A/N: Ok, folks! Here it is! The grand arrival of Mr. Samuel Harry Potter!
***
Harry looks like he's in shock. "Water? Broke? Oh, Merlin! Ok, no problem! We can handle this! We just have to get to the hospital!"
I shake my head furiously … "No, no time," I mutter as I crumple to the floor.
"No time? Mione, come on! Let me get you to the fireplace."
"Harry!" I scream. "I do NOT want to be moved! Get the Healer, get Poppy, get the bloody Minister of Magic, but I am not going anywhere. This baby is coming now!"
"Um … well … um," he stammers.
"MOVE!" I yell at the top of my lungs. "Bloody hell, Harry, go!"
He's off like a streak and I wonder who he's going to come back with.
"Sam, why are you doing this to Mummy, hmmm?" I ask my unborn son. "Even 10 minutes would have been nice."
Suddenly, there's a crack and Ron is standing before me.
"Hey, Hermione, I've been looking all over for - WHOA! What's going on?"
"What the bloody hell does it look like? I'm in labor here!"
"Where's Harry?"
"Oh, you know, out and about … He's getting help, you idiot!" I scream.
"Now, there's no need to be hurtful here!"
Just then, the first BIG contraction hits me and I shriek because of it.
"Hermione, are you ok?" Ron asks, rushing to my side.
I grab his hand and squeeze like nothing else. I'm screaming like I've never screamed before and he's screaming like a little girl.
"Hermione, I think you're seriously breaking my hand!" he whimpers.
"Good. This is for all the shit you put me through in school!" I yell as I smack him on the shoulder … hard.
I let out another blood curdling scream, as does he.
"Mione!" I hear from down the hall. "Mione!" Harry says as he runs into the room with Poppy. "How are you?"
"How do you think? I'm in bloody labor with your son in the middle of the nursery!! I'm bloody fantastic!"
"Ok, well, I'm going to run for my life now," Ron says as he crawls away. "Good luck, mate," he tells Ron.
"Ron? What are you doing here?" Harry asks, obviously confused.
"Not important now. We'll talk later. I'll tell the family now."
And with that, Ron runs like a coward.
"Hermione, can you look here for a second?" Poppy calmly asks.
I shoot a glare at her. I hope that'll do.
"Ok, sweetie, breathe for me. Let's get you changed here." Poppy changes my clothes into a hospital wing gown. She dries the spot below me and conjures a bed below me. "Harry, send word to your families. This baby is definitely almost here!"
Harry stands for a second before Poppy yells, "Mr. Potter! GO!"
Harry goes. No sense messing with both of us.
"Why no time?" I whisper.
"This baby wants to make his appearance. It's rare, but so is everything about your life, hmm?"
I almost laugh at her joke.
"Just breathe, Hermione. You'll need your strength soon."
"But first babies … they're supposed to take their time."
"Sweetie, this baby has powers we don't even know about. If he wants to be born now, he will. We're going to start pushing on the next contraction."
"You mean, I will. Don't see anyone else in here pushing," I mutter.
Just then, Harry returns with my parents. They're in their nightclothes still.
"Harry said there was no time to change. Is everything ok?" Dad asks.
"Oh I'm just bloody dandy! Couldn't be better!"
"I'm going to wait for everyone in the living room," my father says.
I can't imagine why he wouldn't want to stay for this party.
I scream again as the next contraction hits.
"Ok, Hermione! Push!" Poppy says. "Harry, count to 10."
Well, I'm pushing for all I'm worth, but when Harry gets to 10, I feel like I'll never be able to do that again.
"Isn't there anything for the pain?" he asks.
"Well, normally yes, but she's pretty far along for it."
"What?!" I screech.
"There's a window of opportunity and that window has closed."
"Closed?" I repeat.
"It's closed," Poppy says.
"Well, open it! Break it!" I scream. "Harry, tell her to open the window!"
"I'm so sorry, love. But this is it," he says.
"I hate you. You will never touch me again!"
"They all say that," Poppy reassures.
"Oh I mean it! I mean every word!" I insist.
Emily tentatively walks to the other side of me. "Sweetie, would you like me to get you anything?"
"No! I want this to be over. Mummy," I whine.
I feel bad as I see her heart melt, but I'm too busy feeling the next contraction hit.
This goes on for a few more contractions before finally Poppy tells me that this is the last one. She'd better not be lying to me. That baby is still attached to me and I won't hesitate to use his powers.
I push for all I'm worth before I hear her declare, "It's a boy!"
Sam makes his first cries and it sounds like music.
Harry is raining kisses all over my face, my mum is laughing and crying at the same time as Poppy puts Sam on my chest.
"Oh my God, he's beautiful," Harry whispers.
"He's so perfect!" I exclaim as he turns his sweet eyes up towards me. "He's got your hair," I tell Harry.
"Poor kid."
"I'm going to go tell your father," Mum says as she leaves.
"Ok, Harry, do you want to cut the cord?" Poppy asks.
"Um, what?" he replies.
"Come on, take your wand and just cut right there."
Harry looks at me for approval.
"Go ahead, Harry. You won't hurt either of us," I tell him.
Harry does so and then rushes back to my side.
"Hermione, I need to run some tests. I'll give him right back," Poppy says, taking the baby from me.
"Merlin, Mione, that was … amazing. I love you so much," Harry says as he kisses me again. "Thank you."
"It was nothing," I kid as I kiss him back. And then Sam begins to really cry.
"Oh, listen to him!" I say. "He's got your lungs."
Harry sticks his tongue out at me as we watch the nurse clean and check him out.
"Harry, could you clean up Mum here so I can give Mr. Sam a clean bed?" Poppy says as she returns our baby.
He does so and she lays our son in my arms.
"Hello, Sam. I'm your Mummy, yes. And I love you so very much!"
"And I'm your Daddy," Harry says, sniffling. "You're just so perfect, aren't you?"
Just then, Harry gasps.
"What? What's wrong?" I ask.
"I just realized something … this room, this spot … this is where my mother died."
Harry gets very quiet, but then continues. "But this is where my son was born. We've done it, Mione. We've finally gotten rid of him. Voldemort is completely gone from this house now!"
I smile. "Why don't you go show our little vanquisher to the family?"
Harry gently lifts our baby and carries him off while Poppy finishes with me.
** POV switch to Harry**
I look down at the baby in my arms. He's so precious.
"Hello, Sam. I don't think I have the words to describe to you how much I love you. You are going to be so loved. Wait until you meet you meet your grandparents. They're going to be thrilled with you! Now, there is one set of them missing, but they can see you and Sammy, they love you very much." I pause as my son opens his eyes and looks at me. He's going to have Hermione's eyes, I just know it.
"Twenty years," I say to myself, realizing that it's still Halloween. "Twenty years to the day, but we did it, hmmm, Sam? Yep. This house is perfect now. Now, let's go meet the …family."
I open the door to find everyone there. EVERYONE. All the Weasleys, the Grangers, Remus, Tonks, Sirius … yikes.
"Um, hello," I meekly say.
There's a whoop of happiness before Molly raises her wand and shushes everyone, literally.
"The baby does not need to be screamed at!" she says. She waves her wand again and mutters, "Finite."
Richard comes forward. "Harry, he's perfect. How's Hermione?"
"She's tired. You can go up and see her," I tell him.
He nods as he strokes a finger down Sam's cheek. He then goes upstairs. Emily places a kiss to the top of the baby's head and follows Richard.
The Weasleys line up (as is tradition) and say hello to the baby and give me and Mione congratulations. I apologize to Ron for Hermione's behavior.
"It's ok," he says. "Luna was worse. I don't think there's any permanent damage to my hand."
He laughs it all off and I still feel bad.
"Still, I know she'll be embarrassed when she remembers what she did," I say.
"Tell her it's fine. I'm going to have Mum look at it though, just to be safe. Give Hermione our love, ok?"
"Of course."
Ron hugs me and leaves.
Once everyone else is all gone, Sirius, Remus and Tonks are standing in front of me.
"We don't want to hold him yet," Sirius says. "He needs his rest. But we are so stealing that baby off of you soon."
"I understand," I reply.
"Great Merlin, Harry. That baby looks exactly like you when you were born!" Remus says.
"I'm not surprised," I admit. "Seems to be a tradition of babies looking like their fathers with their mother's eyes."
"How do you know they're Hermione's?" Tonks asks.
"I just know," I reply.
"Samuel Harry Potter, hmmm?" Sirius asks.
"Yep."
"I really like it. And I think you're parents would as well."
"Thanks."
"Well, we're going to get out of here. Go see your wife and let her see her son!" Remus says.
"Thanks for coming," I say, tears brimming.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world!" Sirius says.
They all tell me to congratulate Hermione as well and they leave.
"Well, Sam, let's go see Mummy, yes?" I ask my son.
My son. Now that's got a ring to it.
"Look who's back!" I softly announce as we enter the nursery.
"What's the verdict?" Mione asks me.
"The council approves," I say with a laugh.
"Good," she giggles. "Can I have him back now?"
"Oh! Yeah, of course." I place him into her arms and look at Poppy. "Well, now what?"
"Now we head to St. Mungo's. Hermione's fine, but I'd like her to stay over night, just to be safe. Same with little Mr. Potter here."
"Oh. Ok," I sadly reply.
"You may stay with them," she adds.
And suddenly I'm much happier.
"I've already contacted them and they know we're coming. I'll take Hermione and the baby. Perhaps you can take the Grangers home and then meet us there?"
"Yes, I can do that," I say.
The Grangers hug and kiss Hermione and Sam and then turn to me.
"Thank you for making my girl so happy," Richard says, hugging me tightly.
"It's my pleasure," I reply. "She does so much more for me."
I kiss Hermione and our baby and tell her I'll meet them at the hospital. I then grab Richard and Emily's hands and Apparate them home.
Then I hurry to the hospital where the receptionist is nice enough not to gawk at me as she directs me to Hermione's room.
When I get there, I can't believe how beautiful she looks. She's feeding our son. I don't think I've ever seen something so amazing.
"Hey you," she says, breaking me from my reverie. "Can you close the door? I'd rather not have everyone in the hospital watching this."
"Oh! Sure," I reply, closing the door and walking over to them.
"He's adorable, isn't he?" she asks.
"I don't have a word for him."
"He's got Uncle Ron's appetite, I'll say that much."
"I'd be concerned if that definitely wasn't my hair," I kid.
"Oh, he's yours, trust me."
"With my life," I whisper.
"Here," she says, "You take him for a few minutes."
I gladly hold him and let him burp. I notice that Hermione is practically falling asleep.
"Hermione, we're ok. Go to sleep if you want to," I tell her.
"Ok … I love you, my boys," she murmurs as sleep takes her.
"That's you're Mum," I tell Sam. "Gorgeous, isn't she? Yeah, she's a great woman. She's strong, and caring and she's one powerful witch! Now, don't take that the wrong way, I mean she really is a witch. You were lucky enough to be born into a magical family! Yes, you're mum's a witch and your Daddy -that's me - is a wizard, just like you'll be. You see, we're a bit famous because we saved the world. A lot. I'm not trying to brag, it's just something we did. I don't normally talk about it, but I'll answer any questions you have.
"And I'm going to make sure that you have such a better childhood than I had. You see, my parents were killed when I was just a bit older than you and I had to live with some nasty relatives. Don't worry, you'll never meet them. You've got wonderful relatives! There's your mum's parents, they are really great people. They accepted me and, let's face it, they gave me your mum! There's your Grandpa Sirius, and your Uncle Remus and Aunt Tonks, all three of them knew my mum and dad, so they'll tell you great stories! Then there's your Uncle Ron and your Aunt Luna, your Uncle Neville and Aunt Ginny, and ALL the other Weasleys. See, we're not really related to the Weasleys, but they sort of adopted me when I had no other family. Let's see, there's Grandma Molly and Grandpa Arthur … well, I'll tell you about the rest later. There's a lot to go through! All that really matters to me now is you and your mum."
I kiss the top of his head and just stare at him.
"Do you see him, Mum? Isn't he perfect? Dad, I'm going to teach him Quidditch the second I think he can hold a broom."
"Now, let's not push things," I hear Mione softly say.
"I'm sorry, did we wake you?"
"No, no. I'm just catnapping. I'm tired, but it was an exciting day. You know, if you're going to explain the family to him, you'll need a chart!"
"Yes, I suppose that's true. I went from no family to a huge family," I say with a laugh.
"And every member of that family loves you, very much," she says, yawning.
"Mione, go to sleep, really. I think I'm going to conjure a bed here and put him to sleep in the bassinette."
"Ok, if you're sure …" she mumbles as she's already almost sleeping.
"Your mummy is so funny," I whisper to Sam as I lay him in his bassinette. "But don't tell her I said that." I stroke his wisps of black hair. "And I'm sorry for the hair, but girls will find it endearing, I promise! I love you, Samuel Harry Potter."
And with that, I lie down and finally catch some sleep myself.
*Two days later and back to Hermione's POV*
Well, we're home now and Harry is giving Sam the grand tour of the house.
"Here we are! We're home!" he says excitedly. "This is the living room. We'll spend lots of playtime here." He runs off and I can still hear him. "Here's the dining room, where we eat all sorts of yummy stuff and back there is the kitchen where Mummy and Daddy cook."
Here they come again.
"And over here is the library. Come on, Mummy, this is your room."
I follow them into the library and decide to play along. "Sammy, this is where Mummy will find the greatest books for you. I think you'll love to read as much as I do."
"Yes, you will. Ok, upstairs!" Harry announces. We make our way up the stairs and Harry points out the guest rooms. "Ok, maybe one of these days, you'd like one of these rooms instead of the nursery. And that's fine. We'll make it whatever color you want. Here's the study. We work in here. Mummy's stuff is over there and here's Daddy's. Don't worry, we'll always have time for you. And here is Mummy and Daddy's room. We'll be providing you with some siblings in here."
"Harry!" I chastise.
"Sorry, but it's the truth. And this is your room! Look at how nice it is in here. Now, this is where you were born and when you did that, you completely wiped out any bad feelings here. That's a very big accomplishment for someone so little!"
He stops and glances around. "Do you hear that? My son is here now and you can't touch us! You're a distant memory now and eventually you won't even be that. You may have taken my parents but you didn't take my family!"
I start to cry. It's finally over. Evil is still out there, but it's not that bastard anymore. We won.
Harry puts Sam in his crib and pulls the blanket up a bit. I step up to them and play with the hair on our baby's head. Harry wraps his arms around me and I realize just how perfect life has become.
***
A/N: Ok, there you go! Baby Potter is here and loved!
There's two TV quotes in this chapter. One I may have botched because I couldn't find the actual quote anywhere, but the general idea is there. And the other wasn't a spoken line, but it was a pretty funny, um … grave marker. (Those of you who knew one of Ron's daughter's names will know that one) Ok, enough hints!
Also, thanks again to DarkPower for the hand crushing story. I wanted something like that for poor Ron and your story fit the bill quite nicely!