Disclaimer—I do not own Harry Potter or anything created within the book. I also do not own the song below.
A/n: Before I get any farther I would like to note that the song below is called 'Where Have You Been' by Kathy Mattea. If anyone hasn't had a chance to listen to it and you're a romantic, I urge you to listen to it. It will bring tears to your eyes. Alright! This is my second ever Harry/Ginny one-shot –fan-fiction, and I am writing it for my wonderful mother Sheila for her birthday. So, that means that as long as she likes it, I don't care if you do. –jokes- I'm just kidding. Anyhow, I hope EVERYONE enjoys this fic. But as a warning, there is a little cheese served with this. Oh, and one more thing, anything with a star next to it will be explained at the end of the fiction. Thank you!
Claire had all but given up
When she and Edwin fell in love
She touched his face and shook her head
In disbelief she sighed and said
In many dreams I've held you near
Now at last you're really here
Where have you been?
I've looked for you for ever and a day
Where have you been?
I'm just not myself when you're away
He asked her for her hand for life
Then she became a salesman's wife
He was home each night by 8
But one stormy evening he was late
Her frightened tears fell to the floor
Until his key turned in the door
Where have you been?
I've looked for you for ever and a day
Where have you been?
I'm just not myself when you're away
They'd never spent a night apart
For 60 years she heard him snore
Now they're in a hospital
In separate beds on different floors
Claire soon lost her memory, forgot the names of family
She never spoke a word again
Then one day they wheeled him in
He held her hand and stroked her hair
In a fragile voice she said
Where have you been?
I've looked for you for ever and a day
Where have you been?
I'm just not myself when you're away
No, I'm just not myself when you're away
oO0Oo
Ginny watched out the window of the infirmary, nursing her broken wrist. The war had taken an evil turn and spilled onto Hogwarts property, the place where it had all began. Not many students had showed up to school after Dumbledore died, but there had been enough to sustain it. Almost all the Slytherins had not returned, but a good portion of every other house remained. There had even been some new students.
Yes, hope had been in all of their minds this year. Harry started the D.A. back up, but not just to train the new members in the school, but also to remember the great man whose namesake the group was for. In a way, to avenge him. It had taken him all summer of pouring through books and memories to find the last of the horcruxes. They had all joked that he was becoming far too much like Hermione for his own good.
Ginny closed her eyes at the thought of Harry. The last she had seen him, he was dodging Death Eaters and trying to find Voldemort in the masses. Her heart clenched with her worry and she bit her lip in pain as her wrist twinged.
Madam Pomphrey was bustling around behind her. Ginny had insisted that she tend to those who were injured more than she. A wrist could wait, after all.
The sky was growing dark now, but the grounds were lit up by the curses and hexes being thrown. Ginny's worry deepened with every brilliant green light she saw. She worried for Hermione and Ron too, but she knew that Hermione was smart and Ron was strong, so she knew they could take care of themselves. She knew that Harry could take care of himself, but his opponent was much harder then anyone else's.
Ginny turned her head towards the door, hearing someone moan in agony. Professor McGonnogal levitated Neville in, who was thrashing about in the air as if things were aerial-attacking him. Madam Pomphrey rushed to them.
"What happened?"
The headmistress rubbed her temples.
"The boy killed Bellatrix Lestrange. He fought very bravely…but even as the blasted woman fell Neville was hit by the Cruciatis and now I'm afraid that he might join his parents after all." McGonnogal bit back a sob and set Neville down on the bed.
"The boy got his revenge. Even Bellatrix complimented his stamina…encouraged him…"
Ginny turned away and focused on the grounds again. Something was going on. A magnificent golden light had erupted on the field and had flown into the air, throwing light over everyone. Curses and hexes stopped and it seemed that everyone was watching it curiously.
"Is that a phoenix?" Ginny asked herself out loud. The two women behind her moved to the window.
"My Gods…" McGonnogal breathed.
The phoenix flew around the field and then dove straight for someone on the ground. What they heard next chilled them to the bone. A shrill scream echoed in the air, bouncing off the walls and the bird exploded, taking its victim with it.
Ginny's blood ran cold and she gripped the windowsill, her broken wrist forgotten. People were beginning to disappear in bursts of silver light. Those that were left looked around. A cheer rose from their throats and they shot spells into the air, lighting the sky with bright colors.
Where was Harry?
She numbly felt Madam Pomphrey move her back to her bed and sit her down. She vaguely heard the Medi-witch mutter the healing spell. Harry had been the phoenix. She knew he had been the phoenix. The phoenix had exploded…Harry…Ginny couldn't bring herself to logic the matter any further. A cry of grief escaped her and she flung herself into Madam Pomphrey's arms, sobbing.
The woman patted Ginny's back comfortingly, trying to calm her down.
"He's gone! He's gone…" Ginny cried.
After about an hour, people began to file in the doors of the infirmary so that their injuries could be treated. Ginny didn't look at any of them. She instead stared at the empty space on the wall across from her.
Everything was finally over. They would all have peace. That is, until the next dark wizard decided to create himself. But for now, they had peace.
Ron and Hermione stumbled through the doors, carrying a heap of what looked like smoldering robes, arms, and legs. Their faces were pained. Ginny looked over to them and then at what they were carrying. The heap moved and looked up, and Ginny caught a pair of brilliant green eyes looking at her.
Ginny stood.
"Harry?"
oO0Oo
Two years later…Harry opened the door and shut it quickly, keeping the blizzard out of the flat. Ginny was sitting on the couch with the twins, one on each side of her. Ginny's three-month-old belly was just visible in the shirt she was wearing. The two little girls looked up as he entered the room.
"Dadda!" Harry kissed all three of them and sat down, letting out a long sigh. The war had changed him greatly in appearance. He was still Ginny's hansom Harry, but he had burn scars here and there as well as many different others. They had gotten married right after the war and had not hesitated to start a family right after. Ginny was a Weasley after all. They had had twin girls named Lily and Neve.
Harry and Ron had started their own Quidditch and Chess store in Diagon ally, and business was great. They still weren't sure if it was because of who Harry and Ron were, or if they really came in for the soul purpose of buying posters and broomsticks.
Ginny smiled at her husband and sighed.
"Okay girls, you got to see Daddy, now its time to go to bed." Neve and Lily both voiced their complaint. Harry smiled and moved forward to pick Neve up while Ginny got Lily.
"Yes girls, it is past your bedtime." Harry agreed with Ginny.
"I'll see you two in the morning." They laid the two children in their beds and turned off the light. Once they were back in the living room, Harry pulled Ginny to him and kissed her, embracing her securely to him.
"I was worried. What happened?" Ginny smiled. Harry shrugged.
"Oh you know…the usual. Went out for a few drinks with some of my many female admirers…" Ginny grinned and nodded. Harry continued. "Walked them home and got their numbers, but you know, some of them can be so sneaky. One of them trapped me see, and tried to make me her slave—"
"Yeah, yeah Potter." Ginny laughed, shaking her head.
"Keep going and your going to be in big trouble." Harry laughed and kissed her again.
"Okay then, so you want the truth? Well…are you sure you can handle it?" Harry teased. Ginny pulled a mock serious face on and nodded.
"Fine. I'll tell you what I was doing. I was buying these…" He pulled a dozen roses out from under what must have been his invisibility cloak and handed them to her. He then took a box of chocolates that were shaped like snitches and gave them to her. Harry knew Ginny liked Quidditch and caramel, so he had sent out for the special chocolates.
Ginny laughed and smelled the flowers, then marveled at the chocolates.
"What's all this for?" She asked, looking up into his eyes. Harry's face became slightly confused, and then a sneaky smile quirked at the corner of his mouth.
"You forgot, didn't you?"
Ginny frowned at him.
"Forgot what?"
Harry laughed and shook his head.
"Its out anniversary! And I was afraid I'D forget." Harry laughed ironically. Ginny eyed him mischievously.
"You did forget." Harry stopped laughing.
"No I didn't!"
"Yes you did! Its next Tuesday." Ginny insisted. Harry was about to say something when he paused and thought a moment. He groaned.
"Its next Tuesday…" Harry looked so crestfallen that Ginny couldn't help but laugh. She pulled him into a hug.
"Its okay. I'd rather you remember it wrong then forget it completely." She kissed his cheek. He sighed and shook his head.
"I suppose…Ginny? Remind me in the morning to curse Ron."
"What for?"
"For buying one of Fred and George's Calendars."
oO0Oo
10 years later…
The Potter clan stood on Platform Nine and three quarters, watching the oldest of the children board for Hogwarts. The two twins were beautiful like their mom, but with dark auburn hair and brilliant green eyes. They had their parents love for Quidditch, their uncle Ron's love of Chess, Fred and Georges talent for mischief, and Aunt Hermione's love of learning. They also had their Grandmother Molly's temper, but most of the Potter children did.
Harry and Ginny watched as the two disappeared up the steps. Their youngest child, 5 month old Albus whined and struggled against Ginny, his chubby little arms reaching towards the train in a vain attempt to pull his sister's back. Out of 11 children, they had managed the complete opposite of Ginny's family; they had 10 girls and one boy. After Lily and Neve, Ginny had Annabelle, Lorelei, Siria, and the second set of twins Molisha and Jamie, who were fraternal, then Kelsa, Breck, Rema, and finally little Albus.
Annabelle, Siria, Molisha, Breck, and Rema all looked like their father, with unruly jet black hair and green eyes, though Molisha had her Grandfather James' warm brown eyes, and was the only one in the family with them. Lorelei, Jamie, Kelsa, and Albus all had their mother's flame red hair and blue eyes. Neve and Lily were the only ones who really had a combination of both.
Harry had been so proud when Albus came. Neve and Lily were the ones who bonded with the little boy the most. The girls took him everywhere they went. He even slept in their room sometimes.
The twins looked out their window, opened it and waved. Albus let out a high-pitched plaintive cry and struggled to get to them again, crying.
"By everybody! Bye Ally! We love you all!" Neve called over.
"Yeah! We'll write you when we get there! And we'll say Hello to Auntie 'Mione for you!"
Ginny walked to the side of the train, holding Albus tightly to her.
"You two be good and be careful. Don't get expelled and don't go into the forest! And don't sneak out at night!" Ginny said worriedly. "I don't want to get a letter from Hogwarts about you two!" She watched the two girls with tears in her eyes and turned away quickly, muttering something about how she needed to change the baby.
Harry stepped forward, holding Rema in his arms and Breck's hand. Kelsa stood closely by her father, looking at the train in awe. Looking behind him to make sure Ginny was far enough away; he looked sidelong at his two oldest girls.
"Did you pack the cloak?" He asked in a hushed voice. The two girls nodded secretively. Harry eyed them proudly and nodded once.
"Good girls. Have fun, and don't get caught!" The train began to move away. Harry looked at his other daughters who had overheard him and pressed his finger to his lips.
"Don't tell your mother." The girls giggled and the group turned and found Ginny behind them, smirking.
"Tell me what? That you gave them your invisibility cloak and warned them not to get caught with it?" She asked. Albus giggled, as did the five of their girls that had followed her instead of staying with their dad.
Harry gaped at her, trying to find words. Ginny rolled her eyes and laughed.
"Oh its alright! I knew you were going to give the thing to them. I figured someone has to appear strict in this parental unit. I'll be just as proud as you are to receive the first letter saying that they managed to blow up a toilet or something. It means that they are indeed Weasley and Potter." She sniffed and looked around.
"Well, I suppose we'd better get going. Goodness knows you all are probably hungry." As if on queue, the girls all started whining about how starved they were and what they wanted for lunch. Even Albus started crying again.
Later, after they had finally gotten everyone to bed, Ginny and Harry sat in front of the fire, silently holding hands. After being married for 12 years, neither really needed to say anything. They could feel it. They loved nights like this, where it was quiet and everything just seemed so perfect. They had worked so hard to make it so, Harry more then Ginny.
Ginny traced her finger over the scar on Harry's hand gently, her head resting on his shoulder.
"Can you believe that they are already starting to leave us?" She asked quietly, staring into the fire.
Harry shook his head.
"No…yesterday I was carrying them around on my shoulders."
Ginny nodded.
"And I was teaching them how to make scrambled eggs and fold laundry."
"How to ride a broom properly…"
"Plant a garden…" Ginny closed her eyes. She would only be 40 when Albus left for school. She would probably be a grandmother by then too if the twins decided to get married young like Ginny and Harry had. That thought scared her and she looked at Harry.
"At this rate, it won't be long before we have another generation running around." Harry squeezed her hand tightly in response.
"Not if their uncles and I have anything to do with it. They'll be single until they are 30! All of them!" Harry said vehemently. Ginny laughed.
"Yes, that's what happened to me as you can tell. My brothers sure did a good job." She said playfully. Harry looked sidelong at her, frowning.
"They just liked me. I was already apart of the family. They were just excited to make it legal." He said. Ginny laughed again and shook her head.
"And who's to say that they won't make guy friends who spend almost as much time in this house as you did in mine?"
She could see Harry's mind working franticly. Finally he shook his head.
"No. I'm putting my foot down. They aren't getting married until they are 30."
Ginny smiled sadly and kissed him.
"I love you. But I have doubts on you being able to stop them if they really want it."
oO0Oo
15 years later…
Harry- 45
Ginny- 44
Neve & Lily- 26
Annabelle- 25
Lorelei- 24
Siria-23
Molisha and Jamie- 22
Kelsa- 20
Breck- 19
Rema- 18
Albus- 16
Ginny stared down the table. Everyone had been able to make it for Christmas holiday, and they were all wearing their traditional Weasley sweaters that their grandmother had made for them. Albus was the only one left at school now, and he had one more year to go yet. The years had passed by so quickly as promised, and Ginny could honestly say that she and Harry loved each other even more then they did when they started out.
As they both stared at their children, they were proud. They had brought these beautiful and brilliant souls into this world, and nothing could have made them happier.
Neve and Lily were surprisingly enough unmarried, though it was because they were too busy studying and learning. They had both decided on a Potion major, and were both finishing out their apprenticeship to the local Potions Master. Professor Severus Snape had been reluctant to take them on, but after Hermione convinced him that they would be well worth it, he took the chance. After they had finished their four years at University, they had taken a year off and then started the apprenticeship.
Annabelle was married, but sadly unable to have children. Her husband Mark, who had been introduced to her by her uncle Charlie, was currently up in Romania, unable to get home due to a horrific snowstorm. They were currently in the process of adopting a little boy named Thomas. Annabelle had become a certified Medi-witch and was currently working in the children's ward at St. Mungo's.
Lorelei was also married and had a set of twins, both only 4 months old. Harry had not liked Devon at first because he was the son of Draco Malfoy, but when Draco pulled him aside one day and spoke to him about it, Harry had grudgingly accepted him into the family. Harry had no problem with him now as he had come to realize that the young man was indeed a good egg.
Siria, Molisha, and Jamie were all at University, studying their separate subjects. Siria was currently dating a boy named Stuart, but the second set of twins were apt to follow in Neve and Lily's footsteps, learning first and then settling down.
As for the animal and book loving Kelsa, Breck, and Rema, they had started their own shop in Diagon ally. It specialized in rare and common creatures, as well as books about them and any other subject that one would or wouldn't care to find out about. It was quite an interesting shop, as it felt like a library in the middle of a tropical forest.
Albus, still closely bonded to his two eldest sisters wanted to study potions once he was out of school. But, he lacked talent in potions and ultimately decided that Defense Against the Dark Arts was better for him. He was now dating a girl by the name of Dharma Patil.
All of the children were different and had their own separate talents. The two parents were so proud of them all. At the moment, they were discussing the proper way to disarm a Bogalack beast without getting that yellowish acid stuff sprayed at you. Neve and Lily mentioned something about how they were trying to gather scales and mucous for their stash of potions ingredients.
"So that's why half of your face was swollen when you got here!" Albus had said. He had been really worried about Lily when she showed up. She had been unable to figure out how to make the swelling that the acid had inflicted. Luckily, Annabelle had seen many things like this while working at the hospital and had been able to heal it in no time at all.
"Yes Ally. That was why my face was swollen." Lily laughed, using his nickname fondly.
Harry looked at Ginny and smiled at her, squeezing her hand gently. Everything was still perfect.
"Okay everyone, settle down. Now, your mother has worked extra hard on this dinner knowing that after five years of only having a few of you here, all of you would be able to come for Christmas. Now, just a couple of reminders…"
Everyone became silent.
"If any of you haven't had the chance to go visit your Aunt Fleur in the hospital yet, please do so. I'm sure little Danielle would love to be held by her other mess of cousins."
"How is Aunt Fleur?"
Lorelei asked.
Harry smiled.
"She had a very hard labor, but she and Danielle are doing great. I'm surprised that your uncle Bill didn't end up in the bed next to her. He was very worried." They had all been surprised when Fleur had gotten pregnant. She, like Annabelle, had been unable to have children, so she and Bill adopted. Apparently, Bill had fainted when he found out that by a miracle, she was going to be able to have a baby.
"Also, Congratulations to Kelsa, Breck, and Rema in the opening of their shop. Your uncle Ron and I pass by every day and it looks like you guys are doing great." Harry said a few other things and then everyone was allowed to dig in.
It was a wonderful night. The food was great and everyone was back and safe at home. The two had missed having all their children under one roof and a calming peace had settled in knowing that they were all occupying their old rooms for the rest of the holidays. The day Albus would leave for school was the day that everyone would go back to their own homes.
Harry and Ginny once again sat in front of the fire in each other's arms. They remembered everything together from the moment that Hermione and Ron had brought him into the hospital wing. She had run to him and practically bowled him over. Only when he yelped in pain did Ginny realize that there was still a chance that he would not make it and she was stalling his medical attention. She had quickly left him alone, but had stayed near and at his side the whole time he lay in bed recuperating.
After he had gotten better, they had been inseparable. The two had been at the burrow talking when Fred and George had burst through the door. Rolling their eyes, they told Harry to "Just marry her already! We all know you want to!" Ginny had yelled indignantly at him, but Harry had just stared at her as if he had just had the most brilliant idea. Ginny remembered that day so well. She smiled as she thought about it.
"Will you marry me Gin?" Harry startled Ginny out of her thoughts and she stared at him.
"We're already married…" She said, smiling.
"I know that. But would you marry me again?" Harry waited patiently for her answer, but Ginny could see the same eagerness in his eyes that she had seen the first time he had asked. Finally she grinned.
"Yes."
Harry scooped her in his arms and kissed her. After a second, he looked in her eyes then turned his head away towards the stairs.
"You hear that kids?"
Ginny heard what sounded like a stampede and everyone was downstairs and standing before them. The girls all wore beautiful, crème colored dress robes lined with black silk, and the boys black dress robes lined with crème silk. The grandchildren were dressed similarly, but in different colors.
"Yep!" The twins replied. Neve and Lily pulled a white dress robe from underneath Harry's cloak like he had done with the flowers and the chocolates 25 years before. Ginny, shocked beyond words, turned to Harry. He smiled.
"I had hoped you would say yes. It's supposed to begin at midnight. That's when everyone else will be here. So…you should probably go get ready, Ginny love." He kissed her and gave her hand to the girls, who rushed their speechless mother up the stairs as carefully as they could.
As her daughters were getting her ready, tears of joy fell down her face. She couldn't bring herself to break the silence. Nothing was good enough to say and she feared ruining the moment.
The wedding was as beautiful as the first one, but stuck to Ginny as her favorite. Mainly because it was in the house that she and Harry had raised their children in, all of their children, family, and friends were there, and it was the perfect end to a wonderful day and a great beginning of another one.
Hermione had even managed to get Severus to show up, which was surprising. At the end, Neve and Lily both told him how they all figured out how to get those Bogalack ingredients and that they would be trying it once they got back. Severus, intrigued, listened to every word and put in his own suggestions.
Ginny could honestly say that it was the best day of her life.
oO0Oo
years later…
Ginevra Weasley-Potter sat at the window, watching the ducks float along the lake. She cradled her wrist like she had years before, but she couldn't remember why she had or that she even had.
"Mother…its time for bed…" Ginny turned her head towards the middle-aged woman that had called her mother, confused. The name on her tag said 'Annabelle.' Ginny smiled at the woman.
"You know, I had a daughter named Annabelle once. I don't remember what happened to her though. Or any of my children…or my husband. Gods, I haven't seen my Harry in who knows how long…" She said sadly. Annabelle watched her, a look of the same sadness in her own eyes.
"Well Ginny, they visited last week…your children did. Your daughter Annabelle see's you every day…" Ginny seemed to perk up.
"When? I don't remember seeing any of them!" Ginny thought a moment.
"Lets see there's…the oldest…I can't remember if there was one or two…Well, anyway, their names were…" Ginny tried to think of their names, but her spirits soon fell.
"I can't…remember…" A tear slipped down the woman's face as the nurse helped her into bed.
"Why can't I remember, Annabelle?" She whispered. The nurse leaned forward and tucked her in silently. This was a nightly routine.
"Where is Harry?" She asked weakly, staring at her with pleading blue eyes.
"He's here. He's just in a different ward." Annabelle answered hesitantly. Ginny sat up.
"I want to see him! I want to see Harry."
"I'm sorry Mo-…er…Ginny, its just not possible at the moment."
Ginny made to get up, swinging her feet over the bed. Annabelle sighed.
"No! I want to see my husband! I want to see him this instant!" Ginny cried, tears running down her wrinkled face.
Another nurse ran in.
"Is she having another episode?" Annabelle nodded, avoiding the other nurses eyes.
"You did it again, didn't you? Annabelle, you have to stop this!" They both pushed Ginny gently back onto the bed, the other nurse giving the old woman a shot.
"I want to see my husband!" She said weakly before closing her eyes and sleeping.
Over the course of the next few weeks, Ginny got steadily worse. She didn't move from her bed and she had begun to forget everything, including her husband's name and the fact that she had a husband. All she knew was that her name was Ginny, and she was not to leave the ward.
People she didn't know came in to see her once in a while, calling her mother and holding her hand, but they left with sad looks on their faces and promises of coming back the next day. They knew she wouldn't last much longer.
She had not had an episode since the last one. It was as if she had finally just given up and subconsciously accepted that she would never see him again.
"Okay honey, sit up! Its time for your juice." A middle aged nurse with jet-black hair and green eyes helped her sit up, holding a juice box in front of her. Ginny thought her vaguely familiar, but didn't ask any questions. She never talked anymore. The nurse stroked her hair as Ginny finished the juice and helped her lay back down.
"You have visitor today, Ginny." The nurse said. Ginny looked at her nametag. Annabelle. Such a pretty name.
"He's been waiting to see you for a while." Ginny closed her eyes and opened them again, staring at the far wall. She heard slow footsteps coming from outside her door and a quiet voice of a man speaking. From the corner of her eye, Ginny saw the nurse again, but she was walking with a man who looked to be the same age as her. His eyes were like the nurses, but his hair was white. He had a strange scar on his forehead. When their eyes connected, he hurried forward as fast as his legs could carry him and kneeled down next to her, his hand holding hers.
"Ginny? Do you know who I am?" Ginny stared at him for a minute, and then looked away silently. The man's face fell, but he still held onto her hand.
"Ginny…" He said her name quietly, squeezing her hand. When she didn't respond, he sat back, grabbing a chair to sit in, never letting go of her hand.
Harry stayed like this for two weeks. He only left her to use the bathroom or when the doctor had to check him out. He ate when Annabelle brought them food, but he rarely slept.
He looked down at his sleeping wife, still holding her hand. Her wedding rings flashed in the light. He kissed her hand and then rested his head on the bed, drifting off into sleep. He dreamed of his memories with her. Their children and all the little things that they had accomplished over the years. He woke to someone touching his shoulder. When he lifted his head, he met blue eyes.
"Harry?"
A/n: Well, that's the end of it! Boy is it long! I haven't written that much in a chapter or one shot in forever! I hope you all enjoyed it. Now, for the star stuff.
Severus Snape- Snape was found innocent when Harry discovered through Severus' pensive that Dumbledore had commanded him through Occlumency to take his life in order to save Draco. After supposedly leaving the light side, he sent messages telling of planned attacks so that the order would always be ready for the Death Eaters. Hermione Granger, after becoming the new Transfiguration professor, married him and they live peacefully (and childless), at Hogwarts.
Draco Malfoy- Malfoy left the dark side as soon as he could, transferring instead to the order of the phoenix after Voldemort killed his mother for not doing what was asked of him. He stood as a vital part of the last fight and got married to Lavender Brown, who then had their only son, Devon Malfoy, Husband to Lorelei.
Anyway! Yes, Hermione married Snape. I am a Hermione/Severus shipper. Even though this is for my mother, I just HAD to throw in my own weird combo . Hope everyone enjoyed it!