Ginny woke to someone lightly slapping her cheeks. She waved them away, still groggy. "Stop it," she complained.
"Come on, Ginny, I need you to wake up."
Ginny didn't recognise the voice, so she was content to stay in Sleepyland for now. "Go 'way," she muttered.
"Gin."
Ginny recognised that voice. It was his. "Harry?" she muttered, sleepily.
She felt him grab her hand and bring it to his lips. "Yeah, it's me. You need to wake up, baby," he said.
Baby. Something about a baby struck a chord in Ginny's mind. "You got my Patronus?" she asked, happily. "You came!"
"Of course I came," he replied in a strangled voice. Then the tone changed to one of awe. "Ginny, you're a mare!"
Ginny smiled groggily, opening her eyes slightly. "I know, freaked me out when I first saw your stallion," she admitted.
"Ahem, this is all very nice, but can we focus here, please," said the new voice sharply.
"Oh...right, sorry, Andi," said Harry.
Ginny stuggled to open her eyes fully and sit up on her elbows. "Who's – ow, what the hell?" Another wave of pain ran through her lower body.
Harry kissed the back of her hand. "Gin, you're in labour. The baby is coming," he said, chuckling.
Now Ginny remembered. "The cemetery. My waters broke. Sirius...you got Sirius to watch over me?" she said. He nodded and she smiled tearfully. "That was so sweet."
"If I couldn't be with you, then there was no way I'd leave you alone. Merlin, you're eight and three quarters pregnant, woman," said an exasperated Harry.
Ginny grabbed his shirt, and some chest hair, making him yelp. "Why weren't you there? Why did you leave me? When will this pain be over – owwwwwwwwww!" she moaned and flung her arms out, knocking over a vase on the bedside table, which crashed to the floor.
Andi lay her hands over the bump, feeling the baby slowly move down. She smiled at Ginny. "Hi, I'm Andromeda Tonks, a healer. I'm afraid we've got a while yet."
Ginny moaned and lay back on the bed.
Harry got up and started to pace. "I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I was getting the house ready for us, I didn't want you to worry about anything, and I -"
Ginny struggled back up to her elbows. "House? What house?" She started panting.
"I think we need to pay a bit more attention to what's going on here first," interrupted Andromeda, from between Ginny's legs.
"A little cottage in Godric's Hollow," said Harry, sitting on the side of her bed. "It's small, but bigger than your flat. Perfect for you, me and Molly," he said.
"Aaaaahhhhhhh," cried Ginny. "Tell...me...more," she panted before collapsing back on the bed.
"The downstairs is pretty much just the kitchen, laundry, a guest bathroom and lounge. There's a small room there, like for a study or something. Upstairs is two bedrooms and a good size bathroom," he said.
"Your parent's cottage...where they lived with Mia?" she asked.
They all looked up as Lily entered. "How's it all going?" she asked brightly.
Ginny sighed in relief. "I'm so glad you're here," she said, and Lily moved to sit on the bed near her head, her arms around Ginny's shoulders.
"I was just telling Ginny about the house," explained Harry.
"And I was just telling them both we need to concentrate on the baby," said Andromeda, dryly. "Another contraction is coming," she warned.
"Oh Merlin," gasped Ginny, and she grabbed onto both Harry and Lily's hands and squeezed.
"Owwwwwwwwwwwww," yelled Harry.
Ginny and Lily looked at him after the contraction had ended. "Seriously?" asked Ginny, increduously.
"It hurt," whined Harry, shaking his hand.
"That hurt? Let me tell you, buddy, you don't even know pain till aaaaaggggghhhh!" cried Ginny.
"Breathe through it, breathe, breathe," crooned Lily, rubbing her back. She looked at Andromeda. "That one was quick."
"I am bloody breathing," snarled Ginny. She collapsed back on the bed. "This is wrong."
"Wrong? What do you mean?" asked Andromeda, worried. She checked between her legs. "Everything looks fine here," she said. "Six centimetres."
Harry moved behind Andromeda to have a look, and instantly paled. "Je-sus!" he cried.
Ginny half giggled and half sobbed. "Shut it, you," she said.
"Tell us what's wrong, Ginny," encouraged Lily softly. "We're all here to help you."
"You can't help. My mum should be here, helping me. It all happened too fast, too soon," she babbled. "We should have had time to get to know each other, fall in love, get married before this!" She gestured to her stomach.
Harry fell to his knees at the side of the bed. His heart broke to see tears in her eyes. "I can't bring your mum back, but soon we'll have our own little Molly here. Gin, I've loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you," he said earnestly.
"But I just wanted to bite your butt," wailed Ginny.
Harry flushed when Andromeda and Lily chuckled. "I think we've gotten to know each other pretty well these last few months, and I hope, when we're living together properly, when our baby is here, you'll learn to love me as much as I love you," he said, hopefully.
"I do love you, you prat," cried Ginny. "I was going to tell you tonight. I told you in St Mungo's but you were unconscious," she said.
"I know, I heard," he admitted.
"Then why the bloody hell did you leave me," yelled Ginny. "Ow, ow, ow."
"I needed to get the house ready for you and the baby, and it is, Ginny, it's all ready," he cried happily. "And we can be married whenever you say," he said.
"Now. I want to be married now, before the baby comes," she said.
"Now? Are you sure, because -"
"NOW!" snarled Ginny.
Lily stood and patted Harry's arm, before leaving the room.
"Seven centimetres," said Andromeda.
Lily returned, with Father Oldman behind her. "Father, Harry and Ginny want to be married before the baby comes," she told him.
"Now?" asked the minister. "Are you sure, because -"
"NOW!" yelled Harry and Ginny.
Father Oldman wasted no time, pulling his bible out from his jacket inside pocket. "Dearly beloved -"
Harry interrupted. "Father, we can do that bit another time. Can we just get on with the important things, like the vows?" Ginny nodded.
They waited through another contraction before Father Oldman started again.
"Do you, Harry James, take this woman to be your wife? Will you love her, honour her, respect her, cherish her?" asked the minister.
Harry took Ginny's hands in his and kissed them, whilst looking into her eyes. "Always," he said sincerely.
Ginny smiled at him. "Do you, Ginny, er, is that your full name?" asked the minister.
Ginny's eyes never left Harry's. "Ginevra Molly," she told the minister.
He nodded and continued. "Do you, Ginevra Molly, take this man to be your husband. Will you love him, honour him, respect him and cherish him?" he asked.
Ginny's eyes shone bright with tears of joy. "Absolutely, I will. I do," she said, nodding.
Harry framed her face and kissed her. Ginny laced an arm around his neck and kissed him back.
"Is there any rings to exchange?" Father Oldman asked Lily. She shook her head.
Harry pulled apart from Ginny. "Yes!" he cried triumphantly. He pulled a small box from his pocket. "It's only an engagement ring, for now," he said.
He slid the ring on her finger. "I love you, Ginny, and this is the happiest day of my life," he said.
Ginny grimaced. "Me toooooooooooooo," she cried, as another contraction rode over her.
Lily gestured for the minister to wrap things up.
"Then I now pronounce you husband and wife," he said, shutting the bible with a clap.
"And soon to be parents," said Andromeda. "You're at eight centimetres. Lily, perhaps some towels?"
Lily nodded, kissing Ginny, then Harry on their cheeks. She escaped to the kitchen, for a much needed drink. She was surprised to see so many people there, for all of Ginny's brothers had arrived, as well as Fleur, Audrey and Hermione. She smiled to see her family had arrived too, with Daisy and Serah playing with Victoire, while Mia nursed Cassie. Neville, Draco and Violet watched on.
Even as she looked around, Tonks, Remus and Teddy were coming through the Floo.
"Any word?" asked Remus.
"Not yet," she sighed. "Pull up a chair and prepare for the wait. Ginny's just hit eight centimetres dilated," she said.
The back door burst open, and another red haired man came bursting in. "Is Ginny all right, I came as fast as I could?" he asked, breathlessly.
"Charlie!" chorused his brothers.
"How did you know?" asked Arthur.
"Gin sent a Patronus," said Charlie, putting down his quickly packed rucksack.
"You got her Patronus...in Romania?" asked Bill, surprised. He turned to Sirius. "She sent out eight different Patroni?"
Sirius nodded. "She's a pretty powerful witch."
Charlie moved to introduce himself to the new people in his family home. "Hi, I'm Charlie Weasley," he said, holding out his hand to shake.
Sirius held up his hand, wrapped in a bandage. The other held a glass of Firewhiskey.
"Oh, sorry, what happened to your hand?" he asked, accepting a glass from James.
"Your sister," said Sirius, and scowled when the Weasley brothers burst out laughing.
"That's our Gin," they said.
Lily patted his shoulder sympathetically. "Don't feel bad," she said.
"Thanks, Lil," replied Sirius.
She nodded. "I think Harry will have a matching one," she quipped.
James and Remus joined the Weasley brothers in their laughter. Arthur moved to Lily's side. "How's she doing...please, tell me honestly?" he asked her quietly.
Lily pulled him aside. "She had a moment...she wanted her mum. Would you...would you like me to see if Ginny would like you to be there with her?" she asked.
Arthur flushed. "Erm, yes, but only if she wants me there," he said.
Lily patted his arm and went back down the hall, remembering to grab some towels on her way. Arthur pointed out where to get them, and then nervously waited.
She returned a minute later, and gestured for him to come with her.
"Tell Ginny and Harry we're all here, waiting," called Neville, his arm around Violet.
The night seemed endless. The Weasleys bustled around the kitchen, getting food and drink out for their guests. Draco and Neville offered to go to the nearest shops in Ottery St Catchpole for some takeaway for dinner. Frank and Alice returned with them, bringing bottles of champagne to celebrate. But there was still no sign of the baby.
James, Frank, Fred, George and Ron soon started a game of poker. Father Oldman had come out and left, simply saying he would see them all again soon.
The children fell asleep in the lounge, and Violet and Mia cuddled up with their husbands, determined not to miss the arrival of their new niece.
"When's Molly comin', Mum?" asked a sleepy Teddy.
"When she's ready, love," said Tonks, stroking his hair, now Weasley red. "You can't hurry babies."
The clock ticked on. The children were fast asleep. Some of the adults were nodding off, too.
Bill had given up his pacing, to pack Fleur up to bed, reminding her that she was pregnant and needed her rest. He promised to come and wake her when there was news.
The card game ended, and droopy heads lay on the table. Hermione was curled up on the floor in a ball, and Audrey slept on Percy's lap.
Not one of them heard the bedroom door open, as Lily and Arthur emerged from the room.
"Blimey, they're all still here," exclaimed Arthur.
"Wazzgoinon?" asked an exhausted Charlie, rousing from the table. His movements woke James, the twins and Frank.
"The baby's here," smiled Lily, softly.
"What baby?" asked Ron, waking slowly. He yawned and stretched, before realisation set in. "The baby's here? Hey everyone, wake up, the baby's here," he yelled excitedly.
Lily and Arthur chuckled as, one by one, everyone woke. "She's here, she's finally here," they all murmured.
"Can we see Molly now?" asked a tired Teddy, rubbing his eyes.
The door opened, and everyone turned as Harry came down the hall, a bundle wrapped in a towel in his arms. He looked surprised to see them all here, and tears welled in his eyes.
"Oh, you're all here, good," he said tearfully. Looking around he realised that yes, everyone who should be here, was.
"Is that Molly?" asked Teddy, standing on tip toes.
Harry chuckled. "No, Teddy, it's not. Everyone, this is our son, James Sirius." And with that, he took him over to lay in Sirius' arms.
"Me? No, it should be James...Arthur," stuttered Sirius. He looked down at the new baby, and lost his heart, as he had done with Mia, Violet and Harry.
"Ginny insisted," said Harry, gently, "and she picked the name."
"He's beautiful," said Sirius, in awe.
"Course he is, he's my son," said Harry, proudly.
"Boys can't be beautiful," pouted Serah.
"Oh yes, they can," said Arthur, looking at his first grandson.
"How's Ginny?" asked Bill, watching as Sirius gave the baby to James to hold.
"Tired. Asleep. It was long and drawn out, but my wife was magnificent," said Harry.
"Wife?" gasped Neville and Fred.
"Father Oldman, right?" James asked Lily, and she nodded.
"So you got married and had a baby, all on the same day," chuckled Draco, slapping his brother-in-law on the back. "You don't do things by halves, do you, Bro?"
"Actually, we were married on the thirtieth," said Harry.
"Mum's birthday," said Charlie. Arthur nodded.
"And James was born just after midnight, on the thirty first," said Harry.
"Hey, that makes it Halloween," said George.
"One of my favourite holidays," said Lily, smiling at James, who put his arm around her. Charlie was now holding the baby.
"So, is it James' birfday?" a sleep Daisy asked her daddy.
"Yes it is, sweetheart," said Neville, kissing the end of her nose.
"Are we having a party?" asked Victoire.
"Absolutely," announced Arthur, "but maybe a good night sleep first, yeah?"
"What happened to your hand, Sirius?" asked Harry.
"Erm, we've been arm wrestling," said Sirius, flushing, gesturing to the Weasley brothers, who snickered.
"Yeah, me too," said Harry, dryly, holding up his own bandaged hand. Neville and Draco snorted.
"Your wife is freakishly strong," pouted Sirius.
"Tell me about it," said Harry, wincing. His face brightened. "My wife," he said breathlessly.
"How about we go home, and we'll return tomorrow, er, later today. Then we can really celebrate James Sirius and Harry and Ginny," suggested Lily.
"I wanna stay here, wiv Teddy," protested a sleepy Victoire.
Mia nodded. "I think we're fine here, Mum," she said. Arthur had brought out an old cradle, last used by Victoire, he'd been cleaning up in anticipation of his new grandchild. Little Cassie was cosy and asleep and Mia saw no reason to risk waking her to take her home now.
"We'll head home," said Frank, and Alice nodded. They kissed Neville and Violet goodbye, and then Daisy. They congratulated Harry before they Flooed home.
"I'm going up to sleep with my wife," said Bill. "Come on, Vic."
Victoire looked longingly at Teddy. "Vic and Teddy can stay down here with us," offered Mia.
Draco nodded. "We'll watch over them, don't worry," he said.
"We'll get going too, then," said Tonks, kissing the top of Teddy's head.
"Mum!" he protested, blushing when Victoire giggled.
"Night, Champ," said Remus. "Love you."
The children settled back down. The Weasley brothers made plans to sleep in their old rooms. Audrey didn't bat an eye at the twins snort when she said she'd sleep with Percy. Ron offered Hermione to sleep in Ginny's old room, and she happily accepted.
Harry finally took his son back in his arms. The little one hadn't seem too unsettled, being passed around to all his family. Harry kissed his little forehead. "Let's get you back to Mummy," he said softly.
A weary Andromeda passed him in the hall. "All okay?" she asked.
Harry grinned and nodded. "He got the approval from everyone so I think we'll keep him. How's Ginny?" he asked.
"Just starting to rouse," she said. "I'll come back and check on her tomorrow," she offered. "And you," she said, with a smirk as she looked at his hand.
"Andi, thank you. I don't know what we would have done without you," said Harry, gratefully.
"I'm glad I could help...and congratulations on your marriage. That's a first for me, a baby and a wedding," she chuckled.
"We'll do it again, properly," said Harry. "We're moving in to Godric's Hollow," he told her.
"So Remus mentioned, congrats again. Well, I'm exhausted, I'm going home," farewelled Andromeda.
Harry took James into the little bedroom where he'd been born. Ginny was half awake, but her eyes lit up when she saw her husband and son enter. "Here's my boys," she said, holding her arms out for James.
"Everyone loves him," announced Harry, laying James in her arms.
"Of course they do, he's extremely lovable, and the handsomest baby ever," exclaimed Ginny, looking down at him.
"Well, yeah," agreed Harry, gesturing to his face. "Just like his old man." James already had a tuft of black hair atop his head.
Ginny palmed Harry's face with her one free hand and kissed him. "I love you," she said softly.
Harry grinned. "I will never get tired of hearing you say that," he said.
Little James burrowed around his mother's chest. Ginny opened her shirt and, with a bit of fumbling, attached him to her breast.
"That feels so weird," she told him, "in an amazing way."
"Is now a good time to mention our bet," said Harry. "He is a boy," he said pointedly.
"Ah, but we never actually made a bet," reminded Ginny.
"Well, I bet the next one is a girl, and we'll name her Molly," said Harry, confidently.
Ginny chuckled, dispatching James, who mewed his displeasure at being moved from his comfortable spot. Ginny re-attached him, and settled back in Harry's arms.
"He just missed out on being born on my mum's birthday," said Ginny softly.
"It's Halloween, though. He's going to have some great birthday parties in the future," said Harry.
He watched as Ginny sat James upright to rub his back. He let out a little burp, then she reattached him to her other breast.
"The family is planning a celebration back here tonight," said Harry.
Ginny yawned and nodded. "Figures, with our lot."
They looked down at their son, who had fallen asleep. "I still can't believe we made him," whispered Ginny.
"We did good," affirmed Harry.
He deftly changed James' nappy, and then re-dressed him and looked over to see Ginny had fallen asleep.
"It's been a big day for your mum, too, " whispered Harry, gently rocking James. His son yawned, momentarily opening his eyes to look at his daddy, before closing his lids.
"Just like your mummy's," noted Harry, "and that's a good thing."
Harry cradled his son in his arms while he slept, and watched over his wife too. Ginny woke first, and went to the loo, then returned as James woke.
And as the sun broke through, signalling Dawn had arrived, Harry watched Ginny feed James again. Serene, content, happy.
Harry finally fell asleep with a sappy grin on his face.
A/N Sorry, I know I really drew out the labour, but I wanted the baby born on Halloween! So, Molly is a boy. Disappointed? I know a couple of you hoped for a girl. Epilogue up next xx
