A Toad's First Love
Chapter Two: My Last Stash
"Okay..." said Neville slowly as if talking fast would result in his death. He took a step towards her and pulled a pathetic looking stool that gave a groan when he sat on it.
"Like are you sure, sure? Because," he bit his lip to prevent his minding from zoning out and losing focus, "I really need to know."
Ginny did not look at him, but stare resolutely at the floor.
"I did the test," she said quietly.
Neville leaned forwards a little.
"What... what color was it?" he asked and right when he uttered those words, he wished he could have taken it back.
She opened her mouth to speak, shuttered, and her voice failed her. Instead she reached deep into her black robes and produced a little vial that filled with something that dazzled as bright as the morning sun and swirling waves. A joyful sensation radiated lightly from it. Neville grew grim and felt all of his childhood anxieties that he thought had gone come pelting him like giant sized hail.
She was pregnant.
There they were sitting silently as they stared at that little vial. It was funny how some wizarding families would spend hundreds of galleons on Healers and Potion Masters, waiting to be jumping for joy to see a vial of silver liquid. But here they sat, wishing that it didn't happen and, for Neville, would have given all the galleons he had to turn back time. Fives months ago to be exact.
Neville apparated next to a bush covered clearing in the dead of the night. He did this so silently that two muggle teenagers, so intertwined, didn't even cease snogging each other senselessly. He walked over their bodies and out onto the lamp lighted street. It didn't take long for him to reach number 12 Grimmauld Place.
As if expecting him to come, the door was opened immediately.
"C'mon in Neville, " said Ginny shutting the door quickly behind him.
They sat down in the kitchen and she pour him some tea. He drank it slowly, savoring it. Tea has always been a way to calm his nerves.
"How has things been?" he asked her and looked around. The house seems in great condition and certainly looks bright due to Krecher's work. However, it's cozy interior only seem to be mocking its solitary occupant at the moment.
"Quidditch has been great. I scored 30 in championship tournament in against the Soaring Spynxes, before I took a blugder to the head," said Ginny energetically as if that was the best feeling ever.
Neville laughed at this and sighed. He hadn't seen a real game for ages ever since he decided to follow his father's footsteps. Also, Ginny was always a bit of a Quidditch fanatic, a rare trait for a woman.
"But you did win right?" he asked.
"No," she frowned. "Freaking Davis threw the quaffle at her husband when she saw him cozying up with a lady in one of the stands."
Neville raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"I knew he wasn't any good when he tried to be keen with me during training," said Ginny. "I don't care if we lost. Harvey is never going to have another woman hanging around his arm ever again."
Neville nodded thinking, if that git ever so lays an eye on Ginny, I'll make sure he wakes up to devilsnare!
"Well in any case, I still manage to be MVC, Most Valuable Chaser, for the most points scored this season! Oh that look on that Amarda's face, she is the Spynxes' lead chaser, was definitely worth galleons..." Her eye gleamed brightly at that memory.
"Congratulations," he beamed back. He always knew she had it in her ever since he saw her form soaring effortlessly against the clear blue sky in Hogwarts.
Ginny made a big show in bowing to a make-believe audience around Neville.
"I think a present is in order," said Ginny, grinning.
Neville reached into his tattered robes and produced a crumpled parchment, whose author had painstaking tried to fold it as neatly as possible.
"From Harry, " said Neville with a small smile as he hand it over to her and left the kitchen to give her some privacy.
Outside, Kreacher, now looking more old and bat-like than ever, was found to be polishing a picture of Sirius Black who winked at him.
Not even looking at Neville, Kreacher spoke.
" Is Master Potter, he who so graciously avenged the Most Noble and Most Skilled Master Regulus Black, by defeating the dark lord, still in you- know- where?" Kreacher wheezed as he rubbed at an invisible spot on the wall.
" Sorry, but he is so," Neville replied. "He... err says don't put starch in his underwear, it makes him itchy."
Kreacher took the odd request seriously. "Since Master Potter has cured my pains, I shall do the same for him. His wish is my command." With that, he disappeared with pop no doubt to clean another spotless area.
A burnt smell came from the kitchen, which meant that Ginny must have disposed of the evidence of correspondence between her and Harry. Years of living as celebrated heroes have taught them never to leave behind a paper trail, which can end up front page on the daily prophet.
Ron was most worked up about this ever since he woke up to 'WAR TIME HERO AND HARRY THE GREAT'S BEST FRIEND, STILL FINDS COMFORT AND HEALING WOUNDS BY SLEEPING WITH HIS TEDDY BEAR'.
It took some strings to find out that Rita Skeeter had 'happened' to come upon a letter send to him by Charlie. After that, every wizarding child wanted an official Ronnie Bear at night (which was sold by George himself against the wishes of Ron).
Ginny came out of the kitchen, her eyes had a little less sparkle, but she still managed to smile at him.
"Hey thanks Neville," she said brightly. He knew he brought her both pain and joy in that letter. But she chooses to look at the positive. Her optimism was one of the reasons why Neville enjoyed her the most out of all of his friends.
"You must be tired from all that traveling! Go ahead and take one of the guest rooms. Kreacher knows I need a little company around here. Mum is too busy helping at Bill's with the new baby and all.
"There's another one of you guys!" he said incredulously. He never had a big family or any cousins. Being the last generation, he was already sure; the Longbottom name was going to die with him.
"Yea her name is Dominique"
Neville had not sleep that good in years. And definitely did not want to wake up. But an old musty smell was threatening to make his stomach hurl. He left eye flap open to see Kreacher's big round eyes. He nearly jumped. Years of being an auror can make him handle any crack job dark wizard, but still didn't prepare him for Kreacher, who was unbelievably ugly. He just too tired to really notice that last night.
"Mistress Potter, wife of the great Master Potter who defeated the Evil One says breakfast is ready for the guest," he spoke and then, he was gone.
Neville debated whether to sleep or eat, but his growling stomach won and he trudged downstairs.
The smell of normal food was wonderful. He set his eyes to fried food glory- eggs, potatoes, and bacon!
He sat down and ate hungrily. "This is amazing Ginny!"
She laughed. "Well have some more!"
They fell into conversation about him working for Kingsley in the past three years. However, Neville notice Ginny was straying very dangerously to the whereabouts of Harry, who absolutely forbid him to say a word, and started to open his mouth to diverge the topic.
Thankfully, an owl at the window interrupted them. Slightly put-off, Ginny went opened the window. The bird flew in and stuck out his foot. He was carrying a rather large package.
Ginny took package into her hands and begun to open it.
"It's from mum," she says, laughing, "I asked for a photo of Bill's new baby, but I get a whole book instead."
Another owl swooped in through the window and landed directly on top of the box. "Move it bird. This came first, " said Ginny pointing a figure at him.
It pokes at her and she swats it away.
"Here let me help," said Neville and he untied the parchment off and rolled it out to read the hastily scrawny note.
DON'T OPEN THAT BOX!
-R
Neville immediately jumped out his seat and had his wand out.
"Ginny don't!"
It was too late. Ginny was already thrown back against the wall and was now sliding down floor. He quickly conjures up a hundred toad shaped pillows in the kitchen, allowing it to break her fall. Neville swam through the sea of green over to her.
Her body was limp and heavy. No, please no, no. He looked over to the table and pointed his wand at red photo album, lying there and looking harmless. He levitated it back into his box and covered it.
"Ginny," he spoke softly. Please not dead, he thought, I haven't told you yet. Her body was still warm, but quickly losing heat. He felt for a pulse and found it weak. He conjure up his patronus, "Get help," he shouted to it frantically. The silvery toad seemed to nod at him and jumped out the window in a silvery streak.
He had to get her St. Mungos now. He gripped on to her arm and noticed her hands were stained with dark green from where she held the book. He had seen that before and it was not good. If he didn't do something fast, she would die. Then he remembered something.
"Accio vial," he waved his wave in the air. A shiny bottle bearing a single white leaf zoom from his robes upstairs and he grabbed it. Harry's voice rang through his mind and he made no hesitation to place the leaf in her mouth. Her body was near icy cold, and Neville hope it would work. He strokes her cheek to try to get her to swallow.
"Ginny, wake up. Eat it, try to eat it," said Neville, whispering into her ear. Drops of water were sprinkling over her face and he realized it was his own tears.
Then he held her in arms, noted how light she was, and disapparated.
Aurors were given special access to critical care at St. Mungo's. Already four healers were prying Ginny's body off him and laying her on a gurney to check on her.
One of the healers was Robin Knox, a very old, but very brilliant healer who saved his life on countless occasions. He came up to him with his ever-present solemn expression and greeted him with a simple nod.
"What happen?" he asked.
Neville explained that she probably got hex by an enchanted dark object and that he took her there immediately as he could.
"I...I also gave her something," he said staring at a loop sided cross on Knox nametag. But he chided himself and looked at him in the eyes. "It was a leaf from a blanca horehound."
Knox looked had a mixture of emotions running across his face. Neville did not know if he was unnerved or feeling mildly curious as he jot something down on a piece of parchment.
"I'll see what I can do for Miss. Weasely," and he disappeared behind a curtain.
A young tired looking mediwitch with vibrant blue hair led him out to the lobby where he was told to wait. Neville slump into one of the uncomfortable puce colored chairs and dropped his head to his callous hands. After a moment that seems like forever, Knox appeared in the hallway again and motion for him to come over.
"Is she okay?" He asked cautiously.
" She's alive," said Knox choosing his words carefully, "and awake. But there something I need to tell both of you. "
What's going on, he wondered as he entered a private room. He half expected Ginny to be looking like a mutant. Surprisingly however, she was sitting up on her bed looking very much healthy and whole. Neville wanted to hug her just to make sure it was real. It was the 'but' that still hung in the air that prevented him.
"Neville, what happened," said a very confused Ginny. She only seemed to have suffered a few minor injuries and had salve wrapped around her hands.
"Miss Weasley," said Knox sitting down on the stool and looking both at them in the eye, "It is nothing sort of a miracle that you survived today. That's all thanks to this man over here." He nodded towards Neville.
Ginny looked at Neville, hitting him with a fistful of emotions as she reached out and squeezed his hand in extreme gratitude. Her eyes were glossy and she didn't wince at the pain it must had cause to do that.
"We found a trace of dark magic in your body that was intended to kill you. However it seems that the magical effects of blanca horehound administered to you by Mr. Longbottom counteract the effects. However, upon examination, it had not fully heal your entire body..."
Neville held his breath.
"Ginny," Knox said softly, and looking at her in the eye. "I'm afraid that combined with the traumatic stress from yesterday, your severe head injuries that weren't fully healed and today's events has put your body in a limbo between life and death."
Neville was a bit shocked at this information. Ginny must have left the hospital early to meet him yesterday.
"You are as alive any other person. But your body is having a great battle inside you and the choice to survive is always strong. However, if another presence wins, the result can prove to be disastrous."
"Can you please CUT THROUGH THAT CRAP JUST TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON!" Ginny yelled through gritted teeth, she was shaking with anger. Neville knew she was getting mad at herself for everything that is happening.
"You are going to live. But, if you conceive," he paused and Ginny looked ready to strangle him, "there is a big chance you will die giving birth. Your body can't handle anymore stress and labor is not so easy on a woman."
"If there is anything that you need to inquire, please do," Knox looked at her sadly and gave her a pat on her knee before giving them privacy. He knew that, as healer and facing death on a daily basis, that the best joys are giving life. But here he was, telling his young lady that she might never hold her own little red head in her arms.
Ginny met his gesture with disgust and made a rude gesture at him, something Neville only saw once when they were scolded by Snape for trying to steal a sword, at the healer's retreating back.
Neville suddenly felt guilty and punched the wall.
"I'm sorry Ginny. I...I'm so useless!" he shouted and punch the wall again, this time, creating a small hole.
"STOP IT!" Ginny got up to yell at him. He was taken back. She never did that to him, ever. She was always the one defending him. She was always the one being calm. She is the always the one trying to rationalize things when things don't go as planned. It confused him and angered him.
"LOOK, IF ANYONE IS GONNA BE SORRY IS ME OKAY, " she yelled.
He turned red. He was an auror after all!
"You don't get it, I was given special training to recognized dark magic. I could have prevented it!" he yelled back. "All those months, nearly scalding myself half to death and for nothing!"
"You did help me," said Ginny softly staring at the hole he made in the wall. "You saved my life. If you hadn't known to give me that blanca stuff, I wouldn't be here."
She leaned forward and gave him a big hug, crying silently into his clothes. Five minutes later, she broke away from him with puffy red eyes, but still looking beautiful and very amused.
"I can't believe you are came wearing those. That's very auror of you. Tell me, do you and my husband stay up and gossip about dark wizards during your long stakeouts?" she laughed.
Neville looked at himself and realized in horror that he was wearing Ginny's fluffy bunny slippers that embroidered SEXY in big bold pink letters. He was so tired waking up that morning; he didn't even realized what he put on.
"I've really been looking for those everywhere," she said.
He took them off; his feet contacting the cold titled floors and sheepishly handed it back to its owner.
The door opened suddenly along with several loud, angry, familiar voices to Ginny.
"Look, she's my daughter and I'm her mother! That beats any medical authority!" said a very cross Mrs. Weasley. She may seem like an old lady, but Neville knew better. After the war, he had deep sense of appreciation towards her for taking part in avenging his parents. Ron likes to compare him to Kreacher because of this. Neville thought though, he looked WAY better then that elf!
The young mediwitch he saw earlier seem to be the one arguing with her and the rest of the Weasleys.
"She's in critical condition and needs rest and," she spluttered only to be cut off by Fleur Weasley, who was balancing young Dominique on her left hip and holding Victoire's hand in the other.
"She'z fine!" she exclaimed in her thick French accent. Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Ronald told us what happened. He and Harry tried to warn you. But don't worry they caught them," said Mr. Weasley in reassurance. Then he turns to Neville and pats him on the back, "Knox told us what happened. Thank you son."
Ginny nodded in agreement and gave him a look that read 'don't tell' before disappearing in a sea of red- heads' embraces.
The mediwitch looked more defeated and tired than ever, clearly she had lost the battle. Neville came over to her, and offered her a cup of coffee while practically dragging her reluctant body out of the room to give the family their space.
"I'll make sure it's the strongest brew," he said, for he needed it too.
That event just seemed like yesterday. Now, Ginny was sitting in his living quarters at Hogwarts in the dead of the night. Both of them feeling both joy and sadness at the sparkling vial before them.
Neville knew she did not tell anyone about her true injuries from that accident and she made him swear to never tell Harry either. He was caught in thick thicket between his two friends and didn't know where to place his loyalty. He really hoped this wouldn't have come so soon. She too, was too young to die.
Ginny put the vial away. They sat for several minutes in silence and also in deep contemplation. As usual, Neville broke through the tension.
"Does he know," he asked.
"No, he went to Bulgaria to sort auror business out."
He nodded.
"Are you... going through with it?"
She looked up at him with a pensive expression.
"How can you say that, " she said getting up to walk around the room and pretending to read his herbology books that were sewn across a messy desk.
Neville wasn't sure whether or not to congratulate her or to run over and tell her to not do it. It was simply, not his decision but hers. He cannot push her into any direction. She needs me more than ever now. I'll help you Ginny I'll make sure you'll enjoy every moment.
"Well, please name it after me if it's a boy," said Neville slowly hoping she wouldn't break down. But to his relief, a smile crept across her face instead.
"Poor boy would be scared for life!" she joked back and they fell into a laugh.
Ginny did not stay long and decided to leave to break the news to her family. She told him that she already quit her chaser position and wants to spend full time with them for the next nine months. She also promised to keep him updated as well. Neville nodded sadly, understanding that he is her only outlet from the lie she is committing against everyone she loves the most.
"I'm going to be a mommy," she said bravely and smiled as she floo out, disappearing in green flames.
Neville's heart broke for her at those words. He had never told her, but he and Harry do gossip during late night stakeouts.
"Twelve accounts of thievery, six instances of harming muggles, and a one suspicion of killing a old wizard. Poor Fines, never saw it coming," said Ron looking through his omnioculars at a little broken down cottage down below. They were many feet up on broomsticks, hidden in the clouds and concealed by a charm.
"That's one bad kid," agreed Neville.
"Something just doesn't seem right," said Harry. "I don't think he commit all those crimes by himself."
"Well he's related to that Amycus bloke!" said Ron.
"No, that's his Godfather," said Neville.
"If I was his Godfather, he'll be studying for H. A. Ts right now (Healing Admission Test)," said Ron.
"More like begging you for gold," said Harry. Neville laughed.
Ron turn red like he always does. "So who you would choose then to be your son's Godfather? Please don't tell me its Percy! He'll turn him to a the next Dark Lord just by boring him to death."
"No, you're right. I'll choose Neville," said Harry laughing just to provoke Ron. But he then looked at Neville seriously and said, "Just claim anyone of my kids, I'll deal with Ginny."
He felt elated and deeply honored to be chosen as Godfather for an unborn child that day. But now, he was trying to do another three inches to his professorship paper, but only found himself staring at a baby mandrake plant with his mouth wide open in a scream.
Suddenly, Neville did not feel like he wanted to be a Godfather anymore.
--
I like this chapter.
What do you think?
Thanks Xx.siriusly.lily.xX and Brillantseeker for being my frist reviewers!
And to my sister, my beta!