Harry and Ginny struggle to get their family ready for church services. But, coffee with friends after church, is the perfect reward
Song: Mary Did You Know by Pentatonix
"Maaaammmmmaaaaaa"
Ginny rolled over and put her head under the pillow. It was too early for this. "She warned me about this," she mumbled as she tried to drown out the symphony coming from James' room.
"What was that, love?" Harry pulled the pillow off her head and kissed her cheek. "Your mum warned you about something?"
"I hate you," Ginny continued to grumble as she looked for the pillow to cover her head again. "Your turn to go get him. I need coffee and a shower before I deal with a toddler."
"You love me." Harry grinned as he walked out of the door of their bedroom. "And our son. I'll bring you coffee in a few minutes. Don't take too long."
"Why?" Ginny threw her pillow towards the door. "I just want to sleep in and not think about work."
"We have to be at church early today," Harry's voice drifted back to her. "It's the first Sunday of Advent and …"
"We have to do the candle liturgy." Ginny flopped back on the bed and groaned. "Why did I agree to this?"
"Because Luna asked." Harry returned to the bedroom carrying James. "And you cannot say no to her."
"Coffee … now," Ginny reached for her son. "Baby snuggles before shower. By the way, hurry with that coffee, your son has a present for you"
Ginny: Why did you not remind me?
Luna: Of what?
Ginny: Today is the first Sunday of Advent
Luna: I tried to Friday night
Ginny: But, we got there late and left early
Luna: Because babies and Chess Club don't always mix
Ginny: Do I need to do anything once we get to church?
Luna: No. Nev and I set it up yesterday when we helped with the Hanging of the Greens
Ginny: I need coffee
Luna: Just remember to light the purple candle in the front. The liturgy is on the podium with the wreath
Ginny: Matches?
Luna: There too, Don't let Harry
Ginny: He will have his hands full with James :)
Luna: See you at church
Harry leaned against the doorframe as he watched Ginny get James ready to leave. "A penny for your thoughts?" she asked, looking over her shoulder.
"Just counting my blessings." Harry smiled as he continued to watch his two favorite people. "I am a lucky man and I still can't figure out what you saw in me."
"A cute arse and a big … brain," Ginny laughed as she picked James up from his bed. "Besides, I am the lucky one. You love me and take me as I am, red-headed temper and all."
"James, is mum laughing at me?" Harry took his son from Ginny as she walked past him. "I think mum is laughing at me. What should we do about that?"
"Dada, dada, mama, mama" James babbled and giggled as his father walked towards the kitchen.
"Really, son. What insight. Sit here and don't get dirty." Harry's laughter drifted back to Ginny as she straightened up James' room. Even if Harry never believed her, she knew he was her greatest blessing.
"Time to get the boys off to the church," Ginny spoke to herself as she closed the door to James' room. "Those candles are not going to light themselves."
Harry: Are you coming?
Ron: To what?
Harry: Church this morning
Ron: Why?
Harry: Really?
Ron: What?
Harry: We are doing the candle thing today
Ron: When does it start?
Harry: Is 'Mione awake?
Ron: No
Harry: I'll get your mum to tape it
Ron: Why?
Harry: If she is not up and showered by now, you will never make it on time
Ron: What time does it start?
Harry: 10:30
Ron: Ugh … It is 9:30 and a 15 minute ride to church
Harry: We'll see you later
Ron: She's going to kill me
Harry: No she won't - she loves you
Ron: Somedays
Harry: She loves you, mate
Ron: If you say so
Harry: Meet up for coffee after church
Ron: BB at 1
Harry: That should work
Ginny watched Harry put James in his car seat and smiled. The wind had picked up and was ruffling more than just her boys' hair. Harry had been nervous during the entire church service. It was not often that James sat through a whole service with them and he had fidgeted less than his father today.
They had made it through the Advent liturgy without setting the church or the baby on fire, so today had been a success. She wanted to go home and take a nap, but Harry had mentioned coffee with Hermione and Ron. Life had been hectic lately and she wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to let someone else entertain James for a few minutes. She needed to talk to Hermione about a few things and this would be easier than texting.
She had a few ideas about what Chess Club could do during December. She remembered mum and the ladies in the neighborhood getting together and making cookies all day. She remembered fighting her brothers for a part of the cookie stash even more. That could be interesting. But, they would have to talk Hermione into actually baking the cookies.
"Gin, are you coming?" Harry asked as he closed the back door of their car. "Ron and 'Mione are waiting at Bishop's Brew."
"I'm coming." Ginny rushed to her side of the car and slipped into the front seat. "I was just thinking about holiday traditions."
"Like what?" Harry asked as he closed his door. "I don't exactly have good holiday memories with my family. Dudley has good ones, not me."
"There are several I can remember," Ginny sighed as they pulled out of the parking lot. "Cookie Day and the neighborhood party on Boxing day are a few of them. Maybe, we could do some things with the Club."
"Ron wants to talk to Nev about having a New Year's Eve party in the Bower or at Tempest." Harry reached for Ginny's hand as he drove. "We can talk to everybody about it later."
"That could be fun," Ginny yawned. "Wake me up when we get there. I'm going to rest my eyes."
Harry raised an eyebrow as she yawned again. "Are you okay? You never take a nap after church."
"Just a little tired today," Ginny mumbled. "Didn't sleep good last night. I'll be okay."
"Yes, dear."
Harry: Has Gin said anything to you about being tired?
Hermione: No, why?
Harry: She is sound asleep in the car
Hermione: Why are you texting?
Harry: I am not driving
Hermione: Really?
Harry: Look out the window
Hermione: Okay. Just wake her up
Harry: She has dark circles under her eyes and this is the third day in a row she has taken a nap in the middle of the day
Hermione: She has been super busy at work
Harry: But, she hates naps, just like her son
Hermione: Talk to her about it
Harry: I've tried
Hermione: Do you think she is going to tell me something that she won't tell you?
Harry: Yes
Hermione: Really?
Harry: Yes
Hermione: Are you coming in for coffee or do I need to send Ron out
Harry: We will be there a couple of minutes
"Wake, up love." Harry gently shook Ginny's shoulder. "We are here. Coffee is waiting for you."
Ginny rubbed her eyes and mumbled.
"Love, there is a small protest brewing in the back seat." Harry touched Ginny's cheek with the back of his hand. "Someone is tired of his seat. We need to go in."
"Maaaaammmmmmmaaaaaa," James filled his lungs and filled the car with sounds of his displeasure.
"Okay, my impatient boys." Ginny opened her eyes and unbuckled her seat belt. "We will go inside and get coffee. James, we do not yell in small spaces, Mama needs her hearing."
Hermione: So, cookie day?
Luna: What's that?
Daphne: Sounds yummy
Ginny: We get together at someone's house and bake cookies all day.
Hermione: Bake?
Luna: Sounds fun
Daphne: Sounds like work
Hermione: Bake?!
Ginny: Yes, bake. You can so that, Mione
Hermione: All day?
Luna: What if we did an exchange instead?
Daphne: Exchange?
Ginny: Sounds interesting
Hermione: I still have to bake
Luna: Each person makes a batch or two of their three favorite cookie recipes. Then we meet up and trade cookies with each other.
Daphne: That might work better.
Hermione: But, I still have to bake cookies all day
Ginny: Get Ron to help. He loves to bake
Luna: Ron? Bakes?
Daphne: Are we sure we can trust his baking?
Ginny: Mum used to get us all in the kitchen to help her with the baking every year.
Luna: She did
Daphne: Please tell me Fred and George did not bake
Hermione: How did her house survive?
Ginny: Fred and George usually got kicked out after the first batch. Ron and I were the last Weasleys standing at the end of the baking Marathon
Daphne: I need photo evidence
Luna: Me, too
Hermione: I could use it as blackmail
Ginny: I'll see you all Friday night