A/N: Okay... 'Rain' wasn't actually anything big for me, but I've grown rather fond of it. And just ending it like I did... it was driving me crazy. I wanted more. So, here it is. Well, half of it, anyway. This was just going to be a rather long oneshot, but now it's going to have two halves. I know what's going to happen, but I'm having a hard time getting it wrote. So... here's what I have so far. I'll let you chew on this and tell me what you think, and then hopefully I'll get over this writers block and write the second half!
It's set up and style is a little different from 'Rain', though. It's more... dramatic, I think. Oh, well...
'SNOW'
by ladylupin6213
- -JUNE- -
Remus grabbed Ginny's arm before they made their way into the room where the rest of the Order was waiting to hear their report. His grip was firm and warm, and Ginny's skin prickled at his touch. She still remembered the way those hands had felt on the rest of her body from the night before in that godforsaken cabin…
"Gin," Remus murmured, "I understand that last night was… impulsive. On both our parts."
Ginny nodded, swallowing.
"I think- and I'm sure that you do, too- that it would be best if what happened remained a… one-time thing." He sighed. "I mean, there's no point-"
"Remus, I agree completely," Ginny interrupted briskly. "It's alright. No use dwelling on it."
Remus nodded and opened the door, entering the meeting. Ginny was right behind, trying to ignore the slight twinge of pain that was still echoing inside of her from his words.
No point…
- JULY- -
Ginny couldn't breathe. She could feel her throat closing as the threat of tears stung her eyes.
Oh, God… This couldn't be happening, this couldn't be happening, this couldn't be happening…
She sank down onto the toilet seat, clutching her stomach. She felt sick. She was going to vomit… Oh, God.
This was happening.
She was pregnant with Remus Lupin's child.
She'd taken every form of pregnancy test on this Earth, muggle and wizard both. And all of them- every dammed one of them- said she was pregnant.
Remus…
There was no way this was Remus' fault… as much as she wanted to blame someone else, she couldn't blame him. He'd been a lonely man- was a lonely man- and there she'd been, ready to take advantage of it…
She'd been so stupid! She'd know that there was no possible way that he would have had any form of protection on him that night, and of course she'd known that she wasn't protected. She'd known! But she'd just been so lonely and hurting… not that that was any form of excuse for her carelessness.
She reached down, rubbing her still-flat stomach. There was a baby in there. Growing.
Finally, Ginny started to cry.
- --SEPTEMBER- -
Until September, Ginny's pregnancy was her secret. She ate enough to be healthy without gaining an overabundance of weight, so keeping her condition to herself was surprisingly easy. Everyone was so busy with the War; no one noticed.
Remus, especially, had no idea. He thought that everything had ended the morning after it had happened, outside of the meeting. They'd gone from that passionate session of lovemaking- sex, Ginny reminded herself. It had just been sex- the night before to politely ignoring each other everyday thereafter. They hardly saw each other, and whenever there was no avoiding an encounter, his eyes were always focused on anything but her.
Ginny couldn't take it. She was scared. This secret couldn't last forever. She was going to keep the baby, no matter what, so everyone would find out eventually. She needed help now, though.
Telling Remus would be the most logical choice, but a choice Ginny couldn't even think about right now. She couldn't deal with his reaction. Would he be disappointed? Angry? Happy?
Hermione.
In Ginny's opinion, telling Hermione was the best option for three reasons:
One- She was, of course, a very smart, very logical witch.
Two- She herself already had two children, so, obviously, she'd be able to help soothe Ginny's fears.
Three- Besides Luna, she was Ginny's only real female friend.
The fact that Hermione was married to Ginny's brother was just a risk she'd have to take.
- - - -
Ron was out with the boys for the afternoon. Hermione had stayed home for some peace and quiet and what she expected to be a pleasant tea with her sister-in-law.
Instead, Ginny was a broken, sobbing heap on Hermione's couch, the tea across the room and long forgotten.
Hermione didn't quite know what to say.
"You're…pregnant?"
Ginny nodded through her tears.
"And you've kept it a secret for almost five months?"
Another nod.
Hermione made her way over to Ginny's side, wrapping her arms around the younger woman's shoulders, hugging her tight. "Oh, Ginny! I'm so glad you told me! How could you even think you could do this alone? You need friends, and family, and the father-"
She felt Ginny stiffen at the word. She pulled away slightly.
"Ginny…" Hermione began hesitantly. "The father… who is he?"
Ginny was silent. "I can't…"
Hermione tilted Ginny's chin up until she was looking her straight in the eye. "Ginny, you need to tell me. It'll be okay."
Ginny shook her head, "He can't know. Not yet."
- - - -
Later, after Ginny had left, Hermione sat down on the couch where she'd just been comforting her sister-in-law. She could hardly believe that this was actually happening to Ginny, of all people.
It was… crazy. Unbelievable.
Hermione looked at the clock. Ron and the boys weren't due home for another hour.
Sighing, she made her way over to the phone, She'd promised Ginny…
After a long moment of her just standing there with her hand on the receiver, she finally picked it up. She heard the dial tone.
She punched in the numbers.
It rang once… twice… then-
"Hello?" The deep voice on the other line asked.
Hermione was silent. She'd promised Ginny she wouldn't tell…
"Hello?" The voice repeated. "Who is this?"
She promised…
Hermione cleared her throat. "Remus? This is Hermione. I think… I mean, I have something I need to talk to you about…"
- - - -
A/N: ARGH! Cliffie. Mwah-ha-ha. Review and i just might update faster...