A Summer of Love

"Waaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!"

Harry opened a bleary eye, wondering if the cries were just a dream, or if it was real. As he woke up more, and the shrieking continued, he figured that it was reality, and not just a dream. He walked down the hall to the room where Ashley was staying.

Hermione was leaving her room, ready to go take care of the baby. Harry shook his head and said, "No... I'll take care of this. You sleep." Hermione looked ready to argue and say that Harry, the guest, should sleep but Harry shook his head. "Go on. You sleep. I'll get Ashley this time."

He walked past Hermione, and opened the door to where Ashley was sleeping. The baby was on her back shrieking, tears running down her face. Harry picked her up carefully, 'shh-ing' her as he brought her head up to rest upon his shoulder.

Respecting Hermione, he took Ashley downstairs, still trying to comfort the baby. He sniffed at the diaper, like he had seen Mrs. Granger do on occasion. Nothing. But Harry decided to change it anyway. The baby still cried.

Harry carried the baby into the kitchen muttering, "What's wrong? What do you want?" and fixed her some milk. Once it was the proper temperature, he offered it to Ashley, who took the bottle into her mouth. With Ashley sucking contentedly, Harry carried her into the living room, letting out a light sigh of relief.

He rocked her, and cooed at her as she drank. She drank about half of the milk before spitting out the bottle. Harry sighed, and put the bottle back in the kitchen. He placed the baby against his shoulder, tapping her back lightly. He let out a sigh of relief as he heard the soft burp. He held the baby in front of him. "All better?"

Ashley giggled softly, before yawning. Harry couldn't help but smile. "You tired?"

He carried Ashley back up to her room, and placed her in the crib. As he let her down softly, the baby whimpered slightly. Harry looked into the crib and asked, "What's wrong?"

Ashley grunted and lifted her arms up to Harry. He sighed softly, and picked the baby up again. He propped her on his arm and asked her, "What do you want to do now?" In response, Ashley yawned. Harry rocked and bounced her slightly, watching as she soon fell asleep.

Soon enough, a trail of drool was finding a place on his shoulder. Harry carefully let Ashley back into her crib. He knew that she had entered the stage of baby sleep where there could be a very loud explosion and she'd continue to sleep.

Before leaving, Harry kissed Ashley lightly on the forehead. He closed the door softly, and returned to his room. As he climbed under the covers. He felt accomplished. He had managed to put a baby back to sleep in the middle of the night.

Harry soon fell asleep again, a warm feeling of pride filling his body.

---

Harry woke up later the next morning than usual. He guessed that his sleeping later had something to do with his early morning waking by Ashley. He quickly dressed, exchanging his pajamas for regular clothes.

Her walked quietly down the stairs, and into the kitchen, where Hermione was feeding Ashley what looked like peas.

Hermione hadn't noticed him yet. He leaned against the doorframe, watching her as she fed the baby. He couldn't help but smile as Hermione said, "Here comes the choo-choo. The Hogwarts Express." And Ashley ate wholeheartedly, seeming to be happy that she was ingesting the Hogwarts Express.

Harry walked in the kitchen. "Morning." Had he been on some family sitcom, he would have probably kissed both Hermione and Ashley. But instead, he smiled at his friend, and poked Ashley's nose.

Hermione smiled at him and said, "Morning. Hopefully Ashley wasn't too much trouble last night?"

Harry shook his head, pouring himself some orange juice. "Oh, not at all. She was back asleep in no time." Harry took a sip, and winked at Ashley, getting a little baby noise in return.

Hermione smiled, and continued to feed Ashley. Harry asked, "Have you had breakfast yet?" Hermione shook her head, no. Harry continued, "What would you like?"

Hermione was surprised. Since when was Harry a cook? She shrugged, saying, "Whatever. It doesn't matter to me."

Harry chuckled. "There must be something you're craving."

Hermione thought about it. She hadn't had pancakes in a long time. "Well, if you're up to it, I'll take a couple pancakes." Hermione continued feeding Ashley.

Harry grinned. "Pancakes. Easy."

Harry mixed up some batter, turned on the stove, and within half an hour, he had a stack of pancakes for himself and Hermione. As he cooked, Hermione had stopped feeding Ashley. She cleaned the baby's mouth, then watched Harry as he cooked.

She realized that it must have been the summers at the Dursleys. They must have made him cook for them.

Harry presented Hermione with a plate of pancakes. He grinned, saying, "Take what you want. I promise, you won't get sick." Hermione laughed, and took a few pancakes. Harry took some for himself. He took a tiny piece and gave it to Ashley, who gurgled her thanks. They ate their breakfast contentedly, laughing occasionally at Ashley's antics.

When they finished, Harry took their plates, and cleaned them, along with the batter bowl and the pan. Hermione watched curiously. The Dursleys must have gotten Harry into the habit of doing chores. She had never known any guys who did dishes. Except her father, who did them only occasionally.

Harry dried off his hands, and faced Hermione. "So, what do you want to do today?"

Hermione shrugged. She was still in awe of Harry. She had expected to eat cereal all week. When she finally gained her senses, she said, "Oh, well, I dunno. I guess we could go to the park."

Harry smiled broadly. "Great idea! I'll go get my shoes on."

Harry bounded up the stairs, and put on his trainers quickly. Then he came back downstairs and went outside, where he saw Hermione strapping Ashley into a baby stroller.

Hermione had packed a bag for Ashley. It had a bottle, some apple juice, some Cheerios, and even more baby things. She was prepared. This didn't surprise Harry.

Harry was disappointed in himself. He hadn't even thought to bring any of that with them to the park. It was a good thing that Harmione thought ahead.

Hermione said, "Ready?"

Harry nodded. Hermione pushed the stroller, and Harry walked beside. They walked to the park. They walked through the park, Ashley laughing as the passed dogs, or butterflies flew by. They walked by a couple of old women sitting on a bench, and Harry could have sworn he heard one of them say, "Oh Agnes, isn't that just the cutest family you ever saw?"

They stopped at the swings. Hermione took pictures as Harry pushed Ashley in the baby wing. Then Harry took pictures of Hermione and Ashley. Then they asked a parent, who was also at the swings, to take a picture of the three of them together.

They spent hours in the park. They stopped and sat by a pond. They swung. They had lots of fun. It wasn't until Harry checked his watch that he realized that it had passed noon, and it was nearing Ashley's naptime.

They walked out of the park, and they were stopped by and old woman. Harry recognized her as Agnes's friend. The old woman said, "That's a beautiful baby you two have there. Congratulations." She paused for a moment. "She's got your eyes," she nodded at Hermione, "and she has your nose," she said to Harry.

Harry blushed, stunned. Hermione had enough sense to reply, "She is very pretty, but she isn't ours. She's actually my adopted sister." Agnes's friend muttered her apologies, and shuffled back over to Agnes.

They returned home, and Ashley soon fell asleep. Harry sat in an armchair, pretending to read Quidditch Through the Ages. But in reality, he was watching Hermione read Hogwarts, A History.

She was cute. Harry smiled slightly as she bit her lower lip as she concentrated on the book. Her downward cast eyes made them look closed, and Harry remembered the night before. He remembered how she looked so happy and at peace.

Harry turned a page of his book, attempting to keep of the facade of reading. If he didn't turn pages every so often, Hermione would suspect something was up. She looked up, and his green emerald eyes met chocolate brown ones.

Uh-oh.

Harry flushed and looked down at his book. Hermione had just caught him staring. He looked intently at his book, refusing to look at Hermione. After a few minutes, he chanced a glance in her direction again. He met her eyes again, and she gave him a small smile. Harry smiled back, and began to actually read his book.