Ginny sat with Kathleen on the boat and with two other girls that introduced themselves as Linda and Sandy.
Kathleen was admiring the necklace that Ginny's father had given her. Ginny wanted to tell her about what her father said, but just couldn't do it. All she mentioned was that he gave it her has she got off the train.
"I can't believe he came all the way to say good bye." Kathleen said.
"I know it was so wonderful of him. He seemed odd though." Ginny looked at the castle wondering what it might have in store for her.
(into the past)
Harry walked into the front room of his house. He did not expect a celebration when he returned home. Nor did he want one. He placed the baby Ginny inside of the crib of the nursery and took a seat in the rocker next to it.
Ginny was asleep soundly. Harry just sat there and stared at her.
After a while Harry got up and grabbed the book Hermione had given him and Ginny a week ago.
He still remembered that day vividly. Ginny and Hermione talked about motherhood very in depth. Hermione then passed him and Ginny a small book. She said that the book kept her sane while caring for Matthew. It contained different spells and potions and other things that they would need to know.
Hermione even had the decency to mark the pages.
Harry spent most of the time holding Little Ginny after she had come home. He wasn't sure of what else to do. Even when she was asleep. The only time he put her down was when he actually needed to.
The Weasley family dropped by on a regular basis to help Harry in caring for the baby. Harry honestly appreciated it. He wanted his daughter to know that she did truly have a family that had cared for her.
When time came for him to return to work Harry left little Ginny with her grandparents. Harry hated doing it sometimes. He did not want her to be a burden upon them, but he had to work. That was an honest fact.
Once little Ginny learned to walk she wanted to be everywhere at once. Harry spent much of his time chasing and trying to keep her in sight.
During one of these sessions Ginny wondered away without a laugh or a peep. Harry had his attention on the stove cooking dinner. All at once he then heard a loud cry.
Grabbing his wand in a flash Harry ran into the living room.
Little Ginny was on the floor screaming with all her might.
Harry immediately scooped her up and inspected for damage. There was a slight mark on her forehead. She had smacked the table.
Sitting on the couch Harry rocked the baby trying to calm her. He summoned the book that Hermione had given him and started flipping through it to find the right spell. He found the one for minor scrapes and did the spell provided.
After Ginny had calmed down Harry carried her through the house. With his wand he padded everything that he possibly could. "I've got it honey. You don't need to worry."
He did not want another accident. The house would be safe for her.
(present)
Harry returned home from the cup of tea that he had with Melanie.
In his hand he had the letter he received from Hogwarts. Ginny had followed in the footsteps of her family and entered Gryffindor House. He could not have been prouder. In his mind he had already begun to write a letter to her.
After he arrived home Harry walked upstairs to Ginny's bedroom. His little girl was off to Hogwarts and she was in Gryffindor.
His little girl was gone.
That was when the reality hit him. He would not see her until Christmas. He had sent her to the place where all of his own adventures began. What had he been thinking?
Harry took a seat on the bed and looked around the nicely decorated room. How would she get along with her bunk mates? She had never really shared anything with anyone.
"I was wondering when you would be home."
Harry looked up to see Ron.
"She's gone." Harry said. "I thought I was ready."
"She'll be back soon. Take advantage of the quiet. Or at least that is what Hermione says." Ron said taking a seat.
"Right." Harry said. "You know you were right. What you said on Ginny's birthday. You were right. I realized what a horrible father I have truly been."
"We never said you were horrible." Ron said. "You have just been sad for too long."
"No. I was horrible." Harry said flatly. "Can you believe she wrote me a letter?"
Harry handed Ron the letter that Ginny had written him.
"This must have took some planning." Ron said reading the letter.
"I know. She made Gryffindor by the way. I'm sure that there wasn't any doubt about that at all.
"I wouldn't think that there would be." Ron said. "I'll let the family know. Hermione made some of those cookies again. She thought you might need some cheering up."
"You still remember that vanishing spell?" Harry said to Ron.
"How could someone who was successful at anything and made it through potions be so terrible a cook?" Ron asked.
"You should have waited before you married her."
"Sod off, Harry."
(into the past)
Ginny floated the tray with the sponge and soapy water into the private room. "Good morning, Harry." She said lowering the tray on the table. "It's that time of day again."
She said moving his limbs around so she would be able to wash them. "I talked with Healer Ferguson today. He told me that he found some new spells for your muscles. I thought we would try them later."
Ginny took the sponge and started on his arm. "It is a nice day today. I thought we might take a walk out to the new courtyard they have. I just saw it. I think it would be nice to do our exercises out there."
Humming a slight tune Ginny began to pat Harry's face.
That was when she heard it, a slight moan.
"Harry, can you hear me?" Ginny asked quietly. She lowered her face just a inches from his.
Ginny awestruck watched as Harry's eyes opened then blinked into focus.
"Ginny?" Harry reached up slowly to touch her hand that was near his face.
That was when Ginny realized that she still had the wet sponge in her hand. A blush rushed up to her cheeks.
"You've been taking care of me?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Ginny said. "I'm going to get Healer Ferguson. He'll want to know that you're awake." She took the round glasses from the table and shaking placed them on his face.
"No, wait. I am in St. Mungos, right?" Harry asked taking hold of Ginny's hand.
"We tried to get you to the Borrow, but they would not allow it. They agreed to me being the one to take care of you." Ginny said. "We did everything we could think of to help you."
"What happened afterwards?" Harry asked.
"What was left of Voldemort, we buried with his mother. Dad's the assistant Minister of Magic now. Ron and Hermione both work there now. You have been in here for a year and a half." Ginny answered.
"I was asleep for over a year." Harry said. No wonder he felt a little stiff. "Do you have a mirror?" He then asked.
"The scar's gone if that's what you are wondering. It completely healed in the first week on its own. You can't even tell it was there." Ginny said rubbing over the place it had once been with her thumb.
She looked down at those fascinating green eyes. He was looking at her in awe. She was amazed by how calm he was.
"I need to get Healer Ferguson. I'll be right back. If you get tired it will be alright if you go back to sleep." Ginny said leaving with a twirl of her robes.
Harry just laid back and waited. He was a little tired, but he forced himself to stay awake. Within moments Ginny returned with Healer Ferguson.
"Welcome back." He said walking over to Harry. "Ginny told me that you seemed calm and back to your normal self." He started working with Harry's arm testing resistance. "I want to keep you here for a couple of days. I am sure you will be flooded with visitors and well wishers."
Ginny took Harry's other hand as the Healer worked the other arm. "We had to put a rotational on this room with the flower deliveries and owl post. Everyone wanted to let you know that they appreciated what you did. I don't think it got out real well about you being comatose."
"As long as you feel up to it I will allow all the visitors that you want. I'll leave you to alone." He nodded and then walked out.
Once he walked out Ginny hugged Harry. "I'm so glad that you are awake. I already sent a message to Ron and Hermione. They will be here soon."
Harry returned the hug and tried to sit up. Ginny summoned some extra pillows and placed them behind his back. "You'll be a little weak, but you should be walking soon."
Harry grabbed her hands and held them to stop her working. "Have you moved on with your life?" He asked, really asking if she moved on from him.
She took a seat on the bed. "I'll that I have been doing is caring for you. You didn't think I would let any of those other scarlet women nurses give you a sponge bath do you?"
Harry had to smile at that. "I heard you talking to me occasionally. I wasn't sure of what you said, but I know it was you."
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Harry said.
Harry didn't even finish before the door was opened by Ron and Hermione. Hermione immediately hugged him as best as she could. The slight bulge in her belly blocked her reach a little.
"Good to see you awake." Ron said putting his arms around Hermione resting them on her stomach.
"Good to see you too." Harry said. "You two obviously didn't waste any time." His eyes were looking at the bulge and the wedding band that was on a chain around Hermione's neck.
"We were married a year ago." Ron said. "We don't know if you heard or not, but the ceremony was about where the table with sponge bath tray is."
Harry smiled thinking about how the ceremony must have been like.
"You know if I got a sponge bath everyday I probably would have stayed in the coma just as long as you did, if not longer." Ron said.
Hermione elbowed him near the ribcage.
"I think I better send the word to Mum and Dad. They will want to see you." Ron said. "You don't mind keeping an eye on my wife for a moment."
Hermione took a seat in one of the chairs. "I don't know if this is the time. But you got offered a job at the Ministry, Auror department for when you were ready."
Harry moaned. "I think I want back into the coma."
"The Ministry has changed." Hermione quickly said. "Arthur is the one who practically runs it. Being a dad to seven children really gave him knowledge on how to handle things. You wouldn't believe it really."
"Where do you and Ron work?" Harry asked.
"I work as an assistant manager, in charge of research. Ron is in the Auror department. He is almost finished with his own Auror training. You wouldn't be that far behind him. After all what can they teach someone who won against the most powerful dark wizard in a century."
"I suppose so." Harry said. "I'll have to see. But I need a place to live when I leave here."
"Molly set a room for you when St. Mungos agreed to move you to the Burrow. Another week and you might have woken up there instead of here. She has the secretary so scared of her. That witch hid whenever she visited you or the Healers in charge."
Harry allowed himself to chuckle. At least one problem was solved.
Not long after Ron came back the Weasleys were gathered in Harry's room visiting with him. He saw the marriages and the kids that had taken place.
Harry agreed on living at the Burrow after he was released. It was only afterwards that he was informed that Ginny was still living at home.
That would make things quite interesting.