Return to Life

Harry apparated into the Burrow beside Hermione. A small smile appeared on his face when he looked around. Nothing had changed since the last time he had been there. He walked over to Mrs. Weasley's clock. He remembered when she added him and Hermione to the clock so that she could keep an eye on them, along with her children.

"Come on, Harry," Hermione called. "He should be upstairs."

They went up the winding staircase and stopped and what used to be Ron's room. Inside they heard the click of knitting needles. Hermione pushed the door open slowly to show Mrs. Weasley rocking the baby while her knitting needles click-clacked steadily beside her.

"Oh, Hermione! I didn't expect you this early! What-," she stopped talking when she saw Harry.

Harry shuffled his feet. "Hi, Mrs. Weasley."

She stood and handed the baby to Hermione. "Come here, Harry," she said smiling. "I won't bite your head off. I'm just glad to see you're alright." She hugged him so tight he almost couldn't breathe. "Even though, you shouldn't have stayed away so long." She pursed her lips. "Anyway. There's some dinner downstairs if you two are hungry. I'm off to see Ron." She bustled away before anyone could say anything else.

"She hasn't changed a bit." Harry said.

"No, she hasn't." Hermione said as she walked forward. "Meet your son. James Sirius Granger."

Harry's eyebrow rose. "Granger?"

"Well, we, um, thought it might be a little less conspicuous if he had my last name." She looked down at the baby. "With everything that's happened with the Death Eaters and all, we just wanted him to be safe."

Harry nodded. "May I hold him?" Hermione nodded. "Perhaps you want to sit in the rocker?" She had visions of him juggling the baby while standing up trying to hold him. Harry sat down and held out his arms. She handed him the baby and showed him how to hold him.

The baby started to become restless for a moment, then opened his eyes and looked at Harry. Harry was amazed at the feelings that came over him when he looked into a pair of green eyes identical to his own. His hair was the color of Hermione's, but already showed the tendency of Harry's to stick straight up.

"Are you going to be okay up here with him? I thought I might set the table. Ginny will probably be here soon, and Mr. Weasley, and sometimes Fred and George still pop through." Harry nodded, unable to speak past the lump in his throat.

Hermione softly closed the door as she left the room.

"Hi James," Harry whispered to the baby. "I'm- I'm your father." He leaned down to rub his cheek against the baby's soft hair. "I promise you, I will never ever let anything happen to you." The baby looked at Harry as though he knew him. "Recognize the eyes, do you?" he smiled. He was happier than he had felt in a very long time.

Downstairs, Hermione was able to cry in peace at the thought of Harry and the baby together, at least until Ginny walked in.

"Hermione, what's wrong! It's not Ron, is it?" Hermione shook her head, still too choked up to speak. "Is it James, is he okay?" Hermione nodded again, still crying. "Then what in the world is the matter?" Ginny's voice was raising higher by the minute.

"It's probably me," a deep voice said from behind her. "Harry!" Ginny said smiling. After a minute, she frowned. "Do you have any idea of what Hermione's been through!" she gritted out as she placed her hands on her hips. Thanks to Ginny's outburst, Hermione had time to pull herself together.

"It's all right, Ginny. I understand what he was going through." Ginny crossed her arms and stared at Harry for a moment. "I guess it's all right then."

Harry smiled. He had forgotten how hotheaded the Weasley's could be. "It's okay, Ginny." He sighed. "I should have been there. I guess I was just too wrapped up in myself." He looked down as the baby started laughing. "Before we eat, I was wondering if we could talk for a minute Hermione?" Both women exchanged look.

"Sure." She said following him out the kitchen.

Mrs. Weasley sat at Ron's bedside talking. "Ron dear, you will never guess who's shown up! Harry's back! Hermione has told him about Little James. I imagine the little tike has him wrapped around his little finger by now. He's such a peaceful baby." She turned just as Mr. Weasley came in. "Ah, Arthur. I was just telling Ron. Guess who's decided to pop back into the picture?"

Mr. Weasley settled himself into a nearby chair. "Who would that be dear?"

"Harry!"

Mr. Weasley looked stunned for a moment. "Potter's back? That's good news for Hermione isn't it? I can't imagine what he was thinking to go off like that."

Mrs. Weasley had just looked back down at Ron when she saw his eyelids start to flutter. She stood up quickly knocking her chair over. "Ron, Ron do you hear me?"

Ron's eyelids opened slowly. "Have..to tell..Harry," he whispered.

"Shush, just take it easy," she said. "They'll be plenty of time to tell Harry whatever it is he needs to know." She turned to her husband. "Arthur get the nurse."

Ron still struggled to sit up. "No...time. Need to tell him...now. Before it's too late." Mrs. Weasley started to get a sinking feeling. "The baby." He whispered before he slumped back down.

Just then, Mr. Weasley and the nurse walked into the room. The nurse came over to check him. "Ah, good. He's come out of the coma. He should be good as new in no time."

Mrs. Weasley walked over to her husband. "Arthur, we need to get back. Ron wanted to tell Harry something about the baby."