Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling created and owns Harry Potter. looks in mirror Nope, not her. Rights are held by JKR, Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic. Warner Brothers and goodness knows who else. Not profiting, just enjoying.
This came about as a reply to a question posed on S.S. Gin'n'Tonic XXIX (T/G): Expectations of Grandeur.
Ginny finished brushing her hair, and frowned at her reflection in the mirror. She had been feeling so bloated and uncomfortable in these final days of her pregnancy, and just wanted the baby out from inside her and in her arms already. She sighed, and then saw Tom looking at her in the mirror.
"Come to bed, darling," he said, with that smile she loved. "Let me hold you and make you feel better."
Ginny couldn't help smiling herself. She eased into bed, arranging herself so she could rest between his legs and snuggle comfortably against his chest. Tom wrapped his arms lovingly around her, entwining his fingers with hers over her swollen belly. Ginny sighed in contentment as he brushed aside her hair and kissed her neck.
"Shall we continue the discussion?" he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.
"You mean, what to name the baby?" It had been the discussion for weeks. They had considered dozens of names, ranging from Salazar and Rowena to Julius and Augusta. Each suggestion seemed more ridiculous than the last. "I think we should just call it Baby. No one ever likes the name their parents give them anyway, and when it's old enough, it can name itself!" Ginny said with a giggle.
"No, there are many reasons why we must give our child a name," Tom said seriously. "The right one will give him an auspicious start in life."
"Why are you so certain that our firstborn will be a boy?" she teased. "I think it's about time that the Heir of Slytherin is a girl!"
Tom laughed, and Ginny felt like a desirable woman once again. "I can't wait until after the baby is born," she whispered. They kissed, and Ginny nestled once again in his arms. "You know," she began hesitantly, "There's one boy's name I do like."
"What is that, darling?"
"Harry."
She felt him tense behind her for just a second, and then he laughed again. "I like Harry," he said. "It has a princely sound. I even have a few fond memories of Harry."
Ginny suddenly found herself wondering exactly how Tom and Harry had occupied themselves that one Valentine's night, but before she could speculate any further, Tom spoke again.
"And if we have a girl, we could name her Minerva."
Ginny digested that. "Minerva is a nice name," she grudgingly acknowledged. Even though what he implied had taken place more than fifty years ago, she felt a tiny twinge of jealousy. Then she saw the sparkle of amusement in his eyes. "You were just teasing me!"
"Darling,"he said softly, "I was, and am, absolutely serious."
Ginny shifted around in his arms until she was able to look into his eyes, and her momentary ire vanished as Tom kissed her. She melted with desire as he brushed aside the strap of her nightgown, and then bent his head to touch his lips to her cleavage. Ginny shivered in delight, and knew, with a deep, feminine wisdom, that it didn't matter what they decided to name their child, nor did it really matter who he had loved in the past. Tom belonged to her now, and this bliss that they shared belonged to them alone.