"Mum," Young James Sirius Potter called out, as he thumped down the stairs, seven o'clock in the morning

31/07/2008 18:18:00

"Mum," Young James Sirius Potter called out, as he thumped down the stairs, seven o'clock in the morning. "Mum, where are you going?"

James had caught his mother just as she was walking out the door. She turned back around very slowly, as though the slightest move would cause a tremor to wake the entire household.

"James, its very early for you to be awake, especially during summer." She whispered. "Remember today is daddy's birthday. You'll want to have all your energy for when we visit the burrow today, right?" She waited for his nod of agreement. "Then you'd better get back in bed for a bit. I've just got to run out and check on a few things, okay?"

"Kay, mum." He turned to head back up the stairs.

"Bye, sweetheart, I love you." She said in return. Once he was safely back up the stairs, Ginny left the house, being careful to make sure the door didn't do so much as creak as she closed it. Harry, with his auror senses, slept lighter than a feather. She really didn't want him up, because then she'd have to explain herself, and that would really ruin his birthday surprise.

She returned home at roughly eight thirty. When she entered, to her chagrin, Harry was sitting at the table, with a mug of coffee.

"Hello, darling," He said, greeting her with a peck on the lips.

"Happy birthday, Harry!" She replied. "I'm dreadfully sorry that I wasn't here when you woke up, you see…"

Harry cut his wife off. "I know, its perfectly fine. I heard James get back into bed, and I asked him what was going on. He told me you had to run out and get something. However, now that I don't see any bags, I'm a but suspicious." He said, teasingly.

"Actually," Ginny countered, "I've got a spectacular birthday present for you. It'll just be a bit before it arrives though, I'm afraid."

"No, that is unacceptable." Harry said with a playful smile, keeping the charade going.

"One could argue that its partially your fault." Ginny replied, moving around their kitchen island so she was right beside Harry.

"And how is that so?" Harry asked in return.

"You helped make her." Ginny said with a soft smile, placing her husband's hand on her stomach.

For a few moments Harry was puzzled, but the emotion was short lived. His eyes began flickering between Ginny's face and his hand on her abdomen. "What?" He finally asked, standing. "You don't mean…"

"We're having a baby." Ginny laughed.

That was all Harry could take. He actually picked his wife off her feet and spun her around, before landing her with a kiss. "Oh, Gin, you have no idea how happy I am. This has got to be the greatest birthday ever. Now, before, did you say 'her'?"

"Yes," Ginny said, tears of joy in her eyes. "We're having a little girl. For me to dress up, and for you to ruthlessly protect."

At that moment, James came running down the stairs, with Albus close at his heels, waddling. "Mum," James asked, "What happened? Why are you yelling? And Happy Birthday dad."

"Appy Birfday Daddy!" Albus exclaimed, running around his brother to get his father in a hug.

"Thank you boys." Harry said, a huge grin still on his face. "Now, I've got some very exciting news…"

A/N- love it? Want to give constructive criticism? I'm all ears. Happy Birthday, JK, and Harry!