Harry had not been as confused as he currently was since the day that Jamie had been born.

At the time, they he had recently turned twenty and Ginny nineteen. They had had Teddy for a year and doted on the child as if he were their own. Andromeda had become a surrogate mother for Harry and Ginny, just as Molly Weasley was a surrogate mother to Harry. Andromeda had simply thought it best if she played the role of grandmother to all of Harry and Ginny’s children, and Teddy would be big brother to any children that the couple had. Everyone was happier than they had been since before Voldemort had returned.

Then Jamie had come along, and Harry had been terrified. What if he somehow treated one boy or the other unfairly? What if one boy felt left out, just as he had when he was a little boy? It had gotten to the point that Ginny had talked to her mother and Andromeda both to get their opinion on the matter. They had not, however, just given their opinion. They had taken Harry and sat him down together, and then assured him that he would be an excellent father, and, if anything, his trials as a child would make him even more aware of his children and whether one of them felt left out or not.

The message had sunk in, and according to Ginny, and any of their immediate family, there was no better daddy than Harry.

When they were twenty-two and twenty-one respectively, Alby had come along. Harry no longer had those awkward, first time father feelings.

Now, however, things were different. He now had five children and one on the way, and was feeling completely ill-prepared for it.

He was afraid that with five boys, ages two to seven, that he would not be able to give them the attention they all needed.

Teddy, as the oldest, didn’t need to feel as if too much was expected of him. Sirius needed to feel loved, but at the same time needed a short least. Jamie needed to feel as if he was equal to the other boys, as he was one of the youngest, but also needed to be aware that he wouldn’t always be able to do everything they did. Alby… well, at the current time, Alby was always a happy child and was never in trouble. Severus. Severus was the one child that Harry felt that he needed to keep a close eye on. He felt that he needed to make sure that Severus always felt as if he was treated as the other boys were treated.

It was just so hard for Harry. Harry knew that Severus did not trust him, and that hurt him deeply. Maybe, Harry thought, if he had tried harder in school, it would be easier now.

But, no, that wasn’t fair. Because then, in all honesty, it should have been Severus that tried to compile a relationship between the two. Harry, after all, had only just turned eleven when he first met the man.

Harry sighed. He didn’t know. He just hoped that soon everything would work out.

~sdrawkcab~

Out of their five children, two of them vomited after they were brought through the Floo with their parents. Harry had taken Teddy, Sirius, and Jamie through the Floo with him while Ginny had taken Severus and Alby. Unfortunately for Ginny, both of the boys that she had in her arms vomited all over her.

This lead to cries of embarrassment…from Severus…and from anguish…from Alby…and discomfort from both boys.

Harry placed Jamie, who had been in his arms, on the couch. He then lead the eldest two boys over to sit beside Jamie. Sirius stared at Severus and smirked. The git was so obnoxious. Couldn’t even go through the Floo without being a little baby.

“Here Gin, let me have one of them.” Harry said.

That, however, was much easier said than done. Harry knew that he couldn’t reach over for Severus, who was still upset about being punished earlier in the day, and didn’t trust Harry enough to begin with. So, reaching for Alby, Harry was in for a shock when the little boy wrapped his arms around his mother and cried, “No, Daddy! Want Mummy an’ Sevy! No, Daddy!” as big tears leaked down his cherub cheeks. So, then Harry looked at Severus, his eyebrows raised in questioning.

Severus looked up from where his head lay on Ginny’s shoulder. His eyes were sad and filled with tears. With a slight shake of his head he whispered, “No.”

“Harry, why don’t I take the boys into the bathroom and bathe them. If you would, bring me two of the children’s stomach soother’s. I will bathe them together and then lay them down for a little while. You can show Sirius his room, and then help the boys unpack…especially Sirius, as all of his things are packed.”

“Of course, Ginny. I will be right back.” Harry said, going towards the child proofed cabinet in the kitchen that held all of their emergency potions.

Ginny took the two boys in her arms towards the bathroom, and once there filled the bottom of the bath with warm water. Sitting Alby on the lid of the nearby toilet, she balanced Severus on her knee and undressed the little boy. Severus, as he did every time he was bathed, reddened slightly from embarrassment, but not nearly like he had the first time Ginny had had to bathe him. She lifted the boy up and over into the tub, placing him closet to the faucet, as Alby tended to play with the knobs.

Soon, Ginny also had Alby in the tub with Severus, and grabbed two washcloths from the cabinet. Gently lathering up one rag, she then took Alby’s arms and started to wash away the filth from the day and the Floo.

“Sev, honey, is there anything that you want to talk to me about?” Ginny asked randomly.

Severus stared at her and shook his head.

“Sev, you know that Harry loves you, don’t you? That you have nothing to worry about?” Ginny asked.

This time, Severus shrugged.

“Sev, I wish that you would talk to me. Or, even Alby. I am sure that Alby would love it if you would talk to him.”

“Sevvvyy! Talk to meee!” Alby shrieked, splashing the water at Severus.

And, for the first time, a genuine smile crossed Severus’ face as he lightly splashed Alby back. Before Ginny could even register what was happening, both of the small boys were giggling and playing in the water.

Those same giggles brought Harry to the door of the bathroom. He watched the two boys playing in the water, and love filled his heart more and more with each giggle that escaped their lips.

Nothing, however, would prepare him for what happened next.

“Look, Harry! Alby is playing with me!” Severus giggled.

Harry instantly felt a tear, but pushed it aside quickly and smiled at the boy.

“He sure is, Sev. He sure is.”

Maybe, Harry thought to himself, things were going to turn out well after all.

Ginny just continued washing the two boys and smirked. Her husband was so easy to read sometimes. And, she knew, without having to look, that no one would be able to wipe the stupid grin that was now covering his face away.