I disclaim, etc. etc. I'd love some concrit - no flames, please. Thanks to the lovely sea-serpent, as always, for putting up with my general insanity when I'm sure she'd like nothing more than to beat me over the head with my computer. This is set in the same universe as 'Frilly Pink Socks' I suppose, though if you haven't read that you'll still understand it.

37. Fear

Izzie knows Daddy's not afraid of anything. Ginny knows Harry will never disappoint their little girl. But he doesn't know that he can do it.

"It's a dentist's appointment, Harry," Ginny said when he expressed his first doubts, "and your daughter is terrified. You'll go."

"But I've got, um, a meeting. A very important meeting," Harry fenced.

"You don't know what day it's on, Harry," Ginny pointed out, sensibly as she pulled her hair back, pulling her shirt tight against her five-months-pregnant belly. She was just starting to show obviously, before you'd have to look for it.

"I have important meetings most days in August," Harry said, "so I know I'm probably not going to make it."

"Then it's a good thing I made the appointment in July, isn't it?" Ginny said, sounding more like her mother than Harry had ever heard her. "She's scared Harry, and she'll want you, not me, you. And she's your daughter, and she worships the ground you walk on."

"I'll just sit there jabbering nonsense and closing my eyes whenever he pulls out one of those pointy things they use to poke your gums."

"I'm sure those have a higher purpose, you know," Ginny said, with a barely concealed smile. "You can kill dark lords, and face my brothers at their chastity-defending worst, but you can't go to the dentist? It's not as if he'll turn around and attack you with the business of a teeth-cleaner, is it?" Harry glowered. "Stop pouting, dear, it looks dreadful on you," Ginny grinned at him, and kissed him, on the cheek.

"Gin…" Harry said, trying his best puppy-dog eyes, which, he had to admit, weren't very useful after five years of dating and ten years of marriage. But sometimes, rarely, they still worked.