A/N: I'm sooooooooooo sorry for the delay, but I got a new job and I can't write at work now. Which sucks. Big time. So, the chapters will be coming out slower now. Sorry, but I gotta pay the bills somehow!
And this chapter is a bit shorter than the others, but I had to get something out for you before you thought I wasn't coming back. I'm going to try to write more on Saturdays to get chapters out sooner. Please be patient with me!
Quick jump to Sam's one-year mark now.
***
Today is little Sam's first birthday. I can't believe my baby is a year old already! Last night we took him trick-or-treating. Nothing big, we went to a few of my parents' neighbor's houses. It was adorable.
*
"Hermione," Harry began. "Is this such a good idea?"
"It's perfect. Now, put on your hat."
He reluctantly took the pointed hat that I was handing to him
"Why did we need to buy a costume for me? I could just wear a pair of robes."
"Harry, what's the fun in that? It wouldn't be a costume then, it would be your work clothes. Besides, this is campy enough that it's less obvious."
Harry and I were dressing as a witch and wizard for Halloween. I thought it was funny.
He grudgingly put on the blue robes with silver stars.
"Ok, this is ridiculous. I look like a bad parody of Merlin!" he protested.
"You look perfect. I could make you wear the beard that came with it."
"There's a beard? What, like Albus'?"
"As a matter of fact, it does look like Albus' beard. So, would you stop fussing? How do I look?" I asked as I did a little spin.
"You look amazing. But would you look at us," Harry said. "It's a good thing your parents' neighborhood is all Muggles. This would be a bit of a dead giveaway."
Harry nodded towards my costume, a sparkly and sexy witch costume. I refuse to submit to the stereotype that all witches are ugly and have warts on their noses and cackle and live alone and … I've gotten off topic, haven't I?
"Oh, Harry. Stop worrying so much," I laughed. "So we're dressed as a witch and a wizard. My parents will think it's hysterical. And besides, Sam will look so adorable in his little outfit."
We both walked to the nursery and I put Sam into his first costume - a pumpkin.
Once he was in it, I held him up to the mirror.
"Well, Sam, what do you think?"
As if on cue, the baby looked up and smiled, his arms and legs sticking out of the stuffed costume, a little brown stem on his head.
Harry stood behind us and we looked like one of those crazy family photos, the ones with the costumes. I'd have to make a pensieve photo from this memory.
"Now, are you ready to go?" I asked Harry.
"Of course, and you're right. He does look precious. Let's go get some candy, my precious pumpkin," Harry said, as he kissed me. "And bring the baby too."
"Haha," I said sarcastically before apparating to my parents' house.
My parents were in seventh Heaven taking pictures of the three of us (and of course, Sam alone and with them).
All of my parents' neighbors went ga-ga for little Sam in his pumpkin costume and of course, he just ate up all that attention. I swear, he's such a ham - smiling for pictures and just being the most handsome little pumpkin … not that I'm biased or anything!
A few hours later, our family returned with a sleeping baby.
"Did you ever see a cuter pumpkin?" I asked, putting Sam to bed.
"No, never. Even those giant ones in Hagrid's garden," Harry replied
"Funny."
"Seriously! That was some real "us" time with those pumpkins!"
"We were rescuing Buckbeak and Sirius!"
"And falling in love."
I blushed. "So we're destined to a life full of pumpkins?"
"Oh, I hope so," Harry replied, scooping me into his arms and carrying me to the bedroom.
*
But tonight is our little man's first birthday. It's going to be an event!
All the Weasleys are invited, plus my parents, my grandparents, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Albus, Minerva and Hagrid.
As I sit here, feeding my son, I think back to all those memories that the past year has brought.
Sam's first word was "dada." Harry was on cloud 9 and I didn't have the heart to tell him that babies naturally say dada first, simply because it's easier to say.
But it was still a special moment the first time he was playing in his Johnny-jumper and said "Dada!" Harry dropped the plate he was cleaning and spun around to see what Sam said.
"Dada!" our baby repeated.
"Sam!" Harry yelled with joy as he ran over. "You just said dada!"
Sam beamed with pride, obviously impressing his father.
"Dada dada dada dada dada!"
"Mione! Did you hear him?" Harry asked.
Now, I was in the same room, so of course I heard him. I was standing right next to Harry. But I was still thrilled!
I quickly repaired the dropped plate and ran to my boys.
"Of course I heard him! Sam! My brilliant little boy! Mummy's so proud of you!"
Sam suddenly thought that this was wonderful that his parents were making such a fuss so he began to repeat "dada" over and over.
Harry was smiling so brightly that I thought his face was going to break.
"He's growing so fast," he whispered.
"I know. But just think of all the moments we still have with him. First steps, first show of magic, first day of school."
"First date," Harry added.
"Please, Harry. Let me keep my little boy little for the time being. I'm not ready to share him with any other witch."
Harry smiled. "Fair enough. So, Sam, what were you saying?"
"Dada!" Sam replied, followed by a series of squeals and gurgles.
"Fascinating," Harry said, tears in his eyes.
*
Sam's first steps weren't far behind. He had barely been crawling for a few weeks when he tentatively took his first steps towards me. There were only three of them, but I was still a babbling mess over them.
Harry instantly scooped Sam up and tossed him into the air. Sam loved this game of "Up so high!"
Harry would tell me it meant he'd be a natural at flying. Well, considering what I've heard of James and what I've seen of Harry, he's probably right.
Sam squealed with laughter as his father deftly caught him and tossed him up again. Those two are so bloody adorable.
Harry looked over at me and winked. It's moments like that one that I live for.
*
And now we're here, at Samuel Harry Potter's first birthday party.
I've covered our home in streamers and balloons. Harry made a big banner that says "Happy First Birthday, Sam!"
Mum is taking pictures of every movement, as is Arthur. I swear they're competing or something.
Of course, Sam is just eating up all this attention. Most babies would hate being passed around so much, but not my little guy. He loves everyone.
After a HUGE chocolate cake, Harry and I help Sam open his presents.
I've never seen a baby receive so many gifts. Stuffed animals, the greatest toys I've ever seen and books! Oh the books this baby has now! I guess everyone is figuring he'll take after me with that, and since we read 2 or 3 books every night, I hope they're right.
We'll keep most of these presents since they're from family. But the gifts from strangers we keep receiving (daily) will be donated to orphanages and charities.
Sam does not need ALL this stuff and there's no sense not giving it to children who desperately need these things. Harry has always said that he never wanted to not share his good fortune. I married the best man on earth!
Before I know it, the party is winding down and everyone is kissing us goodbye. Sam is almost asleep in my arms before Ron and Luna walk up to us. They're the last to leave.
Just then, Sam fusses a bit.
"I know, sweetie. You're tired. It's been a big day for my big boy! The birthday boy is ready for bed," I say as I reach for the diaper bag for a pacifier, but before I can get it, the pacifier floats out of the bag.
"Harry!" I call so he can see this.
The pacifier flies into Sam's hands. He pops it into his mouth and smiles.
"Bloody hell," Ron whispers.
"Well that's new," Harry says.
"You've got a handful now, don't you?" Luna says.
"I guess we do," I say as I hold Sam up. "Are you going to be doing this a lot? Am I going to have to magically stick things down?"
He smiles at me.
"That's my boy!" Harry says proudly, lightly ruffling Sam's wisps of black hair.
"Well, we'll leave you three to celebrate your newest milestone. It's a challenge from here!" Ron teases.
"Thanks a lot, Weasley," Harry replies, punching Ron's shoulder.
We hug them goodbye and then make our way upstairs.
As I tuck Sam in, I sigh and stroke his hair. My little baby is growing up so much faster than I expected.
That night, Harry and I discuss things.
"Well, I think I'm definitely taking the teaching position when Albus retires," I say. "I was going to take it anyway, but any time I can spend with Sam and monitor his magic is good."
"He'll be ok, you know. It's not like he's doing it on purpose. And when he gets old enough, we'll explain it to him."
"I know. I'm not worried. I just want to take precautions."
"Fair enough," Harry says then pauses. "You're bloody proud of him, aren't you?" he asks with his huge grin.
"It was brilliant!" I admit. "I can't believe he's showing skills this early!"
"I can. Look at his mother."
"Harry, let's not forget that you're his father. Don't be so modest."
"Yeah, sure. We'll call it a draw, yes?"
"Works for me."
"Life just got interesting, didn't it?" he asks.
"Yes. I think it did. But we'll cross all the bridges we have to when we get to them."
"Good idea." He leans over and puts out the light. "I love you, Mione."
"I love you, too, Harry. G'night."
"Night."
***
A/N: So, what did you think of GoF: the movie??