The Marriage Decree

Chapter 157 - We Want You To Marry Us

Despite Harry's strict work schedule in the Auror Department, he tries to catch most of his wife's Quidditch games by swapping shifts with his colleagues. Thankfully, he's lucky to have two days off this weekend, so he enjoys an extra hour in bed after Ginny's left for early practice. However, it doesn't last long with three young children in the house. After fifteen minutes, Harry wakes up to see two toddlers climbing up and jumping on his bed.

"Wake up, Daddy Harry," Teddy giggles, clopping down beside him, his small face transforming into a younger version of his godfather before him.

"Ten more minutes," Harry mutters, covering his head with his duvet.

"No!" James jumps on top of Harry and pulls the covers off his head. "Egg time."

Reluctantly, Harry rolls onto his back and reaches out for his glasses. "Fine, let's go make breakfast."

The two boys cheer as they race out of the room. Harry pulls on his dressing gown with a yawn and starts to follow them. He steps onto the first step before remembering to check on Albus in his nursery across the hall. The fourteen-week-old baby is staring up at the Quidditch mobile above his crib, watching the snitch as it twirls round and round. Since Albus seems preoccupied, Harry heads into the kitchen, starting breakfast.

As he scrambles eggs on the cooker, Harry listens to Teddy and James playing in the living room and wonders, not for the first time, why his youngest son is so quiet in a house full of rowdy toddlers and Ginny. Growing up, Harry had been forced to be silent in the Dursley's home, and over the years, he had grown accustomed to it and even found peace in the quiet. Maybe Albus just took after him.

The scent of eggs, bacon, and sausages must waft into the living room as Teddy and James run into the kitchen just as Harry plates their breakfast.

"Thanks you!" Teddy smiles widely, diving in.

"Ta," James adds, following his older brother's actions and scoffing eggs into his mouth.

"I'm going to get Albus up," Harry informs the boys, kissing them each on their heads before leaving.

In Albus' nursery, Harry greets his son with a smile. "Morning, sleepyhead."

Albus waves his tiny fists as Harry leans down to gently lift his son from his crib, holding him tightly against his chest. Harry hated the first few months when babies were their most fragile. His worst fear as a father was dropping his son, so he took each step one at a time as he headed back down into the kitchen. After sitting back down at the head of the table, he waves his wand towards the fridge, removing a bottle of milk, which he heats to the correct temperature before feeding Albus.

Glancing at the clock above the kitchen door, Harry calculates how much time he'll need to bathe and dress two toddlers, a baby and himself. He doesn't think he'll have enough time, but he can't let Ginny down.

As if some higher being had been reading his tired thoughts, the front doorbell rings before his mother-in-law lets herself in with her spare key.

"Molly, we gave you the key so you didn't have to ring the doorbell," Harry reminds her as she enters the kitchen.

"Harry, this house is big enough to get lost in. If I didn't ring the bell, you wouldn't know I was here," she explains, placing her handbag on the counter and kissing Teddy and James on the cheek. "I thought you could use some help with the boys, and if you're only now eating breakfast, I was right." Molly's tone isn't condescending, just concerned. "Have you been sleeping properly?" She adds, taking her youngest grandchild into her arms.

"Probably not; there's always something going on," Harry admits, handing over the bottle. "Do you mind finishing his bottle while I get the boys ready?"