Their daughter, as it turned out, was both a menace and a miracle.
Harry and Charlie found a routine that spanned three countries as they moved between England, Scotland and Wales on a day to day basis. Harry shifted his classes around so he left for work early and was home by mid-afternoon most days. McGonagall made sure it all happened smoothly, with only minimal disruption to his students.
Charlie got up even earlier and was usually flying over the Brecons by about four in the morning. He too worked through until lunchtime, then came home, meaning both parents took over Lily-duties through the afternoon and evening.
Somehow, it worked.
Their nanny was called Zoe and even though she was young, Harry liked her. Zoe had done all of her training at Muggle university and had spent an equal amount of time in Muggle and magical households since she qualified.
Her dark eyes were usually smiling and she was a calming influence on a fairly highly-strung household. Molly liked her too, which helped, and as Hermione edged ever-closer to her due date, they started planning how the next Weasley baby would be enveloped into the routine.
"I'm home," Harry called as he came through the Floo and fell, as always, onto the rug in front of the hearth.
He coughed once, then looked up to find Zoe on the sofa with Lily having a bottle from the crook of her arm.
"Sorry," Zoe said, bouncing the baby a couple of times. "I know you like to feed her but she was crying for her lunch."
"No, no, it's fine," Harry said, struggling to his feet and pulling his cloak from his shoulders. "How has she been?"
"Fine," Zoe said serenely. "Ron sent an owl this morning to say they thought Hermione was having the baby, but it was a false alarm."
"I got that one too," Harry said. He sat down on the sofa and Zoe dutifully passed the baby over. "I can't believe how quickly she's growing."
It had only been a month, just a month! And they were already seeing such huge changes in the little girl. Her hair was growing and now curled just below her delicate ears; the same strange, fiery red colour as her father and grandmother. She had settled into her new home with grace, and slept almost through the night.
Lily ate well, slept well, and Harry liked to think she loved them. It was all he could ask for.
Harry sent Zoe on her way and hoisted Lily up on to his shoulder to rub her back and hopefully send her off for a nap.
"Had the Slytherins this morning," he said, telling her about his day like he always did. "Bunch of little shits, they are. Don't worry, though, Daddy doesn't put up with any of their nonsense. Tried to pull a Skiving Snackbox on me. On me! I know. I told them I was around when your uncles were first inventing those and they could puke in a bucket for the rest of the class.
"It was good, though, I got chance to do a bit of teaching about concealed curses and how you can look for them. I'm never quite sure how much they take in, you know, but it's worth a try."
Lily burped. Harry patted her back. "Good girl. Went to see Minerva after lunch – that's Professor McGonagall to you, don't forget. Won't be long until you're off to Hogwarts, I'm sure. Anyway, we talked some more about me learning how to be an Animagus, and it's still on the cards, you know. She talked me through a couple of chapters of the book I was reading that I didn't quite get. Transfiguration hasn't ever really been my best subject. We said we'd start trying to do it in the Easter holidays – there won't be any kids about and hopefully Zoe will be able to take care of you for a few extra hours."
Harry was aware that Lily's breathing had evened out and she was sleeping on his shoulder. This was always the hardest part for him – putting her down again. He could talk to her for a little while longer.
"I've been reading Granddad James's diary again, Lily. I know he didn't write it for me, but sometimes it feels that way. It sort of makes me wish I'd written a diary so you could know me as a teenager when you're older. Actually... that's probably not such a good idea.
"There's so much waiting for you in this world, little girl. You're never going to stop being amazed by it." He kissed her softly on the head. "It's been years, and I haven't stopped. Not at all."