Have No Fear
Ginny sat on the exam table in Shanti's office, waiting for her to come in. She was reaching the end of her pregnancy. This one felt like it flew by so quickly. Her pregnancy with James felt like it took forever. Soon she would have weekly appointments with the healer to check on Baby Boy Potter. They needed to come up with a name for this baby. But still, it was hard to believe they were here already.
It had been a hectic morning that morning. Arthur and Molly were watching Victoire, Dominique, and Louis. Bill and Fleur had to make an emergency trip to France. Fleur's father was in the hospital. They would be in France for a few days.
Angelina had to go into the office that day, leaving Freddie with George at the shop.
Ginny had no choice but to call Harry to see if he could keep James with him at work. Thankfully, Harry could. She dropped him off with Harry before heading to St. Mungo's.
She had explained the hectic morning to the Mediwitch as she took Ginny's vitals, noting the high blood pressure.
There was a knock on the door. The door opened, and Shanti stepped in, carrying Ginny's file.
"Hello, I hear we had a busy morning," Shanti greeted.
"We did. I had to take James to Harry because Mum has Bill's kids. I didn't want to pile one more on her. Although she would have cared."
"I bet James was excited," Shanti commented.
Ginny nodded. "He was."
James loved it anytime they went to see Harry at work. He especially loved it because he also got to see Uncle Ron.
Shanti laid Ginny's file on the desk, pulling out a rolling stool. She sat down on the stool to talk with Ginny.
"How are you?" She asked, turning towards the desk.
"I'm tired. I feel huge. I'm constantly hungry."
Shanti nodded, adding to her notes. "Any movement from the baby?"
"He's moving all the time. He thinks my bladder is something he can jump on."
Shanti chuckled.
Ginny looked up at the ceiling. "I have been these dreams a lot. About the baby."
"What kind of dreams?" Shanti asked.
"Something happens to the baby. He comes early and doesn't make it. I go into labor early. When he comes out, he's quiet, not crying or breathing." Ginny's voice trembled a bite at the end.
"Ginny," Shanti breathed.
Ginny swallowed. "You then look at me with this somber expression. Then you say, 'I'm so sorry.' They have been occurring almost every night."
"It is normal to have wild dreams in pregnancy," Shanti admitted. "What you are describing sounds like the approaching the end of pregnancy dreams. You are a little early for those. Usually, they start about thirty weeks. I know you have about fifteen more weeks to go. I don't think you have anything to worry about."
"I know. Harry says the same thing, although, of the two of us, he's the one who worries."
Shanti knew that was true. Harry had called her more than any other husband when Ginny was pregnant with James. Shanti chalked it up to a first-time Dad thing. He hadn't made a peep since Ginny was pregnant again.
"Well," She stood up from the stool she was sitting on. "Let's have a look at the little one."
Shanti's examination today was quick. She listened to the baby's heartbeat and measured his height. She nodded when she discovered he was right on track.
"We'll do a scan next time," Shanti said as she made notes in Ginny's file. "Everything looks good. His heartbeat is good. His measurements are where he's supposed to be."
"What would happen if he did come early?"
"He would be in the NICU for a while. You and Harry can stay with him as we have a room for Mum and Dad. Depending on when he came would depend on his survival. If he came now, his chances of surviving are small."
"So, the longer I keep him in, the better?" Ginny asked shakily.
Shanti nodded. "These dreams about something happening to the baby. They are anxiety driven."
"How do I stop them?" Ginny whispered.
"Try and relax. Just because you're dreaming about it doesn't mean it will come true."
Ginny nodded.
"Have you told Harry about these dreams?" Shanti asked.
"I have." Ginny knew it would be better to tell Harry about them. She had lectured him about keeping things from her many times before. It would make her a hypocrite if she did the same thing he did.
"Alright, I will see you again in two weeks. Floo or owl if you need to see me sooner, even if it's something you can't put your finger on. If you notice a lack of movement, get here immediately."
Ginny nodded. She made her appointment with the witch at the checkout desk and left Shanti's office. While waiting for the lift, she saw Holly, their family's healer.
"Appointment with Shanti?" She asked.
Ginny nodded. "Yes, I think you or John would know if Harry was here."
Holly chuckled. "We would," she agreed. "How's everything going?"
"Good, the baby's growing, healthy. I'm doing okay," Ginny added.
Holly shook her head, chuckling. "You have a two year and a husband with a busy career. I don't know how you do it."
"I don't either," Ginny admitted with a chuckle. "I'll see you later, Holly."
She stepped onto the lift, riding down to the first floor where she would floo to the Ministry.
"Hello, Ginny."
Ginny knew that voice. It belonged to John Chorley, the healer who oversaw the Aurors who came in. He was standing at one of the mediwitches' desks near the floos.
"Hi, John," she greeted.
"I haven't seen Harry since his last physical earlier this year. I guess he's staying out of trouble?"
Ginny chuckled. "They haven't had any missions so far this year. But Harry hasn't been on one since James turned one."
John nodded, knowing the reason. When James was six months old, Harry and his team went on a mission that only was supposed to last a week. Like every mission Harry went on, it lasted longer. He would communicate with Kingsley, who would pass messages from Harry to Ginny. At least she knew he was okay.
They were looking for a former Death Eater who had been making threats against the Ministry and Ministry officials. Hermione was at the top of the list. It wasn't just any list. It was a hit list.
As Aurors chased after him, he shot spells at them.
Harry was among those injured. He had gotten hit with a spell that sent him flying backward. Ron had been behind Harry and watched the whole thing. He was the first one to Harry. He immediately pulled out the emergency Portkey, activating it. Then with Harry, took them to St. Mungo's.
Upon arrival, Ron called for help. Two medi-wizards came over and rushed Harry to the back.
Robards showed up five minutes later, demanding to know what happened. Ron explained the best he could. It was then Ron realized someone needed to get Ginny.
He went and told her himself. Andromeda was at the house, having brought Teddy for a visit. She didn't even hesitate.
"Go, I'll keep James. Go. Let me know something."
Healer Chorley met Ginny when she approached the medi-witches desk. He explained Harry's injuries, the major one being he had to take out Harry's spleen. It was too damaged from the spell to repair it. He also fixed the internal bleeding.
It had taken two months for Harry to back to work full-time.
Not long after Harry returned to work, he told Robards he wasn't going on any more missions. Robards understood.
"Congratulations on the baby. When are you due?"
"September," Ginny replied.
"Not much longer than."
After speaking with John, Ginny approached the floos. She picked up some powder and flooed to the Ministry.
As she walked into the Atrium, she stopped at the fountain. She stood there for only a moment before she dropped in a knut into the fountain. She was saving the sickle for James. Anytime they came to the Ministry, he wanted to drop a sickle into the fountain.
She approached the lifts, pressing the button for level two. She walked on to Auror Headquarters. Tank, one of the senior Aurors, was leaving as she approached. He held the door open for her.
"Thank you, Tank."
"You're welcome, Miss Ginny."
She walked down the corridor towards Harry's office.
Maisy was returning to her desk as Ginny approached.
"They're in the training room," Maisy said before Ginny could ask.
"Thanks, Maisy. Was he any trouble?" She asked.
"No, it's like he wasn't here."
Ginny walked towards the training room. She could hear Harry's voice and could tell it was a good training day judging from the tone of Harry's voice.
She barely walked through the door when she was spotted.
"Mummy!"
James came running towards her. She smiled as he came over, wrapping his arms around her leg.
"Jack, take over for me," Harry called. He walked over to where James and Ginny were standing. "How was it?"
"Good," Ginny replied. "The baby's growing and healthy. We'll go back in two weeks. She wants to do another scan. It's just to check on everything."
"Okay. Do you have a date and time so I can plan to take the day off or a long lunch break?" Harry asked.
"I do. I'll write it on your calendar in your office. Have you had lunch yet?"
Harry shook his head. "Not yet."
"I thought we'd go for lunch before James and I headed home."
"Have anywhere in mind?"
"It's your turn to pick."
Harry picked up James's knapsack putting it on his shoulder.
"Ready to go, buddy?" He asked as he picked up James.
"Yeah."
Maisy was at her desk when Harry came out with James.
"Maisy, I'm going to lunch," he said. "Go on, get yourself some too."
"Alright, Harry. Bye, James," She said.
James buried his head into Harry's shoulder.
"Now you're being shy," Ginny commented, smoothing the back of James's hair.
"It was good to see you, Ginny."
"You too, Maisy. Have a good one."
Ginny followed Harry and James to the lifts. She hadn't told Harry about the dreams of the baby coming early. She knew she would need to, but she didn't want to worry him.
She hoped the dreams would soon stop.
The one thing she didn't tell Shanti or Harry was she felt like the dreams were trying to tell her something.
Something was going to happen to the baby.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Because they would be having another baby if their life couldn't get any crazier, Harry and Ginny decided to tack on potty training James. He had started showing an interest in using the potty when he noticed Teddy going to the potty.
He even followed Harry and Ginny to the bathroom.
"Remember how easy it was to potty train, Teddy?" Ginny asked as she cleaned up the kitchen one night.
Harry paused, pulling the bag out of the rubbish bin. "Gin, that was because Andy did most of the work. We worked with him when we had him."
"Well, maybe it would be the same with James?"
Oh, how Ginny regretted saying those words.
James wasn't easy to work with potty training. If anything, he was harder to potty train than Teddy was.
They had started potty training using the child-size potty. James wasn't a fan. He wanted to use the big potty.
"So, he wants to use the toilet," Ron commented when Harry mentioned they started working with James to use the potty.
Harry sighed. "I should have known it was going to be hard. Teddy got to where he wanted to use the toilet over the child-size potty."
Like when they went shopping for the child-size potty, Ginny took James to pick out the potty seat.
She had taken James for his well-child check with Healer Jackson. Ginny had brought up potty training with her during the appointment.
Holly suggested taking advantage of the time James was interested. Once the window of opportunity passed, they would have a time to work with him.
"I know it's because you're having another baby. Don't fret if he's not potty trained before the baby's born. He will when he's ready."
Ginny nodded. She decided to take Holly's advice.
Harry met them for lunch. He went with them shopping for a child-child potty for James.
"Oh, potty training time, is it?" The girl at the till asked when Ginny brought the potty up to pay for it.
"Yes, it is," Ginny replied. She waited for the comment she usually got. When she was out with James, primarily at the grocery store, some women would make a snide comment now that Ginny was showing more.
"Another one on the way, and the little one isn't out of nappies. What was she thinking?"
It took everything inside her not to hex the old lady into next week.
A week into working with James, he had mastered going to pee in the potty. But the pooping, he hadn't.
Ginny was nearing the end of her rope. Teddy had given her false hope thinking that if he was easy to potty train, then boys are easy to potty train.
She was wrong.
She walked down the stairs after putting James down for a nap after he used the potty. Sighing, she walked into the kitchen, tossing the now-empty box that used to have Pull-Ups in it into the scullery.
"I need a drink, a strong drink. But I can't. I can't drink because of you," Ginny said, looking down at her stomach. She laid her hand on her growing bump. "But I won't."
While James napped, Ginny sorted through the new clothes she had bought for James. She had tried on everything on James to make sure everything fit. She was now in the process of washing everything she had bought.
Being optimistic, she picked up some big boy pants for James.
Ginny sorted the remaining laundry. She switched clothes from the washer to the dryer. She hung up what couldn't go in the dryer around the scullery.
She stood at the worktop in the scullery, folding clothes. She was sorting Harry's socks when the back door opened. She smiled as Harry walked in.
"You're home early."
Harry sat down his messenger bag and gym bag on the bench.
"I decided to come home early. The department owes me some time off, and I thought I would use it."
Harry walked over to his wife, kissing her on the lips. Ginny sighed, happy Harry was home.
"How was your day?" He asked.
Ginny didn't hesitate. "Long."
"How did he do?" Harry asked, referring to the progress of James's potty training.
"Better."
"Maybe we're being impatient. Do you remember how long it took Teddy to get the hang of going to the potty?"
"I do." Ginny picked up the laundry basket to take upstairs. "I was going to throw one of Mum's casseroles in the oven for supper. Is that okay?"
"Yeah, it's fine," Harry replied. He yawned.
"You didn't sleep much last night," Ginny noted. She noticed how tired he looked.
"I didn't," he admitted. "We got that trial coming up."
"The one that started as a domestic violence case but turned into a murder case?"
Harry nodded. "That would be the one." He turned around, picking up his gym bag. He opened the bag, pulling out the dirty clothes. He sorted them according to which basket they needed to go in. He put the trainers on the shoe rack.
"Is James still asleep?" Harry asked.
"He should be."
Harry reached over, rubbing the baby bump.
"And what about you, little guy? Have you been good for Mummy?"
Ginny chuckled.
"He's been moving a lot," Ginny said.
In response, the baby kicked Harry's hand.
"He's more active than James was."
Ginny shot her husband a look. "Harry, James was more active before he was born."
"True. Maybe this one will be different."
Ginny shrugged, carrying the basket to the stairs. Harry followed, stopping in the kitchen for a drink. He got a can of Diet Coke out of the refrigerator. He took a long sip before sitting it down on the counter.
He pulled out a chicken casserole from the freezer. He sat it on a baking sheet to put it in the oven.
Ginny returned with an empty laundry basket. She walked into the scullery, putting away the basket.
"Do you want carrots and green beans to go with the casserole?" Ginny asked, pausing outside of the pantry door.
"Yeah, that's fine," Harry said. He slipped off his work shoes and took them to the stairs, sitting them on the bottom step. He would take them up when he went upstairs.
Ginny was in the kitchen, having collected the vegetables from the pantry. She had washed the carrots in the scullery sink before bringing them into the kitchen. Harry washed his hands before grabbing the bowl of green beans.
As Ginny peeled and cut carrots, Harry broke the beans.
"You know we could do this with magic," Ginny commented. She pulled out her wand from behind her ear.
She flicked her wand to the carrots. They were peeled and cut.
"Are you on shift this weekend?"
"No," Harry replied. "Do you want to go to London this weekend?"
"Yes. We have a few more things we need to get for the nursery. We need to get James's big boy bed." Ginny tossed the peelings from the carrots into the rubbish bin. "I need a dress for the baby sprinkle."
"The what?"
"The baby sprinkle Fleur, Angelina, and Mum are throwing at the end of the month."
Harry picked up the bowl with the green beans, bringing it over to the stove.
"What is a baby sprinkle?"
Ginny sighed. "It's a smaller baby shower. We'll mainly get nappies, wipes, and some clothes. Nothing too big."
"And where are they having this baby sprinkle?"
Ginny pointed to the back garden. "You said it would be okay."
Harry remembered the conversation they had a month ago about the baby sprinkle. She had told Harry on a Sunday night as they were getting ready for bed. Ginny had asked him if he had a problem with them having it in the back garden.
Harry had said yes to having it in the garden. When Ginny was pregnant with James, they had the baby shower in a private room at the Leaky Cauldron. It had taken all the Weasley men and Harry to get the gifts to the house. Once they brought it to the house, Harry made multiple trips, bringing them to the nursery.
He was exhausted when he had finished bringing everything into the nursery from downstairs.
"Ron owes me a favor. I'll ask him to come and help get the garden ready next weekend."
"The sprinkle is on Sunday. So, you would have the day before. This weekend is Father's Day."
"It is?" Harry asked as he put the casserole in the oven.
"It is." Ginny opened a can of Diet Coke. "Do you have anything you would want to do?"
"No, but I'll think about it."
Harry headed upstairs to change out of his work clothes. He didn't realize next weekend was Father's Day. He had been busy with work that he almost forgot. Teddy had even brought home a paper about Father's Day from school. He had seen it, marking it on his calendar in his office.
He peeked into James's room before heading into his and Ginny's bedroom. James was still asleep. Naptime would soon be up.
He walked into his and Ginny's bedroom, stripping off work clothes as he walked to the closet. He changed into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt he had sitting on top of the dresser.
Collecting the clothes he had dropped on the floor, Harry realized they would have Teddy this weekend. He would have him again next weekend for Father's Day, but he had forgotten about this weekend. Harry then remembered Andromeda had asked him to pick up Teddy again for her tomorrow. He would need to leave early again tomorrow. Thankfully Robards was more than understanding.
She had another appointment with her healer at St. Mungo's. Harry wasn't one to pry, but he was getting concerned. Surely if something were going on, Andromeda would tell him and Ginny.
"Hi, Daddy."
James's voice brought Harry back to reality. He looked at the door where James was standing.
"Hey, buddy," Harry greeted as his son ran over to him. He picked up the toddler, placing him on his hip. Hugging the little boy close to him, he inhaled the bath soap Ginny used on their son. James must have had a bath earlier today.
"Did you have a good day?"
"Uh-huh," James nodded. "I went on the potty, Daddy."
"I heard you did. Good job," Harry praised. "Maybe we'll go get ice lollies after dinner."
"Can I get a green one?' James asked.
"We'll see what they have first," Harry said as he carried James downstairs. He stopped in the bathroom on the main floor. James used the bathroom and washed his hands before wandering into the kitchen.
"Hi, Mummy."
"Hi, Sweetie. Did you have a nice nap?"
James nodded.
"Would you like a snack? Dinner's going be a little bit."
"Yes, please," James replied, following Ginny to the snack cupboard. He picked out a packet of fruit yoyos. He walked over to Harry.
"Can you open this?" James asked. "Please."
Harry took the small packet, lightly ripping it. He handed it back to James.
"Thank you."
Ginny sat his cup down on his table with apple juice. "We're out of apple juice. That is the last of the fruit yoyos. Remind me to add them to the list."
Harry nodded. He turned to his wife. "Hey, I was going to ask you. Have you had those dreams lately?"
Ginny paused for a second. Realizing what Harry was talking about, she shook her head. "No, not lately."
"I was wondering," Harry said before following James to the family room before he helped Ginny put supper on the table.
Ginny sighed. He hated lying to Harry.
She had the dream again last night.
This time, she was alone when she gave birth. Shanti looked at her with sympathy before shaking her head. She heard the same exact words she had heard in her previous dreams.
"I'm so sorry, Ginny."
What were these dreams trying to tell her? Was something going to happen?
Shanti had told her dreams, wild dreams especially, were normal. She even told her they might get wilder before the end of her pregnancy. But these felt different. She couldn't put her finger on it, but they did.
She just hoped that these dreams wouldn't come true.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
James held Harry's and Teddy's hands as they walked into a furniture shop in London. They followed Ginny to the bedroom furniture, where they would start looking for a new bed for James.
"Hello, welcome to Furniture Village. My name is Jane. What can I help you look for?"
"Where are your single beds?" Ginny asked.
"Right this way," Jane directed. "Are we looking for a big boy bed?"
"Yes, we are." Ginny braced herself for a comment on how close together she was having children. None came.
"We have a good selection. We do offer a full bedroom set."
Ginny turned to Harry with an uplifted eyebrow. He shrugged.
"We can get everything for James and use what's in his room for the new baby."
Harry nodded. "The plus side is I don't have to move furniture from one room. We would be buying a new dresser and stuff for the baby. Who we need to pick a name for."
"Can we...?" Ginny trailed off, unsure.
"Yes, we can afford it," Harry whispered. "We'll do the complete bedroom set for James. Leave the furniture in his room for the baby." He paused. "I still got to paint, don't I?"
"Yes, you do."
They looked around at the different single beds. There wasn't one James didn't try.
James came back to one of the first beds he tried out. It was a simple day bed with a headboard and footboard.
"This one comes in white, oak, or black. But there is a trundle option and a two-drawer option."
"What's a trundle?" Ginny asked.
"It's a bed under a bed," Jane explained.
"The two-drawer option would be nice to keep blankets and sheets. What do you think, hon?" Ginny glanced over at Harry.
"Does this come with a set?" Harry asked.
"Yes, sir. It's also easy to assemble," Jane added.
"It looks like the one I had," Teddy commented.
"The one we gave to charity when we moved into the house," Ginny said. They had bought Teddy a different bed.
"That was your idea," Harry reminded her. He looked down at his son. "What do you think?"
"I like that one," James said, pointing to the metal frame bed beside it.
"That one comes in black," Jane said. "It's a simple metal single bed. There is a double bed option if you're interested."
"I think the single is fine," Ginny said. "Does this come in a set?"
"No, but you can purchase other pieces."
Ginny turned to Harry, "What do you think, honey?"
Harry looked at James, who had laid down on the mattress on the bed. They could put charms around the bed to keep James from sticking his head or feet between the bars.
"It's like Teddy's bed," James said to Harry.
"It is like mine," Teddy realized.
"So?" Jane interjected.
Harry and Ginny turned to Jane, who was waiting for their decision.
"Do you deliver?" Harry asked.
"Depending on where to," Jane replied.
Ginny told them their address. Thankfully, they could deliver the furniture to their house. Harry was relieved to hear that. Otherwise, he would have had to rent a truck and get Ron and Neville to help.
They wrote up the order. Ginny decided on the two-drawer storage option and the rest of the furniture. She also picked a set of drawers, a dresser without a mirror, and two nightstands. Harry pulled out a card to pay for their purchases. It looked like a credit card. Only it pulled the money from their Gringotts vault.
Once they were finished and set up for the furniture to be delivered, the family of four left the shop.
"Alright, where to now," Harry asked.
"Well, we need to shop for new sheets, duvets, and things for James's new bed."
"Where are we going?" Harry asked.
"Westfield," Ginny replied.
"Can we go to the Lego store while we're there?" Teddy asked.
Harry nodded. "We can."
He picked up James to carry him and took Teddy's hand. Teddy took Ginny's as they crossed over to head back to the car park.
As they walked, Harry glanced over at Ginny. She smiled at him over Teddy's head. Together, they made a little family. Granted, Teddy was their godson, but they knew one day he would be with them permanently. Nonetheless, they were a family. And they would not change a thing.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Teddy sat at the kitchen table, building the Lego set he had purchased while they were at the Lego store. He had some money left from his birthday. He brought it with him since Harry mentioned they were going to London.
Harry sat next to him, helping him build the set.
As a treat for being good in the furniture store, Harry and Ginny let James pick out a new toy in the toy store. He ended up getting two new toys. One was for good behavior, and the other was for his progress on potty training. Once done in the toy store, they walked a couple of stores down to the Lego store. Harry and Teddy went to the Lego store, while Ginny and James went to Argos.
They met up in Argos, where Ginny was looking at baby stuff. When they reached the aisle with the bed rails and guards, they debated getting one for James's new bed. He had rolled out of his cot with the side off a few times, but he wasn't hurt.
"Just as a precaution," Ginny said as she picked one up.
They went into Primark, where Ginny and James shopped for new bedding for his bed. Andromeda mentioned Teddy needed new trainers for school. While Ginny and James looked at bedding, Harry took Teddy to look for new trainers.
After looking for almost an hour, Harry decided to take Teddy to Foot Locker for the trainers. Ginny took James to the play area in the mall while Harry and Teddy were in the shoe store. Teddy found a pair he liked quickly, and they had his size in stock. After trying on the shoes, Teddy handed Harry the box to hold while he took them off.
They paid for the shoes and met up with Ginny and James.
Before they left, Ginny suggested eating at one of the restaurants. They had taken the boys out to eat before. Harry took their bags out to the car. He would get what Ginny called James's busy bag before coming back. Ginny kept drawing paper, coloring books, crayons, and handheld puzzles in the backpack. Teddy's Gameboy was in the backseat in its case. Harry got it as well.
They ate at Zizzi's, one of the Italian places Ginny loved. They all ordered spaghetti, either Pomodoro or Bolognese. Ginny and Harry got the Bolognese. Ginny was going to order the Pasta Twists for James, but when he heard Teddy order the Spaghetti Pomodoro, he said he wanted the same thing.
Harry cut up the spaghetti for him. The waitress very kindly brought them a paper bib for James. He wore it without fuss because the bib had Patrick from SpongeBob SquarePants on it.
They got ice cream on the way home.
Ginny was upstairs, putting James to bed. Teddy had asked Harry if they could start on the Lego set he had bought.
"Did you have a good time today?" Harry asked.
Teddy nodded. "I did. Are you coming to the Father's Day breakfast?"
Harry paused. "It's this coming Friday, right?"
"It is," Teddy confirmed.
"I'll be there." He would probably need to clear his schedule for Friday morning, but he would be there. He made it a point to attend all the events Teddy's school held. If he couldn't, Ginny did.
"I was thinking, maybe before Ginny has the baby, you and I can go to Thorpe Park." Harry glanced at Teddy, gauging his reaction.
Teddy dropped the Lego in his hand. "Can we?" He asked.
"We'll try to go in the summer," Harry assured him.
"I can't wait," Teddy said.
He got up to get himself another Ribena box. "We're almost out of these," Teddy said. "Can I add them to the list?"
"You can," Ginny said as she walked into the kitchen. Turning to her husband, she added, "He wants you to read to him tonight."
"Okay, I'll be back, Ted."
Teddy opened his Ribena, sitting down at the table.
"You can leave that there if you want to," Ginny told him as she added the bath soap she used on James and shampoo to the shopping list. "Did you have a good time today, Teddy Bear?"
"I did."
"I'm glad."
Ginny watched as Teddy continued to build his Lego set. She realized one day that he would be living with them permanently. That made be sooner rather than later. Harry had a feeling something was going on with Andromeda. He didn't want to pry, but the frequent appointments at St. Mungo's were beginning to concern him and Ginny. Molly admitted she didn't know anything. Ginny had asked her if she knew what was going on with Andromeda.
She hoped it was nothing too serious.
"When are you picking me up from school, Ginny?" Teddy asked.
"Tuesday. We're going pick out something for Harry for Father's Day." Ginny had made the plan with Andromeda a week ago. It had worked out since Andromeda had a late appointment and needed Harry or Ginny to pick up Teddy. Molly was going to keep James for the day. Harry was going to be working late.
"From me?"
Ginny nodded. They had been doing this for a few years now. It had started with the Father's Day after the war. Andromeda had shown up to the Burrow with a small present for Harry and a makeup one for Ginny from Mother's Day.
"I will honor Remus and Tonks, but I want to do something for you, too," She explained. Harry and Ginny had gotten a framed picture of the first time they had held Teddy. Molly had come to help Andromeda when Tonks went into labor. Ginny had come to help too. She was the first after the family to hold Teddy. It was then that she was asked if she would be his godmother.
Harry met Teddy a few days after the battle. He had come to check on Andromeda with Ginny and officially met his godson.
When Teddy turned three, Ginny asked Andromeda if she could take care of getting Harry's Father's Day present with Teddy. Harry did the same, taking Teddy shopping for Mother's Day.
Teddy matched his features to Harry or Ginny, depending on who had him. When he took him shopping for the first time, Harry blushed when the salesgirl asked, "Are we shopping for Mummy?"
Harry couldn't think of any other explanation than, "Yes, we are."
Ginny had gotten the same when she took Teddy out shopping.
It was now a tradition, one that Teddy looked forward to. They did it three times a year, Mother's/Father's Day, birthdays, and Christmas.
"Ginny, are you okay?"
Ginny shook her head, coming back to the present. Harry stood in front of her, concerned.
"I'm okay. Just thinking."
"That's dangerous," Harry joked. Ginny lightly punched his arm.
"Is he asleep?"
Harry nodded.
"Harry, can you read me a chapter tonight?" Teddy asked.
"Didn't we finish that one we were reading? Stuart Little?"
Teddy nodded. "We were going to read Charolette's Web the other night."
"You and Gran didn't start it?" Ginny asked, making herself a cup of tea. "It's Decaf," She said pointedly to her husband.
"The Sleepy Time one?" Harry guessed.
Ginny nodded. "Hermione's recommendation."
"Of course," Harry murmured. "Teddy, go on up and get in the shower. I'll be up in a bit."
Once Teddy was gone, Harry asked, "Have you not been sleeping?"
"Not much," Ginny admitted.
"Do you want me to take the boys out in the morning so you can sleep?"
Ginny nodded. "You can. Take them to the diner or something."
"Can I get pancakes?!"
Harry and Ginny turned to the voice to find Teddy standing there.
"Sure," Harry said. "Why aren't you in the shower?"
"I need soap," Teddy replied.
Ginny realized they didn't have any. She was going to the shop tomorrow and needed to add it to her list.
"We're out," Ginny whispered.
"I get you a bottle of the wash I use, come on," Harry motioned for Teddy to follow him.
Ginny added the soap and body wash to her list. She checked the cupboards, pantry, refrigerator, and freezer to see if she needed to add anything else to her list.
She realized how the dreams were affecting her sleep. She would need to do something about it. And soon.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
It was the Friday before Father's Day. At Teddy's primary school, every year on the Friday before Father's Day, they would have their annual Breakfast with Dad. It was an event where the students invited their fathers to have breakfast with their sons. They held a similar event in May for Mother's Day.
When Teddy started school, he didn't look forward to such events. Because, unlike other kids in his class, he didn't have a Mum and Dad. All he had was Gran, Harry, and Ginny.
He was sad when the school announced they were having a Parents' Night. It was different from the Meet the Teacher they had before school started. The parents came in after a few months of school to see how their child was progressing. To his surprise, Andromeda said they were going. She wanted to see what he had been doing in school. When they arrived, he found Harry and Ginny waiting for them. Andromeda introduced them to Teddy's teacher. Ginny had even signed up to be one of the parent volunteers.
He got a surprise for his first Mother's Day at the school. Andromeda followed him in for the Breakfast with Mum event. But what surprised him more was when Ginny showed up. He felt like he was the luckiest kid there.
When it was time for Father's Day, Teddy didn't need to ask Harry if he could come to the breakfast. He knew Harry was busy with work. Imagine his surprise when Harry showed up the morning of the breakfast to take Teddy to school and to attend the breakfast. He found out later Harry had cleared his schedule and told Robards he would be in late that day because he had something important he needed to do.
Now Robards knows Harry would be coming in late on days when Teddy had something at school in the mornings. There have been times when Teddy got an award during the morning assembly. He always looked for Harry, Ginny, or Andromeda in the sea of parents.
They were always there.
Harry wasn't the only one who attended and wasn't a father. There were a few stepdads. There were a couple of men there who were like Harry. They were a father figure.
Harry followed Teddy into the cafeteria, getting in line for breakfast. Teddy made small talk with his friends while Harry talked with the dads.
Sitting at one of the tables, Teddy told Harry about the field trip they were going on next week. Andromeda had signed the permission form, but Harry had paid the twenty-pound fee.
Due to Ginny being so far in her pregnancy, she was bowing out of being one of the chaperones. Andromeda was going this time.
After breakfast, the children were allowed to take their fathers around, showing them their art projects. Harry had helped Teddy with his art project. Teddy had done most of the work, but Harry had bought the supplies Teddy needed. His art project was a landscape painting. To the untrained eye, anyone would think it was a lake with a castle in the background. But it was Hogwarts with the Black Lake.
Teddy had been a few times for the May 2nd Memorials.
Harry and the other men stayed for the morning assembly. Teddy came over before Harry left, and he went to class.
"I'll pick you up after school today."
"Can we have pizza tonight?"
"Shop bought, frozen, or homemade?" Harry asked.
"Shop bought," Teddy replied.
Harry nodded. He knew Ginny wouldn't be up for making the homemade pizza. He was going to be busy with the trainees that day.
"Pizza Express?" Harry guessed.
"With the olives and dough ball, please," Teddy said, looking around before adding his puppy pout. Harry smirked, knowing what Teddy was doing.
"Of course. We can't Pizza Express without Dough Balls. We might need to add the halloumi bites for Ginny," Harry informed him. Ginny had tried them the last time they had eaten at Pizza Express. Harry had gone to get them a few times on his way home from work when Ginny was craving them.
"Great. I'll see you later."
"See you later, buddy."
Harry waited until Teddy was in the classroom before he left. He had driven to the school, needing the car. He and Ron were doing some surveillance in London that day. They needed the car to blend in.
As he pulled out of the car park, he wondered what ten-year-old Harry would think of his life now. He was married to a wonderful woman. He had a son and another on the way. A godson who he was trying his best to give him a better life than the one he had as a child. A family that was what Ginny called functionally dysfunctional. He had great friends, including a few best friends he wouldn't trade for anything.
Life was good, and he wouldn't change a thing.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Teddy loved helping Ginny in the kitchen. They baked cookies, biscuits, scones, and cakes. He helped her cook on occasion. He would crack eggs, pour ingredients into bowls, and sometimes with Ginny's assistance, would cook the food on the stovetop. He would follow Ginny's instructions and help her put a meal together.
He loved helping her make breakfast the most. It didn't matter if it was eggs, sausage, bacon, or pancakes they were making. He loved to help Ginny cook.
For Father's Day, Ginny made the breakfast of Harry's choice. They would eat in the kitchen after going to wake up Harry. It was a tradition Teddy had started the Father's Day after they had moved into the house. Now that he was older, James joined Teddy in the Father's Day tradition of waking up Harry.
Harry had picked an Egg, Cheese, and Sausage bake. Ginny made it on accident one morning when they lived in the flat.
Ginny had come up with it when she accidentally added crumbled-up sausage into a bowl of whisked eggs. She intended to put the crumbled sausage in the skillet. Something told her to pour the egg and sausage mixture into a baking dish, add some cheese and bake it. She moved the baking dish onto a baking sheet and put it in the oven. Remembering when Harry had judged when a lasagna was ready by the cheese bubbling, she used it to time when the bake was ready.
Harry had slept in that morning. He had just woken up when Ginny pulled it out of the oven. Shuffling into the kitchen, Harry greeted her and made himself a cup of tea. He saw the Egg, Cheese, and Sausage bake sitting on the counter.
"What is that?" He asked.
Ginny explained her blunter and the idea she had to put it into the oven and bake it.
They called it an Egg, Sausage, and Cheese bake.
Ginny's accident combination turned into a quick favorite. It was so easy to throw together, and it was good.
To judge when it was ready, Ginny looked at the cheese, and if it was bubbling, it was time to be taken out of the oven.
Over the years, Ginny made the Egg, Sausage, and Cheese bake for breakfast or brunch. She experimented by adding spinach once. Harry ate it but wasn't crazy about it. She did add spinach occasionally to sneak vegetables for the boys.
Ginny called the green in the bake something else besides spinach. Otherwise, they ate around it.
She found it easier to add fruit with it besides pancakes or scones. Strawberries and bananas were more often than not what she paired it with. Mainly because it was the only fruit that paired with it well, and all her boys would eat. Harry could be just as picky as the boys.
James stood on his toddler kitchen helper stool beside Ginny, cracking eggs. Teddy would whisk the eggs together with milk and cheese. Ginny had learned adding milk made the eggs more fluffy, and shredded cheese worked the best.
"Mummy, I cracked the egg," James said, holding the empty eggshell up.
"Good job. Let Mummy clean your fingers."
Ginny cleaned the egg yoke from James's hands. She wasn't sure he had any on her fingers, but she wasn't risking it.
"Can I whisk now?" Teddy asked, adding the cup of milk.
"Yes, you may," Ginny replied. She flicked her wand at a bowl of strawberries. The strawberries were washed, the tops removed, cut, and placed into a bowl. She sent the bowl to the table.
"Do you think Harry will like what I got him?" Teddy asked as he helped Ginny pour the sausage, eggs, and cheese mixture into a baking dish.
"He will, Teddy Bear," Ginny assured him as she put the dish into the oven.
One of Teddy's presents for Harry was a new tie. He picked it out when they were shopping. It will go with the new suit Ginny bought Harry a few months ago.
Ginny sneaked the picture frame from Harry's desk at the Auror office. It held a picture of him and Teddy. Ginny always got it and updated the picture of Teddy and Harry. This year's photo was taken at a school program. Teddy and his classmates read reports about who their hero was. It was no surprise Teddy had picked Harry. He spoke about how Harry had stepped into a place that a father should be and how much he looked up to his godfather.
It was hard to tell who was the most emotional, Andromeda, Ginny, or Harry. When he got the report back, Teddy gave it to Harry. His teacher graded it and wrote a heartfelt note on the score sheet. She admitted she had cried twice. When Teddy read it and when she graded it. The report went into a box Harry had on his side of the closet. Inside was artwork Teddy had given him and Ginny over the years.
"Teddy, can you set the table for me, please?" Ginny asked.
"Sure," Teddy replied.
He took the plates Ginny handed him, setting them on the table in their spots. He set out forks and glasses for milk or orange.
Ginny started making pancakes. She kept an eye on the Egg, Sausage, and Cheese bake in the oven while she made the pancakes.
"I know Daddy's pancakes are better," Ginny told her son. "Daddy is going to have a day off."
The plan for the day was to go to the Burrow for lunch like they did every Sunday. Today, they would be honoring Arthur, giving him gifts. Molly will make his favorites for lunch, along with the favorite dishes of most of the men in the family. Tonight, they were getting dinner from the Pub and bring it home.
Like Mother's Day, Father's Day was a day Harry picked breakfast and what they had for dinner. It was no surprise to Ginny that Harry had picked the Pub this year, and they would eat at home.
Harry had a pre-trial hearing in the morning for a case. He was one of the senior Aurors who worked the case. He had been working on the cake for over a year. It was an attempted murder and murder case. The suspect had thought he killed both victims, but one survived. Harry was going to read over the reports again that night. He planned to after he took Teddy home and James went to bed.
"Ginny, is it time to wake up Harry yet?" Teddy asked.
"Not yet."
Ginny was trying to let Harry sleep in a little longer. He hadn't come to bed until almost one. Because of this, Ginny was going to let Harry sleep in. Enough time for her to finish the pancakes.
She checked on the Egg, Sausage, and Cheese bake. It was ready for her to take it out of the oven. She pulled it out, sitting it beside the platter of pancakes.
Now that breakfast was ready, it was time for the boys to go wake up Harry.
"Let's go wake up, Daddy," Ginny said, motioning the boys to the stairs.
James ran to the stairs, Teddy following closely behind.
"Come on, James," Teddy reached for the toddler's hand to help him up the stairs. He was the only one who James would let him help him up the stairs.
Ginny watched, hands on her back, as the boys raced up the stairs. They were waiting for her when she reached the top.
"Go on," She encouraged.
Teddy and James burst into Harry and Ginny's bedroom, running to the bed.
"HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!' They shouted, jumping on the bed.
Harry had been lying there awake, waiting for them. He pretended to be asleep when they came in and jumped on the bed.
"Good morning, boys," Harry greeted.
"Good morning, Daddy," James said.
"Breakfast is ready when you are, my dear," Ginny leaned over, kissing him in greeting.
"Okay, let me go to the bathroom, and I'll be right down," Harry said.
Ginny kissed him one more time before following the boys back downstairs.
Harry got up, shuffling to the bathroom. They had been celebrating Father's Day for a while now, and Harry knew one day, their traditions would end and become a thing of the past. Teddy was getting older. Who knew how much longer he would participate, maybe a few more years? James still enjoyed it, loving the excuse to jump on the bed, something he wasn't allowed to do usually. But he had a while to go before it ended. Their family was growing with a new son on the way and maybe one more after him.
Harry knew Ginny wanted to try one more time for a girl.
As he thought of his family, he realized how fortunate he was. All he ever wanted was a family. Being a father was just an added bonus of the wish he had his whole life.
He looked forward to what the future will hold and hoped that the remainder of Ginny's pregnancy went as smoothly as it's been.
But will it go smoothly?
