"It all started when Mum sent me through to the Tonks' house, when she got word that Harry, Ron and Hermione had been spotted in Hogsmeade," she repeated.
"I didn't want to go," said Ginny. "I was so mad I was being kept away. I figured I'd lay low at the Tonks', then Floo to Rosmerta's and make my way to Hogwarts from Abe's. But then..." She faltered, as she remembered everything as if it were happening all over again.
"Mum, why can't I come with you? I can't just sit here, not knowing if my family is all right, if Harry is...Mum, please," implored Ginny desperately.
Molly grabbed her in a tight hug. "Please, Ginny, for the love of Merlin, stay here. Dora is close to her time, she could do with the company. I promise we'll send word to you as soon as we can," she vowed.
"Mum, I can help. I know the castle, I know the Carrows," pleaded Ginny.
Molly grabbed her wrist. "No, I won't let them anywhere near you again. Look what they've done to you." She held up Ginny's hand that showed 'Blood Traitor' etched on the back of her hand. "I won't give them the opportunity to hurt you again," she said firmly.
Ginny snatched her hand back, glad that her mother didn't know about the number of time she's been tortured and put under the Cuciatus. "Mum, please," she begged.
"No. You will stay here till we send word it's safe for you to come," said Molly. She cupped her daughter's cheek. "I love you, Ginny. Please, do this for me and your father."
A tear streaked down Ginny's cheek and she nodded. In her mind she was already working on a plan to leave the Tonks' and head to Hogwarts.
Molly prepared to leave. "Mum, wait," called Ginny. Molly turned to look back at her. "When you see Harry..." She shook her head. "Look after him, Mum. Please," she whispered. "Bring him back to me."
Molly looked as if she were seeing her daughter for the first time. "When?" she asked.
"End of my fifth year," replied Ginny. "He ended it at Dumbledore's funeral. Said he had things to do, that Dumbledore had left him to do. Mum, I had to let him go, I knew that. I-I just didn't think it would take this long...or be this hard."
Molly hugged her again, impossibly tighter than before. She kissed the top of her daughter's head. "You just might be the bravest of us all, Ginny. There is nothing harder than waiting."
"When it's over, he'll need us, all of us," she said brokenly.
"We'll all help each other," nodded Molly, solemnly.
"I love you, Mum," said Ginny. Molly smiled bravely, and let Ginny Floo to the Tonks'.
Ginny stepped out, having been over before to keep Tonks company as she was on bed rest for the last month of her pregnancy. It gave her some respite from her great aunt Muriel, for Tonks was great fun. Surely Tonks would understand she needed to be at the castle. She knew Tonks herself would be there if she could.
"Hello? Tonks? Mrs Tonks?" she called, already heading upstairs to the main bedroom where Tonks had moved into.
"Ginny! Good, you're here. Nymphadora's labour has started." Andromeda Tonks appeared in the doorway.
It still startled Ginny how much Andromeda looked like her sister, Bellatrix, especially now with her eyes flashing and dressed all unshavelled.
"I may have time to get my mum," offered Ginny, back pedalling. If her mother was busy helping Tonks birth hers and Remus' baby, she wouldn't notice if Ginny slipped through the Floo.
"There's no time," said Andromeda, bearing down on Ginny and grabbing her wrist, her still healing wrist. Ginny cried out in pain at the strength in the older woman's grasp, as she practically dragged Ginny to the bedroom.
"Pack everything in that drawer into that bag," ordered Andromeda, as she moved closer to the bed.
"Mum, something doesn't feel right," cried Tonks. Ginny's heart rate kicked up, but she quickly looked away when Andromeda drew the sheets back to examine her daughter. "Still only seven centimetres," she affirmed.
"But I feel like I want to push now," cried Tonks.
"No, it's not time," said Andromeda, trying to calm her daughter. "Damnit, I knew we should have moved to the safe house yesterday," she swore.
"Safe house?" asked Ginny, having finished packing.
"We'll leave as soon as this one's born, as soon as we can" said Andromeda. "Remus will come and join us there. It's what we all agreed on."
"If Greyback is killed or captured, we won't need to," reminded Tonks, panting.
"What about Greyback?" asked Ginny fearfully. The werewolf truly frightened her, and she was so glad her brother Bill had no residual affects after being bitten by him the night Dumbledore died. He simply craved rare meat on the night of a full moon.
"He was the one that turned Remus when he was a boy. He's vowed to turn Remus' child, too," said Andromeda, checking Tonks' vital signs.
"What? That's inhuman!" cried Ginny, staring at Tonk's huge exposed belly.
"He's a werewolf, the worst of his kind," said Andromeda.
"What are you going to do?" asked Ginny, coming closer to the bed. Tonks held out her hand and Ginny took it. Tonks squeezed hard as another contraction hit, making Ginny cry out.
"It's going to get a lot worse than that," said Andromeda dryly. "I'll get you some water." She left to listen to the wireless for any news of the battle.
"We've got a plan, Ginny. Mum's family has a place in Paris. We've got a Portkey ready to go. As soon as the baby comes, we're leaving. Remus will meet us there, letting us know when it's time to come home. Only when Greyback is captured, or even better, killed," said Tonks, moaning and rubbing her belly.
"Right. What can I do?" asked Ginny, eager to help.
"The baby's bag is packed?" asked Tonks. Ginny nodded; she had just done so.
"Good. The house is well stocked with everything we'll need for months. The Portkey is there, waiting. All we need is this one to co-operate," she said, gesturing to her stomach. "I wish Remus was here."
"Shall I go to Hogwarts to get him?" asked Ginny, hopefully.
Tonks shook her head. "He needs to be there. For Harry, for himself. They need all capable wizards there, anyway," she said.
"Yeah," said Ginny, glumly. Tonks squeezed her hand again.
"He'll be all right, love," she said softly. Ginny had talked about hers and Harry's relationship while they had spent time together.
Ginny nodded. "I just wonder how he'll be when this is all over. You know Harry. He'll take it all to heart, blame himself for everything," she said.
"He'll have you, love. Just take it one day at a time," said Tonks.
"How does it feel, knowing the baby will soon be here?" asked Ginny, laying down next to Tonks, as they had often done as they chatted.
"Scary, but brilliant," said Tonks. "I hope he looks like Remus."
"Last week you thought it was a girl," giggled Ginny.
Tonks gasped and grabbed her stomach, frowning. "Tonks, what is it?" asked Ginny, sitting up.
"Get my mother," cried Tonks, "ahhhhh."
Ginny flew off the bed and ran out of the bedroom. "Mrs Tonks? Mrs Tonks, please come," she urged.
Andromeda hurried back to the room. "What is it?" she asked urgently, checking down below. "You're fully dilated!"
"Mu-um, help," cried Tonks.
"Ginny, go to the bathroom, grab some towels," ordered Andromeda.
Ginny ran to the bathroom and returned quickly. Tonks was sweating profusely and crying out. "It hurts so much," she cried, grabbing her belly.
"Can't you give her something for the pain," cried Ginny, hating to see her friend in so much pain.
"It's too late. Dora, once you hold the baby in your arms, you'll forget the pain," said Andromeda.
"Not...bloody...likely," cried Tonks, grimacing. "Aaargh!"
"I can see the head," cried Andromeda, and Ginny peered down, amazed at what she was seeing.
"Aaaaaaahhhhh," cried Tonks, and Ginny reached for her hand.
"Dora, listen to me. This is the hardest part, the baby's shoulders. Once this part is over, the baby should slip right out. Take some deep breaths and we'll go again."
Tonks panted, grimacing. "I want to know what's going on at Hogwarts."
"There's no time," growled Andromeda.
"I'll get the wireless," said Ginny, and she raced downstairs to get it, then returned. She turned it on, and tried to tune in to Potterwatch.
"I need to go again," said Tonks, and she cried out. "Mum!"
"I know," said Andromeda, grimly, and she waved her wand. Tonks shook her head.
" - castle has sustained great damage. Countless dead at this time, including students. No names have been released yet of the dead, on either side."
Tonks and Ginny hitched a breath and looked at each other fearfully. "- reports of Death Eaters fleeing have not been confirmed. Word is, Voldemort has just called an hour's grace, allowing people to collect the dead and injured out on the grounds. We await more news from our correspondent at the castle."
Andromeda and Tonks exchanged fearful looks. "He's coming. I just know it," cried Tonks.
"You need to focus on the baby. We'll leave as soon as he or she is cleaned up," ordered Andromeda. "Now ready, push."
Tonks half sat, with Ginny's help, pushing with all the energy she had left. "Aaaargggghhh," she cried.
"She's here...it's a baby girl," cried Andromeda in relief.
Ginny helped Tonks lay back, still panting. "Is...she...okay?" she asked, trying to sit back up.
"She's beautiful," cried Andromeda, half laughing, half crying, as she severed the umbilical cord with her wand. She started to clean the baby, and the little one began to cry.
"Best sound in the world," grinned Andromeda, placing her on the end of the bed and cleaning her properly. She put a nappy on her and dressed her in the outfit that Remus and Tonks had picked out.
"Mum, something's happening," called Tonks urgently.
Andromeda handed the baby over to Ginny and took another look. "It's the afterbirth," she said.
Ginny cooed at the baby, marvelling at the tiny features. The baby yawned and began opening and closing her mouth. When Ginny mentioned it, Andromeda looked pleased.
"She's hungry, we'll put her to the breast when the after birth is delivered," said Andromeda.
The baby opened her eyes. "She has Remus' eyes," cried Ginny, unaware of tears running down her face. At this time, their world's defining moment, this little one was a light in the was hope for a better brighter future.
"Thank Merlin," gasped Tonks, then grimaced.
Andromeda let out a gasp. Ginny stopped cooing over the baby and looked at her. "What's wrong?" she asked, then looked down. "Is there supposed to be that much blood?"
Andromeda shook her head, waving her wand over Tonks' lower body.
"Mum?" said Tonks, weakly.
"No, save your strength," cried Andromeda, laying her hands on her daughter's lower body and frowning.
"What's happening?" cried Ginny.
"Too much blood," said Andromeda, grimly.
"Mum...get the baby...out of here," said Tonks, breathing heavily.
"What? You can't be moved, it will kill you," cried Andromeda.
Tonks shook her hand, smiling sadly. "I'm not going to make it. Mum, take the baby, leave-now!"
"No, I won't leave you, Dora," cried Andromeda, using her wand to siphon up the blood. The two Tonks women looked at each other, then at Ginny. They then looked at each other again, as if asking the other a question.
Tonks nodded. "She will do it."
Andromeda reluctantly left Dora, knowing there was nothing more she could do for her daughter. She moved to look at her granddaughter, nestled in Ginny's arms. She kissed her forehead, then slowly looked at Ginny.
"What is it?" asked Ginny, fearfully.
"As the end of the hour approaches, we can confirm that noted werewolf and Voldemort supporter, Fenrir Greyback was seen fleeing the battle. We can also confirm..."
"No," gasped Ginny. "Bloody coward! He knows Harry will win!"
"It doesn't matter. We have to get the baby out of here. I can't leave Dora, not like this. It has to be you, Ginny," said Andromeda.
"I can take the baby to Hogwarts. I'll find Remus, bring him here," said Ginny, anxiously.
Andromeda shook her head.
"I'll get my mum...or Madame Pomfrey," suggested Ginny, desperately.
"They'll be needed to help with the wounded," said Andromeda. She herself had planned to be there, helping.
"What are you saying?" asked Ginny.
"You must take the baby to the safe house. Stay there till you hear of Greyback's death or capture...or until Remus comes for you both. Only then can you return to England," said Andromeda gravely, keeping an eye on her daughter, who was fading fast.
"Me? I can't, I don't know anything about looking after a baby," cried Ginny.
"You...can ...do...it, Ginny. I...trust...you. You're...her...god...mother," wheezed Tonks.
"First you must make the Unbreakable Vow," ordered Andromeda.
"What?" cried Ginny, her mind spinning. Had the world gone mad in the last few minute?.
"Take my hand," said Andromeda. Ginny used her free wand arm to take Andromeda's arm. A thin tongue of red flames shot from Andromeda's wand, and wound itself around their joined hands.
"Do you solemnly swear to take this child to a safe house. To tell no-one of your location. To keep her safe and hidden until you have absolution confirmation the werewolf Fenrir Greyback is in custody or dead, or Remus Lupin comes for her. Only then will you return to England. If the worst has happened, and Remus Lupin has not survived, you will take this child as if she were your own, to raise her to the best of your ability, to become her mother," said Andromeda.
After a look at Tonks, who weakly nodded, almost pleadingly, Ginny hesitantly said, "I will."
The magic bounding their hands tightened. "Remus intended to ask Harry Potter to be the baby's godfather. Should neither survive the great battle, you are the baby's sole support. Upon your return to Engand, she is to be taken at the appropriate time to Gringgot's, so she can be acknowledged as a member of the House of Black and all that pertains to that. At Gringott's, you will have access to her vaults until she is of age. Do you understand?"
"I understand. I accept this honour of becoming the baby's godmother and guardian until Remus comes for her. Should circumstances change, I will become the baby's mother," said a heartbroken Ginny.
Andromeda nodded at Ginny's words. "So mote it be," she said to finish the Vow.
"So Mote it be," repeated Ginny.
"Mum." Tonks whispered painfully.
Both Ginny's and Andromeda's attention turned to Tonks. Ginny lay the baby next to Tonks, and she turned to see her daughter for the first and last time. "So beautiful," she whispered, and a tear ran down her cheek. "Ginny?"
"Yes?" whispered Ginny.
"Her name...keep the family tradition going," said Tonks in a weak voice.
"Did you have a name in mind?" asked Ginny.
Tonks shook her head. "We only had a name picked out for a boy. Make it something pretty. Remus will like that."
Outside, they heard the distinctive howl of a werewolf. The three women looked fearful.
"You must go," said Andromeda.
"Come with me. I can't leave you here to face him," cried Ginny, glancing at all the blood on the bed.
"Please, Ginny...save her. Save my daughter," pleaded Tonks.
"There's no time, you must go- NOW!" ordered Andromeda.
She turned to see Andromeda had activated the Portkey. She shoved the baby bag on Ginny's shoulder and kissed her granddaughter on her forehead. "I hope the future is a peaceful one for you, my darling," she said softly.
Ginny was afraid. "I don't think I can do this," she said.
"You must," said Andromeda, hopelessly with a look at Tonks. "There is no-one else."
Ginny glanced at Tonks. She had passed, her eyes on her daughter."No," cried Ginny, shaking.
The baby began to cry. The howls outside grew closer. "Go," cried Andromeda, shoving the Portkey in Ginny's hand. "Good luck to you both," she said, as the Portkey whisked Ginny away.
She held the baby close to her chest, stumbling as they landed. The lights came on automatically. "Who are you? You is not being Mrs Dora, Mrs Andromeda or Mr Lupin?"
Ginny looked at the house elf. "They-she..." She shook her head, unable to voice her fears.
The baby cried and Ginny instinctively rocked it. "Hush, hush, it's going to be all right," she crooned.
"Baby is very young," noted the house elf.
"Only minutes old," cried Ginny, She remembered what Andromeda said. "She needs a feed."
"I shall prepare something," said the house elf. There would be time for introductions later.
The baby quietened and Ginny carefully lay her down. Nearby was a radio, and she turned it on.
" - reports from London say that Harry Potter, reportedly the Chosen One, has responded to Voldemort's request for a meeting in the Forbidden Forest, on the grounds of the Hogwarts school of Magic. He has not been seen for the last fifteen minutes, and his two companions, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger are searching for him in the castle. However, a witness reported seeing Harry Potter heading into the forest."
Ginny fell to her knees next to the sofa she had lain the baby on. "Oh Harry...be safe, please. Please, no matter what, be safe." She dropped her head and began to weep.
Harry and Kingsley Shacklebolt were thrown out of the Pensieve as the memory ended. They took deep breaths as they took in what they had just witnessed.
"Well, that certainly ties in with what we suspected when we found Tonks and Andromeda's bodies...well, what that monster left of them," said Kingsley.
Harry was shaken. "Poor Ginny, to go through that," he said softly. He was overwhelmed at her obvious concern for him, and found it ironic that at the moment she arrived in Paris, was probably about the same time he faced the Avada Kedavra from Voldemort.
"Our lawyers have already viewed the memory, and have declared it wasn't tampered with. They also said that the Unbreakable vow was carried out correctly and was lifted when the French Aurors brought in Greyback six months ago," confirmed Kingsley. He tried to make the moment light hearted. "Congratulations, you're a godfather."
"Yeah," breathed Harry, his thoughts on Sirius. What would he, Harry, know about being a godfather? "So Ginny could have returned with, er, what's her name?"
"Cassiopeia Hope Weasley. Ginny formally adopted her in Paris once Remus' death was confirmed. I believe she calls her Cassie," noted Kingsley.
"Why did she wait six months to return to England?" asked Harry.
"You know the trouble we had with the European Law Enforcement department. We wanted to extradite the beast here, to be given the Kiss. They insisted they had prior jurisdiction over his arrest for attacks he commited throughout Europe. It went on for weeks, but it was only a month ago that it was finalised, and he remains in a prison in Paris," explained Kingsley.
"And then Mr Weasley had a turn and was hospitalised," said Harry.
Kingsley nodded. "Naturally Ron and Ginny returned home, in case things didn't end well here. Apparantly Molly begged them to come home, and Ron agreed instantly. Ginny reluctantly agreed, but well, here they are," he said.
"Ron's returning to our department?" asked Harry.
Kingsley nodded. "We are reluctant to separate you and Greengrass, you've proven to be a good combination. Carlisle and I have talked about it, and we'll slot Weasley in somewhere, see who he's the best fit with."
Harry nodded, gazing back down at the Pensieve. "I can't believe it, poor Tonks and Mrs Tonks. Poor Ginny," he said.
Kingsley nodded. "Molly was, I think, relieved to know that her new granddaughter wasn't a result of a rape at the school, like some we've heard of. Ginny went through enough that year you were away, without having that on her shoulders too. Still, as frightened by her new responsibilities as she seemed to be in there," – he indicated the Pensieve – "I've talked to Ginny and Cassie, and they seem to have a close mother-daughter bond. She's a strong witch to have done this without much family support. She volunteered this memory when I asked. You say Ron found her after six months?" he asked.
Harry nodded. "I don't know how, but he found a clue and went to find her, and did. He was with her this whole time?"
Kingsley nodded. "He transferred to our Paris counterparts, and kept an apartment, but it appears he spent most of his non working hours with his sister and niece."
There was a knock on the door, and it opened, revealing a staff from their Archive division. "May I take it now, Sir?" he asked Kingsley, referring to the memory. Any memories revealing evidence in a crime, and/or involving an Unbreakable vow had to be stored.
"Yes, take it away," said Kingsley, and he and Harry watched as the memory was recorked and the Pensieve taken away.
"A copy of the Unbreakable vow has been sent to Gringott's, no doubt you'll receive some sort of communication from them soon, regarding the girl."
"What exactly do I have to do as her godfather?" asked Harry worriedly.
Kingsley stood, and Harry did too. " I'd suggest talking to Ginny. See what part of her daughter's life she expects you to play a part in."
"Right – talk to Ginny," noted Harry. At least this gave him an excuse to do so.
"Give her my best wishes. She's a strong witch, I really admire her for what she's done," said Kingsley, leaving.
"Yeah, me too," said Harry.
He was still there, half an hour later, thinking about all he had seen. It seems he and Ginny would now be forever linked by their guardianship of Cassie.
It was a start.