Authors' note: Much happening in this chapter---you get Liam and Darla; Frank Longbottom has a surprise for Harry and Ginny finally finds out what's going on with her husband. We hope you enjoy the chapter and just ask that you review at the end to let us know what you thought! Thanks so much for reading!
Hans had moved into his own place and had taken Rafe for the weekend. Not wanting to be home by herself, Darla had taken Liam up on his offer of a movie and coffee afterwards. They were slowly but surely repairing their friendship, and though it felt so soon, Darla couldn't help but see him in a different way.
He was at the counter placing their coffee orders and Darla leaned back in her chair, watching him. He seemed happier than he had in awhile.
They had talked a little bit about what was going on with his family, but Darla didn't want to bring up what was obviously a very sore subject.
He came back over to the table with their coffees and some biscuits.
"That looks delicious," Darla smiled at him. "Thank you."
"No problem," Liam said with a grin.
"It's nice to get out for an evening," Darla said. "Drew and I are so busy with the last minute details for Saffron's wedding."
Liam nodded. "I know what you mean. Well, not about planning a wedding. But, Lizzy forced me to take a couple days off and it's actually been nice to have a lie in."
Darla nodded. "I can imagine."
"You should take some time off after Saffron's wedding," Liam told her.
"Maybe I will," Darla mused. "I wonder what I'll do..." she hinted.
Liam laughed. "Oh, I'm sure you'll think of something..."
"Right," Darla sat back. "So um... how's your mum? And your brother?"
"Connor's fine," Liam said. "And my mother---she's coping."
"Everything's still the same?" she asked carefully.
Liam nodded. "But, Conor and I told her that we're here if she ever needs us. That's the best we can do, I guess. We can't make her stay away from him."
"I suppose not," Darla replied.
Liam looked at her. "So, how about you? How are things with Hans?"
"We're staying on good terms," Darla replied.
"That's good," Liam said thoughtfully. "Especially for Rafe."
"More for when he gets older," Darla nodded. "I think it's important that he doesn't see Hans and I fight."
"He's a great kid," Liam said.
Darla smiled. "I'm biased, but I happen to agree. And he's crazy about you, you know."
Liam grinned and puffed out his chest. "Well, you know...what's not to love?"
Darla laughed. "You got me..."
Liam and Darla both reached for a biscuit at the same time and their hands brushed against each other. Liam smiled. "Sorry---"
"It's okay," Darla murmured, blushing.
They sat in companionable silence for a few moments, drinking their coffees and eating biscuits. "Um, the worst part about the wedding is going to be seeing my Great Aunt Muriel. Your remember me telling you about her, right? She's never been married, but she's of course completely incensed that one of her family is divorced. I think she'd have been okay if I'd come down with the plague instead."
"I'm sure it won't be that bad," Liam replied.
"Oh, wait until you meet her," Darla said rolling her eyes. "The most judgmental, negative woman on the planet."
"Why did you invite her?" Liam asked, amused. "If it's a Potter wedding?"
"She's my nana's sister," Darla said. "And, since Nana's like a grandmother to Saffron, Muriel begged for an invite. Of course, she'll talk about how the decorations are too much and how this all must be costing a fortune and if she were getting married; she'd want something much smaller. That's the way she acted at my--my wedding."
Liam nodded. "I'm sure you'll be able to avoid her by staying busy."
"That's what Drew says," Darla said. "And speaking of the wedding, I was wondering if perhaps..."
"What?" Liam asked when she paused.
"Well, if you weren't doing anything that weekend, if you might want to go with me to the wedding," Darla continued.
"You want me to be your date?" Liam asked, surprised.
Darla blushed. "Um, well, not really a date per se..."
"Oh," Liam felt like an idiot. "Of course. We'll just have a fun time as friends..."
"Unless," Darla said, biting her lip.
"Unless, you wanted it to be a date," Darla said, looking at him.
He gazed at her in shock for a moment. His feelings for her had never gone away, but for a long time he'd refused to acknowledge them due to their situations.
Darla put her head in her hands. "Sorry! Just forget I said that. No date...just friends."
"If that's what you want..." he replied.
Darla looked up at him. "Just rewind the last five minutes and we can start over."
"It's all right," he told her. "If... you wanted it to be a date I wouldn't mind."
Darla smiled. "Really?"
"Sure," Liam said. "It would be fun."
"I think so too," Darla said softly. "Our first date."
"Just a first?" he asked carefully.
Darla laughed. "First of many?"
"I like the sound of that," Liam reached for her hand.
Darla put her hand in his. It felt...nice.
"I suppose this means I'll have to get myself a set of dress robes," Liam said ruefully.
Darla looked at him in surprise. "You don't have a set?"
"I borrowed the ones I wore to that ball," he confessed.
Darla squeezed his hand. "You looked quite handsome that night."
"I thought you looked beautiful," he said truthfully.
Darla blushed as she recalled that evening's events. Those awful comments those nurses had made and how she had run away.
He smiled at her. "You know... I thought about you an awful lot when we weren't talking."
"You did?" Darla asked.
"It's like part of me knew I wasn't treating you the way you deserve to be treated," he admitted. "And the other part of me was so pissed off at what was happening that I had to take it out on someone."
"I just wanted to be there for you," Darla said. "I wasn't trying to pry."
"I know," Liam said. "I knew that all the time. And I owe you an apology for the way I behaved."
"You don't have to keep apologising," Darla said, squeezing his hand.
"I just want you to know," he said.
"And I want you to know that I missed you too when we weren't talking," Darla said. "So did Rafe."
Liam nodded. "You're my best friend, Dar."
Darla smiled at him. "You're mine, too."
He squeezed her hand, happy that finally things were cleared between them.
He'd been denying how he felt for so long, it was nice to finally be honest not just with her, but with himself. "You sure you're not just using me to stick it to your great aunt?" he asked teasingly.
Darla laughed. "I'd have had to find myself a hobo off the streets by Piccadilly to stick it to her."
"There's still time," Liam said chuckling.
"Maybe we should muss you up a bit," Darla laughed. "Smudge a little grease on your face..."
"Oh really?" Liam asked with a grin. "Just a little grease?"
"Oh a little," Darla said. "Here... and here..."
"Watch it, Weasley," Liam said ducking out of the way of her hand.
"I think you'd look good a little mussed up," Darla said.
Liam laughed again as Darla reached across the table again, this time to muss his hair. He grinned. "So, what's the verdict?"
"Even better," she said, the corners of her mouth tugging upwards.
"I'm glad you approve," Liam said.
"You should wear it like that more often," Darla told him.
"Oh, you're a fan of the just got out of bed look then?" Liam asked.
Darla laughed. "Maybe."
"Well, I might have to start wearing it like this then," Liam grinned. Darla was about to say something when she thought she saw two familiar faces at the counter. They caught her looking and the redhead nudged the blonde and the two women made a quick retreat out of the coffee shoppe. "Um," Darla said letting go of Liam's hand. "I'll---I'll be right back. Just have to go to the loo."
"Okay--" Liam watched as she shot out of her seat.
Darla headed out the front door and looked down the street for any sign of her two sisters. She would have thought this was a coincidence but this was a Muggle coffee shoppe and it wasn't near Maddie or Drew's homes.
"Fine," she muttered to herself, ducking into an alley and grabbing her wand. She Apparated to Drew's house.
"Drew!" Darla called out. "Maddie!"
Her sister poked her head out of her kitchen. "Dar?"
"Don't 'Dar' me," Darla said. "Where's your partner in crime?"
"What are you talking about?" Drew asked innocently.
"If you and Maddie were considering careers as Aurors I'd think again," Darla said folding her arms. "You're not very stealthy. Come on out, Madeline Molly!"
"Hi Darla," her younger sister said. "Drew and I were just enjoying a cup of coffee in the kitchen--"
"As opposed to enjoying it at the coffee shoppe Liam and I were just at?" Darla asked, levelling her gaze at her younger sister.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Maddie said, the picture of innocence.
"I'll ask you again," Darla said. "Why were the two of you spying on me?"
Drew and Maddie looked at each other.
"Would you like a cup of coffee?" Maddie asked Darla. "Or tea?"
"No!" Darla exclaimed. "What the bloody hell, you two?"
"Um, well, we weren't really spying," Drew finally confessed.
Darla crossed her arms.
Maddie bit her bottom lip. "We were just checking on you to make sure you were okay. I mean, this is your first date since the divorce..."
"It's not a date," Darla argued.
"You were holding hands," Maddie pointed out.
"And you were playing with his hair," Drew chimed in.
"You WERE spying," Darla pointed out.
"You two were adorable," Drew said grinning at her sister. "You should see the way he looks at you..."
"Oh Merlin," Darla groaned. "I cannot BELIEVE you two came there to spy!"
"We had good intentions," Maddie said hastily.
"I'm just out having a nice time with a friend," Darla stressed.
"A friend you left work early for to buy a new outfit?" Drew asked pointedly.
Darla rolled her eyes.
"You look beautiful, by the way," Maddie said softly.
"Thanks," Darla said. "But really. I'm out with Liam as a friend."
"You think he looks hot though, right?" Drew asked, nudging her twin.
"Drew!" Darla exclaimed, blushing. "How old are you? Thirteen?"
"I just want you to be happy," Drew said hastily.
"I am happy," Darla said. "Liam's my best friend, Drew."
"I thought I was," Drew teased.
Darla shook her head and laughed. "What am I going to do with you two?"
"Forgive us," Maddie said, putting an arm around her. "We just wanted to make sure you were having a good time."
"I was," Darla said. "Oh! Oh no! I just left Liam!"
Drew and Maddie laughed as Darla dashed out of the kitchen.
Darla hoped he had not left her or thought that she had left him. She was going to deal with her well-meaning, meddlesome sisters later.
She Apparated back to the coffee shop. "Sorry about that," she said with a smile.
"Everything okay?" Liam asked.
"Just fine," Darla nodded.
"You left so suddenly---" Liam started to say.
Darla sighed and sat back. "My two sisters decided to spy on us."
Liam raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
Darla shook her head. "Meddlers."
"That must have been why your brothers were here a minute ago," Liam said.
"What?" Darla's eyes bugged out.
"The three of them were just here a minute ago," Liam told her. "They thought I didn't see them..."
"My siblings are not the stealthiest individuals," Darla shook her head. "I'm sorry. They've never been like this before."
Liam laughed. "It's okay. They care about you. You're very lucky."
"I suppose you're right," Darla smiled at him.
"What was that?" Liam asked with a grin.
"Don't let it go to your head!" Darla exclaimed, laughing.
In the corner of the coffee shoppe, RJ nudged Jon. "I think she's okay."
"I know." Jon nudged him back, hard.
"Ow!" RJ yelped. "Watch it! I have a match this weekend!"
"Junior you're such a wuss," Jon said scornfully.
Jon suddenly felt someone grab hold of his ear. "OW!"
"I'm going to give you lot two seconds to get out of here or I'm going to hurt you," Darla said through clenched teeth.
"What?" Josh asked. "We can't just have coffee?"
"Here of all places?" Darla asked, yanking on Jon's ear again.
"Oy!" Jon yelped. "Could---could you let go?"
"Not until you get out of here!" Darla said angrily. "As if Drew and Maddie weren't bad enough!"
"Okay," Jon said. "We were just concerned is all."
"I. Am. Fine." Darla said. "Now go."
"Going," RJ said stepping backward. "Come on, guys."
Darla glared at them until they had closed the door behind them. "Jerks," she muttered sitting back down.
Liam reached for her hand. "Your mum and dad going to be next? Grandparents? Great Aunt Muriel?"
"I wouldn't be surprised," Darla answered. "Honestly..."
"Want to get out of here?" Liam asked her.
"Before the rest of them show up?" Darla asked. "Yes."
Liam offered her his hand.
She smiled as she took it and he helped her up.
Liam's gaze lingered on her face.
"I had fun tonight," Darla said as he held the door open for her.
"Me too," Liam agreed.
"And I'm very glad we're friends again," Darla continued.
"I'm glad you're willing to forgive me," Liam said.
"Everyone has their bad times," Darla said. "But we just have to learn how to deal with them."
"Without pushing the ones you care about away," Liam commented.
"Right," Darla squeezed his hand.
She kept her hand in his as he walked her back home. She had an argument with herself about whether or not he would kiss her good night or if she should kiss him good night.
He unknowingly made her mind up for her. He leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I'll talk to you tomorrow, Dar."
"Good night, Liam," Darla said softly, leaning against the door.
Liam sent her one last smile before rumpling his hair again, making her laugh. "Night, Darla."
Darla smiled as she watched him disappear down the steps. "Definitely a date," she said softly. "Definitely a date."
*** *** ***
Nick watched as his father slept. He had spent nearly every free moment here. He had put off recording his album to oversee his father's final will. It still blew his mind that he was actually having a relationship with his father. They were not close, but they had found some common ground. Draco had confessed some things about his childhood that made Nick understand the man his father had become.
The healers were not optimistic about Draco's condition. It was a matter of time, they said. Nick had finally managed to get his father's approval to let his mother know. Nick had sent her an owl asking her to meet him at St. Mungos. A part of him wondered if she would even show up. He had not told her why he wanted to see her in the letter, only that she needed to come as soon as possible.
He sat back in the chair, a dull feeling in the pit of his stomach. He hadn't seen his mother since her drunken escapade at Christmas.
"I'm sorry to interrupt," a nurse said to him. "But, there's a Mrs. Malfoy at the desk. She's asking for you."
Nick sighed. He looked over at his sleeping father. "If he wakes, can you tell him I just stepped out for a moment?" he asked the nurse.
"Of course," the nurse nodded. With trepidation, Nick went out to greet his mother.
"Nicholas!" Ginny exclaimed, rolling her eyes. "This had better be good. I put off a very appointment lunch for this and a manicure!"
He drew in a sharp breath. "You need to come with me."
"Where?" Ginny asked impatiently.
Nick turned without a word and headed down the corridor. "Have you missed your husband at all?" he asked.
Ginny waved her hand dismissively. "He's on some case...somewhere. Why?"
"How long has it been since you've seen him?" Nick demanded.
Ginny sighed. "A few weeks..."
"And you haven't noticed that he looks different, or is acting different?" Nick asked.
"Well, I haven't seen him for a few weeks, have I?" Ginny asked as if the answer should have been obvious.
"In the past MONTHS you haven't noticed him looking different?" Nick asked impatiently. "Mother, are you that self centred?"
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Nicholas, I did not come here to be insulted!'
Nick closed his eyes for a moment. "Come on, Mother."
Nick opened the door to his father's room.
Ginny sighed again before following her son in. "What is going ON, Nicholas?"
Nick stepped back so she could see Draco.
Ginny's jaw dropped as she took in the sight of her husband. "What happened to him?"
"He's dying," Nick said quietly. "Lung cancer."
"Since when?" Ginny asked.
"He's known for awhile," Nick said. "He told me and I've been looking after him since he's been in hospital."
"Why didn't he tell ME?" Ginny whined.
"Because he wanted to spend his last few days in peace, I imagine," Nick muttered.
"You mean he only has a few days left?" Ginny gasped.
Nick nodded. He suddenly felt pity toward his mother and he put his hand on her shoulder.
"What's going to happen to me?" Ginny moaned.
Nick stared at her incredulously. "What?"
"Who will take care of me when he dies?" Ginny asked.
Draco opened his eyes and coughed. "Red," he said weakly.
"Why didn't you TELL me you were sick?" Ginny charged to his bedside.
"Nicholas, help me sit up," Draco said ignoring her.
Nick pushed past his mother and pushed up the pillows behind his father. "How's that?"
Draco nodded. "T-thank you, son."
"How about some water?" Nick asked him.
"Draco," Ginny said, reaching for his hand. "Why on earth would you not tell me about this? I--I just don't know what I'm going to do!"
"Right," Draco managed. "Because this is all about you, Red."
Nick poured his father a glass of water and handed it to him. "Careful, Dad."
Draco nodded as he drank it slowly.
"Do you want me to get the healer?" Nick asked him.
"No," Draco replied. "I'm all right."
"I told you that you should quit smoking," Ginny told him. "It's an awful habit and now look at you..."
"Because you're the picture of perfect health," Nick said sarcastically.
"Yeah," Draco said handing Nick the glass. "Tell Nicholas about that masseuse of yours, Alejandro."
Ginny's face turned red. "What about him?"
"Yes," Draco said glaring at her. "What about him?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Ginny looked away from him.
"What's going on, Dad?" Nick asked. His father had not mentioned anything about this.
"Oh, Ginevra thought I didn't know," Draco continued. "Sneaking around with a boy younger than her own son."
Nick gaped at his mother.
"You've had me followed?" Ginny asked angrily.
"I've had a private detective follow you around," Draco snapped at her. "He had photographs. After all that I did for you---"
Ginny shook her head. "No..."
"That's disgusting, mother." Nick said disdainfully.
"It's not true!" Ginny exclaimed. "Alejandro is just a friend."
"Just a friend," Draco muttered, coughing again.
Nick handed his father a fresh glass of water.
"Thank you," Draco said, still glaring at his wife.
Draco downed the glass of water and looked at his wife. "You could learn something from Nicholas, Ginevra."
Ginny glared at both her husband and son.
"Draco, I haven't cheated on you," Ginny told him. "But, I find it rich that you're calling me out on that. How many women were YOU with?"
"I never cheated on you," Draco said. "Not once."
"Right," Ginny scoffed.
"I didn't," Draco said. "I worked long hours so you could have anything you wanted."
Nick could probably hear the wheels turning in his mother's mind.
"You were neglectful," Ginny said.
Draco started to laugh which set him off into a coughing fit.
"Dad just take some deep breaths," Nick said anxiously.
Draco struggled to catch his breath. He pointed at some papers beside his bed. He finally settled down. "I've--I've made some changes to my will. My attorney was here earlier..."
Ginny snatched the papers out from under his hand.
She read through the legal terms and saw that her husband was leaving their art collection to Ashley Beth Malfoy. She read over where he was leaving a substantial part of his fortune to Katherine Rose Malfoy. She also saw an unfamiliar name in the bequests. "Who's Chiaki?" Ginny asked angrily. "One of your mistresses?"
Nick groaned. "My half sister, Mother. Chiaki is Cho's daughter."
"You're leaving HER money?" Ginny asked Draco.
"The rest of my money, actually." Draco leaned back on the pillows.
"Aside from what I leave Nicholas, of course."
Ginny scanned through the rest of the will looking desperately for her name. "Draco?"
Draco looked back at her evenly.
"I'm not in this," Ginny told him.
"It's a good thing you're sober when you read this," Draco returned. "I want you to remember this moment."
"I'm your wife!" Ginny exclaimed.
"An unfaithful wife," Draco said. "If you hadn't strayed--"
"I didn't!" Ginny argued.
"My attorney has the proof," Draco said. "So if you try to argue this, it won't do you any good."
Ginny threw the papers at him. "You're cruel and you're horrible! I gave up EVERYTHING for you!"
"Mother that's a little dramatic don't you think?" Nick asked.
"She's good at that," Draco commented. "Red...always loved being dramatic."
"How could you DO this?" Ginny wailed. "What am I supposed to do?"
"Maybe your little boy toy can help you with that," Draco said glaring at her. "I want you out of my house. You might have missed it, but the house is going to be sold and the profit will go to Greta."
"WHAT?" Ginny screeched. "That old hag?"
"Mother!" Nicholas warned.
Nick warned.
"You keep out of this Nicholas," Ginny said, her voice shrill.
"I've done some horrible things in my time," Draco said. "But, I'm trying to make up for it in some way."
"Well this is the WORST!" Ginny snapped. "I'm your wife and I deserve to be treated as such!"
"Nicholas, see her out, won't you?" Draco asked.
Nick opened the door. "Good luck, Mother."
Ginny put her hand on Nick's shoulder. "Nicholas, you---you have to talk to him."
"I don't think so, Mother." Nick replied.
Ginny glared at him. "So, this is how it is?"
"You did it to yourself, Mother." Nick told her.
Ginny stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
"Good riddance," Draco said, erupting into another coughing fit.
Nick hurried to his father's side. "It's okay, Dad."
"I know," Draco managed.
"How long has she been seeing this bloke?" Nick asked, helping his father settle down.
"Almost a year," Draco said.
Nick shook his head as he sat back down.
"I should have divorced her," Draco said. "But once I found out about my cancer, I figured this would hit where it hurts."
"I'd say mission accomplished," Nick said.
Draco lay back and closed his eyes. "I'm tired."
"Get some sleep," Nick told him. "I'll be here."
Draco nodded. "Just promise me you'll watch my affairs for me, Nicholas."
"I will," Nick promised.
"You're a good man," Draco closed his eyes again.
Nick leaned back in his chair and watched his father.
The change brought about in his sickness had stunned Nick. He couldn't believe that they actually seemed like a real father and son now.
It was a shame, Nick thought, that something like this, had brought them together. Nick knew it was unlikely, but he was hoping for a miracle and that somehow his father would survive this.
*** *** ***
Harry and Hermione had rarely had a moment's rest given the preparations for the wedding and the responsibilities of their daily jobs. Time alone had also been rare and they'd had schedule a lunch in Harry's office.
"And the decorators are coming by this evening to finish the ballroom," Hermione said. "And the florist is dropping the flowers off in the morning."
Harry nodded. "The wedding of the century..."
Hermione smiled wryly. "That's what the papers are calling it."
Harry laughed. "That's what they called OUR wedding, too."
"We're out," Hermione waved her hand dismissively. "Saffron and Andrew are in."
Harry clutched his heart. "In one day and out the next. The press sure is a fickle group..."
Hermione laughed. "You're always in for me."
Harry grinned. "All this and your leftover lasagne...does it get better than this?"
"Now that I can cook, yes." Hermione said. "I'm no expert, but I can make a meal without burning it."
"One of your many hidden talents," Harry said winking at her.
"I have many more that only you know about," Hermione said, moving closer to him.
There was a knock on the door and Harry groaned. "What part of I didn't want to be disturbed was hard for them to understand?" Harry asked.
"Well go get rid of them then," Hermione whispered in his ear.
Harry nodded and gave her a quick kiss before he stood up. He opened his door prepared to unleash his annoyance on the interloper, but his anger faded when he saw Frank Longbottom. "Hello, Frank."
"Harry," Frank said with a grin. "I hope you're not busy..."
"Of course not," Hermione called out from behind Harry. "We were just having lunch. Would you care to join us? We have plenty."
"Oh, Minister," Frank said. "I didn't know you were here."
Hermione smiled at him. "Frank, please call me Hermione."
"Of course," Frank nodded respectfully. "I apologise--"
"She only makes me call her 'Minister'," Harry joked. "Come on inside. Have a seat."
"Thank you," Frank said. "I have something for you, Harry."
"Oh?" Harry asked, sitting back down.
Frank put a large bowl on the table. "Neville had a Pensieve brought down for me to use. I thought I'd put some of my memories of your parents in here for you to see."
Harry gaped at him. "W-what?"
"Is that all right with you?" Frank asked.
Harry nodded eagerly. "Yes..."
"This is quite lovely," Hermione said. "Harry's always wondered about his parents."
"James was like a brother to me," Frank said. "It's the least I could do."
"Thank you," Harry said sincerely. "You have no idea how much this means to me."
Hermione squeezed Harry's hand.
"It's my pleasure," Frank assured him. "I've got a good one in mind for you..."
Harry watched as Frank tapped his wand to his head and transferred a memory to the pensieve.
He swallowed the lump in his throat and they all leaned in to watch.
Harry saw what looked to be a waiting room and saw a much younger Frank Longbottom sitting on a sofa while a raven haired man paced in front of him.
"James, you're going to wear a path into the carpet," Frank said to the man. "I wasn't this bad yesterday when Alice was in labour with little Neville."
"I should be in there," James said. "Why won't they let me go in?"
"Lily's fine," Frank tried to reassure him.
"I should be in there," James shook his head. "Screw the healers."
"James!" Frank exclaimed, watching in horror as his friend pushed through the set of double doors leading to the examination rooms.
"Lily!" James called out.
Frank hurried to catch up to him. "James!" he hissed.
"I want to be in there when my child is born," James said.
A nurse came out of one of the rooms. "For Merlin's sake! Keep your voice down, sir!"
"LILY!" James bellowed.
"I take it your Mr. Potter then?" the woman asked impatiently. "Your wife has been asking for you..."
"She has?" James asked. "Where is she?"
The woman sighed. "Right this way."
James pushed past her when she showed him Lily's room. "Lil!" he said. "What's going on? Is the baby here? Why wouldn't they let me in?"
Lily's forehead was covered in sweat and her cheeks were red. She looked absolutely exhausted. "They say I'm ready to push...but I'm so knackered, James. I--I can't do it."
James was at her bedside in an instant. "Of course you can do it, Lil."
Lily shook her head. "Can't..."
"Yes you can," he squeezed her hand. "I can't wait to meet our child."
The healer looked at Lily. "Lily, we need a good push now. Okay?"
"I'll try," Lily mustered up her strength.
James squeezed her hand. "You can do it, Lil."
Lily bared her teeth and pushed- feeling as if her insides were being ripped apart.
James winced at how hard his wife was squeezing his hand. The healer again looked up at her. "Lily, that was good. I need one more..."
"No," Lily whimpered.
"You can do it," James said encouragingly.
Lily closed her eyes and gathered her strength. A cry ripped through the room that was not her own.
James kissed her. "You did it, Lily!"
"Is it a boy?" she asked breathlessly. "Or a girl?"
The healer smiled at the couple. "It's a healthy boy."
"A boy," Lily sobbed.
The healer handed the baby off to a nurse. "After we clean him up, you can hold him."
"Hurry, please." James said.
James gave Lily a kiss. "You did it, Lily."
Lily nodded as she wiped at her forehead.
James turned around and grinned at Frank. "Mate, I have a son!"
"Congratulations," Frank smiled at him.
The nurse brought the new baby over to his happy parents.
"Hello, Harry James." Lily crooned the name she and James had chosen.
The baby smacked his lips and looked up at Lily with wide eyes.
"Little man," James said affectionately. "Look at all that black hair."
"And it's messed up just like yours," Lily said softly.
"It's a good look," James said. "One day it'll be in style."
Lily let out a tired laugh. "Look, James. He has my eyes."
"Yeah," James grinned at his son. "He's perfect."
"Do you want to hold him?" Lily asked.
"Sure," James replied.
Lily smiled at her son. "Harry James Potter, meet your father."
"Hi," James said, carefully cradling the tiny boy in his arms.
The baby looked up at him and tears welled in James' eyes. "Harry James," he said, his voice breaking. "My boy..."
"Its okay, James," Lily said gently.
James used his free hand to wipe the tear from his cheek. "This isn't exactly the safest time to bring a child into this world, but I'm going to do everything I can to keep you and your mum safe, Harry. I promise."
In the present, Harry was having a hard time keeping his own tears at bay. Hermione rubbed his shoulder comfortingly.
"That was the happiest I'd ever seen him," Frank said. "And the proudest."
Harry nodded, unable to vocalize his thoughts at the moment.
"I was just happy I was there to see it so I could show it to you," Frank said.
"Thank you," Harry managed.
"It was my pleasure," Frank said.
"Being able to see my parents means a lot to me," Harry said.
Frank nodded and patted Harry on the back. "I know."
"We appreciate you and Alice doing this," Hermione told him. "It's lovely to finally really get to see James and Lily."
"They were wonderful people and great friends," Frank said, wiping at his eyes.
"It certainly seems so," Hermione agreed. "I wish I'd gotten the chance to know them."
"Thank you so much for this, Frank," Harry said giving the older gentleman a hug.
"We'll do more another day," Frank promised.
"I'd like that," Harry said.
"I should get this back to Neville," Frank replaced the memory.
"We'll see you and Alice at the wedding?" Hermione asked him.
"We're looking forward to that," Frank replied.
Frank saw himself out and Harry sank back down onto the sofa. The images of his parents playing in his head.
"Are you all right?" Hermione asked softly.
Harry nodded. "Yeah, it was just amazing to see them."
"It was," Hermione agreed.
"They both looked really happy, didn't they?" Harry asked.
"They were ecstatic," Hermione replied. "I'm sure that was the best day of their lives."
Harry put his arms around Hermione and hugged her tightly. He was happy that his wife had the chance to see that memory, too.
Hermione rubbed his back in a comforting pattern. "I love you."
"Love you too," Harry said softly.
"You've got to gear yourself up for the wedding," Hermione told him.
Harry smiled. "Save my tears for that you mean?"
"You might need them," Hermione nuzzled his cheek.
"Probably will," Harry said.
"We'll do all right," Hermione promised.
Harry gave her a kiss. "We always do."