Summer Writing Series Challenge (June 21)
Challenge: Harry or Hermione return from a lengthy trip (6 months+) and is greeted by the other.
Title: Home
Word Count: 1,000
There was a time in my life where I looked forward to going to new places, meeting new people, experiencing new cultures, and dreamed of traveling the world. My childhood was filled with grand adventures to Stonehenge or Camelot to help King Arthur and his knights defeat evil. There were many fantastic places I went when I was a child, though most of them were spent sitting in the dark, playing with broken, discarded toys that my overly chunky cousin didn't like anymore. They were spent conversing with spiders and the small dust balls that hide in dark, hard to reach places. My childhood was spent in a small cupboard under the stairs at my Uncle Vernon's home on Privet Drive.
For the most part, I enjoyed my alone time, I wasn't beaten or put down then. My nights were filled with dreams of my parents and flying motorcycles and I was never fully able to appreciate the love that most children in the world enjoy. That is, until I reached the age of twelve and met Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, my best friend's parents. Life at the Burrow was starkly different from what I'd experienced and once I had a taste of it, I didn't want it to end.
My solace came in the summer months when I would be a part of a family and then my two best friends and I would go to school where we became another close knit family of sorts. Over the years, that family grew and grew until I was finally adopted by the Weasleys, unofficial, yes, but I'd taken to calling them Mum and Dad.
My new family has only started to grow, the love of my life and I finally married ten months ago as the century changed hands. Hermione has been my rock, my ground ... my everything for so long, and now she's my wife and soon-to-be mother of our first child.
Imagine me being a father! I barely understand the concept myself. We celebrated for nearly a week when we found out that Hermione was expecting. My life took a tremendous turn from the depression I'd fallen into at the end of the war to one filled with so much joy that I couldn't contain it all. And I haven't the faintest clue how to be a father, not one. Mr. Weasley gave me a glimpse, but I was only able to experience having a father for a short time before he died. Lucius Malfoy will burn in hell for all eternity! Sirius and my father, James, I didn't have enough time with them either. I will be there for my children! I'm not angry that they're all gone, but I still grieve.
Moody nudges my shoulder and laughs in his old barking fashion. "Worried about getting home late?" He asks as his eye spins listlessly around, scanning the room. No matter how many times I see that, it still creeps me out.
"Hermione's due any day now." I say with a wide smile. "I still can't believe that I'm going to be a dad ..."
"Never been there myself." Moody laughs again. "Too many strange women out there, no telling whose side they're playing on."
"Let me guess: CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" I shout at the top of my lungs, making him jump. He takes it in good humor and laughs again.
"I see that lesson is still firmly planted in that thick skull of yours!" He laughs again. "Listen, I know you're anxious and all, but we're going to be heading home the muggle way you realize ..."
"I know and I understand the problems with Apparation from out here." I frown despite myself. "I just can't get home fast enough."
Remus walks in and he's smiling widely as he sits across from us with our completed mission dossier. "Good news! You'll be on the plane in less than an hour!" My eyes light up at my good luck, only three hours and I'll see my wife. "The mission was successful, fourteen Death Eaters and twenty recruits ... The brass is happy with what you've done and authorized raises for the both of you."
"A raise?" I ask stupidly. "I-I've just started!"
"Harry, you've been defending against the dark arts from the time you were one!" Remus says with a laugh. "You had more experience by the end of your first year at Hogwarts than three quarters of the Auror squad at that point!"
I blush, complements still don't come easy for me, but I don't argue. A raise? It couldn't have come at the perfect time, Hermione's going to be relieved! I'm relieved!
The debriefing goes rather quickly since we're to be on our plane soon. I don't mind them at all, but Moody? He's worse than Ron and Hermione combined! The trip to Heathrow gave me a slight headache with his constant grumbling about muggle transportation and at one point I thought of stunning him just to keep him quiet.
No sooner had I pulled my wand did the captain tell us we were landing and I couldn't believe the nervousness and relief that rushed through me when I heard the squeal of the tires on the tarmac. Six months away from my beloved Hermione was too much and I couldn't handle the anticipation.
The plane stopped five minutes ago and I'm literally running to baggage where she's waiting for me. I stop when I see her. She's the most beautiful woman I've ever known and her pregnancy has only made her more so. She spots me and with a wave and her dazzling smile, I can't help but run to her and gently kiss this woman that I've been without for what seems forever.
"I thought you'd never get here." She says with a slight grimace.
"Are you alright?" I ask while checking her for anything wrong.
She grimaces again but gives me another dazzling smile. "Take me to the hospital, Dad."
I'm going to be a dad!