Disclaimer: Again, I don't own anything but my own creations. JKR owns the wizarding world and no one can take that away from her… not even me

Old Life and New Life

One month later…

After Ginny's death, Harry fell into deep depression. He hardly ever ate or left the house. He didn't even see anyone: when people try to visit, he pretended to be asleep, even though he couldn't. Harry didn't even see a will to live anymore; nothing was right without Ginny. What was the point in living in a world where Ginny wasn't alive to make life happier or easier?

Harry sat on the floor in, what used to be, his and Ginny's bedroom. The room was still the same as it was before Ginny died, with one exception: memories were scattered across the floor. Harry had spent many lonely days looking at old photographs and renewing old memories. It didn't ease the pain; it wasn't even helpful in any way. Harry simply forced himself to live in the past: when Ginny was alive. If he kept doing this… it wasn't like it was real.

Harry sat with an open box in front of him: Ginny's jewellery box. Inside was her engagement ring. A gorgeous diamond heart sat on a silver band surrounded by smaller diamonds and sapphires. He closed his eyes remembering…

- Flashback –

'Harry! Where are we going?' A blindfolded Ginny asked.

'It's a surprise. How many times do I have to tell you?'

'Harry James Potter, I've been walking around blindly for long enough. I'm not walking another step until you tell me where we're going!' Ginny said firmly, stopping in her tracks.

'It doesn't matter… we're here.'

Harry took off Ginny's blindfold. Ginny gasped at the sight. They were at a Qudditch pitch, the same one where they spent their first anniversary together. In the middle of the pitch a picnic was set up, surrounded by hundreds of floating candles.

'Ooh Harry! It's beautiful…' Harry laughed as he took Ginny's hand and led her to the dinner he had prepared. They sat down on the mat and began kissing. While in the middle of their make-out, Ginny's stomach gave a loud rumble. Harry was slightly taken aback but then burst out laughing.

Ginny, who was glad it was dark because she was blushing furiously, smacked Harry playfully in the arm. 'What's on the menu?'

'Well… why don't you take a look?' Harry replied gesturing towards the basket. Ginny looked curiously in the basket and began taking out each item: a Caesar salad, chocolate-coated strawberries, hot onion soup and a treacle tart for dessert. There was even a bottle of oak-mead at the bottom.

'You didn't have to go all this -' Ginny stopped. Harry had his back to her, clearly fiddling with something.

'What do you have there?' Ginny asked. Harry turned, looking alarmed as if he didn't know she was there. But Ginny saw it before he got a chance to hide it: a ring box. Ginny knew what this meant.

'Yes,' Ginny said breathlessly. Harry looked taken back, but then a smile broke out on his face as he understood what she had said.

'You're not suppose to say that yet, Gin. I had a speech prepared…'

'You had a speech? I want to hear it!'

Harry laughed, 'That's what I plan to do. Well here goes…' Harry got down on his knee and took Ginny's hand.

'Ginny Weasley. Ever since my sixth year, I knew I loved you. We have faced everything together; I don't even think I could have gotten through the war if it wasn't for you. There isn't a single day that goes past where I don't thank Merlin for bringing you into my life. You're a beautiful, kind-hearted, generous, amazing person and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?'

Ginny stared at him in awe and for a moment neither of them spoke. After what seemed like eternity Harry finally said, 'Um… you can say it now.'

Ginny giggled as she came out of her trance, 'Yes'. Harry slipped the ring on her finger and pulled her in for a passionate kiss…

- End Flashback -

It had seemed like a million years since that night. He couldn't have been happier that Ginny was going to be his wife, but all those moments were simply memories now. He wiped the tears from his face. He didn't want to live anymore; he wanted to be with Ginny…

Hermione and Ron were in great concern over their friend. As much as Ginny's death had affected them and the rest of the Weasley family, Harry seemed to be taking it the hardest. Even in a month, they hardly saw their friend and had taken care of his daughter since she was released from St. Mungo's.

'Oh Lily, what are we going to do about your father?' Hermione whispered to the tiny baby. Lily gave a little hiccup, Hermione smiled at the baby thinking about how she couldn't wait till her little one got here.

'Hermione! What are you doing here? You should be resting,' Ron said, entering the nursery that was prepared for their child.

'Lily needed some company,' Hermione said defensively. Her hormones made it very hard for her to control her emotions.

'Well, I don't think she needs company anymore.' Hermione looked at the baby in her arms, and sure enough Lily was fast asleep. Hermione smiled as she put the baby back into the crib. Hermione and Ron tip-toed out and closed the door quietly. Without warning, Ron lifted Hermione off her feet and carried her to their bedroom.

Ron carefully place Hermione on the bed and began to kiss her. After a while, Hermione stopped him.

'I think you should go see Harry,' Hermione said

'We were just kissing minutes ago and you're thinking of Harry?' Ron said, raising his eyebrow in an amusing way.

'You know what I mean; Lily can't stay here forever. Where will our baby sleep?' Ron sighed. He knew Hermione was right; Lily needed to be with her father. Ron's eyes moved from Hermione's face to her bulging stomach. He lifted her top and began running his hands over her baby bump.

'OK. I'll talk to him but I think he's made it very clear he isn't up for any visitors.'

'All the more reason for you to talk to him. I'm getting worried, Ron… he didn't even come to her funeral.' Tears began to build up in Hermione's eyes. She quickly tried to blink them back but Ron saw them.

'Alright, if it makes you feel any better, I'll go see him now.' Ron said getting off the bed.

'Thank-you' Hermione whispered as she gave him another kiss. Ron smiled as he turned on the spot but froze as he saw an owl outside the window. Hermione spotted the owl too, 'Isn't that Ginny's owl?'

Ron opened the window to let the bird in. No doubt it was Flakes: Ginny's owl. The barn owl lifted its leg for Ron to take the letter. Ron had to admit the letter was rather big as he released the owl of its duty. As soon as he had taken the letter, Flakes flew on top of the dresser and went to sleep.

'What does it say?' Hermione said quietly, staring at the bird. Ron ripped the letter opened and read out loud:

To Hermione and Ron,

I simply just can't do this any more. A life without Ginny isn't a life I want to live; it's just not worth it. Ron, she was your sister and I know you knew she was an amazing person and an incredible witch. Hermione, she was your best friend, and I know you knew how talented, generous and beautiful she was.

I can't sit here wallowing in self-pity any more, but I can't let go. That's why I'm taking my life. By the time you read this, I will probably be dead. I want to be with Ginny and this is the only way we can be together forever. Please take care of Lily, she needs parents.

Tell everyone I'm sorry for what I am about to do and make sure they know why I am doing it. And when Lily's old enough, tell her of her mother and everything that made her wonderful.

Good luck to both of you, and your baby. I hope you guys and Lily have the strength that I don't have.

Goodbye forever,

Oooooh. CLIFHANGER! Aren't I cruel? Don't worry… it will be continued…right now.

Ron looked through the envelope and discovered many documents including guardianship, Harry's will and a photograph of Harry and Ginny: for Lily. He looked up at Hermione, whose face was white and stained with tears. Ron scrunched up the letter. How dare he? Ron thought, how dare he abandon his child like that when the going gets tough?

'I'm going to see him,' Ron said ready to apparate to Harry's cottage in Ottery St. Catchpole.

'No! I'm going to,' Hermione said getting off the bed.

'Hermione, be reasonable. Apparation isn't good for the baby…'

'Fine! We'll Floo instead. He's my friend too.' Hermione let off a fresh batch of tears. Ron hugged her and whispered in her ear, 'We'll have to hurry.' Hermione wiped away her tears and nodded. Ron took Hermione's hand and they walked (as fast as they could) to the fireplace in the sitting room. Just as they reached the bottom of the stairs, Hermione stopped dead in her tracks.

'Lily.'

'She'll be fine, Hermione. We have to go -'

'Ronald Weasley, how could you be so irresponsible!? We can't leave a baby unsupervised!' Hermione replied crossing her arms. 'We should Floo someone -'

'Hermione there isn't enough time.'

'Fine… we'll take her with us. Harry needs to see her; maybe it'll knock some sense into him.' Ron knew this wasn't the time to argue with his wife.

'Will she be ok? She's only one month -'

'She'll be fine if you keep a hold of her and land on your back. Oh, and cover up her mouth to stop her inhaling any ash. But don't suffocate her!'

'Fine, she can come. No, you stay here I'll get her,' Ron said as Hermione was ready to go back upstairs to get Lily. Ron didn't want to waste a minute more.

'Are you OK?' Hermione asked as Ron came sliding out of the fireplace.

'Yeah, I'm fine. Are you and the baby fine?'

'We're fine. What about Lily?' Hermione asked as she took the baby from Ron's arms.

'No harm done. She slept the whole way.' They peered into the little bundle of blankets to see that Lily was truly fast asleep. The room was still scattered with discarded memories; the bed looked as if it hadn't been slept in for the past month.

'We need to find him. Let's split up: you stay up here, I'm going to check downstairs.' Before Ron got a chance to reply, Hermione slipped out of the room with Lily and headed downstairs. Ron stood in the mess and observed the room: the jewellery box lay open at his feet; Ginny's belongings were spread across the floor; the closet was opened, showing all of Ginny's clothes. He walked around the mess, being constantly reminded of his sister. Ron couldn't take it and left the room.

He walked down the hallway; he spotted a door that slightly opened ajar. Ron had only been in the room once; he wondered if Harry could be in there. He pushed the door opened to see a baby's nursery. Golden snitches flew on the green and white striped wallpaper; a baby's crib lay in the corner, never being slept in; a rocking chair sat not too far from the crib and was surrounded by piles of stuffed animals. The whole room was white and green due to not knowing what sex the baby was going to be. The whole room was covered with, at least, an inch of dust. Harry had obviously avoided this room.

'Ron! Get down here NOW!' Ron panicked at the sound of Hermione's scream. He raced down the stairs and stood in the sitting room, which had a similar fate as the nursery.

'Where are you?' Ron spoke out to no one.

'Outside. Come quickly.' Ron made his way to the courtyard. Hermione stood in the middle, holding Lily, wearing a shocked look on her face.

'Where is he?' Ron said breathlessly.

'You shouldn't have come.' Ron spun around to see where the voice was coming from. His eyes landed on a figure on the roof: Harry.

'Mate, don't do this. Come down from there -'

'No. Nothing you can say can change my mind. I'm gonna do this, I want to be with Ginny and nothing you can say or do can change that.'

'Harry, we all want Ginny back. But please… don't jump'

'Just look after Lily for me. The documents are signed and there's nothing here for me. It was nice knowing you.' And with that Harry took a step off the roof and fell. But not all the way…

Harry was floating two feet off the ground. Ron stood there, frozen on the spot wondering what just happened. He realised that Hermione had pushed Lily into his arms and grabbed her wand. She had her wand out and was pointing straight at Harry.

'Sorry Harry but we're wizards and suicide can be easily stopped like that. I couldn't let you do this,' Hermione said softly as she approached Harry. Harry gave her a dirty look.

'Why, Hermione? All I wanted was to be with my wife. You can understand that.' Hermione nodded as silent tears ran down her face. 'Then why stop me?' Hermione gently brought Harry to the ground and took off the spell. Harry got up, fixed his glasses and faced her, waiting for an answer.

'Because we love you, Harry.' Hermione ran towards her friend and wrapped her arms around Harry's neck and cried into his shoulder. Harry was slightly startled by Hermione's sudden actions but ended up returning the hug.

'You want to go back inside?' Harry whispered into Hermione's ear. Hermione looked up and nodded slightly, quickly wiping away her tears. Together they walked back into the house and sat in the living room.

'I'm going to put this one upstairs' Ron said, bouncing the small bundle in his arms.

'It's the -' Harry started.

'I know' Ron smiled and headed upstairs. Harry stared at Hermione. Her face was stained with tears; her eyes red and puffy; she had one hand on her stomach.

'Not long now, eh?' Harry whispered, gesturing to her swollen stomach.

'Still a couple more months,' Hermione smiled. 'Oh!'

'What!? What is it!?' Harry said, looking scanning Hermione with his eyes to see if anything was wrong.

'Nothing, Harry. The baby just kicked that's all.' Hermione replied, rubbing the spot where the baby had kicked. 'Do you want to feel?' Harry was alarmed at Hermione's question.

'Uh… n-no, thanks'

'Oh Harry. Don't be such a prat.' Hermione grabbed his hand and guided it to the spot before Harry had a chance to say anything. Harry felt nothing, at first, but then there it was: a small kicking from a baby. Harry moved his hand away from Hermione's bump: he hadn't felt anything like that since Ginny was pregnant. Hermione saw his face fall when the baby kicked.

'Oh my gosh, Harry. I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking…'

'It's OK, Hermione' Harry said in a whisper that was barely audible. The tears ran down his cheeks; this time, he didn't do anything to stop the flow. Harry remembered sitting in the same spot…

- Flashback -

'Harry! It kicked! Our baby kicked!' Ginny squealed from the sitting room. Harry re-entered the room carrying a chicken sandwich. He put the sandwich down and bent down in front of Ginny.

'Really?'

'Really. Here, give me your hand.' Ginny grabbed Harry's hand and moved it to the spot where the baby was kicking. Harry felt it: it was a powerful kick.

'That's my boy' Harry whispered caressing Ginny's stomach.

'Boy? It could be a girl-'

'No girl can kick that hard.'

'You want a bet?' Ginny said and playfully kicked Harry in the chest. Harry pretended to fall over injured and they both burst out laughing.

- End Flashback -

'Here mate, drink this' Ron said handing Harry a cup of tea. Harry took it and began to drink not wanting to say a word. The three sat there in silence, sipping their tea, their eyes darting around the room. A piercing cry came from upstairs.

The three looked up from their cups, expecting someone else to get Lily. Lily's cries got louder and still no one moved.

'I'll get her,' Ron finally said, getting out of seat.

'No, Ron,' Hermione said, putting her hand up. 'Harry, why don't you go get her?' Harry didn't move, he didn't say anything. He looked back at his tea.

'I'll get her,' Ron said again and went upstairs.

'What is wrong with you? Don't you want to see your daughter?'

'She killed Ginny,' Harry said simply. Hermione was astounded that Harry could say such a thing.

'How can you say that? She's just a baby.' Ron came back down, trying to calm down a screaming Lily.

'She won't stop crying,' Ron said passing Lily to Hermione. Hermione tried making soothing sounds but nothing was working. Harry finally snapped.

'Can't you shut her up?'

Hormones got the better of Hermione as she felt a surge of anger towards Harry. 'Harry James Potter! She's your daughter', Hermione screeched in a dangerous tone. She pushed the baby into Harry's arms. 'We've taken care of her till you get your priorities straight. Well enough is enough. It's your turn now, she's your responsibility.'

Hermione grabbed Ron by the arm and headed for the fireplace. Ron, not wanting to argue, went obediently. Hermione threw the Floo powder into the fire and turned back to Harry. Tears brimmed her eyes and she let out a sigh, 'She's not a bad kid, Harry. You should get to know your daughter,' and with that she walked into the emerald flames and dragged Ron with her.

Harry looked down at the tiny figure in his arms. Lily had stopped crying and was looking up at Harry with curious eyes. Her eyes, Harry thought, Ginny's eyes. Harry smiled as he stared into the baby's chocolate brown eyes.

A/N: Poor Harry. I feel bad about killing Ginny… I almost wish I didn't kill Ginny… I could bring her back to life but where's the fun in that? XP

So this was a sad and soppy chapter. Yes, I am cruel. I almost killed Harry Potter but I didn't but I did make him abandon his daughter for a month. Lucky for him, Ron and Hermione are such good friends. Go Hermione and her hormones.

I can't believe I've written another chapter in just under one day. I couldn't stop: I'm addicted to this story so there isn't an end anytime soon.

Requests are welcomed

Please review for reviews are loved very much.

Thanks for reading. I hope you liked it!