A/N: Edited: 08/02/19. Fleshed the ending out a bit more.
14
Nine Months
Ginny sat trembling on the bathroom floor. She wrapped her arms around her legs in a comforting way and heard Moaning Myrtle singing in the U-bend, oblivious to her worries. It had been three months since Dumbledore had been murdered by her boyfriend at the time, Draco Malfoy.
It had been three months, since she had realised, she was pregnant with his child.
How could she have miscalculated? She had fallen head over heels for a liar.
Only Lavender and Hermione knew she was pregnant (with the help of Hermione, they had found a book in the library which gave instructions on how to perform a charm to hide Ginny's bump from view). Hermione had promised she would not tell Ron or Harry but had encouraged Ginny to tell Mrs Weasley. Ginny wasn't quite ready for that conversation, but had promised she would, eventually.
Being a mother was a daunting prospect for a sixteen almost seventeen-year-old, the fact that a small being inside her would grow into a little boy or girl was beyond anything she ever imagined for herself. She pictured Lavender as the fun-loving crazy aunt who would spoil her baby; Hermione would teach him/her to read; Ron would quiz him/her in quidditch; and her parents would become doting grandparents.
Ginny clutched her head, rocking to and fro.
She wanted to confront Malfoy – shout at him, why had Dumbledore trusted him when it was so obvious both Draco and Snape were traitors. McGonagall had taken over as Headmaster, and it had spent a week to mend the castle after the attack. Those students injured by rogue curses; Colin Creevey, Hannah Abbott, Padma Patil and Terry Boot had recovered in the Hospital wing but there remained some friction between the Slytherins and the other houses.
Classes had started again, and Ginny had to endure Pansy's bragging that Draco was in Voldemort's inner circle, and now that he'd murdered Dumbledore, he was back in her good graces. Crabbe scoffed at the idea, he'd been somewhat subdued since Dumbledore's death.
Rumours spread round the castle that Pansy had broken up with Goyle, and more shocking than that, Goyle had told both Pansy and Crabbe he wanted nothing to do with them. Theo was not like the others and Ginny wondered why he had been put into Slytherin, disturbed by Draco's actions but trying to understand his friend's departure, he often found time to talk to Ginny, making sure she was ok.
Harry had hung around for the first month trying to comfort her – but she couldn't go there, not after everything that had happened. Harry then left for a secret mission (which was no secret really: he was trying to find Voldemort). It was the letter which arrived by Owl that confirmed Ginny's current opinion of Draco. He had written one sentence, but it did not explain his actions and she had burned it straight away.
I'll come back for you – I love you, it read.
She had daydreamed of having a family with Draco, she had pictured having a son with blond hair just like Draco's: his wide curious eyes would be brown like hers and he would have Draco's mischievous smile. But now her baby would not have a father.
Draco had murdered Dumbledore.
Her relationship with him had been a lie, and she was stupid to believe he could change.
Malfoy would never know his baby – she was sure of that.
Ginny wiped her face on the back of her hands.
She had been on her way to Professor Binns' when she felt her breakfast climb back up her throat and had to run to the nearest toilet. The dreaded morning sickness... Lavender was banging on the cubicle door. Ginny saw her satin heels were wet from the clogged toilet where Moaning Myrtle cackled to herself.
"Shut up Myrtle! Ginny!" Lavender hugged her best friend. "Are you okay? Is it the baby? Tell me?" Ginny remained silent. "I've got some really good news?" Lavender began. "After graduation, Ron and I are moving in together, and we want you, and the baby to join us."
Ginny thought she might cry out of relief.
"For real?" she whispered.
"No, I just made it up. Duh! Come on, your knickers must be soaked. Why do you always sit in this bathroom, half the toilets don't work, and Myrtle is no help whatsoever!" Lavender pointed her wand at Ginny's uniform so it dried.
Ginny told her she felt a connection to this place, she couldn't explain it, not truly.
"How about we visit the kitchens for some ice-cream and chocolate? Dobby loves company." Lavender took Ginny's hand and lead her out of the bathroom and toward the kitchens.
Ginny hoped she could stomach the food.
They had apparated after Dumbledore's death; Draco and Snape, Bellatrix and the Death Eaters, all were waiting in silence together watching the sunrise. Draco wondered whether there would be any beauty left in the world afterwards and was surprised his darkness had not eaten away all his hope. He promised himself for days, weeks after, that if he just listened to Snape, tried his best to hang in there, maybe the Dark Lord would thank him, and free him of his service...
But now, months later, it seemed the Dark Lord wanted him present in all meetings concerning Hogwarts and Harry Potter.
His Dark Mark burned when Voldemort had entered their circle. Draco twirled the loose galleon between his fingers, wondering why Potter had given it to him.
Harry had warned him, "Don't lose it, I'll find you." But when?
Voldemort prowled towards Draco, everyone else in the vicinity dropped to their knees, except Snape.
It was then that Voldemort had lifted Draco's chin with cold, long fingers.
"Well Draco, I have decided not to kill you." Draco willed his nerves would not give him away. "You have done me a great service. Your reward, Narcissa." Voldemort beckoned his sickly mother to shuffle forwards. Draco caught her. "You may return home, but I have more errands I'd like you to do for me. Do remember I can and will torture her, if you decide to reject my hospitality. Your home will be ours. Severus, you and Bella will escort them."
Once Bellatrix was content, she left Draco in the hands of Snape to do another errand for her master. Snape used her absence to perform complex spells that continued to keep both Malfoys safe. Draco tucked his sick mother on the couch where he could tend to her, and kissed her forehead, hating to see her so frail. She whispered she loved him and nodded off to sleep.
Snape lowered his wand.
"It will seem to him, you are here walking around the house. If Death Eaters or Voldemort enter they will not be able to tell the difference. This protection allows you to move freely. You can leave the house and travel," Draco knew Snape referred to his mission with Harry. "If Narcissa feels she is in any danger, she must touch this portkey and she will arrive at The Burrow, as you requested."
Snape showed Draco a quill which he placed on some parchment beside his sick mother, then he put a hand on his godson's shoulder.
"Keep practicing Occlumency and be careful."
Draco hugged him, half afraid he may never see him again and grateful for his guidance.
After his godfather's exit, Draco felt a burning sensation from the galleon inside his pocket. Surprised, he pulled it out shocked to see a date appear in its centre. He knew it was a message from Harry. They were to meet up outside Hogs Head that week on the Wednesday, at 3:15pm.
Bellatrix had entered the Shrieking Shack and had stopped when she noticed a figure ahead. Crabbe crossed the floorboards, biting back his rage and frustration. He grabbed Bellatrix around the waist, daring to kiss her, his scarred hands were filled with splinters.
She smiled, taking in his curly brown hair, irritated grin and brushed her hand down his cheek.
"You were so brave, finishing it, letting us inside Hogwarts - I know He wants to reward you, he told me himself to come fetch you. You don't need to finish school - you are a Death Eater, my Death Eater and I have so much to teach you." Crabbe smirked.
Her teeth glittered in the moonlight.
"Does the Dark Lord know your nephew lied? Draco has been cavorting with the enemy – sleeping with that blood traitor, Ginny Weasley. If Voldemort doesn't kill him – I will."
Crabbe saw fear in Bellatrix's eyes. "You did not tell him?" he pulled away, shocked.
Bellatrix reached for his hand. "He is my nephew, Vincent – he killed Dumbledore. Cissy is free."
"You told me the Dark Lord knows everything. He must know this too."
"I..." Bellatrix let go of Crabbe's hand and looked nervously at the door.
Voldemort stood at the entrance of the passage. Bellatrix shrank against the walls, suddenly afraid.
Voldemort fingered his wand, moving aside an old rug, and broken pieces of timber, so he stood only metres from Crabbe, and could see the fear on Bellatrix's face.
"He betrayed them to save his mother. Love, it destroys people. You will not kill Malfoy, Crabbe. As for your motives: I know it was you who fixed the cabinet, but your reward, well, let's say I don't reward egotistical Death Eaters - they are usually the ones who attempt to overthrow me. So, I am giving you one chance, that is all."
Crabbe shuffled backwards, mouth ajar.
"Answer me this, and I might spare you."
"Spare me? I was loyal to you!" Crabbe yelled.
Voldemort silenced him with his hand. "My question is – are you in love, with my Bella?"
Crabbe was startled but then, as Voldemort waited, he glanced at Bella and did not regret it.
"Yeah, I am." Crabbe said, clenching his fists. "Not that you care."
Voldemort raised his wand, "Avada Kedavra!"
Crabbe's lifeless body crashed against the opposite wall and Bella stared in disbelief.
"Come now, Bella, I did you a favour. He did what was needed, and now you are free of him."
Bellatrix followed in Voldemort's shadow.
If only he knew how much she already cared for him, her saviour – she would dedicate her life to him, she already had.
"You took your time," Harry muttered when he met Draco outside Hogs Head.
"Do you always sneak around under that cloak?" Draco hissed, he felt stupid speaking to himself.
"Always," Harry smirked. "Get under, I was going to apparate – I know a place."
Draco raised his eyebrows. "What, I'm supposed to hold your hand?"
"Look, I'd rather eat Hagrid's dry rock cakes then hold your hand but since you don't know where it is, we better get it over with." Draco clasped Harry's wrist and then spun on the spot.
Draco was getting used to flatting it with Harry Potter (actually the correct terminology should have been "tenting it" or "camping it"). They spent the next six months, travelling all over the country searching for Voldemort's Horcruxes and discovering Snape's notes with instructions on how to destroy them, usually it meant bashing it with Godric Gryffindor's sword that contained basilk's venom.
They knew Dumbledore had already destroyed Riddle's ring, and Harry had destroyed the diary, so that meant two horcruxes down. They hadn't needed to visit the cave, as Harry had already taken the locket from the well on the night Draco had killed Dumbledore. They had pondered for hours over destroying the locket, and it was Draco who upon opening the locket, stabbed horrible holograms of a red-eyed Ginny and a furious Ron and Hermione whose ear-piercing screams almost made his eardrums bleed.
Snape told them about Helga Hufflepuff's cup, safely concealed inside Bellatrix's vault. Narcissa Malfoy destroyed the cup. Luna Lovegood tracked down Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem, with help from the Grey Lady and she and Neville burned it – using a spell Flitwick suggested. Neville thought of the sixth horcrux only when he, Dean and Seamus had been in Herbology and seen a harmless green tree snake cross their path.
Nagini – Voldemort's pet snake, read Snape's latest note.
Snape lied to Voldemort, explaining Harry did not know anything about his Horcuxes, as he was too stupid to even pass his Potions exams. Snape had however, convinced himself: Harry Potter would outsmart the Dark Lord and Draco Malfoy would be the one to help him accomplish it.
When Ginny finally had the courage to open up to Mrs Weasley about her pregnancy, it was by floo powder in Fred and George's joke's shop in Hogsmeade. Mrs Weasley soon loved the idea, twittering about how she would soon be a grandmother, and that Ginny should not worry-she would handle the babyshower and speak to McGonagall about getting time off.
Fred and George had swooped in and hugged Ginny around the middle until Lavender intervened. Ron was still in shock, and soon, Ginny thought, resting her hand on her belly, everyone would know, everyone, except Draco Malfoy.
Ginny Weasley fell in love with her son as soon as he was born, on 30th March 1998.
She named him Oscar Ephraim Malfoy.
His eyes were blue-grey. His hair, a rustic gold, and his smile reminiscent of her ex-boyfriends'.
She sniffed back tears, cradling her baby in her arms. His hands were so soft and tiny, but his fingers latched around her pointer, as if to say, 'you're not alone, I'm here'. That, and the exhaustion of her labour tipped Ginny's emotions and she kissed his sweaty forehead, crying softly.
After some time alone, when both child and mother had rested, Ginny nursed Oscar, thinking of the home she would have, living with Ron and Lavender.
There was a scuffle in the doorway, and to her astonishment, Malfoy ducked beneath Fred and George's outstretched hands and stood by her bedside, nine months late.
"Ginny he's so-" he gasped, running a hand through his dishevelled hair.
She hardly recognised him, he had grown stubble and his hair was almost shoulder length, like Bill's had been.
She instinctively pulled her son closer, and saw Fred and George eyeing her, as if waiting for her say-so to haul him back to wherever he came from. Words formed in her mind, and she spat them out – the trauma of Dumbledore's death; Malfoy's lies; having to undergo her pregnancy alone – affecting each and every syllable.
"How dare you come here-" Ginny glared at him.
Oscar squirmed, rubbing his nose with his tiny fist.
"What?" Draco noticed her contorted expression.
"You killed Dumbledore!" Ginny yelled, starling Oscar so much he started to cry.
Mrs Weasley rushed towards her, trying to soothe her and Oscar, and to Ginny's surprise said.
"Ginny... he's Oscar's father, you can let him see his son."
Ginny narrowed her eyes.
"Why should I? He's a murderer, I promised to keep him safe from people like that."
Draco looked taken aback.
"Ginny, what are you saying? Harry didn't tell you?"
Mrs Weasley looked at Draco, and he knew from her expression: Ginny didn't know, she had no idea what had really happened that night on the Astronomy Tower. He sighed, sitting on the edge of her bed. It pained him to see her flinch, to see him as they had wanted Voldemort to see him – a loyal death eater.
"Ginny, let me explain," he began.
Ginny shook her head. "Harry told me it was you. He told me you murdered the most brilliant wizard of all time, and you lied to me. I don't care if you're Oscar's father. Get OUT."
Then, there was Harry, standing in the door with a bushy beard and his tired green eyes, behind a pair of dirty glasses.
The way Harry just stood there, without a worry in the world, smiling made Ginny second guess herself.
The cogs in Ginny's mind were working extra hard, Malfoy turning up at the hospital; her mother vouching for him… Lavender and Ron smiling at her.
"You told me...that night..." Ginny's sentence trailed into nothing.
Draco edged closer, he could almost touch her hand and his son's hands.
"Ginny – it was Dumbledore's idea. Draco had to do it, or else Snape was under oath to kill Draco. Narcissa would have been killed too. I couldn't tell you. So, you can hate me just as much as Draco, but believe me, he really does love you – tell her," Harry said, arms crossed.
Draco sighed, watching his son.
"I'm so, so very sorry – I didn't want to hurt you. I'm nothing without you, sweetheart. I know what I'm asking is a lot, but don't exclude me from our son's life. We're in this together, and I, I want to be here for you and Oscar, is it? Trust me, I will keep on loving you, and our son, until I die."
During Draco's speech Ginny realised how it must have happened.
Harry had covered for Draco, ensured she believe Draco was a traitor, and made it believable for anyone watching them.
She turned to her mother for advice but knew she didn't need it.
Suddenly all that mattered was Draco was home.
Oscar gurgled in her arms and Ginny smiled, taking Draco's hand in hers.
"I want to know everything," she admitted.
With her family watching, Draco kissed her, as though making up for all the days they'd been apart.
"About bloody time," Ron muttered, wincing when Lavender punched him in the arm.
"Tell me about it, I've spent six months with this guy pining for Ginny," Harry muttered, beneath Mrs Weasley's hug. "I'm just glad to be home," he muttered.
Draco brushed his thumb against Ginny's fresh tears and smiled at the magnificent little wizard resting in his mother's arms.
He had a son.
He sighed, and Ginny smiled, transferring their son to his father's eager arms.
"Oscar Ephraim Malfoy, meet your dad, Draco," she said.
A/N: Emo. Please review!