"Happy Birthday dear Lily, Happy Birthday to you!" sang all the guests at the party.
Two year old Lily Luna gazed at the sparkly candles on the big cake. With her Daddy's help, from the comfort of his lap, she blew out the candles. Everybody cheered, and she looked around proudly.
"Now we have to do it all again," called Ginny as she came out out their home. She was carrying Lily's twin sister, Molly Shae. The two dogs followed her out, and sniffed around the table. There was always someone willing to give them a nibble.
She came up to Harry and deposited his other daughter on his lap. She went to turn away but Harry snagged an arm around her waist and drew her close to him. He planted a kiss on her bulging stomach, while she draped an arm over his shoulder.
"Daddy's kissin' our brudder," announced Lily.
Molly clung to Harry, still sleepy from her nap. She watched her mummy light the candles on the cake, but stay cuddled into her daddy, even as her family and friends sang Happy Birthday to her.
Ginny was handing out cake and ice cream, while Harry helped the girls with theirs. Victoire and Domenique ate theirs daintily, under their mother's strict eye. Fred scoffed his ice cream down, them hungrily eyed his sister, Roxanne's, bowl. Audrey was discreetly breast feeding Lucy.
Their family was certainly growing. In the years since the reunion, Audrey and Percy had married, as had Ron and Hermione. While Percy and Audrey had a traditional wedding, Ron and Hermione had simply gone to Paris for a weekend get away, and returned to announce they had gotten married while they were there.
Harry watched as Ron entertained the kids. He was so good with them and Harry knew he really wanted some of his own. However, with both their careers on a high, Hermione had decided it was enough for now that they were married, babies could wait for a few more years. Ron had reluctantly agreed, seeing the sense in what she was saying. However, Uncle Ron could always be called upon to babysit.
Bill and Fleur were expecting another baby, a boy this time, just after Harry and Ginny. George and Angelina had decided one of each was enough, and had no plans for more. Charlie remained the eternal bachelor, although his sister and sisters-in-law were always looking out for the perfect witch for him.
Remus and Tonks had another son, too. Teddy was now five, nearly six, and their son, Orion James, was two. They were like brothers to Harry and Ginny's girls. The Lupins spent a lot of time with the Potters.
Their friends had found love, too. Luna had returned at Christmas, with Rolf Scamander. He gazed at Luna as if she was the most precious thing in the world, and Luna basked in his adoration. They had plans to travel the world, in search of their favourite creatures, and document them. Ginny was happy for her best friend, knowing that their friendship would survive time and distance.
Seamus had made the Hog's Head into a rousing success. He had filched Hannah from the Leaky Cauldron and given her free reign over the kitchen there. It now rivalled the Three Broomsticks for the best pub in Hogsmeade. Seamus was enjoying his new lifestyle, but Ginny sensed that he was lonely. He often went out with Parvati Patil, especially when they made a foursome with Padma and Dean, Seamus's best friend. Ginny hoped Seamus and Parvati could make a go of it. Seamus had become a good friend, and Ginny had given her daughter the middle name, Shae, to honour him. Seamus liked to joke that he and Neville were responsible for Ginny getting pregnant.
With Hannah now working and living in Hogsmeade, Neville decided to make his move. He courted Hannah, and they had fallen in love. They found a house in Hogsmeade, and apart from the nights that Neville was on duty at Hogwarts, he returned to their little cottage every night. Although they hadn't announced it yet, they had just learned that Hannah was pregnant.
Ginny had fallen pregnant on their honeymoon at home. It had been a difficult pregnancy, especially when they found out it was twins. She had experienced a lot of back pain due to her old injury. Harry had to massage her back twice a day, and the last month she was bedridden.
Despite that, Ginny had loved being pregnant. Harry joked that she began nesting straight away, and their home soon became known as Potter's Nest.
The birth of the twins had healed something inside Harry. Ginny knew, because the same emptiness had been filled within herself. They had truly become a family. Within minutes of being born, these tiny girls had their daddy wrapped around their fingers.
Harry had unashamedly cried. With joy, with love. These tiny girls were the product of his immense love for Ginny. They were so beautiful, so adorable and funny. Harry wanted to give them the world.
This next pregnancy was going much easier, as there was only one. Ginny's discomfort was minimal, although Harry still liked to give her a massage every night. Their son was due late September. They had already decided on a name, James Sirius.
"So, I hear Padma is planning a ten year reunion for the DA in October," said Hannah.
"This time we can actually have it at the Hog's Head," said Seamus, smiling broadly.
"It will be great to see everyone again. I think I'll see if she needs any help organising it," said Ginny.
"Maybe she should organise a creche or something. For all the kids, you know," joked George.
"I'm sure Padma will think of that, especially since she and Dean just had little Pria. Have you seen her, she's gorgeous," gushed Hannah, looking longingly at Neville.
"No, I thought we'd go visit this week sometime," said Ginny. She wiped both Molly and Lily's faces and helped them off Harry's lap. They immediately ran off to play with their cousins and friends, the two dogs chasing after them.
Harry pulled Ginny onto his now empty lap, and rubbed her back. "Mmmm," she moaned, leaning into him.
"Please, I'm trying to eat here," grumbled Ron, with a mouthful of cake.
"Oh, grow up," laughed Ginny, throwing a napkin at him. He grabbed it and wiped his mouth. "Good cake," he sighed in satisfaction.
Teddy and Molly ran back to Seamus. "Uncle Shay, can you take us for a ride on your motorbike? Please!" they cried.
"You better ask your Mum and Dads, kiddos," said Seamus.
Teddy ran to Remus and Molly ran to Harry and Ginny. "Please Mummy, Daddy, can we go for a ride?"
Remus and Harry looked at each other, as did Ginny and Tonks. Harry looked at Seamus. "Okay. Just around the meadow. Carefully," he warned Seamus.
"Harry, Harry, Harry, you know how much I adore your girls. I'd never do anything to hurt them. Or any of the kidlets," he said, turning to acknowledge Remus and Tonks.
They nodded, and with squeals of delight, Teddy and Molly dragged off Seamus, where the other kids were waiting.
"How about we take some of the sprogs for broom rides," suggested Ron.
"Great idea, Ron," agreed Bill. Harry and George enthusiastically agreed. Off they went to round up the kids, leaving the women to sit and talk.
Dobby appeared to begin clearing up. "Thank you, Dobby. The food was excellent. Hannah, thanks for making the cake," said Ginny, rubbing her belly.
"You're welcome. It was fun. I'd like to do more," said Hannah.
"Teddy's birthday's coming up soon. You could make a cake for his. I'll happily pay you," said Tonks.
"Merlin, I can't believe he'll be six. He'll be at Hogwarts before we know it," sighed Ginny, happily taking baby Lucy from Audrey. She kissed her niece on the forehead, taking in that new baby smell.
"Could you make a Chudley Cannons one for Ron?" asked Hermione, somewhat nervously.
"Probably," said Hannah.
"Ron's had his birthday, and it's not your anniversary. Why do you want a cake for Ron?" asked Angie.
Hermione bit her lip. "I-I'm pregnant. I haven't told him yet. I don't know how he'll react. It's always good to have cake around. You know, to distract him."
"Oh my God, that's brilliant," cried Angie. All the ladies cheered and smiled at her. Fleur gave her a hug, while Ginny leaned over and squeezed her hand.
"What happened to the five year plan?" asked Tonks, teasing.
"Hmm, let's see, it was a combination of me ending a big case, the two of us being home one weekend together, and a cheap bottle of wine. Next thing you know, I have the worst hangover of my life, we've forgotten the contraceptive spell and here we are. I'm due the end of January," said Hermione.
"Me too," squealed Hannah. The two women hugged each other, laughing and crying.
"Hormones," the women chorused. The rest of the afternoon was full of baby talk.
Several hours later, Harry returned from putting his girls to bed. They liked their daddy to read them stories, as he used different voices for different characters. It didn't take many stories for them to fall asleep tonight. It had been a big day.
Harry checked his and Ginny's bedroom, but she wasn't there. Minnie looked up from her spot on their bed and meowed. Harry left her to sleep, as he went in search of his wife.
He found her in her favourite spot, on the swinging lounge on the verandah. The dogs lay at her feet, and she slowly rocked, rubbing a hand over her swollen belly.
Harry stepped over the dogs, who were also tired out from playing with all the children. They barely raised a head, as he sat next to Ginny, and pulled her close.
She lay her head on his shoulder, and he took over rubbing her belly. "He's active tonight," he smiled.
"He's going to be a Quidditch player, I reckon," laughed Ginny.
"Seeker, like his Dad," said Harry.
"Chaser like his Mum," argued Ginny, sticking her tongue out at Harry.
He grabbed her chin in his hand, and gently kissed her mouth. "Love you," he said softly.
"Love you back. Can you believe the girls are two? It was a good day, wasn't it?" asked Ginny.
"It was a good day. I like having the family over, especially the kids," agreed Harry.
They heard a noise, and then the door was flung open and Ron stumbled out. "I...Hermione and me, we...one of them," he mumbled, pointing to Ginny's stomach.
"What?" asked Harry, puzzled.
Ginny stood up and hugged her brother. "I think what Ron is trying to tell us is that Hermione is pregnant. Is that it, Ron?"
Ron just nodded dumbly.
"Congratulations, mate," said Harry, getting up and giving him a hug. "I know you've wanted this for awhile."
Ron looked at Ginny. "Can I-you know, can I touch it?" He nodded to her belly.
"Sure," said Ginny. She sat down and waited a few seconds. "Okay, give me your hand."
Ron placed his hand in Ginny's, and she lay it on her belly. "Woah," said Ron, in surprise. "That was him? That's amazing. Does-does it hurt?"
Ginny smiled at her brother. "No, it doesn't hurt. It's actually comforting, to feel him move around in there."
Ron looked amazed as he felt the baby move again. "He's really active. Got a Quidditch player in there, I reckon. Maybe he'll be a Keeper, like his Uncle Ron."
"Maybe," said Ginny, shooting an amused look at Harry. "We were just discussing that very thing."
"I should go. I need to get back to Hermione. Should I massage her feet, or her back, or something? Merlin, Gin, I feel way out of my depth here," said Ron, running his hand through his hair.
"Just go back and celebrate your baby. There'll be time for all that later. Tonight it's about you and Hermione," said Harry.
Ron nodded. "Yeah. Thanks guys. You're the first ones we've told. I was just so excited, I wanted to tell someone, and I came here. Sorry for barging in like that."
"With that kind of news, you can barge in like that, any time. Tell Hermione if she needs to talk to anyone, I'm happy to help."
Ron hugged her again, and patted Harry on the shoulder. "Thanks, guys. I'll see you soon."
He hurried into the house, anxious to get back to Hermione.
Harry and Ginny settled back in their lounge swing, rocking gently. "Or maybe he'll be a beater like his uncles Fred and George," said Ginny, rubbing her stomach again.
They sat contentedly in silence, watching the sun go down. Harry brushed his lips over her forehead.
"Happy?" he asked her quietly.
"Happier than I ever dared to dream," sighed Ginny, happily.
"Good," declared Harry. "Your happiness is everything to me. You, the girls, this one. You're everything to me," he said, rubbing her belly.
"You make us all happy, Harry. You look after us all so well, we are truly blessed," said Ginny, laying her head back on his shoulder.
"My family is everything to me, Gin, and you gave me that. I can never thank you enough," said Harry.
"You never need to thank me, Harry. Just love me and our children," said Ginny.
"That's the easiest thing in the world to do," laughed Harry, leaning over to kiss her gently.
Inside her womb, little James Sirius moved again. Time would prove his father correct, as he would go on to become the most successful Seeker the Chudley Cannons ever had, much to the delight of his father and uncle Ron. For now though, he strived to hear his mother's voice, and feel his father's touch. He kicked out again.
His mother laughed, and his father rubbed her belly, just as James Sirius had hoped for.
END