DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

A/N ~ Finally, another chapter! Vacation was nice, but sadly I really missed my computer…

My sincerest thanks to aikakone for Beta'ing this monster and all your words of encouragement. You challenge me to write a better fic and inspire when the words just aren't flowing.

Neni Potter ~ you're so sweet! Guess you'll just have to wait and see where she moves. Hmmm…may consider writing a BZ/GW fic in the future ~ that could be fun!

Alasse-Lisceiel ~ Glad you are enjoying…hope you continue to read and review. Words of encouragement are always inspiration!

10. Darn Muggle Inventions Anyway.

As promised, Ginny owled me the information regarding the birthing classes. I must admit I was beginning to question her decision asking me to do this. We had agreed to meet at her house at six and travel to the class together by Floo. Apparition wasn't recommended for pregnant woman.

I Apparated outside of the Potter residence in Godric's Hollow just before six. Harry had the house built the minute Ginny agreed to become Mrs. Harry Potter. It was a nice, two-storey, four bedroom, two bath cottage on a quiet dead-end street. It had a beautiful yard in the front with a typical white picket fence and a good-sized porch where Harry claimed he and Ginny would sit when they were old. It also had a huge back yard for their children to play and Ginny to have a garden. It was then I realized I hadn't come by since Harry had died. Ginny had always visited me, or we ran into each other elsewhere. A momentary guilt washed over me.

Gingerly, I made my way to the door and knocked lightly. It wasn't long before I heard footsteps approach and the door swung open. It had only been a month since we had run into each other in Diagon Alley, so I was surprised how pregnant she now looked. She was wearing Muggle maternity clothes, a black pair of capri pants and a green sleeveless maternity blouse. She smiled as she motioned me to come in. "I'm not quite ready yet. Have you eaten?"

"No," I answered as I followed her into the foyer. She had begun to waddle as many pregnant women do, a fact I found inappropriately funny at the time. Word to the wise; don't mess with a pregnant woman, especially if said woman has flaming red hair and a wand.

"I know. I waddle like a duck!" she pointed out animatedly as she led the way to the kitchen. It wasn't long before her peeved act broke and started to laugh herself. "And I crave the weirdest things."

"Like peanut butter and chocolate ice cream?" I smiled as I sat at the kitchen table, watching as she put some water on the stove to boil.

"No. Weirder," she exclaimed. "Like cucumbers. I loathe cucumbers, but I can't seem to eat enough of them!"

"Hmmm."

"Oh a lot of help you are, Remus Lupin!" she chided. Somehow those words sounded strangely familiar.

"Well, I can do this," I said as I motioned for her to sit and I'd finish up the tea. "I take it you haven't eaten either?"

"No," she sighed. "I fell asleep."

"Is everything all right? When was the last time you saw the medi-witch?"

"Would you listen to yourself?" she laughed as I handed her the tea. "You're beginning to sound worse than my Mum! But I saw the medi-witch on Tuesday. She said everything is progressing normally, and said that wanting to sleep all the time isn't abnormal, but…."

Ginny's mind seemed to wander into deep thought. "Ginny? But what?"

"Do you promise not to think me nutters if I tell you something?" Tears began forming in her chocolate-colored eyes.

Before I could say anything I was knelt in front of her with my arms wrapped around her, trying desperately to comfort her. "Ginny, what's wrong?"

She buried her head into my shoulder. Her shoulders shook with sobs, although she never made a sound. "I'm losing my mind, Remus."

I made her look at me. Tears were just pouring down her cheeks. "What in the name of Merlin are you on about, Gin?"

"Harry," she sobbed. "I dream about him. I dream about talking to him. But lately I've been hearing him when I'm not asleep. I know you just think I'm nutters…"

"No, Gin, I don't think you're going crazy," I tried to reassure. "I had those dreams, too. Why just the other night I could have sworn Tonks was berating me about something." I could hardly tell her that it was about my feelings towards her.

"You're just saying that."

"No, I'm not," I said firmly, "and if you talk to Ron or Fleur, I'm sure you'd find they have experienced the same thing."

"Really?" she asked with wide-eyed innocence.

I remembered that look from years past. Actually, it was the first time I had met Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. It was on the Hogwarts express; Harry's third year, the year I taught Defense Against the Dark Arts. Sirius Black had escaped from Azkaban and the Dementors had stopped the Hogwarts Express in an attempt to search for him. All the children had been affected by the Dementor's presence, but Harry and Ginny worst of all. That day seems like a complete lifetime ago now.

"Really," I smiled, feeling the weight of my age in that moment. When had I gotten so old? "Tell you what. Why don't we grab a bite to eat after this class in Muggle London? I know a little diner that has the best milkshakes."

"That sounds really great," she smiled. "Let me go wash my face and we can be on our way before we're late."

We Flooed to the Grunhilda Maternity and Birthing Center for Witches, which is located near St. Mungo's. We were greeted by an older witch, rather short and plump and overly cheery. "Ah, Mrs. Potter." She greeted as she handed Ginny a pillow and me a mat. "And Mr. Po..."

"Lupin," Ginny corrected politely. "Mr. Lupin."

"Oh." The witched stammered wide-eyed.

Since Ginny didn't seem to want to explain that her husband was deceased (although everyone in the Wizarding world knew that), I just kept my mouth shut and flashed a cheeky grin at the older witch as we passed.

We walked into another room where the class was actually being held. This time, a younger witch greeted us. "Ginny! Good, you took my suggestion and wore Muggle clothing!" She then turned to me. "And you must be Mr. Lupin. Ginny has told me that you've agreed to be her birthing partner. I think that's brilliant! Now, why don't you two get situated over there by Michael and Eleanor?" At that, she was off to greet yet another couple.

"Oi! Ginny Wea…I mean Potter!" Michael Corner embraced Ginny happily in a hug. "Professor." It was almost a question, but meant as a greeting.

"Hi Michael," Ginny smiled to him as I laid the mat out like Michael had for his wife and helped Ginny sit on the Floor.

"Mr. Corner," I acknowledged.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Sara Trodman," the younger woman now announced from the head of the room. "I am a medi-witch specially trained in obstetrics. A few of you I recognize from my own practice, but I look forward to getting to know all of you during the course of the class."

She went on to tell us about the purpose of the class, the importance of breathing and massage during labor, and several other things. Then came the video. (I do believe that is what she called it). She wheeled out a Muggle invention she called a television (then later referred to it as the telly) with another box hooked up to it.

Ginny had long since started to use me as a backrest, and honestly, I didn't mind. I absently caught myself watching her rub her protruding stomach as she sat their intently listening to whatever Ms. Trodman had to say. Then the lights went out and the telly started to produce a picture, although this picture talked.

Somewhere I must have missed the part where she had explained the contents of this video to the class, but apparently I was not alone. Michael Corner turned whiter and whiter as the video progressed. It was the birthing process, and a woman was in labor. I'm surprised that Ron hadn't said 'Bit scary, really.'

It continued to go through the 'practical' application of the techniques we would be learning in the class, and the further the video progressed, the more restless Ginny became. "A little late to change your mind now," I whispered to her.

I could feel her laugh, although she tried desperately not to make a sound. She then turned and motioned me to lean into her. "I was actually thinking they should show this at Hogwarts. Bet the late night visits to the broom closets and Astronomy Tower would be cut in at least half."

I had to laugh, remembering Sirius and James in their 'wilder' days. My thoughts were interrupted as the woman in the picture screamed a rather blood curdling scream. Ginny jumped and leaned harder into me.

"Push!" The medi-witch in the picture was instructing the pregnant woman. Then they showed it. The woman was actually giving birth. I will spare you any further details. Michael passed out cold, as did about six of the other fourteen men in the class. Ron's words now made perfect sense. And I thought my transformations were painful.

When the medi-witch in the video finally laid the newly born child on its mother's stomach and the father cut the cord with his wand, every woman in the room sighed an 'Aaahhhh' except for Ginny. She sat very still and a little tense.

I nudged her gently with my knee. "You all right?" I whispered. She nodded her head but didn't utter a word.

The lights came back on which announced the end of the first of twelve birthing classes. After aiding Ginny to her feet, I offered to help with the 'less-than-fortunate' men who had passed out cold.

I found Ginny about fifteen minutes later waiting for me by the entrance door. She looked a little pale and tired, but no worse for the wear. "You have no idea how much I appreciate you being here," she finally said.

I just smiled and wrapped my arm around her shoulder.

TBC….Coming soon ~ Dinner with Remus, Ginny's decision, and something a little unexpected….not to mention pajama's, baths, and a date….