A/N Well Those of you who read Chapter 13(14) of this know that Harry and Ginny are the proud parents of a 4 ¾ kilogram which is just under ten and a half pounds for us Yankees who have yet to convert to metric from the idea that a pound is a unit of measure instead of the Main Monetary Unit in Muggle Britain. Besides being the last Quidditch Match of Harry's Hogwarts Career this will answer two questions. One what does Ginny do about Amy when she has to go to class and Could even the Slytherin of Slytherins the Dragon himself Draco Malfoy have a soft compassionate side that J.K. Rowling the owner of practically every character except Amy Lillian Potter, Professor Blankwood and a few students of my creation like Leslie, Kelly, Miquel, Wendy Skeeter (but not her annoying mother). Well it's possible and I will assume he does. By the way based on the Chaptering scheme now used by Fanfiction.Net the site that hosts this wonderous look at the Senior Year of the Famous Harry James Potter (I know in Chapter 5 I had his middle name as Sirius but I got in trouble with a couple Purists shortly there after) This is Chapter 13 the reason is with Chapter 13(14) along with why the chapters are now numbered the way they are..
Harry Potter and the Moral Dilemma
Chapter 14(15)
Lions Battling Badgers
A week after her daughter's triumphant birth in the Divination classroom Ginny was sitting in the Great Hall at breakfast time feeding Amy quickly before she had her own breakfast when she heard a voice come up behind her.
"She certainly is cute. Whose hair do you think she will end up with?" the voice wondered.
"Hopefully not her father's hair. God It seems like Harry can do nothing with his hair," Ginny commented.
"I know," the voice said. "What do you do with her when you have classes and so forth?"
"McGonagall placed a small cradle in my room in Gryffindor and Myrtle watches her during the day," Ginny said.
"You trust a ghost with your daughter," the voice said.
"Most ghosts no. Like for instance Draco I wouldn't trust Baron Von Rastinov or Peeves with Amy but Myrtle or Sir Nicholas, or even Friar Di Baldi I would trust with her. Heck most of the Gryffindors I'm not sure I would trust to watch my daughter," Ginny said.
"Well if as she gets older you need an extra baby sitter let me know," Draco said.
"Draco, how do I know you wouldn't immediately turn Amy over to You Know Who?" Ginny wondered.
"Ginny, I'm thinking of working for the Ministry Law Enforcement Squad against You Know Who. I have no plans after graduation to become a Death Eater," Draco said.
"That's good to know Draco," Ginny said as the table started to fill up Draco then excused himself to return to the Slytherin table.
Later that day Ginny walked with Leslie to Hagrid's cottage for class.
"Ginny, nice to see you," Hagrid said. "Figured you would attend class now that your baby is born safely."
"Most of my classes yes. Since I am formally excused from Potions I'm not too worried about showing up there," Ginny said.
"You have another class after this?" Hagrid wondered.
"No this is it," Ginny said.
"Stick around then and we can talk," Hagrid said.
"Sounds good," Ginny said.
Shortly after that Hagrid had to start class. Ginny's class included sixth years from Ravenclaw. Hagrid happened to choose a fairly tame creature compared to what he usually did Ginny couldn't help remembering Buckbeak a Hippograff he had used her second year or the Blast Ended Skrewts her third year.
"Ginny, sometime between now and summer would it be a problem if you were to bring Amy out here some weekend so I can see her," Hagrid wondered as they were having some tea afterwards. Hagrid had sent an owl to Harry and Ron and the two of them along with Ashley had joined them at the cabin.
"It shouldn't be a problem Dumbledore and McGonagall found an old Pram that I could use. I was going to bring her other this weekend for a nice walk and some fresh air. Hopefully some people will be able to break themselves away from studying to join me," Ginny said looking towards Harry and to a small extent Ron.
"Ginny I will try to find time this weekend but Ron and I have the NEWTS coming up fast and also I have one last Quidditch Match to prepare for. You might want to think about getting ready yourself. I'm going to leave Miquel in the starting slot but who knows if it goes on a while you might get a chance to play," Harry said.
"What about Warren?" Ginny wondered.
"He quit the team a couple days ago," Harry said. "Both McGonagall and I were surprised but he has really had an attitude over the whole thing."
"In that case Good riddance," Ginny said.
"I'm inclined to agree with you," Harry said.
"Which day is practice?" Ginny wondered.
"Sunday," Harry said.
"Good I'll give her a nice walk on Saturday. I will of course keep an eye peeled for Death eaters," Ginny said.
"I doubt there be any death eaters around here," Hagrid said.
"You never know Hagrid," Ginny said.
"If they do come around I will try to get as far from Hogwarts as possible with Amy and Apparate to The Burrow," Harry said.
"Harry, your plan is pretty risky," Hagrid said.
"I got my Apparating license over Easter Holidays," Harry said.
"Still the Death Eaters might not let you get to a point where you could Apparate," Hagrid said.
"I'm sure I could find a way," Harry said. Like taking the tunnel under the Whomping Willow to the Shrieking Shack and using that as my Apparating Point. At least Wormtail is dead so he can't blab about the tunnel to Voldemort.
Saturday Morning Early Ginny took the time to get Amy ready for her first trip outside the castle walls. Myrtle joined them for the trip as did Deory on a day off from her duties in the Kitchens.
"Ah it is so nice out here. Imagine if you can Myrtle my daughter your goddaughter learning to swim in this very lake," Ginny said.
Myrtle had a lost look on her face.
"Myrtle, Ginny and I had spent a lot of time discussing this and we figured she deserved a few godparents. Our figuring on the godmothers was Hermione, Ashley, and You. Most people would probably not like one of her two godmothers being a ghost so that's why we gave her three. To counterbalance the godfathers we chose two. Sirius will of course be one of them and Dumbledore the other," Harry said.
"One thing is for sure Ginny I will miss Amy after you leave with her," Myrtle said looking as if she was about to flood the grounds.
"Myrtle, it's not a problem. I was hoping you would continue to assist me with her after school is over with for the year and continue on after I graduate," Ginny said.
"It's a thought," Myrtle said.
Shortly before they went through the Front doors Professor Snape of all people went walking by. Ginny had a feeling he was headed for breakfast.
"Where might I ask are you going Miss Weasley?" Snape asked.
"I had figured on taking advantage of this nice Spring day to take my daughter for a walk around the grounds of the school," Ginny replied.
"AM I to hope you will be attending my class next week before the final exam the week after that?" Snape inquired.
"I'm pretty sure I was exempted from your class for the rest of the year not just until my daughter was born," Ginny said.
"You have two choices Miss Weasley either you show up for class next week or I will give you an F and bar you from the exam no matter how good your term paper is," Snape said. "I will even go so far as I have the right to do so to make you serve detention every day until end of the term."
Ginny then headed off through the doors and went along the shore of the lake. She didn't notice movement behind her since the person in question was using an invisibility cloak. During the walk along the shore she felt a calming hand on her shoulder.
"Morning Ginny," Dumbledore said.
"Oh morning Professor," Ginny said.
"Harry told me you had seemed troubled. Something bothering you?" the headmaster queried.
"Snape mainly. He expects me in class next week otherwise he'll give me an F," Ginny said.
"Minerva looked over your term paper yesterday and it seemed extremely complete. She was going to look it over more thoroughly this weekend but she thinks you will get high marks on it. Your term paper grade will be your grade for the course. In fact Minerva said that if the Paper is as good as she thinks it is she might see if for extra credit next year you could start on a similar book for Beginning and Intermediate Transfiguration," Dumbledore informed her.
"What would I do about Snape's final?" Ginny wondered.
"You won't be sitting for the final since you were exempt from the last five months of material. I will of course be informing Severus of that fact," Dumbledore said. "In fact I excused you from all of your finals."
Ginny continued her walk around the grounds. She kept a reasonable distance from the edge of the Forbidden Forest since the headmaster had continued to walk alongside her. Soon they were passing in front of Hagrid's cottage. By Chance Hagrid was outside with a couple of dogs one was a gigantic boarhound and the other had a familiar look to it. Hagrid walked over holding the boarhound by a tight leash and the other dog walked on it's own. Ginny knew that the one dog wasn't dangerous but she wasn't so sure about Hagrid's boarhound.
"Morning Padfoot," Ginny said to the one dog.
The dog nuzzled his nose at Amy. He then looked around to make sure the coast was clear before transforming into his normal form.
"She is absolutely beautiful," Sirius said.
"That she is. I was talking to Draco Malfoy the other day and we are hoping she doesn't end up with her father's hair," Ginny said.
"Was it a standard conversation considering the reputation that Malfoys have?" Sirius wondered.
"Actually it was a rather civilized. It was interesting that even Malfoy has a compassionate side," Ginny informed the two.
"Who knows Draco Malfoy might be a potential ally against The Dark Lord and his Death Eaters," Sirius said.
"It's his hope to join the Magical Law Enforcement Squad after graduation," Ginny said.
"Knowing Harry he is probably busy getting ready for Quidditch," Hagrid said.
"Hermione is making every seventh year Gryffindor take part in a NEWTS Study session. He has Colin Creevey taking charge during what few practices we have. Thankfully Wendy is able to take part. She might have to fill in if Harry isn't ready. HE isn't sure he can even make tomorrows practice," Ginny said.
"Ginny, I did try to make it here for your daughter's birth but I wasn't successful," Sirius said.
"The whole thing was interesting. I ended up going into labor in the divination classroom. Dumbledore made Trelawney move her classes to the staff room since they didn't want to move me because of the way the last stretch to the Divination Room is. Thankfully by the time I was able to move was after Amy's birth," Ginny said.
"Ginny, it wouldn't surprise me if by now Voldemort knows of Amy's birth. In which case he might try for her," Sirius said.
"Sirius, you really think Voldemort will try to do something to Amy while she is here at Hogwarts?" Dumbledore asked.
"It wouldn't surprise me Albus that's why I'm out with Hagrid and Fang," Sirius said. "There hasn't been a lot of Death Eater activity lately which makes me think he is getting ready for something big."
"A neighbor of Harry's Colleen Faulk has been hanging around lately on some undercover investigation. I usually just give her a casual wave so as not to blow her cover," Ginny said.
"What is Colleen investigating?" Sirius wondered.
"Our Caretaker died shortly before Christmas. It looks like it might have been suicide but Colleen seems to think it may have been a murder by a Death Eater," Dumbledore said.
"She could be right," Sirius said. "Where does she usually work during the day or for that matter sleep at night?"
"I think she sleeps in the VIP Room in Hufflepuff but you might want to ask Professor Sprout," Dumbledore said.
"I'll check the castle I might run into her," Sirius said as after he checked the area before changing back into his animagus form of Padfoot.
"Good luck Sirius," Ginny called out as Padfoot headed for the castle. Dumbledore stuck close to Ginny and Amy as they finished their walk around the grounds. Ginny then headed for the common room to work on homework in her dormitory. Leslie walked in while she was writing an essay for Flitwick's class.
"Oh man are we in trouble next year. I was eavesdropping on Hermione's study session and the NEWTS seem real bad. I'd rather go one on one with You Know Who then face the NEWTS," Leslie said. "Any idea what they will expect you to do about finals especially Potions?"
"Yeah I know what I'm to do about finals," Ginny said.
"First off Potions?" Leslie said.
"Nothing."
"History?"
"Nothing."
"Transfiguration?"
"Nothing."
"Blankwood's class?"
"Nothing."
"Charms?"
"Nothing."
"Astronomy?"
"Nothing."
"Herbology?"
"Nothing."
"Care of Magical Creatures?"
"Nothing."
"Divination?"
"Nothing."
"Muggle Studies?"
"That class is a big joke and I have to do nothing for that final."
"I probably should have asked this question a few nothings ago but are you even taking finals?"
"No Dumbledore joined me on my walk and told me that I was excused from all finals. I also saw Padfoot he was with Hagrid at first," Ginny said.
"Who is Padfoot that stupid boarhound of Hagrids?" Leslie wondered.
"No that's Fang. Padfoot is Harry and Amy's mutual godfather," Ginny said.
"Oh as in Sirius Black."
"You better believe it," Ginny said.
"I wonder if Ashley ever figured out the scoop about Sirius being able to change into a dog," Leslie commented.
"I doubt it," Ginny said.
The last week of classes seemed almost like a blur to the students at Hogwarts. Finals week Ginny was glad she was excused since it meant she could simply sit in the Common room and watch Amy sleep away. For the most part the seventh years spent as little time in the common room in the evening since they were almost totally exhausted. Ginny worried that week about how Harry was managing. Ginny wasn't the only one since even Colin the acting Captain and McGonagall were worried. Finally it was game day. Harry looked totally wiped after five days of Nearly Exhausting Testing. Wendy was spotted in the locker Room polishing the Cleansweep six she used during practice.
"Captain, maybe you should let me handle this game," She suggested.
"No I'll manage Wendy," Harry said. "If I let you sub in for me it wouldn't seem the same as if I helped the team win the cup."
"Harry, suggestion, leave the snitch alone until we are forty points ahead," Leslie said since she had computed the Points total for each team.
"I'll try Leslie," Harry said.
Fairly soon Harry was gathered with the rest of the starting seven.
"Welcome everyone to the Final Match of the year. This match is a real Hay Day for one particular member of the Gryffindor Team. Will Harry Potter end his seventh year of play with another Quidditch Cup Victory. Who Knows. As everyone knows recently Harry became a proud Papa after Amy Lillian Potter was born in of all places the Divination Tower," Orla the Commentator announced. "Now walking onto the field is the Gryffindor Lions, McIntyre, Creevey, Collins, Rodriquez, Creevey, McDonald, and Potter."
Orla then announced the Players for the Hufflepuff House Quidditch Team.
"Mount your Brooms everyone," McGonagall who had chosen to referee the match instead of looking over Orla's shoulder said. "Three Two One Bleeat."
Harry then took off and orbited the field keeping an eye on the action.
"Gryffindor Possession Rodriquez to Dennis Creevey to Collins, back to Rodriquez. Rodriquez is in reach of the goal. He looks right then as the Hufflepuff keeper gets ready to block Rodriquez sends it through the left hand hoop Gryffindor Scores the First Goal of the game. Hufflepuff possession only for the chaser to get hit by a bludger from McDonald, Collins is in position though for an intercept and She passes it to Dennis Creevey who sends it to Rodriquez while Collins moved into position for a quick catch but instead she decided to headbutt it into the goal. Gryffindor leads 20-0," Orla announced.
It ended up quiet for a while but then Lucy through the quaffle across the field from where Rhonda tossed it to her and it knocked the Hufflepuff keeper through the goal post with it. McGonagall then called a time out just as the Snitch came into view. A few minutes was spent while McGonagall, Madame Hooch and Professor Dumbledore met to decide the validity of the goal attempt. In other words was it a goal or a block. In the end it was considered a block and Hufflepuff got a try for a penalty but Rhonda blocked it well. Before anyone knew it Gryffindor had managed to get three more goals. Just the two blurs where seen One was small with a goldish color and the other was Large and Scarlet Colored with hints of gold. A Yellow Flash tried to catch up but eventually as it got close to the ground the Goldish flass vanished and a Triumphant Scarlet beam slowed down into turned into a very smiling Harry Potter.
"GRYFFINDOR WINS THE QUIDDITCH CUP WITH A SCORE OF 200-0 OVER HUFFLEPUFF," Orla screamed.
The Common Room that night was Rocking away.
"Harry, good work if anything you all needed a good victory after that exhausting week," Ashley said.
"Tell me about it Ashley," Harry said. "I just want to go to bed and sleep until graduation."
A/N Well It's time to wrap things up. Next Chapter has everything including a special final appearance by You Know Who.