into a coat, but Mabel, on the other hand, hated it. She made me wrap her up in millions of water proof layers, and tucks herself under her Peppa Pig umbrella. I got changed fast, and awakened my children.
"RAIN!" Liam yelled, as anticipated, and he kicked the covers back, leaping up to the window, and pressing his hands on the glass.
"Yes, and get ready" I said, a little annoyed at the imminent arrival of a soaking Liam. I exited his room, and instead walked into Mabel's. She was awake, but a stubborn look on her face that was plainly telling me 'don't you dare make me get up and walk in that rain, mother' but I decided against it, and pulled her up, standing her on her feet, and rummaging through her drawers.
"I don't like rain" she told me, wrinkling her nose, and shuffling around on her feet.
"I know you don't" I told her exasperated, and pulling out jeans and a jumper, and tugging her night dress over her head.
"I like puddles though" she said, perking up, and stomping her feet around. I grinned.
"Of course you do, now stay still you rascal"
After I had fed the minors, I bundled them both up in their coats, and handed them their umbrellas and wellies.
"Help" Mabel said, trying to pull up her umbrella, but catching her hand on the fabric.
"Just be patient" I said, placing my own wellies on.
As soon as I opened the door, Liam darted out, and ran to the nearest puddle, jumping up and down in it, and splashing water up to his knees.
"Liam Williams!" I cried, leaving Mabel under her umbrella, and retrieving a now soaking wet Liam. He looked incredibly pleased with himself, and I shook my head in dismay.
I bundled him into the car, and turned on the heating, hoping it would dry my soaking child off. He grinned as I muttered about not being responsible, and carried on sucking on his sleeve. The amount of times I've told him not to do this.
Rain was still bolting down as I skidded into the carpark, and to my delight, I saw the black Bentley, knowing that I would the chance to speak to Harry first hand. I stopped the engine and leaned over, putting Liam's coat back over his shoulder, and opening his door. He leapt out, and continued what he had started at the house.
"Oh Liam" I sighed, opening my own door, and putting up my own umbrella. Mabel shrieked as I opened her door, and she cowered from the rain. At this point, I didn't know which was worse; Having a child who got wet in the rain, or having one that refused to even touch it.
Thank god I got both.
I glanced at the black Bentley and saw people getting out. I'll talk later, right now I was busy.
"Mabel, you won't get wet" I pleaded, trying to ease Mabel out, and at last she cooperated, edging wearily out the car, and ducking under the umbrella. I put her own shelter up, and went to collect Liam, who was now splashing dangerously close to the cars.
"Stay here" I told Mabel, and I darted over to Liam, pulling him by the wrist. He was laughing and I saw that all that time drying in the car was useless, for Liam was covered in water, yet again.
"Katie" I heard a voice say, and I turned around to see Ginny waving at me, clutching Albus firmly by the hand. He was bending his knees up and down, eager to jump.
"Hi, you look well" I smiled, as she walked over to me. She grinned, and nodded.
"I reckon you know, but Harry came back yesterday, we all haven't had a better night's sleep since before Lily was born" Ginny said, gesturing behind her where a well-rested Harry stood, talking to James, and hauling out the pram. He looked good, in one way more than the other, and so did Ginny. She looked happier than she had been for a few days, and it was certainly paying of on the children. Albus was giggling as his foot collided with the wet dips in the earth, and James was grinning as he also stomped around, but not straying too far from Harry, I noticed.
"Lily slept through the night?" I wondered, but Ginny shook her head.
"I wish. No, she was up 4 times, but that good enough" Ginny grinned again, making me smile too, "However this rain is a nuisance. James and Al love puddles, you see"
"Looks like we're picking up 2 very wet boys after school" I laughed, pointing out Liam, who was still leaping around. She suddenly frowned, as if she remembered something, and she glanced over her shoulder.
"Something happened yesterday, something between Liam and James" she muttered, "James said something she definitely shouldn't have said, so I'm sorry, on James' behalf" I nodded.
"I heard, but they're only children, right?"
"James' hasn't been brought up to do that, he knows it, too. He was all over the place yesterday evening cause he thought Liam wouldn't want to hang out with him" Ginny said, taking a glance at Harry and James again.
"That's strange, Liam was saying that about James" I said, following her gaze, and watching as Harry walked over to us, pushing Lily, and holding James' hand.
"I don't like the way you're looking at me, Gin" he said, adjusting his hood.
"Sorry" Ginny said quickly, rolling her eyes at me, and I noticed then how much Harry has an impact on Ginny's personality.
"You seem good, Harry" I said, smiling at him. To my relief, he smiled back, and for some odd reason, I felt weak at the knees. He certainly was a charmer, what can I say?
"Mrs Liam's Mum?" James said tentatively, looking up at me, "Is Liam very angry with me? Coz I'm very sorry" I shook my head.
"He's definitely not angry at you, James, he thinks you're angry at him" James' eyes widened.
"I'm not! I promise!" he cried, almost slipping if it wasn't for Harry's quick reflexes, catching his wrist and pulling him back onto his feet.
"Good reflexes" I said. Harry glanced at Ginny, a glint in his eye, and she smiled.
"Comes in handy" she said, winking at Harry. At this point, Liam decided to run rather nervously up to us, and he studied James carefully.
"I'm not angry at you" James said, letting go of Harry and kicking some water at an already soaked Liam.
"Oi" Ginny exclaimed, throwing James a disapproving look, but I saw a small smile toy at Liam's mouth as he started to back off.
"You can't catch me" he said, narrowing his eyes at James.
"I'm fast" James said back, a competitive look on his face. Liam spun around, and started to run. James shot after him, and he was right, he was fast. He was nimble on his feet, and jumped over all the potholes and dodged past obstacles with undying ease.
"Careful, please" Harry called, watching the boys carefully. A small whimper made me look down, and I saw Al pulling on Ginny's hand.
"I go" he said, but his parents both shook their heads.
"You're too little, Al" Ginny said, and Al looked devastated. Harry peeled his eyes momentarily from the children, Ginny watching them instead, and spoke to Al.
"Wanna ride on Daddy's shoulders?" he offered, a glint in his eyes. Al nodded, so Harry bent down and plucked up Al. The similarity of the two never ceased to amaze me, and Ginny noticed the look in my eye.
"Albus is a clone" she grinned, watching as Harry placed Albus on his shoulders, securing his hands-on Al's feet. Al's hood was starting to slip, and the tendrils of hair on his forehead were getting wetter and wetter. Ginny noticed too, and she gently pulled his hood firmer over his head.
"Actually, Harry's more of a printer" I pointed out, gesturing James. Harry laughed, and Ginny grinned again.
"James is actually more like Ginny, to be honest" Harry shrugged. Ginny narrowed her eyes.
"You should see the glares he can give" Harry finished, earning a gentle slap from Ginny.
"I knew that was coming" She muttered, her eyes glinting, "And you're laying claim over Al's personality? I think not" Ginny said idly.
"No, I was thinking more Lily" he said, grinning at her cheekily. She reached up and flipped his hood back, letting water run down his neck.
"That was uncalled for" Harry scowled, trying to pull his hood back up, however, a small pair of hands were keeping a firm grip on it.
"Al's on my team" Ginny said, sticking her tongue out at Harry, and giving a giggling Al a high five.
"I feel outnumbered" Harry muttered, still trying to retrieve his hood.
"Keep a good grip on it Al" Ginny encouraged, laughing. Al was now patting Harry's wet hair with his hand, making waves of water wash over his face.
"I only came back yesterday!" Harry shivered, placing a hand on his forehead to shelter his eyes from the water.
"Miss you" Al said, still patting Harry's head.
"I know you did, so can you stop washing me with rain?" Harry said again, giving me a spectacular eye roll. James and Liam then found that moment to stroll up to us, shrieking with laughter. James looked up at his Dad, and his brother, and started to splash water at Harry's legs. Harry groaned, and prised Al of his shoulders. Ginny caught on, and helped Harry with Al.
"Let's stop splashing Daddy, now" Ginny said, "Sorry, love" Harry shook himself, and pulled up his hood.
"Sure" he said, eyes squinting as water dropped down from the edges.
"Splash Daddy!" insisted Al, squirming in Ginny's arms. Ginny shook her head firmly.
"Splash James?" offered Al, looking down at his brother.
"No!" cried James, shooting a horrified glance at his mother. Ginny laughed.
"Splash the floor, if you must" grumbled Harry, shivering slightly.
"Cheer up moody" Ginny said, nudging him in the side.
"You didn't just get soaked by your 2-year-old son" he pointed out.
"Al wouldn't splash Mummy, would you?" Ginny grinned, rubbing her nose with Al's. Harry narrowed his eyes and quickly plucked up James. James crossed his arms over his chest as he looked on at his brother and Mum.
"You an' Al, an' Me and Daddy" James said, flicking water at Al, who glared at James.
"An' me an' my Mummy!" piped in Liam, indicating he should be lifted up. I didn't really have the strength to pick him up anymore, but luckily Harry noticed this, picking Liam up himself.
"I have the power of two boys on my side" he said dramatically, holding a boy in each arm. Liam looked delighted, and copied James, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Oh ho, we get Mabel" Ginny said, and Mabel looked up, "Wanna be on our team?"
"I get wet?" Mabel frowned.
"No, you'll stay very dry, I promise" Ginny said, lifting Mabel into her arms. It was a very cute sight I must say, though I wished I still had the energy and physical strength Ginny obviously still had.
"So, Katie, which side will you take as we march into the school?" Harry grinned. I grinned back, and pointed to Ginny.
"I'm going with Ginny, Mabel and Al" I said, smugly walking over to Ginny. Ginny smiled sweetly at Harry, and he rolled his eyes yet again. Harry somehow managed to grab a hold of the pram and together we walked into school, making eyes turn. I saw Zara open her mouth slightly, and I strutted on, feeling very important.
When we got outside the classroom, Harry gently placed down James and Liam, Ginny putting Mabel down, but still holding Al.
"We'll see you after school, James" Harry said, bending down and kissing James' wet face. Ginny did the same, and then looked into the pram, upon hearing some small cries.
"There goes Lily" she sighed, and Harry made the curtesy of getting the baby himself. She was all bundled up in a sleep suit and looked like a teddy bear; literally. Harry pulled up an umbrella, and held Lily close to him, as she continued to wail softly.
"Bye Jamie, have a good day Ok? No mean words" Harry said, looking back up. James nodded, and pulled Liam after him as he ran to the classroom, shrieking as rain pattered down on their coats.
"What's the betting we get a call saying one of them has injured themselves in the rain?" Harry chuckled, and I smiled in agreement.
"Wanna bet?" Ginny said competitively
"No, it's a metaphor" Harry said, starting to walk off. Ginny grinned, and we followed him, not caring that the rain was easing up, and the sun was starting to come out again.
