It Started With a Kiss

A/N: This chapter is dedicated to the only person who seems to read this story these days the wonderful Tim Deck who is always so complimentary with his reviews. Thanks must go to LadyVoldemort87 and Snapes_Goddess who for the most part directly or indirectly have inspired me thorughout the course of this story. Thanks also must go to you the reader wether you have reviewed or not. It's nice to know that at some point you have liked what I have written!.

The timeline of this chapter is February 4th 2005

Okay one with the show!

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‘Okay ladies and gents quiet now and in an orderly fashion!’ Neville called to the group of third year Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors waiting outside greenhouse three ‘any mucking about and I’ll feed you to the Venemous Tentacula in greenhouse seven!’

‘Sir you wouldn’t!’ Nick Hornby said with theatrical disbelief ‘I’d rather bite the zits off a Bubotuber!’

‘That can be arranged’ Neville said with a grin ‘Madam Pomfey needs some pus for the hospital wing’

Nick the young third year went to join his twin Luke along one side of the long bench table where at each station stood several plastic pots and bags of potting mix and mooncalf dung.

‘Okay ladies and gents today we are going to plant some Puffapod flowers’ Neville began once the chatter had died down ‘Professor Slughorn needs the leaves for first year potions and Madam Pomfrey needs the pollen for the infirmary, hands up and give me a fact about the said Puffapods’

Mystic Springs thrust a hand into the air. Biting back a laugh at how quickly the young American exchange student resembled Hermione he spoke.

‘Miss Springs?’

‘Puffapods when fully mature are more of an ornamental flower but they do have medicinal properties’ she said eagerly ‘the purple pollen is commonly used in allergy draughts and the leaves are used in Rejuvination Draughts. Profesor Slughorn was telling us about them yesterday’

‘Great stuff three points to Gryffindor okay who can tell me what happens when we drop a pod?’

‘Can we drop one a find out?’ Nick asked with a snort.

‘Sure go ahead’

Nick took a pod which resembled a broad bean out of the ceramic bowl in front of him and delibrately dropped it over the edge of the workbench. Like a botannical explosion it exploded with a crack and bloomed into a bright purple five petaled flower before withering and dying, falling to the floor as dry as a leaf in Summer. Neville’s students ‘oohed’ and ‘ahhed’ at the spectacular phenomenon.

‘When planting the pod you must be careful or that is exactly that will happen’ Neville said cleaning up the reminants of the flower with a sweep of his wand ‘Puffapods are common so it’s no problem to replace them but I don’t want to waste school resources. Now Today’s project is to plant some pods two in a pot. Start by putting a quarter of a pot of pottng mix a handful of mooncalf manure then fill up the pot the rest of the way with potting mix. Use your wand or finger to poke holes in the potting mix to put the pods in got it?’

There was a mumurr of agreement.
‘Start work then’

The students rushed to begin their lesson and Neville wandered up and down each side handing out tidbits of advice and occasionally helping a student plant one of the difficult to handle puffapods. The class was just stating on a second round of planting when a knock at the door sounded and Harry came in.

‘Fancy a bit of company?’ he said ‘I need a break from marking’

‘Sure’ Neville said ‘whack on an apron and a pair of gloves and join the fun’

‘Yeah the best fun you’ll ever have with your clothes on Professor!’ Nick said with a cheesy grin dumping a handful of mooncalf manure into the pot he was working on.

‘Very funny Mr Hornby but do you think this is more fun than duelling club?’ Harry said in amusement putting on one of Neville’s spare aprons and pulling his own dragon hide gloves from his trousers pocket.

‘Aw dunno b...’

But Nick was cut of by a huge swarm of mist that suddenly formed in the middle of the work bench it solidified into a Wilderbeest Patronus and spoke in Algies voice.

‘Neville you HAVE to get back to the manor! it said ‘things are happening fast the time has come Hannah’s gone into labor!

The Patronus dissolved into a formless mist then there was a split second of silence before total pandamonium broke out and a lot of things happened all at once. The students began cheering raucously losing total concentration and as a result dropping several Puffapods which burst into bloom with a crack. Neville lost his usual sensible nature flinging his gloves down on the table which hit a bowl of Puffapods which tipped over and violently burst into bloom then died. Harry thrust his wand into the air and bellowed....

‘PIRRICULUM!

Red sparks shot from the end of his wand and went straight upwards blasting a hole in the greenhouse roof which shattered and began falling. The students in its path hurriedly moved out of the way avoiding the shards which fell to the cement floor with a tinkle. Harry then tried a second tact.

‘SIIIIIILENCE! he bellowed everyone will be quiet this INSTANT!

The students ceased their cheering and Harry repaired the roof with a wave with his wand.

‘Everyone will continue with the lesson as Professor Longbottom has planned’ Harry said calmly ‘no messing about or hi-jinx any messing about and you’ll be doing detention with me for a whole week!’

Harry grabbed Neville’s arm and steered him out of the greenhouse shutting the door firmly behind him.

‘Neville calm down!’ he said to his nearly hyperventilating friend.

‘She’s in labor!’ Neville squealed grabbing at his hair.

‘Yeah I know and you’re not going to help matters by hyperventilating!’ Harry said summoning a bucket from the front of greenhouse four ‘go home and be with her. I’ll finish this lesson and go to Sprout’s tonight to see if she can cover your lessons while you have time off. I’ll let McGonagall know too’

‘Oh would you Harry?’ Neville said greatfully as Harry tapped the bucket with his wand and muttered ‘Portus Longbottom Manor

‘Yes I will now fuck off!” Harry said I in amusement ‘this is going to leave any minute. Good luck mate’

Neville grinned as the bucket glowed blue.
‘Thanks mate I’l let you know what happens yeah?’

‘Can’t wait to hear’ Harry said with a grin ‘NOW GO!

Neville grabbed the bucket and a second later he felt the familiar tug behind his navel and his disappeared from Hogwarts appearing a second later in a heap on the front porch of Longbottom Manor. He wrenched the door open and raced inside.

‘HANNAH? GRAN? ALGIE? ENIE? he bellowed totally forgetting about his ability to apparate and racing up the stairs two at a time.

A shreik of pain from the direction of his old bedroom led Neville down the long carpeted hallway to the door of his old room. He burst in to find Hannah on his old bed propped up on many pillows her hair a mess and Algie, Enid and Augusta in attendance. He raced to Hannah’s side and dropped down on the bed.

‘Han you okay sweetheart?’ he rushed worriedly going to briush her fringe out of her eyes.

‘Neville Longbottom you stink!’ she exclaimed wincing as she experienced a short but agonising contraction ‘don’t you dare touch me til you’ve had a shower!’

‘Bu...’

‘Neville no buts you do smell’ Augusta said authoratively ‘what have you been doing rolling abround in dragon manure?’

‘Gran I'm a Herbology teacher we always smell of some sort of manure but I’ve not been rolling around in any of it’ Neville said ‘I was in the middle of a class of third years when I got Algie’s Patronus’

‘Go and have a shower’ Augusta said firmly ‘or you will wait in the hallway with Algernon and Enid and I will deliver this baby ourselves’

‘But shouldn’t we be getting to St Mungo’s?’ Neville asked uncertainly.

‘I can’t get to St Mungos now I’m in labor!’ Hannah exclaimed incredulously.

‘She’s right Neville she’s too far along now to risk flooing to St Mungos and it’s too dangerous to apparate’ Enid said ‘don’t worry Gussie and I have delivered babies before we know what to do. We’ve sent notice to St Mungos to get a healer here as soon as possible but they’re down some staff today and can’t spare anyone just yet’

‘Aw shit!’

‘Neville please go and have a shower I want you here with me but I don’t want to deal with the smell of shit’ Hannah pleaded.

‘Um...ye-okay’

Neville turned and headed straight into the ensuite. He hexed his clothes off and stepped into the shower turning on the water hard. He washed his hair twice and scubbed under his nails with a nail brush. And when his skin waas a faint shade of pink he stepped out turning off the water. Wanting to save as much time as possible he dried himself with his wand and summoned a pair of sweat pants and an old shirt from the bedroom. He yanked them on and rushed back into the bedroom to find Hannah red faced sweaty and her face screwed up in pain.

‘Okay let’s get down to business’ Augusta said in a businesslike manner ‘the only man allowed in here now is Neville. Algie get out and keep checking back with St Mungos’

Algie stood bolt upright and snapped into a smart military style salute.
‘Aye aye Sergeant Gussie!’ he announced.

Despite the amount of pain she was in Hannah laughed heartily.

Not prone to swearing everyone started at Augusta in indredulity when she started down her brother in law and muttered ‘Fuck off Algernon!’

Algie left the room and all attention turned to Hannah who was now resting between contractions.

‘This labor lark sucks arse’ she said brushing a sweaty bang of hair out of her eyes.

‘Yes dear it does tend to’ Augusta said dryly ‘but you might have an easier time of it than most first babies always come quicker than later ones and I think your little one is a small bub so he or she won’t be too hard of a job’

‘So are we taking bets on the sex?’ Neville said with a grin.

Hannah rolled her eyes.

‘Well Galleons haven’t exchanged hands but most people think it’s going to be a girl’ Enid said placing her hands on Hannah’s swollen belly and gently prodding ‘boys tend to make the belly stick out more girls don’t. Neville when your Mum was pregnant with you she stuck out like bollocks on a dog. Hannah dear you don’t in fact depending on what you wear you hardly look pregnant at all’.

‘Well I definitely feel it’ Hannah said dryly shifting her position.

‘How far apart are your contractions?’ Neville asked.

‘Now every fifteen minutes’ Hannah said Enie can I get up and walk a bit? My Healer said that might get things moving a bit’

‘No Hannah I really...’ Augusta began.

But Enid cut across her.
‘Yes walk for a bit and see if it helps’ she said ‘and if you feel like a nap have one you’re going to need the energy for when the little one really decides to come into the world’

Hannah made a face.

Neville grasped Hannah’s arm and carefully helped her off the bed they then shuffled out into the hallway where they proceeded to wander up and down the long hallway Hannah leaning on Neville every time she experienced a contraction. This continued for nine hours til Hannah’s contractions were barely a minute apart and she was crippled in pain.

‘Honey I think it might be time for you to start pushing’ Enid said sympathetically when Hannah refused to stop walking ‘surely you don’t want your baby to be born on the floor in the middle of the hallway? That’ll make a mess I’ll have to clean up and as much as I love you and your little one that’s something I’d rather not do’

Neville laughed and Hannah just whimpered but allowed Neville and Enid to steer her back in the room where she settled as comfortably as she could back on the bed. Algie stuck his head around the door moments later.

‘Good news Hannah your healer’s on the way’ he said brightly.

‘Fuck him this baby is coming before he gets here’ Hannah grunted scrunching up her eyes hard ‘how long did he say?’

‘Maximum half an hour he’s had to deal with twins for the past sixteen hours so he’s been tied up’

Suddenly Hannah let out an ear peircing screech.
‘I gotta push!’ she squealed bearing down hard ‘AAAARGHHHHHH!

‘Great work honey that was a brilliant effort!’ Enid encouraged ‘a dozen of those and this little Longbottom will be here’

‘I fel like I’m giving birth to a watermelon’ Hannah groaned puffing hard.

‘Well it’s the same size just a bit more flexible’ Neville joked grasping hr hand.

‘Oh shut up Neville I’m not in the mood for j-jokes’ Hannah heaved.

Forty five minutes later Hannah’s healer still hadn’t arrived.

‘Where is that son of a bitch?’ she seethed, resting after another hard push.

‘Don’t worry about him now dear we’re delivering this baby ourselves’ Enid said assuringly patting Hannah’s knee ‘the head is out now it should be easy from now on’

‘Yeah well you can say that’ Hannah moaned tiredly flopping back on the mound of pillows behind her ‘you don’t have a baby between your legs half in half out. And I had this all planned too! I so wanted pain killers!’

‘I’m sure your healer will give you some once he gets here’ Enid assured her ‘c’mon Hannah one or two more pushes and he or she will be here. After that you can rest I pomise’

‘I c-can’t do-do this a-anymore’ Hannah sobbed into Neville’s arm.

‘Yes you can!’ Neville whispered to her emotion heavy in his voice ‘just think two more pushes and it’s all over and you can rest properly. And we’ll have a little person all of our own to hold. You’ve been looking forward to this day as much as I have Han let’s do it yeah?’

Hannah took a deep shuddering breath and nodded.

‘Okay Hannah bear down luvvie really hard like you’re going to the loo’ Enid encouraged ‘make it a nice long one til you think you’re going to run out of breath yeah?’

Hannah nodded. She then took a long deep breath and bore down the hardest she had in the previous ten hours. She went bright red in the face and fell back against the pillows heaving like she’d just run a race.

‘Brilliant stuff!’ Enid declared ‘one more Hannah and he or she will be here I promise!’

‘This really totally sucks’ Hannah groaned her face hidden in Neville’s shoulder.

‘Yeah it does but in the end every minute every second of pain will be worth it’ Enid said patting Hannah’s knee ‘I went through it six times and they were the best six things I ever did’

‘Let’s do this!’ Neville said squeezing Hannah’s hands ‘one more Hannah one more!’

After a few moments of rest Hannah drew in a long deep breath pursed her lips together then with a loud ear peircing scream she pushed hard. Her screams were so loud Neville almost didn’t hear the short sharp sound of his childs first cry.

‘It’s all over all over!’ Enid declared catching the baby ‘congratulations Neville and Hannah you are the proud parents of the most perfect little girl!’

Enid held up the baby and placed her on Hannah’s stomach. Overcome by emotion both she and Neville burst into tears. Their daughter not at all impressed with being removed from her warm cocoon screamed her disapproval, her little face screwed up and red as a tomato. Enid wrapped her in a towel an rubbed her skin firmly.

‘Well Neville she’s got the trademark Longbottom shock of black hair’ she said with a smile her eyes brimming with happy tears ‘every Longbottom baby has been born with a loads of black hair you especially. You looked like a floor mop’

‘Oh gee ta thanks Enie’ Neville said furiously rubbing at his eyes ‘thanks for your help’

‘No worries dear it was a pleasure to bring your first into the world you’ll remember this til you’re old and senile I guarantee it’

There was a soft knock at the door and Augusta popped her head in.
‘Everything’s finished?’ she said softly ‘only Hannah your healer is here’

‘Algernon Woodward get your butt in here you slack arse healer!” Hannah called in amusement.

The door opened further and a tall mucular man in his mid thirties entered the room. His features lit up when he saw the small wriggling but now quiet baby on her chest.

‘Looks like you didn’t need me at all he said going further into the room and setting his bag down on the end of the bed between him and Enid ‘boy or girl?’

‘Girl’ Hannah said.

‘And have you decided on a name?’ Algie asked opening his bag with a tap from his wand.

‘Yeah we did ages ago’ Neville said ‘Saoirse Marie Alice Longbottom. Saorise is an Irish celtic name we found in a name your baby book one of our old school friends mother gave us. It means freedom and it sounded pretty and Marie after Hannah’s Mum and Alice after mine’

‘It’s a pretty name indeed’ Algie said ‘I’m going to have to borrow her for a moment though. How’s your pain level Hannah do you need some Painkilling Draught?’

‘Yeah some of that would be great’ Hannah said greatfully ‘and a bucketful of ice water I’m thirsty as all buggery’

‘I’ll get that’ Enid said ‘I’ll go and tell everyone shall I?’

‘Leave our friends to me’ Neville said ‘I want to let them know personally’

‘Just Gussie and Algie then’ Enid said ‘congratulations you two you produced the most perfect baby’

‘Didn’t we?’ Hannah said dreamily.

Enid left the room and Algie got to work cleaning up Saoirse and tying off her cord.

‘Neville would you like to cut the cord?’ he asked holding out a pair of stainless steel scissors ‘then I’ll weigh and measure her and she’s all yours’

Neville took the scisors and carefully cut Saoirse’s cord while Algie gave Hannah a painkilling draught.

‘She’s tiny!’ Neville said in barely more than a whisper handing the scissors back to Algie and letting the older man carry his daughter over to a set of re-sized scales.

‘They are to start with but they soon start to pack on the weight’ Algie said gently putting Saoirse on the scales ‘sssssix pounds and nine ounces exactly. Small but perfectly healthy’

‘All the bits in the right spot?’ Hannah joked as Algie took out a measuring tape.

‘Yup all ten toes and all ten fingers and she has to eyes two ears one mouth and one nose’ Algie said making a note on his clipboard ‘Okay do you have a onsie or something similar to put her in?

Moments later Saoirse dressed in a white onesie with little ducks all over it was back in Hannah’s arms and fast asleep. Neville sat clost to the pair still in disbelief he was a parent.

‘Do they need to go to St Mungo’s at all?’ he asked.

Algie shook his head as he made notes on his clipboard.
‘No’ he said ‘from what you’ve told me and after examining Hannah and Saorise I’ve come to the conclusion that it was a simple and straightforward birth no complications at all. You only need to come to St Mungos is bub isn’t feeding properly or Hannah you’re experiencing any prolonged pain okay? I’ll come back here every day for a week to make sure you’re managing okay then I’ll put you in contact with the witch who runs the New Mums club. She’s brilliant. You’ll get all the info you haven’t as yet gotten from Enid or Augusta from her. Tomorrow I’ll come by with some documents for you to sign both of you and within a month you’ll have to register Saoirse’s birth with the births deaths and marraiges department at the ministry. You’ll get an official birth certificate then’

‘Okay so now what?’ Hannah said with a laugh ‘what do we do with her?’

Algie laughed.
‘You be parents to her’ he said shrinking his scales with a tap from his wand ‘follow your instincts because they are almost always right and accept help from any of your relatives and friends that offer. Not that I’ve experienced it first hand but the first few weeks is the hardest’

Another knock came in the door and Aalgie poked his head around.
‘Are other non medical blokes allowed in?’ he joked.

Neville grinned and waved him in.
‘Sure they are’ he said ‘bring everyone in’

Algie crept into the room and he was followed by Enid and Augusta.
‘Oh she’s precious!’ Augusta cried her grey eyes misting over.

‘Okay last little bit of advice stave off apparating or flooing with her for at least a week til she’s a bit stronger and has an established feeding pattern’ Algie said 'after that free rein'

‘You mean if we go anywhere we have to take the Knight Bus?’ Neville said making a face ‘I’m not entirely sure that’s much safer’

Algie chuckled.
‘Maybe maybe not but it seems you have everything you need here but if you need anything extra one of you can apparate into town while the other minds her. It’s an easy enough routine to work out’

‘You know I didn’t exactly plan on having a home birth’ Hannah said ‘but the contractions started so quickly and hard!’

‘I know that but childbirth rarely goes to plan’ Algie said ‘and if you have people around you like you did it’s not much different to having a healer in atendance in a birthing suite. The fact you were in a familiar environment with people you know would also have helped your pain threshold’

‘Didn’t feel like it’ Hannah replied dryly.

‘You did fine Hannah spectacularly in fact from what Enid told me it was a text book birth that all healers want every time one of their clients go into labor. You did great’

‘Thanks’

‘Well I best be off I’m needed back at St Mungos. If you need me send an owl it’ll find me’ Algie said closing his bag ‘I’ll be back tomorrow at eleven with your papers, try and rest for twenty four hours then if you feel up to it move about a bit’

‘Thanks for your help Algie it means a lot’ Neville said getting up and shaking the healers hand.

‘Ah I did nothing Neville your family did the bulk of the work’ Algie said ‘I just cleaned her up’

‘But you did help and I appreciate it’ Neville said ‘seriously’

‘No worries it was a pure pleasure’

A second later Algie turned on the spot and disapparated with the usual loud rining snap. Saoirse furrowed her brow and whimpered a little at the sound in Augusta’s arms but quickly settled.

‘You know she might just be the most beautiful baby ever’ Augusta said brushing a thumb across her great-granddaughters cheek.

‘Gussie you say that with every baby born into the Longbottom family’ Algie said dryly.

‘Well she’s the first great-grand child I’m entitled to say so’ Augusta said defensively.

‘Gee she looks like you Neville’ Enid said peering down at the great-great neice ‘the hair the face everything you weighed exactly the same when you were born’

‘Shit has someone let Mum and Dad know?’ Neville said suddenly sitting up.

‘No’ Augusta said ‘I flooed them and let them know Hannah was in labor but that was over twelve hours ago’

‘Someone’s got to tell them! Neville exclaimed.

‘You go and tell them’ Hannah said summoning her brush from the bedside table and pulling her hair out of it’s ponytail ‘and tell all our friends while you’re at it’

‘Reall-b..I want to stay here with you’ Neville said uncertainly.

‘I’ll be fine Augusta, Enie and Algie are here with me’ Hannah said.

‘Well if you’re sure’ Neville said uncertainly.

‘I am’ Hannah said firmly ‘and when you get to Ernie and Susan’s can you ask Susan if she’ll be godmother?’

‘Don’t you want to ask her yourself?’ Neville asked uncertainly.

‘I will but it’ll sound just as good coming from you’ Hannah said.

‘Well okay then’ Neville said with a grin ‘I’ll be back soon I promise’

Neville left the room in a hurry and turned on the spot disapparating south to Tinworth where his parents now lived. He marched up the porch steps and waved his wand at the wooden door which flung itself open with a resounding crash.

‘MUM DAD?!’ he bellowed ‘MUUM DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!’

There was the sudden sound of thndering footsteps on the polished wood floor and Frank and Alice appeared on the top landing in their pajamas looking dishevelled and their wands held aloft their faces a picture of alarm.

‘Neville what’s wrong?’ Alice asked in alarm after she and Frank had raced down the stairs.

‘Nothing’s wrong!’ Neville exclaimed ‘I just thought you two might like to know Hannah had the baby it’s a girl you guys have a granddaughter!’

Alice squealed in delight and engulfed her son in a rib crushing hug.

‘When? What’s her name, how much does she weigh how long was she? Is Hannah alright?’

‘She was born at half past two this morning her name is Saoirse Marie Alice Longbottom she weighed six pounds nine and she was exactly forty five centimetres long and Hannah is as fine as you can be albeit exhausted’ Neville rushed grinning like an idiot ‘seriously she’s the most perfect thing I’ve ever seen’

‘Your own always are’ Frank said grasping Neville’s hand and shaking it ‘come on this news deserves a celbratory drink’

‘Frank it’s four in the morning!’ Alice exclaimed.

‘Yeah so? It’s not every day your first grand-child is born this deserves some celebration’ Frank said leading the way to the kitchen ‘and it’s not like we’re going to get him drunk’

‘I might be drunk once I’ve done the rounds of all out friends’ ‘Neville said with a grin following his parents into the kitchen ‘I’m going to see Harry after this I’m going to ask him to be godfather then I’m going to Ernie and Susans in London Hannah wants Susan to be godmother’

‘When can we visit?’ Alice asked eagerly as Franks poured them a generous measure of Firewhiskey each.

‘I suppose from eleven tomorrow morning’ Neville said ‘that’s when Algie Hannah’s healer will be visiting for a check up he arrived about ten minutes after Saoirse was born. Enid actually delivered her’

‘She was born at the Manor?’ Alice asked in surprise.

‘Yeah Han was there helping Algie brew some potions when she went into labor’ Neville said accepting the almost full snifter from his father ‘she didn’t want him to let me know straight away she was in labor because she wasn’t sure she was. I got a Patronus right in the middle of a class with my Hufflepuff and Gryffindor third years. Luckily Harry had dropped in to say hello so I could leave straight away’

‘So who’s going to take your classes while you have time off?’ Alice asked.

‘Hopefully Pomona’ Neville said ‘Harry said he would try and get her to cover me for as long as I’m away’

‘Okay here’s the toast!’ Frank said brightly ‘to little Saoirse Marie Alice Longbottom may she have a long happy and wholly magical life!’

‘Cheers!’

Neville took a sip of his Firewhiskey then ethusiastically downed the rest of the snifter’s amber fluid wincing as it painfully burnt it’s way down his gullet.

‘So how did you come by the name of Saoirse?’ Alice asked in interest as they sat down at the dinner table’

‘In a book Seamus Finnigan’s Mum gave us at the baby shower’ Neville said ‘Hannah and I trawled though it and the only girls name that sat with us right from the off. I think it was back then we both knew we were going to have a girl’

‘What name did you have picked out for a boy?’ Alice asked.

‘We both liked Jeremy’ Neville said ‘but neither of us spent much time on discussing boys names really’

Alice clapped her hands like a small child receiving a much longed for present.
‘Oh this is wonderful Neville it really is’ she said dreamily ‘you’ve got your own little person’

‘Saoirse is a baby sweets not a doll’ Frank said in amusement ‘she’s not something to be put on a shelf’

‘Oh I know that I just love babies you know and it’s the first baby in the family since Neville’

‘So are you two going to be typical cootchie coo oh she’s the most perfect baby ever Grandparents?’ Neville said with a grin ‘Gran is already nicknaming her Precious’

‘Most likely’ Alice said with a grin ‘has she fed yet?’

‘Not yet she’s only an two hours old! Neville exclaimed ‘she might’ve by the time I’ve done the rounds though’

‘Oh you’re going to be off your face drunk by then’ Frank said with a grin ‘everyone you go and visit will want to wet Saoirse’s head’

‘And I have no problems with that’ Neville said with a grin ‘well I better go I have to get to Hogwarts then go back down south to Godric’s Hollow and then up to London’

Alice hugged her son.
‘Congratulations Neville’ she said with a smile ‘we’ll see you later in the morning yeah?’

‘Yeah no worries Mum see you later’

Moments later after a slightly innacurate Portkey ride up north to Hogwarts (he arrived in a heap on the banks of the Black Lake) Neville barged his way into Harry’s quarters up above the Defence Against the Dark Arts clasroom.

‘HARRY?’ he bellowed dodging a coffee table and barging into Harry’s room where his friend was sound asleep in a tangle of bed sheets ‘WAKE UP!

Harry woke up with a start and barely had time to put on his glasses on and grab his wand before Neville summoned his friends hairbrush and tapped it with his wand spelling it with the words ‘Portus Harry’s house!’

‘He....! Harry exclaimed before they were pulled into nothingness.

Seconds later Neville and Harry arrived at Harry and Ginny’s manor in Godric’s Hollow unfortunately due to his excitement Neville’s usual accuracy was off and he and Harry landed on the edge of the dining table falling off and knocking over two chairs each with a deafening crash. In the process Harry knocked a cast iron pot off the dining table which fell upon his head.

‘FUCKING HELL! he bellowed snapping into the foetal position and clutching at his head ‘BLOODY BOLLOCKS!

There was a crack of aparition and Ginny appeared downstairs in an overlarge T-shirt her wand held aloft.

‘What the hell is going on?’ she asked in alarm watching Harry and Neville writhe on the floor in pain ‘Harry? Neville’

It was several minutes before Harry and Neville pulled themselves into sitting positions.

‘Bloody hell Neville that was a rude awakening’ Harry said dryly banishing the pot that had fallen onto his head across the room ot the kitchen sink ‘shit my head hurts’

Slowly Neville and Harry got to their feet and slid into a dining table chair. Ginny stood in the doorway her hands on her hips her wand still in her hand and a look of amusement and annoyance playing across her features.

‘What the hell is going on?’ she asked flopping down on a nearby chair.

Neville rubbed the back of his head.
‘Hannah had the baby’ he said in a sheepish voice ‘At two thirty this morning’

Ginny squealed her small hands flying to her mouth.
‘Oh really?’ she trilled ‘really?’

‘I thought there must be a reason you portkeyed me halfway across the continent barely awake and in just my boxers’ Harry said dryly rubbing his head ‘so boy or girl?’

‘Girl’ Neville said ‘Saoirse Marie Alice Longbottom six pounds nine ounces forty five centimetres long’

‘Oh that’s lovely!’ Ginny exclaimed ‘who does she look like?’

‘Gran and Enie reckon she looks like me’ Neville said ‘she certainly has my hair the legendary mop of Longbottm Locks Enie calls it. Apparently we’ve all been born with it. I tell you guys she’s the most perfect thing she really is’

‘Well even though you woke me in the rudest manner I suppose we have to toast this happy occasion’ Harry said with a grin flicking his wand in the direction of the lounge room ‘have you been to Oxford to tell Ron and Hermione yet?’

‘No I came straight from Mum and Dad’s place in Tinworth’ Neville replied as a decanter followed by two snifters floated into the room ‘I’ll go to Ron and Hermione’s next then I have to go to London and visit Ernie and Susan’

‘Just a warning mate I would warn Ron ad Hermione and Ernie and Susan before arriving’ Harry said dryly spelling the Firewhiskey to pour into the snifters then a bottle of Butterbeer to fly out of the fridge ‘they’re likely to hex your balls off and make sure Saoirse is the last baby you and Hannah ever have if you arrive suddenly in their kitchen. Especially Ron and Hermione’

‘Can I floo them from here then?’ Neville asked his cheeks reddening ‘I’m sorry to have arrived in such a hurry guys I’m just so excited you know?’

‘No worries mate’ Harry said with a grin.

‘We’ll find out exactly how you feel in July when our own is due’ Ginny said with a smile resting a hand on her own swollen belly ‘but I promise Harry won’t portkey right into your flat above the Leaky when ours come into the world’

‘Yeah I wouldn’t worry about you and Hannah hexing me I’d worry about Gin hexing me’ Harry said dryly ‘okay a toast, to Saoirse Longbottom welcome to the world and may she live a long happy and magical life!’

‘Cheers!

‘I’m going to be so pissed by the time I get to London’ Neville said after downing the generous measure of Firewhiskey Harry had poured him ‘I had seven shots at Mum and Dads and
You just poured me the same amount in one glass’

‘Do you want to go home with some Hangover Draught?’ Ginny asked putting the bottle of Butterbeer back down on the table ‘I did a huge batch for George’s shop yesterday and have left it to settle befoe bottling. It would be okay to send you away with a bottle’

‘Nah I’ll be right Ginny thanks anyway’ Neville said ‘oh Harry I want to ask you something’

‘Yeah?’

‘Would you be Saoirse’s godfather?’ Neville asked ‘you’re my best mate and have done a brilliant job with Teddy and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have as my daughter’s guardian if something were to happen to me’

‘You sure?’ Harry said in surprise ‘you really want me to be godfather?’

‘Of course Hannah and I discussed if when she first discovered she was pregnant neither of us think there’s a better person for the job’

‘I’d love to mate’ Harry said with a grin ‘it’s a privelege thankyou for asking me, whos’ going to be godmother?’

‘If she says yes Susan’ Neville said ‘her being Hannah’s best friend’

‘So when can we start visiting?’ Ginny asked eagerly.

‘Try from midday one o’clock’ Neville said ‘Mum and Dad are coming over about eleven. Hannah’s keen to see all our friends’

‘How about we come over after Hogwarts lets out for the day?’ Harry said to Ginny ‘I have loads of extra non class work to do that’s going to take up most of my lunch hour and then we don’t have to rush the visit’

‘Would that be okay?’ Ginny asked.

‘Sure whatever’s good for you’ Neville said happily ‘wait til you see her guys she’s the most perfect thing ever’

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

Half an hour later Neville flooed from Godric's Hollow to the outskirts of a quaint little town of Rushmore Valley in Oxfordshire where Ron and Hermione now lived. Both of his friends were up and in their pajamas wen he arrived.

'What is going on?' was Hermione's greeting as she helped hism out of the grate.

Neville who by now was starting to feel the first effects of his early morning alcohol consumption giggled.

'Hannah had the baby' he said with a stupid grin 'at two thirty this morning'

Hermione squealed and engulfed Neville in a crushing hug.

'Oh Neville that's WONDERFUL! she exclaimed 'truly lovely'

'Yeah mate congratulations' Ron said shaking his hand then waving his wand 'boy or girl?'

'Girl' Neville said with a slight hiccup 'Saoirse Marie Alice Longbottom'

'Sersha?' Hermione saind in interest 'that's an unusual name'

'It's Irish Celtic' Neville said as a bottle of Vodka and three shot glasses floated into the roon 'it's spelt S-A-O-I-R-S-E it means freedom. It was in that name your baby book Seamus's mother gave us at the baby shower back in January. And her middle names are after our mothers Marie/Hannah's and Alice/mine. We wanted to go for an unusual but not stupid name that was memorable'

'Well I think you did that with Saoirse' Ron said pouring them each a measure of Vodka 'sorry no Firewhiskey we forgot to get out own bottle when we moved in'

'Ron it's five in the morning!' Hermione scolded 'what are we drinking for?'

'To wet Saoirse's head obviously' Ron said dryly 'it's tradition to tast a new baby's arrival'

'According to....?'

'Me it's a new tradition I'm starting up' Ron said said with a grin as Hermione rolled her eyes 'anyway here's to Saoirse Marie Alice Longbottom may she grow to be healthy old and wrinkly!....to babies and getting pissed!'

'To babies and getting pissed!' Neville echoed with a laugh (Hermione just rolled her eyes)

Several shots later Neville unsteadily got to his feet.

'I better b-be going t-to London to see Ernie and S-susan' he slurred 'I promised Hannah I would drop by their place'

'Are you okay to floo?' Hermione asked in concern.

'Yeah I'm just a little b-bit pissed Hermione don't worry about me' Neville said with a grin 'I was more pissed t-than this on m-my stag night and apparated and managed just fine'

'You weren't just pissed on your stag night' Ron said with a deep laugh 'your words were 'the walking comatose'

Even Hermione giggled at that.

'Well you look after yourself Neville and send out love to Hannah and Saoirse' she said hugging her friend warmly 'Ron and I will be by sometime tomorrow afternoon yeah?'

'You're welcome any time' Neville said stepping into the grate 'Hannah wants to see all out frends over the coming days'

'Now go before you spuke in out grate' Ron said holding out the pot of floo powder 'See you later today'

'No worries mate'

Neville grabbed a handful of floo popwder and threw it down calling out 'Ernie and Susan's!' bright green flames erupted around him and a second later he disappeared from Ron and Hermione's and headed off to London where Ernie McMillan and Susan Bones now lived. Both the former D.A members were waiting for him as he tumbled drunkenly out of the floo and onto their lounge room floor.

‘It must be important if you’re flooing into our flat at six in the morning pissed as a fart’ Ernie aid in amusement as he steered Neville over to the comfy lounge on the other side of the room.

‘Y-yeah it is hic’ Neville slurred ‘H-hannah had the baby this m-morning. I’ve been do-ing the r-rounds since four this m-orning. I went to Mum and D-ads in Tinworth then went up to Hogwart-sch and portkeyed Harry half as-leep in his box-schers to Godric’s Hollow w-where I told him and Gin-ny’

‘And let me guess you’ve had a celebratory drink at each stop’ Ernie said dryly as Susan squealed ‘oh that’s WONDERFUL!

‘Y-you could ssssay that’ Neville said with a stupid grin.

‘How’s Hannah?’ Susan asked eagerly ‘is she okay?’

‘Y-yeah she more than fine’ Neville said leaning back on the cushions ‘a b-bit sch-ore and ob-obviously exhausted but fine’

‘When can we visit?’ Ernie asked walking to the corner of the room and opening a small cupboard that was filled with various varieties of alcohol.

‘Any time after eleven thirty’ Neville said ‘Hannah’s ap-pointment with her healer will be finished by then. Family and b-best friend-sch first’

‘What ward is she in?’ Susan asked as Ernie came over with a bottle of Firewhiskey and three glasses.

‘She’s n-not in St M-mungo-sch’ Neville slurred ‘she w-was at the Manor when she went....went into labor and things p-progressed so fast we didn’t have time to get to the hosch-pital. Bub was born in my bedroom’

‘I forgot to ask!’ Susan asked smacking herself in the forehead ‘boy or girl?’

‘G-girl’ Neville said with a grin ‘Saoirse Marie Alice Longbottom sssss-ix pounds n-nine ounces and exactly forty five centimetres in length and she was born with loads of b-black h-air’

‘I’m not entirely sure it’s smart to give you another dose of alcohol but here you go anyway’ Enrie said dryly handing Neville a glass of Firewhiskey ‘we have to toast the bubs entry into the world it’s only proper....to Saoirse Longbottom to a long and healthy life!’

‘I can’t believe I’m off my face at six in the morning’ Neville groaned after he had downed the measure Ernie had poured him ‘I haven’t been this drunk this early in the morning since my bucks night and by this hour of the morning hic I had cra-sched’

‘I think you’re allowed to be’ Susan said with a giggle ‘after all she is your first baby’

‘And I think everyone back home will be expecting me to arrive home drunk’ Neville said dryly ‘the way I’m feeling I’m likely to apparate or portkey my-schelf to Paris or Dublin before getting myself to where I’m supposed to be’

‘I’d scratch apparating you’ll splinch yourself’ Ernie said ‘portkey it’s safer’

‘I might do that’ Neville said ‘you got anything I can use for a portkey?’

Ernie summoned a coathanger.

‘Use that’ he said ‘congratulations Neville I hope being a father is everything you hope it to be’

‘Thanks mate, er Susan I need to arsch-k you something before I go home’

‘Yeah?’

‘Would you be S-saoirse’s godmother? Hannah and I would like you to be. You’re Hannah’s closest friend and the bes-cht person for the job. Harry’s agreed to be Godfather. Hannah wants to ask you as well but she asked me to ask you first just in case you needed time to think about it’

‘I don’t need time to think about it of course I’ll be godmother!’ Susan exclaimed happily ‘thanks for asking me it’s a privelege’

‘N-no w-orries Susan thanks for taking the job, I didn’t fancy trying to find someone else t-to do-do it’

Susan just rolled her eyes then hugged him feircely.
‘Send Hannah our love and we’ll be by tomorrow to see her’ she said ‘probably during lunch’

‘I’ll do that’ Neville said awkwardly getting to his feet ‘see you later today yeah?’

‘Of course’

Neville spelled the coathanger to take him to the Leaky Cauldron where he packed a bag for himself, Hannah and Saoirse before flooing back to the Manor. He stumbled out of the Library fireplace and promptly fell flat on his face. He lay on the carpeted floor letting his dizziness pass before getting to his feet and stumbling out of the room and down the hall to his old room. He walked in to find Hannah giving Saoirse her first feed and Enid and Augusta in attendance.

‘I’m pissed!’ he declared droppng the bags at the end of the bed and flopping back down next to Hannah.

‘No kidding!’ Hannah said ‘you reek of Firewhiskey’

‘Yeah well that’s because Mum, Dad, Harry, Ginny. Ron and Hermione and finally Ernie and Susan insited I had a celbratory toast’ Neville aid dryly 'though I had Vodka at Ron and Hermione's they didn't have ay Firewhiskey'

‘Have you had any Hangover Draught?’ Augusta asked.

‘Nah Ginny offered to send me off from Godric’s Hollow with a bottle but there’s no point in whetting your first kids head unless you get pissed is there?’ Neville said with a grin ‘you can’t enjoy the experience as much’

Enid and Hannah snorted.

‘I think it’s best I get you some’ Augusta said dryly getting to her feet ‘otherwise you’ll be too hungover for when visitors start coming by’

‘Thanks Gran’

‘Harry and Ginny are going to drop by after Hogwarts gets out and Mum and Dad will be by about eleven thirty’ Neville said to Hannah as he watched his daughter suckle away ‘Susan said she and Ernie would come by during their lunch hour at the Ministry’

‘Oh good’ Hannah said happily ‘might meet everyone in the sunroom or even on the back porch’ Hannah said ‘the weather’s nice there and I’ll be okay enough in a few hours to go downstairs’

‘Harry said he was going to announce to everyone in the Great Hall this morning at breakfast we had the baby’ Neville said with a grin.

‘You’ll start getting owls once that happens’ Enid said with a grin ‘are you going to put a notice in the paper?’

‘Oh yes let’s do that!’ Hannah said suddenly ‘a nice big full page one’

Enid laughed.

‘In fact sod a whole page let’s pay to have a whole special edition of the Prophet printed!’ Hannah said with a grin.

‘Ha ha’ Neville said rolling his eyes ‘I’ll write one and let you read it before I send an owl to the Prophet’

‘I trust you’ Hannah said ‘ow!’

‘She sucked a bit hard then?’ Enid asked sympathetically.

Hannah nodded and winced again.
‘Yeah just a bit’ she said shifting Saorise in her arms ‘it’s like having a vacuum cleaner on your boobs’

‘You’ll get used to it’ Enid said ‘the sensitivity does go away. If not I can brew up some salve that you can rub in between feeds’

‘She’s being going solidly for forty five minutes!’ Hannah said in amazement ‘she must be full by now her stomach isn’t that big!’

‘Yeah but it can stretch’ Enid said with a grin ‘she may only be six nine now but she’ll be a fat little heifer in no time if she keeps on feeding like she is now all Longbottom babies have enormous appetites that never sem to fade’

‘You saying I’m a p-pig?’ Neville slurred.

‘No dear you just have a healthy appetite’ Enid said with a grin ‘but you have been prone to bouts of piggery’

‘Oh shut up’ Neville said dryly.

Augusta returned a few minutes later with a glass of Hangover Draught.

‘Well kids I’m going to hit the hay’ Enid announced getting up from the bed ‘you lot best be getting a bit of sleep too all three of you must be exhausted’

‘Yeah I am’ Hannah admitted.

‘Hey I’m just pissed’ Neville said happily.

‘You won’t be after drinking this’ Augusta said holding out the glass to him ‘drink it now and you won’t have a headache when you wake up.

While Neville was drinking the luridly purple concoction Hannah burped Saorise and gave her to Augusta who placed her in an old basinette which rested on the sidboard at the end of the enormous bed.

‘And she’s got a whole nursery to herself back home spending her first night in a bassinette on a sideboard isn’t very romantic is it?’ Hannah said making a face.

‘She doesn’t care dear as long as she has a full belly, clean bum and a warm bunny rug’ Augusta said peering down at her sleeping great-grandchild ‘I shall leave you two alone then shall I? I think everyone in this house needs a decent sleep’

‘Hey thanks for your help Gran It really meant a lot’ Neville said getting up off the bed awkwardly and shuffling over to his Grandmother ‘I’m glad you were here when my baby came into the world’

Augusta hugged Neville hard and patted his cheek her grey eyes holding in barely suppressed tears.
‘It was a pure pleasure sweetheart’ she said in a wavery voice ‘seeing you grow up and become your own man and start a family does good for this old lady’s soul’

‘Oh come on Gran you’re not that old’ Neville said in drunken amusement.

‘Well I’m no spring chicken’ Augusta corrected herelf with a watery chuckle ‘anyway I best be off to leave you two alone with your little one. If you need help you need only ask’

‘Thanks Augusta’ Hannah called from the bed where she was snuggling down ‘for everything’

Augusta flashed Hannah a wink and quickly exited the room leaving Neville and Hannah alone with their sound asleep.

‘Shit we’re parents!’ Neville exclaimed turning off the light and creeping over to the bed ‘scary stuff eh?’

‘Scary but exciting’ Hannah said shifting over slightly as Neville awkwardly flopped into the bed ‘I’m looking forward to being a Mum’

‘And I’m looking forward to being a Dad’ Neville said with a smile leaning down and kissing Hannah on the lips ‘thankyou for making me the happiest man in the world Han I love you so so much’

‘I love you too Neville’

And from that night onwards Neville knew that nothing in his life would surpass that night the birth of his Daughter Saoirse Marie Alice Longbottom the first of the DA post war babies....

THE END!

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A/N2: I picked the name Saoirse after Saoirse Ronan the Young Irish girl who was in Atonement and is now starring in the Lovely Bones. I love her name and thought it might be the pretty unusual name Hannah and Neville would pick for their daughter.

I am now working on another fic the details of which I will leave til the summary when I post the first chapter which should be within the week(I've not yet decided on a title yet so it could be longer than a week....lol)