A little girl of almost eleven walked up the slightly spiraled steps to the second floor. She held her breathe as she approached the far door to her father's study. The study was where her father liked to remain undisturbed. It was nearing her bed time and she wanted to ask her question before tomorrow.
She knocked lightly on the door to her father's office. "Yes," The door opened half way.
She watched her father place his wand back on his desk. Harry was sitting at his desk with several scrolls and a dictaquill standing ready to record.
"Papa I was wondering if I could go to Wendy's house, after school tomorrow."
"Yes you may." Her father said not looking up from his paperwork.
She closed the door to the office and proceeded to her own room.
Her bedroom was decorated in soft pinks and blues. They were her favorite colors. She had everything put away neatly like always. Her room looked like something out of those magazines that her Muggle friend Wendy looked through.
She sat on her bed snuggling with her pillow. Once again her dad said yes to her staying else where after school. She sometimes wondered how long she could stay there. How long it would be before anyone came looking for her?
Her aunt Hermione said that she could talk with her when ever she wanted. But Hermione was not someone it was easy to talk with. Solutions to her should be simple and logical. But simple and logical did not seem to work with her and her father.
Harry got up from his desk. It was almost his daughter's bed time. He knocked politely on the door and waited for permission to enter.
"It's almost bed time, sweetie." Harry said to her.
"I know." She said. "I'll get ready."
"Good girl." Harry said. "I'm going to be gone tomorrow so it is probably good that you are going to Wendy's. I'll pick you up from there as soon as I can."
"Yes Daddy." She said.
"Good night." Harry said to her before closing the door.
He went to his own bedroom. He changed into his pajamas and crawled into bed. Harry looked over at the picture on the nightstand. His angel was sitting in the picture blowing him a kiss goodnight.
Harry said good night to the picture and went to sleep.
(into the past)
Harry walked besides a blindfolded Ginny. He led her up the path towards the house he bought her for her birthday. The week before Harry had it furnished and set up how he thought Ginny would like it.
When they entered the front door Harry slowly removed the blindfold.
"Welcome home." Harry said watching Ginny blink her eyes into focus.
"It's wonderful." Ginny said walking around the front foyer. There was a rack for cloaks and hats and it opened into a nice sitting room.
"I'll show you around." Harry said taking her by the hand. "This is the dining room. Back there the kitchen."
Ginny looked at the dining room. It had a long table that would seat plenty. "We can have your family over here for Christmas."
Harry led her into the kitchen. It was a small room with a little breakfast table, a stove and a few cabinets.
They walked out and headed towards the other room. He led her into the other room past the sitting room. "This is the library."
"That will make Hermione jealous." Ginny said looking at the space and the books already supplied.
They then walked up the slightly spiraled stairs. Harry kept his hand on the small of Ginny's back. She was near the end of her pregnancy and was easily tired. The healers at St. Mungos said that she would need rest and Harry would need to take care of her occasionally.
"This is the kid's room." Harry said showing her the bedroom. "There is another one over there just in case." Harry pointed towards the far end.
Harry then led her into the door next to the kid's room. "This is our room." Harry said.
"It's perfect." Ginny said looking around at the four poster bed and the large dresser. "Fluer actually found that dresser. She does have good taste."
"I'll have to thank her." Ginny said rubbing her fingers over the designs.
"We have our own bathroom over here." Harry said opening a door across from the bed.
Ginny took a seat on the bed.
"Happy Birthday." Harry said taking the seat next to her.
"This is such a wonderful gift." Ginny said. "I love you so much."
The Potter's lived in the Hollow for only a couple of months when Ginny announced the news after breakfast. She was going into labor.
Harry immediately escorted Ginny into the sitting room. He placed her on the couch and put several pillows behind her back. They would wait until the contractions were closer together before they left for St. Mungos. That was what the healers had told them to do. In the meantime Harry brought Ginny what ever she wanted. Not allowing her to move.
By evening the contractions had moved close enough together. Harry immediately took her to St. Mungos.
Ginny was clutching her stomach the entire time as the wheel chair took her into one of the birth rooms. Harry could tell that Ginny was in an extreme amount of pain.
He stayed at her side the entire time.
"We are ready." The healer said. "Ginny when I tell you to, push. You understand."
Ginny gripped Harry's hand. "I'm so tired." She said.
"I know." Harry said soothingly. "I'm right here with you."
"Push." The Healer said.
Ginny pushed with everything she had.
"Push again." The Healer said gently.
Harry braced himself and spoke gently to Ginny. Telling her how beautiful she was and how she would make a good mother.
"We have a head." The Healer said.
Harry watched Ginny strain as she pushed again. Harry felt the grip around his hand slowly loosen.
It was such a sight for Harry.
"It's a girl!" The Healer said holding up the baby.
Harry turned his attention to Ginny. "You're a mum." He said to her.
"Tired." Ginny said again, this time closing her eyes.
The crying baby was passed to one of the nurses in the room.
Harry felt himself being dragged out of the room by two of the nurses. He watched the Healer tap his wand over Ginny's form. The baby still crying was being carried for by one of the nurses.
Harry was led into the room across the hall that appeared to be a kind of family room. There was a pair of rocking chairs and a basinet. Harry took one of the chairs and placed his head in his hands. This was all his fault.
After a moment two of the nurses came in.
One was holding the baby. She stayed back. The other approached Harry. "Mr. Potter, I am sorry. We tried everything we could to save your wife." The nurse said in a very gently tone. "The baby is perfectly healthy."
"I want to see my baby." Harry said. "Give her to me." Harry said forcefully. Despite the harness in his voice he took the baby gently in his arms. He cradled her gently in his arms then returned to the rocking chair.
Harry stared at the little one in his arms. "Did Ginny get the chance to see her?"
"Yes." The nurse answered. "She was able to hold her for a moment. We are sorry that you could not be there."
Harry did not say anything he just sat there and cradled the baby.
"The doctor is already informing your family." The nurse said. "If you want to be alone you may stay in here."
"Yes," Harry said still holding the baby. "Hello sweetie." He said to her stroking the little face with his finger.
The nurses satisfied walked out.
Harry sat in the rocking chair with the baby. She had fallen asleep and was looking peaceful.
"I'm sorry that the first thing that I have to tell you is that I am sorry." Harry said to her. "I am sorry about your mum. I don't even know how I can tell you about her someday. I figured that you would have her beautiful hair." Harry said stroking the few locks that were on his daughter's head.
Harry just sat there for a while contemplating. He would make changes in his life now.
It seemed like hours before Hermione and Ron walked in. Harry knew that they would be the first.
Both of their eyes were puffy from the tears.
"May I see her?" Hermione asked gently.
Harry gently passed the baby to Hermione without waking her.
"I'm sorry, Ron. I didn't want it happen like this." Harry said looking down.
"We know." Ron said. "You know that we will help you both out. This baby is still going to have a family."
"We never discussed girl's names." Harry said. "I don't even remember her ever telling me what she wanted to name the baby if it was a girl. We both agreed on James Arthur Potter. What if she told me and I forgot?"
"Then what name do you think Ginny would have liked?" Hermione asked very reasonably.
"I don't know." Harry answered irritated. "The only name I can think to give her is Ginny. Name her after one of the best girls I have ever known. Ginny Molly Potter."
Harry lived in the same house he had bought his wife for her birthday. He had made sure his baby girl had everything she would possibly need and possibly want. He only forgot one thing.
(present)
Little Ginny's eleventh birthday came. When she woke she immediately went downstairs and into the kitchen. She found the daily mail stacked in a pile on the breakfast table.
Ginny found the envelope that she had been looking for. Her Hogwarts acceptance letter. She opened the letter and read it.
Ginny then poured herself some cereal and sat down to read the letter again. She knew she would be accepted already. She had already performed small bits of accidental magic. Ginny looked through her booklist and all of the other things she would need. She wondered if she could talk her dad into getting her a cat.
Ginny laughed at that. Her dad could never seem to say no to her. Her room was filled with little dresses and toys that were proof.
"Good morning." Her father said when he walked in. He immediately set to work cooking some toast and making tea. "Are you sure you don't want something else for breakfast?"
"No, when can we go get my school supplies?"
"Tomorrow after school. How does that sound?" Harry said.
Ginny nodded and continued with her cereal.
Harry continued making himself some toast. He was glad that his daughter had gotten into Hogwarts.
That evening they had a birthday party for Ginny with all of her cousins.
Ginny got along very well with her cousins especially Kathleen. Bill and Fluer's daughter. She was only a few months older than Ginny, but they would be in the same year.
After most of the family had left Harry immediately went to work cleaning. He set a spell on the dishes and started tidying things up. That was when Ron and Hermione had managed to corner him.
"Harry we need to talk." Ron said.
"What about?" Harry asked taking a seat with a cup of tea.
"Ginny." Hermione answered. "We are really concerned about her. She is a very sensitive girl and she is about to start school."
"I know." Harry said. "We will get her things tomorrow."
"But we do not think she is ready." Ron said.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"She might be hurt at the school." Ron said. "We know what Hogwarts is like. We admit it is hard to send the kids to school." Ron said with a slight smile.
Ron and Hermione had accomplished having four boys already. Matthew the oldest took after Percy more than any other of his relatives. He had no remorse about rules and keeping his younger siblings in line. Frank and Alex were twins. They took after Fred and George enough to bring tears to the latter twins' eyes. Most of their pranks fell back onto Mathew. Samuel, the youngest was only a year old, but looked a bit more like Hermione.
"What are you trying to say?" Harry asked knowing a gang-up when he saw it.
"You've been a good father." Hermione quickly said. "Ginny has a good family. But there is something she is lacking."
Ron nodded towards Hermione for her to continue.
"We think you should really show her how much you care for her." Hermione said. "She is really sensitive to everything. Just talk with her before she leaves for school."
"You grew up without a mother. You should know what that feels like." Ron said flat out. "On that matter it wouldn't hurt if actually started dating again."
Harry felt his anger rise. He took a few breaths to calm himself.
"She is my punishment." Harry finally said getting up and putting the cup into the sink.
"What?" Ron asked.
"I forced Ginny to get pregnant. I wanted to have a family so bad. She thought we should wait for a year. I already established myself in the Auror department. There had not been any real problems lately with dark lords. I thought it was the perfect time to start a family. She didn't even need to work. I was going to provide for the both of them. I might as well have put the Imperius curse on her and tied her to the bed."
"We don't believe it and neither do you." Hermione said.
"Maybe if I had been more careful or if we had waited."
"You did what you could." Ron said. "Now you have a beautiful little girl that has everything she could want except her father. You need to stop distancing yourself from her before she leaves for Hogwarts. You don't know what trouble she could get in. We both know that she will not listen to Matthew over there. Alex and Frank probably already have her tagged as free game."
"Are you trying to say that I don't love my daughter?" Harry accused them.
"That is not what we are saying. What we are saying is that you should show Ginny that you do love her. She is not a punishment of any kind. I know that you wanted kids. Now you got one and you don't treat her the way you should."
Ron knew that he had more than crossed the line. But he knew he needed to get his point across.
That night Harry cracked open the door to his daughter's bedroom. He stood there just watching her sleeping. She was looking so much like her mother. Harry did love his daughter. He would do anything for her. He hadn't been mistreating her had he?
Harry thought about his time with Ginny. It had been short and he knew he was to blame. He had pushed her away at the end of his sixth year. With the help of Ron and Hermione he found the other horcurxes and stopped Voldemort. It nearly cost him his life.
In all honesty Harry thought he was dying. He heard voices talking to him. His mother, his father, Sirius, Lupin, Hagrid, Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, McGonagal. He could not understand a lot that was being said. But he had thought that was all it was. Time had no meaning to him at that point.
What was there when he awoke more than a year later at St. Mungos was Ginny. She had worked her way into being the one that cared for him while he was in the coma. Ginny had been over his bed giving him a sponge bath. It might have been a very awkward moment to wake up to.
Harry thought it was the sweetest thing in the world to wake up to.
They had been married about a few months later.
Harry immediately entered Auror training. He was given priority and sent right in.
During the time he was in the coma several changes to Ministry policy had taken affect. Harry was willing to work as an Auror while the Ministry was operating under its new principles.
After he was established he thought it was time to start a family. Ginny thought it would be fine with they waited. Harry had talked it with her. Hermione was already pregnant with the twins. He thought it was a good time.
They soon got pregnant. Harry had made sure Ginny could leave her job for a while and had things arranged with a day care.
Harry opened up the jewelry box on Ginny's wardrobe. In the tiny drawer was a locket. Inside was a picture of Harry and the other was left blank.
He had bought it for her the day after she told him that she was pregnant. He said the space was open for when their baby arrived.
The time after Ginny's birthday passed quickly.
Harry had taken the day off of work on the first of September to see Ginny off. He helped her get her trunk and her new cat on the train and also to find her a seat. He wished her luck and stepped off letting the train go.
As he stood there and watched the train leave an owl dropped a letter in his hand. Harry did not recognize the owl at all.
He looked at the letter. It was in a handwriting he had seen in a long time
To my dear husband.
Today we send our little baby off to school. Right now I am on the couch of our sitting room. I sent you off on a wild goose chase so I would have a moment of peace from your fussing. I know our baby will be born soon. This will be one of the best days of my life, my love. I know you will be the best father to our baby even before you begin. You took such good care of me while I was pregnant. I wanted to write this has a reminder to you of how I felt today and how things were years ago. You made me so happy. Thank you for being such a wonderful husband.
Your wife Ginny.
Harry looked at the letter and froze. Everything from the last few years became clear. What Hermione and Ron had said had been right. He had not taken care of his daughter like he should have.
Quickly Harry Apparated home. He picked up some items and Apparated to the Hogsmeade station to where the train would stop. He was not going to let his daughter leave off for school like this.
At the Hogsmeade station he saw the children that lived locally gather around the entrance. The Carriages and Professor Flitwick would be coming to collect them soon.
It nearly seemed forever before Harry saw the train arrive.
He watched the children all pile out of the cars. From the back he saw Ginny hop out. She looked nervous when she took in the sight.
"Ginny." Harry called out.
Ginny turned around. She thought she heard her father's voice. But he always said sweetie when he referred to her. It could not be him.
Ginny saw her father standing at the back waving to her. Ginny immediately went running.
Harry bent down on one knee as she approached. "I'm sorry, honey. I should have given this to you sooner." Harry pulled out the locket from his pocket.
"Mama." Ginny said looking at the pictures inside. "And you."
"I gave that to your mum after she told me that she was pregnant. You are ready to have it now." Harry placed the locket around his daughter's neck. "Things are going to be different between us from now on."
"Different." Ginny said confused.
"Things are going to be better." Harry answered. "I am going to be a better father to you. I'm only an owl away if you ever want to tell me anything. You don't have to be afraid to say anything. No matter what you are still my daughter."
Ginny looked at her father. She had never seen him like this at all. She leaned in a hugged her father. Harry hugged his little girl back. "I love you so much Ginny." He said.
"I love you too, papa." Ginny said.
Professor Flitwick could be heard calling for the first years. "You better go." He said.
Harry watched his daughter practically run to Professor Flitwick. She was going to do good Harry already knew that.
Things would be different from now on. He was glad that Ron and Hermione had talked some sense into him.
He was also glad for Ginny's letter. She seemed happy when she wrote it.
"Hard letting go isn't it." A woman behind him said. "The first year is always the hardest."
"She's my angel." Harry said.
"You don't usually find the fathers dropping the kids off. That is very kind of you." The woman said. "Melanie Parker." The woman politely offered her hand.
"Harry Potter." Harry said shaking her hand. "Nice to meet you, Melanie. What year is your kid in?" Harry took a moment to admire the beauty of the woman. She had long blonde hair and fair complexion.
"Third. He thinks he's grown up now." Melanie answered. "He's been the man of the house for the last five years now and he does know it."
"I'm sorry." Harry said. "I lost my wife when Ginny was born." Harry was surprised that he had admitted something like that so fast.
"It's tough being a single parent." Melanie said.
"Would you like to go to the tea house?" Harry asked. It was the first really daring thing he did in a long time. Ron did say that he needed to start dating again.
"I would love to." Melanie said.
Harry strangely felt himself becoming happy as we walked with Melanie. Maybe it was time for him to start living again.