A Family Tradition

Chapter 5

Malegimi

"It's so nice to see you two!" said Hermione.

"Yes, well I wouldn't miss seeing you guys for the world, especially on the day of James' birth here." With that, Ron pointed to James, now in his basinet.

"Oh, of course, but I haven't seen you since that meeting about the new protections for Quidditch cups, and that was late July!" exclaimed Harry.

"Oh, Hermione, I can't wait until our two little ones can play together!" said Lavender suddenly coming out of a dazed state and patting her stomach.

"Yes, neither can I." Hermione said with a sigh.

"Ron, have you seen Sirius or Remus on your way here? They said that they were going on a walk, but that was an hour ago." said Harry

"No." whispered Ron because Hermione and Lavender were babbling away. "Well." said Ron clearing his throat, "While you two dream about our children's lives; Harry and I are going to go find Sirius and Remus." With not so much as a wave, Ron headed for the door followed by Harry.

"I think they could go on for hours in there you know." said Harry chuckling.

"Yeah, they didn't even say goodbye! Harry.." said Ron suddenly changing subjects, "Were you nervous when you know..." Ron trailed off shrugging.

"When what?" asked a very confused Harry

"Oh, come on you know.." long pause, "The baby and all."

"What, that." Harry said trying to act like it was no big deal, "With all I've gone through."

Ron gave Harry a stern look. "Oh, all right I thought I would wet my trousers or something. I was more nervous then than my first professional quidditch match."

"I knew it." said Ron smiling and feeling relieved, "And I thought I was being stupid and pratty."

"Oh, of course not, it's just jitters, and besides you have six more weeks left before Lavender's even due."

"I know, but what if something goes wrong or I'm in the middle of commenting a game or something."

"Ron, we're not muggles, just apparate, and nothings going to go wrong. 'What ifs' hardly ever turn into real problems and you're a Gryffindor for God's sake."

"Yeah, yeah......Harry?"

"What?"

"Do you really think our kids will end up being friends or something?"

"Oh, course, with all the time we spend together; I can't imaging it any other way."

"I just hope James won't turn out gay or anything hanging around with our daughter instead of other boys. I have a hunch Lavender's buying everything that is girly and such."

"Don't be a dunderhead, James will have plenty of other wizards to play with, and I highly doubt hanging around your daughter will make him gay. I mean there has to be some Ron Weasley in there somewhere?" Harry started to laugh and so did Ron.

"James Potter, ladies man at four months, do you think that's a record?"

"Well I'm glad someone agrees with me!" Harry and Ron turned around to see Sirius and Remus coming around the corner.

"Where have you two been?" asked Harry.

"Well, you know how all these babies make Remus here squeamish, with that Remus shot him the look of death, and we were still having terrible memories. Therefore, we went across the street to the coffee shop across the road, oh you know, um.....yes, The Bubbling Snitch. That little place is very comfortable, and the ladies that run it are quit friendly, right Moony?" And Sirius nudged Remus a bit.

"Oh, shut up Padfoot, I told you all she wanted was a nice tip, not a date; but then when did you ever listen to me."

"Please, do tell." said Ron.

"Sirius, I swear if you so much as...." trailed off Remus.

"Oh, alright fine, but let me at least say it involved chocolate, a nice looking blonde waitress, and a few well-passed napkins; which with my help resulted in Remus being busy Friday night." Sirius smirked at the last mention of himself.

"Hey, way to go Remus!" said Harry patting him on the back.

Finally, Remus lighted up and smiled saying, "Thanks, I guess."

"Shall we go back to the room then and join the party?" asked Ron.

"Of course." answered the others.

"You're back!" squealed Lavender running up to Ron and kissing his cheek.

"Well it's about bloody time!" Hermione said as Harry went over to kiss her.

"Ahhh, aren't they just adorable!" cooed Remus and Sirius.

"Oh, you two are worse than my mother is!" and Hermione threw a pillow at them.

"Couldn't have said it better myself Hermione." said Ron, "And ,hey! I haven't even seen James yet. Where is he?"

"Oh, he's right over there in his basinet Ron, you can get him if you'd like." answered Hermione.

"Okay, thanks." and Ron waltzed over and picked up James blankets and all.

"Ron, isn't he just perfect?" sighed Lavender.

"Yes, but I'm sure our little one will be perfect as well." and Ron patted Lavender's very rounded stomach.

"May I hold him?" asked Lavender.

"Sure!" said Ron handing James to Lavender.

"I'm next you know!" called Sirius from the bathroom.

"Oh, and I'd like a turn as well, if it's fine with you two." said Remus looking towards Harry and Hermione, who were both sitting on Hermione's bed.

"Oh, of course, as long as this doesn't turn into 'pass the James' or something." Hermione said giggling.

"I think James rather likes it though." said Harry motioning toward James who was in Lavender's arms lying very peacefully, with what rather looked like a tiny smile showing across his face.

After a few moments Lavender passed James to Sirius, who was out of the bathroom, and to everyone's surprise, James started to squirm and then began to cry.

"I don't think he likes you Sirius!" teased Remus laughing.

"Nonsense!" protested Sirius, "I have a natural way with children. Harry, I think there's something wrong with James."

"Well, I'm with Remus on this one." smiled Harry.

"I have no clue what could be wrong with him.." said Hermione after a few minutes of Sirius cooing to James with no results, "I changed him a half an hour ago."

"I think you should let Remus try Sirius." Harry suggested trying to talk over James' loud crying.

"I suppose." Sirius said reluctantly

Sirius handed James to Remus, and Remus smiled; yet, James was still crying after a few moments in Remus' arms.

"See there Moony, it's not just me!" Sirius said with a satisfactory smile on his face.

"I think I know what it is." Hermione said and carefully stepped out of her bed, with Harry trying to help her up (even though she didn't need it). "Remus, would you hand me James?"

"If you think you can stop this crying, I'd be more than happy to." said Remus passing James to Hermione.

"Lavender would you come here a moment?"

"Sure, what does James' crying have to do with me?"

"Just hold him."

"Okay" said Lavender carefully taking James from Hermione, "But I...."

Then, as if James had never been crying before, he stopped and returned to his more peaceful self once more.

"I don't believe it, five minutes of crying, and all he wanted was Lavender." said Ron very amazed.

"I think you have competition there Ron!" teased Harry looking at the way Lavender smiled back at James, because she felt rather special.

Remus just sat down in a chair, too stunned for words.

"You're all wrong, it has nothing to do with Lavender." said Hermione returning to a know-it-all tone, though it has everything to do with Lavender's baby , Hermione now smiled as Lavender looked up. "James knows that Lavender is having a baby, he can probably feel her."

"How on earth, can he do that?" Sirius said still amazed.

"Lavender, is your daughter kicking or anything?" asked Hermione, very anxious for the answer.

"Actually, she is, but I'm rather used to it now so...."

"I get it, Hermione your brilliant!" beamed Remus.

"Well..."Hermione started to blush.

"Oh, I've been around her way... too many years." breathed Ron.

"So, what is your theory Hermione?" asked Harry.

"Just that James knows Lavender's going to have a baby and he likes being around the other newborn. Somehow, I think that it reminds him of when he was inside me, and he just likes to remember that. After all, in about 2 months or so, he will never remember again."

"That's sweet and very weird." said Lavender.

"I know, but doesn't it make sense." answered Hermione.

"Well, I'll give you that much." said Sirius.

"Wait until our baby arrives Ron, then I won't have to hold James all the time for them to so-called, play." Lavender smiled and Ron looked as if he gulped.

"Harry, Hermione I think Sirius and I should be going. We both have to be down at the ministry in about an hour or so." said Remus, noticing the sentimental state everyone was in, and starting to feel awkward.

"Oh, but what about your gift?" asked Harry looking over to the big box that still sat on the counter, untouched.

"Yeah, what about the...." , started Sirius until Remus elbowed him.

"That's alright, you can open it at home and owl us about it. I hope James likes it, Harry always did." With that, Remus winked and dragged Sirius out the door.

***** Outside Harry and Hermione's room

"Remus why on earth, did we have to leave?" asked a rather bewildered Sirius, "You know I already called the office and notified them we'd be late so we could visit with the new Potter family, what the hell?"

"I know very well you did Padfoot, but there's something else." said Remus with a look of thinking in his eyes.

"And what the bloody hell might that be Moony?" said Sirius now that they were walking out on the streets outside the hospital.

"I know Hermione's theory was okay and all, but it's just not fitting. I remember reading something about it. She was close, but left out another part. Not all babies can just be held by a pregnant women, know she's having a baby, and I know for fact it has nothing to do with remembering the womb. Babies never remember the womb that I've heard of, at least not normal ones." said Remus stressing normal.

"Are you implying that my godson doesn't have a normal baby?" said Sirius now a little annoyed.

"Well, yes and no. Hermione just didn't tell us her whole theory, she knew I would catch on though. As I said before, we need to go into the office."

"Dammit! I don't want to go into the office. I didn't call off work so I could come in early and surprise everyone." moaned Sirius.

"Sirius, look at me." and Sirius stared at Remus, "It's very important to find out if what Hermione and I think is true, it's essential to James' well being and that of Ron and Lavenders' child."

"So, all this and you still haven't told me what the fuck this is about anyway. Well, spill it Remus, I'm all ears."

"Sirius, I think that James and Lavender's baby aren't exactly regular wizards."

"Are you saying they're squibs or something, because that's just damned ridiculous."

"Oh, of course I'm not calling them squibs. I'm calling them Malegimi."