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Author: TheGov Story: Defining the Relationship Rating: Teens Setting: Pre-HBP Status: Completed Reviews: 19 Words: 162,112
A/N: Disclaimer in Prologue. Eloise Midgen as portrayed by Arabella & Zsenya in After the End, makes another brief cameo appearance in this story. The character was too good not to use. Muchos Thankos go out to Arnel for her help with both the Beta duties in this chapter, and providing me with much needed assistance on the more practical aspects of childbirth. I mean, after all, how was I supposed to know all babies are born with blue eyes? As always, dedicated to my fiancée, and to all our friends at PS, who have adopted our wedding planning as the new spectator sport of the message boards. :-) This is the last chapter that will appear before the release of HPB. I'll be back sometime in August with new chapters, but I'm going to take a break to digest the new stuff. Questions? Comments? Find me at AdmDavis@aol.com -- -- -- -- "This is all your fault!" Hermione's voice was ringing out from one of the upstairs rooms. She sounded like she couldn't decide if she was mad or in agony. Mrs. Weasley spotted Harry and Ginny as she was hurrying through the living room. "Hermione's still here?" Ginny asked in astonishment. "She and Ron stayed here last night, and she was finally asleep when Ron left, so he didn't wake her," Mrs. Weasley explained. "Her water broke this morning, and she wasn't in any shape to get home after that. Here," she thrust some warm towels at Ginny, "take these up to her. Put them under her back and hips, they will help loosen tense muscles. You," she pointed at Harry, "get on the Floo and get Healer Fitzsimmons from St. Mungo's. I think we're going to need her." Harry strode over to the fireplace, threw in some powder, and shouted "St. Mungo's!" He stuck his head in. "St. Mungo's main switchboard," he heard a nasal sounding voice, not unlike the voice at the Ministry of Magic phone booth, and saw one large grate that was barred. "Healer Fitzsimmons, Obstetrics" "Please hold." After a moment the barred grate opened up, and he felt his head being sucked in. A series of fireplaces flashed by and then he saw a pleasant looking middle aged women sitting behind a desk. "Healer Fitzsimons?" Harry called. The woman looked up. "Yes?" "Healer Fitzsimmons, I'm Harry Potter. I'm calling from the Burrow for my friend Ron Weasley." "How's Hermione?" the Healer asked immediately. She was standing, putting on her medical coat. "In labor." Harry distantly heard a scream from his end of the Floo. "And in a lot of pain." "I'm on my way. Get clear of that fireplace, boy," the Healer said in a no nonsense tone. Harry pulled his head out of the fire and stepped away. A moment or two later, with a rush, Healer Fitzsimmons appeared in the Weasley living room. Harry heard Hermione give another shriek from upstairs. Healer Fitzsimmons pursed her lips and followed the sound of the scream. He heard her greet Molly on the stairs. He was alone in the living room. Feeling a little useless, Harry found himself staring at the fireplace. Suddenly galvanized into action, he grabbed another pinch of Floo powder and exclaimed "Minister Weasley's Office!" -- -- -- -- Penelope Clearwater Weasley was quilling up some correspondence for Minister Weasley when Harry's head appeared in the fire. "Harry! Good to see you! The Minister is busy right now…" "Penelope, its Hermione!" Penelope felt the color drain from her face. "Is everything all right? Is the baby all right?" "I think so, but it's on its way. Hermione is in labor and in a lot of pain. The Healer from St. Mungo's is here. You should let him know when he gets a minute." "Wait right there, Harry." She knocked on the door, and stuck her head in. Minister Weasley was only meeting with Remus Lupin and Minerva McGonagall anyway. They probably wouldn't mind the interruption. Minister Weasley looked up in surprise. "Is there something wrong, Penelope?" "Harry's on the Floo, Minister. It's Hermione. The baby's on its way." She said. The Minister stood immediately and his guests did as well. "Well, I think we're done here," Remus Lupin said. "Don't you think, Minerva?" "Quite finished for now." The Minister was half way to the door when he turned back. "Remus, Minerva, do you have anything further here at the Ministry today?" "No, Minster Weasley," Remus said. "Why don't you come back to the Burrow with me? Harry will undoubtedly need company in the next several hours, and you know how much Hermione looks up to you Minerva, especially after…." "Why, thank you, Arthur," Remus said, forestalling an argument from Minerva. "We'll be right behind you." "Right, then." Minerva was glaring at Remus. "Come now, Minerva. Won't it be nice at least pretend to be a grandparent for a few hours? Hermione won't mind. If she were thinking right now, she'd probably want you there." Following the death of Hermione's parents in a Death Eater attack, Hermione had grown close to her head of house, not only as a favored student, but as a confident. Minerva always tried not to play favorites, and that was especially true now that Hermione was teaching at Hogwarts, but the bright student had gotten under her skin. Glaring once more at Remus, she followed him through the fireplace. Penelope went about closing up the Minister's office for the day, informing the rest of his appointment schedule of a "family emergency" and then picked up little Arthur from the ministry day care center, and followed on to the Burrow. She figured someone would have to make a meal, eventually. -- -- -- -- By the time Harry got through notifying all the relatives, the Burrow was quite full. Fred and George had come over to wait. Bill was back working abroad, now in France, but he sent his love. He was surprised to see Remus and Professor McGonagall, but they had explained to him how they had come to be there. Penelope was starting some dinner, and Harry was helping in a vain attempt to tune out what was going on upstairs. The day was waning on and he cringed every time he heard Hermione scream. "Never again Ronald Weasley!" "I don't think little Arthur was this difficult," Penelope said, handing Harry down a few plates. Professor McGonagall and Remus were sitting at the table while he set it. Fred and George were in the living room, playing with little Arthur, after Remus had caught them levitating Extendable Ears up to the second floor. McGonagall threatened to draw retroactive house points. The offending objects were now sitting on the kitchen table where McGonagall and Remus kept a close eye on them. "I wonder why this has been so tough on poor Hermione," Remus was thinking out loud. "Ron told me the Healer said that it could be genetics," Harry offered. "Which might explain why she was an only child," McGonagall pointed out. "Could be," Harry agreed. "Get your hands off me, slimy git!" "I couldn't imagine going through this more than once," Penelope shuddered. "I mean, it was painful with Arthur, but certainly not like this. I'd do it again, if I had the chance." Her eyes fell, and she sniffed a little, but quickly got back to making food. "If I were Hermione right now, I'd certainly be considering not having another one." "Mrs. Weasley will be horrified," Harry joked. "Where is she going to get her big family of grandchildren from? She's going to end up with more children than grand children." "Bill's a lost cause." Remus agreed. "And what about little Ginevra?" McGonagall asked. Remus coughed politely and arched an eyebrow at Harry. Harry turned red and shrugged. "I can see Ginny having a big family, like her mum," Penelope said, with her back to the visual drama playing out behind her. "She's that kind of nurturing personality." A thin smile tugged at McGonagall's lips as she watched Harry shuffle around the kitchen, handing Penelope ingredients. "How did lunch go, Harry? Didn't you meet Ginny for lunch today?" "Erm. Yeah." Harry was reduced to monosyllables. He was saved from having to reply by an unusually loud cry from Hermione. Harry winced again, and Penelope and McGonagall clicked their tongues. The look on Remus's face said that Harry wasn't off the hook quite yet, but the conversation had moved on. "How's Hogwarts these days, Professor?" Harry asked. "Still standing, for the most part. We've just about finished up the repairs the buildings sustained during the war. You'll be pleased to know that Gryffindor's prospects for the Quidditch cup look good this year." Harry smiled. "Excellent. Maybe I'll have to drop by and give them some pointers." McGonagall and Remus shared a look. "Yes, perhaps you should," she said, while pursing her lips and taking on her thinking pose. "Ron says the Cannons look good this year, do you think so, Harry?" Penelope was a closet Quidditch fanatic. "Well, if they were ever going to be competitive this would certainly be the time to do it. I don't know what Oliver was thinking leaving Puddlemere, but he whipped the Gryffindor team into shape, he can certainly whip the Cannons into shape." "Yes, young Mr. Wood was quite…shall we say, zealous in his tenure at Hogwarts," McGonagall said. Harry snorted. "He told me once 'get the Snitch or die trying.'" McGonagall looked scandalized. "He what?" "Before the match second year, the one with the rogue Bludger and Lockhart Vanishing the bones in my arm, he told me 'get the Snitch or die trying.'" "Well, that's hardy behavior I expect out of my Quidditch captains. The game is not nearly a life or death situation." "It was for Oliver." There was another scream from upstairs. Urgent voices could be heard. The scream seemed to continue for a long moment, and suddenly, Harry realized that he was listening to two cries, not one. His eyes went wide as they all stood up and rushed to the stairwell. "It's a boy!" Molly shouted down. Everyone cheered. -- -- -- -- The Healer waved her wand over Hermione and tiny person squalling on her chest, and much of the mess disappeared. She then took a blanket, scooped up the newly cleaned infant, and wrapped him tightly. She then turned and handed the child to his father. Ron Weasley held his son in his arms, and looked down at his wife. She looked tired, but she was smiling radiantly, finally. The labor had been long and difficult, but the Healer had guided it expertly, even through the breach birth. The baby was perfectly healthy, and Ron was rocking him gently, trying to get him to stop bawling. He knelt down beside the bed where Hermione could see. "Oh, Ron," she breathed. "He's perfect." "He's ours." He smiled, his gaze watery. "Here," the Healer said, handing Ron a small bottle. "He'll get a bigger meal later, but this should help him quiet down for now." Ron gently nudged the bottle into the baby's open mouth, and the baby, almost as if surprised, latched on greedily. Ron felt his heart lurch, busting with love and pride. Hermione looked on with tired pride at her husband and her son. "Have you decided on a name?" the Healer asked. Ron looked at Hermione. She nodded. "Charles. Charles Albus Weasley." Molly looked as if she might cry, Ginny was already. "He's going to need to be fed soon, and I'm going to have to have a look at those fingers before I go, so why don't you have your visitors up now and introduce him to his new family?" the Healer asked. Hermione nodded and Molly stuck her head out the door. "You can come up now." Predictably, it was the twins who appeared first, rushing in before screeching to a halt. "Our baby brother's got a baby, Fred." "Oi, what's the world coming to?" "Knock it off you two," Ron admonished. "You've both got kids now, too." "Yeah, but you're younger than we are." Fred had married Angelina Johnson, and they had twin girls, Irissa Daphne and Iella Persephone Weasley, in a wonderful twist of irony. George had run into Alicia Spinnet at the reception Fred and Angelina held after they eloped. Less than a year later, they were married. Nine months after that, Sara Eylane Weasley had arrived. Irissa and Iella were nearly 18 months old, and Sara was barely a year. "Where are your wives anyway?" Ron asked. "Had to look after the little ones…you'll understand soon, Ronnikins." Carefully Fred took the baby, and George peered over his shoulder. The rest of the guests filed in. Ron and Hermione both gaped at the appearance of Professor McGonagall. She smiled at them. "Shall I give Gryffindor some house points for a job well done?" she asked wryly. "So what did you name him?" Harry asked, conscious that Ginny had appeared at his side and was leaning into him rather heavily. Charles was being passed around the room, blinking at the new faces while they cooed over him. McGonagall had the baby now. "Charles Albus Weasley," Ron said softly. Fred and George looked up in surprise and awe. McGonagall gave Ron a piercing stare while her lips twitched, and she gave a small sniff. "He would be very pleased and proud, Ronald. Very pleased." She passed the baby onto Harry. "I'm glad you're here, Headmistress," Hermione said, smiling at McGonagall. "I happened to be in the right place at the right time, myself and Remus both," McGonagall said. "I'm afraid though, that I should really be getting back. Get some rest, dear. You look like you need it. You and Ron have a very beautiful baby, and a wonderful future. Congratulations, my dear." "Thank you," Hermione said, grasping the hand McGonagall offered. She turned to Ron. "I'd shake you're hand Professor, but I think my wife broke a few fingers," Ron held up his right hand, which was several shades of black and blue. Everyone laughed, and Hermione turned beet red. The Healer clicked her tongue and waved her wand over Ron's hand and the swelling started to go down. McGonagall nodded one more time and turned to go. "I'll walk you out, Minerva," Remus offered. "I'll be back to see the newest little Weasley in a little bit." Harry was still holding Charles Albus his arms. He yawned and stretched, little tiny fists pumping the air, like he'd just caught the Golden Snitch. "He's beautiful." Harry smiled at Ron and Hermione. Charles opened his eyes and looked up at Harry. "Hey, I didn't know anyone in either or your families had blue eyes!" Harry exclaimed. The women in the room shook their heads, rolled their eyes, and smiled patronizingly. "All babies are born with blue eyes, Harry," Ginny said gently. "They'll darken over time, probably to brown," Hermione said. "Oh," Harry replied sheepishly, feeling slightly stupid. Ginny was clutching his arm, watching Harry and the baby. Harry turned his attention back to Charles to cover his embarrassment. "You look like a Weasley," Harry cooed, using his fingertips to brush the fine strawberry hair covering Charles's scalp. "You're going to be a smart as your Mum, and as brilliant a Quidditch player as your Dad, and Hogwarts isn't going to know what hit it." He looked over at Ron and Hermione and winked. "And Uncle Harry's going to teach you everything you need to know about how to drive them crazy." "Ginny, take my son away from Uncle Harry before he corrupts him completely," Hermione ordered. Everyone laughed. Ginny took Charles in her arms, and for a moment, for a brief moment, Harry had a vision of her with a different baby, one with dark hair and brown eyes, but he shook his head clear. Ginny put her finger in Charles's hand and he grasped her finger tightly. She smiled at him and let him hold on for another minute, before passing her nephew to her mum for the first time. Ron came over and put his arm around his mum. "What do you think, Mum? Another grandchild." "I'm so proud of you, Ron. So very proud." "Well, Hermione did all the hard work," Ron admitted. "You've all turned into such wonderful adults. It makes me wonder where the time went." "Your brother would be pleased, Ron," Mr. Weasley said, smiling. "Thanks, Dad." "Why don't you take this beautiful boy back to his Mum?" Mrs. Weasley suggested, handing Charles to Ron. Ron took him over and Hermione cradled him gently. The Healer clucked. "All right folks, everybody out except for Dad, it's time for Charles's first meal. Go on now, shoo. Hermione will need her rest, too." Everyone trudged downstairs, Penelope heading for the kitchen, Harry and Ginny following to help with dinner. It was getting on late in the evening. Fred and George said their goodbyes and headed home to their own families. "Oh, look!" Ginny pointed. Sure enough, the clock had magically sprouted a new hand, reading "Charles Albus", and it was pointing to "Eating". Hermione's hand, after spending much of the afternoon as "In Labor" was pointing to "Exhausted", while Ron's was "Bursting With Pride". Ginny giggled. "The clock can be pretty specific. Fortunately, it's not too specific." Harry tried to suppress the image of Ron and Hermione's hands pointing to "Shagging", but failed miserably. "Thanks for the mental image, Gin," he muttered sourly. "Any time, Harry." Remus reappeared, and they all sat down to some supper. "This was excellent, Penelope, thank you." Penelope was walking with little Arthur, who was fussing. It was past his bedtime, after all. "Thank you, Molly." "You should really head home and put him down," Arthur said of his namesake. "The men here will clean up." Harry and Remus looked at Mr. Weasley as if he'd just taken a public loyalty oath to Voldemort. "Thank you, Arthur! How kind of you all!" Mrs. Weasley looked very pleased. "I'll help, too," Ginny offered, "I didn't help get dinner." She shot a shy look across the table at Harry. "No, no, my dear, that won't be necessary." Ron walked into the room looking bleary eyed and ecstatic all at the same time. "Hey Mum, you wouldn't have any more food around here, would you?" he asked tiredly. "I'm wiped out." "Do you want to take something up to Hermione?" Molly asked, placing a fresh plate on the table and piling it full of food. "She's sound asleep, so is Charlie. I just want something now before I fall asleep on my feet." "All right, dear." Harry patted Ron on the back as he sat down. "Well done mate, I knew you'd be here someday." "Thanks, mate. You're the best I could ask for." "Well, just take good care of my sister, and my nephew," Harry winked at him. When Hermione's parents had been killed, she and Harry had talked at length about losing a family, and decided that since neither of them had any left they might as well be family to each other. "Yeah, well, you'd better be taking care of mine," Ron muttered, low enough for only Harry to hear. "Right." Harry and Mr. Weasley began to do the dishes, Mr. Weasley casting the Washing Charm on them, and Harry doing the Drying Charm before Remus put them away. Molly chuckled. "I wish I had a camera," she laughed. "Three wonderful men doing my dishes." "They do look good, Mum," Ginny said, putting leftovers in the pantry. Ron had fallen asleep with his head on the table. Harry shook his head, and smiled. He ruffled Ron's hair. "Someone should take him upstairs." Mrs. Weasley drew her wand. "Just in case Hermione's not decent," she said, but Harry suspected that it had more to do with checking on Charlie. Mrs. Weasley levitated Ron up the stairs silently, and Harry sat down where Ron had been vacated. "Too bad Ron's too tired. I know you're hiding cigars somewhere around here Mr. Weasley." "Dad! You know how Mum feels about them!" "We were going to smoke them outside, Ginny," Mr. Weasley said quickly. "Who won the baby pool, anyway?" Harry asked, grinning. Mr. Weasley turned a little red. "Baby pool?" Ginny said, glaring threateningly at the two men. "Umm…Bill, I think," Mr. Weasley stammered. "Minister Weasley! Harry Potter!" A voice was calling from the fireplace, saving Mr. Weasley from a tongue lashing. "I'll get it, Mr. Weasley." Harry walked out to the living room. "Oh, hello, Eloise." "Hey, Harry. The Prophet is buzzing. Not only did you resign today, but also the Minister ran out of the office in a hurry this afternoon. What's going on?" "Oh, nothing too exciting. Hermione had the baby today." "Brilliant, Harry! Go Gryffindor." "Funny you should say that, McGonagall dropped in today." "Well, what'd they have?" "A boy, Charles Albus Weasley, born this evening around 7 pm. Mum, and baby are fine and Ron's still got all his fingers. That's all the Weasley family spokesman has to say officially." "Unofficially?" "It was a tough afternoon. You know that the pregnancy was rough. Labor didn't go much better." "How many fingers did she break?" "I don't know, but a few." "What did McGonagall say about the name?" "She was touched, I think." "Good, well, that's all. You'll want to be reading the Prophet in the morning then." "Thanks, Eloise." "Night, Harry." "Night." Eloise's face disappeared from the fireplace. "It was just Eloise," Harry said, coming back into the kitchen. "Wanted to know where the Minister of Magic ran off to so fast this afternoon. I gave him a standard speech." "Thanks, Harry." Remus stood. "Well, I think I'm going to head home. Busy day tomorrow." "All right, I'll see you tomorrow, Remus," Mr. Weasley said, giving a little wave. "Goodnight, Harry, Ginny." "Night, Moony." Remus Disapparated with a pop. "I should go up and check on Molly," Mr. Weasley said. "Good night, Dad." "Goodnight, Minister," Harry said. Mr. Weasley scowled at him. "You don't work for me anymore, Harry. You could call me Mr. Weasley. You could even call me Arthur if you want." Harry scrunched up his nose. "I'm not sure I can make that transition, Mr. Weasley." Mr. Weasley laughed. "Well, goodnight anyway." He disappeared up the stairs, and suddenly Harry and Ginny were alone in the kitchen. They looked at each other for a long moment. "Wow," Ginny finally said. "What a day," Harry agreed. "I'm an aunt again." Harry nodded. "I'm an uncle." "Still on for Friday night?" Ginny asked. "Sure thing. Got any place in mind?" "Not really. You pick someplace," she told him. "All right then. I'll Floo you later in the week with the dress code." "Okay." There was a moment as they both looked at each other, neither knowing quite how to continue the conversation, or how to end it. Finally, Harry spoke. "I should be getting back to my place. Its late, and we're all tired." "I know." They were standing facing each other. "Well, goodnight, Gin." "Goodnight, Harry." He reached out and touched her hand, and smiled before Disapparating, leaving her with the warm feel of his hand, and the memory of his dazzling smile. As she finally got into bed that night, she felt warm just thinking about it. -- -- -- -- Harry still had a stack of mail waiting for him, but there was new stuff on the pile. He fed Hedwig an owl treat as he sifted through it. It was mainly bills and the usual fan correspondence. There was a note from Hagrid and it made Harry smile. There was a letter from Neville, who was in Europe doing Herbology research. Another small note was from the Ministry congratulating him on the mission to America, as well as one from the Federal Bureau of Magical Investigation. He was about to toss the whole pile on the desk when he noticed familiar green ink on a small envelope. He opened it up. As he suspected it was from Hogwarts. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Dear Harry, I would like to speak with you here at Hogwarts at your convenience. Please reply by owl as soon as practical. I believe you find our conversation rewarding. Regards, Minerva McGonagall Harry pondered what it was all about, but set it on the top of the pile to deal with the next morning. As he fell asleep that night, he could still feel a tingle in his hand where he had touched Ginny, and as he drifted off, he clung to the memory of her small smile as he Disapparated from the Burrow.
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