Edit: please see the author note I added to the end of the chapter (to avoid spoilers, read the chapter first).
36. Rescue
February 18 began with Ginny waking with stomach pains. She quickly woke Luna.
"Luna, I recognize these. I think I'm in early labor."
Luna looked alarmed. "But you're 2 months early! We haven't even finished our plan."
They had to be quiet then, as Jerry was bringing their breakfast. Ginny held in a moan of pain as he left their food on the floor outside the bars. There was a slit in the bars on the bottom just large enough for them to reach a hand under and slide their trays in. They began talking again after he disappeared down the hall.
"They're getting closer together," Ginny panted worriedly. She couldn't believe she was having the baby here and now. More than anything, she wanted Harry by her side.
"How are we going to conceal him?" she asked. Concern for her soon to be born son flooded her mind. She thought that they had a few weeks at least to come up with a plan to hide him for 24 hours.
"I don't know," Luna said hopelessly. "We haven't been able to get any spells to work, not that I can think of any to do anyways."
The contractions came faster, and they had to put off their strategizing to prepare for the birth of the baby. They set up in the corner, where the bed would provide a little protection from the bars. Even if Jerry walked by, they hoped he would just think that they were sitting and reading. It was the best they could do, and Ginny was just glad that Jerry seemed to be incredibly dumb, and would probably fall for it.
Finally, it was time to push. It was a tough delivery, but finally, the baby slid out into Luna's waiting arms.
"Its….its a girl?!" Luna said in wonder and surprise.
"A girl?!" Ginny said, with the same surprise. Many emotions hit her at once. Excitement for a girl, then happiness, as it may ruin Alecto's plans, and finally fear, as she registered that the baby wasn't crying.
"Luna? LUNA? Why isn't she crying?" Ginny asked, alarmed.
Luna was working over the baby, a book open next to her. She was muttering words under her breath.
"LUNA!"
Then Ginny heard a cry. She sighed in relief, feeling tears streaming down her cheeks. Luna passed her the baby, wrapped in a blanket from her cot.
"Here," she said gently. "Her lungs weren't developed yet. I recognized the problem, but I had never dealt with it. Luckily, I remembered reading it and was able to follow the instructions."
Ginny looked down at her beautiful baby. Her hair was orange peach fuzz. Her nose was the same as Ginny's, but the shape of her eyes belonged to Harry. Ginny kissed her head. "Thank you," she said to Luna. "Thank you for Lily," her voice trailed off. She suddenly felt very, very tired.
Luna gasped. "Ginny, how long have you been bleeding?"
Ginny looked down, she noticed the blood all over the floor that she hadn't seen in her worry over Lily.
"I…I don't know," she said. "But I'm really tired. Let me rest, and we can deal with it later."
"No!" Luna said sharply. "You can't rest. You could be bleeding out. I don't know how to deal with this without potion. You need a blood replenishing potion to feed the organs while they heal. I don't know how to fix you. I could kill you." Luna was freaking out a bit, but Ginny felt peacefully calm.
"Its okay Luna, just do your best. I'm going to be fine after a little nap." Her eyes drifted shut.
"No!" Luna said again. "Just focus on Lily. Look at her while I read through this and try to find an answer."
Ginny tried to listen, but was losing the battle, when she heard a sound that gave her a new jolt of energy. It was the sound of Alecto's heeled shoes coming down the hall.
Luna looked white, and began muttering spells under her breath again, her wand pointed at Ginny's stomach.
Alecto had reached the cell. She looked in with a gasp.
"He…he's here!" she said with excitement. "Thank god I was prepared for this. Everything required is ready in the highest tower. Now I just need the baby." She unlocked the cell with her wand, and began advancing toward them.
Suddenly, Luna leapt at her.
"Crucio!" Alecto cried, but the spell had no effect. Alecto's anti magic charm was so strong that it blocked even her own spells. Luna hit her with a solid thud, knocking her to the ground.
"Run Ginny!" she cried.
Ginny mustered up her strength, and bolted for the open gate. She had to get out and find help to save Luna. No doubt she would be dead if Alecto regained the use of magic. Suddenly, she was joined by Luna.
"To the top tower!" Luna said. "I may have only bought us a few minutes. We have to destroy her things, particularly Voldemort's remains."
They raced to the top tower, and found the door locked. Luckily, they had regained the use of magic upon leaving the cell, and forced their way in.
The room was a scary sight. It was filled with many vials, scales, and a simmering cauldron with a green smog hovering over it.
"that must be it," Ginny said, leaning against the wall for support. She still felt incredibly weak. Luna quickly destroyed the room, including banishing all that was in the cauldron.
"That should stop the return," she said firmly. "Now to get home."
They found that they couldn't apparate in the manor, so they started looking for an exit. They heard the unmistakable sounds of footsteps echoing down the hallway towards them.
"We need help," Ginny cried, cradling Lily close to her chest. "There's no way out!"
000000000000000000
Harry and the crew had narrowed down the list of possible places to two. Alecto Carrow was their main, and most probable suspect. They were focusing all efforts on finding her, and Harry hated to think what would happen if they found her and she hadn't taken Ginny. They would be set back weeks. Somehow, though, he had a feeling they were on the right path.
Now they had a choice to make. They could either storm Alecto's old family manor, which had sat abandoned in the wilderness for years, or the new mansion that the Carrows had built themselves, located close to Hogwarts. They didn't know how much time they had, so whichever they chose could be the difference between life and death. Also, if they chose wrong, Alecto might have a warning that they were onto her, and move Ginny and Luna to a safer place. "Either that or kill them," Harry muttered under his breath.
He felt an incredible amount of stress. They decision was really up to him. Neville was bound to go along with whatever choice Harry thought was best. Nick, Luke and Ron were hesitant to contradict Harry, although he was sure they would say something if they thought he was making the wrong choice. However, both places were quite equal in their reasoning for why they would be good or bad places to hide the abducted.
The newer mansion was obviously more comfortable, and was built very strongly, probably with situations like these in mind. However, it was also the most obvious choice for anyone looking for Alecto Carrow. In fact, it had been thoroughly searched when aurors were looking to recapture her. Harry wasn't sure she would risk returning there. However, sometimes villains hide in the most obvious place, in the hopes no one will check it.
The Carrow Manor was much less well known. It too had been searched, in the hunt for the Carrows. It was built with less reinforcements, and it was an old structure. However, Harry felt sure that Alecto felt most safe there, in her childhood home. It was also less known, and more likely to be left alone after being searched once.
Harry paced the length of his office, trying to make up his mind. He had to choose. The obviousness of the mansion drew him to it, but he felt safer examining the manor first, as it was more likely to be kept under wraps, and hopefully Alecto would be unaware they were looking for her.
Suddenly, Harry's mind was made up for him. He felt an unmistakable, undeniable pull to the manor. He ran out into the central area of the office.
"We are going to Carrow Manor," Harry said, as everyone hurried out of their offices to see what the commotion was.
"What made up your mind?" Ron asked him.
"I feel a pull there. Like instinct. It might be the charm that's on Ginny, maybe it has gotten through. I don't know, but it's the only lead we got, so we are acting on it. Now."
"I'm with you Harry," Neville said with a determined nod.
They all apparated together, landing in the front lawn of the manor.
They heard a scream, and a lot of crashing coming from the towers of the big home.
"Someone's in there," Luke said.
Harry's heart leapt in his chest, as they stormed the door. He only hoped that it was Ginny and Luna inside, and that they were both okay.
000000000000000000000
"We have to duel her," Luna said determinedly. He stepped in front of Ginny. "I will do my best, but you may have to step in for me. I know you are weak, but if we can at least protect her…" Luna's voice trailed off, as she looked fondly at Lily. Ginny felt her heart breaking. Luna was sacrificing herself to save Ginny and the baby. Ginny knew she was too weak from blood loss to be of much use in any duel. She had to stop Luna.
"Luna, take Lily and run. You have kids. I might not make it anyways, I feel really weak," Ginny tried to push the baby into Luna's arms. "I'm the one who should make the sacrifice. You have your own kids to think about. I can save you and Lily, the way Lily saved Harry."
"Ginny…"Luna said, looking at her. She was forced to take the baby, as Ginny looked in danger of dropping her anyways. "I can't leave you, let's go together."
"No, I will slow you down. Save Lily. I can slow her down at least." Ginny kissed Lily's head, and pushed Luna toward the door. Luna held onto Ginny as if she would not let go. She turned to the door, and tried to figure it out. It was locked, and no magic had been able to unlock it. Some sort of dark magic must have been placed on it. Suddenly, Luna gasped.
"Look," she said, looking out the window. "Neville! And Harry! And Ron and Nick and Luke! They found us!"
Ginny looked out the window, hardly daring herself to think it. But there he was! Harry was running full speed toward the door.
"AHA!" an evil voice called out. Alecto Carrow slid around the corner into view, her wand out. Blood covered her face, and still oozed slowly out of both nostrils. "You thought you could get away! I will show you! Give me that baby, and I may let you live to see the return of the Dark Lord!"
Ginny heard a pounding on the door. Harry's muffled voice called out for her, as the team frantically tried to get in through the door.
Alecto looked panicked. "Give me the child!" She aimed her wand at them and a purple light flashed at them.
Ginny and Luna hit the floor, and the spell missed them by inches. However, it struck the door behind them. The door burst into flames, and was gone. Harry and his crew stormed in.
"My daughter isn't getting anywhere near you," Ginny screamed at her.
"D..D..Daughter?" Alecto said, momentarily stunned. Harry seized this moment to shout "Expelliarmus!" and disarm Alecto. The others closed in on her, preventing her escape. Harry ran to Ginny, who promptly collapsed in his arms.
"She was wrong," Ginny said softly. "It wasn't Oliver, it was Lily. We have a daughter." Then everything faded into black.
0000000000000000000000
Ginny woke up in a bed in the hospital. Harry was sitting next to her. He bolted upright when he saw her.
"Ginny, oh thank you," he said, kissing her head. He held her hand tightly, as if he would never let go.
"How long was I out?" Ginny asked. She felt very confused.
"2 days. They gave you a potion to make you sleep. You needed it," Harry said softly. "I talked to Luna. She was able to give me the general idea of what Alecto was planning. Alecto isn't talking, but she is headed to a maximum prison cell for life. You're safe now. And so is Lily."
"Lily," Ginny gasped. "Is she okay?"
"Yes, she's fine. See for yourself." Harry rolled the basinet from the corner, and lifted a bundle out of it. He placed the pink package in Ginny's arms.
"Hi baby," Ginny said softly, gazing into her daughters brown eyes.
"She's so beautiful," Harry said. "I'm so sorry I missed it. I'm so sorry you had to go through that alone. I should have protected you better."
"Harry, it's not your fault," Ginny said. "I'm just glad I had Luna there. She saved my life. She was so brave. She was going to fight Alecto for us."
"I had a feeling she was being modest in her story," Harry said, as Ginny told him what had happened while they were captive.
There was a knock on the door. Ron peeked his head in.
"Harry said come today," Ron said, and Harry gestured him in, taking Lily from Ginny. Ron ducked back into the hallway, and came back in carrying an infant in a car seat, and holding Albus. Hermione was behind him, holding rose, and trying, and failing to hold James' hand. James came tearing in, and leaped onto the bed.
"Mummy!" James said, jumping on her bed, before tackling her in a hug. "I missed you sooo much! I'm going to hug you forever!" Ginny wrapped her arms around him and kissed his head. Her body felt almost complete again, hugging her little boy. Only one was missing.
"Come on Albie," James said, scooting over in bed. Ron lifted the boy up. And he snuggled under Ginny's chin.
"Mum," he said simply.
"Albus," she crooned softly, stroking his hair. James snuggled into her other side, and began chatting away, telling her everything she had missed the past few weeks, including him making it a full week with no bedtime potty accidents. Albus simply snuggled her, his thumb in his mouth. Soon, James was exhausted from the excitement, and fell asleep too.
It was then that Ginny had a chance to talk to Hermione. She noticed the baby seat.
"Is that?"
"Yes, this is Hugo. He was born last week," Hermione said, lifting him out to show her.
"He is handsome Hermione," Ginny gushed.
"Thank you," Hermione said. "He and Lily are destined to be best friends, being only 4 days apart."
They chatted, and caught up for a while. It felt great, being just the four of them again, as all the kids were asleep. Ginny thanked Ron and Hermione profusely for taking such good care of her kids, although they brushed it off as no problem. Finally, they had to leave, as the kids were waking up.
James and Albus rubbed sleepy eyes, and looked at Harry as he suggested it was time to go. It was only then that they noticed the bundle in his arms.
"Baby?" Albus asked.
"Is that my baby brother?" James asked.
"Well," Ginny started. "It is our baby. But it is a baby sister. Her name is Lily, like Grandma."
"Lily," Albus said. His brow furrowed, as if he were worried. Ginny hugged him tight.
"Okay," James said agreeably. "Lily. I like Lily. She has red hair like you mummy. Not like me. She doesn't have my hair." Harry was unsure, but he thought he saw James give Albus a dirty look. But it was very quick, so he might have been mistaken.
"Mia and Gilly are bringing Lucas, Lauren and Holly for a sleepover tonight," Harry explained. "So I can stay with you. You should be released tomorrow."
Ginny looked at her kids. They looked quite alright after the whole ordeal, and she knew she had her excellent friends to thank for it. She was so glad that this hadn't affected them too negatively, which was her biggest fear.
Mia and Gilly showed up soon to get the kids. They cooed over baby Lily, and brushed off Ginny's thanks.
"It was nothing," Mia said.
"You would have done the same for either of us," Gillian added. Then they left with the kids.
Ginny only had a few moments alone with Harry and Lily before another visitor showed up at the door. It was Luna.
"Oh, you're okay," Ginny said happily. "I was so worried."
"Of course I'm okay," Luna said. "You were much worse off than me."
They visited for a little while. Luna had just been released, and was excited to return home to Neville and her kids, who were also adjusting well to having their mum back.
Luna was about to leave, and bent down to say goodbye to Lily.
"Goodbye, little girl," Luna said. "Bye bye Lily Potter."
"Lily Luna Potter," Ginny said softly.
Luna looked up. "Really?" she asked, as if astonished.
"Yes," Ginny said. "Harry and I just discussed it, but I was thinking it ever since you saved her life in that cell. If you hadn't known that spell, she would have suffocated right there. Not to mention I would have died without you."
Luna blushed and hugged Ginny and Harry. "Thank you guys," she said. "Goodbye Lily Luna Potter. I will see you soon!" and she left, looking happier than Harry and Ginny had ever seen her.
"That was the perfect thing to do," Harry said, kissing Ginny and Lily. "Although we need to talk about how Luna saved your life."
Ginny knew from his tone that it was serious. "What?" she asked, feeling a little afraid for the first time since she had awoken in the hospital.
"The spell Luna used to stop the blood flow, well, it saved your life. But it stopped the blood flow to the reproductive organs. There was nothing they could do. The organs died. We can't have any more children. I'm so sorry." His eyes looked pained.
Ginny felt a pang of sadness. Her ideas for a big family had just vanished in an instant. Then, she felt a strange calm over her. She smiled slightly.
"Okay," she said.
"Okay?" Harry said. He had expected more sadness, maybe even screaming.
"Okay," Ginny said. "Our family is perfect. It feels complete now that Lily is here. I'm okay with it. Let's just enjoy the kids we have. James, and Albus, and our perfect little daughter. That's enough for me if its enough for you."
"That's enough for me," Harry said, kissing her head.
So this is the chapter I was really excited to get to, it really inspired me to write this whole story really, I couldn't wrap my head around why Luna was so important to Harry and Ginny that they named a kid after her so I kind of imagined this whole scenario, which led to the story. I think I am going to write a few more chapters on this story, but it is kind of nearing its end. Please, review, and let me know what you think, and what you think I should do next. I have a lot of storyline ideas for Harry's kids, but I kind of feel like it should be its own book, maybe with alternating chapters from different kids points of views, I dont know. I was also thinking of rewriting this story from the point of view of Hermione and Ron, which would put a different spin on it, and let you in on some details of their lives, but I dont know if I would be as motivated to write that as opposed to a kids story. Again, this story isnt over yet, but I would like some input on what you guys want to see next, mainly if I should make this one long story, including the kids at hogwarts, or start a new story for their lives. Let me know, and I hope you guys enjoyed this story so far, its been really great writing it, and I love hearing from people about how much they enjoy it!