The sheer joy that had been present when Bill and Fleur had announced the new additions to the Weasley family was enough to get the whole lot out of the slump that they had been in
The euphoria that was in the Weasley household from the announcement of the pregnancy was ever present for many days. Not only was everyone excited beyond belief, but they were the happiest they had been since the beginning of the second war. A few days later, Ginny's mother was still gushing.
"Another mother." She practically sang. "Another mother in the Weasley family. I'm going to be a grandmother! With grandchildren to look after...and two of them to boot! Grammy Molly..." She would repeat to herself when she thought no one was listening.
Now, this did not happen at special times, for example like when she saw the mother to be. No, Molly could be doing the most mundane of things, and would start to tear up, and gush about things like "booties."
At first, Ginny thought it was cute, but after several days of "This family has so much to do!" and "I wonder if the house is baby-proof," it started to wear on Ginny's nerves. Since the announcement, Ginny had been given lists of things to do to help prepare. Normally this too would have annoyed her, but with her mother being in the...state she was in, Ginny was happy to do anything that was out of earshot of her. One day she and Hermione were cleaning out Charlie and Bill's old bedroom, Molly claimed that "it was due for a good cleaning," but everyone knew that it was going to be a part time nursery. Ginny, feeling rather exhausted sighed heavily, dramatically flopping herself down on the bed, and was instantly enveloped in a puff of dust from years of not being used.
"How much longer do you think she'll carry this on?" Ginny asked, brushing some dust off her sleeve.
"Until the twins are 20." Hermione replied knowing exactly that Ginny was referring to her mother's attempt to smother her to death with housework and baby chores. Hermione was attempting to wrestle a dresser that refused to move. Every time she would open a drawer, it would close with a snap, usually with someone's finger in tow. Finally giving up, she joined Ginny on the bed, collapsing in a heap.
"So, what's going on with you and Ron?" Ginny asked, looking at her intently.
"Well...he, a few nights ago, he...he kind of asked me to marry him." She said looking at the ceiling. "It was only a few minutes after I had given you the letter from Harry. He just sort of sprung it on me, and I...I didn't know what to say." She concluded, still looking at her feet. Ginny was more then baffled. Her mouth couldn't even form the words that she wanted to say.
"Wha...what?" Ginny finally articulated.
"I said no." Hermione said not yet looking up. "It was all so sudden, you know?" She said looking up at Ginny. "I think we've worked things out, but he doesn't seem to respond to me the same way, I think he thinks that I don't love him. But I do...so much." Ginny felt a slight pang in her heart, and for a moment she flashed on Harry, but forced him out of her mind.
"When you say 'worked things out...' what do you mean?" She asked, putting a comforting hand on her friends shoulder. "He knows you love him, I'm sure of it." Ginny said nodding.
"Well," Hermione replied, "I told him that maybe one day, if the time was right, and that I were ready, then yes, I would absolutely marry him. But not now, not yet." She said sighing. "I made a terrible mistake didn't I?" She asked, looking as if she were about to cry.
"Absolutely not." Ginny said in a reassuring voice. "If you weren't ready, then you shouldn't feel guilty about anything. Look, my brother loves you more then his own life, so don't worry, he wont give up on you." She said reassuringly, patting Hermione on the arm comfortingly. Hermione still didn't look convinced. "It'll be ok." She said with a small smile. "Besides, you two are destined to be together." She said getting a dreamy sound in her voice. "It's in the stars." She said sounding exactly like Trelawney. Finally, Hermione gave a slight laugh.
"What a pile of bollocks." Hermione said shaking her head, and wiping her eyes.
A few hours later, Ginny had managed to escape her mother's grasp, and found a moment of peace outside. The sun was just setting, and despite it being so close to fall, it was surprisingly warm. She found a soft spot in the tall grass and laid down. With a small sigh, she felt the peacefulness of the surroundings wash over her, and clam her. Within a few minutes her breathing deepened, and she fell into a deep slumber.
"Ginny...?" A relaxing voice said softly. "Wake up." The voice said again, this time slightly more persistent. She could feel a warm hand on her shoulder shaking her gently. Opening her eyes, she found herself staring into the greenest pair of eyes she had ever seen.
"H-Harry." She said slightly alarmed. She looked around; it was the exact same spot she had been when she fell asleep. "Could this be real?" She thought to herself frantically. "Maybe everything else was the dream and this was reality." Her heart was racing, as was her mind. Pulling herself together, she looked at the man before her. No doubt it was Harry, but he looked different then she remembered him. He was older, thinner, and looked fairly gaunt. He might have had the name Harry Potter, be he was not the Harry she remembered. She slowly reached out to touch his hand, and when their skin met, and felt the heat begin to tingle into her hand and quickly into the rest of her body. "Harry." She said again. "What...How...I don't..." She said trying to form words, but they wouldn't come. He said nothing; he only looked at her, with a sad smile on his face. She let her hand travel from his hand up to his stomach, to his chest, past his neck, and finally it came to rest on his cheek. She watched him close his eyes, and lean into her hand, relishing the feel of her. Everything felt so real... it was real... it had to be.
"Ginny." Harry sighed. "I'm so sorry." He breathed putting his forehead to hers. "I know this must be difficult for you." Ginny, still feeling like she was in shock asked "am I dreaming? Is this real?" She searched his eyes for an answer.
"Yes and no." He said looking down. Ginny felt even more confused. "I miss you." He whispered his lips on her forehead. Ginny, smiled in spite of herself and looked up at him, removing her hand from his cheek.
"I miss you more." She whispered feeling her eyes begin to sting. She blinked hard, willing them to go away, but a single tear escaped and rolled down her cheek. He cupped her cheek and wiped the tear away with the pad of his thumb.
"Not possible." He said with a slight smile that almost reached his eyes. He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips, he lingered for a moment then pulled away. Ginny surprised at his sudden departure furrowed her brow slightly in confusion.
"What's wrong?" She asked him, feeling slightly concerned. Their faces still only inches apart.
"That's not why I'm here." He said sadly. "I don't have much time..." He said, with a slight look of pain on his face. Ginny, who believed she was confused before was now completely bamboozled.
"Wha-"She began to ask, but was cut off by a slight groan of pain from Harry. "Harry? What's happening?" She asked beginning to feel frightened. She put her hand on his cheek again, and felt that it was cold and clammy. "Harry?" She said more persistently, "what's going on?"
"Nothing." He said shaking his head slightly. "I'm...I'm fine." He mumbled, his breath shaking slightly. Ginny however did not believe him. "Look, Ginny..." He said, his face said becoming more serious. His hands came to her face and held it firmly. "Voldemort is gone, but his followers are still everywhere." He said seriously. "Ginny, I need you to be safe. With Dumbledore gone, Hogwarts is not as protected as it used to be. When you return, never go anywhere alone, or without your wand. Keep your guard up at all times. Trust no one." He let out another shuddering breath, and looked over his shoulder suddenly. "I...I have to go." He said looking at her intensely. "I...I love you." He whispered, leaning down and placing another kiss on her lips, this time the kiss lasted longer, and was filled with longing. "Never forget that." He added, pulling away.
"No." Ginny said grabbing at his shirt..."Don't go...or...take me with you. I don't care where it is...just don't leave me." She said, feeling her eyes begin to sting again. "Harry I can't be without you. I love you." She was terrified at the fact that she was loosing him again, and this time she refused to give up without a fight.
"Gin..." He started..."Please don't do this."
"NO!" She insisted, wrapping her arms around him. "I won't loose you again. Stay, please." She practically begged.
"I can't Gin," he said sadly, caressing the back of her head, "Its time for me to go." Kissing her temple he whispered in her ear "be safe, Ill always love you." And with that, the boy in her arms was gone, leaving Ginny yet again alone in the middle of the field, sobbing.Ginny awoke with a start, sitting bolt upright. It was darker now then it had been when she fell asleep. Pulling her hands up to her face she felt her wet cheeks, and was met by a wave of confusion, sadness and anger. Sick of sadness, and not wanting to feel dumb, she chose anger. She stood up abruptly, and tried to reason with herself.
It was only a dream.
That was her mantra. Every few seconds she would repeat it to herself.
It had to be a dream.Straightening herself, she began to head back to the house with an angry huff.
Harry is dead. It was a dream. You were dreaming...but why did it seem so real?...Stop it!...it was only a dream.
The battle inside her head waged on. So much in fact that she hardly noticed when she had reached her garden. Not paying attention, she ended up falling flat on her face. Pulling herself up immediately, she searched the ground for the culprit. There. She thought seeing a rather vicious looking gnome. Having years of experience at hand, she swiftly grabbed it by its ankles and gave it a good chuck. It landed several yards away, and Ginny felt slightly more content with herself. Hearing a low whistle, she spun on her heel, only to see George behind her, leaning against the doorframe, his hands crammed in his pockets.
"What'd he do to you?" He asked his eyebrow raised.
"Tripped me." Ginny said her voice slightly edgy. George stared at her for a second, then pulled his glance away and looked at his feet.
"I'm keeping the store." He said somewhat sadly "...or what's left of it." He added with a shrug. Ginny too looked at her feet, then crossed over to him and sat on the steps.
"I didn't know you were thinking of giving it up." She said looking at him.
"Yea." He said nodding. "I can do it on my own." He said still looking down.
"You don't have to." Ginny said, putting a comforting hand on his arm. "You have us. I'm sure everyone here will be more then willing to help." With that, George's tension relaxed a little. Ginny could smell the scents of dinner through the open door and looked inside. "Hungry?" She asked, a small smile creeping on her face.
"Starved." George said, returning her smile. Instead of standing up however, he put his arm around her protectively and pulled her into a hug. He kissed the top of her head and muttered "Thank you."
Ginny smiled, feeling comforted and said. "Anytime." Without another word, the two got up and went inside, ready to eat.
There was a tentative knock on the door after dinner. A pretty girl with curly brown locks stuck her head inside the room. "Er...Ron?" A sweet voice asked, in a pleading tone. Ron turned to see an extremely distressed looking Hermione at the door. "Can...can we talk?" She asked tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. Ron felt a surge of emotion watching her do something as simple as messing with her hair. It always amazed him how something like that could turn him into complete mush. Ron sighed, and felt his ears begin to turn red. The last time they had talked it hadn't turned out well...
"Sure." He said nodding. Hermione entered, closed the door behind her and crossed the room. She then sat down on his bed. "Look...Hermio-"he begun, but was cut off by her lips. She crushed her mouth on his desperately trying to show her love for him.
"I'm...so...so...sorry." She said between kisses. She then began to pepper his face with kisses. "I love you." She mumbled against his skin. "I love you." She repeated. Ron, began to feel better, and smiled a little. Her eyes were filled with tears. "I was just so scared, we have lost so many people...and if I lost you like Ginny lost Harry...I don't know what I would do." She said shaking her head, tears now spilling over her face. "Ill marry you anytime. Right now. Right this second." She rambled, still crying. "If you want we can-"She tried to say, but this time it was her turn to be cut off with a kiss.
"It's ok." Ron said smiling. "It was too soon." He said shaking his head. "I'm so sorry I scared you, I didn't mean to...I can be a little tactless sometimes..." he admitted, his ears still red. Hermione rested her forehead on his.
"I love you." She whispered, really meaning it. She loved him for everything he was, and she had no doubt that they would spend the rest of their lives together. She watched him beam at her. He then pulled her into his arms and pulled her on top of him. She gave a squeal of delight. And giggled on top of him. Ron looked up at her, her face glowing, her curly brown hair creating a veil around his face.
"Not like I love you." He retorted, pulling her into a passionate kiss. Shifting his weight he gently laid her on her back, and crawled on top of her finding her trigger spot on her neck. She tilted her head back, allowing him better access. He eventually found his way back to her mouth, and she moaned slightly into him, making him want to please her even more. He pulled her on top of his lap and started to unbutton her shirt.
"Wait." She said pulling away slightly.
Damn it. Ron cursed to himself.
"Your mother wanted me to meet her downstairs in a few minutes...to help with something...another chore for baby prepping" She said feeling slightly disappointed, and started to get off the bed. At the last moment however, he pulled her back and firmly laid himself on top of her.
"I don't believe I'm finished here." Ron said in a very serious tone, beginning to kiss her neck again, and work his way down to her chest. She giggled and rolled her eyes, feeling him start to unbutton her shirt again.
"Not finished with what precisely?" She asked in a tone of mock annoyance, doing nothing to return his advances.
"Well see, I don't intend to let you leave until I'm positive that you are blissfully happy." He said his lips now on her stomach, having successfully unbuttoned her shirt. His tongue played with her navel, making her eyes close involuntarily. She arched her back slightly, before resisting again.
"Ron..." She trailed off..."I really should..." She said, making one last half hearted attempt at leaving.
"Yes you really should." He said, making no attempts to stop.
"All right then." She finally resigned with a fake sigh. "I suppose they can wait for two minutes." She said in a playfully serious tone emphasizing the number.
"Yes they ca- hey!" He said, rising up indignant. "What's that's supposed to mean?" He demanded. Hermione taking advantage of this position, successfully managed to push him over, and land on top of him, their positions totally reversed. She only looked down at him and giggled. He returned her smile, knowing she was joking. God, I love her, he thought looking up at her, and tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. Pretending to be upset he retorted "well you can bet it will only be two minutes now." He rolled his eyes and allowed her to kiss him.
"Shut up Ron." She warned after their kiss.
"Yes Ma'am." He replied.
After dinner, Ginny retreated to her room. This was really the first time she had to think after her...nap.
Ok...think this through. Be rational. She thought to herself. It was a dream. Harry is dead. You saw his body. This is just hopeful thinking. She still tried to convince herself.
Groaning, she flopped herself on her bed, and stared at her ceiling. She stared at the twinkling lights her mother had bewitched to look like stars when she was a little girl.
"Damn you." She said to no one, but meaning it for Harry.
Ok. Let's just say it was real...in some alternate reality... She let herself think for a moment, succumbing to her hopeful side. What would that mean? Is Harry somewhere...alive...? NO. She thought firmly. Stop. He's dead. It's not possible. Even though he's a wizard...it's still not possible. He's dead. No kind of magic can raise someone from the dead. But even so he was much more powerful then most wizards, especially for his age...maybe he needed her help...
She groaned louder this time, raising her hands to her face, and pressing her palms in her eyes. She pictured the funeral all of her friends and her family. There were also people from the Order there too...Kingsley, and others. Mundugus even had the audacity to show up. Lupin-
Where the hell was Lupin?He hadn't been there at all. True he was mourning Tonks but...still his best mate's son dies and he doesn't have the respect to show up...that wasn't like him, that wasn't like him at all.
What the hell is going on?
Ginny shot up from her bed. She hadn't seen Lupin since the final battle. In fact she hadn't even heard his name since then. But if he'd died, she would have heard about it.
I mean...he's a personal friend of the family. He just disappears from the face of the earth, and no one notices?...Or cares? Scooting off her bed and crossing her room she pulled her door open and headed straight for Ron's room. Maybe he would know, if she was lucky, maybe Hermione would be in there too.
Not bothering to knock, Ginny wrenched open the door.
"Ron I need to-" She said stopping dead in her tracks. At first she wasn't really sure what she was seeing, a tangle of legs, a flash of curly brown hair and one very white--"OH MY GOD!" Ginny exclaimed realizing the scene that was unfolding in front of her. "Oh my god" she repeated frozen to the spot.
Her legs wouldn't move, they had turned to led, her jaw hit the floor, and her stomach churned, revealing the dinner she had just consumed.
It was at that point that several things happened at once. First there was an overpowering feeling of nausea that threatened to overwhelm her. Then a squeal of terror could be heard from Hermione, who was now crouching behind a very angry looking Ron, who was trying to shield her from being seen. Another cry (this one of anger) could be heard from Ron.
"GET OUT!" He screamed as loudly as possible. Then the door slammed in her face, knocking her back a few steps. Finally, she could then hear footsteps thundering up the stairs.
"What's happened?" Her mother asked frantically, her wand drawn, her chest heaving with fright.
"I...I..." Ginny stammered, trying to get the mental picture that was replaying in her head out. "N-nothing." She finally sputtered out. "Nothing."
"Well it didn't sound like 'nothing,'" Her mother said, her hand flying to her hip. Ginny started to retreat to her room. "Wait." Her mother said, an edge to her voice, "I want to know what happened." She demanded further.
"Not now mum...just not...now." Ginny said rubbing her temples and entering her room. She flopped on her bed, and shot off it as if it had burned her. She couldn't help but associate the word 'bed' with the action that those two were doing in there.
Must un-see. Must wash eyes. She thought desperately, still rubbing her temples. "Oh my God." She said aloud again. She would have rather faced a hundred dementors then seen that, she would have rather stuck a fork through her hand repeatedly. She would have rather spent an entire month living with the Malfoy family. Come to think of it, there was an entire list of unpleasant things she would have rather done then seen...well that. And at the thought of "that" her stomach once again turned, and a fresh wave of nausea overtook her. Steadying her breathing she closed her eyes...and immediately opened them.
Oh God, I see it when I close my eyes.
Inhaling, she heard a soft knock at her door. "Ginny?" It said softly, in an unsure voice.
"Go away." Ginny said pulling a pillow into her face and attempting to smother herself.
"Ginny?" The voice said again, this time it was closer, and a soft hand was on her arm. The pillow was being dragged away from her face, leaving only a pale looking red head in its absence. "Look at me." The voice said softly. Ginny, despite the fact that her muscles had nearly seized forced her head in the direction of the voice.
Hermione had obviously put her clothes back on in haste. Her hair was a mess, her makeup smeared, and she had missed a button on her shirt. Looking at that damn button, Ginny felt yet another wave of vomit work its way up her throat.
Swallowing several times she looked Hermione in the eyes.
"Are...er...are you alright?" Hermione asked, concerned about the girl in front of her. Ginny shook her head.
I am anything but alright. She thought still feeling sick.
"I'm...sorry that you saw that."
Me too. She agreed silently.
"Well see we were-"Hermione started
"Hermione!" An indignant looking Ron interrupted. Ginny didn't even know he was in the room, he was standing near the door and she hadn't seen him come in. "She doesn't need to know the details." He said his eyebrows raised so high they had mashed with his hairline. In return, Hermione gave him a threatening look, and he once again faded into the wallpaper.
"I'm ok." Ginny said, finally getting control of herself. "Just...remember to lock the door next time."
NEXT TIME?! What the hell did you say that for? Her conscience poked at her.
"Right." Hermione said, still beat red. An awkward silence followed. It felt like eons for the three of them. Finally Ron piped up.
"You uh...didn't tell mum did you?" He said, looking slightly scared.
"No of course not." Ginny replied. An audible sigh of relief escaped Ron's lips.
"Thanks for that." He said. Ginny felt Hermione's weight shift and leave the bed, and she gave Ginny one last comforting pat on the arm. "And next time you want to barge into my room randomly, knock first." He said, still looking quite miffed.
The couple turned to leave, but at the last possible moment Hermione turned and asked "Why did you just barge in? What was so important?" She asked, eyeing Ginny suspiciously.
Ginny was dragged back to reality, and suddenly remembered the cause of the whole drama in the first place.
"It was nothing." Ginny lied, she had a feeling that Hermione could see right through her, and her eyes lingered on Ginny as she broke eye contact and looked at the floor. "Are you sure?" She asked, still watching her. Ron however gave a satisfied grunt and proceeded to walk out of her room and into the hallway.
"Hermione...you comin'?" He asked impatiently, his nerves already worn thin by his sister. However, Hermione stayed in place.
"Gin-"
"It was nothing." She lied again, this time with a reassuring smile.
Tell them. Her mind said, desperately. It's important, tell them.
"Really." She said, putting a tone of finality in her voice.
"Alright then." Hermione said, still not convinced with Ginny's answer. And with that Hermione turned and followed Ron back to his room.
Should have told them. Her mind said again annoyingly.
"Shut up." She said aloud to her pestering brain.
A/N: Ok guys. First off, I'm terribly sorry for deleting the entire story! I was having MAJOR trouble trying to submit a new chapter. Now with that said, here comes another stream of apologies. I had a total lack of inspiration to write. Now I'm pleading with all of you authors out there to understand what I'm talking about. I just had so much stuff happen at once, and...I had no motivation to write. Anyways...I hope I haven't lost those of you out there who liked my story, and I hope I haven't lost any respect from you. With that said, I will try my best to be more frequent with my updates. I appreciate all of your support, and please continue to read on. And hey, if you have time, why not throw a review my way? It really makes my day!