Baby Girl

Baby Girl

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"Oy, Harry, do you have any more Guinness?"

"There should be some behind that soy milk garbage that Hermione drinks."

"Aha, there's one. Cheers, Harry."

"Cheers, Ron."

Well, today is Harry and Hermione's first anniversary. If you would have told me the night they got married that I'd be talking to Harry again, let alone sharing a toast with him, I'd say you should be locked up in St. Mungo's. And yet, here I am. I can hardly believe that it's only been a single year since that night. It feels like an eternity. So many things have changed since then, bad and good.

Being back here at Grimmauld Place is strange as well. I can still remember coming here for the first time back before fifth year. This place was an absolute kip. You'd never believe this was even the same place. It used to be all gray and dreary, and now the place practically glows. Dumbledore said that the place merely reflected the feelings held within. When it was just Kreecher living here, the place reflected his depression and madness. Now that Harry and Hermione are living here, their love makes the place look like a palace. It's a shame Dumbledore can't be here to celebrate with us. At least he lived long enough to see Voldemort defeated, I guess that's something.

Thinking of Harry as a dad is a real trip. It seems like only yesterday that he was mooning over Cho Chang and getting all choked up about kissing her. Now he has changing diapers and the terrors of teething to look forward to. The idea that the man who finally rid the world of the most powerful dark wizard ever to exist is now wrapped around the finger of a four week old girl is hysterical. I can't wait to see him when she's in her terrible twos. Mum said dad nearly went round the twist when Bill was at that age. Wow, I guess this means we're really getting older.

"Ron, I'm really glad you and Luna could come tonight. It means a lot to Hermione and me. Ginny and Neville have been great, too. I can't tell you how happy I am that we're all together again. It feels like we're all, I don't know, whole again."

"I know what you mean, Harry. I was so stupid to let anything come between us like I did. But, we're back together now. So, what do you say we head back in? The girls will be wondering what became of us."

Yes, it was stupid of me to let my petty jealousy come between us all. I was angry and hurt, and I couldn't bear the thought of my best friends betraying me. It was four years before I even saw them again. I had moved on with my life, playing my guitar in any dive that had a stool and a stage. Then, one night, Percy came running into the Three Broomsticks, yelling like a man possessed. Voldemort had somehow re-established his possession of Ginny and was holding her hostage. Purely by instinct, I went to the only two people that I knew that could help me, Harry and Hermione. They didn't even hesitate when I told them what had happened. Even with Hermione being pregnant, the two of them instantly set out with me to find her. We didn't have far to look, since she had left a note saying where he was taking her. All three of us were shocked to find out that he and his Death Eaters had finally managed to infiltrate Hogwarts. From the sound of the note, if we didn't act fast there would be more lives lost than just Ginny.

The final battle itself was horrible. There was just so much blood shed and screaming. I can still hear the sounds of it all on some nights, and I can still see the bodies lying on the ground. Peter Pettigrew with his silver arm lying at his side where he had cut it off, Professor Dumbledore with a serene look on his face, as if he was merely taking a midday nap, Lucious Malfoy, who had underestimated his son for the last time, and, of course, Voldemort himself. You could have hardly been able to discern that what lay on the ground had once been human. There were others as well, including various students, Aurors, and members of the Order of the Phoenix. The entire wizarding world is still fighting to rebuild itself. Those that survived all seemed to become closer afterwards. Neville, Hermione, and Luna had to cover our backs as Harry and I fought against Voldemort himself. It was Harry that struck the final blow, and it was him that reappeared from the smoke and debris carrying Ginny's unconscious body. For a horrible moment, I thought that she was dead. I thought that I had let my sister down when she had needed me most. It wasn't until her eyes fluttered open and allowed the first of many tears to fall down her face that I allowed myself to breathe again. The six of us were all physically drained, but we had never been stronger in our unity.

So, here we are now. Luna and I got closer while we were in physical therapy at St. Mungo's. We both had been beaten up pretty bad, and we encouraged each other in our recovery. We've been dating ever since, and I've never been happier. Ginny and Neville got together while I was in the hospital. She really needed someone to talk to about what all had happened, and Neville stuck by her through it all. When Luna and I got out, the six of us all met up at the Ministry for a memorial service. Ever since then, we've all been as inseparable as we were back in school. It's funny; sometimes it feels like those years apart never really happened. At least I try not to think of them, anyway. From now on, I'm going to look towards the future and live each day to its fullest.

"Hey you two, Hermione is home with Lily."

"Ok, Ginny. We'll be right in."

Wow, she's absolutely beautiful. Little Lily Catherine Potter. It's hard to tell from the fuzz, but I'd say she's going to have hair like her mother. I'm not sure if that's good or bad. The eyes are a dead give away though. Harry certainly can't doubt he's the father, that's for sure. Ten little fingers and ten little toes. Uh oh, Luna seems to be looking at me a little strangely. I wonder if she's giving me a hint. I'd better get my guitar out and quick.

"In honor of little Lily's successful check up, I've written a song for her. Before I sing it, though, I'd like to say a few words. I know I've been a complete prat in the past, and I want to say that I'm really sorry that I couldn't put my stupid jealousy aside for my best friends."

"Ron, don't, you weren't being a..." Hermione began.

"No, I was, and I'm sorry. But, the main thing is, we're all together again. So, without further more ado, I will now sing my song for Lily. It's called 'Baby Girl', and I hope she likes it."

May the sunlight find your face

Even when the rain does fall

And get back on your feet again

Every time you slip and fall

Keep your heart wide open

And always taking in

And even when it's broken

Be strong enough to fix it up again

Oh little baby girl

Sweet little baby girl

I wish I could hold your hand in this great big world

Oh little baby girl

And I hope your hands are steady

And never need to make a fist

And I hope that when you're ready

You get one never ending kiss

And I hope that deep inside of you

There's a sweet eternal song

And I hope the words are pretty

And that you'll always sing along

And I hope your friends are many

And your laughter's always loud

To help you when you're lonely

And pick you up when you're down

I hope your eyes shine bright love

And learn to see the light

Take the time to listen

Decide yourself what's wrong or right

Oh little baby girl

Sweet little baby girl

Be strong in this great big world

Oh little baby girl

THE END