Chapter twenty

When Harry stepped out of the fireplace, he saw Tonks still holding a crying Teddy and went over and sat beside them. Teddy let go of his mother and put his little arms around Harry. He still cried, but they were quieter. Harry rubbed his back, just trying to soothe him until he fell asleep.

'What happened Harry?' Tonks asked and he could hear how hoarse her voice was.

'She decided to talk. She petrified him, then disillusioned him and hid him in her father's shed. She's in the holding cells now until her trial. But how are you doing love?'

'I'm okay, but Teddy just kept calling for you. He loves you so much Harry.'

'I know, just like I love him. Let's put him into bed.' Harry stood up slowly so not to wake Teddy.

'Harry, Dora, is it alright if I stay? I want to make sure he's alright.'

'Cause you can Mum. Do you want me to put a bed in with him? You can stay beside him if you want.' Tonks said to her mother.

'I'd like that Dora.' Andromeda smiled sadly at her daughter and followed them into Teddy's bedroom.

Harry lay Teddy down gently, covered him up and placed a kiss on his forehead, then Tonks did the same. Harry conjured a bed for his mother-in-law, then looked back down at Teddy.

'I hope he doesn't have a nightmare about what happened?' Harry said watching the little boy sleep.

'So do I, I know you've had them most of your life, so do you think he will Harry?'

'Yeah I have, but since we've been together I haven't had one. But with Teddy, maybe, I just don't know. We'll just have to listen for him.'

'If he does, I'll let you both know.' Andromeda said looking down at her grandson.

'I'll just go have a shower, I won't be long love.' Harry said then kissed her and walked into his bedroom and stripped off before stepping into the shower. He stood under the water and felt the tears start and he decided to just let them fall. Tonks stepped in and wrapped her arms around him and held him tight.

'Are you alright Harry?'

'Yeah, I'm fine. It's just tension. But holding you feels nice.' Harry put his head down on Tonks shoulder. 'I'm sorry Tonks, I never thought she'd do something like that.'

'You don't need to be sorry, it wasn't your fault love. Her own family didn't think she would do something like that. I heard them when you were upstairs looking for Teddy.'

'Yeah, I figured that. But I always knew Ginny could be stubborn and she had a temper. I just can't believe she did that, that she would take Teddy.'

'No, not something I ever thought Ginny would do. Let's get dried and into bed Harry. Come on, it's been a long day.'

'Alright,' Harry and Tonks stepped out, Harry cast a drying charm on them both and they cuddled up in bed, but neither of them wanted to sleep, they were just happy to hold each other. They stayed that way for a few hours, not saying much at all when they heard Teddy's cries. They both grabbed their robes, putting them on as they ran to his bedroom.

'Teddy, it's alright, you're safe, we've got you.' Harry said picking him up.

'I tried to calm him down, but he just wanted you Harry.' Andromeda said looking at her grandson.

'Let's take him into bed with us Tonks, it might keep him calm so he can sleep?'

'Good idea Harry. Mum, why don't you go back to the spare bedroom, you'll be more comfortable?'

'Alright,' Andromeda said and kissed her grandson and watched as Harry, Dora and Teddy left the room.

Harry lies down and put Teddy in between him and his mother and within a few minutes he was asleep. They both kept a hand on some part of Teddy until they fell asleep as well.

The next morning Harry woke to little pats so his face. He opened his eyes and saw Teddy looking at him which instantly made him smile.

'Daddy,' Teddy smiled.

'Hi Teddy, did you wake me up?' Harry smiled at him.

'Hungry.'

Harry laughed softly. 'Alright, let me get dressed and I'll get you changed then we'll have breakfast.' Harry got out of bed, pulled on jeans, t-shirt and his boots, picked up Teddy and took him into his room and changed him, then out to the kitchen. 'Kreacher, can you get breakfast ready please?'

'Of course Master Harry,' the elf bowed and went about his duties.

'Let's get you into your seat Teddy.'

'No, Daddy.' Teddy said holding Harry around the neck.

'Alright, if you don't want to you don't have to,' Harry held Teddy and could feel himself choke up because he could see and hear how scared Teddy was, but tried to calm himself by taking a few deep breaths.

'How is he Harry?' Andromeda asked as she sat down.

'He's still a little frightened, he didn't want me to put him in his chair.'

'Yes, I can see how tight he's holding you. Will he be alright Harry?'

'I think in a few days he should settle down. Kids are very resilient.'

'Morning love, morning my darling boy,' Tonks said as she sat down and kissed Teddy's head, then Harry. 'How is he Harry?'

'A little frightened, but he'll be alright Tonks. I had an idea last night. Why don't we all go back to the house for a couple of days? It might make him settle down and he'd love to play in the sand.'

'That's a good idea Harry, Mum, you want to come with us?'

'If you're sure you both don't mind?'

'Of course we don't Mum. Kreacher, we'd like you to come with us too.'

'Of course Master Harry,' the elf bowed again, then put food on the table.

Tonks dished up some breakfast for teddy. 'Teddy, here's your breakfast, do you want to sit in your chair now?'

'No, Daddy.'

'Alright Teddy, you can sit with me.' Harry said kissing his head. 'I'll let Kingsley know we're going to be gone for a couple of days and that I'll get everything ready once I get back.'

'Harry, Tonks, Andromeda. Is it alright to come in?' Kingsley said from near the fireplace.

'Cause Kingsley, come and join us for breakfast.' Tonks said to him.

'How is he?' Kingsley said looking at Teddy.

'He's okay Kingsley. Had a bad night, ended up sleeping between me and Tonks. I was going to contact you soon. We're going to go back to the beach house for a few days. I'll get everything done when I get back.'

'That's a good idea Harry, but I was hoping you might come to the Ministry first, just for a couple of hours.'

'What for Kingsley?'

'Molly, Arthur told me she's having a hard time. He wants to know if she can see Ginny, just once.'

Harry sighed and looked down at Teddy, 'Let her do it Harry, she's a good woman.' Tonks said caressing his face.

'Alright love, anything for you, Teddy, can you go to your Mum?'

'Daddy,' Teddy said and held him tighter.

'Daddy has to go to work but just for a little while, then we're going somewhere special and have some fun.' Teddy looked up at Harry and nodded, so he put the boy onto his mother's lap. 'Let me get my robes on and we'll go Kingsley.' Harry walked into his bedroom, grabbed his robes, putting them on then walked back to the kitchen. 'I won't be too long Tonks.' Harry leaned down and kissed her tenderly, then kissed Teddy. 'I won't be long Teddy, okay?' he nodded but kept eating.

Kingsley and Harry stepped into the fireplace then appeared in the Ministry fireplaces. They walked over to the lifts.

'There waiting in your office Harry,' Kingsley said and he just nodded. They got into the lifts and got out on Harry's floor and walked to his office. As soon as he stepped in, he saw not only Arthur and Molly, but Hermione and Ron as well.

'Hi Arthur, Molly, Hermione, Ron,' Harry said as he went behind his desk but didn't sit down.

'How's Teddy Harry?' Hermione asked.

'Frightened, had nightmares last night. So he ended up sleeping with me and Tonks. He didn't want to let me go before.' Harry said shaking his head.

'Harry, can I see her please? I need to see my daughter.' Molly said taking his hand. 'Please Harry.'

'Because you've always been like a mother to me Molly, I will allow you a visit. But it will be a guarded visit I'm afraid.'

'That's fine Harry as long as I can see her. Will you be the Auror in there?'

'If you want, unless you would prefer someone else.'

'No, I'd like it to be you Harry, if that's alright.' Molly said still holding his hand.

'Is there any chance we could see her Harry?' Ron asked softly.

'Sorry Ron, I shouldn't even be letting Molly see her, at least not till the trial. But I can do the visit where you can watch from the viewing room. How's that sound?'

'Thanks Harry.' Ron said.

'Let's go then.' Harry led the way to the lifts, to the interrogation and viewing rooms. 'Just wait in here, once I bring her up, I'll come and get you Molly.'

'Thank you Harry.' Molly said with tears in her eyes.

Harry left the room and walked back to the lift and went down to the bottom floor. He went to the holding cells and opened the door and saw Ginny sitting on the floor with her head on her knees.

'Ginny,' Harry said as he walked in.

'Harry what's going on?' Ginny said sounding scared.

'You need to come with me.' Harry placed shackles on her wrists and ankles. Then took her arm and they slowly made their way back to the lift. When they stepped out, Harry put her in the interrogation room.

'You're not going to do anything again, are you Harry? Please don't. I said I was sorry.' Ginny said as she started crying. Harry never said anything, just placed her in a seat and fastened the restraints, then removed the shackles.

'I'll be back in a moment.' Harry said and left the room and walked into the viewing room. 'Molly, you want to come with me?' Harry said softly and Molly nodded and walked out with Harry. He led her straight into the other room.

'Mum,' Ginny cried as Molly knelt down next to her and put her arms around her. 'I'm sorry Mum.' Ginny started crying hard on her mother's shoulders.

Molly looked back at Harry. 'Can't you take the restraints off Harry?'

'Sorry Molly, You shouldn't even be here. I'm doing this as a favour to you because I care about you.' Harry said from his position near the door.

She nodded and turned back to her daughter, 'Ginny, why did you do it dear?'

'I don't know, I was so hurt seeing them together. I always thought we'd end up together. Then I just couldn't take it anymore after hearing what happened to me, then kept thinking about what I did remember. Please mum, isn't there anything you can do to help me? I don't want to go to Azkaban, I don't want to leave you and Dad.'

'I know dear, I don't want that either. But there's nothing we can do. I'm sorry Ginny.' Molly held her daughter as she cried.

Harry stood there watching Molly and Ginny. He couldn't help feeling sorry for the woman that had been so kind to him for so many years. He waved his wand and Prongs leapt forth and went through the wall. Within a few minutes, Martin arrived in the room.

'Stay in here and stand guard, I'll be right back.' Harry said and left the room. He opened the viewing room door. 'Kingsley, can I have a word with you for a moment.' He nodded and walked out of the room. 'Let's go to my office, I want to ask you something and I don't want to be overheard.'

The two men went to Harry's office. He closed the door behind them and they sat down on the couch.

'I want your opinion on something?'

'Anything Harry, you know that.'

'I haven't decided yet, but I wanted to know if there was anyway Ginny could be given some sort of sentence that doesn't include Azkaban?'

'Well, if the Wizengamot can be given a very good explanation and you explaining as well, there could be a chance of her serving her sentence somewhere where she's not locked up. She would be kept under guard through the day and if she was allowed to go back to the Burrow, she would also have guards and there would be wards like what Hogwarts has placed around the Burrow to make sure she couldn't leave.'

'Okay, I need to speak with Tonks first before I decide if I'm going to do that. What do you think about her serving her sentence at Hogwarts? She could help Poppy or Hagrid, or anyone else there. You can't apparate or disapparate from inside Hogwarts.'

'That's actually a good idea Harry. What made you think of doing this?'

'Because of what happened to her at Hogwarts, I think that's affected her.'

'What happened to her Harry?'

'She was one of the girls that was taken down to the dungeons and raped. They took her because of me, they thought we were still together and wanted to hurt me. So in a way, I feel a little responsible for what happened to her.'

'Then if that was explained to the Wizengamot and you give a recommendation for her to serve her sentence at Hogwarts, once you've spoken to Minerva that is, then I think she's got a chance of not being sent to Azkaban. That place is very full at the moment and it's not a place for a young girl especially one that isn't a death eater or into dark magic. I could set up a meeting with the Wizengamot whenever you're ready.'

'Not for a few days. I still want to take Tonks and Teddy away for a few days. I'll talk to Tonks while we're away. Alright, let's get back and don't say anything to the Weasley's. I haven't decided anything Kingsley.'

'No problem Harry, let's go.' The two men left the office and went back to the viewing room.

'I can't leave it much longer.' Harry said to Arthur. 'I'm going to have to take her back down very soon.'

'I know Harry, but thank you anyway. Hopefully Molly will be all right after this.' Arthur gave Harry a small smile, then turned back to watch his wife and daughter.

Hermione walked over to Harry and hugged him. 'How are you doing Harry?'

'I'm okay Hermione, just worried about Teddy. I'm taking them away for a few days, back to the beach house.'

'That'll be nice. When do you think Ginny's trial will be?'

'I won't know until I get back, I have to go through dates with the Wizengamot.'

Harry walked over to the glass and saw Molly still holding her daughter and neither of them stopped crying the whole time. Harry left the room and walked back into the interrogation room.

'It's time, I have to take her back now Molly.' Harry said walked over to them and placed the shackles back on Ginny's wrists and ankles, then unfastened her seat restraints.

'Can I just give Mum one hug Harry, please?' Ginny asked looking at him.

'Be quick then.' Harry said and stepped back. He waited as he watched Ginny put her arms around her mother and held her tight. After a minute Harry stepped forward. 'We need to go.' Harry took Ginny's arm and led her back out of the room and she saw her father, Ron and Hermione.

'I love you.' Ginny said as she turned quickly, then started walking back with Harry. He opened the cell door and took her in, unfastened her restraints then stood back up. 'I'm sorry Harry, for everything. Please tell Tonks I'm sorry.'

'I will Ginny.' Harry said and left the cell, resealing the door and made his way back upstairs. 'Now I'm sorry, but I won't be able to let you see her again until her trial.'

'I understand Harry and thank you for letting me see her today.' Molly said and gave him one of her rib cracking hugs and Harry hugged her back.

Then Arthur hugged him, then Ron and finally Hermione. 'We'll see you later Harry. Tell Tonks we're thinking of her.' Hermione kissed his cheek and Harry watched as the four of them walked away.

'I know this is hard for you Harry. The Weasley's have been your family for years.' Kingsley said putting a hand on his shoulder.

'Yeah they have, that's one of the reasons I'm thinking of doing that, apart from what I told you before. Anyway, I have to go and take my family to the beach. Thanks Kingsley,' Harry hugged him and walked away.