A/N: My fellow readers. I apologize for the error of adding a second part to my story. I was having trouble posting a new chapter to my story at the time. Thank you for your patience. I tried to post this chapter up as soon as I could after the writer's block finally cleared out of my head. I hope you like the chapter.
Chapter 52: The Thunderous Mission
Harry and Ron stood there for a second while the shock of having to not only fight death eaters but also acromantulas, hipogriffs and Chinese Fireball dragons was a little nerve-wrecking. For the first time they wondered to themselves if they had really been put into the correct house at Hogwarts.
Ron finally spoke up, "Blimey Harry, I guess I better send that owl immediately to Charlie so we can start dealing with that Chinese Fireball. I'm under the impression that he's no match to the hungarian horntail that you dealt with at the Tri-Wizard Tournament at Hogwarts."
Harry arched his eyebrows in a surprising look and said, "I don't think so either Ron." Just then the distant Chinese Fireball dragon howled and the ground shook again as Harry and Ron gasped.
Harry then walked out the tent to look at the Chinese Fireball dragon. He saw the scarlet colored creature with gold spikes around it's face from a long distance. He noticed that the dragon had protruding fierce and piercing eyes. He noticed as an auror narrowly escaped its mushroom-like flame. Harry also noticed that the Chinese Fireball was three times the size of the Hungarian Horntail. He saw that the aurors and the death eaters were dueling as curses and protection charms flew across the air. Harry noticed that the outsides of Cloghmore had become a battleground.
Grayson then came up behind him and barked at him, "What do you think you are doing standing here as a spectator Potter, go down there and help the other aurors fight against that blast dragon, acromantula and hipogriffs."
Harry looked at Grayson and nodded. He took his broom and wand and flew over to the place where the dueling was taking place. As he flew closer, he saw that a death eater was sending commands to the creatures to attack the aurors and not the death eaters. Harry could see that the creatures had been properly trained by the death eaters. Charlie was definitely going to come in handy in this mission. Harry took out his wand and screamed "AGUAMENTI!" and cast the spell on the dragon. The dragon took note of Harry and started to breath fire against him, nearly missing him by a few inches. The Acromantulas were trying to step and bite the aurors as he heard one of them shout "FIENDFYRE!"
Harry remembered how Hermione had once considered using it but thought it was too dangerous at the moment. Harry saw how the fiendfyre took the shape of a Snake and went after the acromantulas, killing several of them as the hipogriffs started to fly up into the sky and started to come after Harry. For a minute Harry felt almost like he was flying away from several bludgers in a quidditch game.
All Harry could do was not fly and get away from the hipogriffs that had been sent in his direction. For a minute he wondered if he could use buckbeak in this instance. Just as Harry barely missed the claw of a hipogriff on his shoulder. Harry then flew down and the hipogriffs deviated back to flying near the death eater territory.
Traverston then walked up to Harry, "Potter, that was pretty brave of you but those hipogriffs really came at you. Better be careful next time."
Harry then nodded back at Traverston before kicking off the ground again together and went back to trying to go after the dragon. Harry then cast a flame-freezing charm on himself and Traverston and then screamed, "EXTINGUOSFYRE!" as the dragon opened it's mouth to breath fire at Harry and Traverston.
The Dragon then choked and then all of the sudden the only thing that came out of its mouth was smoke. The hipogriffs came up flying to the sky where Harry and Traverston were at and Harry screamed "PETRIFICUS TOTATALUS!" to as many as he could. Some fell to the ground and with the loud thud died on impact.
Traverston then shouted back, "Well done auror Potter."
Traverston and Harry were soon tired and they came back down onto auror territory and went back into the tent. When Harry walked back into the tent, he saw Millburgh in the tent.
He gave Harry a serious look and then said, "I think now I understand why Gryffindors are considered very brave people."
Harry was panting hard from all the battling and answered, "I suppose, I was only doing my job out there sir."
Millburgh nodded in acknowledgement and went back to talking with Moore about getting more aurors.
Ron then walked back into the tent just as dirty as Harry was and reported to Millburgh and Moore, "I already sent the owl to my brother Charlie as you ordered sir."
Millburgh turned away from his conversation with Moore and said, "Thank you Weasley. We hope to hear from him soon."
More aurors had arrived and then they went out into the battleground to fight the hipogriffs and acromantulas.
Just then all the aurors in the tent felt the ground shake twice as hard as when Ron and Harry arrived, they quickly ran out to take a look and found out that this time the death eaters not only brought out one but two Chinese Fireball dragons.
"Where are they getting all these Fireballs from? They are extremely expensive because they have to be brought all the way from China," said Moore as she looked with wide eyes at the dragons.
Harry and Ron looked at each other and then Harry said, "There is only one death eater that we know who has enough means to bring all these dragons here and that is Lucius Malfoy."
Back at the Ministry of Magic in London:
Charlie was quietly sitting in the reception of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.
Hermione then walked out and gave Charlie a hug, "Charlie, I'm glad you are here. Why don't you follow me and Mr. George Grigson will do the interview with you. You couldn't have joined a better place Charlie. If Mr. Grigson finds you agreeable, he might even come up with an office especially dealing with dragons!" Just the two of them arrived at the door that said:
Mr. George Grigson
Head of Department for the Regulation and
Control of Magical Creatures
Hermione knocked on the door, "Sir, Mr. Charles Weasley here for his interview."
Mr. Grigson then answered, "Ah yes, please come in Mr. Weasley."
Hermione smiled up at Charlie, "Good luck Charlie. I know you will do just fine."
An hour later Grigson and Charlie walked out laughing out of the office. Hermione saw them from the open door of her office. She was personally happy that Charlie seemed to have gotten the job. She got up from her desk and walked up to the two men.
She smiled and asked, "So how did it go Charlie?"
Charlie smiled back down at Hermione, "I got the job and you were right Hermione. He is assigning me to my own depart of which I will be head of it. The Department of Control and Care of Dragons!"
Hermione gave him a hug, "Oh that is wonderful Charlie! Portia is going to be so proud of you as well as your parents."
Charlie nodded, "I'm going home to tell Portia and then I'll be back to work tomorrow."
Just then a memo came flying at Grigson, "Mr. Grigson, Mr. Charles Weasley is urgently needed in the Auror Department!"
Grigson then looked up at Charlie and said, "I haven't the foggiest but you are needed urgently in the Auror Department Mr. Weasley."
Hermione's face then went serious and said, "I hope it's nothing serious Charlie. I'll see you soon alright?"
Charlie nodded and he headed into the Auror Department, "Hello, My name is Charles Weasley. My head of department just told me that I needed to report here to the Auror Department."
"My name is Sydney, I'm the receptionist here. Please give me a moment while I get the person who contacted you," she said and got up to walk away from her desk.
A few minutes later Millbugh walked into the reception area, "Mr. Charles Weasley yes?"
Charlie nodded, "Yes, that's me sir."
Millburgh then said, "My name is Auror Andrew Millburgh. I was the one to contact you. Your brother Auror Ronald Weasley was the one who made the reference. Please follow me to my office."
Charlie followed Millburgh into the office and Millburgh closed the door. He signaled Charlie to sit down in the chair in front of his desk.
"Mr. Weasley," started Millburgh, "It is my understanding that you are quite familiar and have a wealth of knowledge on dragons."
Charlie nodded, "Yes, that's right sir, I spent several years since I left Hogwarts, I spent several years with dragons in Romania. I studied them profusely."
Millburgh nodded his head again, "Then, with this type of knowledge, you will come to understand why I have summoned you to my office. We are requesting your expertise in one of our field missions. You do understand that if you are accepted on this mission, you are to keep anything relating to it as confidential, including its location."
Charlie nodded his head again, "Yes, I understand sir. However, I also feel that it is my duty to tell you that today I only just got accepted into the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. To be more precise, I'm the new head of a subdivision called The Department of Control and Care of Dragons."
Millburgh put his index fingers just in front of his mouth as he analyzed the situation, "I see. I suppose if I got the authorization from your head of Department, then would you accept my offer? You will be paid an extra wage aside from the one you will be receiving of course."
Charlie answered, "With that being the circumstance, I would be honored to assist the Auror Department sir."
Millburgh then got up from his seat and said, "Wait a moment in here for me please Mr. Weasley. I will be back as soon as possible."
Charlie answered, "Yes, sir."
Millburgh left his office and half an hour later he walked back in and sat behind his desk and looked at Charlie, "Mr. Weasley, I have gotten the approval from your head of department. So will you accompany us on this mission?"
Charlie thought for a moment and said, "Very well Mr. Millburgh, with the approval of my head of department, I gladly accept your offer to go on the mission for the Auror Department."
Millburgh and Charlie then stood up and they shook hands, "Good, I will wait for you at the atrium of the Ministry at 7:00am sharp. We will apparate on location."
Charlie then turned around before leaving, "Thank you sir and see you tomorrow."
Millburgh responded, "No, thank you Mr. Weasley."
Back at Cloghmore:
Harry could barely sleep the whole night. The ground shook constantly and every time that he was about to fall asleep, the ground shook. Harry got up from his cot and went to get himself a very strong cup of coffee before writing his usual owl to Ginny. When he was done writing. He went to pour himself another cup and at that moment, Millburgh appeared with Charlie with hand on his shoulder.
Harry rubbed his eyes and then asked, "Charlie, is that really you?"
Charlie went over to give Harry a hug, "Yes, It's really me Harry. It's good to see you. So much has gone on back home before I came here."
Just then Ron woke up and saw Charlie, "Charlie! It's good to see you. I hope you can help us take care of those blasted fireballs. Harry and I couldn't get a bit of sleep all night."
Charlie's eyes went wide, "Did you just say fireballs? As in Chinese Fireballs?"
Ron nodded, "Oh yeah, you heard me right Charlie. Those blasted howls kept us all up last night."
Charlie responded still with an astonished look on his face, "Who on earth found the means to bring fireballs all this way. It was darn near expensive just bringing one, and I mean one" said Charlie pointing up one index finger in the air before he continued, "to bring it all they way from China to Romania."
Harry and Ron looked at each other with dropped jaws until Harry finally spoke up, "That expensive huh?"
Charlie nodded, "Well, yeah mate."
Harry then looked from Ron to Charlie, "So I could be right, one death eater who could easily have the means of bringing them all they way from China could be Lucius Malfoy."
Charlie then couldn't believe his ears, "Hang on, did you say them and Lucius Malfoy?"
Ron answered, "Yes, Harry put out the fire on one of them yesterday and we have been battling two fireballs since yesterday. The acromantulas and hipogriffs make it difficult to fight them from the ground and from the air and we have no idea how but Lucius Malfoy got out of Azkaban. We believe he used his means to get out."
Charlie put his things down and then sat down at the table as he joined Harry and Ron with a cup of strong coffee.
Charlie then took out a piece of Parchment and said, "Here is the address of another place here in Wales that studies and maintains dragons in the higher mountains. If we need any supplies, we can get it from them. For now, what kind of fireproof protection have you been using against the fireball?"
Harry answered, "We have been using the flame-freezing charm on ourselves."
Charlie shook his head, "That can only last so long against the dragon's intense flame. You can use that but you will need something more effective such as fire-proof robes. Do you know if the Auror Department provides them?"
Moore then overheard them and said, "Yes, we do provide them why? Isn't the flame-freezing charm good enough?"
Charlie again shook his head, "It's only good enough for a determined amount of time. You will need fire-proof robes to protect you until you are able to put the charm up again around yourselves. A disillusionment charm would also come in useful so the dragon doesn't know where the auror camp is located. This way he won't burn the camp down.
Moore gave a surprising look at Charlie and then looked at Ron, "And this is your brother Ron! Blimey why didn't we hire him before Grigson got to him. At least he's here with us now."
It was now the end of July and the aurors got together to do a quick and small celebration of Harry's birthday. Soon thereafter, they were all back outside fighting the fireballs, acromantulas, and hipogriffs.
Back at Ron and Hermione's townhouse:
Ginny struggled as she got up from a chair and Hermione walked over to help Ginny get up.
Ginny smiled at Hermione, "Thanks Hermione, I never imagined that as I got closer to having the baby that it would be getting more difficult getting out of bed and chairs."
Hermione then put her arm around Ginny as they walked to the front door, "Well, I'm happy for that reason that you decided to come stay here. That way I can help you. With me being at work all day, I think it's going to be even better with you now staying at the burrow with your mum. I don't want anything happening to you while I'm away at the Ministry."
The two of them then apparated in front of the burrow and they walked up to the front door and Ginny opened it. Molly walked out of the kitchen and went to give Ginny a hug, "Ginny dear, it's so good to have you back at the burrow. Even if it's just until Harry comes back."
Ginny then pulled back and said, "Actually, I had been wanting to come back and stay at the burrow for some time."
Molly then led Hermione and Ginny to the dining room and the three of them sat down. Just then Ginny flinched and she rubbed her now big belly.
Molly turned and saw Ginny's look on her face and said, "You alright Ginny dear?"
Ginny nodded, "I'm alright mum, the baby just kicked, that's all. It just has gotten rather uncomfortable, especially in this heat" and Ginny grabbed the nearby Daily Prophet and started to fan herself.
Molly gave Ginny a compassionate look, "My poor Ginny. When I was pregnant with both Fred and George, it was also summertime and I was stifling and with twins." Molly then turned to Ginny and Hermione, "Would you girls like a nice ice-cold lemonade? I just made some."
They both nodded and Molly waved her wand and three glasses with lemonade and ice in it levitated in front of them. Molly then spoke, "So Ginny dear, have you had any news from Harry?"
Ginny nearly drank all the lemonade and then said, "Ah that feels a little better. Yes, I keep getting his owls and he's doing fine. He tells me his mission is much more demanding this time than others. He says he sometimes he has difficulty sleeping at night from the noise. Anyhow, I'm just a little sad that Harry won't be with us for his birthday. I was hoping he would be back by now so we could celebrate it."
Molly then smiled and said, "We can still celebrate it and then we can leave his presents at Potter Cottage for when he gets back."
Ginny was now blowing herself even more vigorously and said, "That sounds like a wonderful idea mum."
Molly then looked back at Ginny and said, "Perhaps I should come stay at Potter Cottage with you Ginny dear, it will be a lot cooler there."
Ginny sighed, "Oh alright mum."
Molly then said, "Besides, you can come to the burrow later on and it's better for you to be at home with the time being close to having the baby."
Hermione then turned to Molly, "How are Audrey and little Molly doing?"
Molly smiled widely, "I have never seen a child with a more calmer disposition. Of course she constantly wakes up poor Audrey several times during the night."
The three of them then got up and apparated to Potter Cottage, they walked through the door after an elf opened the door and Ginny only managed to make it to the sitting room.
Ginny sighed with relief, "At this pace, I won't be able to walk much, I will just have to apparated myself."
Molly then went and kissed Ginny's forehead, "Don't worry Ginny. I know it's difficult moving around right now, but make the best of it while you can because when the little one comes along, you will be very busy."
Back at Cloghmore:
Harry went outside and began to fight the death eaters and the magical creatures along with the other aurors.
Curses again started to fly across the air between the death eaters and the aurors. Dirt went flying off the ground as streaks of light hit the ground.
Ron then nearly got hit by a streak of light as Miller sent a counter-attack back at the death eater.
"STUPEFY!" called out one of the death eaters, just missing Traverston.
A hipogriff took hold of an auror by the leg and sent him flying off, making him fall unconscious to the ground. Harry then screamed "STUPEFY!" at the Hipogriff and as Charlie used his wand to protect himself, he levitated the hipogriff little by little to the auror territory and sent him away to the reservation of magical creatures.
The Chinese Fireballs came out again. There were two again this time and the ground shook real hard as they howled. Fire constantly being breathed out of their snouts.
Ron shouted again "AGUAMENTI" and then he turned around to fight another death eater who had sent a curse in his direction.
Miller then saw the fireball sent another flame in his direction before screaming, "AGUAMENTI!" and then he shouted "DEPRIMO!" at the ground and a big hole opened up in the ground the dragon fell in the hole. There was suddenly dirt falling from the sky on everyone.
"Well done Miller, you made the blasted dragon fall into the ground" shouted Carrickston, another auror nearby.
On of the dragons howled and then breathed a flame of fire in another auror's direction and the auror shouted "EXTINGUOSFYRE!"
The dragon could the allow blow only smoke again and Harry shouted "PETRIFICUS TOTALUS" and Charlie came out to levitate the dragon back with much effort to send him off to another reservation.
Ron suddenly as he fought Lorenzo Berkshire, father of Draco's Hogwarts buddy. Ron didn't notice when a bit of the remaining dragon's fire burned Ron's left hand and he screamed in pain as he grabbed his hand. Ron then went back running into the tent and there Charlie put some pain draught and an anti-scarring potion on his hand. He bandaged Ron's hand and Ron was back out fighting the dragon.
Harry summoned his broom and then he and four other aurors went flying and fought the remaining dragon and flying hipogriffs.
A piece of dirt suddenly went flying into the air and Millburgh quickly shouted, "DURO! and then it hit Lorrenzo Berkshire on the shoulder as a rock and he winced as the rock hit him.
"Blast and curse you Millburgh!" and he sent a poisoning curse in Millburgh's direction which Millburgh managed to fight off by screaming back "PROTEGO!"
Millburgh then said, "Berkshire, admit it, you need to turn yourself in."
Berkshire shook his head while giving a devilish grin, "Never, I will stay with the others to rid this world of mudbloods. That and take care of a certain someone and their family members and just like last time, we have someone in the Ministry."
Millburgh gasped and then he gave a stern look, "You lie Berkshire, no death eater could ever find their way back into the Ministry."
Berkshire then raised his wand and said, "Rest assured, there is one of us in the Ministry. We will make sure that more of us will go into the Ministry." Then Berkshire sent another poison curse agains Millburgh, nearly missing him.
On the other side, Harry was battling his own duel with Gregory Goyle.
"Goyle, have you not learned your lesson after Crabbe was killed. If you keep going down this path, you will surely die like he did." said Harry.
Goyle then smirked, "Not until we do our deed and do what our dear Lord Voldemort wanted accomplished. We will soon dominate the wizarding world. You wait and see Potter. I still can't believe it how a prestigious school like Hogwarts would let students like yourself attend in the first place. Especially with that mudblood."
Harry then grew furious, "You will do to remember that she is now my sister-in-law and I will forbid for you to talk like that about her." Harry then raise his hand and cast a spell on Goyle but Goyle shouted "PROTEGO TOTALUM!"
With thunderous voice Harry said, "Very well then Goyle, I will tell you this. You better watch your back because when you least expect it, you will wind up in Azkaban along with the others."
Just then a hipogriff came aiming at Harry and he took cover just barely getting a bad scratch on his forearm. When he stood up, he took his arm as it started to bleed and noticed that Goyle had disappeared before his very eyes.
Harry went back into the tent to have his wound tended to by a healer. The healer put some anti-scarring and made him take a pain draught. Harry then went back out to battle along with the other aurors.
It was past dinner when the aurors were out in the field came back in while the other aurors went out to continue the battling.
Harry plopped down on his cot and then remembered that he had to write his owl to Ginny. With much effort he got up and wrote her a loving owl and then sent it away with one of the owls from the Auror Department. He then ate a quick sandwich and fell quickly asleep, with the shaking of the ground and all.
It was now the beginning of August and the aurors had just barely been able to take care of the creatures that were attacking them day and night. Charlie had managed to control the Fireballs and tame them. He then had them sent to the reservation in the high mountains of Wales. Charlie sent 10 Fireballs in total. The acromantulas and hipogriffs were eventually tamed and sent off to magical beast reservations all around the country. The fight was now down to death eaters and aurors. By then, the aurors had used almost every able auror in the country. They had finally sent the others back to their corresponding posts around the country.
Back at Potter Cottage:
Ginny was in the huge dining room as everyone in the Weasley clan celebrated her 20th birthday. She was surprised at how time had gone by and now she was going to be a mum. She got many gifts that would come in handy after the baby was born. Ginny got a bath oil set from Hermione, a cardigan given to her by Portia for when the cool weather came along. Bill and Fleur gave her two new bottles of dragon oil to replenish the one that Harry had given her earlier. Percy and Audrey gave Ginny a set of cookbooks on baby recipes. George and Angelina gave her a new set of a marble wizard's chess, and Arthur and Molly gave her a clock just like the one they had in their house that said who was away from home or missing. Ginny gave them a hug and a kiss as a thank you and then they all ate some cake.
Ginny was staring into blank space as everyone played with the children or babies or were talking. Hermione caught a glance at her and walked over to her.
Hermione sat in front of Ginny and Ginny didn't even notice, "Ginny, are you alright love?"
Ginny still didn't respond. Hermione then put her hand over Ginny's hand that was over her big belly and asked again, "Ginny? Are you alright love?"
Ginny this time turned to Hermione, "I'm alright, it's just that I have never felt more lonely than ever and the baby is going to be due soon. Harry's not home yet and I don't want him to miss the moment."
Hermione gave Ginny a compassionate smile, "Ginny, I hope to Merlin that Harry will also be here when the baby is born. All this worrying is not good for the baby."
Ginny made an effort to smile, "I'll try not to Hermione. I'm sure you are missing Ron too. It's been a month and a half since they have been gone."
Hermione nodded as she looked at everyone talking and laughing and then turned back around to look at Ginny as she wiped a few tears that were rolling down her cheeks, "You have no idea how much I worry for Ron. Every night I hope to Merlin that he's alright. He's a good bloke and I'm sure that wherever he is, he's being careful."
Ginny then put her hand on Hermione's forearm, "Hermione, I suppose what we are going through is not easy. All we can do is help and support each other and hope that they come back in one piece.
Angelina then came over with a weepy Fred in her arms. She put a blanket over herself and started to feed little Fred. Then she looked at Hermione and Ginny, "What are you girls so gloomy about? It's Ginny's birthday for Merlin's sake."
Ginny wiped another tear and then she giggled, "Oh nothing Angelina, it's just that Hermione and I sometimes get worried about Harry and Ron is all."
Angelina looked down at little Fred and the looked back up at Hermione and Ginny, "Don't worry girls. They'll be back home when you least expect it."
It was late when everyone went home and Molly helped Ginny up the stairs to Ginny's sitting room. "Now Ginny, you give a call or sent for an elf if you need any help. Your father and I are only just a few steps down the hallway you hear?"
Ginny nodded as she sat down in a chair, "Yes, I will mum and thanks for staying to help mum."
Molly walked back in and took Ginny's face in her hands, "Ginny, you may becoming a mum in a couple of weeks or so but that doesn't stop that fact that you are still my little girl. I'll always be there if you should ever need me Ginny dear."
Ginny smiled up at her mother, "Thanks mum and I love you."
Before Molly walked out of the sitting room, she turned around to her daughter and said, "I love you too Ginny dear." With that, the door quietly closed behind Molly.
Ginny then looked down again at the Potter crest on the chain that hung around her neck. She closed her eyes and remembered that Harry had put it around her neck before he left to go on his mission. She remembered that day vividly in her mind:
Harry then put down his cape, bag, and broom and took Ginny in his arms, "Don't worry love. That is not good for the baby. You need to stay calm. If you like, why don't you go to Ron and Hermione's. That way I can also feel better that you will be safer, should anything happen."
Ginny then looked up at Harry, "Will Ron be coming with you?"
Harry shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know Gin. I'll only know when I get there." Harry then took the familiar crest on the chain from the pocket of his robes and put it around Ginny's neck and then kissed her passionately.
Ginny had silent tears rolling down her cheeks this time, "Please come back to us Harry."
Harry then took his cape, bag, and broom, "I'll try my love. You know what to do with the crest if you feel lonely." He said lowering his eyes down to the crest before looking back into Ginny's teary eyes.
Ginny opened her eyes again and slid her finger across the Potter crest that was on the chain and heard Harry's voice say:
To my Gin,
I love you with all
my heart. No matter
wherever I am.
Harry
Ginny smiled remember when he also told her that he truly loved her wherever he was. Ginny then got up from the chair with much effort and walked into her bed room and put on her silk nightgown. She brushed her teeth and walked over to the window and looked out at the gardens below under the moon's light. She could make out the tunnel where she and Harry had gotten married. She closed her eyes again and remembered Harry smiling down at her as he said he vows to her on that beautiful June day. Ginny opened her eyes again and slid her hands up and down her big belly.
Ginny smiled and spoke to her baby, "You know what little one, I have missed your dad very much but it has been a little better this time knowing that you are here with me while we wait for him to come back home." Ginny then got into bed and squeezed Harry's pillow with one hand and the other over her baby in her belly. She then fell asleep.
A week went by and Ginny was in the garden walking around. She walked to the tunnel and remembered also how the day that Harry left was the day that they had their pictures taken when Ginny's belly was a little smaller. Ginny slid her hands up and down her belly when suddenly from behind, she felt a pair of strong hands hold hers. Ginny looked up and then turned around. Tears slid down her eyes as she looked up at Harry right in front of her.
Ginny sighed in relief after what seemed like weeks and said, "Oh Harry, you're home at last." Ginny put her arms around Harry's neck and lay her head on his chest. "We missed you so much!"
Harry gently stroked Ginny's back and said, "I missed you two dearly. There were many times where I wanted to drop everything and come home."
They stood there for what seemed like a long time as Arthur put his arm around Molly's shoulders and they looked out the big kitchen window at the young couple hug.
Harry then pulled back gently from Ginny and from underneath his robes he took out a fresh bouquet of wildflowers and gave them to Ginny.
Ginny smiled at Harry as she took them and smelled them and then she looked back at Harry, "They are lovely Harry. Thank you so much."
Harry smiled back down at Ginny, "Sorry for the belated birthday gift Gin. It was the best I could do on such short notice."
Ginny put her hand on Harry's cheek, "Don't worry about it Harry, they are truly lovely. I shall put them on my nightstand next to our bed."
Harry then hugged Ginny and they apparated to their bedroom. Ginny took her wand out and conjured a glass vase with water and put the flowers in. She smelled them again and smiled as she arranged them.
Ginny then took Harry's hands and asked, "Shall we go down to dinner Mr. Potter?"
Harry smiled, "I thought you would never ask Mrs. Potter. I have been dying for a home cooked meal for a long time now."
Harry put his arm around Ginny and walked slowly with her as they slowly made their way into the kitchen dining room where Arthur and Molly were waiting for them.
Arthur then smiled at Harry, "So how does it feel to be back home Harry?"
Harry smiled from Arthur to Ginny, "It feels wonderful."
They ate their dinner and then they went to their rooms to go to sleep. Harry was thankful that he was finally sleeping comfortably in his bed after more than a month.
A week later Harry and Ginny were sleeping comfortably on their bed. Harry then after having been away from Ginny for a long time, he reached his arm again to feel for Ginny. When he stretched his arm, he opened his eyes and noticed that Ginny wasn't in bed. Harry rubbed his eyes and sat up and saw that one of the lamps of the sitting room was on. Harry got out of bed and went to the sitting room. When he opened the door, there he saw Ginny sitting on one of the chairs. She was gripping the arm rests and whimpering as a wave of pain shot threw her with her eyes squeezed shut. Harry quickly ran to Ginny, "Oh Gin, what is it? Are you alright love?"
After the wave of pain was gone, Ginny loosened the grip on the arm rests, opened her eyes and looked up at Harry, "Harry, I think we need to go to St. Mungo's."
Harry then pulled back a few strands of red hair from Ginny's face and asked, "Do you think it's time for the baby to come?"
All Ginny could do was nod as she gripped the arm rests again as another wave of pain went through her.
Harry then waved his hand and the two of them were dressed in seconds. Harry then leaned down and put his hand gently on Ginny's hand and said, "I will go get your mum and dad and we will go to St. Mungo's"
Harry walked out and a few minutes later, he picked up Ginny from the chair and carried her. He disapparated the two of them into the main entrance hall. Ginny gripped his robes tightly as another wave of pain went through her. The four of them apparated to St. Mungo's. Harry walked up to the receptionist and said, "Please, we need a healer urgently, my wife is going to have her baby."
The receptionist sent a patronus and two assistants came and guided Harry and Ginny into a room. Before they could walk away, Molly put her hand on Ginny's cheek and said with a smile to her daughter, "Don't worry Ginny dear, everything will be alright." With that Harry and Ginny disappeared behind the swinging doors.
Inside, one of the assistants wave their wand and Ginny was suddenly in a hospital gown. Her clothes were neatly folded in a bag and they lay Ginny on the bed.
"There you are, a healer will be in shortly to check you." said the assistant and then the two assistants left.
Ginny was griping the sides of the bed as she whimpered with another wave of pain that hit through her.
Harry sat behind her and let her rest against his chest, "It's okay Gin, I'm here my love."
The healer then walked in and said, "Good evening, I'm healer Barrows. I will be attending to Mrs. Potter."
Just as the pain went away, Ginny opened her eyes again and said, "Good evening Healer Barrows" and Ginny gripped the bed sheet this time as another wave of pin hit her.
Harry then held her again and kissed her head as Ginny tried to bare down the pain again.
Healer Barrows then said, "Mrs. Potter, I need you to open your legs wide so I can examine you."
Ginny did as she was instructed and Harry gently caressed her head and kissed it as Ginny gasped in pain.
Healer Barrows then looked up, "Well, Mrs. Potter, you are progressing beautifully however, you are in for a long night because you are only just 2 centimeters dilated. I'll be back to check you in an hour."
Harry then helped sit Ginny up and he let her lay against his chest again. Harry then said, "You are doing a wonderful job love. You keep doing what you are doing and we're going to have a beautiful baby."
Ginny then squeezed the bed sheets again as another wave of pain hit through her again and she finally spoke, "Oh Harry, nobody told me that it was going to hurt this much." Then, there were silent tears sliding down Ginny's cheeks. Harry took hold of the bed sheet and gently dried them off.
Harry caressed Ginny's hair gently as he let his fingers run through it and said, "I know it hurts love but I'm sure you are strong and you will do just fine."
Ginny then squeezed the bed sheet again, "Oh Harry... not... another... one..." and Ginny whimpered as she tried to bare down the pain again.
Harry tried to encourage Ginny and said, "I know it hurts Gin but you can do it... come on love..." and Harry kissed her head again.
A few hours went by and the pains were now coming much more frequently. Ginny was now gasping for air every time that a contraction hit her.
Healer Barrows asked Ginny to open her legs again and the healer examined her again, "Good, very good indeed, we are not at 5 centimeters. Now don't push yet until I tell you. You have been doing a good job baring down the pain."
The healer left the room and Ginny started to moan a little louder this time as a stronger contraction hit through her, "Ow!... Oh Harry... I just can't... it's hurts too... much." said Ginny in between frequent and longer contractions.
Harry gently stroked her arms and tried to comfort her again, "Gin, you can do it. You are strong and you are doing a good job. You heard what the healer said."
Ginny this time sat up as a stronger and longer contraction hit her and Harry helped her sit up. She gripped the sides of her bed so tightly that her knuckles went white. "AUGHH!" finally screamed Ginny and the pain then gradually went away.
Harry helped her lie back on his chest and droplets of sweat were now forming on her forehead as she bared down every contraction. Harry took a towel that an assistant had given him and wiped her forehead gently.
With pain in her eyes, Ginny looked up at Harry and said, "Harry, I love you."
Harry smiled back down at Ginny and responded, "I love you too my Gin. You are doing real good."
Ginny then sat up again and Harry helped her as another hard and long contraction hit her again. When she lay back down on Harry's chest he wiped her forehead again.
A few hours later Healer Barrows walked in again, "How is Mrs. Potter doing? I have never seen a first time mum do such a good job. Let's examine you again. Healer Barrows examined Ginny and then looked up with a smile and said, "Guess what, you are now at 9 centimeters. You are almost there Mrs. Potter. Just a little further and then you can start pushing."
Ginny then moaned and said, "I don't know if I have the energy Harry. I'm so tired and it hurts so much. It hurts more than before."
Harry kissed Ginny's head again, "You heard the healer this time, we are not that far off. We're almost there my love."
Ginny then sat up and groaned loudly as she felt a stronger pang of pain hit her this time. The pain was so much that she could hardly breath.
Harry continued to encourage her through the pain, "That's my lovely sleeping beauty, go on, you can do it... that's it." and Ginny finally fell back on Harry's chest as the pain subsided.
A couple of hours later healer Barrows walked back in and examined Ginny and said, "Alright, good Mrs. Potter, you are now at 10 centimeters so when you feel the next contraction, you go ahead and push."
Ginny then felt even a stronger contraction and she sat up as she pushed with all her might and Harry encouraged her, "Come on love... you can do it... very good... that's my princess..." and then Ginny fell back onto Harry's chest again. Harry took the towel and wiped Ginny's forehead as it was wetter with sweat than before.
Ginny then looked up at Harry and said, "Harry, remind me to do the contraception charm on myself next time." and she whimpered again as another hard wave of pain hit her again.
Healer Barrows then looked back at Ginny, "That's right Mrs. Potter, let's give it a good push."
Ginny lay back on Harry's chest again and said, "I just can't, it hurts too much."
Harry kissed Ginny's head again and said, "I know it hurts and yes you can Gin, you are strong and you know that."
Ginny then made an effort to sit back up again and as the strong contraction pain hit her again, Ginny pushed as hard as she could to the point where her head went red.
Harry rubbed her arms and continued to encourage her, "Come on Gin... that's my girl... you can do it... come on and push... push my love... that's it..." and Ginny fell back onto Harry's chest.
Healer Barrows then smiled back at the young couple, "Mrs. Potter, you are doing such a good job that now I can see the head. Let's see if on the next one you can give me a stronger and harder push so we can get the head alright?"
Ginny nodded and this time the pain was sharper than the one before and Ginny this time put all her energy into her pushing. She groaned and grunted as she continued to push continuously.
Harry was surprised and how strong and willing Ginny was, "That's the Gin I know... good girl... go for it my love..." said Harry as he wiped Ginny's forehead again.
Ginny stopped for a second and then groaned and grunted continuously as she started to push even harder and suddenly there was a baby's cry in the room.
Harry looked down as Healer Barrows helped deliver the baby, "Merlin's Beard, there's the baby Gin!"
Harry and Ginny had tears rolling down their cheeks as Healer Barrows wiped the baby clean and said, "Congratulations! You have a healthy baby boy."
Healer Barrows wrapped the baby boy in a warm blue blanket and lay him on Ginny. Ginny put her arms around her newborn baby boy and showered his head with kisses. Harry gently caressed the little baby's cheek with the back of his index finger tenderly.
Healer Barrows then covered Ginny up and asked, "So what are you going to name your baby?"
Harry and Ginny looked at each other and Ginny then said, "Charlus after his paternal great-grandfather and Septimus after his maternal great-grandfather. Yes, little Charlus Septimus."
Healer Barrows then smiled, "That's a wonderful name. Now how about if you teach him how to eat when you feed him."
Ginny opened up her hospital gown and put little Charlus on her breast. He soon started to suckle at the milk from his mother's breast.
Healer Barrows then said, "Well, the little one seems to have no trouble eating, I will leave the two of you to enjoy your little one."
Harry then took the towel and wiped Ginny's forehead again and said, "Ginny, I knew that you would do a wonderful job. Look at that beautiful baby. He is just so perfect." He then leaned down to tenderly kiss Ginny on her lips and she then looked down as the baby continued to eat.
Harry then said jokingly, "Umm, Charlus, you will remember that those are on loan. They belong to daddy."
Ginny looked back up at Harry in surprise, "Harry James Potter! He's a baby, he needs to eat."
Harry grinned and said, "Can I help it if I feel a bit possessive? I now have to wait a few more weeks before I can resume to having fun with mummy."
Ginny then looked back up at her husband, "Harry James Potter! Mind your manners in front of the baby."
Harry then stepped away and said, "I think the family wants to meet him love."
Ginny looked away from the baby and nodded, "Yeah, why don't you go ahead and bring them in."
The whole Weasley clan walked in cooing and fussing over little Charlus. They stayed for as long as they could. By the time they left, mother and baby had fallen asleep.
Harry went over to the bed and said, "I love you Gin. You did a beautiful job with the baby." Harry then tenderly and lovingly kissed Ginny on the forehead and then sat back down before taking hold of her hand, laying his head and the falling asleep."
Post A/N: My fellow readers. Yes, I'm fully aware that Harry and Ginny's first child is actually called James Sirius. However, I am using little Charlus Septimus intentionally as part of the plot to my story. This is one of the "tweaks" of my story. I promise you all that there will be a James Sirius, Albus Severus, and a Lily Luna. :-)
