Disclaimer: I always forget to do this, mainly because its so obvious that
the characters are not mine, just the plot, or lack therefore of.
Everything belongs to J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers, etc.
A.N. - Sorry to everyone for such a delay in the story. There are a lot of reasons why it took me so long; school, no internet, being sick for four weeks, school, and the main reason, I have this problem where I get too many ideas in my head, so I start to write other stories, and then when I come back to one, I have to start from the beginning and add more. I was never much of an outlining person, so sorry, and hope that these additions to the old chapters and all the new are worth it.
"Please don't leave me. I want to go with you. You need me. Please, let me come," she pleaded with him as she sat on her bed watching him grab his Dad's cloak and his broom.
"No, this is not your battle to fight, its mine. We knew this was going to have to happen. We knew this was what I was destined to do," he responded.
"But it never said who would survive. What if you don't come back?" she asked as she stood up off the bed and walked towards him, her eyes filling with tears, admitting what she had just realized that had happened to them.
He closed the distance to her, looked her deeply in the eyes, before taking her mouth fully, pulling her closer to him, grounding his hips into her, not wanting to end the moment he always though wasn't there, but knowing he had to leave, he pulled away, kissed her gently on the forehead, and whispered, "Good-Bye" before pulling on his Dad's cloak and opening the old wooden door to leave.
"I love you," she whispered to the closed door
***** One and a Half Years Later
Dear Hermione,
Paris is the absolutely the most beautiful city in the world. Everyday for over a year I've been saying this. Ever since I walked into the city, I have felt refreshed, like starting anew. I have found my self, a few favorite places that I make sure I visit once a week: one is at the church Sacre Coeur, the church overlooks the whole city, I just sit at the steps and marvel, the other spot I go to often is Notre Dame, another church, what can I say, I sit there have my café and read books. Muggles, really, are fantastic artists and architects. I can't believe how well I fit in, in the city. I am already fluent in French and my job is wonderful. It doesn't take up all my time, so it allows me a good amount of time to spend with James. If it is possible, I love him more everyday. Remember your promise. Until next time.
Your Friend,
Ginny
Harry read and reread the letter. Each time he read it, he didn't know whether or not he was angry or happy that Ginny was having such a good time. She seemed to be enjoying herself, but who is this James, and how can she be in love with him. Didn't he mean anything to her. All of a sudden, he heard a noise in the other room and put the parchment back on the desk. However, it was too late.
"Oh, Harry. You weren't suppose to see that." Hermione stated as she grabbed for the parchment.
"You mean to tell me that you have known where she has been this whole time and never told me. I have been searching for her for almost six months and all along you have known exactly where she was, you could have at least stopped me from searching all those places, every time in hope of finding her" Harry screamed
"Harry, she made me promise not to tell anyone. You can tell from the letter she is perfectly fine, happier then she has ever been, especially since you left."
"But why didn't she tell me where she is. Who is James? Why isn't she answering my owls from Hedwig, Why, Hermione, Why," Harry pleaded.
"Harry, she will come home on her own accord. We've all told you how she was when you left. She had to work out some things on her own, she was devastated when you left, she was the worst I have ever seen. It was horrible just to watch. She managed to pass her NEWTS fairly decently, but she was a recluse, and then one day she just up and left the Burrow, stopped to tell me, she'd keep in contact, then she just left. At first , her letters were depressing, but slowly she has sounded better and better." Hermione said as she shoved the letter into the drawer.
"I'm going to go get her. I am going to Paris to find her. I'll stake out her two favorite places." Harry said as he moved towards the door.
"Don't. She doesn't want to be found, yet. I will owl her and warn her that you're coming and to stay away from those places. I swear, I will," Hermione warned.
"Does she not want to be found because of James?" Harry asked with spite in his voice.
"I don't think James is a problem, he will go wherever she does. So, I don't really even that can be considered an option. She left because of herself, and she will come back when she's ready."
"But I miss her, I need her," Harry said in a soft voice.
"Harry, she needs more than that. She is just starting to find herself, again. She is nineteen, and she has had a very hard couple of years and not all of it was because you left. Harry, she told me about you two, I know almost everything that has happened between you two, things that you probably don't think I know and stuff that you would never want me even to know about. So let me tell you that she will come home, but let her come back when she is ready,"
"No," Harry whispered.
"Harry, please listen to me. She knows the logistics of what happened, she knows your back, ok. She's known the whole time, but she still didn't come back, because she's not ready to face you, her family, herself. I will write her and ask when she will be back or when I can tell you where she lives. Ok." Hermione said.
"Fine, but tell me as soon as I can go bring her home," Harry said as he started to leave the room.
"Oh, and Harry, don't tell anyone about Ginny, because no else knows. And she wants it like that," Hermione added.
When Harry left the room, Hermione grabbed a piece of parchment and some ink.
Dear Ginny,
I am so happy to hear that you are doing so well. It sounds like you are doing better everyday. However, I have to tell you something, but please don't take it the wrong way. You know Harry has been looking for you for about six months, ever since he got back from fighting the war, and that when he is not looking he is living with Ron, Neville, Luna, and me. Well, I caught him in my bedroom, today. I guess he didn't trust me, he has this knick with seeing through people. He saw the last letter you wrote me and he was so angry at me. I had to plead with him not to go get you, he almost apparated right then and there to stake out her favorite spots, but I won't be able to hold him off much longer. He really wants to see you, he misses you, a lot. It pains me to see him like this, it is worse than what you were like when he left, its like he's missing a part of himself without you here. Maybe guys aren't such gits afterall, but then there's your brother. I don't know how long it will take him to say those simple words every girl wants to hear. Please, consider coming home, seeing your family, letting him see you, or at least me. We all miss you. Please respond as soon as you can.
Love, Hermione
Hermione gave the letter to Hestia, her owl, and said, "You know where she is, please wait for her reply."
The next morning Ginny was unusually awoken by an owl, instead of her normal wake up. After taking the parchment from Hestia, she read and reread the letter. Oh, no. What am I going to do. He knows where I am. Does he know about James? Well, I can go home to the burrow for the weekend and at least see my family. Small steps lead to giant leaps.
Dear Hermione, Please meet me in front of Notre Dame at noon two weeks from tomorrow. I need you to do me a favor for the weekend. Don't tell anyone, especially Harry.
Ginny
Two weeks later from that day Hermione prepared to visit Paris for the weekend, when her roommates asked her where she was going she lied and told them she was visiting her parents for her Mom's birthday. At eleven thirty she apparrated to a Wizard Bar close to Notre Dame and walked to the front of Notre Dame and sat down on one of the stone benches.
"Hermione," she heard as she looked up to see a young women walking towards her red hair flowing behind her, a refreshed face, and a smile. "It's so good to see you."
"Ginny," Hermione said as she enveloped Ginny in a hug, "I have missed you so much."
"Come on, follow me we can talk as we go. I said I'd be back by 1:15. We need to take the metro to my flat. It's on the other side of Paris on Rue du Convention, not as touristy," Ginny said. On the way to her flat, Ginny spoke freely about everything from James, her job, Paris, to traveling in the country side.
"Ah, here we are, my flat. It isn't much, but its mine, well as close as I am going to get at this time, considering I room with Percy," Ginny said as she unlocked the door. "Sophie, Ou est James?"
'Bonjour, Mademoiselle et t'amie. James est dors en son chambre." Sophie responded.
"Merci, Tu es parti, maintainant. A lundi," Ginny told Sophie before talking to Hermione, "Come on, you have to see James, but he just went down to sleep so we'll have to not wake him up or else he'll get cranky."
Ginny walked down the hallway and opened the door to the last room on the right.
"Hermione, meet James," Ginny said.
When Hermione walked into the room, she saw the crib in the corner of the room with a rocking chair next to it and toys scattered about the room in toy bins and on shelves. Then there was James, with black hair, peacefully sleeping with a stuffed broom next to him. Hermione walked to the crib and started to gently stroke through James' abnormally messy hair. "Ginny, he's a living, breathing replica, how do you live with him and not think of."
"Percy buys him more gifts then he needs," Ginny interrupted, "I love him as a brother and as a roommate. Merlin knows, I wouldn't have been able to do this without him, but he spoils James rotten.
"Oh, Ginny. He's perfect," Hermione said.
"Well, Percy is working in London this week, so I was wondering if you could stay here and watch James for the weekend. Sophie only works Monday through Friday, on the days I work, and well, I need to do something, by myself."
"Sure," Hermione replied.
"Thank you, well I need to leave soon, Thank You," Ginny repeated.
"Are you going to see Harry?" Hermione asked.
"I'm not ready for that. I am going to go home to see my family, my whole family," Ginny said, but when she looked up, she saw an amused look in Hermione's eyes. "What?"
"Nothing, I am sure it will be nice to see them. I know they miss you and want to know what you have been up too. Have a nice trip home and whatever else you think or don't think will happen," Hermione whispered at the end knowing that things were bound to happen that Ginny wouldn't like, like Harry showing up for dinner on Sunday, like always, if not before.
*****
Wow, it looks exactly the same. I wonder how everyone will react. All this time, only Mom, Percy, and Hermione have known where I have been, and what happened.
Ginny walked up to the kitchen door and stopped to listen before she opened the door.
"GEORGE and FRED WEASLEY, STOP THAT RIGHT NOW. CHARLIE, BILL, THOSE ARE NOT TOYS. RON, GET AWAY FROM THAT, WAIT TILL YOUR FATHER GETS HOME," Mrs. Weasley screamed at her sons, minus Percy who Ginny could tell was helping his mother set the table while Bill and Charlie were making the knives chase after each other. Fred and George were trying to make something in a pot, and Ron was trying to pick at the food on the table. Well, here goes nothing.
When Ginny walked into the room, everything stopped, the knives dropped to the floor, along with what Ron was trying to eat. All seven people in the room, looked at the red-hair women who entered the room.
"Ginny?" Ron asked timidly.
"Yes, Ron." Ginny answered.
"Where have you been, why haven't you written or responded to any of our owls? We all missed you?"
"I'm sorry, but I just needed to be by myself and grow,"
"But you could've let us know where you were?"
"No, I couldn't," Ginny said in a raised voice.
On that note, Ron stalked right out of the kitchen and up the stairs, probably to his old room. Bill and Charlie walked over to give their sister a hug while what Fred and George were making exploded.
Dinner was perfect, she caught up on everything, even the stuff that she was already told. Ron never did come back down. Ginny told everyone about her job and Paris, but not James. Harry needed to be told of James first, and that, would have to wait. After dinner was finished, Ginny climbed the stairs to the closed door on the top floor and instead of knocking, unlocked the door and entered.
"Ron, Please talk to me," Ginny pleaded, "I've really missed you."
"Well, You should have thought of that before you left. How could you do that to me, us, Harry? You have no idea how much we have looked for you. We knew you were alive because of the clock, but Ginny we needed you and you just up and left us." Ron answered looking the other direction while sitting on the bed. Ginny walked over to the bed and sat down next to him.
"Ron, I'm sorry. But, I had to do it, for myself. I wasn't happy here. I was miserable, you saw how bad I was and it started long before Harry left. I don't know what he has told you, but the two of us were not as perfect as we looked and it was near the end, before he left, that I think both of us realized what we were. I couldn't have it, like that. The night he left I knew why he was leaving, but I didn't want him to go and he wouldn't let me go with him. And even with our troubles, him not being here, well it was tearing me up being here, because I was falling in love with him and I didn't know if it was because I really was or if it was just part of the show. Look at me, see how happy I am, how much I have changed, and you know what, I am ready to start coming home on the weekends to see you, my family, but I'm not ready for Harry,"
"Ginny, Harry has been worried sick. After the defeat, he's changed, changed for the better in how he holds himself, but with you not here, its like he is missing something. He is worse than you were before you left, its like something is void in his heart, so as soon as I left the room, I came up here and owled him, he should be here any moment," Ron said unprepared for the slap that met his face.
"How could you, its not your place to tell him that I was home, I don't want to see him, yet. I'm not ready. I hate you, Ron Weasley," Ginny said crying as she stormed out, went down to her room, and put the strongest locking charm that she knew on her door, one that only Bill could probably undo.
As soon as her door locked, she heard his voice from downstairs.
"Ginny, Ginny. Where are you? Where is she, please?" Harry said to which the family still at the table just pointed up. A couple seconds later, Harry ran up the stairs and tried to open her door, but it wouldn't open. He tried every single unlocking charm he knew, but known would work.
"Ginny, I know you're in there. Please let me at least see you, hear your voice, anything," Harry pleaded to which he heard no answer.
"Gin, I've missed you so much, Please, Gin, I'm sorry for leaving, I'm sorry for what we were, I'm sorry for everything, but I want us to be together, Ginny, please let me in, all I want to do is talk," Harry said crying. After sitting next to the door for over two hours eventually seeing Mr. and Mrs. Weasley head into their bedroom giving him a worried look and Ron walking down from his room muttering, "I don't know if you want to go in there," before he heard the door clicked unlocked. He slowly stood up and entered the room to find it empty upon first glance, but when he looked again he saw her in the corner of the room, with her legs curled up against her chest, and her head crumbled up with her hair frayed about covering her self against them, crying.
"Oh, Ginny," Harry said as he walked over to her and held her until she stopped crying, gently stroking her back, trying to give her as much comfort as he could.
'I've missed you so much. I've looked for you, everywhere. If Hermione wouldn't have stopped me, I would have been in Paris the moment I found out. Ginny, please, talk to me. Why did you leave?" Harry questioned while pleading for the answers.
Ginny slowly got up and walked to the window, looking out to the garden, "Harry, so much happened after you left. I was miserable, it was worse than what happened my first year. Tom possessed me and tried to steal my essence, but you took my heart and soul and just left. I knew we weren't like we should have been in our relationship, but that still didn't change how I felt, I felt like I couldn't live anymore. I can't believe how I felt, so much emotion was building up inside of me and I couldn't handle it. Percy wrote me a letter, a little while after I completed my NEWTS and said he found me a job in the Ministry in his department over in France. It wasn't my dream job, but I wasn't in the optimum position for that career. He said that I could live with him and start a new life. I went, because I felt that it was my only choice, and at first I was miserable, but then slowly I got better, and I think finally, I am." Ginny stated,
"Why didn't you respond to Hedwig or anyone else's owls because I know that you got them,"
"Harry, I wasn't ready to come home and that included talking to you. It just would have slowed my progression. I needed to be away from the familiar,"
"Did James help you?" Harry snapped, and saw Ginny cringe.
"James, was my life-saver. I wouldn't be here, if it wasn't for him." Ginny said as she turned to see the anger and hurt in Harry's eyes.
"Fine. How could you do that to me? I thought that we would be together. I needed you and when I came back, you were gone." Harry spatted.
"You're the one who left me. You're the one who hurt me, so don't throw all the blame on me. Haven't you learned anything, Harry, I need more than need that's why we were the way we were. I mean why did we even get together, to please other people, or because we wanted too. At the end, I was starting to feel actual love for you, it wasn't like before, it was real, and then when you left it was shattered. I did nothing to you or against you. Harry, I have never told you this, but you know what, now is the time, I love you, and that is a lot different then needing someone to love."
"What?" Harry questioned. "How can you love me and James?"
"Because I can, ok." Ginny yelled, "If you can't understand, then you can leave my room and my house. And do it now, I can't stand to be near you right now"
"Ginny, please. I love you," Harry pleaded.
"What?"
"I love you, I have loved you for so long. It is unbearable for me not to be near you. I could bearly survive. I know how survive without love, I did for ten years with the Dursley's, but then you showed me how love was suppose to be, and I couldn't live without it, I won't," Harry said with tears in his eyes. The room went silent and the only sound that could be heard was the howling wind outside the window. A few seconds later, a whisper was heard over the whistling noise.
"Harry, I don't know how to tell you this, I've needed to tell you for so long, but I mean how is someone suppose to tell someone else something like this. I should've told you before you left, but I didn't know until a couple weeks after you left, and well by then I couldn't tell you, so then I just had to leave. But, when I knew this whole mess was over, I was so scared to tell you, afraid of what you would think of me, I don't even know how to tell you now, but you need to know, its your right to know." Ginny said as she walked over to Harry and hugged him tightly before whispering, "James, James he is your son."
"Huh," Harry said looking down into Ginny's eyes.
"James is your son, I was sick before exams and went to Poppy and she told me. I had no idea what to do, there I was pregnant, still have to finish school, wanting to be an Auror. Well, now, that wasn't possible. You weren't here, I couldn't tell anyone. However, I felt like I could tell my Mom and Hermione. I mean Mom had seven kids she should know what to do, and Hermione was smart, maybe she could help me decide what to do. I was killing myself and James and I didn't even know it, because I didn't know how to live with myself, that was before Percy saved me. We were always close, I was the only one who ever needed his protection, his caring devotion. He found a job for me, told me I could live with him, and that he would help me, as I had helped him," Ginny said crying.
"What? When? How?" Harry asked to which Ginny chuckled.
"You should know how, James was born on time on December 6th, so that means it was around Easter break, probably, the night of our Hogsemeade date," Ginny said, "James has jet black hair and everything else that yours, including your eyes, the only way you can tell he's mine, is that he has the Weasley temperament."
"Where is he, when can I see him? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Hermione is watching him for the weekend, and you can see him whenever you can come to Paris. We're happy in Paris, I love my job, I love the city, Percy is the perfect roommate. We have an extra bedroom you can have whenever you want to visit. And well I couldn't Owl you, it wouldn't be right, and what if it got intercepted, and after all I couldn't take you away from your destiny," Ginny rambled on showing her nervousness.
"What if I don't want my own room?" Harry asked looking down at Ginny before taking her lips softly at first, a first tongue and tongue contact in a year and a half. Harry lowered his hand to her back, moving her body closer to his, and slowly walking her back to her bed while intensifying the kiss. This is what he had been wanting to do for a year and a half, ever since the moment he walked out of her room. However, when they landed on the bed, Ginny pushed Harry off of her.
"Harry, we can't go back to where we were, and I don't want to go back to that meaningless relationship that had sex thrown into it as well," Ginny stated looking into his emerald eyes.
"I love you, you love me. It can be different this time," Harry said.
"Oh, but Harry. You changed, I have definitely changed, and I'm not ready to do that, not yet, at least now we were when you left. Can we just take it slow, day by day?" Ginny asked.
"Fine, I'll see you in the morning," Harry said hastily as he got up and left the room, probably to go to Ron's room, or at least that's what Ginny presumed, while all she wanted is for Harry just to hold her as she slept.
Ginny changed into some night clothes, before climbing into her bed, trading her thoughts between Harry and James. Before she knew it, when she looked at the clock next to her bed, she saw that it was two o'clock. Merlin, I can't sleep. Why did Ron have to owl Harry. Well, if I can't sleep, might as well go get a little snack, Ginny thought as she climbed out of bed and slowly made her way down to the kitchen, making sure to miss the steps that creaked, so not to wake anyone up. She went in the kitchen to find it empty, grabbed some water, put a warming charm on it, and put some chocolate in it. Next, she went into the family room, lit the fire with her wand, and went to the bookshelf to pick out a book before cozing up in an arm chair. As soon as she started reading, she sensed Harry in the room. For three years they were always together, dating for two years, sleeping with each other for a couple months (they had waited until Ginny had turned eighteen), after all the time she spent with him, she could always sense him or smell his distinct scent before she saw him, especially when he would come to visit under the invisibility cloak. But instead of saying anything, she did like always and waited for him to initiate.
"You always do the same thing when you can't sleep. Regardless of where you are," she heard from the foot of the steps.
"It comforts me, you know that. I like the fire, I love to read, and the hot chocolate tastes good anytime," she replied.
"Well, I hate to ruin your little party, but I came down to apologize," Harry said.
"Apologize?" Ginny questioned while motioning him to join her on the couch and under the blanket, she grabbed from the floor.
"I overreacted earlier, tonight. I was mad that you left, but I did the same thing. When I first saw the letter, you wrote Hermione, I saw the name James, and figured you had found someone else. I felt like before, everyone I loved being torn away from me. Ginny, I will do whatever you want me to do to gain back your trust, your love. I will wait for you to be ready, I will do anything I can for you," Harry said as he sat down next to her, but still facing her.
"Harry, stop. So much has happened in a year and a half. When you left me, I knew why, but I was mad that you were doing it without me. The whole entire two years we were dating, you never once told me you loved me, not once. And then you just left, and didn't say anything. I felt used, like you were using me for something you never had, love, but never actually admitting it was there. And then today, you have told me you love me three times, but how can you say it so freely now, when you couldn't tell me it before, do I mean anything to you, do you actually love me, or what? I have always been closet to Percy, in my family, so being away from everyone in my family besides him and you, has taught me a lot about love and the nature of it. You grew up in a family that had love, just not love for you. And why, my house is the fullest place of love there is, but I need to be away from it, to realize it. Harry, We dated for two years, slept together for a couple of months, but we never knew each other, or else we would have been making love together. And well, now, we have both become different people then we knew, before. So please, can we just start over, get to know each other, get to love each other," Ginny said while crying harder and harder. When she finished, Harry wiped the tears from her face, then kissed her gently on each cheek and her forehead before he spoke.
"Ginny, I am so sorry. But as much as I don't want to admit it, you're right. School was a hard time for both of us for some different and some pretty much the same reasons. I think we found something in each other that we couldn't find elsewhere, need and comfort. But after not being with you for so long, I realize that, that we both need more than just need, we need love. And that's what I want us to have, I want not just to say I love you, but I want to live each day showing my love for you. I am so sorry for taking us being together for granted, and I will try to never do it again. So like you said, let's take this day by day, and see what the future holds for us." Harry said.
"Ok, but how are we going to do this, I guess, James and I can move in here to the Burrow, if I can get a job transfer to the London office, because I think Percy has had enough of us, can't keep up his life with Penny. I guess I'll go back to Paris and pack our stuff to come back and stay here."
"Why don't you stay with Ron, Hermione, Neville, Luna, and me?" asked Harry.
"That means going back to like things were at school, the six of us. I love being around all them, but I want this time to be different, I want it just to be us. Any way none of them want a baby living with them. That's why I'll live with my parents and you can live with our friends. That's how we'll do it," Ginny stated.
"Ok, If that's how you want it, then that's how it'll be." Harry said.
"Umm, I guess, since I didn't hear Ron kill you, you didn't tell him about James," Ginny commented.
"No, I figured everyone knew, already." Harry responded.
"Well, right now, the only ones who know are Percy and Penny, Hermione, my Mom, and you. I didn't think it would be fair if everyone knew before you, so I just told who needed to be told. I'll owl Hermione and tell her I'll be home to pick her and James up tomorrow, and we'll come back to the Burrow for dinner and to stay," Ginny said as she got up wrote a quick note and walked to wake up Castor, the family's new owl. "Its really late and I need to leave early to get them, so I guess I'll head up to bed now, as it is three o'clock, so I will see you tomorrow at dinner."
"No," Harry stated, "I will go with you and help you. Ok."
Wordlessly, Harry followed Ginny up the stairs, to which they stopped at her door.
"Well, Goodnight," Ginny said as she opened her door.
"Sleep well," Harry said as he leaned in and gently brushed her lips with his own before retreating upstairs to Ron's old room.
*****
Harry and Ginny left for the long-distance apparition point in the mid- morning, just telling Ginny's family they were spending the day together. At 11:00, Ginny led Harry to her flat, opened the door and walked down to James' room. "Harry, this is James, your son," Upon seeing James, Harry's eyes were sparkling and he was speechless. Wow, this is all true. He's mine, how did she do this, alone? "Why don't you get acquainted with him while Hermione and I, pack." Ginny said before she left the room after seeing Harry take James in his arms and just hold him against with a gleam in his eyes that she had never seen before.
At five o'clock Ginny and Hermione had everything packed, shrunk, and ready to go. "Harry, can you carry these, and I'll take James," Ginny said after watching Harry rocking while Harry was holding him. They looked in perfect harmony with each other.
"Guys, why don't you go in first, and I'll follow you in a minute," Ginny said once they arrived at the Burrow. Hermione did, but Harry stayed back.
"Ginny, let me help you, with this. Please, its not like they won't know he's mine, let me take him," Harry said grabbing for James.
"No, he is my son. He is my responsibility, I have cared for him since before he was born. This is my family, I need to tell them, Go on in I'll be right in," she responded while holding James tighter.
After Harry, gave up, and went inside, Ginny walked over to a bench and sat down.
"Well, James. You've met your dad, now its time to meet the rest of your family. Beware, they all have a temper just like you, so there might be some yelling, especially from Uncle Ron, and probably Uncle Bill and Charlie, too. But, they'll get over it and love you. Well, its now or never."
Ginny then walked to the kitchen door and slowly opened it. To almost the same response and when she entered yesterday. Everyone stopped talking and stared at her. But unlike yesterday, Ron hit Harry in the face and knocked him to the ground. Everyone else's faces were in awe, except for Percy and Mrs. Weasley, almost expecting Mrs. Weasley to start at it at Harry and Ginny, but all she did was go up and hug Ginny and take the baby from her arms.
"Finally, I get to meet from grandson. Who knew my youngest would give me my first. Ron, apologize to Harry," Mrs. Weasley said.
"No, I will not apologize to someone who did this to my sister. Harry, how could you? You were my best friend. This is why she left, isn't it, because you got her pregnant. I thought it was suspicious how she was sick and then just left. You probably knew where she was the whole time, just hiding her from the world," Ron screamed.
"Way to go, Harry," came from Fred and George.
"How could you do this to our little sister?" Bill asked furiously.
"Stop, All of you, stop it now. I don't want to hear it. Harry doesn't deserve this, from any of you," Ginny screamed now that her mother took James into the other room and came back in. "Harry just found out he had a son, this morning. Yes, its pretty obvious he's the father, all James is missing is the lightning bolt, but I haven't seen him for over a year and a half. I left because of me, not Harry and not James, me. Believe me, it was a mutual decision on how James arrived. Harry did nothing to me that I didn't want him to do. In fact, the night James was conceived I was the one doing the seducing. (This comment made all of her brothers cringe). I didn't know James was there until after I left Hogwarts, and if you remember Harry left long before. So don't yell at Harry for anything, yell at me, because I got pregnant, and I was planning on leaving long before I knew, Percy just came up with the perfect solution for me. From What I've heard Harry was been looking for me for six months, and the three people I trusted with my secret watched him get torn up from the inside just like all of you, but unlike you, they knew where I was. So, just leave him alone. I left because of me, I needed to learn who I was and what I was doing. What I learned was how much this family loves each other for better or for worse. When Percy did what he did my fourth year, well, we all forgave him after that, and we never stopped loving him. Never. That's what I learned, once you love someone or are loved by someone, that it can never cease. Love never dies. I love everyone is this room with all my heart and if you can't accept what I have done, what Harry has done, then you are not the people I know you are, the people I love." With that a sobbing red faced Ginny walked out of the room, where a pin needle could drop and it could be heard, went picked up her son and brought him back into the room. "This is James, the most important thing in my life, my family, your family. I know he doesn't look like us, but when did looks ever matter, when there is a temper involved. Ron, this is your nephew, if you cannot look at him, and not be in love with him, then I don't where you went wrong. James is a part of this family, care for him, protect him, but most of all love him." With that Ginny left the room and climbed the stairs to her room leaving James in Ron's arms.
"Sorry, Well, you know she is a Weasley, first and foremost. So, she has your temper. But, where she goes I must follow. So I hope you all figure out how you are going to apologize to her. I'll try to get her down here some time tonight, but it probably won't happen if I know her and I think I do. Molly, you will watch James tonight, won't you." Harry said before trekking up the stairs after Ginny, However, he had learned from last night, and found out how to unlock her door and walked in to find her under the covers of her bed. Harry went over sat down next to her on the bed, recast the locking charm, plus put a silencing charm on the room.
"Gin, That was so amazing what you said. You have an unbelievable amount of strength and courage to stick up for what you know to be true even when people don't want to believe it. That is why you are a Grffyndor, pure courage. That is what makes you so special, you don't back down from what you know. Ginny, you truly amaze me." Harry said while stoking her back. After a few moments, she uncovered herself.
"Harry, come here. I don't want to talk or do anything just hold me," Ginny said patting the mattress behind her. To this, Harry moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her pulling her close and tight. A couple hours later, Harry heard a light knock at the door.
"Gin," he whispered. When she didn't move or respond, he slowly unwrapped himself from her, gently kissing her cheek before unlocking the door to find himself face to face with Ron.
"Ron, not now, ok." Harry stated.
"I just wanted to talk to you, well to the both of you. My mom, Hermione, and Percy just finished talking to us about the past year and a half. I didn't realize," Ron started "Ron, not now. Ginny is sleeping, she has had a hard time with everything, and right now she just needs to sleep. She'll be able to talk tomorrow and you can talk to me tomorrow too," Harry said to which Ron nodded before shutting the door and going back to sleep next to Ginny. Ginny, I don't know how you did this. Losing me, Pregnant with my child, giving birth, caring for him, working full-time, living, surviving. I know you don't want to hear it, but that is why I love you. You doing it for you, and in a way you did it for me, too. And for that I love you. You not only found yourself but helped me find myself.
*****
The next morning Harry woke up relatively late. However, he was the first to wake up. Taking advantage of it, Harry smelt in her hair, and savored the feel of Ginny in his arms. A few minutes later, he felt her stir next to him. When she moved, he kissed the back of her head to make sure she knew he was there for him.
"Harry?" Ginny questioned.
"Uh-huh," Harry answered.
"Thank you, I really needed that last night," Ginny said.
"It was my pleasure, I enjoyed it. It felt right, it felt like home." Harry responded.
"I need to go check on James, I shouldn't have left him last night. He isn't used to this place, or my family," Ginny said raising herself out of the bed.
"Ginny, stop, come back here, and sit down." Harry said to which she complied. "You need to relax. You know your mother, she gave James the best anyone could last night and although your brothers were angry there is no way they can deny him. James is in safe hands. You need some time for you, right now. And that's what I intend to do right now. Now, lie down on your stomach," he said after finishing massaging her shoulders. As Ginny lied down, Harry started with her feet, rubbing them gently, slowly he worked his hands over her calves, thighs, and back. After giving her a full massage, Harry hesitantly leaned down and kissed on the back of the neck and kissing his way down to her shoulder. When he got to her shoulder, he gently sucked on it. After a short time, Ginny moved from her stomach to her back, looking up into Harry's eyes.
"Remember, slow," Ginny whispered before Harry took her lips, softy and slowly, before prodding his tongue into her mouth, massaging her tongue with his own, with hers doing the same. Painfully, that's all he let himself do. He wanted her, he needed her, but since he loved her, he would wait until she was ready. Slowly, he let his lips release hers.
"Ginny, go back to sleep. I'll go get James and come back to wake you in awhile," Harry whispered. And before she could object, Harry added, "We both know you need rest, you've earned it. Now sleep."
When Harry reached the kitchen after going down the steps, he found Molly, alone, feeding James.
"So, how bad was it last night?" Harry questioned after taking some tea from the kettle on the stove and sitting down on the other side of James.
"Better. Ginny's speech really had an effect on the boys. Whenever she gets like that, they always listen. But that is the worst or best she has ever gotten. Give the boys some time, they'll come around. They already have. It's just weird for them. So how are you doing with all this?"
"At first, I was so mad, because I thought James, was another man, but two nights ago or yesterday morning we came to an agreement. It will take some time, but we will survive. We will find our way. I, however, have come for my son. Ginny is sleeping some more, but I promised her I would go get James." Harry said as he picked James up.
"I promise we'll talk more later, but I need to spend some time with James," Harry said as he moved towards the door to the garden to where he assumed the Weasley boys were.
When he entered the garden he saw Hermione sitting under the shade of a tree while the Weasley boys were playing a game of Quidditch, so Harry walked over and sat in the shade with Hermione.
"So Hermione, where did you end up last night, since I took your spot?" Harry questioned.
"Oh, well. I took your place. Is it going to be the same tonight?" Hermione replied.
"That's for Ginny to answer,"
"How is she?"
"Ginny is doing better. We have had some really good talks over the past couple days, but last night she just cried and went to sleep, and that's where I left her awhile ago. She has had a rough time and now its my job to see that she relaxes and gets what she wants." Harry said while watching James walk around and talk to himself in his own language.
"Harry, she'll come around. Last night, well, we all knew they were going to react like that, especially Ron. But, after you left, Ron fell in love with James, and we talked about it. I mean he didn't know you two had slept together, he just thought you were dating, so when James comes into the picture, he was shocked. I think he thought you would wait till you were married, or something. But, he came to talk to you last night, and I guess he'll do it later today. He's too caught up in playing Quidditch to even notice you're here. When is Ginny going to come down?" Hermione asked.
"I'll go wake her up in a bit, if she is not already awake," Harry said before chasing after James. Hermione and Harry sat there watching both James and Quidditch for about an hour before Harry left James with Hermione and went to get Ginny. Before he went up, he poured her some tea and grabbed some cookies. When Harry opened Ginny's door, he saw her still asleep, so he put the tray of the tea and cookies on her desk and went over to her. Harry sat down next to Ginny's sleeping body and thought for a few moments on how he would wake her, and when he finally decided, he acted. Gently, as not to wake her, pulled the comforter off her sleeping body, then he found her foot and started to tickle it, to which she responded by unconsciously kicking. Harry chuckled to himself, then, Harry went to tickle her under her knees, then the side of her stomach. When she still wouldn't wake up, Harry straddled her body and blew into her ear, lightly. Ginny then moved from her side to her back. It is in this position, that Harry bent down and kissed Ginny on her lips. It is then, he got the response he wanted, she woke up and kissed him back. However, it was only for only a brief moment before she pushed him off of her.
"Good Afternoon," he whispered.
"What? Oh, my God. James. Why didn't you wake me up? How late is it, I needed to floo my work and negotiate things with them. And Harry, why did you just do that?" Ginny rambled on.
Harry then started to answer her questions amazed how her mood could change so fast, "First, James is fine. I just spent a while with him. Molly took care of him last night, and he is with Hermione right now. They're watching your brothers play Quidditch. I did wake you a couple of hours ago. Remember, I gave you a massage and then we kissed. But then, I told you to go back to sleep. Its about three o'clock so you still have plenty of time to floo work. And you liked me kissing you, but I thought it would be fun to wake you up that way."
"Oh, I thought that was a dream," Ginny said without thinking.
"Well, it wasn't. But, I did bring you some tea and cookies to wake you up, So, if you want I can go and get James, but I would rather stay here." Harry said as he got off the bed and went to get the tray.
"Harry, a lot happened last night, and I know last night I was a wreck and you helped me, but before we go downstairs we need to talk some more about us and what is happening. So, we can tell my family, everything," Ginny said.
"I completely agree with you," Harry said as he waited for Ginny to start talking while moving a chair and sitting across from her place on the bed, putting his hands on the outside of her.
"Ok, first. As I said last night, I am living here with James, you will live where you are. I will keep on doing my job, you doing yours. We will take things one day at a time and see where it all takes us," Ginny started not really talking about what she wanted, but hoping that Harry would pick up on her nervousness and start the conversation where it should begin, the past.
"Ginny, before we talk about the future, I think we need to talk about what happened between us at Hogwarts and your seventh year. We need to talk about what went wrong, so it doesn't go wrong this time,"
"You're right, but, I don't know."
"I know that it's going to be hard, but that is the only way that you, we, are ever going to be able to start anew," Harry said.
"Ok," Ginny mumbled.
A.N. - Sorry to everyone for such a delay in the story. There are a lot of reasons why it took me so long; school, no internet, being sick for four weeks, school, and the main reason, I have this problem where I get too many ideas in my head, so I start to write other stories, and then when I come back to one, I have to start from the beginning and add more. I was never much of an outlining person, so sorry, and hope that these additions to the old chapters and all the new are worth it.
"Please don't leave me. I want to go with you. You need me. Please, let me come," she pleaded with him as she sat on her bed watching him grab his Dad's cloak and his broom.
"No, this is not your battle to fight, its mine. We knew this was going to have to happen. We knew this was what I was destined to do," he responded.
"But it never said who would survive. What if you don't come back?" she asked as she stood up off the bed and walked towards him, her eyes filling with tears, admitting what she had just realized that had happened to them.
He closed the distance to her, looked her deeply in the eyes, before taking her mouth fully, pulling her closer to him, grounding his hips into her, not wanting to end the moment he always though wasn't there, but knowing he had to leave, he pulled away, kissed her gently on the forehead, and whispered, "Good-Bye" before pulling on his Dad's cloak and opening the old wooden door to leave.
"I love you," she whispered to the closed door
***** One and a Half Years Later
Dear Hermione,
Paris is the absolutely the most beautiful city in the world. Everyday for over a year I've been saying this. Ever since I walked into the city, I have felt refreshed, like starting anew. I have found my self, a few favorite places that I make sure I visit once a week: one is at the church Sacre Coeur, the church overlooks the whole city, I just sit at the steps and marvel, the other spot I go to often is Notre Dame, another church, what can I say, I sit there have my café and read books. Muggles, really, are fantastic artists and architects. I can't believe how well I fit in, in the city. I am already fluent in French and my job is wonderful. It doesn't take up all my time, so it allows me a good amount of time to spend with James. If it is possible, I love him more everyday. Remember your promise. Until next time.
Your Friend,
Ginny
Harry read and reread the letter. Each time he read it, he didn't know whether or not he was angry or happy that Ginny was having such a good time. She seemed to be enjoying herself, but who is this James, and how can she be in love with him. Didn't he mean anything to her. All of a sudden, he heard a noise in the other room and put the parchment back on the desk. However, it was too late.
"Oh, Harry. You weren't suppose to see that." Hermione stated as she grabbed for the parchment.
"You mean to tell me that you have known where she has been this whole time and never told me. I have been searching for her for almost six months and all along you have known exactly where she was, you could have at least stopped me from searching all those places, every time in hope of finding her" Harry screamed
"Harry, she made me promise not to tell anyone. You can tell from the letter she is perfectly fine, happier then she has ever been, especially since you left."
"But why didn't she tell me where she is. Who is James? Why isn't she answering my owls from Hedwig, Why, Hermione, Why," Harry pleaded.
"Harry, she will come home on her own accord. We've all told you how she was when you left. She had to work out some things on her own, she was devastated when you left, she was the worst I have ever seen. It was horrible just to watch. She managed to pass her NEWTS fairly decently, but she was a recluse, and then one day she just up and left the Burrow, stopped to tell me, she'd keep in contact, then she just left. At first , her letters were depressing, but slowly she has sounded better and better." Hermione said as she shoved the letter into the drawer.
"I'm going to go get her. I am going to Paris to find her. I'll stake out her two favorite places." Harry said as he moved towards the door.
"Don't. She doesn't want to be found, yet. I will owl her and warn her that you're coming and to stay away from those places. I swear, I will," Hermione warned.
"Does she not want to be found because of James?" Harry asked with spite in his voice.
"I don't think James is a problem, he will go wherever she does. So, I don't really even that can be considered an option. She left because of herself, and she will come back when she's ready."
"But I miss her, I need her," Harry said in a soft voice.
"Harry, she needs more than that. She is just starting to find herself, again. She is nineteen, and she has had a very hard couple of years and not all of it was because you left. Harry, she told me about you two, I know almost everything that has happened between you two, things that you probably don't think I know and stuff that you would never want me even to know about. So let me tell you that she will come home, but let her come back when she is ready,"
"No," Harry whispered.
"Harry, please listen to me. She knows the logistics of what happened, she knows your back, ok. She's known the whole time, but she still didn't come back, because she's not ready to face you, her family, herself. I will write her and ask when she will be back or when I can tell you where she lives. Ok." Hermione said.
"Fine, but tell me as soon as I can go bring her home," Harry said as he started to leave the room.
"Oh, and Harry, don't tell anyone about Ginny, because no else knows. And she wants it like that," Hermione added.
When Harry left the room, Hermione grabbed a piece of parchment and some ink.
Dear Ginny,
I am so happy to hear that you are doing so well. It sounds like you are doing better everyday. However, I have to tell you something, but please don't take it the wrong way. You know Harry has been looking for you for about six months, ever since he got back from fighting the war, and that when he is not looking he is living with Ron, Neville, Luna, and me. Well, I caught him in my bedroom, today. I guess he didn't trust me, he has this knick with seeing through people. He saw the last letter you wrote me and he was so angry at me. I had to plead with him not to go get you, he almost apparated right then and there to stake out her favorite spots, but I won't be able to hold him off much longer. He really wants to see you, he misses you, a lot. It pains me to see him like this, it is worse than what you were like when he left, its like he's missing a part of himself without you here. Maybe guys aren't such gits afterall, but then there's your brother. I don't know how long it will take him to say those simple words every girl wants to hear. Please, consider coming home, seeing your family, letting him see you, or at least me. We all miss you. Please respond as soon as you can.
Love, Hermione
Hermione gave the letter to Hestia, her owl, and said, "You know where she is, please wait for her reply."
The next morning Ginny was unusually awoken by an owl, instead of her normal wake up. After taking the parchment from Hestia, she read and reread the letter. Oh, no. What am I going to do. He knows where I am. Does he know about James? Well, I can go home to the burrow for the weekend and at least see my family. Small steps lead to giant leaps.
Dear Hermione, Please meet me in front of Notre Dame at noon two weeks from tomorrow. I need you to do me a favor for the weekend. Don't tell anyone, especially Harry.
Ginny
Two weeks later from that day Hermione prepared to visit Paris for the weekend, when her roommates asked her where she was going she lied and told them she was visiting her parents for her Mom's birthday. At eleven thirty she apparrated to a Wizard Bar close to Notre Dame and walked to the front of Notre Dame and sat down on one of the stone benches.
"Hermione," she heard as she looked up to see a young women walking towards her red hair flowing behind her, a refreshed face, and a smile. "It's so good to see you."
"Ginny," Hermione said as she enveloped Ginny in a hug, "I have missed you so much."
"Come on, follow me we can talk as we go. I said I'd be back by 1:15. We need to take the metro to my flat. It's on the other side of Paris on Rue du Convention, not as touristy," Ginny said. On the way to her flat, Ginny spoke freely about everything from James, her job, Paris, to traveling in the country side.
"Ah, here we are, my flat. It isn't much, but its mine, well as close as I am going to get at this time, considering I room with Percy," Ginny said as she unlocked the door. "Sophie, Ou est James?"
'Bonjour, Mademoiselle et t'amie. James est dors en son chambre." Sophie responded.
"Merci, Tu es parti, maintainant. A lundi," Ginny told Sophie before talking to Hermione, "Come on, you have to see James, but he just went down to sleep so we'll have to not wake him up or else he'll get cranky."
Ginny walked down the hallway and opened the door to the last room on the right.
"Hermione, meet James," Ginny said.
When Hermione walked into the room, she saw the crib in the corner of the room with a rocking chair next to it and toys scattered about the room in toy bins and on shelves. Then there was James, with black hair, peacefully sleeping with a stuffed broom next to him. Hermione walked to the crib and started to gently stroke through James' abnormally messy hair. "Ginny, he's a living, breathing replica, how do you live with him and not think of."
"Percy buys him more gifts then he needs," Ginny interrupted, "I love him as a brother and as a roommate. Merlin knows, I wouldn't have been able to do this without him, but he spoils James rotten.
"Oh, Ginny. He's perfect," Hermione said.
"Well, Percy is working in London this week, so I was wondering if you could stay here and watch James for the weekend. Sophie only works Monday through Friday, on the days I work, and well, I need to do something, by myself."
"Sure," Hermione replied.
"Thank you, well I need to leave soon, Thank You," Ginny repeated.
"Are you going to see Harry?" Hermione asked.
"I'm not ready for that. I am going to go home to see my family, my whole family," Ginny said, but when she looked up, she saw an amused look in Hermione's eyes. "What?"
"Nothing, I am sure it will be nice to see them. I know they miss you and want to know what you have been up too. Have a nice trip home and whatever else you think or don't think will happen," Hermione whispered at the end knowing that things were bound to happen that Ginny wouldn't like, like Harry showing up for dinner on Sunday, like always, if not before.
*****
Wow, it looks exactly the same. I wonder how everyone will react. All this time, only Mom, Percy, and Hermione have known where I have been, and what happened.
Ginny walked up to the kitchen door and stopped to listen before she opened the door.
"GEORGE and FRED WEASLEY, STOP THAT RIGHT NOW. CHARLIE, BILL, THOSE ARE NOT TOYS. RON, GET AWAY FROM THAT, WAIT TILL YOUR FATHER GETS HOME," Mrs. Weasley screamed at her sons, minus Percy who Ginny could tell was helping his mother set the table while Bill and Charlie were making the knives chase after each other. Fred and George were trying to make something in a pot, and Ron was trying to pick at the food on the table. Well, here goes nothing.
When Ginny walked into the room, everything stopped, the knives dropped to the floor, along with what Ron was trying to eat. All seven people in the room, looked at the red-hair women who entered the room.
"Ginny?" Ron asked timidly.
"Yes, Ron." Ginny answered.
"Where have you been, why haven't you written or responded to any of our owls? We all missed you?"
"I'm sorry, but I just needed to be by myself and grow,"
"But you could've let us know where you were?"
"No, I couldn't," Ginny said in a raised voice.
On that note, Ron stalked right out of the kitchen and up the stairs, probably to his old room. Bill and Charlie walked over to give their sister a hug while what Fred and George were making exploded.
Dinner was perfect, she caught up on everything, even the stuff that she was already told. Ron never did come back down. Ginny told everyone about her job and Paris, but not James. Harry needed to be told of James first, and that, would have to wait. After dinner was finished, Ginny climbed the stairs to the closed door on the top floor and instead of knocking, unlocked the door and entered.
"Ron, Please talk to me," Ginny pleaded, "I've really missed you."
"Well, You should have thought of that before you left. How could you do that to me, us, Harry? You have no idea how much we have looked for you. We knew you were alive because of the clock, but Ginny we needed you and you just up and left us." Ron answered looking the other direction while sitting on the bed. Ginny walked over to the bed and sat down next to him.
"Ron, I'm sorry. But, I had to do it, for myself. I wasn't happy here. I was miserable, you saw how bad I was and it started long before Harry left. I don't know what he has told you, but the two of us were not as perfect as we looked and it was near the end, before he left, that I think both of us realized what we were. I couldn't have it, like that. The night he left I knew why he was leaving, but I didn't want him to go and he wouldn't let me go with him. And even with our troubles, him not being here, well it was tearing me up being here, because I was falling in love with him and I didn't know if it was because I really was or if it was just part of the show. Look at me, see how happy I am, how much I have changed, and you know what, I am ready to start coming home on the weekends to see you, my family, but I'm not ready for Harry,"
"Ginny, Harry has been worried sick. After the defeat, he's changed, changed for the better in how he holds himself, but with you not here, its like he is missing something. He is worse than you were before you left, its like something is void in his heart, so as soon as I left the room, I came up here and owled him, he should be here any moment," Ron said unprepared for the slap that met his face.
"How could you, its not your place to tell him that I was home, I don't want to see him, yet. I'm not ready. I hate you, Ron Weasley," Ginny said crying as she stormed out, went down to her room, and put the strongest locking charm that she knew on her door, one that only Bill could probably undo.
As soon as her door locked, she heard his voice from downstairs.
"Ginny, Ginny. Where are you? Where is she, please?" Harry said to which the family still at the table just pointed up. A couple seconds later, Harry ran up the stairs and tried to open her door, but it wouldn't open. He tried every single unlocking charm he knew, but known would work.
"Ginny, I know you're in there. Please let me at least see you, hear your voice, anything," Harry pleaded to which he heard no answer.
"Gin, I've missed you so much, Please, Gin, I'm sorry for leaving, I'm sorry for what we were, I'm sorry for everything, but I want us to be together, Ginny, please let me in, all I want to do is talk," Harry said crying. After sitting next to the door for over two hours eventually seeing Mr. and Mrs. Weasley head into their bedroom giving him a worried look and Ron walking down from his room muttering, "I don't know if you want to go in there," before he heard the door clicked unlocked. He slowly stood up and entered the room to find it empty upon first glance, but when he looked again he saw her in the corner of the room, with her legs curled up against her chest, and her head crumbled up with her hair frayed about covering her self against them, crying.
"Oh, Ginny," Harry said as he walked over to her and held her until she stopped crying, gently stroking her back, trying to give her as much comfort as he could.
'I've missed you so much. I've looked for you, everywhere. If Hermione wouldn't have stopped me, I would have been in Paris the moment I found out. Ginny, please, talk to me. Why did you leave?" Harry questioned while pleading for the answers.
Ginny slowly got up and walked to the window, looking out to the garden, "Harry, so much happened after you left. I was miserable, it was worse than what happened my first year. Tom possessed me and tried to steal my essence, but you took my heart and soul and just left. I knew we weren't like we should have been in our relationship, but that still didn't change how I felt, I felt like I couldn't live anymore. I can't believe how I felt, so much emotion was building up inside of me and I couldn't handle it. Percy wrote me a letter, a little while after I completed my NEWTS and said he found me a job in the Ministry in his department over in France. It wasn't my dream job, but I wasn't in the optimum position for that career. He said that I could live with him and start a new life. I went, because I felt that it was my only choice, and at first I was miserable, but then slowly I got better, and I think finally, I am." Ginny stated,
"Why didn't you respond to Hedwig or anyone else's owls because I know that you got them,"
"Harry, I wasn't ready to come home and that included talking to you. It just would have slowed my progression. I needed to be away from the familiar,"
"Did James help you?" Harry snapped, and saw Ginny cringe.
"James, was my life-saver. I wouldn't be here, if it wasn't for him." Ginny said as she turned to see the anger and hurt in Harry's eyes.
"Fine. How could you do that to me? I thought that we would be together. I needed you and when I came back, you were gone." Harry spatted.
"You're the one who left me. You're the one who hurt me, so don't throw all the blame on me. Haven't you learned anything, Harry, I need more than need that's why we were the way we were. I mean why did we even get together, to please other people, or because we wanted too. At the end, I was starting to feel actual love for you, it wasn't like before, it was real, and then when you left it was shattered. I did nothing to you or against you. Harry, I have never told you this, but you know what, now is the time, I love you, and that is a lot different then needing someone to love."
"What?" Harry questioned. "How can you love me and James?"
"Because I can, ok." Ginny yelled, "If you can't understand, then you can leave my room and my house. And do it now, I can't stand to be near you right now"
"Ginny, please. I love you," Harry pleaded.
"What?"
"I love you, I have loved you for so long. It is unbearable for me not to be near you. I could bearly survive. I know how survive without love, I did for ten years with the Dursley's, but then you showed me how love was suppose to be, and I couldn't live without it, I won't," Harry said with tears in his eyes. The room went silent and the only sound that could be heard was the howling wind outside the window. A few seconds later, a whisper was heard over the whistling noise.
"Harry, I don't know how to tell you this, I've needed to tell you for so long, but I mean how is someone suppose to tell someone else something like this. I should've told you before you left, but I didn't know until a couple weeks after you left, and well by then I couldn't tell you, so then I just had to leave. But, when I knew this whole mess was over, I was so scared to tell you, afraid of what you would think of me, I don't even know how to tell you now, but you need to know, its your right to know." Ginny said as she walked over to Harry and hugged him tightly before whispering, "James, James he is your son."
"Huh," Harry said looking down into Ginny's eyes.
"James is your son, I was sick before exams and went to Poppy and she told me. I had no idea what to do, there I was pregnant, still have to finish school, wanting to be an Auror. Well, now, that wasn't possible. You weren't here, I couldn't tell anyone. However, I felt like I could tell my Mom and Hermione. I mean Mom had seven kids she should know what to do, and Hermione was smart, maybe she could help me decide what to do. I was killing myself and James and I didn't even know it, because I didn't know how to live with myself, that was before Percy saved me. We were always close, I was the only one who ever needed his protection, his caring devotion. He found a job for me, told me I could live with him, and that he would help me, as I had helped him," Ginny said crying.
"What? When? How?" Harry asked to which Ginny chuckled.
"You should know how, James was born on time on December 6th, so that means it was around Easter break, probably, the night of our Hogsemeade date," Ginny said, "James has jet black hair and everything else that yours, including your eyes, the only way you can tell he's mine, is that he has the Weasley temperament."
"Where is he, when can I see him? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Hermione is watching him for the weekend, and you can see him whenever you can come to Paris. We're happy in Paris, I love my job, I love the city, Percy is the perfect roommate. We have an extra bedroom you can have whenever you want to visit. And well I couldn't Owl you, it wouldn't be right, and what if it got intercepted, and after all I couldn't take you away from your destiny," Ginny rambled on showing her nervousness.
"What if I don't want my own room?" Harry asked looking down at Ginny before taking her lips softly at first, a first tongue and tongue contact in a year and a half. Harry lowered his hand to her back, moving her body closer to his, and slowly walking her back to her bed while intensifying the kiss. This is what he had been wanting to do for a year and a half, ever since the moment he walked out of her room. However, when they landed on the bed, Ginny pushed Harry off of her.
"Harry, we can't go back to where we were, and I don't want to go back to that meaningless relationship that had sex thrown into it as well," Ginny stated looking into his emerald eyes.
"I love you, you love me. It can be different this time," Harry said.
"Oh, but Harry. You changed, I have definitely changed, and I'm not ready to do that, not yet, at least now we were when you left. Can we just take it slow, day by day?" Ginny asked.
"Fine, I'll see you in the morning," Harry said hastily as he got up and left the room, probably to go to Ron's room, or at least that's what Ginny presumed, while all she wanted is for Harry just to hold her as she slept.
Ginny changed into some night clothes, before climbing into her bed, trading her thoughts between Harry and James. Before she knew it, when she looked at the clock next to her bed, she saw that it was two o'clock. Merlin, I can't sleep. Why did Ron have to owl Harry. Well, if I can't sleep, might as well go get a little snack, Ginny thought as she climbed out of bed and slowly made her way down to the kitchen, making sure to miss the steps that creaked, so not to wake anyone up. She went in the kitchen to find it empty, grabbed some water, put a warming charm on it, and put some chocolate in it. Next, she went into the family room, lit the fire with her wand, and went to the bookshelf to pick out a book before cozing up in an arm chair. As soon as she started reading, she sensed Harry in the room. For three years they were always together, dating for two years, sleeping with each other for a couple months (they had waited until Ginny had turned eighteen), after all the time she spent with him, she could always sense him or smell his distinct scent before she saw him, especially when he would come to visit under the invisibility cloak. But instead of saying anything, she did like always and waited for him to initiate.
"You always do the same thing when you can't sleep. Regardless of where you are," she heard from the foot of the steps.
"It comforts me, you know that. I like the fire, I love to read, and the hot chocolate tastes good anytime," she replied.
"Well, I hate to ruin your little party, but I came down to apologize," Harry said.
"Apologize?" Ginny questioned while motioning him to join her on the couch and under the blanket, she grabbed from the floor.
"I overreacted earlier, tonight. I was mad that you left, but I did the same thing. When I first saw the letter, you wrote Hermione, I saw the name James, and figured you had found someone else. I felt like before, everyone I loved being torn away from me. Ginny, I will do whatever you want me to do to gain back your trust, your love. I will wait for you to be ready, I will do anything I can for you," Harry said as he sat down next to her, but still facing her.
"Harry, stop. So much has happened in a year and a half. When you left me, I knew why, but I was mad that you were doing it without me. The whole entire two years we were dating, you never once told me you loved me, not once. And then you just left, and didn't say anything. I felt used, like you were using me for something you never had, love, but never actually admitting it was there. And then today, you have told me you love me three times, but how can you say it so freely now, when you couldn't tell me it before, do I mean anything to you, do you actually love me, or what? I have always been closet to Percy, in my family, so being away from everyone in my family besides him and you, has taught me a lot about love and the nature of it. You grew up in a family that had love, just not love for you. And why, my house is the fullest place of love there is, but I need to be away from it, to realize it. Harry, We dated for two years, slept together for a couple of months, but we never knew each other, or else we would have been making love together. And well, now, we have both become different people then we knew, before. So please, can we just start over, get to know each other, get to love each other," Ginny said while crying harder and harder. When she finished, Harry wiped the tears from her face, then kissed her gently on each cheek and her forehead before he spoke.
"Ginny, I am so sorry. But as much as I don't want to admit it, you're right. School was a hard time for both of us for some different and some pretty much the same reasons. I think we found something in each other that we couldn't find elsewhere, need and comfort. But after not being with you for so long, I realize that, that we both need more than just need, we need love. And that's what I want us to have, I want not just to say I love you, but I want to live each day showing my love for you. I am so sorry for taking us being together for granted, and I will try to never do it again. So like you said, let's take this day by day, and see what the future holds for us." Harry said.
"Ok, but how are we going to do this, I guess, James and I can move in here to the Burrow, if I can get a job transfer to the London office, because I think Percy has had enough of us, can't keep up his life with Penny. I guess I'll go back to Paris and pack our stuff to come back and stay here."
"Why don't you stay with Ron, Hermione, Neville, Luna, and me?" asked Harry.
"That means going back to like things were at school, the six of us. I love being around all them, but I want this time to be different, I want it just to be us. Any way none of them want a baby living with them. That's why I'll live with my parents and you can live with our friends. That's how we'll do it," Ginny stated.
"Ok, If that's how you want it, then that's how it'll be." Harry said.
"Umm, I guess, since I didn't hear Ron kill you, you didn't tell him about James," Ginny commented.
"No, I figured everyone knew, already." Harry responded.
"Well, right now, the only ones who know are Percy and Penny, Hermione, my Mom, and you. I didn't think it would be fair if everyone knew before you, so I just told who needed to be told. I'll owl Hermione and tell her I'll be home to pick her and James up tomorrow, and we'll come back to the Burrow for dinner and to stay," Ginny said as she got up wrote a quick note and walked to wake up Castor, the family's new owl. "Its really late and I need to leave early to get them, so I guess I'll head up to bed now, as it is three o'clock, so I will see you tomorrow at dinner."
"No," Harry stated, "I will go with you and help you. Ok."
Wordlessly, Harry followed Ginny up the stairs, to which they stopped at her door.
"Well, Goodnight," Ginny said as she opened her door.
"Sleep well," Harry said as he leaned in and gently brushed her lips with his own before retreating upstairs to Ron's old room.
*****
Harry and Ginny left for the long-distance apparition point in the mid- morning, just telling Ginny's family they were spending the day together. At 11:00, Ginny led Harry to her flat, opened the door and walked down to James' room. "Harry, this is James, your son," Upon seeing James, Harry's eyes were sparkling and he was speechless. Wow, this is all true. He's mine, how did she do this, alone? "Why don't you get acquainted with him while Hermione and I, pack." Ginny said before she left the room after seeing Harry take James in his arms and just hold him against with a gleam in his eyes that she had never seen before.
At five o'clock Ginny and Hermione had everything packed, shrunk, and ready to go. "Harry, can you carry these, and I'll take James," Ginny said after watching Harry rocking while Harry was holding him. They looked in perfect harmony with each other.
"Guys, why don't you go in first, and I'll follow you in a minute," Ginny said once they arrived at the Burrow. Hermione did, but Harry stayed back.
"Ginny, let me help you, with this. Please, its not like they won't know he's mine, let me take him," Harry said grabbing for James.
"No, he is my son. He is my responsibility, I have cared for him since before he was born. This is my family, I need to tell them, Go on in I'll be right in," she responded while holding James tighter.
After Harry, gave up, and went inside, Ginny walked over to a bench and sat down.
"Well, James. You've met your dad, now its time to meet the rest of your family. Beware, they all have a temper just like you, so there might be some yelling, especially from Uncle Ron, and probably Uncle Bill and Charlie, too. But, they'll get over it and love you. Well, its now or never."
Ginny then walked to the kitchen door and slowly opened it. To almost the same response and when she entered yesterday. Everyone stopped talking and stared at her. But unlike yesterday, Ron hit Harry in the face and knocked him to the ground. Everyone else's faces were in awe, except for Percy and Mrs. Weasley, almost expecting Mrs. Weasley to start at it at Harry and Ginny, but all she did was go up and hug Ginny and take the baby from her arms.
"Finally, I get to meet from grandson. Who knew my youngest would give me my first. Ron, apologize to Harry," Mrs. Weasley said.
"No, I will not apologize to someone who did this to my sister. Harry, how could you? You were my best friend. This is why she left, isn't it, because you got her pregnant. I thought it was suspicious how she was sick and then just left. You probably knew where she was the whole time, just hiding her from the world," Ron screamed.
"Way to go, Harry," came from Fred and George.
"How could you do this to our little sister?" Bill asked furiously.
"Stop, All of you, stop it now. I don't want to hear it. Harry doesn't deserve this, from any of you," Ginny screamed now that her mother took James into the other room and came back in. "Harry just found out he had a son, this morning. Yes, its pretty obvious he's the father, all James is missing is the lightning bolt, but I haven't seen him for over a year and a half. I left because of me, not Harry and not James, me. Believe me, it was a mutual decision on how James arrived. Harry did nothing to me that I didn't want him to do. In fact, the night James was conceived I was the one doing the seducing. (This comment made all of her brothers cringe). I didn't know James was there until after I left Hogwarts, and if you remember Harry left long before. So don't yell at Harry for anything, yell at me, because I got pregnant, and I was planning on leaving long before I knew, Percy just came up with the perfect solution for me. From What I've heard Harry was been looking for me for six months, and the three people I trusted with my secret watched him get torn up from the inside just like all of you, but unlike you, they knew where I was. So, just leave him alone. I left because of me, I needed to learn who I was and what I was doing. What I learned was how much this family loves each other for better or for worse. When Percy did what he did my fourth year, well, we all forgave him after that, and we never stopped loving him. Never. That's what I learned, once you love someone or are loved by someone, that it can never cease. Love never dies. I love everyone is this room with all my heart and if you can't accept what I have done, what Harry has done, then you are not the people I know you are, the people I love." With that a sobbing red faced Ginny walked out of the room, where a pin needle could drop and it could be heard, went picked up her son and brought him back into the room. "This is James, the most important thing in my life, my family, your family. I know he doesn't look like us, but when did looks ever matter, when there is a temper involved. Ron, this is your nephew, if you cannot look at him, and not be in love with him, then I don't where you went wrong. James is a part of this family, care for him, protect him, but most of all love him." With that Ginny left the room and climbed the stairs to her room leaving James in Ron's arms.
"Sorry, Well, you know she is a Weasley, first and foremost. So, she has your temper. But, where she goes I must follow. So I hope you all figure out how you are going to apologize to her. I'll try to get her down here some time tonight, but it probably won't happen if I know her and I think I do. Molly, you will watch James tonight, won't you." Harry said before trekking up the stairs after Ginny, However, he had learned from last night, and found out how to unlock her door and walked in to find her under the covers of her bed. Harry went over sat down next to her on the bed, recast the locking charm, plus put a silencing charm on the room.
"Gin, That was so amazing what you said. You have an unbelievable amount of strength and courage to stick up for what you know to be true even when people don't want to believe it. That is why you are a Grffyndor, pure courage. That is what makes you so special, you don't back down from what you know. Ginny, you truly amaze me." Harry said while stoking her back. After a few moments, she uncovered herself.
"Harry, come here. I don't want to talk or do anything just hold me," Ginny said patting the mattress behind her. To this, Harry moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her pulling her close and tight. A couple hours later, Harry heard a light knock at the door.
"Gin," he whispered. When she didn't move or respond, he slowly unwrapped himself from her, gently kissing her cheek before unlocking the door to find himself face to face with Ron.
"Ron, not now, ok." Harry stated.
"I just wanted to talk to you, well to the both of you. My mom, Hermione, and Percy just finished talking to us about the past year and a half. I didn't realize," Ron started "Ron, not now. Ginny is sleeping, she has had a hard time with everything, and right now she just needs to sleep. She'll be able to talk tomorrow and you can talk to me tomorrow too," Harry said to which Ron nodded before shutting the door and going back to sleep next to Ginny. Ginny, I don't know how you did this. Losing me, Pregnant with my child, giving birth, caring for him, working full-time, living, surviving. I know you don't want to hear it, but that is why I love you. You doing it for you, and in a way you did it for me, too. And for that I love you. You not only found yourself but helped me find myself.
*****
The next morning Harry woke up relatively late. However, he was the first to wake up. Taking advantage of it, Harry smelt in her hair, and savored the feel of Ginny in his arms. A few minutes later, he felt her stir next to him. When she moved, he kissed the back of her head to make sure she knew he was there for him.
"Harry?" Ginny questioned.
"Uh-huh," Harry answered.
"Thank you, I really needed that last night," Ginny said.
"It was my pleasure, I enjoyed it. It felt right, it felt like home." Harry responded.
"I need to go check on James, I shouldn't have left him last night. He isn't used to this place, or my family," Ginny said raising herself out of the bed.
"Ginny, stop, come back here, and sit down." Harry said to which she complied. "You need to relax. You know your mother, she gave James the best anyone could last night and although your brothers were angry there is no way they can deny him. James is in safe hands. You need some time for you, right now. And that's what I intend to do right now. Now, lie down on your stomach," he said after finishing massaging her shoulders. As Ginny lied down, Harry started with her feet, rubbing them gently, slowly he worked his hands over her calves, thighs, and back. After giving her a full massage, Harry hesitantly leaned down and kissed on the back of the neck and kissing his way down to her shoulder. When he got to her shoulder, he gently sucked on it. After a short time, Ginny moved from her stomach to her back, looking up into Harry's eyes.
"Remember, slow," Ginny whispered before Harry took her lips, softy and slowly, before prodding his tongue into her mouth, massaging her tongue with his own, with hers doing the same. Painfully, that's all he let himself do. He wanted her, he needed her, but since he loved her, he would wait until she was ready. Slowly, he let his lips release hers.
"Ginny, go back to sleep. I'll go get James and come back to wake you in awhile," Harry whispered. And before she could object, Harry added, "We both know you need rest, you've earned it. Now sleep."
When Harry reached the kitchen after going down the steps, he found Molly, alone, feeding James.
"So, how bad was it last night?" Harry questioned after taking some tea from the kettle on the stove and sitting down on the other side of James.
"Better. Ginny's speech really had an effect on the boys. Whenever she gets like that, they always listen. But that is the worst or best she has ever gotten. Give the boys some time, they'll come around. They already have. It's just weird for them. So how are you doing with all this?"
"At first, I was so mad, because I thought James, was another man, but two nights ago or yesterday morning we came to an agreement. It will take some time, but we will survive. We will find our way. I, however, have come for my son. Ginny is sleeping some more, but I promised her I would go get James." Harry said as he picked James up.
"I promise we'll talk more later, but I need to spend some time with James," Harry said as he moved towards the door to the garden to where he assumed the Weasley boys were.
When he entered the garden he saw Hermione sitting under the shade of a tree while the Weasley boys were playing a game of Quidditch, so Harry walked over and sat in the shade with Hermione.
"So Hermione, where did you end up last night, since I took your spot?" Harry questioned.
"Oh, well. I took your place. Is it going to be the same tonight?" Hermione replied.
"That's for Ginny to answer,"
"How is she?"
"Ginny is doing better. We have had some really good talks over the past couple days, but last night she just cried and went to sleep, and that's where I left her awhile ago. She has had a rough time and now its my job to see that she relaxes and gets what she wants." Harry said while watching James walk around and talk to himself in his own language.
"Harry, she'll come around. Last night, well, we all knew they were going to react like that, especially Ron. But, after you left, Ron fell in love with James, and we talked about it. I mean he didn't know you two had slept together, he just thought you were dating, so when James comes into the picture, he was shocked. I think he thought you would wait till you were married, or something. But, he came to talk to you last night, and I guess he'll do it later today. He's too caught up in playing Quidditch to even notice you're here. When is Ginny going to come down?" Hermione asked.
"I'll go wake her up in a bit, if she is not already awake," Harry said before chasing after James. Hermione and Harry sat there watching both James and Quidditch for about an hour before Harry left James with Hermione and went to get Ginny. Before he went up, he poured her some tea and grabbed some cookies. When Harry opened Ginny's door, he saw her still asleep, so he put the tray of the tea and cookies on her desk and went over to her. Harry sat down next to Ginny's sleeping body and thought for a few moments on how he would wake her, and when he finally decided, he acted. Gently, as not to wake her, pulled the comforter off her sleeping body, then he found her foot and started to tickle it, to which she responded by unconsciously kicking. Harry chuckled to himself, then, Harry went to tickle her under her knees, then the side of her stomach. When she still wouldn't wake up, Harry straddled her body and blew into her ear, lightly. Ginny then moved from her side to her back. It is in this position, that Harry bent down and kissed Ginny on her lips. It is then, he got the response he wanted, she woke up and kissed him back. However, it was only for only a brief moment before she pushed him off of her.
"Good Afternoon," he whispered.
"What? Oh, my God. James. Why didn't you wake me up? How late is it, I needed to floo my work and negotiate things with them. And Harry, why did you just do that?" Ginny rambled on.
Harry then started to answer her questions amazed how her mood could change so fast, "First, James is fine. I just spent a while with him. Molly took care of him last night, and he is with Hermione right now. They're watching your brothers play Quidditch. I did wake you a couple of hours ago. Remember, I gave you a massage and then we kissed. But then, I told you to go back to sleep. Its about three o'clock so you still have plenty of time to floo work. And you liked me kissing you, but I thought it would be fun to wake you up that way."
"Oh, I thought that was a dream," Ginny said without thinking.
"Well, it wasn't. But, I did bring you some tea and cookies to wake you up, So, if you want I can go and get James, but I would rather stay here." Harry said as he got off the bed and went to get the tray.
"Harry, a lot happened last night, and I know last night I was a wreck and you helped me, but before we go downstairs we need to talk some more about us and what is happening. So, we can tell my family, everything," Ginny said.
"I completely agree with you," Harry said as he waited for Ginny to start talking while moving a chair and sitting across from her place on the bed, putting his hands on the outside of her.
"Ok, first. As I said last night, I am living here with James, you will live where you are. I will keep on doing my job, you doing yours. We will take things one day at a time and see where it all takes us," Ginny started not really talking about what she wanted, but hoping that Harry would pick up on her nervousness and start the conversation where it should begin, the past.
"Ginny, before we talk about the future, I think we need to talk about what happened between us at Hogwarts and your seventh year. We need to talk about what went wrong, so it doesn't go wrong this time,"
"You're right, but, I don't know."
"I know that it's going to be hard, but that is the only way that you, we, are ever going to be able to start anew," Harry said.
"Ok," Ginny mumbled.