I missed writing them, so here an extra chapter <3
A LITTLE WORLD
21:79 ─❁────────── 31:80
◁ Ⅱ ▷
❝I'm still held back in the place where
We dance under the orange sun
Together with no shadow below us
No separation was meant to be
Let's meet at the memory that was once beautiful❞
༻───────────────༺
"THAT'LL BE TEN GALLEONS, SIR,"
The start of Spring loomed over the Wizarding World, and while it did not mean much to them, it so happens to be an auspicious day for a few. However, they had no idea of that one bit.
Lucia Potter heaved out a small sigh and her smile drop slightly once the prior customer exited out of the Bakery before she continued with kneading the dough when the entrance of the shop rang its bell once more, indicating that there were more customers.
"Welco —"
"It's just me," Juniper Weasley entered her bakery with an amused smile as Lucia slumped her shoulders and waved her wand, bringing chairs for her to sit.
"I'm exhausted. I feel like all my social battery had just been wasted by just dealing with customers — you know when you went up to the flat and left me alone? There were these creepy men coming in and asked if I have any room in here for them," Lucia looked ill just remembering the moment as she placed her hand over her bulging stomach. "How do you do it, Juniper?"
"First of, that's disgusting," said Juniper, and Lucia nodded solemnly. "Second of, that shouldn't be happening in the first place, and I can't believe that happened to you right under my nose and in Erin's Bakery out of all places! I have simply disgraced her legacy!"
"Okay, let's not go there," mused Lucia. "You're being emotional,"
"Not my fault," mumbled Juniper under her breath as she went to fetch a napkin from over the counter, her hand rubbing circles around her small, yet noticeable bump.
"You're not wrong," Lucia snorted before both Juniper and Lucia trailed into a resenting sigh.
"It's all their fault," Juniper clenched her napkin after using them. "It's always their fault!"
"Oh well, nothing can be done unless you choose to —"
"Which I'm not," stated Juniper. "But you know, Lucia," she suddenly leaned forward on the counter to eye the younger woman with a bemuse gaze. "You're exhausted, and there's a reason why you're on maternal leave right now."
Lucia groaned. "Not you too!"
"So, someone already lectured you before me, did they? As they should," Juniper shook her head. "I bet you that Harry will be livid if he gets to know that even while you're on your maternal leave you're still working. Hell, he would even come rushing from work and —"
"Which is exactly why I didn't want to make a fuss about it," said Lucia quietly as she looked down at her stomach; she was in her third trimester of her surprise pregnancy, which meant that the baby who she and Harry had been waiting nervously for was slowly arriving.
She would be lying if she were to say that she was not scared, because she was. This was her first time carrying a life and it felt as if that every action she took, it could shatter the fragile life that she was to take care of. Now that she thought about it, this would be her first child that was not Teddy, hers and Harry's first child that they won't have any other help to raise, for it would all be on them.
Now that she was thinking of that, it made her scared.
But what difference would it make, right? She and Harry already was raising Teddy already... so...
But Teddy is also being raised by his granny. The baby in you is going to be raised by you and Harry entirely...
"Is Harry on another mission?"
As if Juniper had seemingly read her mind, Lucia nodded solemnly.
"He was reluctant to go at first, but I forced him. He's, after all, the leader of the mission and his colleagues needs him. I'm not going hold him back, especially since he worked hard to prove that he deserves where he stands now," mumbled Lucia thoughtfully.
"Well, that doesn't sound all out of the ordinary..." said Juniper.
"I know," stated Lucia. "The problem is that the wizards they're tracking down are the ones that successfully got away in the middle of the war. They're definitely no ordinary dark wizard, Junnie..."
"Oh, don't think that way," Juniper went around the counter and rested her hands upon the young woman who looked ever-so solemn ever since the departure of her beloved husband. "Harry's Harry. People who cross him never live to tell their tale,"
Lucia chuckled. "You make it sound like kills them the moment he meets them," she said.
"Well, maybe he has," said Juniper. "You wouldn't know what the life of an Auror is like,"
"That is true..." trailed the dark-haired woman, though her eyes strayed around the bakery in wonders, thinking thoughtfully of her husband that was somewhere around the world as of currently.
It had been approximately three days since he left to focus on the mission at hand, and although Lucia assured Harry that she would be fine, especially with the watchful and warm embrace of their many mutual friends around her, Lucia still found herself desperately missing her husband's very warmth.
Not even the delightful smile of her son (through the patronage of Harry), Teddy Lupin, could possibly heal the wound in her heart.
But then again, she could just be overanalysing her own feelings and that it was all due to her own pregnancy.
"I am curious though," began Juniper.
"Of what?" quirked Lucia.
"Well, out of people you pick to be with in such a delicate point of your life, why me and George?"
The said question had been haunting Juniper's mind ever since Lucia first wrote to her and George whether it would be a bother for her to be with them for a couple of days. While George thought nothing of it, it did bring a sense of puzzlement for Juniper, for out of all people that Lucia had been associated or knew of, she was the one with least years spent with her. So, why?
Lucia smiled at her softly, "I didn't want to be alone and Neville, Ron are with Harry on the mission; Hermione's been all too busy these days that I don't even want to bother her; the Weasleys are kind and all, but they're already having trouble in thinking how they would want to plan Ron and Hermione's wedding; Luna and Ginny are MIA because of Ginny's match outside of the country; Bill and Fleur hands are full with a two toddlers; Astoria who's busy with her life as a Healer; And If I have to be honest, they're not very 'peaceful' to be with, so the only people I had in mind was you and George,"
"You pick a patron of a bakery and an owner to a joke-shop as the most peaceful people to be with as your last resort?" deadpanned Juniper.
The ebony-haired woman went pink in the face.
"Okay, when you put it like that, my reasoning isn't very convincing —"
Juniper let out a laugh as she cupped Lucia's cheeks in her hands. Sometimes, gesture such as this reminded Lucia just how much younger she was than Juniper and George. It made her feel calm.
"Nonsense! I'm just pulling your leg, Lucia," she laughed.
Lucia pouted. "Have anyone told you that you shouldn't be joking with a pregnant woman? Who knows, she'll end up holding a grudge,"
"And what exactly are you to do with that grudge? Roll around the floor? Try and seize your shoe that you can't even reach?" mocked Juniper.
"You're as pregnant as I am," reminded Lucia pointedly with a huff. "We should be forming an alliance against our husbands instead of going against each other!"
"My, my, how naive!" played Juniper, and as a means of revenge, Lucia stood up from the chair she was sitting and carefully hopped on the counter and pulled her leg to the other side with great difficulty, though she tried not to look how displeased she was before she seized a croissant near her.
"You'll be eating your words,"
"Put that down, Lucia! I just baked that!" shrieked Juniper, rounding the counter.
"Then you should've thought before you spe —" but her words were seamlessly cut short as she felt a trickle of liquid down her legs.
As the whole bakery fell into silence, Juniper felt an odd sense of panic as her eyes slowly trailed down to the forming puddle of liquid below Lucia. Her breath instantly caught in between her throat and her hand immediately went to her own stomach.
"L-Lucia...?"
Lucia swallowed hard before she raised her eyes to meet Juniper. "I-I think my water just broke,"
Oh.
George Weasley had been rearranging some products within his and his late-twin's joke shop after his wife had left to go back to her bakery. It was all fine and dandy and he thought nothing of it when he heard the shrill laughter that came along the screams from the shop beside his, however, his hands went clammy when it all came to a halt.
He furrowed his eyes and dropped the products he was rearranging.
Verity, a trusted employee of his, gazed her eyes away from the customer she was tending when she saw her boss's off expression. "Anything wrong there?"
"I dunno..." trailed George. "I-I just got a sudden bad feeling..."
"Maybe it's Juniper?" quiried Verity.
George didn't say anything for a long while. However, right as he was about to speak, the quietness from the bakery soon transitioned into ones of yells and chaos that made it evident from within George that he should not waste time but to investigate it.
He quickly grasped his wand from the ground and hurried pass the front counter, "Look after the shop for me!" before he left Verity to fend off the grabby gremlins on his own.
George could not possibly think properly, for all he could do if her were to do so was to think that somethin majorly bad had occurred under his supposed watchful eye.
His wife in trouble was one thing, but to put Lucia, whom he had proudly found himself calling her his little sister, into the mix?
George flinched at the thought of two important people in his life in trouble. The last time that happened...
He lost them.
But when George barged through the doors to his wife's bakery, he didn't think there was anything for him to be worried of when he saw both Juniper and Lucia with one another...or so he thought anyway.
Juniper was yelling; Lucia looked calm.
"Oh, whatdowedo! Whatdowedo!" said Juniper breathlessly.
"Calm down," said Lucia indifferently and going around the counter to wipe the surface. "You're being overdramatic. I told you, I'm fine,"
"Um, I think I have the right to be OVERDRAMATIC!" Juniper asserted, staring at Lucia with her eyes wide in incredulity.
"What's... what's going on here?" George finally made his presence known to the women within the bakery; Juniper snapped his head at the arrival of her husband, causing George to junp in startlement at her harsh actions.
"Georgie!"
"Yeah...?"
"Georgie! Georgie! Georgie!" Juniper immediately went to her husband and seized his shoulders at once while Lucia, from behind the counter, rolled her eyes in amusement.
"What? What? What, love?" mimicked George, wrapping an arm around his pregnant wife's waist.
"Lucia!"
"Lu...cia?" George still did not understand what his wife was trying to relay until Juniper cupped his cheeks and forcing him to look at the floor not far from them. He furrowed his eyes for a moment, loading the sight when it finally clicked in him.
George's eyes widened in incredulity at Lucia.
"Her water broke!"
"Your water — ?" Lucia nodded slowly and before they knew it, George went into a state of momentary shock. "Your — Lucia —"
But Juniper slapped his cheeks awake before he could pass out. "George, this is no time to faint! Lucia needs medical attention!" she said firmly.
"Uh, I think the ones that needs medical attention is you both," commented Lucia easily as she began to sweep the floor. "I'm fine,"
Lost for words, the couple immediate rushed to her side; Juniper snatched the broom and George locked his arms around Lucia carefully.
"How are you so calm!?"
"Because I just am,"
"You're going to give birth!"
"You don't think I know that?!"
"Then why are you being like this?!"
"Because I don't want to give birth without Harry there!" Lucia finally admitted, ceasing from her struggled beneath George's hold. George and Juniper halt for a moment and stared at her with gaze soften. "I don't want Harry to miss the birth of our child — our daughter —"
"Daughter?"
Lucia wiped tears that were seemingly forming in her eyes, nodding. "We got to know a few months back," she sniffled.
"But Lucia, you can't just not go into labour and not give birth, especially since your water just broke," stated Juniper. "C'mon, let's get you to the hospital —"
"No, I can't have this baby without him! What if —"
"I'll stop you right there, Little Flower!" Lucia jolted in surprise at George's use of her nickname; it'd been years since he last used it... the last time he used it; Fred was still alive. George held a firm look over his normally relaxed face as he wheeled her around to face him; "There are no what-ifs in yours and Harry's relationship, we all got a taste of that already,"
"B-But —"
"You're scared, we can tell, and we know that inside that mind of yours, you're hoping that magic can help you keep that baby inside you until Harry and the others return even if you're going to be in pain, but I hate to break it you that not even magic can stop nature doing its job," said George, and Lucia looked down. "Listen to us, Lucia. Let us bring you to the hospital so you can have this baby,"
"But Harry..."
"He's not going to put it against you, and if he ever does, then we'll give him a piece of our mind!" stated Juniper. "I'm sure he knows the wrath of a pregnant lady is not something he should be messing with,"
Lucia breathed a teary chuckle as George managed a smile. He then grasped Lucia's hand.
"I've known Harry for years — longer than you even, Lucia — he's like a little brother to me next to Ron, so trust me when I say that he would never wrong you. Not even now. He knows that there's nothing for him to be mad about because unless you're safe and secure, that'll be enough for him," affirmed George, squeezing Lucia's shoulder. The tears in Lucia's eyes only doubled, and Juniper quickly dabbed her tears away with a napkin, knowing just how much she hated when her makeup gets ruin. "So please, forget about everything in the world and remember yourself. Remember your child. Remember both health and risk you'll be taking if you keep on with this stubbornness,"
She squeezed her eyes as her body shook, the excruciating pain of labour finally settling her as she gripped George's and Juniper's hand vigorously. She let out a soft gasp of pain.
"L-Let's go," she breathed, causing her patrons to widen their eyes in relief. "Let's go to the hospital,"
George nodded. "All right, okay, let's go," he said breathlessly.
"You both go off first, I'll go and get your hospital bag, Lucia, and go tell the others," said Juniper in a hurry as she grasped her wand, "Georgie, go get her to St. Mungo's,"
George nodded.
Lucia squeezed George's hand, seething painfully through her teeth. "I-It's the first thing you see when you enter flat!"
Juniper nodded before she disappeared behind the doors that connected the bakery and the joke-shop, leaving Lucia and George to themselves.
"Let's go, shall we?" said George down at the young woman who still gazed at the entryway of the bakery hopefully, pleading for her husband to enter through the chiming doors at any second now to come and pick her up before they go on their usual walk around Diagon Alley.
Alas, she knew that cannot be the case.
She felt regretful for having to give birth to their firstborn without the father of her child, however she needed to prioritise herself and their unborn child.
Lucia raised her head and took a deep, strain and long breath before her eyes connected with George; her dark, night eyes were of fear, but determination was masking such emotions.
"Let's go before I pop here,"
༺❁༻
Harry Potter snapped his eyes open to the sight of his office in the Ministry for Magic that became his temporary home for a short while as he and his team carried on with their week-long mission that he was thankful had been cut short thanks to their early success in their mission. Now, as the head of the team, he must undergo the painful task of being away from his beloved universe and stick his head into the mountains of papers that must be done quickly if he wanted to return to his Lucia fast.
He did hold a bit of resentment toward his superiors for handing him such mission, but he can do nothing except to complain about them... and unless he were to kick them off their high horses in the near future...
Eh, he thought as he fiddled with the heart locket over his heart. It's still a contemplation.
His tired eyes strayed around the dark office before they rested on the only glowing item around the room; a pot of jasmine and peony flower glowed beautifully in the middle of the darkness of the room. It was something Lucia had given to him during one of their dates and trust her to pick flowers with strong fragrance to the point it fought dominance to linger around the room. Those flowers reminded him of his wife.
His wife who was now alone day and night the first time since they had learnt that she was pregnant.
"I'm going to kick Robards to his early grave," Harry confessed to himself as he stared at the picture frame, he had that consisted of him, Lucia, and Bao Bao. His lips curled slightly, "Fat ferret... Too bad you're away on that little quest of yours, huh? Hedwig would have surely eaten you if she was still alive..."
At that, Harry's smile drops at the reminder of his first friend that he lost from the war. He leaned back against the chair and stared up to the ceiling.
No matter how much he was sickened of his occupation, he had to remember that it was all for a reason. Becoming an Auror was no longer due to his naive dreams of wanting to be like his dad, but to stop every single dark wizard he could. To capture those who've contributed to the war that caused so much losses.
And though he and the others have captured about almost thousands of them since they began, they were still far from over.
Harry gripped his quill in agitation. "When I get home, I'm going to have as much treacle tarts as I want, and no one is going to be bloody tell me —"
His words were cut short as the door was knock three times. "I'm coming in!" And before Harry could say otherwise, the door to his office creaked open, and Ron Weasley's head peeked inside with wide, yet tired grin. "Hi,"
"Don't tell me you've finish the reports way before me?" groaned Harry, rubbing his face.
Ron scoffed. "No, of course not," he said, sauntering inside. "I'm just here to see how you're doing,"
"Terrible," Harry closed his eyes. "I want to go home..."
"Guess you have it rougher than I do, huh?" stated Ron. "I mean, Hermione's as busy as me and I can go and see her anytime vise versa, but you and Lucia..."
"We would've had the same circumstances if it wasn't for the fact that she's in a whole different Department and not to mention she's on leave," sighed Harry. "I just want to see her..." he whined.
"How's she by the way? We neve gotten to ask since we were in a hurry and running away from ex-Death Eaters and all," commented Ron.
Harry managed a small grin. "She's doing good the last time I was with her."
"Not grumpy, is she?" said Ron, causing Harry to raise a brow at is best friends. "You know, Fleur was a grumpy one — Juniper's eh — but I've no idea how Lucia is... so?"
"You come to our house every week and you still haven't pick up her pregnant habits?" mused Harry.
"Why should I? I'm not her spouse," snorted Ron.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Well, all I can say is that she's... weird,"
Somehow, Ron could tell that Harry was sugarcoating it quite a bit. Though, was not able to point it out when the door barge open suddenly, causing him and Harry to wheel around to the door with their wand point there. They soon calmed when they realised it was only Neville, who was surprisingly looking pale.
"Neville, you all right, mate?" Harry asked, zeroing at Neville.
Neville spluttered in his words.
"I — I —"
Ron quirked his head, "Did someone sit on you again —"
It was then Neville broke.
"LUCIA'S HAVING THE BABY!"
Harry never thought it was possible for the feeling of fear that he felt way back when to return in such a prominent moment, but it did. He felt the room closing in on him as his smile dropped intensely; Harry was having a hard time comprehending Neville's every word, but Ron wheeled back around at Neville with his eyes as wide as saucers.
"What d'you mean that she's having the baby?!"
"I meant what I mean, Ron!" said Neville. "Juniper sent a Patronus in front of your office door — I'm guessing she was in a hurry, so she mislocated you — I dunno — but she said that Lucia and George are already at St. Mungo's and hopefully with the others,"
"Blimey..." was all Ron could utter out as his face went as pale as Neville did, before he spun to see the look upon his best friend's face, only to be met by a frighten look from Harry.
Harry's hand shook as he grasped mindlessly for his wand upon his desk.
Why did it had to happen when he was called to work?
"What do we do now?"
Neville calmed down a bit as he looked at Harry specifically. "Juniper also said something you should hear, Harry. She said that Lucia understands if you can't be there and that —"
"Are you bloody mad?!" Harry finally broke from his trance at that proclamation, causing Ron and Neville to flinch for a split second at his tone, but Harry could not find it within himself to acknowledge as he hurried to reach his coat. "The love of my life is giving birth, and I'm in no way missing that!"
"But the reports —"
"It can wait," said Harry, slipping into his coat as he made his way pass Ron. "What can Robards do? Sack me? Please, he knows that I do a better job at his job than he'll ever do. He needs me,"
"I mean, you're right, but still!"
Harry wheeled around at Ron, face firm. "Ron! Lucia needs us. Needs me. I can't just let her go through this — I'm entirely responsible as to why she's pregnant in the first place, you know?! If she's doing all the work of creating a whole new life form, then I should at least be doing the bare minimum and be there for her!" Harry gazed between Ron and Neville, eyes flaring with an ardent fire. "And nothing you both do can stop me,"
"No one's stopping you, damn it!" huffed Ron.
"We're just reminding you the would-be consequences!" nodded Neville.
"We know that there's no way we can keep you away from something like this, and we never were, mate," said Ron, before a large grin came appearing on his face. "Bloody hell... you're like the first out of all of us to become a father..."
"Crazy, huh?" Harry breathed.
"That's why," Ron's suddenly grasped his arm. Same did Neville, "We're doing this,"
"Wha —" But Harry's word cut short, for the next thing he knew, he was sucked into a familiar tube with the sound of a crack.
Harry, Ron, and Neville arrived at St. Mungo's just in the nick of time as they instantly found Astoria, a resident Healer, who immediately led them to the floor where Lucia supposedly would be, giving birth and all. When they got there, Harry and co. was greeted by the sights of familiar faces in front of a particular room; Mr. and Mrs. Weasley looked quite nervous; Hermione Granger, Lavender Brown, and Parvati Patil were sitting beside each other, talking in low tone; Juniper was sitting on her own, gazing at the door to the birthing room with worry. Harry was quick to take note that not every Weasley was there, but perhaps that was because they did not want to overwhelm Lucia more than she already was.
While Neville and Ron joined the others, Harry made a beeline to Juniper.
"Oh, Harry!" greeted Juniper, but before she was to get up, Harry merely urged her back down, for she was also pregnant. "We didn't think you could come — you should be in there, hurry! George and Lucia's mother are already in there!"
"Right — wait, George?"
"Long story, but she keeps on crying for you and George was the only guy then, so they forced him in there..." said Juniper sheepishly. "He was panicking and all, but Mawar had to assure him that it'll be fine... but I think he've fainted in there already... Well, at least he had "
Harry's mouth parted slightly to question but closed it back. Perhaps it would be better to not ask the entirety of the story right now, for it could be all a doozy...
Harry shook his head and snapped at the door. His heartbeat rapidly as behind those doors lies his wife in pain and he could hear her cries even with the walls separating them...
"Harry, go in," urged Astoria, coming from behind him.
"I know," Harry breathed and garnering all his courage into one place in his heart, Harry finally entered through the door and the sound of cries went vivid to his ears. His heart dropping immensely.
"I can't do this..." Lucia cried, squeezing one of the Healer's hand and George's hand as beads of sweat masked her face so prominently as her mind went from hoping that this was all to be over soon, and the other hoping that her sweat was not ruining her makeup. "I can't do this, please!"
"You're almost there," Mawar pressed a soft kiss upon her daughters head.
"I can't..." wept Lucia, shaking her head. The painful tears streaked down her face as she squeezed her eyes shut. "I've been at it for hours now and I —"
"Actually, it's only been a half-an-hour," Interject George, seemingly trying to lift the tension in the room, only to be met by glares that were clearly telling him: Not helping.
George laughed sheepishly. "Right, sorry, not the time,"
Lucia squeezed George's hand harshly, causing him to yelp as she attempted another push. "This. Is. For. THAT!" she bellowed.
"Bloody hell, woman! I'm not the one that got you pregnant!"
"Yes, but you're still a man!"
"I'm a brother to you!"
"A no-good one!"
"Wait," started a Healer in curiosity. "So, if you're not the husband, who is it then?"
Right as Mawar was about to answer on behalf of her daughter who was focused on pushing to give birth and George who was entirely focus on his hand getting crushed by Lucia's immense strength, she was not able to as another voice made itself known around the room.
"That'll be me,"
The voice was mellow, serenading to Lucia's ears as she gasped for air and snapped her head at where the voice came from only to find her heart becoming whole at the sight of the owner; Harry stood there in all his glory, though looking out of breath, indicating that he had been in a hurry to just get here. She felt as if she could just cry at the sight of him. Cry out of joy and relief.
She did.
"H-Harry..." she breathed, her hand unlatching from both the Healer and George, who immediately slid back against the wall, exhausted with his throbbing hand. She reached her weak hands at Harry, who immediately caught them in both of his hands before he pampered them with kisses.
"I'm sorry I'm late..." Harry kissed her sweaty forehead.
"It's okay," sniffled Lucia thickly. "At least you're here..."
"Yes, and make yourself useful!" called George from the floor beside the bed. "I want to take a nap."
"Weak," said Mawar.
Despite Lucia wanting to celebrate Harry's arrival, it seems that the child she was bearing was not giving her the chance, for it was too excited to finally meet the world. As the Healer indicated her to push another time, Lucia tearfully, painfully, and sobbingly did so, gripping one hand upon the cot while the other around Harry, whose eyes were in awe and grim.
Finally, after what felt like hours of enduring the excruciating pain that was even more excruciating than being in the lines between death and life itself, Lucia released a final gasp of air before the sounds of cried filled the room and she fell back against the bed with a tired smile.
"Congratulations,"
Harry felt an overwhelming amount of emotions as he watched the Healer placed the fragile baby on Lucia, who was crying joyfully of finally being able to hold their long-awaited child. There, at the sight before him, it felt as if everything in the world was right and the past in which had put him into so much torment was like a fleeting memory he could no longer remember. The sight before him was everything to him and he was sure what would complete it if Teddy were to be with them...
"Harry... we made this..." cried Lucia quietly through her exhausted eyes as she held their child in her arms.
Harry managed a breathy laugh before he kissed Lucia's head. "You did it, Luce. You did amazing,"
"I did, huh?" she laughed in a weak manner.
"You really did," he smiled, brushing strands of her hair contently before he looked at George. "Thanks for being there with her when I couldn't,"
"No problem," said George feebly from the floor, causing everyone in the room to laugh at him.
"Oh, look, Florian and I's little flower has now their own little flower..." sniffled Mawar. "I'm so proud of you..."
"Mama..." Lucia's gaze softened.
"No, no!" Mawar shook her head. "I must not cry on such auspicious day!" she stated before she rounded the cot to reach for George and seized his arms. "We'll leave you two be, just call for us for anything!" Mawar said as she dragged George by his leg out of the door with the help of another Healer.
Once they were gone, the Healer in charge said, "Geez, do you lot have an odd family," she said as she fixed up a potion for Lucia to take.
Harry exchanged a look with Lucia. They grinned tiredly. They haven't seen nothing yet.
"God, I can't believe I got here on time... I'm never getting you pregnant again..." Harry breathed a laugh as he admired the infant in his wife's embrace. "I can't bear to see you in that much pain again..."
Lucia brushed strands of Harry's hair away from his face, smiling. "I'm just glad that you ended up here and get to see our daughter getting birthed..."
"You mean son," said the Healer.
Harry and Lucia stared at the Healer, perplexed.
"No... we meant daughter," said Harry.
"The doctor Healer we see said that we were going to have daughter..." said Lucia, lost as she stared down at her supposed son. "Are you saying that...?
"Basically," said Healer, as if that settled the matter. "Anyway, I have work to attend. Another Healer will come by soon to see how you're doing and all, just make sure to drink up this Potion,"
And as though acting as if she did not drop a bomb on the small family, the Healer left through the door, leaving Harry and Lucia to themselves with their newborn son. Lucia looked at Harry, still perplexed.
"Did that just..."
"It did," Harry nodded. "Well, I guess we should be thankful that we still haven't pick on a name yet..."
"I don't think so," mused Lucia, shaking her head as a name in her head was calling out to her as she stared down at her son; it was still not possible to confirm yet, but she could already tell that he had taken most of Harry's trait rather than her. From the hair to the nose, to the lips. Lucia smiled tenderly up at Harry, "Any ideas?"
Harry's eyes widened. "I was thinking since you're the one that did all the work and all, you're the one that should be giving the names," he said, panicked.
"Nah," she yawned against her pillow as she snuggled their son carefully on her bare chest, "I'm still high on potions and quite honestly, the birthing process is already taking a toll on me. For all we know, I would be naming our son 'Lord Turnip' or something," Lucia added with a soft snort.
"Heaven forbids that happening," hummed Harry in amusement.
"He would be getting bullied if that were to happen, you wouldn't want that, would you?"
"Of course not, and even if that were to happen... I'll just hunt those bullies down," scoffed Harry.
"What a charming father," said Lucia sarcastically.
Harry tensed. He now just realises the extent of their son's arrival to the world; he, who was once child himself, was now a father; Lucia, who was once a child herself, was now the mother to his child.
Somehow, that still felt like something that was hard for him to accept. Was this how James felt? Florian even?
Nonetheless, the sense of protection he already felt for Lucia only doubled in capacity. This was his family now. His future.
"J-James,"
Lucia gazed up at him intently with an interested hum.
"What about... James?" he asked.
"After your father?"
Harry backtracked in his decision. "Of course, we don't need to —"
Lucia shook her head and seized Harry's tied all of the sudden before she pulled him down to join her on the bed. He laid on the edge of the bed, careful of Lucia and their still unnamed son, obeying her. "Silly," she said. "I think the name James suits him well,"
His heart skipped a beat at the glimmer in her eyes. "Then... Then James Sirius Florian Potter..."
"F-Florian...?" Lucia breathed as her eyes softened. "Oh, Harry..."
"Of course, we don't need to if you don't want to. I just thought it was befitting, especially since we did vow that we would at least give our future children a hard time when it come about their names..."
"Ah yes, long names..." Lucia breathed a giggle.
"So?"
"I think it's perfect,"
Harry smiled as he caressed their son face with his fingertips, careful; Lucia heaved out a sigh of contentment as she leaned into Harry's embrace.
"Teddy's going to love him," mumbled Lucia into Harry's chest. "I can't wait for them to meet,"
"Me too..." whispered Harry. "Thank you for everything, Luce,"
"All I do is exist, though," said Lucia, puzzled
"And because of that, thank you,"
Harry captured her lips softly, and she did not waste a moment to reciprocate the act. It was loving, perfect, and felt as if everything in their world was now right. Their son yawned smally, causing both of them to stop in their actions, reminding themselves that they were not going to be alone 24/7 anymore, and to mention with Teddy... they were about to be busy.
Yet, they were excited as to what they're future had instore for them.
"Glad you're finally here, James. You really tired your Mama out,"
༺❁༻
"Are you sure you want to come with us, Teddy? We don't want to bore you," Lucia entered the room with a basket filled with flower crowns and fresh flowers draped over her forearm before she set them upon the coffee table that Teddy Lupin was seemingly colouring on.
Teddy snapped his beady kaleidoscope-like eyes at his godmother, zeroing at her. "Teddy wants to follow!" he said adamantly, and Lucia crouched across from him with an amused smile. "Teddy follows Harry and Lulu everywhere!" he said, signing a big ball, causing Lucia to laugh endearingly at him.
"All right, all right, Teddy's going with us, but are you okay with an extra guest?" she asked.
"Please say yes, Teddy, we can't exactly leave James alone, you know?" Harry said playfully as he entered from the kitchen, balancing little James in his arms, feeding the newborn with a baby bottle.
Teddy hummed for a moment, zeroing at little James, making Harry and Lucia to look at one another in amusement.
"Why can't Jamie stay with Jamie's Harry and Lulu?" pouted Teddy, tugging the sleeves of Lucia's dress.
Despite it being near nine-months since Lucia had given birth to James, and Teddy meeting James, it had seemed that Teddy still has not gotten used to the extra person that was garnering the attention of his Harry and Lucia. At one moment in time, Teddy had almost counted James as his rival for Harry and Lucia's attention, but that never last long as Harry and Lucia would constantly find time for both Teddy and James.
They were not perfect parents, especially when raising two individuals while being inexperienced themselves, but they were trying.
"Because Jamie's own Harry and Lulu are too occupied with their own son, my sweet Teddy," said Lucia softly. "George and Juniper are busy with working on taking care of their Fred,"
"But it's Halloween... can't they take give Fred away?" Teddy asked and it was then Harry's turn to talk to his godson as he passed James to his wife, who at once cradled her eight-month-old son and sitting down on the couch to observe the exchange.
"They can't, just like how Lulu and I can't give Jamie away. Like what Fred is to George and Juniper, Jamie is to us. Jamie's our son, and you are too. It won't be fair to be leaving one of you behind, right?" said Harry delicately as he combed his godson's turquoise hair and promptly placing a marigold flower crown upon his head.
Teddy's head droop slightly as he nodded.
Harry smiled endearingly before he swept Teddy off the ground, causing their preschooler to giggled lively. Lucia smiled at the sight as she, too, stood up and shouldered her purse. "Come on, they're going to think we're coming in late for no reason," Harry grinned as he carried Teddy on his hip with one hand, while the other seizing the flower basket.
"Ah, yes, we wouldn't want that, do we?" hummed Lucia in amusement. "Come on, hold onto me,"
Harry pouted. "Why can't I be the one that do it?"
"Because unlike you, I have a license," deadpanned Lucia at him knowingly. "I would've let you Apparate for us, but seeing as you haven't even gone to get your license yet..."
"I apparate all the time though!" said Harry.
"Yes, and if you weren't Harry Potter, they would surely have gotten you fined and locked up already," said Lucia, bemused by this very fact. "How does it feel to be special against the law?"
"I mean, the law part wouldn't be much of a problem, but I reckon you that its all to make-up for the fact that they tried to imprison and kill me in the past, and all I did was doing a much more competent job than they ever did," Harry said, looking slight smug at this.
Lucia's nose scrunched at him judgingly before she looked down at the babbling James in her arms. "Let's hope you don't grow up cocky as your father. Thank goodness Teddy will grow up fine..."
Harry gasped and Teddy laughed.
"Harry cocky! Harry cocky!" cheered Teddy, cupping Harry's face in his little hands.
Harry was clearly offended by this as he said, "I'm not cocky!"
"At certain times you can be, but perhaps that's apart of your charm," said Lucia.
"You're being insufferable," scoffed Harry as he seized Lucia's arm softly and clutching Teddy protectively.
"It's apart of my charm these days," mused Lucia before she flicked her wand and the small family of four Dissaparated on the spot with a loud crack.
They touched down swiftly upon the pavements of a familiar village as the moon above them rose slowly from its peaks, indicating the beginning of Hallows Eve; Harry looked around and was content to see the place was still the same as it was before, despite it being years since he had first visited the place. And during then, it did not end as peaceful as he wanted it to be, but at least because of his stupid decision, he and Hermione was reunited with Lucia once more after months of separation.
"No one's trick or treating," said Lucia in confusion as she gazed around the village of Godric's Hollow.
Harry interlaced their fingers together, "Probably because we came early, but it's for the best. We don't want to attract any unwanted attention in case Teddy has his accidental magic..." he explained as he looked at Teddy, who was beyond awe at the new location he was in.
Lucia hummed thoughtfully. "Perhaps..." she said as she brushed Teddy's hair flat. She remembered vividly of when she was called to Teddy's preschool regarding his 'troubling' behaviour, only to realise that it was all the start of his mischievous accidental magic.
The small family walked down the pavement, with every step Harry and Lucia took, their breath shortening slightly. She knew James must've felt the shift in her heart as the eight-month-old baby wheeled his head around at his mother with silent curiosity before he babbled at her, "Bah!"
Endeared, Lucia pampered little James's face with her kisses. "Oh, my sweet Jamie," she cooed.
Teddy, displeased by this act, patted Harry's chest as an indication to let him go. Harry looked at Teddy with his eyes furrowed, but nonetheless let him walk around as he wants, only to see Teddy rounding Lucia all the sudden, as if telling her that he was in need of attention.
"Lulu! Lulu!"
While Harry was about to protest at Teddy's antics, Lucia merely passed little James to Harry with a small smile. "C'mere, my love," she welcomed him into her warm embrace, letting Teddy to be accustomed to the familiar maternal fragrance of peonies that could only be smelled around his godmother. Teddy nuzzled his face into the crook of Lucia's neck.
"You coddle him too much," said Harry, though his words did not mask his loving look at the sight as he balanced their son on his arms.
"I coddle James as well, but I don't see you complaining," she pointed defensively. "Plus," she pressed a chaste kiss over Teddy's head. "Teddy's our son, is he not?"
At her words, Harry smiled to himself. "Yeah, he is," he said softly.
"That's what I thought," she chirped. "Now, let's go!"
Harry still could not believe how far he had come from that little boy who craved for love and ultimately gave up on it, to a man surrounded by it and have a family of his own. It seemed like a far-fetched dream, but it became a reality that the Harry from years ago never dreamt would be possible.
And he'll never take moments such as this for granted.
The family of four passed cottages and even ones that were just rubles, but they knew all too well what history lies behind such places; they passed grown-out hedges that rounded a rubble lay scattered amongst the waist-high grass. Most of the cottage was still standing, though entirely covered in the dark ivy and snow, but the right side of the top floor had been blown apart. However, neither stopped there as they moved on along the pavements, their hands squeezing one another in comfort.
Then they had passed of what looks to be an obelisk covered with names that soon transformed into a statue of three people: a man with untidy hair and glasses, a woman with long hair and a kind, pretty face, and a baby boy sitting in his mother's arms. Snow lay upon all their heads, like fluffy white caps.
Teddy spun his head and pointed at the man, "Harry..." he said, his tone confused.
Lucia leaned her head on Harry's shoulder. "No, that's Harry's dad, darling,"
"Harry's... dad...?" Teddy furrowed his eyes.
Harry drew closer, gazing up into his parents' faces. "These are my parents, Teddy, Jamie," he breathed.
Little James blinked at the statue, while Teddy was still left puzzled.
"But why are they here?" Teddy tilted his head at his godparents for answers.
"They're not actually here, Ted," Harry said fondly, "This is their statue, as a reminder,"
Though Teddy was still perplexed, he did not say anything more when he saw the odd look of crystalisation over the eyes of his godfather. He gazed his kaleidoscope eyes at Lucia, who smiled endearingly at him as she led them around toward the graveyard behind the church.
Teddy hid his face into Lucia's neck, seemingly intimidated by the sight as little James babbled in his father's arms; they crossed many graves that seemingly doubled from the last time they were here until they halted in front of three marble gravestones with flowers engraved on it. Lucia carefully put Teddy down as Harry gave her the flower basket.
"This is my dad and my ah-ma and a-kong," said Lucia quietly as she placed three rose and jasmine flower crowns upon their graves.
As Lucia hugged Teddy in her arms, staring at the graves of dad, grandmother, and grandfather, Harry could not help but feel a flurry of emotions that made it particularly hard from him to choke a word out as he read in his heart:
FLORIAN DIFIORE
BORN 20 DECEMBER 1953, 21 DECEMBER 1983
May flowers bloom even in winter
He remembered the pristine memory so lucidly that he never thought he could forget it. The first time he found the grave with Hermione... he thought how it all made sense as to why Lucia had never enjoyed her birthdays in the past, why the days that led up to her birthday was something she most dreaded...
"C'mon," breathed Lucia, holding Teddy's little hand in hers. "We're almost there,"
But before they could move forward, Harry caught Lucia's arm suddenly, causing her to wheel around at him, puzzled. However, that look soon diminished into softness.
"I-I don't think..."
"Harry,"
"T-The last time I came here to see them, it ended terribly, and I just don't —"
"Harry, come on," Lucia's voice was mellow as she spoke to him.
Harry gazed into her night eyes as the moon shone over them, creating a halo over her. Harry took a sharp breath, bracing himself before he nodded and let Lucia to lead them though the dozens of graves until they finally reached the very grave that Harry had been too scared to greet.
JAMES POTTER,
BORN 27 MARCH 1960, DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981
LILY POTTER,
BORN 30 JANUARY 1960, DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
Harry was left to stare at his parent's gravestone as he held little James in his arms while Lucia, with the help of Teddy, laid out a blanket before the gravestone for them to sit, lighting up candles on either side of the stone as she handed a butterbeer to Harry, a chocolate milk to Teddy, and a sippy-cup to little James as they sat down upon the blanket.
"I thought you only prepared flowers?" mused Harry as little James sat on Lucia's thigh, his head lulling around from how heavy it was. Lucia made him lean against her for support.
"The that would simply boring," said Lucia, sipping her strawberry milk. "How's your choco milk, Teddy?"
"Yum!" he grinned toothily at them as he found himself sitting on Harry.
"Bummer, my strawberry milk taste like it's expired," Lucia said in distaste.
Harry smiled as his eyes trailed to the starry night sky above them. He heaved a breath, closing his eyes.
"It's a lovely night, isn't it?" Lucia said, her voice warm and soft as she fed their son the porridge she had prepared.
"You really amaze me, Luce," said Harry out of the blue, making her to look at him in puzzlement before she let out a small squeal as he captured her lips suddenly. Nonetheless, she melted in the delicate gesture before they parted, eyes looking at one another lovingly.
Harry placed an arm over his parent's grave with a soft smile. "Everything's all right now, right? Everything's fine,"
Lucia seized his hand and pressed a chaste kiss upon his knuckles, causing Harry's stomach to be fluttered with butterflies that he longed forgotten could be felt by him. It seems that even after years of being together cannot erase the ripe feelings he had for Lucia. Actually, now that he thought about it, perhaps his feeling only grown throughout the years.
"Let's make sure it'll stay that way," she said.
He did not think it was possible, but she made it possible; Lucia's heart and love worth more than the weight of gold. And her by his side made it vivid to Harry just how much they've come from those lost kids that were desperate to find each other, desperate for the love that they've lost.
Every time she was to look over her shoulder, he would instantaneously forget that he was older and that she was his wife now. To others she may be only beautiful, but to Harry she was divine, and he swore that as everyday pass, she'll only get better.
Harry truly did not think anyone could come to compare to Lucia. Ever.
"Hey, Luce,"
"Hmm,"
"Do you think they're enjoying their own Halloween up there?"
Lucia's eyes were delicate as she stared at her husband's ominous words that brought her light heart slightly heavy at the reminder of those whom they have lost.
However, she was still capable of mustering a small, yet ardent smile of love before she leaned against him.
"I bet they're having a blast with us,"
"Thanks, Luce," sighed Harry, as they looked up at the stars above them while Teddy played with James. "Thanks for everything,"
Lucia hummed, closing her eyes. "Anytime,