Chapter Text
At 44 years of age James Potter’s list of favourite moments in his life was a nicely lengthy one and he was happy to say he was still adding to it. Like today. Today was going to make it to his list. James could just feel it. He would remember today for the rest of his life – in the best possible way.
Lily and he were going over to visit their son, Harry and his wife of two years, Ginny. Ginny was more like a third daughter to them by now. They had known her since Harry started Hogwarts and she was just his best friend’s little sister, and then they got to know her well when she and Harry started dating and spent their Summer days between the Potter’s house in Godrick’s Hollow and the Weasley’s family home - the Burrow.
And just to be clear, when the topic of Potter boys falling for red-heads was brought up again because of Ginny it was Amy (Lily and James’s middle child) who started it. Not James as Lily jokingly accused him. Although he took greatest pleasure in teasing both Ginny and Harry about it. Well, maybe Sirius was the one who took the greatest pleasure in it. He got to tease Harry and Ginny as well as Lily and James. Also Eufemia and Fleamont post mortem as James’ mother had auburn hair back in the day, although James and Sirius hadn’t seen it because both James’ parents had considerably greying hair by the time James was born. But that was entirely irrelevant to why today was one for the memory books. Today Lily and James were going to see Harry and Ginny who had returned from the hospital with their son – Lily and James’ first grandchild.
Harry let his parents into his and Ginny’s bedroom. Ginny was sitting up in bed, cradling a blanket bundle. Lily was at her side immediately unfolding a corner of the blanket to peek at the tiny, pink face hidden underneath it. James knew she had been dying to see it for the past three days, since Harry and Ginny called to announce the arrival of their baby.
“Oh, he’s so precious,” cooed Lily.
“I know,” smiled Ginny. “He’s a Potter through and through though. He fell asleep after a feed just now, but he’s only 3 days old and so far he’s been very alert for a newborn. He’ll be a troublemaker, I can tell.”
“Potter’s are born troublemakers,” said Lily winking at James. “I would know, I’ve got three.”
It seemed Harry couldn’t look away from the tiny, sleeping face either. He climbed onto the bed on Ginny’s other side, hugged her as close as possible and stared at his son. He wore a lovestruck expression that James came to associate with Ginny being around. And now it was an expression reserved for this bundle of joy too. James understood that almost too well. The arrival of each of his children, Harry, Amy and Holly were the most exciting and heart-warming moments of his life. And Harry inherited the best parts of James, so, James imagined, he must be feeling just as elated at the arrival of his first child.
“Dad” Ginny called out to him softly. She had taken to calling him Dad after she and Harry got married. He wouldn’t let her call him Mr. Potter and she felt too awkward calling him James. Also Ginny reasoned he was always like a second father to her than simply her husband’s dad. James thought it really nice.
“Dad, do you want to be the first to hold him?” Ginny inclined her head at the baby in her arms.
“Me?”
“Yes. I want you to be the first after his parents to hold him, because...well...you’ll see.”
James was a little taken aback. He looked at Harry who nodded encouragingly and at Ginny whose eyes were shining, then at Lily by his side.
“Go on,” Lily whispered “then I get to have my go at holding him quicker.” James chuckled and nodded.
Ginny placed the bundle of blankets in his arms and James moved automatically to support the baby’s head in the crook of his elbow and hold him close to his chest. He felt a soft calm spread through his whole body. It was a feeling different to that of holding his first child. Looking at the tiny, sleeping face of his first grandchild brought a peaceful sensation. And it was a lovely feeling.
“Meet you grandson James Arthur Potter,” said Ginny, her voice soft, but full of pride.
He startled, “What?”
“Your grandson, James Arthur Potter.”
“Harry!” said James, shocked “You did not name your son after me.”
“It was Ginny’s choice,” said Harry.
“And you let her?”
Harry gave his father a look that told him everything. The Potter women were not to be crossed. It was Ginny’s choice and Harry had nothing to say in the matter. He wouldn’t stand a chance. James wouldn’t argue with Lily too if she chose the name.
“There are so many names for a baby boy, but you name him after your old, boring father.”
“You’re not old,” disagreed Ginny immediately.
“No, Dad. We named him after the best man I know, an amazing father, a compassionate, loyal and brave person.” Harry had tears in his eyes. Happy tears. And that made James tear up too.
“Oh, that’s beautiful Harry, Ginny,” said Lily thickly.
James was stunned. Every blink of his eyes felt like slow motion. He stared at his grandson and couldn’t believe that the boy will carry his name. His chest felt heavy, as if hit by a stray Quaffle, but also so full of bright light that he might burst. This boy was three days old and already so loved, by both his grandparents, his aunts and uncles, his cousins. Little Teddy, Harry’s godson, had made so many Welcome-to-the-world cards in the past three days that they didn’t fit in the gift box any more. James would love nothing more than to be this boy’s namesake.
“We can call him Jamie for short,” he said trying not to cry.
Ginny cheered quietly and Harry beamed. Lily was smiling widely at him. As James looked from his beaming wife, to his sleeping grandson in his arms, to his son and daughter-in-law, both radiant with joy he tucked this soft peaceful feeling in the corner of his heart to feel it forever-more.
“Okay, enough crying, it’s my turn now,” said Lily wiping her cheeks. They all laughed.
James placed little Jamie in her arms, feeling a tiny twinge in his heart as he did so. But he’d have his grandson back soon enough, if he was to have his way. Although Lily said it herself, she had tears in her eyes again. She rocked softly from side to side just like James had seen her do countless times many years ago when Harry, Amy and Holly were this small. She looked up at him and he could feel her happiness, see it in her soft smile. Lily’s brilliant green eyes were shining, telling James that the next, great adventure of their lives was only just beginning.