Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Harry felt Ginny's fingers intertwine with his as they stood outside the school waiting for Jimmy. This was real, he reminded himself. Ginny is here and she loves me and we have a son and everything is perfect…almost. They had spent the day getting reacquainted with each other and had stopped when Ginny announced that they would have to get ready to go and retrieve Jimmy from school. Harry had been trying to think all day of a way to tell her he wanted to marry her, but the words never seemed to form properly. Surely after today she realized that he would want this…so why was it so difficult to pit into words.

"You think he'll notice anything?" Harry asked, tightening his grip on Ginny's hand.

"You mean notice that you and I are no longer waltzing around each other like frightened kittens? Oh yes, he'll notice."

Harry laughed and kissed her freely. It was so nice to have that burden lifted from his shoulders. He loved the fact that she was receptive to his touch. "I have to admit, I was surprised that I resisted as long as I did."

"Which wasn't very long."

"It was long enough! I didn't get much sleep last night, you know."

Ginny turned to gaze up at him stunned. "You didn't? Neither did I!"

They laughed and kissed again. Ask her now you stupid git! The voice in his head nagged at him. It's easy…you did it once…Five simple words is all it takes! Ginny, will you marry me? Not much to it really.

But the moment passed and she broke apart from him. Glancing over her shoulder at another parent walking towards them. "Oh my goodness…" she said under her breath.

"What's wrong?"

"Harry," She looked from Harry to the man approaching and back again. "I don't have time to explain, but know that there really was nothing going on, all right?"

"I don't understand." Harry noticed that the man was staring at them.

"I'll tell you all about it later, but just…" her hands shook, "…don't panic."

Harry didn't know if she was tell him not to panic or telling herself not to panic.

"Gwen?" the man said. "Hello?"

Ginny turned to the man. "Hello! How are you?" Harry thought she sounded jittery. This man…who was he…it couldn't be that Ginny…and this man…oh please, don't let it be true!

"I'm good. Who's ummm…who is…" the man stammered pointing at Harry.

"Oh, yes…er…Michael, this is..er…" Ginny stood between them, obviously very nervous. "Michael Dages, I would like you to meet Harry Potter. Harry, this is my friend Michael."

Harry held out his hand for the man to shake, which he did, but he could tell that this Michael fellow didn't like him. He couldn't blame him, for Harry didn't really like this Michael fellow either…at least not if he was attached to Ginny in any way.

"Harry," said Michael. "So this is THE Harry I've heard….so little about."

"Beg pardon?" Harry didn't like the sound of that comment.

"Ginny has mentioned you, but she's always very secretive."

There was a very long and very awkward pause.

Ginny spoke up, "Michael has a son in Jimmy's class and they're quite good friends."

"Ah," said Harry, still looking at Michael.

"Yeah, Colin and Jimmy get along great. In fact, I'm pretty fond of Jimmy myself."

Was he imagining it, or was Michael shooting daggers at him? "Well then Michael, that would make two of us." Correcting himself he said, "Actually no, I'm not just fond of Jimmy. I happen to love him very much."

"Well, he is your son isn't he?"

Harry felt the sting in his words. "Yes, he is my son."

Michael nodded. "Strange, then, that he doesn't even know who you are."

Harry fought back his anger, "If you are implying that I don't love my son…"

"I'm not implying anything, just wondering where you've been all these years?"

"I don't need to justify myself to you. Gin…Gwen is the one that is important here, and she understands that if I could have been here, I would have been here. I wanted nothing more than to be with her. It nearly broke my heart to find out what happened, and to know that I have missed the majority of my son's life. But I don't intend on missing any thing else, as I love him and his mother very much!" Tears were burning in his eyes. "Whatever your relationship has been with Gwen…"

"Oh, naturally you'd bring up that…"

"Wait, both of you." Ginny held up her hands. "I want you both to know that this is not how I intended for this to happen." She turned to Harry, "Harry, Michael has been a dear and true friend to me. Notice I said friend. Now, that isn't saying that there wasn't an attraction, but nothing ever happened. Now Michael," she turned the other direction, "I never led you on to believe that I wasn't still in love with Harry. In fact, that is why nothing ever happened between us. You have meant a great deal to me…" she broke and became very quiet. "But I am now and always have been in love with Harry."

Harry's heart raced in his chest from happiness. However, he noticed that Michael's jaw was clenched and disappointment shone in his eyes. "I've known that for a long time Gwen. I just…some part of me always thought you give up and him ever coming back and there'd be…a chance…for us."

Michael looked up at Harry now, easing his shoulders back. "She loves you. That much is obvious. Just promise me that you will never hurt her."

Surprised, Harry opened his mouth but was at a loss for words.

"She deserves the best, so please…"

"I love her," Harry finally said. "What ever you may think about my absence over these last years, know that I never meant her any harm. I love her too much for that."

Michael nodded. His eyes locked with Ginny's before he forced them away and headed into the school to find his son.

Ginny turned to Harry, fear in her eyes. "I'm sorry….I should have told you about him…"

"Gin…"

"Nothing ever happened. I swear. He wanted it, and I don't deny that I found him attractive…"

"Gin, wait…"

"But Harry, I couldn't! I just couldn't give up the hope that you would return and that we could be together again."

"Ginny, please…"

"If I was with Michael, or anyone else, that would have spoiled it."

Bracing her by the shoulders he said, "Ginny, I understand! You are beautiful! You are an amazing woman! I was surprised to find that you weren't married by now! Happily surprised I might add, but still…"

"Married? How could I marry someone who wasn't…"

Their eyes locked. Was she going to say "you"? Did she almost suggest the same thing Harry had been wanting to suggest all day?

"MOM!" Jimmy came bounding up to them, breaking the moment. "Mom! Look!" He held up a picture that he had drawn in class. It was a picture of all three of them, Harry, Ginny, and Jimmy…and underneath it were the words "My Family".

"Some of the kids didn't believe me today when I said my dad came home yesterday. So I drew them a picture to prove it to them, but they still didn't believe me. So I told them that he would be here after school and he is!"

Harry swallowed Jimmy up in his arms, picking him off the ground. "What did you think? That I wouldn't keep my promise?"

Jimmy laughed and Harry stood him back on the ground. Jimmy waved to Michael and Colin getting into their own car and Harry noticed that Michael was watching them intensely. Giving a nod in his direction, Harry smiled at him. Michael smiled back, but it was a smile that was still hurting from the realization he would never bea real part of Ginny's life. Harry understood fully how he was feeling, as he didn't think he could stand it if Ginny wasn't a part of his own life.

Jimmy, Ginny, and Harry rounded the car and each got in. Jimmy thought it was funny that Ginny was driving and not Harry. Having a good excuse, Harry said that the driver was on the wrong side of the car and he didn't have an American drivers license. Ginny shot a teasing glance at him as if to say…yeah…right…as if you can even drive a car!

"Where are we going?" Jimmy asked excitedly.

Eyes meeting Ginny's, Harry said, "We thought the park would be fun, and then dinner and a movie. How is that?"

"Great! What movie?"

"It's your choice."

Jimmy rambled off some movies he had heard about and wanted to see, describing them as much as he could to his parents. Harry didn't like the sound of this Pokemon thing, but he had a strong indication that that was what he was going to be listening to for a while, and Jimmy seemed the most excited about it.

The park was indeed fun, as Harry played with Jimmy all over the place, swinging him up into the air, tickling him, teasing him, chasing him. Harry noticed Ginny sitting on a bench almost in tears watching them. Harry told Jimmy he needed a rest and went to sit next to her.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she said smiling through misty eyes. "Nothing is wrong, that's why I'm so happy! You don't know how many times I've watched Michael play with Colin like that and wished…"

Harry thought deeply and then bravely asked, "Did you love him?"

"Oh, Harry…I loved the idea of him, but I was never in love with him."

"I'm jealous of him." He confessed.

Ginny turned to face him, "Why? I'm in love with you not him."

"Because he knows Jimmy better than I do. Because he has spent time with you over these last few years and I haven't." Harry took Ginny's right hand in his, playing with the ring sparkling in the autumn sunlight. "Ginny, I love you so much and…I want to ask you something…."

Ginny and Harry suddenly noticed that they were being watched by a pair of bright green eyes attached by a happily smiling face. "What is it, Jimmy?"

"Nothing. I'll go now," he said and scampered off.

"Whatever was that about?" Ginny asked.

"I don't know," Harry laughed.

"You know, Harry…we should really have a talk with him. And I've been thinking that sooner is better than later. He needs to know…everything."

"I agree…everything…"

***

Several hours later, they returned to Ginny's apartment with a son who was bouncing off the walls! He had really liked the movie…Harry would even had said he liked it almost too much, but he didn't want to risk spoiling the day. Dinner had been at Jimmy's favorite place; a pizza parlor where you could watch them toss the crust up into the air like a Frisbee. Harry enjoyed this more than the movie, but he wasn't about to let Jimmy know that. They entered the apartment hoping to calm him down and tell him the truth about magic. This took some time as Jimmy was still full of energy, but eventually he sat down ready to listen to whatever they were going to tell him.

"You know, I know what you are going to say!" he said mischievously.

"You do?" Ginny looked mystified.

"Uh huh!" Jimmy giggled.

Harry and Ginny exchanged glances and Harry asked, "What do you think we are going to say?"

"You know…" Jimmy rolled his eyes at them and made some goofy face. "THAT!"

Still bewildered, Ginny said, "What?"

"Oh MOMMY!" Jimmy was stunned that she didn't' understand what he was talking about. "You…you guys…you know….you're gonna…you KNOW!"

Thinking he was catching on to what his son was getting at, Harry said, "You think your mother and I are going to what?"

"DAD!" Jimmy laughed again. "Oh come on!"

"Are you suggesting that we get married?" Harry said boldly, trying not to look surprised at Ginny wide eyes and surprised face.

Jimmy laughed out loud at them and covered his face with his hands. "Well…isn't that what you are supposed to do?"

Harry looked over at Ginny who was still stunned. "That's what I want to do, but I suppose I need to ask permission first." He looked Jimmy in the eyes. "Jimmy, do I have your permission to ask your mother to marry me?"

Jimmy's laughter bellowed now, "DADDY! STOP!!!"

"I take that as a yes?"

Jimmy nodded, still laughing.

"Well then, there's no time like the present." Harry turned to her, stood up, dropped to one knee in front of her, took her hand in his and said, "Gin, I've been wanting to ask you this all day. I love you and I don't ever want to be apart form you. I asked you this along time ago and stupidly let you get away. Not this time. Ginny, will you marry me?"

It was as if a well of tears sprang form her eyes as she wrapped her arms around his neck and muttered yes into his chest. They kissed, half forgetting that Jimmy was sitting across from them, watching through his fingers, wiggling around in his seat at the site of them. Harry had never felt so happy in all his life! It was as if the last eight years had washed away and his life was finally where it should be. He deepened the kiss and tightened his grip on her waist.

They stayed like that for a few seconds. When they broke apart Ginny said, "Well, that wasn't the talk I thought we were going to have, but I certainly didn't mind having it!"

Harry laughed at her and took hold of her right hand. He pulled at the ring and said, "I think it's time this ring went back to its proper finger, Ginny." He slipped it off and pushed it gently onto her left hand. They both gazed down at it and then back up into each others eyes. "That ring was always meant to be worn on the left hand." He kissed her again.

Jimmy squealed from his seat. Harry pulled away and looked over his shoulder at him. With a wave of his hand, he signaled for Jimmy to join them. "Come here, you monster!"

Jimmy ran over to them and wrapped his arms around them both. Harry had thought he was happy earlier…but nothing compared to the feeling he now had in his heart. He was home. This was right. He finally had his family.

***

Getting Jimmy into bed that night was very difficult, but somehow they managed to talk him into it. He would not be going to school tomorrow as the impromptu proposal had kept them from talking about magic, and now with wedding plans hanging in the air, Ginny wanted to tell Jimmy everything.

The started down the hall towards Ginny's bedroom hand in hand. As they reached the door, Harry teasingly said, "Well, Ms. Weasley, here is where we say good night."

Ginny was puzzled, "What?"

"Well, your bed is in here and my bed is out there on the couch. Good night." He pecked her on the cheek quickly and turned to leave.

"Oh no you don't! I'm not spending another night beating up on my pillow!" She pulled him back to her and kissed him passionately.

Harry didn't need telling twice. He opened the door to Ginny's room and pulled her in with him. It would certainly be a while before either of them got to sleep, but this time, neither one minded much!

Chapter 11

They are acting weird, Jimmy said to himself. Course, most adults acted weird.

Jimmy had slept so soundly last night. Not only was his father home at last, but he was going to stay forever and marry Mommy! He was going to belong to a full and complete family, just like the other kids at school. He would never again have to pass up going on the Father/Son camp outs they offered. He could make father's day cards with the rest of the kids and not feel stupid about it. He could draw up a family tree and actually be able to fill in all the blanks! But something still wasn't right…

Mom kept looking at him funny, like she needed to say something but didn't know how to do it. Dad kept going into the bed room, shutting the door behind him, and then would come out again after a few minutes. Jimmy knew he was home for a purpose, as Mommy wouldn't just let him have a day off from school with out a good reason. What were they going to say?

Jimmy considered the possibilities and decided that they were probably going to tell him they were moving back to England. Mommy had said many times all her family was there. Jimmy was a bit excited and nervous at the idea that he had more family. Ha had been the kid with just a mom for so long that it was strange to think he had a dad, a grandma and grandpa, and lord knows how many uncles. Mom had mentioned a few over the years, but he wasn't sure how many.

That must be it. They must think I don't want to meet the rest of the family. Or maybe…and this one scared him…maybe they don't want the family to meet me. He looked over at him mom, chewing on a fingernail, and decided he couldn't take this much longer.

"Mom…can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, sweetheart." She appeared startled.

"Are we gonna go to England now?"

Dad came into the room at that and neither of his parents spoke for a few seconds. It was his dad who broke the silence. "Would you like to go to England?"

"Well, don't I have a Grandma and Grandpa there? And Uncles and stuff like that?"

"Yes, you do. You have six Uncles to be exact." Ginny said, joining him on the floor where he had been playing. "I'm not too sure how many of them are married now, but I imagine you have several Aunts and dozens of cousins."

"You rhymed, Mommy."

She chuckled, "So I did! So Jimmy…you wouldn't mind if we wanted to take you to England?"

"No. I mean, I want to meet them. And I've never been in a plane before. It would be fun!"

His parents exchanged glances and Jimmy knew something was up. He dad said, "Jimmy, there is something we need to tell you about before we can take you there."

Jimmy looked up at him, brows furrowed together.

"Yes,,,something that will change your life forever." His mom said softly.

What was going on? Something was very wrong about all this and Jimmy was getting very nervous. "What? What wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, dear, but…well…" Mom was searing for the right words. She did that whenever she had something to say that she didn't know how to say, but knew Jimmy needed to know. It was how she used to talk about hid Dad, so Jimmy was quite used to it.

"Jimmy, do you remember the time you accidentally tore the arm off Brown Bear and the next day he was fixed? You thought I fixed it, remember?"

Jimmy nodded.

"I didn't fix it, Jimmy…you did."

He shock his head. "No I didn't."

"Yes, you did, you wanted him fixed so badly that you couldn't resist fixing him yourself."

"Mom, I don't know how to sew."

"You didn't sew. You just…wished….that he would be fixed."

Jimmy looked at his mother as if she were insane. This was crazy!

"Or how about the time last year when that little boy was making fun of you and hurt your feelings?"

Jimmy rolled his eyes and looked at the floor. Don't talk about that, please Mommy…not in front of Daddy! He'll think I'm strange and he won't like me anymore! But she went on.

"Did you or did you not tell me that you wanted all of his hair to fall out? And then the next day at school, he showed up with a bald head."

Jimmy heard his dad give a muffled laugh. "It's not funny!" he said to his Dad. "Don't laugh at me."

"I'm sorry Jimmy, it's just that your mother didn't tell me about that one."

His mouth gapped open at his mother. "You TOLD him? Mommy! NO!"

His Dad reached out and took his arm gently. "Jimmy, it's okay. There isn't anything to worry about."

"You think I'm strange now, don't you? You think I'm some kind of weird-do!" He was trying to struggle free.

"No, I most certainly do not! I think you're just like me!" Hearing his Dad's words, Jimmy paused and looked at him. "I had dozens of strange things happen to me when I was little and I couldn't explain them. My Aunt and Uncle were terrified of me. Honest! I turned my teacher's hair blue once, even!"

"Really?"

"Really."

"But there is an explanation." His father said lowering his voice.

"There is?"

He nodded. "But you have to promise me something. You have to promise me that you won't think I'm strange for telling you this. It's the truth, and I can prove it."

Jimmy was very curious now. His Dad seemed very cool and was so interesting. How could he be strange? "Okay…I promise." Passing a glance from one parent to the other, Jimmy waited patiently for the explanation.

"Jimmy," Dad said, "you are a wizard."

Huh? A what? Jimmy didn't understand. "A wizard? You mean like a magician?"

"Sort of, but the magicians you are used to with rabbits in hats and tricks with playing cards…well…their magic isn't real. But the magic you are capable of is very real."

Jimmy looked to his mother. "He's telling you the truth, dear. You are a wizard."

He thought for a moment, considering all the strange things that had ever happened to him. How was this possible? Weren't his parents mad or something? "But, how did I become a wizard?"

"You know, I don't know how it happens. Some people have it and some people don't." His Dad leaned back, still looking at him. "But usually, if your parents have it then you have it. So it's no surprise that you are a wizard."

"You're a wizard, too?" Jimmy asked shocked.

"Yes. And your mother is a witch."

"Wait," he thought for a moment. "Mom can do magic?"

"Yes I can," she sat on the floor next to him. "But I haven't in a very long time, so this might not work, but we'll see." Jimmy watched as his mother balled up her hands, muttered something he didn't understand, and a small blue flame appeared in her hands. Jimmy's jaw fell into his lap. "Not bad for being a bit rusty," she said.

"How…how…you…I…"

"Some magic can be done without a wand. You mother was always good at starting fires like that."

(that's all I got to…sorry!)