Ron passed the bathroom on his way to his room and didn't fail to hear Harry and Ginny's whispers even over the water. Shaking his head he quickly ran off to his room, to come up short when he found Hermione sat on his bed.
"What are you doing up here," he said skidding to a halt in the doorway.
"Hiding from your mum, for some reason she's decided to play match maker," she said with a small smile.
Smiling broadly Ron walked forwards closing the door behind him. He had no idea why she'd picked here to hide out but he was going to take advantage of their alone time.
Ginny laughed as Harry tickled his fingers along the back of her neck.
"Harry please I want to get as many tangles out as I can," she protested as she tried to run the brush through her hair while she waited for the shower to warm up.
Sighing Harry stepped forwards and snagged the brush from her fingers, before she could protest he started running it through her hair and she smiled. She had always loved the feel of someone else brushing her hair and with a small smile she realised it came as part and parcel with being the only girl for so many generations. Ginny couldn't help the small giggle that slipped from her lips as she thought about how upset her mother would have been if Ginny didn't like girly things. Sure enough she could be a tom boy when she wanted but she didn't like to rough it like her brothers.
"Hmmm," she mumbled as his fingers worked through the strands as well, "I could get used to this."
He laughed as she pressed her head into his hand and he stroked his fingers down along her neck kneading the muscles that he knew would be tight.
"We need to get you into the shower so you can have something to eat," he whispered into her ear as he lightly pressed a kiss to her neck.
Shivering slightly she nodded and pried the brush from his hand where it seemed to be forgotten. Harry was now busy kissing along the hollow of her neck leaving a trail of heat behind.
"I thought I was supposed to be getting a shower," she laughed and with a sigh Harry moved back slightly.
Ginny could still feel the heat of his body and the zip of power that always seemed to surround them when their emotions became heightened. Swallowing audibly Ginny pushed the thoughts of Harry aside and moved to pull the cotton nightie over her head in on smooth motion.
Harry stepped back to watch Ginny strip of the nightie, her back turned to him so he got a great view of her lustrous skin. She now stood in nothing but a pair of cotton knickers and for some reason the sight excited him more than if she was naked. Unable not to touch her he stepped forwards and ran his hand around her ribs until it came to rest just below her breasts.
"Harry," Ginny scolded but she didn't push him away, it was just nice feeling the warmth of his skin settle into her own.
With a smile Harry splayed his fingers and pushed down meaning to tease at the edge of her knickers, a little playful taunt without going further, but as his fingers passed over her abdomen he froze.
Nestled between her hips was the tiniest of bumps, the very beginning of the baby showing itself to the world. He ran his hand over that bump again feeling the heat from Ginny mixed with the taste of magic.
"What are you doing Harry?" Ginny asked feeling how tense he had become and just as suddenly how he had melted.
Harry grabbed her hand and laid it over her stomach, running her fingertips back and forth so she could feel the slight bump. He watched in the mirror as her eyes widened from shock, and then fill with love.
"I guess I'm going to be like mum, she carried all up front," her eyes locked with his in the mirror and he grinned, "apparently when she was pregnant with the twins she was as big as a house," she scrunched her nose at that thought and Harry laughed.
Spinning her in his grasped he held her hands and then stepped back so he could get a good look at her. Sure enough he could see the bump now he knew what he was looking for. Ginny watched his eyes as he scanned over her body a little worried at first, but what she saw pushed all of that from her mind. He was looking at her like she was a miracle, like nothing ever in the world would make him happier than he was now.
Blinking away tears that had suddenly filled her eyes she stepped forwards drawing his hand behind her back so he was wrapped around her, and kissed him. It was light loving and terribly tender. This kiss made Harry want to cry and as he moved back from her he realised Ginny was.
With a smile her reached up and wiped the tears from her cheek, "come on love in the shower."
With a nod she stepped around him and slipped her knickers off before stepping under the warm stream of water. Harry laughed when he heard her sigh with happiness, his own happiness settling into him.
Ginny ducked her head under the warm water letting it caress down her body, it felt great against all her aching muscles. What felt even greater though was when Harry stripped down and slipped into the shower next to her. Carefully he began to knead the muscles in her back and she groaned at the feel, it felt so good it hurt.
"I promise not to wrap you up in cotton wool on one condition Gin," he said as he worked her shoulders.
"And what's that?" she said shooting him a look over her shoulder.
"You have to tell me the moment something happens, I mean the moment. If you feel sore, tell me, if you feel sick, tell me. Don't bottle it up otherwise I'm going to go insane worrying," that said he pulled her wet hair out of the to place a kiss on her shoulder.
"I guess I can do that," she said but he heard the reluctance in her voice.
Sighing he grabbed the shampoo bottle out of her hand and poured it into his own instead. Ginny would have protested but as his fingers worked into her hair it felt to good so she let this one slide. It was alright to be pampered every now and then but she wasn't an invalid and she knew she'd be reminding him of this a lot in the next few months.
They managed to make it through the shower without it degrading into something else, though it had come close especially when Ginny had bent over in front of Harry to wash her legs and gave him the best view of her bottom. He had had to bite the inside of his cheek to fight back to urge to grab her and have his way, but the need to protect her was beating at him like a heavy weight, and she needed to eat something soon.
They emerged from the bathroom less than fifteen minutes later, a record for them, and headed down the hallway towards their room since Ginny had forgotten to grab a bobble. As they passed Ron's door, Ginny stopped her ears perking as she picked up mumbling and then a laugh.
"Harry," she whispered indicating for him to come back since he had walked passed her.
He turned with a puzzled look but came back to her side and she smiled as there was another very distinctive giggle.
Harry had been leaning close to the door listening as Ginny was unsure of what he was supposed to be hearing but when he heard that he shot upright giving Ginny an annoyed look. He really didn't need to hear that, it had been bad enough rooming next to them the first time around. Pulling a face he turned and marched back towards her room.
When he emerged again with a bobble for her he noticed she had her wand out. He missed what she cast but as he approached the hallway was blessedly silent.
"Silencing Charm?" he asked one eyebrow raising at her.
She laughed hitting him playfully on the arm at his look, "yes, I don't want mum breaking up their fun to soon."
Harry frowned again but she just laughed snagging the bobble from his hand and turning to head down the steps as she tucked her hair into a bun. Shaking his head, and trying hard not to picture what was going on behind those doors, Harry followed.
When Ginny's feet touched the bottom floor she paused to take in the sight in front of her. Sirius was sat on the now transformed back couch; baby Teddy bouncing on his knee. Tonks was sat next to him, delighting her boy by chaining her hair all different colours. The little boy would giggle and reach his chubby little hands to his mother.
Ginny's heart clenched at the sight, Teddy was so happy, happier than he had ever been. She realised that in her timeline she had started helping to take care of Teddy from now, and her heart ached ever so slightly at the loss. Before she could let that loss over whelm her Tonks spotted her and with a shout of delight she bounded from the couch and pulled the young woman into a hug. Laughing Ginny wrapped her arms around Tonks and held her close. It felt wonderful to hold her friend after so long and Ginny couldn't help the hitch in her chest as she tried to breath passed the lump of emotions that were trying to strangle her.
Tonks stepped back a slight frown on her face as she took in Ginny's misty eyes, "are you alright?" she asked looking to Harry who only shrugged.
Ginny scrubbed her hand over her face trying to hold it back, but Tonks didn't miss her mumbled words, "damn hormones."
Tonks frowned again and then Harry watched as a bright smile shot across her face and she pulled Ginny into another hug.
"Congratulations," she squealed and Ginny laughed.
Sirius was watching the exchange completely lost about what was going on. Teddy reached out and pulled his beard pulling his attention back to the laughing child, who frowned all of a sudden and then started crying. Shocked Sirius shot from the couch and held the baby out, having never been good with crying children. With a laugh Tonks was there and pulled Teddy into her arms talking softly to him as she disappeared around the corner to the kitchen.
"What did she mean congratulations?" Sirius asked turning his eyes back to Harry as the man crossed the room to wrap his arm around Ginny's waist.
He lightly pulled Ginny against his body and she leant her head back against his shoulder. Harry had felt her discomfort when she had seen Teddy but had left her to deal with it knowing she wouldn't be happy at his interference, but now she accepted his comfort gratefully. Closing her eyes she sighed as Harry's hand moved down over her abdomen his fingers splaying wide. Instantly she felt the zap of power and she wrapped her own hands over his. Sirius watched the couple as Harry pressed a kiss to Ginny's temple, obviously wrapped up in Ginny more than anything.
Looking to their entwined fingers Sirius didn't fail to miss the ring on Ginny's hand or the way her hands seemed to settle protectively over her stomach.
"Are you pregnant Ginny?" Sirius asked suddenly snapping into the couple's moment.
Harry lifted his head from Ginny's neck and looked at his godfather, not able to read the expression on the man's face. With a small smile Ginny nodded and Sirius broke into a large grin. Crossing the room in a flash he slapped Harry on the back, hard enough that if Ginny hadn't been there to steady him it would have knocked him off his feet.
"Way to go pup!" he yelled and forgetting and pretence pulled the couple into a crushing hug.
Ginny laughed as Sirius started mumbling something about babies and Harry started turning a slightly green colour. Detangling herself from the crush she escaped into the kitchen finding her mother stood near the window watching Tonks and Teddy in the garden.
"Hi mum," Ginny said suddenly unsure of her mother.
Molly turned and spotting her daughter smiled warmly and holding her arms out in invitation. With a soft smile Ginny ran forward and wrapped her arms around her mother who pulled her into a gentle but extremely loving embrace.
"I'm glad you're alright sweetheart," Molly said softly.
"Me to mum," Ginny replied, planting a small kiss on her mother's cheek.
With a soft laugh they stepped back and taking Ginny's hand Molly led her to the table.
"You sit, you must be starving," turning Molly disappeared into the pantry.
On queue Ginny's stomach rumbled and she heard her mother's laugh from deep inside the pantry.
When Harry entered the kitchen he found the two most important women laughing together as Ginny nibbled the edge of a piece of bread while her mother cooked her up some pancakes. Since Ginny's stomach was feeling a little off she thought she'd try a little something soft. Harry walked over and pulling a chair up next to her he leant in to wrap and arm around her shoulder.
"Where's dad?" Ginny asked as she ran her hand along Harry's thigh.
"He's just napping at the moment, he'll be down soonish. The twins will be back later and everyone else is about their jobs. Sirius only just got back from the ministry. Apparently his name has been completely cleared now, and his record expunged. There's even talk of compensation," Molly said as she ladled the mixture into the pan.
"Like I need more money," Sirius said from the doorway and Molly turned to shoot him a wicked smile.
While Molly cooked they chatted lightly, soon joined by Tonks again. Harry chatted with his godfather about Sirius' plans but couldn't help but keep an ear on the girl's conversation. Tonks was telling horror stories, that Molly wasn't helping with, and Ginny was looking paler and paler. Laughing at poor Ginny's expression Tonks changed the subject to clothing and Ginny's nerves settled. Harry didn't fail to see that Ginny's eyes barely left Teddy as she talked though and his heart went out to her. For all intensive purposes she had been his mum.
Tonks picked up a little on Ginny's uncomfort and the fact that her eyes hadn't left Teddy, she put it down to nerves over the fact that she was pregnant, and smiling offered Ginny a hold. At first she froze her body going still as she turned to look at Harry who gave her and encouraging nod. Swallowing audibly she reached out and pulled Teddy from his mother's arms. Harry watched as she settled Teddy in her arms not looking down at the child, until slowly she lowered her eyes.
Teddy was happily tucked into her arms his little hand resting on her chest as she looked down, then his eyes turned up to hers colliding and Ginny felt herself melt. With a little hitch in her breath she leant down burying her face against Teddy, who let out a little giggle. Tonks laughed at her son completely missing what had really happened.
Harry felt the tension leave Ginny as she breathed in Teddy's scent taking it into her body and locking it there for safe keeping. He reached out and rubbed his hand between her shoulder blades giving her comfort without being pushy. Soon enough Teddy had a loose piece of her hair in his hands and was laughing every time he pulled it since Ginny would pull a face.
"You're a natural Hun," Tonks said patting Ginny on the knee.
Ginny couldn't help the smile she felt tugging at her lips, she had learned all of her skills from Teddy after all.
"It's all a trick, I'm really cheating," she said without looking up from Teddy his little face all she seemed to care about.
"Of course you've held my little man before," Tonks said and Ginny froze again.
Carefully she handed Teddy back and with a small smile slipped back into Harry's waiting arms. He pressed a kiss to her cheek and she relaxed a little. The room went back to chatting happily and Ginny was able to look away from Teddy who was now nestled in his mother's arms and yawning dramatically. By the time Molly set a plate in front of Ginny Tonks excused herself to put Teddy down for a nap.
Ginny watched the other woman leave; not missing the fact that she was humming softly to her son.
"I hope I'll be like that," Ginny said suddenly and all Harry could do was smile.
Leaning forwards he kissed her neck and breathed into her ear, "you already were."
Ginny smiled and turned in her chair to eat her pancakes. Harry sat back in his chair watching every bite she took and Molly didn't fail to see how he watched her.
"So what's next for you two," Molly said as she joined them at the table with a cup of tea.
"Rest mostly, I'm going to leave some instructions behind before we leave, but for the moment just rest. Ginny won't admit it but I can tell she's still exhausted."
Ginny shot him a warning look and he lifted his hands in mock surrender. Molly couldn't help but laugh watching the two of them together. A peace seemed to settle into her at the sight of the couple so very much in love.
Through this whole war she had worried for Harry, worried if he would survive, worried that if he did he wouldn't have a life afterwards, worried that he would be swallowed by all the hate. She had also worried for her daughter who had so obviously loved Harry from the moment she laid eyes on him. Thoughts about what kind of life Ginny would have if Harry died, or was changed by the war, had plagued her. Now looking at the adults she had in front of her she had a taste of what the future would hold and she knew it was bright.
Suddenly Ginny put her fork down and sat up a little straighter, her face going a little green around the edges.
"You alright Gin?" Harry asked his attention snapping to her face.
Ginny nodded but then the nod dissolved into a shake of her head, "I don't feel so well all of a sudden."
Before Harry could say anything Ginny dove to her feet and ran for the kitchen sink. Molly gasped as she streaked by worry plain on her face, but she had an idea already what she was suffering. Ginny just managed to reach the sink before everything she had eaten came back up again. Harry was at her side within seconds holding her hair back, his cool hand resting on her heated forehead.
When Ginny was sure she wasn't going to be sick anymore she stood up and the room began spinning.
"Oh crap," she said just as her legs gave out from underneath her.
Luckily Harry's reflexes were fast enough to catch her as she crumpled down and he had her in his arms nestled against his chest before Molly could even blink.
"Come on Harry bring her into the front room," Molly flustered as she cleared a path for him.
Carefully Harry carried Ginny into the front room placing her still unconscious form onto the comfy sofa, and propping her head up with pillows.
"It'll be alright Harry; every woman takes to pregnancy differently. With the twins I couldn't stop eating, but with Charlie I could barely keep anything down, she'll be fine," Molly said as she wiped a damp cloth, that Harry hadn't even see her get, over Ginny's forehead
Harry couldn't help the knot of worry that had formed in his stomach, yes he knew pregnant women often had sickness and even fainted, but if she was weakened by the pregnancy would her body be strong enough to deal with the blending of the time lines when they returned. He didn't say any of this out loud though knowing it wouldn't help to worry Molly when there was nothing she could do about it.
He sat down on the floor next to Ginny and ran his fingers along her collar bone, needing to touch her, and her eyes flittered open.
"Harry," she whispered her voice a little raspy.
"It's alright love, you just had a pregnancy moment," he said pushing as much laughter into his voice as he could.
She narrowed a glare at him and he did laugh then, "see I said she'd be fine," Molly said as she left the couple to it.
"Thanks Molly," Harry called to her retreating back.
When he turned back it was to find Ginny starring at him intently. He knew then that he hadn't fooled her, that she could easily read all of the panic that he'd tried to bottle up in his head. Reaching out she took his hand and smiled.
"Everything will be fine, after all of this we deserve our happily ever after," she said and leant in to kiss him on the cheek.