| INTIMACY | - HPxTMR

Side 5 - [Harry]

Spans Summer 1999 and September 2004

|=========================================|

|Summer 1999|

If you had asked Harry not even five years ago what he dreamed of growing up to be, he would have proudly stated he'd be an Auror, like his Dad. Fighting criminals, learning all the spells he could get his hands on, and being on the front page of the newspapers time and time again as he took part in daring duels. His Dad was his idol from a young age, a man to look up to, funny, charming, and most of all, he was Harry's rock. There was never a time he felt he couldn't go to the man with his worries, his Dad was just such a steadfast and strong presence in Harry's life.

With a little more digging, he would have sheepishly revealed he'd much prefer to be a professional Quidditch player, already showing his prodigal aptitude for Seeking. And, maybe, he'd take part in Duelling Championships in his spare time, as his Mum did. Whenever he was brought along to watch those, all he could do was look on with awe. His Mum was an amazing dueller, fast on her feet and even quicker in mind. She won and won and won, filling the trophy room of their Manor with her own collection, kept shining by Harry, who was more than proud to call her his. After her tournaments, she always handed off any medals and trophies to him with a ruffle to his hair, green eyes shining as she stared down at him with fondness.

Harry might have even revealed his love for potions, to be as good a potion master as Severus, despite how mediocre he was at creating them. The man had helped him improve over the years, tolerating his presence even within the private sphere of his potions lab.

However, under all that, another truth would have been uncovered. Something he never spoke of, not even to his parents and closest friends.

In reality, all Harry wanted was a family to take care of. To stay at home and be there for them, no matter if that was just a spouse or a hoard of children that he'd love with all his heart. Harry had the means to support such a lifestyle, being the heir to two of the largest fortunes in Britain, and he was responsible enough to know that perhaps sometimes he'd have to sit in the Wizengamot chambers to vote alongside the other Lords. But he'd prefer to stay within the home he'd surely create, taking care of his family to his utmost ability.

Staring down at the small, fragile, innocent being in his arms, softly snuffling into the crook of his elbow, Harry felt complete in a way he hadn't felt before.

He had always wanted children and dreamed of a big family unlike his own, where he had spent his days as an only child tottling around their large Manor house with only adults for company. Harry didn't begrudge his parents for that, they were busy and had him young, before they were truly ready to settle down and start a family. Still, as the years went by and he stayed an only child, he felt his loneliness grow.

It was only when he was old enough to leave the Manor on playdates that that void was finally filled, spending the rest of his childhood up until Hogwarts in the houses of his many friends. Then, when he joined Hogwarts, his circle only grew.

Hermione, Draco, Dahlia, Blaise, Pansy, Ron, Neville, Susan, Hannah, Luna, the list went on. He had so many friends from every house, and even a few outside of Hogwarts.

But it had never been enough to quench his longing for a family that was his.

And now, he finally had it. His beautiful baby, his firstborn of hopefully many, and the beginning of the family Harry had always wanted.

He ducked his head to rub his cheek gently across the red hair that adorned his baby's head, the shade matching that of his Mum's, cooing as they snuggled closer, their eyes blinking open. Unfocused as they were, their shade was bright and breathtaking. Harry kissed their cheek carefully, whispering softly until those glistening eyes closed once again.