AN: I know it's a bit late but inspiration struck while reading some of my reviews for another story. So I guess you could say it's a sort of squeal to `To be with you…' You don't necessarily have to read that one to get what's going on in this one. And for those waiting for the next chapter of `Victim of Love' I'm working on it now. I will have it up as soon as possible. And of course please read and review!
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Baby Potter's First Christmas
There was a loud crash followed by a piercing wail. The wail cut through the still silence of the night like the cry of a banshee.
This cry did not go unheard however. Harry Potter sat bolt upright in bed at the sound of the crash, grasping the wand he still kept hidden under his pillow out of habit. He looked around wildly. His body tense from years of always being on his guard against evil, twisted, hell-bent-on-world-domination wizards.
His world was a blur as he searched for the source of the wailing. Realizing after a few moments that it was coming from downstairs, Harry reached for his glasses. Slipping the metal frames on, he carefully got out of bed.
Hermione was still asleep. How she could sleep through the entire racket Harry did not know. But then, he had always been a light sleeper he mused. Who wouldn't be when a psycho of a wizard wand to murder you? And even more wizards wanted you dead because their girlfriends or wives wanted to get in your pants.
But there had never been any dangers of Harry letting the latter happen. His heart had belonged to Hermione even before he himself knew it.
Shaking his head at these thoughts, he quietly made his way to the door, and made his way out of the room. Harry was immediately assaulted with a loud wailing as he stepped into the hall, making his ears ring.
Heart hammering in his chest, Harry sprinted down the stairs, gripping his wand tightly. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, Harry nearly dropped his wand in shock.
There in the middle of his sitting room was his almost one-year-old son Alex, wailing his lungs out. Next to him was the reason for his wailing.
The Christmas tree that he and Hermione had spent hours putting up the muggle way was on its side on the floor. Needles were strewn everywhere, as well as various broken ornaments. And right in the middle of it was Alex.
Letting out a sigh of aspiration, Harry picked his son up from the middle of the mess. After checking him over for injuries, Harry set him down on the couch and knelt in from of him.
"Alexander James Potter, what AM I going to do with you?" he asked the little boy, who was now looking down at his feet, looking very much the part of a little boy who knew he was in trouble.
Seeing the look on the little boys face, Harry felt his resolve breaking. He knew he could not punish him, not at Christmas. Letting out another sigh, this time of resignation, Harry stood up.
"Don't worry Alex, we'll fix the tree and everything and no one will know. Not even mommy. We don't have to tell her a thing," Harry said, raising his wand.
"Don't have to tell who a thing?" a voice from the archway of the sitting room asked.
Harry jumped, and this time he did drop his wand. "H-H-Hermione, hello dear," he said weakly, giving her his best innocent smile. He really had not planned to tell her about the incident at all.
Alex had been exhibiting strong boughts of accidental magic for about 2 months now and this was the third time he had knocked the tree over. The first time had occurred when he had wanted to put a homemade ornament on it and could not reach. The result was a very loud tantrum and the tree being knocked forcefully onto its side, shattering several glass ornaments.
"Hello, dear," Hermione said, setting her brown eyes on Harry. "So what weren't you going to tell me?"
Harry knew the minute she asked that she already knew how could she not. She had a clear view of the sitting room from where she was standing. Swallowing he said, "N-nothing, honey. Just helping Alex clean up a little mess he made."
The glare Hermione fixed him with could have made a lesser man wither, but Harry was used to. It didn't scare him. Much. Gulping he said, "Alex, just huh, had a little accident is all."
"Oh honestly, do you really expect me to believe that?" Hermione said, sounding like she was talking to Alex rather than her husband.
"Yes?" Harry said hopefully.
Rolling her eyes Hermione let expelled air through her teeth. "Really, Harry, I know what happened. Alex knocked the tree over again didn't he? Why do you insist on hiding every time he does it? He knows what he did was wrong. He knows that if he goes for something that's beyond his reach, it causes a burst of magic. We can't keep coddling him, Harry," Hermione finished. "We have to teach him to ask for what he wants not to use magic to get everything."
"I know but I can't help it, he looked so sorry for what he did. I was just gonna fix the tree and then wake you up," Harry said.
"Oh Harry," Hermione said, shaking her head ruthfuly.
Harry gave her his famous lop-sided grin and shrugged before turning back to his son. "Okay mister, looks like we're busted. So I guess I have to at least tell you not to do this again. The next time you want something, ask mommy or daddy. Okay?" Harry said.
Alex nodded, giving his daddy his best innocent smile.
"Okay, now that that's settled, let's get this tree back up," Harry said picking his wand up from where he dropped it. A few quick flicks and the tree was righted again, and the broken ornaments were repaired, back on the tree.
"There, all fixed," Harry said, brightly turning to Hermione who was now holding Alex. That's when it struck him. "Alex how did you get down here?" There was nowhere he could have just gotten down here with them knowing it.
Alex smiled triumphantly at this and said proudly, "Climb."
"Climb?" Harry said blankly. "What do you mean by climb?"
Hermione had a thoughtful look on her face as Alex started to giggle, his green eyes, inherited from his father, shining with knowledge all his own as to how he got downstairs by himself.
After a few minutes, Hermione's eyes widened and she nearly dropped Alex. "Oh my god," she whispered.
"What? What happened?" asked a confused Harry.
"I-I-I don't believe it. He CLIMBED out of his crib and CLIMBED down the stairs. BY himself!"
Harry thought she was joking and nearly started to laugh until he caught sight of the look on her face and realized she was serious. Looking at Alex, he couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. "You little man, are quite the little mischief maker. Just like your grandfather and Uncle Sirius," Harry stated.
Hermione looked like she wanted to say something but thought better of it and kept quiet.
"Well now that we're up, how about we open our presents?" Harry suggested, rubbing his hands together.
Alex let loose a peel of laughter and clapped his hands happily at this, so Harry took that as a yes.
Hermione simply rolled her eyes and said, "Okay, why not, it's not like he will let us go back to bed anyway."
"You got that right," Harry muttered, looking under the tree for presents. Finding one with Alex's name on it he passed it to Hermione and sat back to watch her help their son open his first Christmas present.
Harry felt warmth spread through his heart at the sight. No matter how much trouble Alex could cause, he loved his son dearly. Harry felt blessed to have survived to see the birth of his son and to have a chance at happy life after so much hardship.
Alex's squeal of delight brought him back to reality. Saying another silent prayer that he was able to share this moment with his family, Harry dove back under the tree to look for more presents for his family.