Life is Sweet

Chapter 2 “Nightmares of Days Long Gone”

“Shut the Brat up!”

“I’m sorry, but he’s sick with a fever.” The baby continued to wail as he mother continued to yell at his distraught father.

“I don’t care. I never wanted the brat in the first place! You wanted to keep this mistake you shut it up! I have lost months of time on the tour because I was carrying your spawn.” The enraged red head delivered a powerful back handed slap to her Husband. Then she threw the crystal vase at his head as she screamed. “I should be playing at Wimledon Playing before the Queen but no I am stuck doing lessons and amateur tournaments because I am Fat! Why am I fat? It’s because of you and your spawn! Now clean this up and shut the brat up!”

He barely dodged the vase and it shattered above his head. “Your trainer said you could go back on tour.”

“You don’t get it do you? What would a spoiled rich boy know of hard work to and competition?” She began to hit him again and again. “You think you can just hit the little green ball and that’s it? It’s more than that you have to look beautiful! Judges are looking for the best athlete and the most beautiful to win. I was the best and I will be the best again once I get rid of the fat from carrying your brat!” The baby continued to wail louder. The red head mother was at her braking point. She ignored how her husband scrambling to get up. He cut his hands and feet on the shards to get to the baby’s aid as she grabbed the knife off the counter. “I told you shut the BRAT UP!”

“I’m trying.” The baby was still crying but once in his father’s bloody arms he quieted to a soft whimper.

“If you can’t do it then I’ll quite the brat!” She grabbed the knife from the counter and charged them.

“NO GINNY!”

“Master Harry, wake up sir.”

“Dobby?”

“Yes, sir. You were having another nightmare sir.”

“I’m sorry I woke you. What time is it?” Harry sat up not looking at his aged butler as he wiped the cold sweat from his face.

“Half past six, sir. I was just starting the daily chores when I heard you. Master James is still sleeping sir.”

“Good, he needs his sleep. Do I have any plans today?”

“No sir. Your publisher called yesterday and moved your meeting to Thursday at 2.”

“Thank you that will be all Dobby. James and I will see you at breakfast.”

“Yes sir.” The Butler bowed and left the room with a worried look on his face. He had been working for his young Master for six months and almost every night he would hear him suffer nightmares. He knew that Master Harry and his son were survivors of vicious attack by his former wife who was now at Bronzefield Prison in Surrey in for attempted murder. It was in all the papers stories of Tennis Star Ginny Weasley-Potter trying to plead self-defense form her so called abusive husband. Her defense was crush when her own brother had testified that he was and his partner had caught her attacking Harry and the baby. There were also the Doctor reports of continuous abuse since they had been married all for Harry. Not once was Ginny ever admitted for abuse proved she was abuser and Harry was the victim. Dobby took to Harry and James right away and became very protective of them. He hated seeing his employer so unhappy but all he could do was take care for them and pray for things to get better.

Shortly after seven Harry came down to breakfast carrying quiet but happy baby in his arms. Both father and son had unruly black hair and bright Emerald eyes that could melt anyone’s heart. Harry placed James into his high chair and then proceeded to put on a rain coat. Dobby had a faint smile on his face as he handed Harry the baby’s breakfast.

“Thank you Dobby. Now James, food is for eating not throwing.”

“DA!” James giggled. Harry sighed because he could see the mischief in his son’s eye and he knew he would be wearing most of his son’s breakfast in the end.

“I love you too. Now open wide time for a bit of porridge.”

Half an hour later their little corner of the kitchen was a mess. James thought it was funny to take a bite and then spit it back at his father. The he would throw the dry biscuits just to see how far they would fly. Then he decided the bowl of porridge would make better hat then food.

“I feel like I’m having a case of Déjà vu.” Chuckled a voice from behind them. “I remember walking in on you and your father years ago just like this.”

“Remus! When did you get here?”

“Just a moment ago; I just took here Moony to the vet for his shots thought we would stop by.” Remus smiled and let the Irish wolfhound off his leash allowing the dog lick the porridge off the giggling baby. “He looks just like you did when you were his age. Drove your parent insane; when you would always wear your food instead of eat it. Lilly thought you were going to starve because you would play instead of eat the food.”

“Well then I guess this can be counted as a family tradition.” Harry laughed as he got up taking the porridge hat to the kitchen sink letting Moony lick up the leftovers. “Just make sure your dog doesn’t swallow my son.”

“Moony, don’t swallow the Jamie or Harry won’t feed us ever again.”

“How is the teaching going for you Remus?” He asked taking off the raincoat and began to clean the kitchen.

“Well, so far I can’t complain. I am now under contract as a permanent Substitute at the local High School.”

“That’s Wonderful news. Why don’t you sound too happy about it?”

“The Chemistry Professor hates me. Turns out he and your father went to school together, and they were not friends. I have tried being nice but he assumes that because your father was a bully that I was one too.” Remus sighed sadly and he began to clean up the baby while shooing away the affectionate wolfhound.

“Father was a Bully? You never told me that.” Harry stopped cleaning and turned back to see his godfather wince.

“You know that your mother and I went to Public school and your father went to boarding school right?” Harry nodded but didn’t say anything. “Well, I don’t know much about his early years, but when we met him at Oxford he was a right prat. He would bully some of the younger students. Eventually your mum got tried of his actions that stood to him and put him in his place. It was love at first hit. He had a black eye for a week and was brought down earth. He followed her around endlessly after that and changed his total attitude. He became friendly and kinder to other students not just the professors. He wooed your mum with everything he had. After they married she was the one to keep him grounded and never let him get full of himself ever again she taught him that money and status wasn’t everything. Your father was a good man even if he had been reckless in his youth. Never forget that.”

“I know he was Remus. Mistakes of the youth often follow us into the future.” Harry sighed. “Still that does excuse the professor for blaming you for my father mistakes.”

“Yes, well, he doesn’t see it that way. From what I hear Severus Snape doesn’t like anyone and if you get on his bad side you are there for life.” Once James was clean of porridge he lifted into the teachers arms. “Looks like this one needs more then a doggy tongue bath.”

“Well Jamie would love for his uncle Remy to give him a bath. Isn’t that Right Jamie?”

“REM!”

“Okay I get it.” Remus laughed. “Come on Moony maybe we can give you a bath too.”

“Just don’t Use My bathroom if you’re going to bathe that monster! It took me a week to clean it the last time.” Harry called after them before returning to the mess his son left behind.

XxXxXxXxXxX

After Harry finished in kitchen he walked into the downstairs guess bathroom to see his son in his bath chair covered in bubble with the huge hound sitting in the tub with him also covered in bubbles. It was so cute he had to run and get the camera. Now the three were walking to his brother-in-laws house.

“So how are the plans for Hugo’s birthday?”

“So far so good, but I would like it if you came with us to watch Jamie. I’m going to be looking after four five year olds and I don’t anyone getting lost because I’m dealing with a cranky 11month-old.”

“Sure Harry, my schedule is flexible if Dobby wouldn’t mind watching Moony for the weekend.” Remus smiled as they knocked on the door of a modest townhouse apartment.

“Hi Harry, Remus, come on in. Rose is just waking up from her nap.” Greeted the woman will the long brown and some what bushy hair.

The three came in with moony trotting behind them. “Good news Mione, Remus said he would go with me and the kids to Disney Land so you’re off the hook.”

“Oh wonderful I couldn’t get off work to go. My boss at the Publishing house has been loading me up with editing work lately. I have been going in on the week ends as well as the work I do here at the house. Also Ron is always on call I don’t think he will be able to go either.”

“Well I’m glad to be of some help Hermione. How’s Ron doing now that he has made detective?”

“Oh he’s good but since his brother Percy is a prosecutor he comes home at least once week ranting about how all lawyers should be shot.” Hermione laughed.

“Mummy?”

“Afternoon Rose did you have a nice nap?”

“UNCLE HARRY” the three-year-old girl with fly away red hair ran to her favorite uncle’s waiting arms.

“Hello Lady Bug have you bee a good girl for your mum?”

“Yes I been studin’!”

“Like mother like daughter.” Remus chuckled.

“Ron says that all the time.” Just then the phone rang. “Hold on I’ll be right back.”

“So Rose you making sure Hugo does his homework.”

“Yes Uncle Harry.”

“Harry, are you free tomorrow morning around 10?”

“Yes I’m free.”

“Great!” Harry watched Hermione disappeared again only return a few seconds later. That was the father of one of Hugo’s friends. He wants to meet us before he let’s his son go to France.”

“That’s fine Moony you should come to since you are the other chaperone on this trip.”

“It’s alright with me I don’t have any classes until 1 o’clock.”

“Good. Oh, and Hanna called. She said Phillip is really excited about going that he dragged Neville out go get a passport as soon as he got home.”

“That’s good what about Cousin Louis?”

“Fleur said Louis is so happy about a boy’s weekend he has is speaking rapid French nonstop. Bill is frustrated because he has no idea what Louis is saying.”

“Poor Bill he really should try and learn the language, but I’m glad Louise is happy.” Harry smiled and set James on the floor to play with Moony who was laid out at their feet.

“Yes he should but that’s Bill for you. Anyways Harry I want to thank you for doing this trip for Hugo. It really means a lot not just to Hugo but to Ron and I as well. This year we were both swamped with work we couldn’t even plan a proper birthday for him.”

“Hermione he is my godson I would do anything and everything to make him happy.”

“I know it’s just…” Hermione’s strong resolve started to crumble as tears filled her eyes.

“Rose? Why don’t we take Jamie and Moony to see your room?” Remus asked as he picked up the wiggling infant.

“Okay Uncle Remy. Come on Moony!” the little red head smiled as the Wolfhound jumped up to follow. Once the three had left the room Hermione broke down into tears.

“Mione, luv what’s wrong?”

“Police are going through budget cuts and Ron’s afraid that he’ll be laid off because he is the least experienced of the detectives. We’re trying not to let the kids see how upset we have been but it’s getting harder and hard to smile like nothing is wrong.”

“Oh Hermione I had no idea. What did Percy say?”

“He did some checking and a big chunk the budget funds had be stolen. They are taking from the retirement funds to pay the Constable’s salaries and cut the Sergeants and Inspectors. Oh it’s just a mess Harry they really need you even if it’s just consulting.”

“Ah… So were back to that. I don’t know if I can go back to Scotland Yard. After Ginny I have to take care of James. Even if I did go back I don’t know if would be able to help.”

“I know what you went through with Ginny was very traumatic but this is about more then you or even me and Ron the Whole Police force is affected by this.”

“Very Traumatic?! Try horrifyingly Traumatic! She wanted to kill me and My son! I am sorry this is happening to your family but you can ask me to go back to work and trivialize what I have been through.”

“I’m sorry just so scared we can barely get by now with out Ron’s pay and medical I don’t know what we will do. Please Harry you were their best profiler that they ever had. Please tell me you will at least think about it.”

Harry wanted to stay mad at her but he couldn’t she was seriously worried about her family. He sighed and took the weepy mother into his arms. “Alright I’ll think about it. If nothing has changed when I return from France I will look into it.”

“Thank you Harry that is all I ask.”

“Alright no more tears Hugo will be home soon and then Ron right after. Here I’ll help you make afternoon tea.”

“Thanks Harry tea sounds lovely.”


A/N: this must be the fastest posting I have ever done. When the Muses feel like it they can really hit me with ideas. Even I was surprised by what came out. So thanks for reading keep reviewing as I keep working.