Disclaimer: don't own HP world or Kelly Clarkson lyrics.
I hope readers are enjoying my story. I'm having fun getting back into it. I'm only human so I will make mistakes with the story, but I hope it's still good. I know where I'm going with it, and after this chapter it's going to be an emotional roller coaster ride. Enough yapping on to the chapter…
Chapter 7: Calm before the Storm
Can we go back to the way we used to be
Back to the butterflies
Starin deep in your eyes
Can we go back to the way we used to be
Cause livin and lovin was easy
We gotta find a way to fool reality
And go back to the way we used to be
Harry was surrounded by crayons, paper, and little girl giggles on Ginny's living room floor. He was more comfortable with babysitting than he thought he would be. Maybe that was because he looked upon the little girl as being as close to an angel as any living being can be. Ginny's doing a great job raising her daughter, although she could have done a better job concerning who she married.
Harry can't help but to feel a little bit of jealousy and resentment whenever he thinks about Ginny getting married while she was away. He knows he told her to date, and have fun, but he didn't mean for her to run off and marry the first guy she dated. He's had feelings for Ginny for a long time, but their timing was never right. The time will continue to be wrong until her divorce becomes final. While Ginny's still technically married they'll have be content with spending time together as only friends. Harry felt that was better than nothing.
"Harry you colored the dragon wrong!" Molly was shaking her head, and looking at Harry as though he just committed a crime.
Harry looked down at the picture they were coloring together. "What color is the dragon supposed to be?"
Molly picked up three crayons. "Green, black, or brown," she said as she placed the crayons in front of Harry. "Dragons aren't pink!"
"I thought all little girls love everything to be pink."
Molly crossed her little arms. "I'm a little girl, and I don't like pink."
"You're defiantly Ginny's little girl," Harry mumbled to himself. Out loud he said, "I'll just have to tickle you until you like everything pink. Then I won't have to color the dragon all over again." Harry smiled, and reached his arms out. Molly giggles turned into laughter as Harry began to tickle her. During their tickle fest the front door opened, and Ginny walked in.
Ginny couldn't help but smile at the sight of Harry and Molly laughing among a mess of coloring supplies.
Harry looked her way and smiled. "We were wondering if you'd ever get back."
Ginny stepped into the living room, and sat down on the floor next to Molly.
"Hi, Mommy!" Molly said as she gave Ginny a hug. "We're coloring pictures of dragons, knights, and princesses, but Harry colored the dragon pink."
Ginny laughed and looked at Harry. "A pink dragon?"
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "An honest mistake."
"For someone who has fought a dragon before I doubt it was an honest mistake," Ginny said.
"It might have been due to me making the wrong assumptions about little girls, and the color pink."
Ginny laughed again. "Now that sounds more like it. Where's Luna?"
"I came over to see my two favorite girls, but Luna said you were out running an errand, and then asked me if I could sit with Molly until you came back because she had an emergency come up."
Ginny snorted. She knew Luna had other well placed intentions. "I'm glad you came by for a visit. We're supposed to go to Ron and Hermione's today to hang out, and have dinner. I'm sure they won't mind if their best friend tags along.
"Sounds like a plan," Harry said.
"I just need to gather up a few things to bring, and then we can go." Ginny stood up and walked towards her room, but before she could go in she felt a gentle hand on her arm. She turned and looked into bright green eyes.
"Are you alright Ginny? You looked upset when you first walked in, but I didn't want to ask in front of Molly."
Ginny sighed. "I will be once this mess with Matthew gets cleared up. I went to see him today, and it wasn't a pleasant visit. I don't think he appreciated being out smarted."
Harry saw a brief red haze before he was able to calm himself. "Did he do anything to you?"
Ginny rubbed her arm, but stopped when she saw that Harry noticed the movement. "I'm fine. I can handle Matthew. He needs to know I'm not just going to roll over, and let him spread lies about me."
Harry took a calming breath. "If he ever lays a hand on you, or if I find out he already has, I'll rip him limb from bloody limb, and then feed him to some vile creature."
"Matthew has nothing that can hurt me, but I have evidence that can hurt him. He's not always the kindest bloke, but he's more talk than action. Everything will turn out just fine you'll see." Ginny kissed Harry on the cheek. When she entered her room an owl was just flying out the window, and there was a letter on her bed. Ginny decided to read it later, or they would be late.
Later at Ron and Hermione's House
The four friends and Molly had a great time together talking and laughing. After dinner was eaten, and dished cleared away the adults continued to sit around the table while Molly watched a princess movies courtesy of Hermione.
Hermione smiled and gave Ron a quick look. "As our closest friends we want the two of you to hear our good news first. "I'm pregnant!"
Ginny squealed and jumped up to hug Hermione. "I'm so happy for you two!" She hugged Ron next. "You may be a pain in the arse brother, but I know you'll be a great father."
Ron laughed while his eyes got a little misty at his sister's words. "Thank you! You're a great mother, but you'll always be an annoying little sister."
Ginny gave run a slight punch on his arm, and then hugged him again. Harry then took his turn giving out hugs and congratulations.
"When are you telling the rest of the family?" asked Ginny.
"Tomorrow night after dinner since everyone will be there," answered Ron.
Harry slapped Ron on the back. "Marrying Hermione was the smartest thing you've ever done, mate."
Ron looked at Hermione with a lovesick look on his face. "There are some days when I still can't believe she said yes, and now we're having a baby. It's days like today that overshadow all the bad days we had during the war. Those days were tough, but it's helped me to cherish all that I have now, and to hang on tight."
Harry gave Ron a surprised look. "Who are you, and what have you done to my blithering best mate. Ron?"
Shoving Harry slightly Ron said" Shut up Harry!" The two friends were quiet a moment, and watched the girls have a whispered conversation. "I hope Ginny gets the chance to cut all ties with that idiot so you two can finally have a chance. I know you'll treat her right, and Molly adores you already."
"Ron all you sentimental talk is really starting to scare me. Are you sick or something?"
Ron laughed. "No. I'm just growing up."
"Well… it's about time," Harry responded.
Ron shoved Harry again, and the two started to have a friendly wrestling match on the kitchen floor.
Meanwhile the girls were having a sentimental conversation of their own.
"I want Matthew to crawl into a hole and die. I'll never have my chance with Harry as long as he prolongs the divorce. I'm not surprised he backed out of trying to get custody of Molly. He wasn't ever much of a father to her, but to try to tarnish my reputation…that's low," Ginny whispered to Hermione.
"You have plenty of people in your corner, and we know you're not that kind of woman."
"Thanks, it means a lot to me to not fight this completely alone. Now that he knows I have evidence about his reputation I'm worried that instead of backing down he'll try harder to ruin me. I can't let that happen. I have a daughter to think about."
Hermione wrapped her arm around Ginny. "Everything will work out for the best."
Ginny sighed. "I keep telling myself that, but I have a bad feeling that things will get worse before they get better." Before Hermione could respond they heard a thump, and turned to see Ron and Harry wrestling on the floor.
Hermione let out a long sigh. "Will those two ever grow up?" Both girls then laughed.
Harry brought Ginny and Molly home; he caved into Molly and read her a bedtime story, after the story was done he kissed both her and Ginny on the cheek, then left. Ginny was exhausted from her roller coaster of a day, but just before she threw herself face down on her bed she saw the letter she didn't have time to read earlier. She figured she might as well read it before going to bed just in case it was something important. When she opened the letter she let out a gasp and sat blindly on the bed.
Dear Slag,
I know how much of a slag you are. You've never been good enough for any of the men you've "dated". You hide behind your so called innocence, but soon everyone will know just how easy of a lay you are. And when your husband arrives at your door with proof that he's not your child's father, you'll know too.
Sincerely,
The one who knows the truth
