James woke Rose on the day of the baby shower. "Wake up Rosie, you have to get dressed."
"Uggh." said Rose.
"I have to leave for work, but I'm off tonight. I'll see you at dinner. Don't forget to invite them." said James. He kissed her head.
Once showered, Rose stood in front of the bed. Several of her maternity outfits were laid out on top. Finally she picked out a dress with a plain white bodice, and knee length purple skirt with matching buttons on the bodice. She pulled her hair up into a messy bun, as she didn't have the energy for much else.
Hermione seemed to be going all out for this baby shower and she had enlisted all the women to help her. In order to ensure Rose arrived at the right place at the right time, Albus was being sent to escort her. He Flooed in momentarily.
"Hey Rose. Ready?"
"Almost. I have to pack my bag." replied Rose.
"Okay." said Albus. "Er, Rose?"
"Yes?"
Albus hesitated. "Well, remember when I borrowed your notes?"
"Sure." agreed Rose.
"Your work with Gamp's Law was stuck in with them." admitted Albus. "Well, I sort of read them."
"That's okay." replied Rose.
"Yeah." said Albus "But well... I did it."
Rose head popped up from where she was rummaging on the other side of the sofa. "What?"
"I solved it. Food can be created out of thin air."
"Seriously?" asked Rose. "That's amazing! We'll have to talk later. James and I want to take you and Lily to dinner tonight. Can you meet us here at six?"
"Alright." agreed Albus. "We'd better get going."
Albus left immediately after arriving, and Rose was greeted by her mother. "You look lovely sweetheart." said Hermione.
"Thanks Mum. Is everyone here?" inquired Rose.
"Yes they're all here." replied Hermione. "I didn't invite too many people, because I didn't want you to be overwhelmed. Just the family, and Hannah and Luna. Aunt Angie brought games for everyone to play, and then we'll eat. Then you can open your presents, and we'll have tea and chat a little." The two women entered Harry and Ginny's expansive living room. After hugging her grandma, various aunts, and female cousins, Rose finally got to sit down, and Angelina stood up.
She handed out little cards and pencils to all the women. "Okay, so for each animal, write down the name of the baby animal." She instructed.
Rose looked at her card. She knew some of them easily, like a baby cat was a kitten and a baby owl was an owlet, but some were harder, like a baby butterfly. When time was up it turned out that Luna had won, which made sense considering she worked with animals every day.
Next Angelina took Rose into the kitchen and measured her stomach with a piece of string. Each woman had to cut a piece of string the size they thought Rose was. Hannah narrowly won that game, but refused the prize because she had been measuring Rose every single week and knew exactly. Instead the prize went to Lucy.
The rest of the shower went smoothly. Each woman gave Rose a baby outfit, ranging in size from newborn to one year. There were sleepers and teeny overalls and little knit caps. Rose oohed and ahhed over each adorable garment. Grandma Molly gave Rose a hand knitted baby blanket. Finally, Hermione and Ginny gifted Rose with a set of books on parenting and enough money for new nursery furnishings and Rose hugged both of them together.
Rose revealed her baby names, and Hermione was moved to tears. Finally all the women had cups of tea and were sitting around chatting.
"What's birth like?" asked Rose.
"It was the hardest, most painful thing I've ever had to do, and it made me hate my husband. I screamed bloody murder, and I think I might have slapped a nurse, but that part's a little hazy." said Angelina. The women laughed, although most of them knew there was at least some truth in this.
"Angelina!" exclaimed Audrey. "Are you trying to terrify her? Really Rose, it is the most rewarding thing you will ever do, no matter what happens."
"Exactly." agreed Luna. "Pregnancy was a wonderful and enlightening experience, and birth was just the same. We did it at home and..."
Ginny interrupted Luna's telling of the strange birthing rituals she and Rolf had taken part in. "Well, I've done things far more painful, but it certainly was exhausting. You'll be glad that the pregnancy is over though Rose."
"No, no." said Fleur. "It was wonderful. The whole thing. It was hardly painful at all. The most natural process you could go through." Fleur, who for some reason seemed to have had absolute none of the problems other women experienced in this area of life, was shot several dirty looks from around the room.
"Well, I don't know about the painless part," added Grandma Molly "but I know you can do it. I did it seven times."
Rose nodded, trying to take in all of this new information. Basically all that she got was that pregnancy was unique for every woman. "Mum?" she asked.
Hermione smiled at her. "I didn't like being pregnant. But giving birth was wonderful. It certainly wasn't easy, but it was like all of my hard work paid off, and I finally had a beautiful little daughter. Besides Rose, you have excellent healers, and they'll make sure everything goes perfectly."
Rose smiled at Hannah and Victoire. "I'm sure they will."
"Here." said Audrey. "Why doesn't everyone write down one piece of advice they have for Rose, and she can read them at home later."
The women agreed, and they all began to ponder and scribble on the papers that were passed out. Audrey collected them in a little box she conjured, and gave it to Rose.
When it started to get late Rose thanked everyone again and watched them leave. She said goodbye to her mother and went home herself.
Rose had a while before James, Albus, and Lily would be back, so she opened the little box and began reading her advice.
It's never too early to teach your kids about the dangers of not confirming the identity of their sexual partners. -Roxanne
I don't know what to write. I think you'll make a great mother Rose. If I have kids, I'm coming to you for advice. -Molly
I was a little like you Rose. I fell in love with someone that I had just been friends with, and though he wasn't my relation, he was my ex-boyfriend's relative. And we had an unplanned pregnancy too (don't tell Fred that). So I can imagine what you're going through. My best advice is that you should keep your son far away from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, unless you want to have to search through your food at every meal for canary creams and ton tongue toffees. And that's the least of it. -Angelina
Sometimes you need take time to yourself. When that happens I'm right here and willing to babysit. -Lily
Close your eyes, take a deep breath, open them and look at the world. It's a beautiful place. If you let love, laughter, and joy into your home, Noah will grow up an exceptional young man. -Audrey
As I've said, pregnancy, labour, and motherhood are all natural and beautiful things. Almost every woman in the world has done it. Whatever happens, take it in stride. -Fleur
You might not be married, but this is a partnership. I know you'll make James do half of the work, but make sure you let him experience everything too. You love your children, but James is probably pretty unprepared – he won't expect to fall so deeply in love with them, and he might neglect you. Be patient. -Ginny
Really Rose, you're very lucky in some ways. You'll get to spend such a long, wonderful time with Noah. Savour the extra years. -Lucy
As an only child who doesn't have kids myself, I know nothing about children. Sorry. But we've both been training for this moment really hard for the last several months, and I'm glad that I got to know you better Rose. I'll do my best to make sure everything goes smoothly. -Hannah
It's okay to be yourself. Why would you be anything else? This is my life motto, and we can apply it to your situation. If you love James, then that's all you have to do. The world might turn against you, but for the most part they're beneath your notice anyway. Of course, it's nice to have friends. -Luna
Congratulations! My advice is to be calm during the birth. Otherwise you might just scare me off when it's my turn. No, I'm not pregnant ...yet.-Victoire
Whatever Noah does, whoever he turns out to be, you'll accept him. You may not know that yet, but I hear that's how it happens. I think you should make sure that he knows that, so he never has to fear telling you something. -Dominique
Be strict. That way when your children come to Grandma's house I can spoil them. -Grandma
Sometimes your children need freedom. You'll have to step back, and let go of their hand as they explore the world on their own. When this happens, lean on you partner, and know that your kids will come back. But sometimes your children will need you to hold them as tightly as possible. When this happens, never let go. I love you Rose, forever. – Mum