Growing Pains

Chapter Seventeen

(A/N: I would just like to prep this by saying I'm sorry about the timeline of events in this story. I didn't realize that James Sirius Potter's birthday was actually in July and I had him due in March. So, that being said, please ignore small details like that and enjoy the story! Thanks again for reading!)

(A/N pt 2.: SO SO SO SORRY THIS CHAPTER TOOK SO LONG TO COME OUT! I was on vacation with my best friend in New York, and we saw Cursed Child on Broadway [!!!!!! it was so good despite my first thought on the play write!!!!!!] and so I had a lot of inspiration from that but no time to write. So here I am now, right before the start of the school year which will probably lead to slower updates. Regardless, here it is, and thank you all for being patient and really sweet!)

"I cannot believe you and Harry did not want to find out the baby's gender," sighed Hermione, wrapping her coat tighter across her body.

"We just want to be surprised," Ginny responded, tugging her knit beanie further over her ears. It was mid February and the weather was still frigid.

"It just makes it so hard to shop and decorate," Hermione commented, quickening her pace to get to the warmth inside the store. Ginny followed her and waddled hurriedly through the doorway.

"Well, lucky for us, red and gold are gender neutral colors," said Ginny matter-of-factly.

Hermione was quiet for a moment, and Ginny looked up to see her friend biting her lip.

"What?"

"Nothing, I was just... you don't want to force Gryffindor down this kid's throat," Hermione answered timidly.

"What do you mean? We aren't!" Ginny replied defensively.

"I just mean, you need to be supportive of this kid wherever they end up. Plus, you don't want them growing up feeling pressured to be a Gryffindor- wanting to be a Gryffindor- and then possibly ending up somewhere else."

Ginny was silent for a moment.

"I suppose you're right. I wouldn't mind having a little Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw running around. I suppose I would be happy with a Slytherin too, to be honest. As long as they're healthy and have all of their fingers and toes, Harry and I will be ecstatic."

"And that's all that baby could ever ask for. Love and support from his or her parents," Hermione turned and picked up a onesie. "Do you like this one?"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Harry, I think we should start thinking about names," Ginny mumbled as she curled into Harry's warm body.

"You think so?" Harry pondered the idea, the soft light of the warm glowing in the dark room reflected on his face.

"Yeah, I mean, I think we should at least come up with a few," Ginny nodded.

"Well, what do you think we should name a baby girl?"

"How about Alice?" Ginny suggested.

"Oh! I forgot to tell you! I received a letter from Neville today informing me that they were going to have a baby girl! I think they might have that name reserved already."

"Oh how amazing! Let Hannah and Neville know I send them well wishes," Ginny smiled at the thought of her friends experiencing the same joy she currently was.

"What about... Gabrielle?"

"No, Fleur would never let us hear the end of it," Ginny rolled her eyes. She had learned to tolerate and even love her brother's wife (she had come a long way since calling her Phlegm), but still- sometimes Fleur could get a little full of herself.

"So that one's out..." Harry sat in silence for a moment, thinking.

"Hermione?"

"No, she would hate that," Ginny shook her head. The couple sat, staring into the flames, deeply analyzing any and all names that popped into mind. They sat like this for a few minutes before both sitting up straighter with excitement.

"Luna."

"Lily," Ginny said at the exact same time as Harry threw out their friend's name.

"Luna Lily?" Harry asked, and Ginny twisted her mouth.

"I like both names but... something doesn't sound right," she wrinkled her nose in thought, something Harry found absolutely adorable.

"What about Lily Luna Potter?"

"Lily Luna. I love that," Harry grinned. "And Luna would love that too."

"Great. So Lily Luna if it's a girl," Ginny nodded. "Now if it's a boy..."

"Actually, Gin, if you don't mind... I would like to keep the name James in the name somewhere. You know, since it was my dad's name and it's my middle name... I think it would be cool to keep the tradition."

"That would be wonderful Harry," Ginny smiled softly at her husband.

"What about the middle name?" Harry asked. He adored his wife as she scrunched her nose in deep contemplation.

"How about something like Arthur, after your dad?" Harry suggested.

"No, that's too old fashion, and dad would be so embarrassed. Honored, but embarrassed. Plus James Arthur is a mouthful, and Arthur James is just... bleh," she stuck her tongue out.

Harry absentmindedly began stroking the back of Ginny's head, thinking some more about names.

"What about Sirius?" Ginny suggested quietly after a few moments.

Harry leaned back so he could see his wife's face clearly to make sure she wasn't joking.

Ginny looked up at Harry so he could see she was dead serious*

"Gin... that would be... amazing," Harry breathed.

"So James Sirius Potter it is," Ginny smiled.

"James Sirius Potter it is," Harry leaned in and kissed Ginny gently.

"Merlin I love you," she whispered.

"I love you more."

1* I swear to God if anyone makes a dead Sirius joke....