Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series. Need I say more? I've admitted to this failure in life so many times its almost disgraceful. Why do I have to keep reopening such a horrible wound? WHY CAN'T I BE J.K. ROWLING?

Well, thank you to those who reviewed, you guys mean a lot to me. Now, as for all my readers, I thank you for reading and would like to express my deepest hope that you tell me how you feel about this newest chapter. I think you'll like it :D Like it or hate it…. We'll find out!

Well, I'll keep this short and sweet, so….

Without further ado:

Chapter 45

Ginny POV

I felt better after the time spent with Harry. My worries seemed to weigh less heavily on my mind as I was reminded of how much I was loved. I would be able to get though anything with my friends and family by my side. And, even though he had no idea he did it, Harry had given me hope for the future. Here I'd been despairing and he reminds me that the war will come to an end sooner or later. And when that day comes, there is hope for Draco and I. Well, that is if our side wins. But I wouldn't let myself dwell on that.

After another large dinner, Mum was outdoing herself, everyone said goodbye and drifted home. Percy went back to his flat in London, Charlie returned to the dragon refuge in Romania, Fred and George apparated back to the flat above their shop, and Bill, Fleur and I departed for Shell cottage. Mum was happy that Ron, Harry, and Hermione were staying at the Burrow. I'd thought of staying, but with the baby coming soon, Fleur would need me.

The days back at Shell Cottage passed by quickly. In the blink of an eye November was gone and the Christmas decorations were going up by the second. I enjoyed helping to decorate the Christmas tree in the living room, catching fairies and enchanting the tree so they couldn't fly away, just around the tree. The garland was hung and bobbles and ornaments placed in the branches. The final topper, an old family angel for the top of the tree Mum and Dad had used when they had first gotten married.

Bill and Fleur put in on the tree together and I could just see the love they shared. They loved each other so much it made my heart ache all the more for Draco. That night when I slipped off to go to the cottage in the woods, I brought with me a few of my own ornaments, a spare bit of garland and an angel topper I'd brought from the Burrow that I'd bought when I was little. I would set up mine and Draco's first Christmas tree whether he was there or not. I just felt right.

Once at the cottage, I searched and searched for the perfect tree, popping back to the cottage once and a while to see if Draco had shown up. When I'd finally found the prefect tree, I flicked my wand and watched the tree slowly fall to the ground, a clean cut along the bottom of the trunk. Levitating it back to the cottage was easy but when I got there, I realized it was too big for the door.

Laughing at myself, I shrunk the tree and got it in. Once in, it reverted back to its original size. After a quick charm to keep it alive longer, I started to decorate the tree. The fairies I'd caught while looking for the tree made a nice touch and the garland and ornaments spruced it up nicely. I also conjured up a new ornament, engraving on it mine and Draco's names with a charm. Hanging it on the very front of the tree, I smiled.

The final touch was the angel. I wouldn't have Draco here to put it on with me, but that was okay. He was in my every thought at least. Stepping back to survey my work, I couldn't help but beam with pride. It was adorable and perfect. I wondered if Draco would like it. I was sure it wasn't nearly as lavish as he would be used to, but it would have to do. It was done with love.

That night, rather than sitting around and waiting for Draco, occasionally letting the tears slip out, I decorated the entire cottage for the Christmas season, singing Christmas tunes as I worked. Conjuring lights and garland and tinsel, I made our little cottage gleam with Christmas cheer. I only hoped that Draco would be able to share it with me this year.

But, as with every Tuesday night for many months, I left with a heavy heart at another week's pass without seeing or hearing from Draco. It was sad to say that I'd almost gotten used to not seeing him, used to the disappointment I felt every time I apparated home after my visit to the cottage. I still worried about him, but not as much. I'd come to the realization that worrying would fix nothing. It would change nothing. It was better to make the best of what I had and have faith that I'd see him again one day.

Like always, the next day was hard. The lack of sleep and disappointment left me feeling tired and moody. Fleur seemed to share in my mood. She kept muttering about how she felt whale with legs. The last few weeks of a pregnancy were always the hardest. She told me she was almost looking forward to the pain of the birth if that meant she would be able to walk properly again, rather than waddling, and be able to see her feet.

That brought me out of my bad mood. I wasn't able to stop laughing for a while after that. I'd always thought of pregnancy as a beautiful thing but according to Fleur, it sucked. I wasn't sure why I'd found it so hilarious but even Fleur was caught up in my merriment. I think Bill was relived we were both laughing instead of crying. Dealing with a pregnant wife and moody sister was hard on him.

Another week passed with another disappointment of not seeing Draco. This time I'd taken a few gifts I'd made and put them under the tree at the cottage. I was determined to have a proper Christmas with Draco if he'd show up. It would be our first actually spent together. It was with tear-filled eyes that I placed the two small presents under the tree.

When I returned to Shell Cottage after that, I realized that the next time I ventured out to the cottage in the woods it would be Christmas Eve night, or early Christmas morning depending on how it was looked at. I spent much time praying that he would show up then. I needed him so much. The best Christmas present I could ever get would be to get Draco back.

As the week progressed, so did Fleur's pregnancy. By Sunday evening she was starting to feel the pregnancy becoming unbearable, the first sign labor was on its way. I didn't worry too much the next evening when she'd started to have very mild contractions; she'd had false ones a few times before already.

But, on Tuesday morning I realized that this was actually the real thing. Ordering her to bed rest, she happily spent the day knitting clothes for the baby on her bed. Bill would often sit in there with her to keep her company. They were both excited that their first child would be arriving in the world soon. Even I got caught up in that. I'd soon be an aunt!

There was much debate in my family about if the child would be a girl or boy. Mum swore up and down that it would be a boy, seeing as how I was the first girl to be born into the Weasley family in several generations. It just wasn't likely for it to be a girl. Dad agreed with her on this, mostly to make her happy. Bill too agreed with them, more because he wanted a little boy than anything else.

Fleur and I on the other hand were hoping for a little girl. It would be nice not to be the only natural born Weasley girl in the family. Fleur was so convinced it would be a girl, almost all the clothes in the baby's dresser were dresses, much to Bill's horror. He would gladly accept a daughter, but what if it was a boy? He'd have to wear the same clothes a lot or dresses.

As the sun started to set, my panic started to rise. We'd sent an owl to Mum earlier that day to tell her about Fleur going into labor but she'd not been able to come over quite yet. She said she was sorry and that they would try and make it over after the baby was born and that they would get a crib set up in the room Bill and Fleur stay in for tomorrow when everyone would be home for Christmas.

Not only did that mean that I would be delivering my first niece on my own, but that if that baby did not arrive before midnight, then I wasn't sure if I'd be able to go to the cottage in the woods tonight. It had been four months since Draco had stopped showing up at the cottage and every time I'd made sure I was there, just in case. There was always the hope of tonight being the night he'd show up. That hope was crushed on a weekly basis but still, it was a hope that always came back.

But, with Fleur in active labor, I could not abandon her to do this on her own. Bill had been through the birth of seven younger siblings so he was a bit of a help, at least he knew what was happening, but he couldn't have delivered the baby himself. It was up to me. I couldn't leave them alone tonight, could I?

Even if I somehow managed to find a way not to be needed during the birth, I'd still be noticed slipping away. There was nothing I could do. My hands were tied. It was Christmas Eve and I wouldn't be able to spend it in the cottage hoping and pray for Draco to come. I would be acting as midwife.

It nearly midnight before Fleur's labor really set in. The entire process was terrifying and exciting all at the same time. I'd never seen anyone give birth, being the youngest of my siblings. I'd read many books and talked to dozens of women to try to prepare for this day, but nothing could have prepared me for the real thing. I was terrified but I couldn't let Fleur or Bill see that.

From the moment I stepped into the bedroom and told Fleur to push, I put up the best front I could. I smiled and talked to Fleur, coached her though the entire thing and showed none of the fear I felt to either of them. Bill stayed in the room with Fleur, holding her hand the entire time.

The most terrifying part was her screams of pain. I'd given her something to ease the pain, but it did little. There were spells I could have used but I wasn't sure the effect they would have on the baby. She had agreed with me that only the mild pain reliving potion would have to do. She would not risk her child's life.

After hours of painful labor, Fleur pushed one final time and so her daughter was born at five thirty-two in the morning. Victoire Weasley came out weighing eight pounds seven ounces with looks like her mother. The vela blood running though her veins, no matter how faint, was noticeable in her tiny, beautiful features. The soft blond hair that graced her head was barely visible it was so light in fine. All in all, she was a perfect baby.

As mother and father doted over their new child, I cleaned up the room. With a flick of my wand, the mess was gone. The sheets were pristine and clean and Fleur's nightgown fresh. I smiled at the little baby lying so trustingly in her mother's arms. Bill was holding onto them both, his arms around his wife. "Merry Christmas," I whispered to the new family before shutting the door.

After sending an owl to Mum to tell her of little Victoire's safe entrance into the world, I wanted nothing more than to collapse in my bed, drink a nice dose of dreamless sleep draught, and sleep for a very long while. But there was something nagging in the back of my mind. Something wasn't right.

Draco POV

My mind was foggy with pain as I stumbled out into the cold night air in nothing but my ripped and bloody robes. I could hear the sounds of the annual Christmas ball coming from the manor. I paid no attention to that other than to see if nobody was following me because I knew needing to hurry if I was to escape before I was noticed. Lifting my newly acquired wand high, I used every ounce of strength I had left to turn on the spot, thinking only of the cottage in the woods, my safe haven.

I collapsed on the ground in front of the cottage, the cold snow numbing the pain. I didn't think I could move, having used every bit of strength left to get there. But, somehow, I made it to my feet again, painfully pulling myself up. The only thing that kept me going was to hope of seeing Ginny on the other side of that door. I would be okay then.

I didn't turn to see the bloodstained snow behind me as I limped my way to the door. Upon opening it, lights lit up around the room. I didn't take any notice of the tree in the corner or the smartly decorated rooms; the only thing I noticed was the lack of a certain redhead I'd been counting on. "Ginny," I whispered as my legs gave out and I feel to the floor, the soft carpet doing little to soften the fall. I didn't notice though as my vision faded and I thankfully slipped into dark oblivion.

Well, say thank you! Did you nearly fall over from excitement at seeing the elusive Draco POV? I thought it was about time our boy made his entrance back into the story, don't you think? Don't worry, questions will be answered before you know it!

So, I don't usually ask for reviews, but I would like them now. I have a question for all of you. Before I answer the question, what do you think happened to Draco? I'm just curious what you all are thinking. It's nice to hear what you guys think.

BJ thanks the three people that reviewed last time and prays that he'll get more today! What with such a turn of events, he's hopeful!

Not much else to say other than this…

A happy author writes better and faster! So review and make me happy!