Waiting for the Shoe to Drop
Ginny and Harry arrived at Shanti's office for their appointment. Today, Shanti was doing a scan to check on the baby. Ginny looked forward to the scans. Seeing the baby growing inside her, thriving and healthy, soothed her. Especially now. She was still having dreams about something happening to the baby.
Shanti had scheduled the ultrasound to get a better look at the baby. It would give her a better picture than a scan with her wand could give her.
Ginny checked in at the desk, letting the mediwitch know she had arrived for her appointment.
"Who came with you today, love?" She asked. Ginny remembered her name was Betty.
"Just Harry today," Ginny replied.
"Okay. Shanti will be with you in a moment."
"Thank you."
Ginny walked over to where Harry was sitting. He had one of the parenting magazines, looking at an advert for Mrs. Skower's Cleaners. Harry and Ron had made a game judging how realistic the adverts in the parenting magazines were. The advert showed a mother smiling as she cleaned with one of the products while her child made a mess. The one across from it showed a mother cleaning the dining table with a smile.
"I need to remember to get more of that," Ginny murmured, looking at the advert over Harry's shoulder. She had run out of the mess remover and was low on the disinfectant cleaner. "Remind me to put it on the list."
Harry nodded as Ginny adjusted herself in her chair, trying to make herself more comfortable.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked.
Ginny sighed. "I'm fine."
Harry knew the tone Ginny used. She was tired. He knew Ginny wasn't sleeping much. She had drunk the tea Hermione recommended, and Shanti approved. But the dreams would still wake her up. They now came in the early hours of the morning. Previously, they had occurred in the middle of the night, causing Ginny to lose a full night's sleep. Now, she was up and awake at five every morning.
One positive thing came out of her being up so early. She could have her morning tea in silence. She would enjoy the peace and quiet before James was awake. Harry was up at six most mornings, five on the mornings he went to the gym.
The first time she had gotten up at five with him, he asked, "What are you doing up?"
She found talking to Harry about the dreams helped. But sharing with Harry had a downside. He started to become concerned about Ginny and the baby. He was concerned about Ginny and the baby.
Are they okay?
Is the baby growing okay?
He worried about them and will worry until Ginny delivers. It was this way when Ginny was pregnant with James. Harry feared something would happen to Ginny and the baby. His worst fear was losing Ginny and having to raise two kids on his own.
In a few of Ginny's dreams, she told Harry he wasn't there, and he had gotten there after the baby was born. In some dreams, Harry was there but frozen to Ginny's side.
Ginny was brought out of her thoughts when one of the mediwitches called a name. One of the women sitting near them stood up. Shanti was in an office with four other healers specializing in women's health. They were considered the magical equivalent of the muggle gynaecologist. Shanti herself seen patients around Molly or Andromeda's age. Molly's healer was in the office across the corridor. Ginny had come with Molly to an appointment a few months following James's birth.
The healer explained to Molly that what she was experiencing was menopause. She prescribed potions to help, whispering to Ginny that an anxiety potion was mixed into it.
Molly was recently taken off the potion as her time with menopause had come to an end. The family all breathed a sigh of relief, especially Arthur. The experience had given Harry a glimpse into his future. Ginny was so much like her mother it was uncanny. She even sounded like her.
Ginny cleared her throat, readjusting herself in the chair again.
"I've been craving dough balls. Do you think you will have time to go to lunch after?" Ginny asked.
"I can make time. I think there is a Pizza Express near here."
Between Harry and Ginny, they had spent a lot of time in St. Mungo's. Because of this, they knew where the nearest cafes, restaurants, and shops close to the hospital were. There was also a park nearby. When Ron was in the hospital after a mission gone wrong, the park was where Ginny found Harry.
Ginny sometimes went to the park to get some fresh air. She would go at some point during Harry's hospitalizations. Harry did the same during Ginny's hospitalizations.
"Ginny, we're ready for you," The mediwitch named Elizabeth called.
"How are you today, Liz?"
"I'm good." They followed her down the hall to the ultrasound room. It was dimly lit to see the screen better. The machine was ready to go with Ginny's information already entered in. It was ready for Shanti to use.
"Shanti will be with you in a moment."
"Thanks," Ginny said as Elizabeth walked out of the room.
Ginny sat on the bed while Harry took the chair. Harry had yet to miss a scan appointment, even when she was pregnant with James. Ginny was allowed to bring one more person with her for the scan appointments. Molly had come with her and Harry for the last scan before she had James.
Shanti knocked on the open door to announce her presence before walking in and closing the door behind her.
"Hello, hello," She greeted. "How are we today?"
"We're good," Ginny replied. "Tired. He's been moving around a lot."
"That's good. Harry, how are you?" Shanti asked.
"I'm good. Been busy at work, but what else is new," Harry admitted.
"Okay, so we're going to do a scan today. We didn't get to the last time. I want to check and see how the baby is doing in there. Do we have a name yet?"
"Not yet," Ginny replied.
They had used their one and only boy's name for James. Coming up with names for this one had been hard.
"You have plenty of time. Now, let's have a look at the little one."
Ginny leaned back against the evaluated table. Shanti raised her shirt and tucked towels around her top and jeans. She gently pressed the wand to Ginny's abdomen and began the scan. Shanti moved it around to get a better look at the baby before tapping a few buttons on the machine.
The baby's heartbeat filled the room, making Ginny breathe more easily.
"It's always a relief when we hear the baby's heartbeat," Shanti commented.
"Yes, it is," Ginny confirmed. "Is he okay?"
Shanti nodded as she studied the image on the screen. "He's okay. He's growing on track where he needs to be."
She moved the wand over an inch. "Heartbeat sounds good. The baby's healthy, and that's all that matters."
"Yes, it does," Ginny agreed.
"Is he going to be a big baby like James?" Harry asked.
"He's measuring smaller than James did at this stage. But sometimes, the measurements we take on the scan aren't always accurate. Rose, for example, measured longer at birth than on the scan."
"I remember Hermione saying that," Ginny commented.
The scan lasted another ten minutes. Shanti checked the fluid around the baby and double-checked its heartbeat, recording the result.
Shanti printed off copies of the images for Harry and Ginny as Harry helped Ginny sit up.
"I want to see you again in two weeks for a check-up. We'll be doing another blood test. Then we'll start to prep for the birth." Shanti laid her hand on Ginny's shoulder. "If anything feels off, even if you can't put your finger on it, call me. If you don't feel the baby move for a while, get to A&E. They will alert me you're there."
"Maybe by that time, Harry and I will have a name for this baby," Ginny murmured.
Shanti chuckled. "It's not an easy decision. Stop by the welcome witch to schedule your next appointment. I'll see you in two weeks."
"Thanks, Shanti," Ginny said as she stood up.
"You're welcome."
Harry followed Ginny out of the room. Ginny slipped the pictures into her handbag before pushing the strap onto her shoulder. They stopped at the welcome witch to schedule Ginny's next appointment before leaving.
As they walked to the car park, Ginny felt relieved that everything was okay with the baby. Maybe now she would relax knowing everything was okay.
"Are you relieved?" Harry asked.
Ginny nodded. "Yes, I'm relieved. Maybe I won't worry so much now." She smiled softly at her husband.
"Maybe," Harry agreed, dodging Ginny's swatting hand. "You will tell me if something is wrong, right?"
Ginny squeezed the hand she was holding. "You will be the first to know."
Seeing the baby growing and thriving calmed Ginny the most. Hearing the heartbeat and seeing him move further confirmed he was okay. Ginny felt she could relax for now.
But it would be only a matter of time before her worries and concerns returned.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
"What is a baby sprinkle?" Luna asked as she picked up her glass of lemonade.
"It's a version of a baby shower," Ginny replied, picking up her own glass. "It's not a big do, smaller. In my case, it would be getting nappies, wipes, and baby essentials," Ginny trailed off as she thought. "We had one for Fleur when she was having Dominique. Two girls back to back meant Fleur could reuse some of Victoire's things."
Luna nodded as she sipped on the lemonade. "I had never heard of the thing."
"It was Mum and Fleur's idea. Really, I think it's an excuse to get a bunch of women together, and you get gifts."
"Would it be different if you were having a girl?" Luna asked.
Ginny nodded. "I would be getting girl things. I didn't keep a lot of James's things. I kept more of the keepsake things like the outfit we brought him home in or the baby clothes that were Harry's we found in the vault."
Luna nodded. "I'm sure that was a surprise."
"There was a list of the contents. The baby clothes weren't listed on it. They were in a random trunk in the front. I was the one who found it," Ginny whispered.
Harry's baby clothes wasn't the only thing they found in the trunk. Some of his toys were in it as well. Ginny assumed someone had put it in the vault after James and Lily's death. Who it was would forever be a mystery.
"What do you need?"
"James is out of the crib, so we don't need another crib. I'm replacing the sheets for the bassinet. We'll use the bassinet in my and Harry's room. The baby will stay in our room for at least the first four months. I had donated James's infant seat or the car seat, so we had to buy a new one. The changing table is the same one we used with James. I'm just replacing the mat. Mum bought that."
"Would you need clothes?" Luna asked as she reached for a biscuit.
"Anything, to be honest. Mum has been shopping since we found out the baby is a boy. Dad and some of the others have been too."
Luna nodded.
"It's times like this, I realize," Ginny paused. "That my family will be all my kids will have. Well, besides me and Harry."
Luna nodded. "I know. When Rolf and I got married, I felt Mum's loss the most then. I imagined her helping pick out my dress and plan the wedding."
Ginny looked down at her wedding ring, knowing Lily had worn that very ring.
"It was my idea to honor those we had lost at our wedding," Ginny murmured. "Harry was afraid to mention it because Mum was still crying at any mention of Fred. I had told Mum my plan when we met with the florist."
They sat in silence, sipping on their lemonade. It was too hot for tea, and Ginny had made lemonade that morning. She bought a new pitcher when she went to Tesco last week. This one was plastic and more practical for everyday use.
"Are you still having the dreams you were telling me about?"
Luna's question reminded Ginny that she had confided in Luna about the dreams during a previous conversation. Luna was one of her best friends. She felt that she could tell Luna everything. Hermione was the second person whom she confided in.
Ginny nodded, nibbling on a biscuit. "I had one last night. Harry missed the birth this time."
Luna nodded, reaching over to squeeze Ginny's hand. "Have you told Harry about the dreams?"
Ginny nodded. "I have. What do you think they mean?"
Luna was good at interpreting dreams. If anyone could tell her what the dreams meant, it would be Luna.
"It could be the universe's way of warning you of something is going to happen. Or it could be your subconsciousness."
Ginny swallowed. "If it's that?"
"It's acting out of fear. Like you fear the baby coming early or Harry missing the birth."
"I just have this feeling, Luna, that something is going to happen," Ginny whispered.
Luna reached over, taking Ginny's hand in hers. She gave it a gentle squeeze.
"It's going to be okay, Ginny," Luna whispered.
Ginny just hoped that she was right.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
"Come over and hang out, you said. It would be fun, you said. Oh, it's fun, all right," Ron muttered. "Do you call working in the garden in this God-forsaking heat hanging out?"
"Ron, you said, and I quote, 'I owe you one, mate' when we were working on Rose's nursery. The room that you decided to gut down to the studs and rebuild. Remember that," Harry said, wiping sweat with the hem of his shirt.
Ron shrugged, continuing to trim the bushes along the patio. Harry and Ginny had talked about having them pulled out. It was among the many conversations they have had since moving into the house four years ago. They had renovated the bathrooms and the kitchen before they moved in, and since then, they have only painted and decorated a few rooms.
"What is a baby sprinkle?" Ron asked.
"According to Ginny, it's a baby shower when you have a second baby. Where we're having another boy, the women are throwing a sprinkle. I think the plan is we should only get nappies and wipes." Harry summoned the cup of lemonade he left sitting on the table on the patio. He took a long drink before sitting the cup on James's plastic picnic table.
"Necessities, huh? And they are having it here because they knew how much work it was for us to get everything here after the shower they had when Ginny was pregnant with James."
Harry sighed. "Pretty much," He said.
Rose cooed from her spot on the blanket on the patio. She was lying under the shade of the patio umbrella. James was playing in the sandbox nearby.
"What are you saying? Harry asked. "Do you have something to add?"
Rose kicked her feet, smiling at her uncle and godfather.
James came over, picking up his sippy cup Ginny had fixed watered-down lemonade. He sipped on the lemonade, leaving the cup on his picnic table, and ran off to the swingset.
"Careful, James," Harry called.
James climbed the ladder before sliding down head first down the slide.
"Oh, be glad your mother isn't here," Harry murmured. He charmed the area around the slide to cushion if James fell.
"How's things going?" Ron asked.
"Good. The baby is growing, and everything seems to be going well."
Harry tossed the trimmings from the bush in the garden bin beside him.
"Has she had any more dreams?"
Ron's questions reminded Harry that he did, in fact, tell Ron about them and that Ginny hadn't mentioned having any since their appointment with Shanti.
"If she has, she hasn't said anything." Harry tossed more trimmings into the bin.
Ron picked up trimmings and tossed them into the bin. "When did she tell you last?"
"When we had lunch after her appointment with Shanti. The one where the baby comes and I'm not there is becoming the most common."
Ron paused. "Why would that be the most common? You're not going anywhere until after she has the baby."
Harry nodded. "I know. Shanti said it's anxiety. She did recommend potions Ginny could take."
Ron turned to Harry, the concern still evident on his face. "Is she taking them?"
"She's been taking them at night. It's been allowing her to sleep better. Shanti floo called the other day to check on her. She said that it does help with sleep, which is why she recommended to take it before bed."
Harry started trimming on the next bush. He checked on Rose as he was close to her. "What are you doing, Rosie Girl?"
Rose cooed. "Hiya."
"I swear her coos sometimes sounds like she's talking," Harry said.
"I know. I swear that she said Hey you, the other day." Ron waved with his fingers at his daughter. "If you take after Mummy, we're in trouble. Jane mentioned Hermione had done something similar when she was a baby."
Harry picked up more twigs and dumped them into the bin. "Is she taking new patients? Andromeda is looking for a new dentist for Teddy. He is retiring in October."
"Yeah, she's taking new patients. Some of Rob's went to their friend who is also a dentist. She has another one in the office with her. But Jane mainly sees children."
"Paediatrics," Harry said.
James came over, tugging on Harry's jeans. "Daddy, I need to use the potty."
"Alright, let's go."
Ron followed Harry and James into the house, scooping up Rosie as he did. He felt something wet near her bum.
"Yeah, you need a nappy change," Ron told his daughter.
After changing Rosie's nappy and taking James to the loo, Harry and Ron returned outside to continue their work. The bushes were the only thing Harry needed help with. He would wait until Ginny came home to mow the grass. Ron would come over early on Saturday with George and Bill to get the tents, tables, and chairs set up.
"Do you think the transition from one to two be hard?" Ron asked.
"Really, we're from two to three with Teddy. Bill said that transition was harder than when they went from one to two."
"I think Percy is anticipating that, too," Ron said. He picked up the cup of lemonade, gulping down half the cup.
"Some have asked if we're done after this one. Ginny and I have talked about it, and maybe one more after this one."
"Hoping for a girl?" Ron guessed.
"I don't know if that is why Ginny said she would go for one more," Harry admitted. "But I wouldn't mind a daughter."
"I'll share mine if the third is another boy," Ron promised.
"Well, considering I'm her godfather..." Harry trailed off as Rose cooed again. "Do you want to be picked up?"
Rose cooed again as if she said yes and be quick about it.
Harry scooped her up. He pressed a kiss to the side of her head.
James took advantage while Ron and Harry took a break from the yard work. He grabbed Ron's hand, dragging him to the swing set.
"Where are we going?" Ron asked.
"Blue swing, please," James said.
"Oh, you want on the blue swing." Ron lifted James into the blue swing. He pushed James in the swing while Harry walked around with Rose.
They were still playing with the kids when Hermione's car pulled into the driveway. Ginny and Hermione had gone to London for a shopping day. They picked up some last-minute things they needed for the sprinkle. Molly and Fleur were taking care of the food for the sprinkle.
"Mummy!" James called when he saw Ginny. He ran to her, hugging her knees.
"Hello, my littlest love," She greeted her son. "Harry, can you get my bags out of Hermione's car for me."
"Sure," Harry replied as he approached his wife. He pulled her in for a kiss.
"How was shopping?"
"Good. I found a dress for the sprinkle. I picked up some pajama pants and a packet of undershirts for you."
"I wasn't aware I needed some."
"They were on offer at Marks and Spencer," Ginny explained. "We brought back Zizzi's takeaway for dinner. Hungry?"
"I can eat."
"Let's eat then."
Harry followed Ginny into the house with James. Ron and Hermione had gotten Rose settled in a bouncer near Hermione's chair.
They ate dinner together like they had done in the past, only with James present. The conversation surrounded the baby sprinkle next weekend. There were only a few preparations left to do to get ready. The talk of the baby sprinkle made Ginny realize they were getting close to having the baby.
Maybe she would make it to her due date without an early entrance or Harry missing the birth.
Only time will tell.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Ginny stepped into the Leaky Cauldron, looking around for any of her sister-in-laws. They were meeting for their usual lunch date. They will be discussing the final details of Ginny's baby sprinkle.
Hannah waved Ginny to the table big enough to accommodate the five of them. There was room for Molly if and when she joined them.
George once commented they sounded like a bunch of hens cackling when they got together. Angelina's glare made him stop talking.
She was the first to arrive and took her seat facing the door.
"The usual, Mrs. Potter?" The waitress asked.
"Yes, but it could wait until the others arrive. But I'll take an iced tea while I wait," Ginny said. "No lemon, please."
She nodded.
Ginny sighed, sitting her bag in one of the chairs beside her. Today was her day to work from home, an arrangement she had made with Eleanor when she returned from maternity leave.
"Ginny!"
Romiida Vane was approaching her table.
"Dear God," Ginny whispered. "Hello, Romilda."
"I see you're expecting again. How many does this make you?"
"Two, but with our godson, he makes three," Ginny explained. "What can I do for you, Romilda?"
"I was wondering if Harry would be interested in..."
"No," Ginny cut her off. "If you have any questions about a case, you can speak with their public relations department in the DMLE."
"It's not about a case," Romilda admitted.
"Romilda, if I were you, I would forget Harry sitting for an interview with you."
Romilda huffed. "You know the public..."
"Harry doesn't sit for an interview that isn't related to his job," Ginny explained. "And even then, it's per request by public relations. Only when the case is closed will Harry make a statement to the press."
Romilda stood up from the chair she was sitting in. "I see this is going nowhere. Good day, Ginny."
"Bye, Romilda."
Ginny watched as she stormed away. Hannah shook her head as she approached with a glass of iced tea and a basket of rolls.
"I don't know you survived living in the same house as her," Hannah whispered in Ginny's ear.
"I don't know either," Ginny admitted. "Did you know she was the one who gave Harry chocolates with love potions?"
"The ones that Ron ate, which resulted in him getting poisoned by the Meade that Slughorn had? Yes, I do. Neville told me about that," Hannah said. "Neville said it was one of the few times he and Harry sat at Ron's bedside together."
Ginny snorted. "Because it's always Ron and Neville sitting near Harry's."
"How's the little one?" Hannah asked, pointing to Ginny's abdomen.
"He's good, growing, sometimes thinks my bladder is a trampoline. He kicks a lot."
"Good," Hannah replied, nodding. "Do I need to bring anything for Saturday? Well, besides a gift."
"No, you don't have to. Mum has the food covered along with Fleur. We're meeting today to go over the final details."
Hannah nodded. She turned when she heard the bell above the door. Hermione walked in with Angelina behind her.
"Hi, Hannah," Hermione greeted. "How are you?"
"Good, how's Rose?" Hannah asked.
"Growing like a weed," Hermione answered. "I'll have a iced tea, one lemon wedge," She told the waitress.
"The usual, Mrs. Weasley?"
"Yes," Angelina and Hermione chorused.
"And I'll take an iced tea with lemon and mint," Angelina said.
The waitress left to deliver the order to the kitchen. Hermione asked Hannah if she and Neville were coming to the baby sprinkle.
"Yes, we'll be there."
Hannah left to return to the kitchen. Fleur and Audrey walked into the Leaky Cauldron. It was Fleur who spotted them.
"I had to make sure Molly was settled with Mum before I left," Audrey explained. Her baby bump was just now getting noticeable.
Fleur began the conversation regarding the baby sprinkle. They reviewed the menu while Fleur and Audrey looked over the menu. Unlike Ginny, Hermione, and Angelina, they didn't have an usual order they always got.
"Because it's in the afternoon, I didn't think we would want to do a full meal," Fleur said, closing the menu. When the waitress came with their drinks, water with mint for Fleur and lemon water for Audrey, she ordered a chicken salad. Audrey ordered the roasted chicken with veg.
"I could get Harry to fire up the barbecue if you want."
"We could do some hamburgers and chicken on the barbecue," Hermione said. "The weather is going to be nice on Saturday."
"Good thing we picked Saturday. They're giving rain for Godric's Hollow on Sunday," Ginny added.
"Ron, George, and Bill are coming over to help Harry with the tents, right?" Angelina asked.
"Yes. Harry will have breakfast ready around eight, so if they want to come over earlier, we might feed them."
Hermione smiled. "He still does that."
Ginny nodded. "I think we're doing pancakes this weekend since we'll have Teddy."
"I'll pass the message on to George," Angelina said.
"Knowing Harry and Ron, they have already discussed that." Hermione shook her head. "I had packed lunch for Ron the other day. I usually pack enough for him and Harry."
"I do the same when I pack Harry's lunch," Ginny admitted.
"That is when they're not going to the shop for lunch," Hermione said. "They have been so busy in the Auror office."
"I heard a rumor the other day," Audrey began. "Robards is thinking about retiring at the end of this year. Is Harry considering taking his place?"
"I know Harry is at the top of his list for replacements. Kingsley had mentioned it to Harry a while back." Ginny paused when the waitress brought their food.
When the waitress left, Ginny continued, "We've talked about it, went over the pros and cons, but in the end, it's Harry's decision. I'll support whatever that decision is."
"Do you think he would take it?" Hermione asked.
Ginny thought about it for a second before she nodded. "I think he would. We got off topic, didn't we?"
"We did," Fleur agreed.
As the conversation returned to the baby sprinkle, Ginny realized how lucky she was. While she was given all brothers, they gave her sisters by marriage. She wouldn't trade non of them, although, at first, she wasn't a fan of Fleur.
"Okay, Ginny?" Hermione asked, whispering as Fleur, Angelina, and Audrey discussed the games they were planning.
"I'm okay."
Life couldn't get any better than it did at that moment.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Laughter rang out from the Potter's back garden as the baby sprinkle was in full swing. Ginny sat in the rocking chair Ron and Harry had carried down the stairs from the nursery. She glowed in the light blue sun dress she had bought for the occasion.
Harry and the men had gathered around the barbeque as Harry flipped burgers and Ron transported finished meats to the table.
The kids were playing on the swing set or sitting under the shade of the oak tree in the corner of the garden.
Maisy, Harry's secretary, had sent her gift from her and her mother with Harry the night before with apologies they couldn't attend. Eleanor, Raven, and a few of Ginny's coworkers from the Prophet sat together at a table in the corner.
"Thank you, everyone, for coming to the baby sprinkle for Harry and Ginny's second baby," Hermione announced. "We're going to get started with the food. Please help yourself. We have plenty of food thanks to Molly, Fleur, and Harry for preparing everything. Grab a plate, get a drink, and enjoy the party."
Hannah came over, carrying her son Frank. Named for the grandfather who passed before he was born, Frank was the light of Neville and Hannah's life. Alice, unfortunately, passed a month later. It was Hannah's idea to name their son Frank. If they have a daughter, Alice would be included in her name.
Harry finished up with the food on the barbecue and carried the platter with burgers to the table.
"That's the last of it," He said.
"How did you learn how to barbecue?" Eleanor asked.
"Trial and error," Harry admitted.
"The burgers are good," Neville commented.
"Thanks."
Fleur's coleslaw was among the most popular dishes. Molly's potato salad was the second. Hannah had offered to bring a pasta salad that was a popular pick at the Leaky during the summer months. The salad had pasta, tomatoes, cucumbers, and the same dressing recipe for coleslaw.
Neville had tried it once and convinced her to try it at the Leaky during the warm summer months. It was so popular Hannah had given many different people the recipe. They all had the same comment.
"It doesn't taste like yours."
Ginny had picked up crisps and dips from the shop to contribute to the food. Harry had gone with her to help her get the drinks they needed for the baby sprinkle. Molly had made lemonade, and they had some fizzy drinks like Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, and juice boxes for the kids.
James came over to Harry with a juice box in his hand.
"Open this, please," He said, remembering his manners.
Harry took it, unwrapping the straw and poking it into the hole. He carefully handed it back to James.
"Careful," Harry cautioned.
"Thank you." James wandered over to the picnic table. Molly had fixed plates for him, Louis, and Freddie and sat them on the plastic picnic table.
"You're welcome."
Ron chuckled as he watched his nephew/godson walk away.
"Do you have a plan on who's keeping James when Ginny has the baby? Or have you not discussed that?" Ron asked Harry.
Harry swallowed the bite of the burger he had just taken. "If it's okay with you and Hermione, we thought he could stay with you and Hermione one night."
Ron nodded. "We would love to have him. Is Mum and Dad keeping him the rest of the time?"
Harry shrugged. "Ginny might need Molly to help with the new baby. We're thinking about asking you and Hermione and George and Angelina to keep James."
George came over after helping himself to a sausage Harry had fixed on the grill.
"I wouldn't care to keep the little bugger," George said. "Freddie wouldn't mind having a playmate for a few days if you want us to keep him for more than overnight."
Harry nodded. "Fleur was the one who told Ginny to allow Molly to help."
Bill nodded. "Fleur had a hard time adjusting to two kids. Dominque was a baby, and Victoire was a toddler. Mum took care of Vick while Fleur focused on Dom. She traded with Fleur in the afternoon, so Vick had some Mummy and me time."
Harry nodded. "We might do that. I know Ginny has said this, but it's times like this when we realize..."
Harry didn't need to finish his sentence.
"With Frank," Neville began. "We only have Hannah's Dad."
"Speaking of, how's he doing?" Ron asked.
"He's doing okay. There's a small house near ours that came up for sale. Hannah took him to look at it a week ago."
"That would be an adjustment," Ron commented. "Moving from a flat to a house."
Neville nodded.
They had opted out of playing games, deciding to spend the party visiting with the guests.
Harry came over to check on Ginny occasionally. He brought her food or more to drink each time he checked on her.
"He's just as attentive as he was when I was pregnant with James. If it's not him, it's one of my brothers," Ginny explained to Eleanor.
Eleanor nodded. "When I was pregnant with my oldest, between my husband, bless him, and my brothers, I didn't lift a finger."
Ginny smiled softly, squeezing Eleanor's hand. It had been a year since her husband had been killed. Her husband, Edward, was killed in a robbery on Diagon Alley as he was a witness to the crime. It was Harry who offered to Robards to be the one to deliver the news to Eleanor. Ginny had been sitting with her in the waiting room when Harry came over and kneeled in front of Eleanor.
"I'm so sorry, Eleanor," Harry had said. He didn't need to say more as Eleanor knew what he was about to say.
Harry and Ron had arrested the suspect a month later. He was recently sentenced to life in Azkaban. Harry had taken the case, never giving up when they made an arrest. Eleanor hugged him when he came to the Prophet office to deliver the news of the arrest in her husband's death. She hugged him again when the trial was over.
Luna came over, kissing the top of Ginny's hand. "Hello, darling," She greeted.
"Hello, love," Ginny returned. She reached for Luna's hand, squeezing it gently. "Thank you for coming. I know you and Rolf had an interesting trip to get here."
Luna laughed. "Yes. Rolf had the brilliant idea of taking Muggle transportation to return to England. I wanted to smack him when we had the fourth delay."
Hermione winced. "Ron and I had something similar happen when we came home from Australia. We managed to get a hotel to sleep in."
Ginny started laughing. "Remember last summer when Harry and Ron were stuck in Belgium for the Auror's conference?"
Hermione nodded. "They took a train to Paris because the Portkeys from Belgium were delayed for some reason. They found a room in an inn for the night and took a Portkey back to the UK in the morning."
Harry came over, crouching beside Ginny's chair. "Are you cool enough? I can add another cooling charm to the tent."
"I'm okay."
"Alright, do you need me to help you open the gifts?"
"You and Ron can move them out of the way." Ginny glanced over at the gift table. "Fleur, I'm going to use the loo, and then I'll be ready to open the gifts."
Fleur nodded. "Okay."
Harry helped her to stand up. Putting her hands on her back, Ginny made her way to the steps leading up to the patio. She went into the house to use the loo.
When Molly suggested doing something for the new baby, it was Fleur's idea to do a baby sprinkle. Ginny wasn't sure about it at first. That was until she realized it was to celebrate the new baby coming with their close friends and family.
Ginny knew this wouldn't be their last baby. She wanted one more after this one.
When she returned to the garden, Harry and Ron had moved her rocking chair to sit beside the gift table.
"Okay, everyone," Fleur called. "Ginny will begin to open the gifts."
Most of the gifts were cases of nappies and wipes. One of the first things Ginny had opened was a bag full of baby boy clothes from Andromeda. Teddy came over to hold each outfit up as Ginny pulled one out.
The women cooed and awed over each one.
Ron took the bag when Ginny was done, carrying it to the steps of the patio. Neville took it and sat it down by the door. Harry started moving the cases of nappies and wipes with help from Bill and George.
Molly had knitted a baby blanket like she had with each grandchild. It was a beautiful light blue and light green striped. She also knitted baby booties, socks, and a jumper in beautiful shades of yellow and green.
There were a few gifts for Ginny, like a bath set from Eleanor, Grace, and Raven. They had bought a baby care basket for the new baby. Jane had bought Ginny a pamper basket. Hermione had helped her, picking out the items she knew Ginny would like.
One of the gifts Molly had included was an offer to babysit to allow Harry and Ginny to have some time to themselves. She and Arthur would keep the boys while Harry and Ginny had a date night. They had done this after James was born, and Ginny had taken them on the offer a few weeks later.
Most of the gifts were clothes, new books, and necessities. Harry and Ginny had already had things from James or had purchased new things like the car seat.
James came over when he got curious about what Ginny was opening. When he came over, he climbed onto Arthur's lap to watch his mummy opening presents.
Molly came over, carrying a gift bag.
"Here, baby, this is for you," she said, handing it to James.
James took the bag and pulled out a brand-new stuffed bear.
"Thank you, Grandmum," James said, hugging his new bear.
"You're welcome." Molly pressed a kiss to the side of his head.
Hermione and Ron had picked up a little something for James as well. Ron had gotten him a new dog stuffed animal, and Hermione picked a Big Brother book. They had given it to him when they arrived for the baby sprinkle. The dog had been left on James's bed in his finished big boy room.
Ginny opened the last present, which was from Maisy and her mother. It was a pack of nappies, wipes, baby grows, and a gift certificate to a baby shop in Diagon Alley. Maisy included another gift certificate to a spa for a Mother's Day out package. Ginny had been given one when she had James. She used it one day when Harry took the day off from work. He all but ordered Ginny to use it.
"Thank you everyone for coming. We appreciate all of the gifts. Thank you," Ginny said.
"Does Baby Boy Potter have a name yet?" Angelina asked.
"Not yet," Ginny admitted. "Harry and I have a few ideas, but not what his name will be."
"I didn't have a name picked for any of your brothers except for Fred and George's middle names. You have a little bit of time, Ginny," Molly assured her.
"I know, Mum."
Harry, Ron, Neville, Bill, and George started packing the gifts to the baby's room. It took them four trips each to get everything upstairs. Ginny's gifts were taken to Harry and Ginny's room, and James's present was dropped into his room.
"Ginny still has a bit to go, doesn't she?" Neville asked.
Harry nodded. "Yeah, about twelve weeks."
"It will fly by before you know it," Bill said, sitting down the last of the case of nappies.
"I know."
They returned downstairs to rejoin the rest of the family and guests. As he stepped back into the garden, Harry found his wife sitting in the rocking chair, surrounded by her friends. She felt his eyes on her and looked in his direction. She smiled at him. He returned the smile.
Sometimes, he couldn't believe this was his life. It was almost like he was living someone else's life. But it was his.
This was his life. And he wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.