Lucy/Hugo

Prompt: Wrapped Up

Wrapped Up

March 5, 2007

"This is Hugo," Aunt Hermione announced, a smile of exhaustion on her face. "Hugo Charles Weasley."

All around, the entire Weasley family cooed as they stared at the tiny newborn with adoring eyes. Little Lucy Weasley scowled in disdain. Babies. How she hated babies. They were such irritating little creatures, yet her aunts and uncles insisted on having more. It was bad enough when Molly had been born. She never stopped howling and Lucy had often thought about covering her head with a pillow after many sleepless nights. Yet her mother and father doted on Molly as though she was the greatest thing in the world. It made absolutely no sense.

Baby Hugo was now being passed around the family like some rare ornament. Lucy didn't understand the fuss. All the adults were acting as though they had never seen a baby before. She stared around the room and counted how many of her cousins were here. Victoire was sitting on the edge of Aunt Hermione's bed, Dominique and Louis were by Aunt Fleur's side, reaching up onto their toes to see Hugo, who was currently in Grandma Weasley's arms. Aunt Ginny was rubbing her pregnant belly and holding onto James's hand, who was furiously trying to break out of her grip and chase Fred. Albus was in Uncle Harry's arms, sucking his thumb and blinking around at his family with large, green eyes. Aunt Roxanne was leaning against Uncle George's side, also very pregnant, and Fred was sitting atop Uncle George's shoulders. Rose was in Grandpa Weasley's arms and Molly was resting on Daddy's hip, fast asleep.

Lucy counted on her fingers. Seven. There were seven cousins here. And all of them had been babies once. Some, like Albus, still were. So what was the fuss?

Aunt Hermione must have noticed her disgruntled expression, for she called to her.

"Lucy, dear. Would you like to see the baby?"

At first, Lucy turned up her nose. But her aunt's soft voice, extended hand and warm browns eyes were hard to refuse. After all, how could she refuse her favourite aunt?

"Okay," she muttered with a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders.

Aunt Hermione beamed and patted the spot next to her on the bed. Lucy scrambled up beside her and smoothed out her skirt, just as Uncle Ron was handing Hugo to his mother.

"Here he is," Aunt Hermione cooed. "Say 'hi' to Lucy, Hugo."

The baby gurgled and blinking up at Lucy with large, brown eyes – just like his mother's. Lucy peered over her aunt's arm and took a good look at baby Hugo. He was small and squishy-looking, wrapped up in blankets like a cocoon. A healthy tuft of brown hair sprouted from his head, and his tiny mouth was open in an 'O' as he stared up at his cousin.

Lucy smiled. There was something she liked about this baby. Perhaps it was the fact that he wasn't wailing hysterically as Molly had been. Or maybe it was just that his eyes reminded her so much of Aunt Hermione. But whatever it was, Lucy reached out and gently stroked his cheek. It was silky smooth and very soft. She brought her hands down, and Hugo grasped onto her finger. His tiny fingers held hers with surprising strength for such a small creature. She looked up at Aunt Hermione, who was beaming at her, tears shining in her eyes.

"He likes you," she said, thickly.

Lucy grinned and turned back to the baby. "I like him too."

A/N: Sorry I've been MIA, but please enjoy this little snippet. I quite like Lucy, she's different :)

Ages: Lucy (5), Hugo (0).