Hermione awoke in acute discomfort. She made a face and stretched to alleviate the alien pressure, only for her to realize the pressure was not on her back but in her breasts. She rolled out of bed, mindful not to disturb Harry. As Hermione made her way around the bed, she stopped by the baby's crib. The babe was only just waking up. Bright blue eyes blinked slowly as its mouth sighed tiredly.
"Hi, baby," Hermione whispered. Her hair fell forward as she leaned over the side of the crib and she pushed her curls behind her ear. She ran a finger down the length of the baby's round tummy. The baby kicked its legs and blinked more awake. "I'll be right back." Hermione disappeared into the washroom to brush her teeth and pile her hair on top of her head in a messy bun.
She remembered when her neighbour Tessa had her baby a few years ago. The young mother had decided to breastfeed and though it had nearly consumed her life, she'd told Hermione that it was extremely fulfilling and one of the best parts of motherhood. Hermione hadn't understood - still didn't, really - but figured this was her chance to see what all the fuss was about. She looked at herself in the mirror and allowed her one self-deprecating thought - who knew when she'd actually have a baby anyway?
When Hermione emerged from the lavatory, Harry was just waking up. He blinked tiredly and yawned as he stretched. Hermione smiled as she watched him wake up in an adorably similar manner to the - their baby. The thought stalled her. She froze in the centre of the room and stared at Harry and his uncontrollable black hair, his lithe form, and strong hands. This was her best friend. This was the father of her baby - technically.
Hermione took a short detour on her way to the crib and sat on the edge of the bed. Following her sudden erg, Hermione pushed her fingers through Harry's hair. Harry smiled and moaned before he opened his eyes at her. "Hey."
Hermione smiled back. "Hey, yourself. I'm about to change the baby's diaper. Come watch." Harry nodded and pulled himself out of bed.
The changing table was near Hermione's side of the bed and next to the door. Hermione scooped up the baby and showed Harry how to place the babe down and the strap that clicked over the baby's tummy so it wouldn't roll off the table.
"Then we pull off these trousers, and see here, there's these little buttons so we don't need to take off his entire outfit." Harry nodded along as Hermione went on to explain diaper changing. It was all made much easier with the use of magic but she still wanted him to know both ways, regardless.
"Well, I guess that answers that question," Harry said when Hermione finally opened the diaper.
Hermione beamed. "We have a baby boy."
"A very messy, very smelly, baby boy."
Hermione rolled her eyes and quickly cast the necessary spells. Harry handed her a new diaper and the demonstration continued. "All done!" Hermione said brightly to the baby. The baby squirmed, unimpressed. "He's probably hungry. Grab some clean clothes for him and then I can feed him."
Harry nodded and went to the tall six drawer dresser beside the changing table. "Ah ha!" He pulled out a clean white onesie and striped red and gold trousers with a matching beanie. Hermione couldn't help but smile. A few more well placed spells and the baby was changed. Hermione unbuckled the strap and picked him up before settling on her side of the bed with him.
"Right," Harry said with a clap of his hands, "I'm just going to go shower and change while you do… that."
"Harry-" but Harry was already gone. Hermione glared at the door before deciding she'd address his cowardice later.
She waved her wand and the breastfeeding pamphlet from yesterday sailed across the room. After reading over the instructions twice more, she cast the recommended spells for sanitations and healthy milk flow before attempting. She made a face at the awkward, almost painful feeling. Hermione watched the baby nervously, knowing that some babies did not take well to breastfeeding. Her son clearly wasn't of that group. He took to breastfeeding like a Marauder to rule breaking.
Harry came out of the washroom soon after, showered and dressed for the day. He paused, eyes wide, at Hermione still breastfeeding.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh, honestly, Harry. Get over it. You'll be seeing this a dozen times a day. So, get used to it."
Harry grimaced. "I'm sorry, I just-" he shrugged awkwardly. Harry was uncomfortable around pretty girls fully clothed and with all their bits covered. Hermione breastfeeding was opening a whole can of worms Harry liked to pretend didn't normally exist.
"Will you at least burp him?" Harry nodded eagerly. Hermione pulled her camisole back into place and handed the baby off to Harry. While he paced and rubbed the baby's back, Hermione headed over to the kitchenette with the breastfeeding pamphlet in hand. She read over the information on breast pumping. The magical world had an equivalent, but it was decidedly unpopular. There was a magical component to breastfeeding that was lost when a baby was bottle fed.
"What're you doing?"
Hermione turned and showed Harry the pamphlet. "Just reading up a bit more on breastfeeding. I know a lot of muggle women use pumps." Harry kept a carefully blank face. Hermione bit her lip. "Did you not want me to do this?"
"No! No. Hermione, I'm happy you did it. Like I said, the choice was yours. I just… You know I'm not really comfortable around girls and stuff."
Hermione nodded and stepped closer. "Right, but I'm not a random girl. I'm your wife - technically. Not to mention your best friend. And I'm not going to be sorry about the fact that my breasts are suddenly a conversational topic, especially considering they will be feeding your son for the foreseeable future. Like you said, this is my body. I'd appreciate it if we didn't treat it as a faux pas or something dirty."
"I - no, I didn't mean…" Hermione's earnest expression cut him off with a sigh. "I'll - I promise I'll try."
Hermione smiled. "That's all I ask." She picked up a catalogue from the kitchen counter and brandished it excitedly. "Now let's pick out what we need."
"Need?" Harry asked warily.
Hermione moved to the bed and curled her legs up under her. Harry took a seat beside her. "Yes, well, we need a carry bag for diapers, bottles if you need to feed him, and a changing pad. All that stuff. And we'll need a stroller, preferably one that has a detachable carrier because then we can set him in a chair or elsewhere with us - not to mention all the bloody stairs."
Harry nodded once slowly. He was completely out of his depths, and he knew this. "Alright, well whatever you think will be - Oh, Merlin! Hermione!" Harry's entire body froze. "He spit up! He's sick! What did I do?"
Hermione put a gentle hand on Harry's leg, which calmed him slightly. "It's alright, you're both fine, look." She helped him maneuver the baby and wiped his mouth with the cloth Harry was wearing over his shoulder, before settling the baby sitting up and leaning against Harry's stomach.
"But he threw up!" Harry still looked incredibly alarmed. He tried to stay as still as possible so he wouldn't unnecessarily jostle the baby.
"Yes, babies do that. Actually, they can do it fairly often." Hermione pulled the cloth from his shoulder and tossed it into the hamper. "The baby's fine." She said as she slid down to sit by Harry's feet so her face was level with the baby's. "See? He could care less." She leaned into Harry's leg and touched a finger to the baby's nose. The baby smiled at her.
"He's smiling," Harry said with wonder.
"See? I told you, perfectly fine."
Harry let out a heavy breath of relief. "So… what're we going to name him?"
Hermione blinked. "I - well I just assumed we would name him after your father."
"You'd - you'd be okay with that?"
Hermione smiled and leaned forward on her knees. She carded her fingers through his hair. "Of course I would, Harry. I've always been quite fond of the name, to be honest."
"Alright," Harry couldn't stop smiling, "James, it is."
"Jamie."
Harry smiled. "Jamie," he agreed.
Hermione leaned forward, she paused. Harry and Hermione locked eyes for a long moment before she moved closer and very deliberately kissed the corner of his mouth. Despite himself, Harry closed his eyes. An aura of warmth and calm enveloped him. This was definitely what Professor McGonagall had meant when she mentioned feelings brought on by the bond.
"I - uh…" Hermione pulled back and licked her lips. "I'm going to get changed." She grabbed some clothes and dashed into the washroom. Harry let out a heavy breath.
He was alone with the baby for only a few minutes before there was a knock at the door.
"It's open!" Harry called as he stood and moved Jamie up onto his shoulder again. Ron entered the room cautiously, just a head peeked in. Harry smiled. "Hey, mate!"
Ron grinned when he saw Harry. "Hey, Mr. Mum." Harry smirked and nodded. Ron laughed and came fully into the room, a pretty little girl with bright red curls on his hip.
"Look who's talking, and who is this?" The girl had large blue eyes and a flowery yellow dress on.
"This is Molly. She can't talk yet." Molly smiled at Harry and leaned towards him with little searching hands. Ron raised his free hand to keep her close.
"How old is she?" She looked leaps bigger than Jamie, but Hermione had said he was a newborn.
Ron made a face and shrugged. "Luna guessed the girls are about eight months old."
"Luna?" Harry said with a short laugh. His eyes widened. "Wait - girls? As in plural?"
Ron's face went a bit pink. "Yeah, twin girls. Molly and Pandora, after both our mums. I figured mum would appreciate it." Ron stepped closer to see Jamie. "And who's this guy sporting the colours of what is obviously the best house ever?"
Harry grinned and slowly eased Jamie into the crook of his arm so Ron could get a better look. "This is Jamie."
"Blimey, Harry. He's tiny."
Hermione stepped from the bathroom then. "He's a newborn," she claimed as she made her way to the bed and picked up the previously abandoned catalogue. She came to stand with her two best friends and an awkward silence instantly settled over them. None of them knew what to say.
"I'm so sorry, Ron," Hermione burst out. "You're right. It was so cowardly of me. I should - I should have said something."
She'd felt awful about the whole thing right from the start. They'd been dating all summer and the first half of the school year. Hermione hadn't known how to break it off without destroying their friendship. Then just last night, McGonagall had introduced their silly Family Planning class and explained how the temporary marriage contracts required fidelity. Hermione had pounced on the opportunity without a second thought and used it as a way to break it off with Ron. Everyone had stared. Hermione was as transparent as ever, it seemed.
"Hermione, it's fine-" Ron began with a shake of his head.
"-It's not." She looked up at him with watery eyes that instantly had both of her male best friends tensing. "I don't want you to hate me."
"'Mione, I could never hate you." Ron shrugged awkwardly and said, "Besides, you weren't the only one having second thoughts."
"Regardless, I should have…" She should have done it better. She should have respected him, their short lived relationship, herself. Hermione felt a massive pit in her stomach throb. She was almost sick with how distraught she was about the whole situation.
Ron rolled his eyes. "Oh come off it, Hermione. I mean, it's not all that different from when I used you to break up with Lavender in sixth year."
Harry nodded. "He's got a point."
Hermione glanced at Harry then back at Ron. "So we're… we're good?"
"Better than," Ron assured with a grin. Hermione let out a sigh of relief.
"Great!" Harry exclaimed with false cheer. "Now, can the thing we all take away from this be that when you two need to discuss things like this again, it's not in front of me? Thanks." Hermione rolled her eyes and Ron laughed which made Molly giggle and squeal in his arms.
Hermione's attention was instantly drawn to the baby. "She's beautiful!"
"Thanks!" Ron smiled down at the pretty baby in his arms. "Her name's Molly."
Hermione ducked down so she was eye level with the curly haired witch. "Hello, Molly." Molly smiled and stuffed a chubby little fist in her mouth. Hermione tickled her stomach and she squealed in delight.
Ron glanced down at Hermione's attire. "Uhm… not that you don't look nice, 'Mione. But shouldn't you put on your uniform?" At Ron's comment, Harry also noted that Hermione was wearing muggle clothes. She did look nice, though, in a loose striped jumper with slits up both sides, jeans, and runners.
"Oh, no, actually. Any witch who takes the breastfeeding potion can wear whatever they like, as long as they wear robes in class — to make it easier for ourselves. It was in the pamphlet." Hermione flipped open the catalogue and quickly selected a red coloured baby bag.
Ron's eyes, meanwhile, had gone wide. "You took the potion?" Hermione shrugged and busied herself with packing the knapsack styled baby bag. "Luna didn't."
"You got paired with Luna?" Ron nodded. He glanced at Harry and raised an eyebrow, trying to ask what Harry thought about the situation. Harry shrugged.
"Right, well I should head back to Luna. I'll see you lot in the Great Hall?"
Harry nodded a goodbye. "We'll be there as soon as we're all ready." Ron nodded before quickly escaping. He shook his head. Hermione? Breastfeeding? What was the world coming to?
"How about this one?" Hermione pushed the catalogue under Harry's nose and pointed to a black and chrome pram that looked a bit like a bassinet with the small oval bed and sunshade.
"Does it have the detachable thing you want?" Harry asked. He knew nothing about any of this. All the strollers might as well have been potions of various colours on a first year's first day, for all he knew about it.
Hermione huffed. "No, but it has a magical feature that retracts the base and leaves the bed. Which should work the same and allow us to carry him down the stairs easier." Harry nodded easily, perfectly fine to let Hermione decide. She tapped the image with her wand and the stroller popped into existence before them. "Brilliant, let's get Jamie in and then we can go to breakfast. The motion should put him straight to sleep again."
Harry put Jamie in his new stroller and then gathered his books for the day. They headed out together, Harry pushing Jamie and Hermione totting her school bag with a shrunken baby bag tucked safely inside.
They were among some of the first seventh and eighth years to arrive and all eyes were on them. Not unused to all the stares, Harry and Hermione easily ignored them. They found a space halfway down the Gryffindor table. Harry brought the handle of the stroller up as Hermione had demonstrated upon the first flight of stairs they had encountered, the legs magically retracted before he magically stuck the stroller bed between them on the bench.
About fifteen minutes later, Ron and Luna finally made it to breakfast. Luna was pushing a stroller with two seats facing each other, two identical girls within. Hermione nearly choked on her pumpkin juice.
"Twins?" she gasped. Harry laughed and nodded. "Merlin help the both of them." He couldn't agree more.
Ron and Luna greeted them tiredly as they pulled out high chairs and assembled the twins into them. There followed an incredible morning show of the newly made parents trying to spoon feed their eight month old babies baby food.
Harry leaned towards Hermione. "Is it going to be this difficult for us when Jamie is older?"
She shrugged. "The oldest we'll have him is five months. One would hope we've got the hang of at least feeding him by then."
He frowned as Ron made funny faces, opening his mouth the way he wanted one of the twins to do. "You'll still be breastfeeding, right?" She snorted in amusement.
Any response she had was cut off by the appearance of the headmistress. "Good morning, Mr. Potter, Miss. Granger."
"Morning, professor," they chorused.
McGonagall smiled into the little bassinet between the two. "And this is?"
"Jamie," Harry introduced with a smile.
McGonagall took a deep breath. Her smile was soft. "Congratulations to the both of you."
"Thank you, professor."
"Your new timetables," the headmistress, and still technically the Head of Gryffindor House until she found a replacement, handed over two parchments. Hermione took them with a curious look on her face. "There are some changes, due to the Family Planning course. Some classes times and locations have been changed."
"We have Family Planning three times a week?" Hermione exclaimed.
The headmistress' lips pursed. It was no secret how she viewed the changes the ministry had implemented. "Yes, and each class is mandatory. Unfortunately, it reduces free periods. I understand how this might make things difficult, especially considering your heavy workload, Miss. Granger. Any changes you wish to make to your schedule, you can come speak to me about."
"Changes?"
Professor McGonagall eyed her star student critically. She knew Hermione wouldn't take her advice well, but it was necessary. "A child is extremely time consuming. You'll quickly find you have less time than you once did before. If you choose to, I've made it possible for students to drop classes but still be eligible to take the NEWT examinations. This is only available for students with a certain average, one which you are well above. No student can drop all their courses, but bringing it down to a more manageable number will be allowed."
Hermione didn't know what to say. She shook her head. "Thank you, professor… I'll - uhm… I guess I'll think about it." The headmistress nodded once before moving along down the table once more. Hermione turned to Harry worriedly. "Am I going to have to drop a class?"
Harry's eyes widened. He glanced towards Ron for help but the redhead was pretending not to be listening. Harry swallowed nervously. "Well… you said Jamie eats around 12 times a day. That's… it'll be pretty difficult to manage with so many—"
"But I don't want to sacrifice my schooling!"
Harry's eyes widened. "You won't! Right? You can still take your NEWTs. And I'm sure any professor would be happy to answer any questions you have about readings…" Hermione frowned. "Look, I'm not… I'm not telling you to drop a class. But I think you're going to be really stressed out. I'll help as much as I can, but maybe we should consider bottle feeding Jamie instead."
Hermione looked down at Jamie. She touched his chubby cheek. "I'll talk to Professor McGonagall later." She threw her shoulders back and sighed. "Maybe after one of these many Family Planning classes." The classes were spread out throughout the week, every other day.
"Yeah," Ron commented, finally joining the conversation again now that they were out of hot water with Hermione, "but that's not so bad. I mean, the kids are supposed to be welcome and even required in those classes, right?"
Harry made a face at his schedule. "You're forgetting that it's a ministry made class and Professor McGonagall didn't say who was teaching."
Ron paused in chewing. The four of them shared a look of mild concern. Ron swallowed thickly. "Can't be that bad… right?"
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Famous last words." Hermione laughed. "Right," he turned to the curly haired witch on his right, "Charms class, then?" Hermione nodded and they pulled themselves up from the Gryffindor table. Harry nodded at Ron and Luna. "See you there?"
The family of three left the family of four to finish their breakfast as they made their way to class. Hermione had confiscated Harry's schedule and was comparing them. "Right, so I have Arithmancy after this and you've got a spare."
"I'll take Jamie, then," he immediately decided.
"Perfect, then we can have lunch and then we've got our double period of Family Planning." She sighed heavily. "Then I'll talk to the headmistress." Harry glanced at her. "What do you think she'll tell me to drop?"
"Honestly?" Harry shrugged. "You're acing everything. You could probably choose." He smirked. "Maybe not Defence." Hermione glared at him and he laughed. "Probably Herbology, Muggle Studies, possibly even Transfiguration or Charms."
"Oh! I don't want to drop Charms. I love Flitwick's class!" She hugged Harry's arm as he pushed the stroller down the hall. "And it's one of the ones we have together."
Harry smiled and kissed her forehead. "Whatever happens, we'll make it work. It's day one, Hermione. We're doing fine."