Sorry for the hiatus, I've been obscenely busy lately (real life problems suck, I hate school) and haven't had any time to write. But I'm happy to say that the semester from hell is finally over, and I finally have free time again! Yay, now I can write and sleep and maybe even have time to *gasp* eat! Haha, anyways, hope you like this next chapter.

The Lupin House

Three days had gone by since Ginny's separation from her husband and arrival at the Lupins' home, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione had yet to return. She grew quickly anxious. Was it that they simply didn't know where she was or where to start looking for her? Or had something happened to them? She prayed that it wasn't the latter.

She sat in the kitchen late in the morning, feeding James and munching on a piece of toast, worrying - more than she never had - of the future. Had Dumbledore really set out a solid plan for Harry, or were they simply embarking on a wild goose chase? Did they really know what they were doing? How much risk was really involved in this? She thought, for the hundredth time, of what it would be like to raise James on her own, and felt shivers run down her spine.

James squirmed at her shudder and made a sound of complaint in her arms.

"Sorry love," she said, readjusting his position to make the infant comfortable again.

"Morning Gin," Tonks said as she entered the kitchen, her arms folded over her small bump.

Ginny looked up. "Morning," she said sadly.

Tonks waved her wand and a kettle whistled. She poured the boiling water into a pot and dropped a few teabags in. "How're you doing today?" she asked as she placed a cup in front of the young mother.

Ginny shrugged. "I'm okay, I guess," She lifted James to her shoulder and burped him. She looked over at the calendar which hung next to the kitchen door. Not knowing the date, it didn't help her much. "What day of the week is it?" she asked.

"Friday," Tonks said, sipping her tea.

Ginny cringed. She still didn't know what Kingsley had wanted from them, but it had to have been ministry related. She hoped they weren't planning on going to the Ministry. But of course they wouldn't, it would be a horrid idea! Still, the idea of it stuck with her. The ministry was closed on Saturdays and Sundays. If they were planning on going there, and they hadn't done it yet, it could be Monday before she had any chance of seeing them again.

James was becoming restless in her arms and let out a loud cry. She tried to soothe him, but it was to no avail. Her worry was probably rubbing off on him, she figured. His cries became louder and louder and soon his cries were battling with those inside of her head. "Please calm down, sweetheart," she pleaded. He didn't. Tears rolled down Ginny's face and she couldn't stop them. She didn't even know why she was crying.

"Ginny?" Tonks said, observing her. She wore a look of concern as she leaned against the counter behind her. "Are you okay?"

Ginny wiped her eyes and tried to rock James softly from side to side. His crying died down to a stifled jagged breathing. "I'm fine," she said. More tears fell.

"You don't look fine," Tonks said.

Ginny took a deep breath and looked out the window at the foggy day. "It's just..." She trailed off.

Tonks sat quietly and waited for her to continue.

"It's just so hard sometimes. I haven't slept in weeks. I mean, he's only a few weeks old, and he's just so much work. I mean, I love him so much, but with everything that's going on, and Harry not here, and..." she trailed off and stifled a sob. "And it's only going to get worse. What if something happens to Harry? How am I going to explain to my son why he doesn't have a father?" The last word was barely audible. Ginny tried to wipe the tears from her face but it was no use, they were flowing too fast.

Tonks stood up straight and walked over to Ginny. "It's okay," she said as she patted the crying girl on the shoulder. "It's okay, I understand. Here, why don't you let me take James for a few hours, and you can get some sleep."

Ginny shook her head. "No, he's too little. He'll just want to eat the whole time."

"For an hour, at least, then," Tonks offered.

Ginny shook her head again. "No, he's my responsibility, you shouldn't have to-"

"Ginny," Tonks said. "I want to. Just take the help." She smiled at her. "And besides," she said, rubbing her stomach. "It'll be good practise."

Ginny thought about it. She didn't want to have James out of her sight in such dangerous times, as much as she trusted Tonks, but on the other hand, she was exhausted. An hour long nap would do good for her, clear her head. "Alright," she said, and Tonks took the gurgling baby boy from her arms. "If he gets hungry or restless, bring him to me."

Tonks nodded and smiled. "Get some sleep, Ginny."

"Thank you," Ginny said, yawning as she stood up from her chair. "Really, thank you so much."

"Anytime," Tonks said as Ginny left the room, rubbing her eyes. The poor girl's in way over her head, Tonks thought to herself as she cradled James (who was blowing spit bubbles and staring up at her with wide, interested eyes) in her arms. "Alright lovely," she said. "What would you like to do with auntie Tonks today?"

xxx

"So we're clear on the plan?" Harry clarified as he, Hermione, Ron, and Kingsley stood in a narrow alleyway near the entrance to the Ministry of Magic. Hermione and Ron nodded, and Kingsley pulled three phials out of his coat pocket, each containing a different coloured liquid. The one he passed to Hermione was a deep plum shade, Ron a milky yellow, and Harry a dark, murky brown.

"I cannot go in with you," Kingsley said. "It will look suspicious. Just follow the plan we've set out, and if you need help, I'll be shadowing you."

"Right then," Harry said. "Let's get this over with." He chugged back the Polyjuice potion quickly. It tasted terrible, like mud and burnt plastic. He resisted the urge to spit it back out, but was distracted as he felt himself being stretched taller, his shoulders broadening. His clothes felt tight. He looked over at the short old woman and tall awkward looking man that he knew to actually be Ron and Hermione.

"Here are your clothes," Kingsley said, passing piles of crumpled fabric to each teen. Now I must leave you, we don't want to look suspicious. I'll see you inside, but you won't see me."

"Alright," Hermione said. "Thank you Kingsley."

Kingsley nodded and walked away with forced casualness.

"Let's get a move on," Hermione said, pulling off her now-too-big red jumper and replacing it with a smaller green one.

"Sounds like a plan," Harry said. "The sooner we get this over with and get back to Ginny and James-" he pulled a shirt over his head and shrugged on a blazer. "-the better."

Ron and Hermione nodded in agreement and the three teens, now disguised, headed off to the ministry.

xxx

Ginny didn't sleep for very long, but the short nap that she was able to achieve felt like a godsend. When she awoke she felt refreshed and energized, as though a dark cloud of fogginess had finally drifted away. Power naps really are a wonderful thing, she thought to herself.

She headed down the stairs and into the small sitting room where Tonks was sat on the sofa, reading The Quibbler, a sleeping James swaddled up and cushioned between some pillows beside her. "Hey Gin," she said, looking up from her paper. "He fell asleep not too long after you went up."

Ginny's eyebrows rose. "Oh, so he'll sleep for you," she joked.

Tonks laughed. "How was your nap?"

Ginny smiled at her and took a seat on the couch next to where James lay. "Fantastic," she said. "Thank you so much Tonks."

Tonks smiled and waved her hand dismissively, "Any time."

James began to stir in his sleep. He let out a soft whimpering sound and his eyes slowly opened. He stared up at his mother.

"I swear the vey smell of me wakes him up," Ginny said, half laughing, half sighing.

Tonks chuckled. "Can't blame him," she said. "You smell awful Ginny, when was the last time you showered?"

"Far too long ago," Ginny said. "Ah, the joys of motherhood."

"Oh boy," Tonks said, rubbing her hands over her stomach.

"You'll get used to it," Ginny said as she picked up the gargling James and cradled him in her arms.

"And so will you," Tonks said. "Things will get easier."

Ginny nodded. "When Harry gets back," she paused. "I just hope they're safe, wherever they are."

Hundreds of miles away, in the heart of the ministry, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were running for their lives with the stolen locket.