-Chapter 29-

Hermione got Lennox settled in the small bed that was in a smaller room off the main room with the queen sized bed while Ginny changed into her nightclothes in the bathroom. Once he was asleep Hermione came back into the main room and closed the door between the two. Just as she finished changing into her nightclothes Ginny emerged from the bathroom and they crawled into the bed together, Hermione lay on her back and Ginny snuggled up next to her, draping one arm across the brunette's stomach.

"I'm nervous about tomorrow," Ginny sighed.

"You'll be just fine as long as you don't put Davis in your place if you decide not to play."

"I'll put in Forester for a while. If he doesn't work out then I'll go in. Willow's been working her arse off though so I'm hoping she gets the Snitch pretty quick."

"I'm pretty sure Ron would propose to her if she was the reason you guys got to the finals."

Ginny trailed her fingers over Hermione's stomach. "What's it like, Hermione? Being a mum?"

"Scary. It's scary as hell but it's also amazing. It's like...you've got this human life you have to take care of before you can even look at it and everything you do you wonder if it's the right thing to do. It's all worth it though...even the pain. It's all worth it in the end. You'll find out eventually."

"If I'm anything like my mum I'll find out several times."

"But the good thing is we get to control when it happens."

"True. Given any thought to names?"

"A little. I can't decide if we should go with Weasley-Granger or the other way around."

"Other way around."

"Okay. Remind me after the wedding to get Lennox's birth certificate changed, will you?"

"Really?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I? You're the one that said he's practically your son already, remember?"

"Well he is."

"I didn't disagree, did I?"

"No. So do I let him keep calling me Ginny or do I tell him to call me 'Mum'?"

Hermione shrugged. "Up to you, love."

Ginny yawned. "I'll think about it while I sleep."

"Good plan."

"Night 'Mione."

"Goodnight love."

Everyone was up early the next morning. They explored the small village, it appeared to be somewhat like Ottery St. Catchpole, a blend of Muggle and magical people. Ginny left for the stadium a few hours before everyone else. By the time they all arrived the huge space was packed with witches and wizards. They made their way to one of the boxes and joined Shacklebolt and his two guards.

"Wonderful to see all of you!" he said as he stood up to shake hands with everyone. "Spectacular view, isn't it? You see," he pointed around the pitch, "we're centered on the pitch and right level with the hoops!"

"Fantastic!" Ron said as he leaned over the edge of the box and looked around. Hermione held Lennox up as he peered out into the stadium.

"Welcome!" a voice boomed throughout the stadium. "Welcome to the first matchup of Portugal and England in this round of the Quidditch World cup!"

The group took their seats as the announcer ran through the names and positions of all the players on each team. While the teams flew around Willow broke away from the practice and flew right up to the ledge of the box. Ron jumped to greet her and they shared a kiss.

"Good luck today!" he said when their lips finally parted.

"Thanks," she said with a smile.

"How's Ginny doing?" Hermione asked.

"Nervous. If Forester doesn't show anything impressive in an hour she's taking him out and going in herself."

"Tell her good luck for me, will you?"

Willow looked over her shoulder. "Why don't you tell her yourself?" she said as Ginny flew up to the box.

"Hey love," Hermione said with a smile. "Good luck out there, be careful."

"I will be, promise."

Hermione leaned over the ledge and ran her fingers through Ginny's hair. She pushed her lips against the redhead's. "I love you, Ginny," Hermione whispered when they parted. Ginny nodded and touched her lips to Hermione's once more then zoomed off. Hermione looked down to the pitch and saw Ginny land then walk over to where the rest of the reserves were standing.

"She's close," Willow said looking at Hermione. "She told me this morning. She said it feels like a melting ice cube with something in the middle of it. She says every moment you're together she gets closer. Just be patient, she'll get there."

Hermione smiled and nodded. Willow turned and raced back down into the stadium. The match started and everyone watched intently.

After an hour the score was tied 50-50. As she said she would, Ginny came into the match to replace Forester. While he hadn't been horrible he hadn't been all that spectacular, either. Hermione pointed her out to Lennox when she and Aislin flew by, he squealed and jumped up and down. In a matter of five minutes Ginny had scored twice more for England, the cheers in the stadium were deafening each time she did. Her gaze caught Hermione's after each score. After another hour the score was still close but England had a reason to cheer, they were up by thirty.

"There it is!" Harry shouted, pointing down towards the pitch. Everyone leaned over the edge and sure enough a sharp glimmer of gold caught everyone's eyes for a split second and it was quickly followed by Willow and the Portugal Seeker.

"Come on baby, come on!" Ron yelled. "You can do it!"

The roar in the crowd was even louder now as they watched the two Seekers race around the stadium. Willow narrowly avoided one of the goal posts then seemed to bounce off the stadium wall, turned over and was back up next to the other Seeker in seconds as they raced up, almost vertically.

"Did you see that?!" Ron screeched. "Harry, Harry, could you do that?! Look at her go, Harry!"

"I see her Ron, I see her!"

The two figures on brooms came rushing back down to the stadium. No one had even noticed that England had scored again. The two Seekers swerved through the other players on the pitch, the Portugal Seeker crashed into one of his teammates leaving Willow all alone in the pursuit.

"Harry! Harry!" Ron yelled as he jumped up and down.

"Yes, I know, Ron!"

"Did he do this at the other match?" Hermione yelled to ask Bill.

"Yes! It's irritating!"

They turned their attention back to the game and just in time, too. Willow's broom narrowly avoided a head on collision with the wall of the stadium as she swiped and caught the Golden Snitch.

"Yes! Did you see that!? Did you all see that?!" Ron yelled. "That's my girlfriend! Did you see her?!"

"We saw her, Ron!" Bill yelled. "Now shut it, you're gonna make me sick!"

The team collaborated in the middle of the pitch to celebrate. As they walked off the pitch Hermione saw Ginny beaming, smiling from ear to ear.

When they got back to the hotel Ron was recounting Willow's catch for the seventh time. George finally cast a silencing charm on him. Before departing to their rooms Kingsley told them to come to the dining hall at dinner dressed to dance and have fun, nothing formal.

After ordering room service and having lunch Hermione laid Lennox down for his nap and curled up in the queen sized bed to rest for a bit. She didn't realize she had fallen asleep until she felt slender fingers running through her hair and sweet lips nibbling at her own.

"Congratulations, love," Hermione said with a smile.

"Thanks baby," Ginny said. Hermione ran her fingers through Ginny's hair which was still damp from her after-match shower.

"Have you seen Ron?"

"No, why?"

"Just wondering if Charlie's killed him yet."

"Willow will be disappointed if he has since she's here to celebrate with him."

"She'll have a hell of a time shutting him up about her catch."

"I'm sure she'll find a way, she's a creative girl."

Hermione's lips found Ginny's again and the brunette pulled her close. Ginny intertwined her legs with Hermione and slipped one arm around her waist, pulling their torsos together. Their tongues swirled each other and their bodies moved rhythmically together. Ginny kissed along Hermione's jaw and down to her neck. She stopped and just held on to her lover.

"Are you okay, Gin?" Hermione asked, slightly breathless.

"I'm fine. I just…I'm not ready."

Ginny pulled away and set her head on the pillows looking into Hermione's eyes.

"I didn't expect you to be, don't worry."

"I don't know when I will be."

"You'll be ready when you're ready, that's all."

"How is it you put up with me, 'Mione?"

"Because I love you and it's not just because you're absolutely amazing in bed…or the shower...or Harry and Luna's sitting room…" Hermione smirked.

"I still feel kind of bad about that."

"How were we to know the coffee table couldn't hold the both of us? And besides, the repairing charm worked just fine."

"You always have been good at those."

"Any idea what time it is?"

"No clue."

Ginny leaned in to kiss her fiancée once more but they were interrupted by a knock at the door followed by Charlie's voice.

"Hey you guys, dinner starts in fifteen minutes!"

Ginny hopped out of bed and opened the door. "Thanks Charlie. Why aren't you in your room?"

"Ron and Willow kicked me out."

"You wanna come in? Nothing going on here, promise."

"Sure," he said as he stepped in. "Hey 'Mione. Where's Lennox?"

"Napping, I should get him up though otherwise he'll never sleep tonight."

Hermione got out of the bed and went into the room where Lennox was asleep.

"How are you doing, Gin?" Charlie asked as he sat in one of the large armchairs, Ginny sat down on the loveseat.

"Good I think. Bruises are all gone, strength is back up. I'm sure Mum told you all about the few days after…after everything."

"She did but I wasn't talking about how you're doing physically. I can see that you're all right."

"Better that I was, that's for sure. Hermione…God she's been fantastic. I don't even know how she puts up with me. I-I can't even tell her I love her because I just don't feel it."

"It's only been a couple weeks, Gin. No one expects you to get over this right away."

"I expected me to."

"You also expected to sprout wings and fly the Christmas after you turned six because that's what you wanted Santa Claus to bring you."

"Shortly after that is when I started riding brooms so that's not a good comparison."

"Sure it is. You flew, just not the way you wanted. You'll recover from this, just not the way you want to. At least I hope you will."

"I will. I have to."

Lennox came running into the room and hopped up onto Ginny's lap.

"Hi Ginny!"

"How's my little guy?"

"I'm good!"

"Say hi to Uncle Charlie."

"Hi Uncle Charlie!"

"We should get down to the dining hall," Hermione said, putting a hand on Ginny's shoulder.

Dinner was again spectacular, afterwards the tables disappeared and music played. Hermione held on to Lennox and swayed with him, Ginny stood behind her and wrapped her arms around the brunette's waist.

"I think I saw this in a painting somewhere," Ginny whispered.

Hermione leaned her head back onto Ginny's shoulder.

The next day Ginny and Hermione spent the day wandering around the village with Lennox. They went for a picnic just outside of town and then spent the rest of the day in the hotel room. Lennox napped while Hermione and Ginny lay in bed.

"I'm going to miss you this week, love," Hermione said, combing her fingers through Ginny's fiery locks.

"I'll miss you too. Promise I'll do my best to win Saturday."

"Whatever you need to do, Gin."