My Best Friend and Roommate

sorry to keep you all in suspense. I finally got this chapter finished. I have chosen to end this story at fifteen chapters, so there are four more to go until it is over. Then I will be working on my Star Wars story for those reviewers. Can't keep them waiting anymore either.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Harry Potter characters or places.

Chapter Eleven

Hermione was in labor for hours, almost twelve, when Fleur announced that she was fully dilated, and ready to bring her son into the world. Harry was by her side taking everything she threw at him, words that is, and holding her hand. Even when it felt like she was going to break it. Hermione was concerned about the earliness of the birth, but Fleur told her that she had no choice but to give birth now. The baby was ready, and he was coming. At 3:38 am on May 25, 2001, Hermione brought her and Harry's son into the world. "Tres bien, 'ermione," Fleur said taking the little bundle over to a nursing bed. She was concerned that he wasn't crying. So were his parents.

"Is he all right, Fleur?" Hermione asked, "Please tell me he's all right."

"I need to clear the fluid in 'is lungs, and you shall 'ear 'is first cry," Fleur said.

"He'll be all right, Mia," Harry said, "You'll see." It seemed like forever, but with Fleur clearing his airway and using magic to help him breath, James Edward Potter, drew his first breath and he let out a string of cries. It was music to his parents' ears. Fleur weighed him in at 5 pounds 6 oz, and wrapped him up in a blanket. She carried him to his parents, and laid the crying baby into his mother's arms. For the second time in her life, Hermione fell in love. Now she had two boys in her life.

"Isn't he adorable, Harry?" she asked.

"Just like his mum," Harry said before kissing Hermione on the forehead. "I love you."

"I love you, too." He kissed her on the lips before standing up.

"I'll be right back, love." Hermione nodded as Harry left the Delivery Room. He walked down the hall to the family room, and entered to see everyone waiting. They all stood up, but Harry went straight to Neville, and wrapped his arms around one of his dear friends. He pulled back to look at Neville. "Neville, I could kiss you right now," he said.

"Uh, why?" Neville asked.

"Because you got them here fast and safe," he said.

"So, Hermione and the baby are okay?" Harry nodded and gave Neville another hug before the whole family erupted in cheers.

With little James being premature, visitors were restricted from the room. Fleur took James to the nursery for premature babies, and placed him in a care unit until he was big enough to go home. Hermione was held over the night and day before being released from St. Mungo's. News that Harry Potter had a wife, and even better a son, got around fast. Rita Skeeter already had a story ready for press when she got a request from the Minister of Magic not to do any of her own writing about the Potter family. She just wrote a short announcement in the Daily Prophet. James spent a week in his incubator before being moved to the nursery. Harry and Hermione visited every day, bringing at least a few family members with them.
On June 5, 2001, James was all set to come home, but Hermione got the Muggle flu, and was unable to care for him. It was unwise to have a newborn around a sick person. Harry took his two week vacation from work, and headed to the hospital to pick up his son. Hermione insisted on buying a Muggle car for transportation, and Harry had the car seat all ready for him. After she got sick, Hermione urged Harry to read the baby books on how to care for an infant, and by the time he was to pick up James, he was able to be a nanny. He found Fleur with little James in her arms, and she handed him to his father. "I understand that 'ermione iz zick. If you 'ave any trouble, floo me."

"Thank you, Fleur," Harry said. With a baby bag around one shoulder, he left St. Mungo's, and headed to the car. He safely secured James into the baby seat, and got into the driver's side. It was a short drive home, and Hermione was out of bed when Harry and James walked through the door. "Hermione, you shouldn't be out of bed."

"I had to use the bathroom," she said.

"You could've done that without leaving the bedroom," he said, "Get back in bed, and as soon as I get James settled in his bed, I'll see to you." Hermione reluctantly headed back into the bedroom as Harry carried James, car seat and all, to the nursery. The nursery was done up in Gryffindor red and gold and puppy dogs. Harry carefully placed James into his bassinet, and turned the baby monitor on before going to see what Hermione wanted.

For two weeks it was just Harry and little James. He took to sleeping in the nursery some nights when Hermione's flu got really bad. Other nights he would be walking down the hall to the nursery at two in the morning for a feeding. He became a real wiz at changing a diaper, changing one in thirty seconds flat, without magic. Pretty soon Harry had his parenting skills wired as Hermione gradually got better. Mrs. Weasley was pretty upset that she was unable to hold a baby shower for Hermione, but both Harry and Hermione insisted that they didn't need one. So, family and friends just sent their gifts through owls and Muggle post. It was a normal sunny day for Harry when his aunt dropped by.

Harry was surprised when he opened the door to find Aunt Petunia with a package. "Aunt Petunia, this is a surprise," he said, "No Severus?" he asked looking around her. Snape had recently begun courting Petunia, much to Harry's dismay. In reality, Harry thought they deserved one another.

"No, Severus is busy at Hogwarts preparing for a new year and all," Petunia said, "May I come in?" she asked.

"Oh, yes, sorry," he said stepping aside. "So, what brings you to my domain?" he asked.

"I actually came to see James," she said, "And to give you and Hermione these things I kept." Petunia handed him a wrapped package, and he took it before sitting down. Petunia sat down watching Harry tear open the blue wrapping paper, and opened the box. Harry pushed the tissue paper aside, and his gasped. There laying in the box, was his baby outfit with blue and white strips settled on top of his baby blanket. "I managed to save them before Vernon or Dudley got a hold of them."

"Why?" Harry asked.

"I'm sure your mother would've wanted you to have them for your son," Petunia said, "I may have disliked her, but that didn't mean I couldn't keep her wishes for her." Harry chuckled. He stood up, and walked over to his aunt. Petunia had stood up, and was enveloped in a hug from her nephew.

"Thank you," he choked out in a cry. The tender moment between nephew and aunt was interrupted by James' cries for his daddy. "Oh, that's James. I'll be right back." Harry headed down the hall, and brought James back out for Aunt Petunia to see him.

"Oh, Harry, he looks just like you," Petunia said.

"He's got Hermione's eyes," Harry said. Petunia chuckled.

"Well, I must be off," she said.

"But you just got here," he said.

"I know, but Severus has plans to show me Hogsmeade this summer before his schedule gets tight."

"You two aren't going to get married are you?"

"Why do you ask?" she asked.

"Well, I don't think I can handle Snape being my uncle," Harry said. Petunia chuckled as she gathered her purse.

"I don't think we'll be getting married anytime soon," she said, "I'll see you at your magic ceremony," she said.

"Okay, and thanks again, Aunt Petunia." Petunia kissed her nephew and great nephew goodbye, and left the flat. Harry looked down at his son, and saw Hermione's eyes looking back at him. "That was your great aunt Petunia, James. She's changed a lot since leaving Vernon. You'll like her when you're older." Harry kissed his son on the forehead before putting him back in the nursery. With Hermione sick, he had planning to do for their second wedding.