Chapter 7: Father's Day
About two months after Hugo's birth, Father's Day arrived - the first one without Ron. Since his best friend's kids did not have anyone to honor on this special day, Harry decided to fill in - just as he had for these past many months.
He met up with his family early that afternoon, at the Apparition point, at the base of the hill leading to the Weasley burial grounds. He caught Rose almost as soon as she flung herself at him, and flipped her onto his shoulders. A side-hug in greeting for Hermione, now carrying her infant son in her arms, and off they went.
At last, they arrived at the plot of land where Ron had been buried nearly a year earlier. Setting Rose down, Harry let her scamper up to the headstone and reverently lay a batch of flowers there. Harry watched, an arm around Hermione's shoulder, trying not to cry.
"I wish he could see this," Hermione sniffled past some fresh tears. "Not this, exactly, obviously. Just…. everything else he's missed."
"You and me both. I pine for him every day," Harry mumbled.
He felt Hermione lean her head on his shoulder. She turned up to look at him, giving him a watery smile, and then kissed him on the cheek. "I love you."
Harry smiled. "I know, big sister. I know."
It was getting on early evening by the time Harry stepped into his home in Godric's Hollow. Ginny was at the stove, fixing dinner. He kissed her cheek in greeting.
"How was the memorial?"
"If we want to call it that, fine," he reported. "Rose laid down the flowers; Hermione said she picked them out herself."
Ginny just nodded. Harry frowned. "Are you OK?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Look, I'm sorry I could only spend the morning with Lily and the boys, but Rose and Hugo needed somebody, too, and…."
"Harry. I'm not upset! Relax," Ginny admonished. "I think what you did today was so great! Not many men can be the heads of two families at once. Rose and Hugo need a male role model - and since my brother can no longer be here for that, then you're the next best thing they've got. Merlin knows it helps Hermione too!" She sighed before turning into him, pulling him in for a hug. "Family comes first, above everything. And you're showing that. No Weasley - or Potter - gets left behind. I'm proud of you."
Harry smiled. Somehow, he should have known his wife would understand, trust him enough. That she could show no paranoia or jealously (ridiculous as that might be) marveled him. He kissed her lips soundly.
"God, I love you!"
Ginny smirked. "I know."