Lullaby

Disclaimer: Characters not mine. Belong to JKRowling. Not making any money off this.

A/N: Just a little fluffy H/Hr fic, married, Harry remembers the night his child was born.

Lullaby

Harry apparated into the foyer, pulling off his cloak and hanging it on the coat rack. All was quiet in the house, he walked down the hall and looked into the living room, the fire crackled in the hearth, the television was on but the sound had been muted. The lights were on in the kitchen, he walked in and noticed a pot on the stove. He walked over and lifted the lid, the fragrant smell of beef and potatoes hit his nose, he picked up the spoon and stirred it gently. The smell of baking bread was also in the room, he opened the oven and saw the loaf nestled there, brown and inviting. He loved it when she cooked, it always made him feel so warm and loved.

He walked out of the kitchen and headed for the large staircase that led to the upper rooms of his home. She must be upstairs, he thought. He smiled as he thought of her. She was so wonderful to come home to. Home. He never imagined he would have a home. Especially one with her in it. She was what made it a home. Their house was beautiful, a comfortable old mansion that she had decorated with care but it wasn't a cold, impersonal place. It was a warm, inviting home with touches of love throughout, Harry especially loved it when it was filled with friends and family. But he also loved times like this. When it was just him and her. And one other special being.

He reached the top of the stairs and saw the soft light coming from the room at the end of the hall. He walked quietly down the hall and stood at the open door. The room glowed from light from a small carousel horse lamp that sat on the dresser. His eyes swept around the room for a moment taking in the clouds and moons and stars that adorned the walls, past the oak crib that sat against the wall and came to rest on the rocking chair that sat next to the crib. There she was. His world.

Hermione sat in the rocking chair, quietly singing a lullaby, gazing down at the small morsel of humanity that rested in her arms. She looked up and saw Harry standing in the doorway and she smiled. Harry felt his heart begin to pound when she smiled at him. She looked like an angel, her brown curls falling about, her bright eyes lighting up when she looked at him. He had always thought her beautiful but since the baby came, she was even more so. Now when they made love, he thought she was so soft and womanly, he loved the way her belly still had the little roundness to it where their child had grown. She pouted about that sometimes but Harry thought she was sexier than ever and she was all the woman he wanted. He thought himself so fortunate to have a wife who was not only brilliant but had a body he could make love to night and day.

She sat and rocked, all the while singing a beautiful lullaby to the baby in her arms. Harry watched her sing for a moment then dropped his eyes to look at his son. His son. He couldn't believe he and Hermione had created that little being. He was so perfect. He was four months old now and Harry loved it when he would smile at his parents and wiggle in joy when they picked him up. He looked exactly like Harry. He was born with the raven black hair that still adorned his head, his eyes were crystal blue when he was born but they had since changed to the emerald green that belonged to his father and his grandmother. Hermione had told Harry once that if she hadn't given birth, she wouldn't have believed he was half her, since little James looked so much like his father. Harry hoped that what James would inherit from his mother would be her brilliant mind. She was the smartest witch around and Harry knew James would learn much from his mum.

The musical notes of the lullaby that Hermione sang suddenly made Harry think back on that night four months ago...

Harry climbed into bed, stretching comfortably in the large four poster, pulling up the warm quilt. His muscles were aching, he had completed the required physical training test at the Auror division today and he was feeling it now.
“Hermione?” he called out. “You coming to bed?”

“Be right out.” she said from the bathroom. She came out of the bathroom, flicking off the light. She had her hand at the small of her back, rubbing, her forehead wrinkling from the slight frown on her face.

“What's wrong?” Harry asked, concerned.

“Nothing much, just my back has been hurting all day.” she answered.

“Come here,” Harry said, “let me rub it for you.”

“Oh, you are such a good husband.” Hermione grinned, climbing into bed.

She lay down next to him, spooning her back against his front. Harry began to rub her back, leaning down to nuzzle her neck.

“Now, don't get any ideas,” Hermione said, giggling, “You're supposed to be rubbing my back. And we made love last night, you're not getting any more until this baby is born.”

“Aw, Hermione,” Harry whined, “don't you know how sexy you are?”

“Yeah, right,” she replied, “just keeping saying that.”

She rolled over though and wrapped her arms around his neck. Harry leaned in and covered her mouth with his. They kissed and kissed, Harry gently running his hand over the smooth mound where his child lay. Hermione moaned as they kissed.

“Oh, Harry, I love you so much,” she whispered.

“I love you, too, Hermione.” Harry whispered back. “Always.”

They settled down, curled up in each other's arms and fell asleep.

Harry woke up later to the sound of Hermione's moans.

“Hermione, what is it?” he asked, worridly.

“Harry, my water just broke,” she said, “and the contractions, they're coming so fast.”

Harry reached over and turned on the lamp at the side of the bed. He looked at Hermione, her face was flushed and sweaty, she was biting her lip in pain.

“Hermione, we have to get to the hospital.” Harry said, his voice rising in panic. He started to climb out of the bed when Hermione grabbed his arm.

“Harry, no, don't go! The contractions, they're not stopping, I feel the pressure,...Harry, it's coming, it's coming!” Hermione said, breathless.

Harry threw back the covers and stared at her. She was on her back, her hand rubbing her stomach frantically. He could see the large spot of moisture on the sheet, he knew she was right.

“Harry, please, help...” Hermione moaned.

Her voice, needing him so, pushed the panic out of Harry's head and he took a deep breath. “Get a grip, Potter,” he thought, “use some of that Gryffindor courage.”

He pushed her legs up and they fell open so he could see what was going on. His mouth went dry when he saw the small patch of dark hair that he knew was the top of his baby's head. Hermione gave another moan and pushed down, the patch grew larger.

“Okay, Hermione.” Harry said nervously, “looks like our baby's coming.”

He positioned himself between her legs, watching carefully as she began to push.

“Oh God,” Hermione cried out, “Oh Harry, it hurts!”

“I know it does, just breathe, Hermione, it's okay, I'm here.” Harry comforted.

Hermione's hands clutched at the sheets as she curled up and pushed mightily. Harry's eyes grew wide as he saw the baby's head begin to emerge. Hermione gasped as the pain grew stronger and she fell back onto the pillow.

“Come on, baby, you've got to keep pushing, it's almost out.” Harry said. “Hermione, push!”

She grunted and pushed up on her elbows, curling up again and pushed. The baby's head came out further and further, Harry's hands gently on either side, helping guide the baby out. Suddenly he could see the baby's face, the head was out. Harry grabbed the sheet and wiped the baby's face clean. The little mouth opened but no sound came out.

“Come on, Hermione,” Harry said, “push, push, a little more!”

Hermione let out a scream and then pushed as hard as she could. The rest of the little body slid out of her body and Harry held his son in his hands. The baby let out a loud cry and Harry stared in wonder as the baby flushed pink all over.

“Oh my God, Hermione,” Harry said wonderously, “Look at him!”

Hermione leaned up and looked at the small being Harry held in his hands.

“Oh, Harry,” she said, “oh..

Harry wiped him clean and laid him up on Hermione's stomach.

They both watched him as he quieted down, Hermione wrapped him in her arm, pulling the blanket up, settling him next to her breast. They suddenly looked into each other's eyes.

“I can't believe you did that.” Harry said.

“I cant believe you did that, Harry. You just delivered your son.” Hermione said, smiling. She began to sing a soft lullaby to their newborn son.

Back in the present, Harry smiled as he remembered that night. All ended well, the Healers came, Remus, Tonks, Ron and Mrs. Weasley all showed up to help set things right. Harry had a brief nervous breakdown later that night when he realized what he had done. Ron and Remus had a good laugh at him but helped him pull himself together although a small shot of firewhiskey was required. It had been a moment in time that Harry would never forget. He was grateful for all the support of his friends but in the end he was glad that it had happened that way. Harry and Hermione had created their child, it was memorable that it was just the two of them that brought him into the world.

Harry walked over to the rocking chair and knelt beside it. Hermione reached out and ran her fingers through his hair.

“You look tired.” she said softly. “Rough day?”
“Yeah, but it's all worth it to come home to you two. Did he have a good day?” Harry said.

“Oh yes,” Hermione said, “He rolled over twice today. I was going to call you but I knew you were taking your test.”

“You could have interrupted me with something as important as that.” Harry said. “He means more to me than any test.”
“Oh, I know that,” Hermione said “I promise I'll call you for future milestones. Like crawling and walking.”
“I'd hate to miss that,” Harry said, “I want to see him take his first step.”

“Well, that will be a while.” Hermione said. She stroked James' head and leaned down to kiss him. He was fast asleep.

“You want to put him in his crib?” she asked Harry.

“Of course,” Harry answered. He reached over to take him from Hermione. He cuddled his son close to him and leaned down to kiss him and smell his sweet baby smell. He rocked him back and forth, loving the feel of him.

“I hate to let go of him.” Harry said to Hermione.

“Well you can get him for me at the 3am feeding, okay?” Hermione smiled.

“That's a deal.” Harry said, laying James down gently into his crib. He ran his hand lovingly over his small head, again marvelling in the fact that this was his son, his flesh and blood.

He turned to Hermione and took her in his arms.

“You want me to sing you a lullaby?” Hermione asked, grinning up at him.

“Yeah, afterwards.”