The next day when Ginny woke up she resolved herself to be less miserable, it was Christmas after all. Not bothering to change out of her pyjamas since she was just going to be in the common room, she pulled on her robe and made her way down the stairs. She was met by a broadly smiling Luna. The other girl was still in her pyjamas and Ginny wondered if she really didn't have any shame.
"I thought I'd bring your present in person," she said as Ginny sat next to her.
Over the last two years Luna had come out of her shell more, becoming more normal really, but every now and then she would say something that would remind you who she actually was. She held three brightly coloured presents in her lap and she handed Ginny the smallest.
Ginny took the present smiling broadly at her friend and unwrapped it. Under the wrapping she found a small black box, inside of which held a beautiful silver bracelet. Ginny held it up to examine it and smiled.
"I thought you'd like it, it's got a charm for each of us, Harry, Ron, Hermione, me and Brett."
Ginny touched the broomstick lovingly and saw a small H inscribed in it. She noted that Hermione's charm was a book and smiled, very fitting. Ron's was a bar of chocolate, definitely just right for him. Luna had a small magazine that Ginny knew would be The Quibbler. Finally she saw Brett's was a badger, Ginny guessed that this was fitting since he was a Hufflepuff. Ginny slipped the silver bracelet on and smiled again.
"The charms will glow red if any of us are in trouble," Luna said as she munched on a piece of chocolate.
Ginny lent across and pulled her friend into a tight hug, squeezing her until Luna was sure she would go blue. She then dove off the couch and rummaged through the presents under the tree to find Luna's present.
Ginny had bought the girl a simple locket, but inside she'd had it inscribed with Best Friends and there was a small picture of Luna and Ginny smiling. Luna put it on straight away and smiled widely. Ginny had known it would be a hit since the girl still didn't really have any friends. Ginny really was glad she had Luna, she was a constant friend that always seemed to surprise her, but would be there at the hardest of time.
"I got you this as well," she handed Ginny a small box and when Ginny opened it she looked up at Luna puzzled.
"It's a necklace to ward of Vicbee's; they're nasty little creatures that like to feed on the energy of pregnant women."
Ginny laughed then, and there it was the Luna that really made her who she was.
"Thank you Luna," she said as she slipped the necklace on over her head.
She would humour the girl and the necklace wasn't that looking, it was just a large piece of a shiny black stone on a leather cord. As Ginny slipped it under her top it felt cool against her heart and it had a strange comforting affect.
Ginny looked down at the last present on her friends lap and smiled.
"Is that for Brett?" she asked as she indicated to the last present.
Luna looked at her and smiled but shook her head. Ginny was confused then, Brett and she were her only friends, not counting the trio who weren't there that is.
"Who's it for then?" Ginny asked turning to look at her friend a little better.
"Well actually it's for you, well no not for you but you can open it," she handed it to Ginny and smiled sheepishly.
Ginny took the gift, but looked at her a little puzzled. This gift was larger than the last two, and was slightly squishy.
Carefully Ginny unfolded the shinny blue paper and gasped. Inside was a white woolly blanket folded neatly. Embroidered in one corner was a heart with the letter H+G inside. As she lifted it up to look at it better a small package fell out. The package held light yellow baby grows and little socks that matched.
"Like I said it's not strictly for you, but its not like the baby can open it."
Ginny looked up then meeting her friends eyes and she felt the tears spill out over her cheeks. She laughed a little as she scrubbed them away.
"Bloody hormones," she mumbled as she whipped her face.
Luna only laughed and pulled her friend into a half hug. Ginny tucked her legs under her and lent against Luna with a sigh. Like she'd thought, Luna could always make her feel better. Ginny held tight to the blanket and smiled, her first baby things, she couldn't believe that she was even having a baby, let alone having baby things.
Before they knew it Brett would be coming back Ginny quickly ran up the stairs and hid the blanket and cloths in her trunk. As she turned to leave though something caught her eye. Sitting on her pillow was a small box and a note. She plopped down on the bed and pulled the box over. She grabbed the note and read it, a small smile spreading across her lip.
Gin,
Sorry I couldn't give you this in person, but I wanted you to have it just in case. I love you and this will prove it.
Harry
Ginny placed the note down and picked up the small black box. She had an idea what it would hold inside but her heart beat still quickened. With slightly shaky fingers she flipped the lid back and her heat stopped.
Inside the box was a small white gold ring, with an emerald set into it. Ginny slipped the ring onto her finger and smiled at the coolness of the metal. The emerald glinted in the light as she moved her hand and she realised that it was the exact colour of Harry's eyes. Inside the box was a little note telling her that it was his mother's ring. She instantly loved it as she looked at it, and this showed that Harry wanted to marry her before he even found out about the baby. He wanted to marry her for her, and not just out of some sense of duty. At that moment she was happier than she had been in a long while, the only times that matched this was having him with her in her arms. But as she thought of this the ache became worse and she realised just how much she needed him. Hand in hand with the ache came the fear, she couldn't loose him especially now.
When she finally joined Luna back in the common room Brett had also arrived. He wore jogging pants and jumper. To her delight she realised that the jumper was sporting a large B which was her mother's trade mark.
"I'm sorry for that," she said as she sat in one of the chairs.
"Not at all I love it," he laughed.
Ginny also noticed that he had the scarf she had bought him on. She hadn't really known what to buy him since there friendship was new, and she distinctly remembered him complaining that his other scarf had gone missing. It was blue, silver and black strips and she'd instantly thought of him when she'd seen it.
"I see you like it then," he nodded and beamed brightly.
She couldn't help but laugh at him as he posed in his new outfit. She did feel a little bad though since he had given her her family and she'd only bought him a scarf. She vowed to find out his birthday and buy him something big for it.
For the morning they sat in front of the fire telling stories of their Christmas' with family and laughing at each other. Brett was happy that his plan had worked, he couldn't help but feel his heart constrict as he watched Ginny laugh lightly. She really was an angel, he thought before he caught himself and shook his head. He knew he couldn't think like that, thoughts like that led down a path he knew she wouldn't go. He hadn't failed to spot the ring she now wore but he couldn't bring himself to say anything to her about it. He knew what a ring on that finger would mean so he knew for surehe really couldn't act on his feelings no matter how much his heart hurt from the realisation of this.
So until the students returned they were happy in their own world. Ginny grew closer to Brett, but all the while making sure that he still understood the terms of their friendship. When the students came back and the term started again they stayed close, a newly formed close nit group that couldn't be broken apart.
By the end of January though Ginny was having a hard time hiding her bump. She was now four months pregnant and having to wear loose fitting robes. She could feel the eyes on her as she walked down the halls now; they all seemed to be very interested in her sudden growth. Brett especially became suspicions, but he didn't want to pry since he knew if he pushed her to much he could push her clean away. Luna was a huge help, fielding most of the questions she didn't want to answer. Luna was also always there when she got to tired. McGonagall had given Luna permission to take on some of the work loud of being Head Girl if Ginny called on her, and she was extremely thankful for that. Even though Ginny didn't stop her duties, she was glad that someone could come on her late night patrols with her just in case.
McGonagall thought it best to inform the teachers by mid February and they all seemed to accept everything well. Some even cut back on her work loud, instead opting to giving her spoken assignments. This meant that just for an extra ten minutes after class once a week she would go over everything with her teachers. They all seemed happy she was keeping up well and so had no qualms about her pregnancy. Some of the female teachers even started cooing over her, and all made sure she was at all times safe in the class rooms.
When the end of February arrived she was sent to St Mungo's for a check up that Madam Pomfrey insisted on. Since she was now five months she needed to meet the midwives and mediwitches that would be helping her near the end, and certain test needed to be done. She refused to go unless Luna could go with her so McGonagall had to let her. The two girls arrived at the hospital early in the morning but Ginny could feel the few people that were around watching her.
When she reached the right place she was instantly swept into a room before anyone could see her. Her pregnancy was still strictly a secret, which on thought McGonagall had realised was definitely a good idea. She didn't want Voldermort getting wind that there was a Potter child on the way. Luna stayed at Ginny's side the whole time, holding her hand and squeezing it when the girl looked scared.
They had her measured, weight taken, blood taken, before anyone really even talked to her.
When the door to the room opened next a small friendly woman walked in, "Good morning Miss Weasley, my name is Fiona and I'll be your midwife."
Ginny shook her hand and introduced Luna who simply bowed her head.
"Now how about we have a look at that baby of yours yes," the woman stepped forward and pulled Ginny's top up.
She lightly examined Ginny's stomach; her touch was firm but didn't hurt in any way. Her hands were also cool, rather than cold which Ginny was thankful for. When she looked up at Ginny again she smiled.
"I do believe we have a perfectly healthy baby here."
Ginny smiled broadly and Luna squeezed her hand. Since no body had come to say anything to Ginny she had been worried that they were figuring out a way to tell her the bad news. She sighed with relief under the woman's steady gaze and laid her head back down on the bed.
"Would you like to see the baby Ginny?" the woman asked her voice light and happy.
Ginny nodded excitedly and the woman laughed lightly. She took her wand out and tapped Ginny's stomach once. Ginny's breath caught as the image of the baby appeared in the air over her stomach. The woman studied the picture then turned and smiled at Ginny again.
"Would you like to know the sex my dear," she said as she tapped Ginny's stomach again and the image disappeared.
Ginny could only nod because her throat had closed up; she sat waiting for a second her heart beating hard in her ears.
She didn't care either way but she was dieing to know, "it's a little girl."
"Oh Ginny," Luna cried and pulled her friend into a deep hug.
Ginny could only lye there to shocked to say anything. She suddenly remembered she had arms and gripped onto Luna hard.
For the rest of the trip the midwife went over everything she would need to do to prepare for the birth. It was decided that Ginny would make the final decision of where she wanted the baby to be born closer to the date. The midwife understood that she would have to be very careful and so didn't press the matter. She gave Luna at lot of things to read making her promise to report any signs of anything wrong that she thought she might see. It was Ginny's first pregnancy so she didn't know what to expect so she was grateful when her friend agreed to keep a close eye on her.
When they returned to the castle they found Brett waiting outside the Great Hall for them.
"Ginny could I please have a word," he asked as they approached.
"Of course Brett," Ginny said feeling her happiness radiating out.
Luna realising she wasn't wanted arranged to meet Ginny later and left to go find some lunch. Brett took Ginny's hand and led her outside. Luckily there were having extremely good weather for the time of year it was. The sun was shinning brightly and only fluffy white clouds could be seen in the distance.
Brett led her away from the castle so that they wouldn't be heard. He took her to one of the close by hill tops and sat down, urging her to sit next to him. Ginny didn't complain but she knew she was going to have a hard time getting up again.
"Ginny I know that you don't like to get personal, but I hope you can trust me."
Ginny just looked at him, wondering if now was the time he was going to question her about her size. Her heart fell a little then, she was worried what his reaction was going to be, she so desperately didn't want him to go. He was a fantastic friend and she'd grown quiet accustomed to having him around.
"I've been noticing some things and the only thing it adds up to in my head is a little strange," he took a deep breath to steady his nerves and looked her in deep in the eyes, "Ginny are you pregnant."
Ginny looked down, not wanting to see the reaction in his eyes, and nodded. She felt his hand go under her chin and slowly he lifted her face so it was only inches from his.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he almost seemed hurt, something she wasn't expecting.
"I didn't want you to be disappointed in me."
He laughed a little and Ginny relaxed, "I would never be disappointed in you. You're my friend and I want to help you any way that I can."
"Thank you Brett," she said barely a whisper.
He lent his forehead against hers and they sat like that for a while, until Ginny felt something that made her jump. Brett looked at her, worry spreading across his features at the shock on her face.
"Ginny, Ginny what is it?" He asked turning her head to look at him again.
A large smile broke out across her face and she giggled, "the baby's kicking. She hasn't done that before."
She grabbed one of Brett's hands before he could say anything and placed it squarely on her bump, over her school robes. Brett looked at her and smiled broadly, he'd never felt a baby kicking before. He carefully hutched round so he was sat behind her, one leg either side of her, and she lent against his chest grateful for the rest. They sat there just feeling the little one kicking, not knowing they were being watched.
