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Chapter 7:
Harry's car trundled along the dark lane; he looked at his dashboard and noted that another fifteen minutes and he would be home, he saw that two other cars were behind him. The thought of his house hidden beneath the groves of trees made him want to go back to the Burrow. He had missed that place so much he's been thinking of moving back but, he knew it was not going to be easy as one would think. He knew that he had only six months left before he graduates and after that he would consider if it's worth going back or not, for now Harry thought of Stephanie and Ginny.
Suddenly without warning a flashed of bright lights came in front of him Harry as instinct told him he stepped on the brakes as hard as he could and the other car swerved but not on time and it hit Harry's car on impact. There was a sickening screech of tires and braking glasses flew all around. The cars who was behind Harry's saw what was happening as they stopped and the drivers got out, they looked into Harry's car and saw his body slumped on the wheel his head bleeding, as one of the men checked the other car the one who was checking Harry was on the phone calling for ambulance. The ambulance came fast and brought the unconscious Harry and the other victim to the nearby hospital.
Two days after the accident Harry woke up and saw Stephanie asleep on the sofa. His head felt heavy and his body ached, he tried to say something but, his throat was dry and raw. Harry was about to summon a glass of water that was on the table beside his bed but, remembered that he was no longer in the wizarding world. He tried to remember what had happen when Stephanie woke up and saw his eyes open.
"Harry! Oh sweetheart, I'm so glad you're awake. You gave us a fright. How are you feeling?"
"Sore… and achy." Stephanie gave him a sip of water which he took thirstily, after he finished drinking he asked his girlfriend what has happened.
"You had a car accident two days ago. It was pretty bad the doctor's said you were very lucky you got out of it alive." Harry thought even in muggle world he could not seem to avoid hospitals. He then asked Stephanie if she's okay and if someone else's was notified of his accident. She said that his school and his work had been notified of his accident and that he need not worry about anything.
"How bad were my injuries?" Harry asked.
"The doctors said your prognosis was good and no permanent damaged. The only thing they were worried about was the scar you had on your chest; they were at a loss of how you sustain that injury for they could not see any damaged or anything that was done inside. Other than that you're good as new." Stephanie kissed him on the lips and added, "I'm so glad you're alright." Harry took her in his arm.
"I'm glad that I am. Thank you for taking care of me." They were both silent for awhile until one of the nurse came in and looked at his injuries. Mr. & Mrs. Smith came and visit him and he stayed in the hospital for another week. His doctors sent him home to recuperate. Stephanie went back to her demanding work while Harry catches up in his studies. One night when he was studying for his exam he heard a tap on his window and saw Ron and Hermione's owl Duke and he smiled widely. He opened the window to let the owl in, as soon as he got inside the owl extended his leg for Harry to untie the parchment that was tied to it.
Harry unrolls the parchment and read the contents.
"Dear Harry,
We hope that you're well when you get this letter. We haven't heard anything from you since the last letter you sent us. We just wanted to know if you're alright and to remind you that my dad will be meeting you in two weeks time ( as we didn't get any response from you) to get your measurement for the dress robe. We know you're busy with your school and your work and since dad is going to be in Scotland for the dentist's convention he volunteered to meet you there. We hope you're alright and we look forward to see you again. I missed you very much… and yes, Ron said he misses you too! We both can't wait for this wedding to be over.
I had no idea that it's going to be such a headache, but I'm glad I'm marrying our 'best friend'.
I'm glad too, mate. I can't wait. Take care, Harry. Mum said you have to write to her to let her know you're alright, make sure you right back and let us know you got the letter.
We both miss you. P.S. dad will contact you before hand.
Love,
Ron and Hermione"
Harry was glad about the letter but, was worried that he didn't get the last one they sent. He remembered that maybe when the owl delivered it he was still in the hospital. He took out his quill and a piece of parchment and wrote back to his friends that he got the letter and to tell them that he would make sure to meet Mr. Granger.
Ginny took a deep breath and tried to slow down her rapidly beating heart. She knew she could not and would not be able to do this any longer. The last game was especially grueling and very hard on Ginny's condition and she knew she had to tell her parents and her boss, she has to take care of this baby. She also needs to talk to Dean, even if they're having problems with the status of their relationship he has a right to know why she needed to break up with him. They both knew that their chosen professions were taking a toll on them, Dean was always busy at work and she was always away for the matches that where out of the country.
After she showered Ginny gathered her stuff and was ready to go when some of her teammates asked if she would join them for the after game celebratory party. Ginny said she would pass this one and just go home to rest. One of her teammates commented that she did the same thing from their last game. She just smiled and told everyone to have a good time and drink a beer of two for her; she walked outside at the apparition point then apparated back at the Burrow.
When Ginny got inside she called for her mum but no one answered she went in the kitchen to make herself tea and then she noticed a note on the table. Ginny picked it up and read what it said on the note.
"Ginny, dinner's ready and I put a warming charm to keep it warm for you. Angelina is in St. Mungo's ready to have their baby. We'll see you soon. Mum"
Ginny whooped in delight and was glad that another Weasley is coming into the world, and then touched her own stomach absently. Ginny took the warming food and gobbled it down like she never had a taste of food before. After she was finished she ran upstairs and got ready to go to the hospital to meet her nephew or niece.
Half of the Weasley's were all waiting in the maternity area designated for the families. Mrs. Johnson (Angelina's mum) was pacing back and forth while everyone looked on. Mrs. Weasley got up and took her by the shoulder and led her to a seat beside her and tried her best to calm her down.
"You must try to relax, Laura. I'm sure everything's alright in there, here have a drink" Laura took the glass that Molly offered her and she sighed then put it on her lips to drink when suddenly Ginny burst inside.
"Did I miss something? How's the baby and Angelina?" she kissed her mum ad dad and sat beside Fleur. "No the baby hasn't come in yet. They're still inside Hermione was with them and another healer. Ginny are you alright? You look a bit flushed." Penelope said taking Ginny's hand.
"I'm alright Penny; just a bit tired from the practice today was really hard. Is Ron coming?" Penny said they are and added that Dean would be coming along with him. Ginny smiled and looked up when George burst out of one of the doors smiling widely carrying a blue bundle followed by Hermione who was also carrying a bundle this one was in pink.
"Everyone meet my kids. Fred and Roxanne." The new proud father announced to all and whoops and screams can be heard all around Mrs. Weasley and Mrs. Johnson stood up and looked at their sleeping grandkids. Molly and Arthur took Fred while kissing her son and Arthur giving him a pat on the back and Laura took Roxanne. The room suddenly full of gushing Aunts and Uncles and congratulatory hugs.
"Hey, what did I miss? Where's my niece or my nephew?" Ron asked followed by Dean, everyone laughed and George said that he had both. Ron looked at the babies and gushed then went to his fiancée and kissed her tenderly. We could have one or two of this precious little thing by next year; Ron thought hugging Hermione, they both can't wait to get married and start their own family. Ginny took Dean's hand and he kissed her looking into her chocolate brown eyes tenderly. Ginny panicked slightly and averted her eyes from him, she felt so guilty. After everyone gushed over the baby and saw Angelina they all left one by one until it's just Mr. & Mrs. Weasley and Mrs. Johnson were the one that was left, when they noticed that Dean and Ginny were still there sitting in a corner quietly talking, after a while they both stood up and Dean kissed Mrs. Weasley goodbye.
When Ginny didn't go with him Molly looked at her daughter and almost gasped but caught herself at the last minute. If she wasn't mistaken she knew Ginny is pregnant, she looked at her daughter questioningly but could not say anything lest she does not want her dad to hear her reply. So she asked Arthur if he was ready to go. They all went to see George and his family again to say goodbye.
"George, we'll have to go now. I'll come back bright and early tomorrow. I am so proud at both of you, my grandkids are adorable." Angelina laughed and thanked her mother-in-law then said,
"I hope they won't get their father and Uncle's mischief" They all laughed at that. Ginny kissed her sister-in-law and brother before leaving. They all apparated back at the Burrow.
As soon as they got in Mrs. Weasley put the kettle on and asked Ginny to sit. Arthur looked at his wife and shrugged his shoulder and proceeded to go upstairs when his wife stopped him and said that Ginny would like something to tell them. Ginny opened her mouth in protest but thought about it, might as well tell them now before it's really too late; Ginny thought.
"What is it, sweetheart?" Mr. Weasley asked her sitting on his usual spot. Mrs. Weasley poured them cup of tea and handed one to Arthur and Ginny, then she sat beside her husband.
"Now talk young lady." Her mum said, her brown eyes piercing and Ginny felt uncomfortable. Trust mum to know everything, she thought. She could not deny anymore and reasoned that soon enough everyone would know and she really could not hide it in just a couple of months.
"What do you want me to say mum?" Ginny asked nonchalantly.
"I want you tell us what is going on. Ginny we trusted you; the least you could do is talk to us and tell us." Mr. Weasley looked at his wife then at her daughter, he was lost on what was going on. Again Mrs. Weasley gave her a penetrating gaze and Ginny looked down.
"I'm sorry mum, dad. It happened and I can't do anything about it. I want to keep it." Ginny started crying and for the first time Arthur asked.
"What? What happened and what is it you wanted to keep? Can someone fill me up here? I don't know what you two are on about." Molly sighed and said that Ginny will tell them, so they waited for her to calm down.
"I'm pregnant dad. I'm sorry" Mr. Weasley opened his mouth in surprise and was about to say something but thought better of it so he shut his mouth and waited for more explanations to come.
"Does Dean know?" Ginny looked at her mum and shook her head then was surprised at the next word her daughter uttered.
"He doesn't know and the baby's not his." Ginny blurted out and both her parents said in a very surprised unison. "WHAT?" then Mrs. Weasley shrieked, "Ginevra Molly Weasley! What do you mean the baby's not his? Who was the father?" Arthur took Molly's shoulder and tried to calm her down, and said in a firm voice that the Weasley children knew too well.
"Ginny. Tell us who the father is and please explain yourself how this happened and why?"
"The father is Harry. It was an accident we didn't plan it we were both drunk that night it was Ron and Hermione's engagement party. It was only one night and I didn't think I would get pregnant just for one night." Ginny was sobbing, shaking her head.
"I was stupid, I know. I would keep this baby, accident or not. Please mum dad, I'm so sorry." Molly took her daughter in her arms and rocked her as if she was still their little girl, although she could not believe what Harry and Ginny did. They would handle this as best they could after all this is Ginny and Harry's child together and she always thought of Harry as one of her son.
"Do you plan to tell Harry?" Molly asked her daughter worriedly.
"I don't know mum. I mean he has his own life now, he's got a girlfriend and they looked happy. I don't want to be the one to ruin it." Molly and Arthur looked at each other.
"Ginny he has a right to know,"
"I know that. It's just… it's complicated."
"Your father and I knew that you and Harry don't have the best relations right now but, don't you think he would want to know that he's going to be a father?" Ginny sighed and told her parents that she would think about it.
"I will talk to Dean. I just hope that he would understand." Her parents looked at her sadly. Ginny got up and hugged both her parents.
"We'll handle this just fine Molly. We'll be there for her, I know she made a mistake but we will help her get through this. I hope it never happened like this but, we cannot do anything now." They finished their tea and both went upstairs thinking of what lay ahead for their only daughter.
Harry received the news that George and Angelina had their babies and was surprised that it was a twin. He was glad that both Angelina and the babies were okay, he could not wait to meet them. Three more months and it would be Ron and Hermione's wedding, his friends would have their own family someday but he could not say that for himself. All Stephanie wanted was work and someday be the head partner of the company she worked for. Harry could not deny his girlfriend if she wanted to work even if they get married but, Harry had a feeling that Stephanie was not a mothering type and he would like to have a big family of his own someday.
The thought of his ex-girlfriend came flooding back and he could not help but wonder that if he stayed, would they become husband and wife? The thought of it made Harry laughed bitterly. He was stupid and full of bollocks when he left, he knew that now. He should have assessed everything first and should've asked for help but, alas! Ginny was right he always tried to push everyone away and thought that he could handled everything by himself and thought that he had to do things alone, and looked at what he had now.
True he had a nice big house and a beautiful spacious land, he has lot of galleons, and his going to be graduating in a few months and become somebody someday without the pressure of the 'Chosen One' and the 'Boy who Live' but, no one he can share it with. The one that he would want to share it with was no longer his, he let it all slipped away, he Harry had let her slipped away and here's no one to blame except him.
He thought about the night he and Ginny slept together, how he longed to feel her warm body against him and her soft lips again. Harry shook his head and willed himself not to think of her again, after all he knew that Dean would take care of her and he loved her. I love her too, he thought but, you left her the voice inside his head said. Harry went in the kitchen and prepared lunch for himself and longed to feel at home again in the Burrow.
The towns were Harry live were bustling with early risers scurrying workers headed for offices and some early shoppers were all eager to get out of the February cold, a hint of snow threatened the air and Harry pulled up his collar to ward off the freezing breeze. When he reached his destination Harry hurriedly opened the building door, took off his coat and headed for the library. He reasoned that since Stephanie would not be back from her business trip for another week he would have more time to study for his exam, his school was just over three months away and he needed to study harder if he wanted to remain top of his class. He was so engrossed on his notes and did not notice the person that sat in front of him, Harry jump and stared up at the man in front of him. To say he was shocked at the person in front of him was an understatement.
"Neville!" Harry blurted out in shocked at seeing his friend here in a muggle library. The other man smiled widely and clapped Harry on the back and both men hugged.
"What are you doing here?"
"Well, I'm studying some rare plants that only I can find in muggle books I needed it for my Herbology class. I didn't know you live around here. How are you?"
"I'm good, Neville. And you?"
"I'm good mate, actually I'm with Hannah. We're staying at the Inn around the corner; we'll be leaving the day after tomorrow." Harry gathered his books and notes and asked Neville if he wanted to get some lunch to talk and share some news.
"Sure. Hanna wanted to see some books that she saw on the way here, we'll get her she'll be happy to see you." The men stood up and left. As they were walking they talked about everything Harry missed especially Quidditch. They also talked about Neville's work; he was now Professor Sprout's apprentice until she retires. They got Hannah and the trio went to a small pub to eat lunch. Harry invited the couple to stay with him until they go back to London and they both agreed. After a short visit from his friends Harry was back to his old boring muggle life, he was glad when Stephanie comes back from her trip.
Stephanie came back from her business trip and would meet Harry for dinner. She would have to tell him that he has to forget his old life if he wants to have a future with her she could not tolerate any magic and thought that his friends were freaks in her opinion. Harry was different, she knew he would survive as a muggle and he would be good at it and she reasoned that he did it for almost four years why go back to a place he left behind.
At exactly seven o'clock that evening Harry was waiting for Stephanie at their favorite restaurant and Harry ordered her favorite wine for her. He was ready to asked her if she would like to accompany him at Ron and Hermione's wedding, he knew she didn't really enjoyed the last visit but he would like her to be there to really get to know his friends and the only families he knew. Harry was mulling over if she really was the one for him, when he saw Stephanie walked in.
She waved at him and plastered a happy smile on her face. She knew what she was about to asked him would probably difficult for him to understand at first but, she would make sure that she would get what she wants, after all she was a lawyer and she knew how to negotiate, it wouldn't be hard to convince Harry and she knew he would understand her.
Harry waved back at her and stood up when he got near him Harry took her by the waist and kissed her tenderly and when they let go he pulled out her chair for her.
"Ah Harry! You remembered my favorite wine. How thoughtful of you," Stephanie said kissing Harry again, and sipped her wine. Harry grins boyishly and said that he missed her and inquired about her trip. After their small talk Harry nodded at the waiter hovering nearby and placed in their orders, as they ate their dinner Harry noticed that Stephanie was a little distracted and asked her if she was tired from her trip.
"I needed to talk to you," they both said in unison and laughed.
"Okay… ladies first." Harry said. Stephanie looked at him apprehensively, sipped her wine and leaned back on her chair as if she was ready to do her interrogation in court, she smiled and thought this was my battle and I'm fighting for him she also knew that Harry still has a soft spot for that chit Ginny Weasley. She sighed dramatically. Harry waited for her to start anxiously while sipping his own drink.
"Harry I know that you cared for me…" Harry was about to interrupt he when she put up her palm for Harry to stop and then she continued. "Harry I care about you a lot and I know you care a lot about me but I must ask you something that I know must be very difficult for you," Stephanie sighed deeply and took Harry's hand and squeezed them tightly.
"We both knew what we want in life and in a few months time or even a few years from now you will be successful as I was now… what I'm saying is I'm ready to settle down and I want to settle down with you. But, I cannot do that until I know you will not go back to your old life" Harry stared at her dumbfounded and was shocked to what she just told him. Did she really say for him not to go back to his old life? He was a wizard after all and as sure as hell he would go back to it when he's ready and when the time comes and he thought that Stephanie understood him when he first told him about him being a wizard.
"What are you trying to tell me? Are you saying that I…I forget the life I knew…I know and the life I loved? Is that what you're trying to say? I thought you understood everything when I told you what I am?" Stephanie bit her lower lip and looked Harry in the eyes.
"Harry what you had was gone when you left and now we're ready to start over, isn't that why you left, to get away from those people? If we get married I don't want you to go back to being…being a wizard or whatever it is," Stephanie said airily. Harry untwined his fingers from Stephanie's and looked her in the eyes his green eyes blazing.
"No Stephanie. I left not because of them but, I won't bother you with any explanations. You see I thought I could be with you; we could be together no problem. I will always be a wizard whether you and I both like it or not and it so happens that I like it…no…I love it. It's what I am and I would not have it any other way. You see even if we get married and have children there's a good chance that they would be magical and I could not be with someone who would dislike or even hate our own children because they're magical."
"I hate to do this but, you just made my decisions for me. There are things that I could live without and things I could not and those are being away from my families and friends who I love and care very much. I think it's time for me to go back, I am really sorry Stephanie. I think this would be the end of us." Stephanie stared at Harry mouth agape she could not believe that Harry was ending their relationship.
"Are you trying to break up with me?" Harry nodded his head and said, "Not trying Steph, I am breaking up with you." She stared at him and to Harry her gazed was cold and calculating. Is this the girl that he thought he could love and spend the rest of his life with? Harry shook his head and stood up. "Goodbye, Stephanie." Harry squeezed her shoulder and left. Stephanie tried to calm her nerves down and willed herself not to throw anything. After ten minutes of stewing she stood up and left.
A/N okay this is it for this chapter. Hope you guys enjoy this chapter too. Please R/R.
