"Harry, Teddy! Let's go!" Ginny called for what seemed like the hundredth time.
"We're coming!" her husband called back.
Ginny rolled her eyes as the two boys thundered down the stairs and into the lounge.
"Teddy, What happened to your hair?" Ginny asked with a chuckle. Her godson's hair, which he had managed to turn ginger for Sunday lunch at the Burrow, was sticking up every which way; it was even worse than Harry's hair and that was saying something.
"We had a bit of trouble with the jumper," Harry said sheepishly.
"Can we go?" Teddy asked exasperatedly, jumping up and down with anticipation.
Harry scooped him up and Teddy squealed delightedly before taking the Floo powder Ginny was offering them and throwing it into the fireplace.
"The Burrow!" the two boys called in unison before they were whipped out of sight in a flash of green flames.
Harry stumbled slightly upon entering the kitchen, but regained balance before Ginny arrived, stepping gracefully from the hearth a few short moments later.
"There you three are!" Molly exclaimed, bustling over to give each of them a hug and kiss on the cheek.
"Sorry we're late, Molly," Harry said with a smile.
"Oh, it's no problem, dear," Molly assured him, kissing him on his cheek again.
"Damn Potter charm," Ginny muttered, eliciting a smirk from Harry.
"Grandma Weasley, where's Victoire?" asked Teddy.
"I believe she's hiding upstairs waiting for you to go find her," Mrs. Weasley said.
The words were barely out of her mouth before Teddy ran excitedly from the room.
"Hello everyone," said Ginny, turning to her brothers and sisters-in-law.
Percy and his wife Audrey, George, Ron, Hermione, and Bill were all seated around the kitchen table.
"Hello Ginny, Harry," said Percy, while the others simply waved in greeting.
"Anyway I can help, Molly?" asked Harry though he was sure she would deny his offer as usual.
"Oh, no dear, you relax," Molly said predictably. "I dare say you do enough cooking during the week."
Ginny scowled but didn't comment. Of the two of them, Harry was definitely the better cook.
Ginny and Harry sat down next to each other, hands intertwined. The other Weasley couples present smirked at them. Despite being married for nearly two years, they were often referred to as "the newlyweds." Sure, Ron and Hermione had gotten married more recently, but they had always been more reserved when it came to showing their affection. Harry and Ginny, however, couldn't seem to keep their hands off each other, much to her brothers' distaste
The Potters had been seated for no more than five minutes, listening to Bill's latest bank story, when the children burst in with the energy of a hurricane.
"Unca Harry! Unca Harry! Come play! Come play!" Victoire, Bill and Fleur's now two year old daughter, pleaded, pulling on his arm.
Ginny watched the grin spread across Harry's face as he hastened to get up before his niece and godson pulled him to the ground.
"Where are we going?" he asked as they dragged him from the room.
"Just come on!" Teddy exclaimed as the door swung shut behind them.
Ginny smiled and shook her head. Harry had become a fast favorite among the Weasley children, only having real competition when George brought new Weasley's Wizard Wheezes products or if Charlie came home for a visit. He never seemed to be able to refuse his young nieces and simply loved playing with the little ones, regardless of how exhausting it was.
Turning back to the table, Ginny caught her mother's eye. She had raised her eyebrows pointedly, which made Ginny blush ever so slightly.
Molly had, of course, noticed Harry's natural talent with the kids and had been none too subtly suggesting that he and Ginny ought to have a little one of their own.
She and Harry had always talked about one day starting a family, but with Ginny playing Quidditch with the Harpies and Harry working as an Auror to send the remaining Death Eaters to Azkaban, it had always seemed like such a far off prospect.
Although, she couldn't ignore the warm fuzzy feeling she got whenever they had Teddy over the weekend or babysat for one of her brothers. His natural talent with children was endearing and never failed to charm Ginny. They would most definitely be having some alone time once they got home, especially since they hadn't been able to while they had Teddy over the weekend.
"Ginny!" called Molly, causing her daughter to jump. Everyone in the kitchen was looking at her.
"What?" she asked incredulously.
"I've asked you to round up the others four times now!"
"Oh. Sorry."
"Got something on your mind, Gin?" asked George with a somewhat wicked grin.
"No," Ginny replied, getting to her feet.
"Really? 'Cause I could've sworn you had a dreamy, far off look on your face…almost as if you were lusting after your special someone."
"Can't hear you, George!" Ginny quipped, leaving the kitchen.
Entering the lounge, the first thing she saw was her husband, sprawled on his back with Teddy sitting on his legs and Victorie on his stomach. Meanwhile, baby Molly was positioned near his head waving his glasses around and giggling madly.
"Hello there," Ginny said, smiling down at him. "Need any help?"
"No," Harry said, squinting up at her, "I am in complete control of the situation."
No sooner had he said it than Dominique tried to take his glasses from Molly, severely bending the wires in the process. Ginny rolled her eyes while Teddy and Victoire giggled. "Alright kids, let Harry up and go wash up for lunch."
Teddy and Victorie jumped up and ran off to wash their hands, laughing together as they went.
"Thanks," Harry said, dusting himself off as he got to his feet.
"Anything to save my damsel in distress," Ginny said, wrapping her arms around his neck. As she gazed up into his emerald eyes, she couldn't help but think about how sexy he looked without his glasses, which were still being held captive by Dominique and Molly.
Chuckling, Harry placed his hands on her hips. "How will I ever repay you?" he asked, nudging her nose with his.
"Oi! Lovebirds!" called Ron from the doorway. "That is not what I want to see right before we eat!"
"Oh, get over yourself," Ginny scoffed, kissing Harry soundly on the lips. "Lunch is ready," she added, turning to Fleur, Angelina, and Arthur who had been supervising the toddlers.
"Thank you, ma soeur," Fleur said, scooping Dominique up into her arms and prising Harry's glasses from her little fingers.
Harry took them back, fixing them with a tap of his wand before picking up baby Molly who was pulling at the hem of his robes. Ginny moved to help a very pregnant Angelina to her feet.
"How are you doing, Angie?" Ginny asked as they all made their way to the kitchen.
"Ready for this to be over," Angie said, glaring at George as they approached the table.
"Unca Harry, sit here!" called Victoire, indicating a chair between her and Teddy.
Harry hesitated, glancing back at Ginny as if asking for permission. Ginny smiled and took the seat across from Harry's. He smiled and made his way to his assigned seat, depositing baby Molly in her highchair as he passed Percy.
"Alright everyone, dig in," said Molly as everyone took their seats.
Throughout the meal, Ginny tried to engage in the conversation but found her eyes straying to Harry and the children. He helped them get their food, wiped their faces off when needed, goofed off and made them laugh, and still managed to eat his own meal. An odd sort of ache filled Ginny's stomach as she watched him, suddenly wishing it was their child's he was cutting chicken into small, bite-sized pieces.
Lunch had barely ended before Harry was once again dragged off, this time for a game of hide and seek.
"He certainly has a knack with the kids," Hermione said from Ginny's right.
Ginny nodded, smiling at the delighted squeals that echoed from the upper floors. "Yeah, he does."
They had all finished clearing the table when Harry came skidding into the room and bolted for the pantry.
"You never saw me," he said before closing the door.
"What d'ya think people would say if they knew 'The Boy Who Lived' hides from his two year old niece and four year old godson in a closet," George said, snickering along with his brothers.
"Stop, it's sweet," Molly scolded, shooting another pointed look at her daughter.
"So Ginny," said Bill, changing the subject, "how're the Harpies doing? You gonna make the playoffs?"
"Well, if we beat the Wasps this week we will, but it's not going to be an easy win," she said as they all meandered into the lounge.
"The Cannons have been doing pretty well this year," Ron interjected.
"No offense Ron, but we steamrollered them back in October."
"Well, if the Cannons had—"
"Ginny!" cried Teddy, running up to his godmother, cutting Ron's rant short. "We can't find Harry!"
"Where have you looked, dears?" asked Molly.
"Everywhere!" Teddy and Victoire cried in unison.
"Well," said Ginny, smirking to herself, "did you look in the kitchen?"
Teddy's face lit up with realization and ran off, pulling Victoire along. "Come on! I know where he is!"
Seconds later, the delighted squeals followed by Harry's exclamation of, "Oh no! You found me!" concluded that they had, indeed, found his hiding spot.
"You're lucky he loves you," Arthur told Ginny as Harry made his way into the lounge, carrying two giggling children.
Ginny just smiled, somewhat wickedly, before getting up and clapping her hands together. "Exploding Snap, anyone?"
Everyone, excluding Angelina, Molly, and Arthur, formed a circle on the floor. Little Molly and Dominique toddled over to Harry, plopping themselves in his lap. Harry smiled and cuddled both of them before turning his attention to the hand of cards he was sharing with Teddy.
Ginny sat herself down next to Harry, rubbing her hand on his knee. He turned to smile at her and planted a soft, chaste kiss on her lips.
"Auntie Ginny! Pay 'tention!" scolded Victoire who was sharing Ginny's cards.
Harry gave her another dazzling smile and winked as Ginny turned her attention back to her overexcited niece.
The family played several rounds, Teddy and Victoire moving around to "help" various people. When, nearly an hour later, Victoire's eyelids began to droop, she settled herself in her mother's lap and drifted off to sleep.
This signaled the end to the loud game. Handing her cards back to George, Ginny turned to look at Harry. Molly and Dominique had long since dozed off and Harry, not wanting to disturb them, had opted out of the last few rounds. He now sat, leaning against the sofa, smiling down at his nieces and trying to keep himself from dozing off.
Teddy was sitting between his godparents and, despite his recent protestations that he was "much too old for naps," rested his head on his godfather's knee, curling into his side. Harry gently rubbed the little boy's back and sighed contentedly.
Rather than engaging in the following conversations, Ginny simply watched her husband soothe their godson to sleep before dozing off himself, head lolling onto the sofa.
"You know, Ginny," said Bill, breaking her out of her reverie as he came over to collect Dominique, "if I didn't know any better, I'd say you've got a touch of baby fever."
Knowing it was no use arguing, Ginny simply rolled her eyes at her eldest brother and helped him extract his youngest daughter without waking the other sleepers.
As everyone moved to leave, Harry stirred, blinking his bright emerald eyes and yawning before handing Little Molly off to Percy.
"Enjoy your nap?" Ginny asked him.
Nodding, Harry ran a hand through his untamable hair and rubbed his neck. "How long was I out for?"
"Just about ten minutes."
Harry glanced at his wristwatch before looking down at Teddy. "Andromeda should be here soon."
The words had barely left his mouth when said women came in from the kitchen, obviously having just arrived by Floo.
"Oh, Andromeda! How are you?" cried Molly, jumping to her feet. Having both lost children in the war, the two women had grown close over the past few years.
"I'm well, Molly, you?"
"Just lovely. Won't you have some tea before you take Teddy home?"
"I would love that, thank you." As Molly bustled off to the kitchen, Andromeda sat herself down in an armchair and turned her attention to Harry and Ginny.
"Was he any trouble?" she asked, indicating Teddy.
"Of course not," Harry assured her, gingerly prodding the sleeping boy awake.
Teddy stirred and blinked his eyes dazedly, snuggling into his godfather before realizing what had happened. He scrambled to his feet, stifling a huge yawn.
"Have a nice nap, Teddy?" asked Andromeda.
Teddy's hair became a brilliant magenta as he rounded on his grandmother and declared, "I don't take naps!"
"You know, Harry took a short nap too," Ginny said, hoping to lessen the boy's embarrassment.
Teddy turned to look at his godfather who shrugged, yawning again.
"How was lunch with Narcissa?" Harry asked. Andromeda had reconnected with her sister after the war, visiting with her from time to time.
"It was quite pleasant. We had a nice chat and Draco stopped by with his fiancé, Astoria."
Harry simply nodded. Though they were more civil when their paths crossed, Harry and Draco Malfoy still harbored a certain dislike for each other.
Molly returned with Andromeda's tea as well as a plate of biscuits, which she swatted Ron's hand away from.
"Well Mum, I think we'll be going," Bill announced, returning from changing Dominique's diaper.
"Us too. Lunch was wonderful as always, Molly," said Audrey.
"Thank you, dear. Now mind you don't overexert yourself," Molly told her. Audrey and Percy had announced last week that they were expecting again.
"I will," Audrey assured her.
George and Angelina followed suit, Angelina informing George he would be giving her a foot rub once they got home.
Before long it was just Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Andromeda, and Teddy left at the Burrow. Teddy, hair now neon green, was excitedly telling his Gran all about his weekend with Harry and Ginny.
"Ya know, he's a good little squirt." Ron said as Teddy animatedly explained how he had, with Ginny's help, beaten Harry at Gobstones.
"Yep," Harry said, grinning at Ginny. Even after all these years, that grin still got her stomach performing gymnastics.
"Thank you for the tea, Molly. Teddy, we best be going," Andromeda said, drawing the room's attention.
Teddy ran to get his rucksack from the kitchen as the adults exchanged their goodbyes.
"Are we still on for lunch this Thursday?" Hermione asked, giving Ginny a hug.
"Of course," Harry confirmed while Ginny nodded.
"See ya Teddy. Don't get into too much trouble this week," said Ginny, giving him a hug.
"We'll pick you up from school on Friday," Harry added, also giving him a hug.
"When can I stay for a whole week?" Teddy asked.
"I'm sure we'll be able to work that out soon, Teddy Bear," Andromeda said, leading him to follow Ron and Hermione through the Floo.
"See you next week, Molly, Arthur," called Harry.
"Have a good week," Arthur told them.
Arriving back home, Harry and Ginny settled in the living room with a bottle of wine. Ginny still couldn't get over that odd longing she'd felt while watching Harry with the kids.
"Something on your mind, Gin?" Harry asked, surveying her over his wine glass.
"It's nothing," she lied.
Harry was clearly not convinced and put down his glass, looking at her more seriously. "You sure nothing's bothering you?"
Ginny struggled for a bit, trying to find the right words. "No. I just…you know how we always talked about someday having kids?"
"Yeah…"
"Well, I always thought it would be way in the future but…watching you with the kids makes me think it could be sooner rather than later."
Ginny couldn't bring herself to look at him; for some reading voicing this made Ginny nervous. When Harry didn't say anything for a few moments, Ginny glanced up at him to see his lips curving into a smile, making Ginny blush and smile back.
"Really?" he asked in a hushed, excited voice.
Ginny nodded shyly before hurrying to elaborate. "I mean, obviously we'll have to wait till the Quidditch season ends at the very least, but then, if you want to we—"
Her babbling was cut off as Harry pressed his lips firmly against her, moving purposefully. Ginny sighed into his mouth, deepening their kiss and running her fingers through Harry's raven locks.
When they pulled apart, Ginny was lying back on the sofa with Harry hovering over her. One look at Harry's expression told Ginny she needn't have worried. His exhilarated, slightly dazed grin said it all.