Disclaimer: I don't own anything. It all belongs to J. K. Rowling. Well, except the part that me and Stacy thought up. She's an amazing beta reader, and her e-mail's if anyone needs one.
NOTE: no need to worry, they found Christina. I was being stupid when I wrote this chapter, and totally forgot about the lost child. So we'll just say that everything turned out ok :)
Chapter 10: Hello Stranger
It feels like I've loved Harry my whole life. I've always been completely in awe at the amount of bravery and kindness he possesses. And I swore that I'd drop out of Hogwarts if I wasn't sorted into Gryffindor with him. The loyalty that he showed Ron and Hermione was amazing, and I was so jealous. Why couldn't I be his best friend? The obvious reason was; because he didn't even know that I existed.
Well, maybe that's a bit of a stretch. I suppose it's hard to forget about the girl who sent you a singing valentine and embarrassed you in front of the entire school with verses about your fresh-pickled-toad-green eyes and black-board-black hair.
So, of course, after that little incident, everyone knew about my crush. The words that Draco Malfoy shouted at me after it still haunt me. "I don't think Potter liked your valentine much!"
Bloody bastard. And that stupid dwarf that just had to tackle Harry and sing the valentine in the middle of the corridor! I specifically asked for him to do it when no one was around, that way Harry wouldn't know it was from me. And now I have this thing against small people. All because of that dwarf who couldn't follow simple directions.
So, of course, ever since then, my brothers have considered it their duty to tease me about my crush on Harry. But none so much as Fred and George. They seem to take the duty a bit too seriously. They are, after all, professional teasers.
You have no idea how much shit I went though the summer after the Valentine Incident. Fred and George would just follow me around the house, shouting in high pitched voices, "Gee Harry, you're keen!" They also decided that making me nearly cry with embarrassment was in the job description, so they'd constantly recite that horrid poem. It was during these trying times that I came to appreciate the words 'fuck off.'
But I suppose the years of endless torture I went through were worth something, because now I could rub their smug little faces in it! Harry and I were together—finally. I no longer had to sit on the side lines and watch him pine over girls that, obviously, weren't his type. Enter: Cho Chang. She was like a freakin' sprinkler for God's sakes. The girl cried when she was happy, sad, angry, confused, scared. It was pathetic! And it literally broke my heart when Harry said that he'd asked her to the Yule Ball.
The only real reason I had so many boyfriends was to get Harry's attention. Sad, but true. I figured it would make him jealous. Well, that plan failed miserably.
But enough about the past! Harry was now officially mine, and Cho was probably performing this very moment in a local strip club.
It had been two months and three days since Christina was born, and she was as beautiful as ever. I had always laughed at those pathetic mothers who stare awe-struck at their sleeping children, but now I had become one.
It was about two in the afternoon, and I was just sitting in my room with a chair pulled up next to Christina's crib. My eyes were glued on her; watching her stomach rise and fall with each breath as she slept, moving her little arms and feet ever so often.
"How long have you been here?" Harry said with an amused tone, from the doorway. If I hadn't been smiling stupidly already, I would have started to at the sound of his voice.
"About an hour." I said dreamily, not taking my eyes off of Christina.
"I'll admit that she's beautiful," Harry said, grabbing a chair from my desk and sitting down next to me. "but this is no way to live. You can't just sit up here all day, watching her sleep."
"And why not?" I asked, becoming a little defensive as I looked up at Harry.
"Because then people will start referring to you as the crazy lady of Ottery St. Catchpole." Harry reasoned.
"You say that like it's a bad thing." I said, not being able to help myself. "Come on, it's not like you don't do it."
Harry sighed, not being able to deny it, and stared lovingly at Christina.
"She looks like you." He pointed out after a few minutes of comfortable silence. I smiled happily, feeling very content with the fact that my child looked nothing like her father.
"She might now, but not when she grows up." I said, hoping that my poor child won't have another horrible Weasley trait; big feet. I was fortunate enough to not have that particular gene, but all of my brothers do, and so do my parents.
Christina must have known what I was thinking, because she suddenly woke up and started crying.
I picked her up gently from her crib and held her close, bouncing up and down slightly and making shushing noises.
"Oh God, she smells." I said, wrinkling my nose as a rancid smell met my nose.
"That's a horrible thing to say about your baby." Harry laughed.
"I think she needs a changing." I said, raising my voice a little as Christina's crying got louder. "There are some diapers downstairs. Hold her for a second and I'll be right back." I said, practically throwing my crying child at Harry and running from the room.
"Coward!" Harry yelled after me. I nearly jumped down the stairs, my ears quietly thanking me for getting them away from the crying.
I was searching everyplace there could be a diaper, taking my dandy old time, and not wanting to go upstairs to my screaming banshee of a daughter, when the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it!" I yelled to no one in particular. All of my brothers were out back de-gnoming our garden, and mum and dad had gone to Diagon Alley for the day. I skipped to the door—ever since I'd lost my pregnancy figure, I'd had a tendency to do that. I suppose I was just overly happy about being slim again.
I swung the door open and, as soon as the person's face in front of me registered in my brain, my brow furrowed and everything seemed to come to a crashing halt.
"Hey Ginny." Devon said with a smile. He was standing, feet from me, looking exactly how I remembered he had. Yet, I didn't believe it was him. I wanted to slam the door in his face, but I found myself inviting him inside.
"Devon..." I began, trying to get everything straight in my very confused head. "What are you doing here?"
"What do you mean what am I doing here?" Devon chuckled. His happiness and kindness just confused me further. "I came to visit you, of course."
He and I stood by the door for a while, totally consumed in an uncomfortable silence. He just smiled at me, as if we were the best of friends, and always had been. And I just stood there, my brain working as fast as it could, trying to understand just what the bloody hell was going on.
"Gin, I think she's hungry—" Came Harry's voice as he descended the stairs with Christina in his arms. He quickly stopped when he spotted Devon, and looked at me with a furrowed brow. I'm sure he didn't remember Devon from Hogwarts, but it's not everyday that you see a strange man just standing in the hall.
It took me a few moments, but I finally remembered that an introduction was probably in order.
"Harry, this is Devon." I said. Harry said 'oh' very quietly, and muttered something about Martians taking over our backyard as he quickly handed me Christina and slipped out of the room.
"So who's this?" Devon asked, looking at the child in my arms.
"This is the baby I've been owling you about." I said coldly. "And, in case you didn't catch it the first twenty times I told you, you're her father."
"What's her name?" Devon asked, moving closer to Christina, as if hoping to hold her. But I tightened my grip around her and took a small step back.
"Her name's Christina." I said simply.
"Did you name her after Christina Aguilera?" He asked stupidly.
"Yes, Devon, because, as we all know, it's my dream that my child will grow up to be a slut. I'm just giving her a head start." I said icily, rolling my eyes.
"I know that you're mad at me," Devon said with a frown. "but I can explain everything. Why don't you let me take you to dinner tonight, and we can straighten everything out?"
That was just the type of opportunity I'd been waiting for. I wanted to do nothing more then laugh in his face, curse him out, and then set my brothers loose on him. But Christina stopped me. She looked up at me with her bright green eyes, and silently reminded me that Devon was her father. I couldn't just take him out of her life for my own sake. Every child needs to know their father.
"I suppose." I said quietly.
"Wonderful," Devon said, a smile back on his face. "I'll pick you up around eight tonight."
Just as Devon was about to leave, Harry came into the room, but stopped dead in his tracks as he saw that Devon was still in the house.
"Er, sorry." He said, turning to leave again.
"It's alright Harry, Devon was just about to leave." I said, happy that someone I wasn't having murderous fantasies about was in the room.
"Come on Harry," Came Fred's voice from the kitchen. "Let's go play Qui—" He stopped mid-sentence when he walked into the room and saw Devon. Of course, he didn't know who Devon was, but, yet again, a stranger in the house isn't something you see everyday.
My heart stopped when I saw that Fred was carrying his Beater's bat. Harry quickly intercepted and grabbed it from him, saving Devon from any future injuries.
"I'll see you at eight." I whispered to Devon, literally pushing him out the door. Once he was gone, I turned to Fred.
"Who the hell was that?" Fred asked.
"That was Devon. The father of my child." I said simply.
Fred got a dead-serious look on his face, and said, "Harry, give me my bat."
Once Devon and I were seated in the amazingly expensive restaurant he'd picked out, I asked the question I'd been wanting to ask for months. Nine months to be exact.
"Why are you here?" I asked, fixing him with a very serious glare.
"You don't think I'd abandon my own child, do you Ginny?" he asked with a little laugh. "Honestly, I've always thought you smarter then that."
"What about that letter you sent me? Telling me that the baby wasn't yours?" I asked, anger coming into my voice as I remembered everything he'd said.
"Well what kind of reaction were you looking for?" Devon laughed as he casually looked over the menu. "You drop this bomb on me, and didn't even have the decency to do it face to face. You send me a bloody letter, for God's sake."
"Well, I'm sorry, but—" I started.
"There's no need to apologize. What's done is done." He said kindly. Just then the waiter came and asked us what we'd like to drink.
"Are you paying?" I asked. Devon nodded, and my eyes instantly landed on the wine list. I ordered the most expensive one there. The bastard deserved it.
Once the waiter had gone again, Devon placed his hand over mine, which was resting on the table.
"I want to be part of Caitlin's life." Devon said with a smile.
"Christina." I snapped, snatching my hand away from his and crossing my arms.
"Well, how do you expect me to know? I've only known her for a day." Devon said bitterly.
"That's your own fault." I spat.
"Oh, so it's my fault that your so obsessed with your own needs, that you forget about your child's?" Devon asked angrily.
"I am not—"
"Oh, please Ginny, you've always been more concerned about what you want then anything else."
"Name one time." I said loudly, anger taking over my common sense, causing people to stare.
"Just five minutes ago, you ordered the most expensive thing on the menu, not even caring how much money I have." Devon said angrily. I stayed quiet, not sure what to think. Did I really just care about myself?
"And all throughout our relationship, you've always had to be the center of attention." Devon continued. "It's always about how you feel and what you want to do. I'd feel so God damn worthless all the time, and you wouldn't even notice."
"Well, you never said anything..." I started meekly.
"You wouldn't let me say anything!" Devon exclaimed. "If I even tried to mention something that doesn't concern you, you'd immediately cut me off and change the topic to something about yourself."
I felt so shitty. Had I really treated him that badly? Was I like this with all of my boyfriends?
"Devon, I'm—I'm so sorry." I stuttered, still confused but knowing that he was probably waiting for an apology.
"It's alright, Gin," Devon said, a smile back on his face as he touched my arm gently. "because I'm back, and I'm going to try and fix this. You just have to work harder."
I smiled weakly back at him, still not sure what to think.
"We can make a wonderful family for Christina. That's what you want, isn't it?" He asked almost accusingly.
"Of course." I said quickly.
"Good," Devon said, smiling once again.
We had a pretty pleasant dinner after that. Once our plates were cleared, and we were waiting for the check, Devon brought up a subject that hadn't even crossed my mind.
"So, when will you and Christina be moving in with me?" He asked casually, causing me to spit some of the wine I was drinking back into it's glass.
"What?" I sputtered, wiping my mouth.
"Well, it's obvious, isn't it?" Devon laughed. "Christina needs a strong family, Gin. I already have a house in Ireland. We can all live there and you and me can raise her together."
My head was spinning. Ireland? That was so far away. What about my friends? What about my family? What about...
Harry. What about Harry? Everything was so perfect with him, and now I was going to throw all of that away just so that Christina could know this jackass?
But what if she really wanted to know this jackass. I mean, he was her father. I couldn't ruin that for her. It wasn't my decision to make, weather or not she should see her father on a regular basic. It was my responsibility, and I had to do whatever it took to make sure that Christina had her father. It was her decision weather or not she wanted him in her life.
I came home around midnight that night. And, wouldn't you know it, Harry was waiting up for me. He was sitting on the couch in the family room with a sleeping Christina in his arms.
"How was it?" He asked, lying my baby down in the basinet next to him.
"Not at all what I expected." I said, forcing a laugh. A word that better suited as an answer to his question, would be 'hell.' I hate finding out horrible things about myself, and that night I had been described as a person I didn't even know.
Usually someone would just say, "Ginny, you have an obsession with shoes." And I'd just think, well, what woman with a fully functioning brain isn't like that? But that night, I had been told thing that literally made me cringe. This woman that Devon was describing was cold and heartless. I couldn't imagine how many people I must have hurt by being the way I was.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked. My feelings must have shown in my face.
I didn't know how to tell him, so I just came right out and said it.
"I'm... I'm going to Ireland, Harry." I said nervously, not being able to look him in the eye.
"But, why? What about Christina?" He asked. My heart broke at how confused he sounded.
"She's coming with me." I explained, finally forcing my eyes to meet his. "That's where Devon lives."
Harry didn't even speak. I could literally see his face fall.
"It's for Christina's sake." I reasoned, desperate for him to understand and not get angry with me.
"What about your sake?" Harry asked sharply.
I wanted to tell him how much I wanted to stay there with him, and not go to another country with Devon. How much I needed him in my life, and how much I wanted him to be Christina's father.
But the words Devon had said to me lingered in my brain. It wasn't about what I wanted. Not anymore.
"My sake doesn't matter. I have a child now, Harry. She always comes first." I said, wanting to burst into tears but knowing that that wouldn't do any good.
"But what about..." Harry asked. He paused, but I knew what he was going to say. "What about us?" he finally asked quietly.
I didn't know what to say. The words wouldn't come, and I was desperate to explain. The more time passed in silence, the more it killed me to look at Harry.
"Christina needs her father." I said quietly.
"He's been nothing but horrible to you, and you're still going back to him?" Harry said loudly. I cringed at his tone, but knew I deserved it. "What's the matter with you? You know he's going to be just as horrible to Christina!"
"But it wasn't his fault!" I pleaded. "I've been terribly selfish in Devon and my relationship. He had ever right to be horrible."
"Ginny, I can't believe this." Harry sighed, sounding beyond disappointment. "You're so intelligent; how could you let this guy make you think that your anything less then perfect?"
"Because I'm not perfect." I said firmly. "When Devon and I were together, I only cared about myself. But I'm going to change, and we're going to try and make things work so that Christina can have a family."
"Don't you get it?" Harry asked angrily. "He's lying to you and blaming you for all of his mistakes just so that he can have you back. Do you seriously want this kind of guy raising your child?"
I didn't know what to say. I wanted to cry and tell Harry that he was wrong. I was horribly selfish and Devon was kind enough to give me another chance.
"Look, is there any chance that we can be friends?" I asked. I wanted more, but I knew that Christina needed her biological father.
"No." Harry stated simply. I felt tears stinging my eyes.
"Why not?" I asked weakly.
"Because I can't watch Devon be with you, when I would do anything to be in his place. I can't love you any less then I already do. We're either together, or we never see each other again." Harry said determinedly. His face was set, but I could see, in his eyes, that he didn't want the words to be true.
"...I'm sorry." I said quietly, sitting down on the couch shakily and burying my wet face in my hands. The next thing I heard was the front door slam shut, and Christina starting to cry. I couldn't help but join her.
First off: THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL OF THE REVIEWERS! OVER 200 REVIEWS!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!! This makes finals much more bearable!
I feel like such a horrible person. You guys were so good to me, and I repay you by giving you this butthead of a chapter where sad stuff happens. But, fear not, I PROMISE more funny and happy things are to come.
Merit Somnia: I'm getting that writers itch where I really wanna write something else. The only problem is, I donno what to write about. I have no more fanfic ideas, besides this one. So now I just sit in front of my computer and stare at the screen. It's actually pretty sad. ANYWAYS, I'm glad I made you laugh, and I promise that, even though this chapter was a downer, it will pick up.
Musicall: lol, glad you liked nurse bitchy. Luckily, I've never had a nurse like that, but I can imagine.
Destiny-ruler: lol, I'm the same kind of person. I cant turn down a good love story, and it's even more fun writing them... heehee, yea, Ginny never looses her sense of humor. She'd probably make jokes on her deathbed.
TeamExtremeGurl: Thank you! I promise to update every Friday, even if I'm dying from those damn finals.
Smudged: I'm glad you're still reading, and I hope that this sad chapter won't change you're mind.
Da90schic: lol, yep, she had the baby. 'idnt it cute?!
Duke20104: lol, I'll try to work in Chrissy beating Devon to the ground somewhere in the story. And I like the idea about her at Hogwarts.
Herbie: I know just what you mean! I look back at the Spice Girls, and I'm like, "How did I not see that?" Like the other night, I watched their movie Spice World, and I couldn't believe all of the sexual references!
Mintytoothpick: heehee, thinking of any guy fainting is funny, especially Harry. Anyways, I'm glad you think it's funny, and I promise it won't stay in this sad mode for long.
Fentoozler612: aw, thanks! And I see what you're talking about with the whole Harry/baby thing. It's so much less complicated when there isn't a child involved. Especially when it's not yours. But I suppose, after this chapter, we wont have to worry about that problem.
Foags: lol, good job on finding the Friends stuff! And you know what's weird? I didn't even think about the 'Chandler triplet' thing! Wow, I'm making Friends references and don't even know it; that's gotta be bad.
Eric2: I was actually very aware of Harry having green eyes when I wrote it. But that wasn't who I was thinking of. Think of another person with green eyes. Who's a girl. And had red hair...
KeeperOfTheMoon: lol, calm down! The baby's fine. I totally forgot about that part when I wrote this chapter, actually. So, I suppose what happened is a mystery, even for me.
SolitairySoul: heehee, I would feel the same way if the nurse gave me a baby that was black and I'm not black. Well, unless the guy I had it with was black, then I guess it'd be okay.
Smilie:-)chick: I'm glad you like it so far. Sorry that this chapter wasn't as funny as the others. I promise many more funny ones to come... hopefully.
Courtney: You don't like cliffhangers?! Well, I suppose I don't like reading them either. But writing them is fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun.
Swishy Willow Wand: Wow, you have a lot of favorite shows. Though, I suppose I do too (Friends, Will & Grace, Scrubs, MadTV, ER, Joan of Arcadia, Gilmore Girls). Ok, so maybe I have more favorites then you.
Cold-blooded-2-u: Cool name. Very Slytheriny. That is so totally a word.
MoonGoddess25: lol, glad you liked the tongs thing. It was all Friends inspired (like most of the things I write).
Spinxey: Aw, thanks. I'm so glad you like it!
Mark: Man, now I feel bad! This chapter was neither hilarious, nor cute. I feel I've let you down. hangs head
Chelles: Aw, that's smelly. I mean, New York is fun and all, but what we northerners need during these chilly months is some sand and sun! All well, New York City is better then where I went: no where.
Faith456: Do you live in England? Arg, I'm so jealous! Once I get out of high school, that's where I'm moving. Somewhere in London is an apartment with my name on it. Not to mention a few British boys with my initials engraved somewhere on them. Tom Felton, perhaps?
Does it really matter: don't die! Well, if you insist on it, at least you're doing it happily.
Lucius magical pimp stick: Maybe Harry fancies her a bit too much. I mean, he can't even bare to see her with another man. Especially when he knows that that other man isn't what will make her happy.
Jenna: Everyone's entitled to their own opinion. I didn't think I was being racist or anything, so I figured it'd be okay. Sorry if I offended you or something.
Luna Lovegood2: omg, what a coincidence! That's so cool that you're friends mom just had a baby! Sure, Christina's a common name, but I'm gonna go with the 'everything's connected' reason.
Limar: haha, it's always nice to hear that my humor has effected my reader's ass.
The French Rabbi: Wow, I wish I would have known Eddie before. Now I feel complete.
Little-lost-one: Aw, you've caught on, kinda. But think of another girl with green eyes. Red hair.... got it?
OfTheWest: Actually, I've never gotten that question. And I never really thought about it either. But I can try my best to make up a answer that reeks of BS. Arthur didn't talk to Devon's father at work because Ginny wanted to figure it all out without her parents help. You know, the whole independent thing. I know, that's the worst lie you've ever heard. As for the whole 'the baby could be Harry's,' look at what I said to Little-lost-one above.
Lightprincess: I'm so glad you like my story. I hope that the sadness in this chapter, and the next one (just to warn you) doesn't make you like it less. I promise that the funniness will be back soon.
A/N: The idea of Devon came from the boyfriend in the book Watermelon by Marian Keyes. She is basically my source of inspiration for everything—to put it bluntly. I totally recommend that book as well as every other thing she's written... I'm a tad obsessed.
If you want me to e-mail you when I update, just give me you e-mail address in the review and I'd be happy to do it :)
NOTE: no need to worry, they found Christina. I was being stupid when I wrote this chapter, and totally forgot about the lost child. So we'll just say that everything turned out ok :)
Chapter 10: Hello Stranger
It feels like I've loved Harry my whole life. I've always been completely in awe at the amount of bravery and kindness he possesses. And I swore that I'd drop out of Hogwarts if I wasn't sorted into Gryffindor with him. The loyalty that he showed Ron and Hermione was amazing, and I was so jealous. Why couldn't I be his best friend? The obvious reason was; because he didn't even know that I existed.
Well, maybe that's a bit of a stretch. I suppose it's hard to forget about the girl who sent you a singing valentine and embarrassed you in front of the entire school with verses about your fresh-pickled-toad-green eyes and black-board-black hair.
So, of course, after that little incident, everyone knew about my crush. The words that Draco Malfoy shouted at me after it still haunt me. "I don't think Potter liked your valentine much!"
Bloody bastard. And that stupid dwarf that just had to tackle Harry and sing the valentine in the middle of the corridor! I specifically asked for him to do it when no one was around, that way Harry wouldn't know it was from me. And now I have this thing against small people. All because of that dwarf who couldn't follow simple directions.
So, of course, ever since then, my brothers have considered it their duty to tease me about my crush on Harry. But none so much as Fred and George. They seem to take the duty a bit too seriously. They are, after all, professional teasers.
You have no idea how much shit I went though the summer after the Valentine Incident. Fred and George would just follow me around the house, shouting in high pitched voices, "Gee Harry, you're keen!" They also decided that making me nearly cry with embarrassment was in the job description, so they'd constantly recite that horrid poem. It was during these trying times that I came to appreciate the words 'fuck off.'
But I suppose the years of endless torture I went through were worth something, because now I could rub their smug little faces in it! Harry and I were together—finally. I no longer had to sit on the side lines and watch him pine over girls that, obviously, weren't his type. Enter: Cho Chang. She was like a freakin' sprinkler for God's sakes. The girl cried when she was happy, sad, angry, confused, scared. It was pathetic! And it literally broke my heart when Harry said that he'd asked her to the Yule Ball.
The only real reason I had so many boyfriends was to get Harry's attention. Sad, but true. I figured it would make him jealous. Well, that plan failed miserably.
But enough about the past! Harry was now officially mine, and Cho was probably performing this very moment in a local strip club.
It had been two months and three days since Christina was born, and she was as beautiful as ever. I had always laughed at those pathetic mothers who stare awe-struck at their sleeping children, but now I had become one.
It was about two in the afternoon, and I was just sitting in my room with a chair pulled up next to Christina's crib. My eyes were glued on her; watching her stomach rise and fall with each breath as she slept, moving her little arms and feet ever so often.
"How long have you been here?" Harry said with an amused tone, from the doorway. If I hadn't been smiling stupidly already, I would have started to at the sound of his voice.
"About an hour." I said dreamily, not taking my eyes off of Christina.
"I'll admit that she's beautiful," Harry said, grabbing a chair from my desk and sitting down next to me. "but this is no way to live. You can't just sit up here all day, watching her sleep."
"And why not?" I asked, becoming a little defensive as I looked up at Harry.
"Because then people will start referring to you as the crazy lady of Ottery St. Catchpole." Harry reasoned.
"You say that like it's a bad thing." I said, not being able to help myself. "Come on, it's not like you don't do it."
Harry sighed, not being able to deny it, and stared lovingly at Christina.
"She looks like you." He pointed out after a few minutes of comfortable silence. I smiled happily, feeling very content with the fact that my child looked nothing like her father.
"She might now, but not when she grows up." I said, hoping that my poor child won't have another horrible Weasley trait; big feet. I was fortunate enough to not have that particular gene, but all of my brothers do, and so do my parents.
Christina must have known what I was thinking, because she suddenly woke up and started crying.
I picked her up gently from her crib and held her close, bouncing up and down slightly and making shushing noises.
"Oh God, she smells." I said, wrinkling my nose as a rancid smell met my nose.
"That's a horrible thing to say about your baby." Harry laughed.
"I think she needs a changing." I said, raising my voice a little as Christina's crying got louder. "There are some diapers downstairs. Hold her for a second and I'll be right back." I said, practically throwing my crying child at Harry and running from the room.
"Coward!" Harry yelled after me. I nearly jumped down the stairs, my ears quietly thanking me for getting them away from the crying.
I was searching everyplace there could be a diaper, taking my dandy old time, and not wanting to go upstairs to my screaming banshee of a daughter, when the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it!" I yelled to no one in particular. All of my brothers were out back de-gnoming our garden, and mum and dad had gone to Diagon Alley for the day. I skipped to the door—ever since I'd lost my pregnancy figure, I'd had a tendency to do that. I suppose I was just overly happy about being slim again.
I swung the door open and, as soon as the person's face in front of me registered in my brain, my brow furrowed and everything seemed to come to a crashing halt.
"Hey Ginny." Devon said with a smile. He was standing, feet from me, looking exactly how I remembered he had. Yet, I didn't believe it was him. I wanted to slam the door in his face, but I found myself inviting him inside.
"Devon..." I began, trying to get everything straight in my very confused head. "What are you doing here?"
"What do you mean what am I doing here?" Devon chuckled. His happiness and kindness just confused me further. "I came to visit you, of course."
He and I stood by the door for a while, totally consumed in an uncomfortable silence. He just smiled at me, as if we were the best of friends, and always had been. And I just stood there, my brain working as fast as it could, trying to understand just what the bloody hell was going on.
"Gin, I think she's hungry—" Came Harry's voice as he descended the stairs with Christina in his arms. He quickly stopped when he spotted Devon, and looked at me with a furrowed brow. I'm sure he didn't remember Devon from Hogwarts, but it's not everyday that you see a strange man just standing in the hall.
It took me a few moments, but I finally remembered that an introduction was probably in order.
"Harry, this is Devon." I said. Harry said 'oh' very quietly, and muttered something about Martians taking over our backyard as he quickly handed me Christina and slipped out of the room.
"So who's this?" Devon asked, looking at the child in my arms.
"This is the baby I've been owling you about." I said coldly. "And, in case you didn't catch it the first twenty times I told you, you're her father."
"What's her name?" Devon asked, moving closer to Christina, as if hoping to hold her. But I tightened my grip around her and took a small step back.
"Her name's Christina." I said simply.
"Did you name her after Christina Aguilera?" He asked stupidly.
"Yes, Devon, because, as we all know, it's my dream that my child will grow up to be a slut. I'm just giving her a head start." I said icily, rolling my eyes.
"I know that you're mad at me," Devon said with a frown. "but I can explain everything. Why don't you let me take you to dinner tonight, and we can straighten everything out?"
That was just the type of opportunity I'd been waiting for. I wanted to do nothing more then laugh in his face, curse him out, and then set my brothers loose on him. But Christina stopped me. She looked up at me with her bright green eyes, and silently reminded me that Devon was her father. I couldn't just take him out of her life for my own sake. Every child needs to know their father.
"I suppose." I said quietly.
"Wonderful," Devon said, a smile back on his face. "I'll pick you up around eight tonight."
Just as Devon was about to leave, Harry came into the room, but stopped dead in his tracks as he saw that Devon was still in the house.
"Er, sorry." He said, turning to leave again.
"It's alright Harry, Devon was just about to leave." I said, happy that someone I wasn't having murderous fantasies about was in the room.
"Come on Harry," Came Fred's voice from the kitchen. "Let's go play Qui—" He stopped mid-sentence when he walked into the room and saw Devon. Of course, he didn't know who Devon was, but, yet again, a stranger in the house isn't something you see everyday.
My heart stopped when I saw that Fred was carrying his Beater's bat. Harry quickly intercepted and grabbed it from him, saving Devon from any future injuries.
"I'll see you at eight." I whispered to Devon, literally pushing him out the door. Once he was gone, I turned to Fred.
"Who the hell was that?" Fred asked.
"That was Devon. The father of my child." I said simply.
Fred got a dead-serious look on his face, and said, "Harry, give me my bat."
Once Devon and I were seated in the amazingly expensive restaurant he'd picked out, I asked the question I'd been wanting to ask for months. Nine months to be exact.
"Why are you here?" I asked, fixing him with a very serious glare.
"You don't think I'd abandon my own child, do you Ginny?" he asked with a little laugh. "Honestly, I've always thought you smarter then that."
"What about that letter you sent me? Telling me that the baby wasn't yours?" I asked, anger coming into my voice as I remembered everything he'd said.
"Well what kind of reaction were you looking for?" Devon laughed as he casually looked over the menu. "You drop this bomb on me, and didn't even have the decency to do it face to face. You send me a bloody letter, for God's sake."
"Well, I'm sorry, but—" I started.
"There's no need to apologize. What's done is done." He said kindly. Just then the waiter came and asked us what we'd like to drink.
"Are you paying?" I asked. Devon nodded, and my eyes instantly landed on the wine list. I ordered the most expensive one there. The bastard deserved it.
Once the waiter had gone again, Devon placed his hand over mine, which was resting on the table.
"I want to be part of Caitlin's life." Devon said with a smile.
"Christina." I snapped, snatching my hand away from his and crossing my arms.
"Well, how do you expect me to know? I've only known her for a day." Devon said bitterly.
"That's your own fault." I spat.
"Oh, so it's my fault that your so obsessed with your own needs, that you forget about your child's?" Devon asked angrily.
"I am not—"
"Oh, please Ginny, you've always been more concerned about what you want then anything else."
"Name one time." I said loudly, anger taking over my common sense, causing people to stare.
"Just five minutes ago, you ordered the most expensive thing on the menu, not even caring how much money I have." Devon said angrily. I stayed quiet, not sure what to think. Did I really just care about myself?
"And all throughout our relationship, you've always had to be the center of attention." Devon continued. "It's always about how you feel and what you want to do. I'd feel so God damn worthless all the time, and you wouldn't even notice."
"Well, you never said anything..." I started meekly.
"You wouldn't let me say anything!" Devon exclaimed. "If I even tried to mention something that doesn't concern you, you'd immediately cut me off and change the topic to something about yourself."
I felt so shitty. Had I really treated him that badly? Was I like this with all of my boyfriends?
"Devon, I'm—I'm so sorry." I stuttered, still confused but knowing that he was probably waiting for an apology.
"It's alright, Gin," Devon said, a smile back on his face as he touched my arm gently. "because I'm back, and I'm going to try and fix this. You just have to work harder."
I smiled weakly back at him, still not sure what to think.
"We can make a wonderful family for Christina. That's what you want, isn't it?" He asked almost accusingly.
"Of course." I said quickly.
"Good," Devon said, smiling once again.
We had a pretty pleasant dinner after that. Once our plates were cleared, and we were waiting for the check, Devon brought up a subject that hadn't even crossed my mind.
"So, when will you and Christina be moving in with me?" He asked casually, causing me to spit some of the wine I was drinking back into it's glass.
"What?" I sputtered, wiping my mouth.
"Well, it's obvious, isn't it?" Devon laughed. "Christina needs a strong family, Gin. I already have a house in Ireland. We can all live there and you and me can raise her together."
My head was spinning. Ireland? That was so far away. What about my friends? What about my family? What about...
Harry. What about Harry? Everything was so perfect with him, and now I was going to throw all of that away just so that Christina could know this jackass?
But what if she really wanted to know this jackass. I mean, he was her father. I couldn't ruin that for her. It wasn't my decision to make, weather or not she should see her father on a regular basic. It was my responsibility, and I had to do whatever it took to make sure that Christina had her father. It was her decision weather or not she wanted him in her life.
I came home around midnight that night. And, wouldn't you know it, Harry was waiting up for me. He was sitting on the couch in the family room with a sleeping Christina in his arms.
"How was it?" He asked, lying my baby down in the basinet next to him.
"Not at all what I expected." I said, forcing a laugh. A word that better suited as an answer to his question, would be 'hell.' I hate finding out horrible things about myself, and that night I had been described as a person I didn't even know.
Usually someone would just say, "Ginny, you have an obsession with shoes." And I'd just think, well, what woman with a fully functioning brain isn't like that? But that night, I had been told thing that literally made me cringe. This woman that Devon was describing was cold and heartless. I couldn't imagine how many people I must have hurt by being the way I was.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked. My feelings must have shown in my face.
I didn't know how to tell him, so I just came right out and said it.
"I'm... I'm going to Ireland, Harry." I said nervously, not being able to look him in the eye.
"But, why? What about Christina?" He asked. My heart broke at how confused he sounded.
"She's coming with me." I explained, finally forcing my eyes to meet his. "That's where Devon lives."
Harry didn't even speak. I could literally see his face fall.
"It's for Christina's sake." I reasoned, desperate for him to understand and not get angry with me.
"What about your sake?" Harry asked sharply.
I wanted to tell him how much I wanted to stay there with him, and not go to another country with Devon. How much I needed him in my life, and how much I wanted him to be Christina's father.
But the words Devon had said to me lingered in my brain. It wasn't about what I wanted. Not anymore.
"My sake doesn't matter. I have a child now, Harry. She always comes first." I said, wanting to burst into tears but knowing that that wouldn't do any good.
"But what about..." Harry asked. He paused, but I knew what he was going to say. "What about us?" he finally asked quietly.
I didn't know what to say. The words wouldn't come, and I was desperate to explain. The more time passed in silence, the more it killed me to look at Harry.
"Christina needs her father." I said quietly.
"He's been nothing but horrible to you, and you're still going back to him?" Harry said loudly. I cringed at his tone, but knew I deserved it. "What's the matter with you? You know he's going to be just as horrible to Christina!"
"But it wasn't his fault!" I pleaded. "I've been terribly selfish in Devon and my relationship. He had ever right to be horrible."
"Ginny, I can't believe this." Harry sighed, sounding beyond disappointment. "You're so intelligent; how could you let this guy make you think that your anything less then perfect?"
"Because I'm not perfect." I said firmly. "When Devon and I were together, I only cared about myself. But I'm going to change, and we're going to try and make things work so that Christina can have a family."
"Don't you get it?" Harry asked angrily. "He's lying to you and blaming you for all of his mistakes just so that he can have you back. Do you seriously want this kind of guy raising your child?"
I didn't know what to say. I wanted to cry and tell Harry that he was wrong. I was horribly selfish and Devon was kind enough to give me another chance.
"Look, is there any chance that we can be friends?" I asked. I wanted more, but I knew that Christina needed her biological father.
"No." Harry stated simply. I felt tears stinging my eyes.
"Why not?" I asked weakly.
"Because I can't watch Devon be with you, when I would do anything to be in his place. I can't love you any less then I already do. We're either together, or we never see each other again." Harry said determinedly. His face was set, but I could see, in his eyes, that he didn't want the words to be true.
"...I'm sorry." I said quietly, sitting down on the couch shakily and burying my wet face in my hands. The next thing I heard was the front door slam shut, and Christina starting to cry. I couldn't help but join her.
First off: THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL OF THE REVIEWERS! OVER 200 REVIEWS!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!! This makes finals much more bearable!
I feel like such a horrible person. You guys were so good to me, and I repay you by giving you this butthead of a chapter where sad stuff happens. But, fear not, I PROMISE more funny and happy things are to come.
Merit Somnia: I'm getting that writers itch where I really wanna write something else. The only problem is, I donno what to write about. I have no more fanfic ideas, besides this one. So now I just sit in front of my computer and stare at the screen. It's actually pretty sad. ANYWAYS, I'm glad I made you laugh, and I promise that, even though this chapter was a downer, it will pick up.
Musicall: lol, glad you liked nurse bitchy. Luckily, I've never had a nurse like that, but I can imagine.
Destiny-ruler: lol, I'm the same kind of person. I cant turn down a good love story, and it's even more fun writing them... heehee, yea, Ginny never looses her sense of humor. She'd probably make jokes on her deathbed.
TeamExtremeGurl: Thank you! I promise to update every Friday, even if I'm dying from those damn finals.
Smudged: I'm glad you're still reading, and I hope that this sad chapter won't change you're mind.
Da90schic: lol, yep, she had the baby. 'idnt it cute?!
Duke20104: lol, I'll try to work in Chrissy beating Devon to the ground somewhere in the story. And I like the idea about her at Hogwarts.
Herbie: I know just what you mean! I look back at the Spice Girls, and I'm like, "How did I not see that?" Like the other night, I watched their movie Spice World, and I couldn't believe all of the sexual references!
Mintytoothpick: heehee, thinking of any guy fainting is funny, especially Harry. Anyways, I'm glad you think it's funny, and I promise it won't stay in this sad mode for long.
Fentoozler612: aw, thanks! And I see what you're talking about with the whole Harry/baby thing. It's so much less complicated when there isn't a child involved. Especially when it's not yours. But I suppose, after this chapter, we wont have to worry about that problem.
Foags: lol, good job on finding the Friends stuff! And you know what's weird? I didn't even think about the 'Chandler triplet' thing! Wow, I'm making Friends references and don't even know it; that's gotta be bad.
Eric2: I was actually very aware of Harry having green eyes when I wrote it. But that wasn't who I was thinking of. Think of another person with green eyes. Who's a girl. And had red hair...
KeeperOfTheMoon: lol, calm down! The baby's fine. I totally forgot about that part when I wrote this chapter, actually. So, I suppose what happened is a mystery, even for me.
SolitairySoul: heehee, I would feel the same way if the nurse gave me a baby that was black and I'm not black. Well, unless the guy I had it with was black, then I guess it'd be okay.
Smilie:-)chick: I'm glad you like it so far. Sorry that this chapter wasn't as funny as the others. I promise many more funny ones to come... hopefully.
Courtney: You don't like cliffhangers?! Well, I suppose I don't like reading them either. But writing them is fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun.
Swishy Willow Wand: Wow, you have a lot of favorite shows. Though, I suppose I do too (Friends, Will & Grace, Scrubs, MadTV, ER, Joan of Arcadia, Gilmore Girls). Ok, so maybe I have more favorites then you.
Cold-blooded-2-u: Cool name. Very Slytheriny. That is so totally a word.
MoonGoddess25: lol, glad you liked the tongs thing. It was all Friends inspired (like most of the things I write).
Spinxey: Aw, thanks. I'm so glad you like it!
Mark: Man, now I feel bad! This chapter was neither hilarious, nor cute. I feel I've let you down. hangs head
Chelles: Aw, that's smelly. I mean, New York is fun and all, but what we northerners need during these chilly months is some sand and sun! All well, New York City is better then where I went: no where.
Faith456: Do you live in England? Arg, I'm so jealous! Once I get out of high school, that's where I'm moving. Somewhere in London is an apartment with my name on it. Not to mention a few British boys with my initials engraved somewhere on them. Tom Felton, perhaps?
Does it really matter: don't die! Well, if you insist on it, at least you're doing it happily.
Lucius magical pimp stick: Maybe Harry fancies her a bit too much. I mean, he can't even bare to see her with another man. Especially when he knows that that other man isn't what will make her happy.
Jenna: Everyone's entitled to their own opinion. I didn't think I was being racist or anything, so I figured it'd be okay. Sorry if I offended you or something.
Luna Lovegood2: omg, what a coincidence! That's so cool that you're friends mom just had a baby! Sure, Christina's a common name, but I'm gonna go with the 'everything's connected' reason.
Limar: haha, it's always nice to hear that my humor has effected my reader's ass.
The French Rabbi: Wow, I wish I would have known Eddie before. Now I feel complete.
Little-lost-one: Aw, you've caught on, kinda. But think of another girl with green eyes. Red hair.... got it?
OfTheWest: Actually, I've never gotten that question. And I never really thought about it either. But I can try my best to make up a answer that reeks of BS. Arthur didn't talk to Devon's father at work because Ginny wanted to figure it all out without her parents help. You know, the whole independent thing. I know, that's the worst lie you've ever heard. As for the whole 'the baby could be Harry's,' look at what I said to Little-lost-one above.
Lightprincess: I'm so glad you like my story. I hope that the sadness in this chapter, and the next one (just to warn you) doesn't make you like it less. I promise that the funniness will be back soon.
A/N: The idea of Devon came from the boyfriend in the book Watermelon by Marian Keyes. She is basically my source of inspiration for everything—to put it bluntly. I totally recommend that book as well as every other thing she's written... I'm a tad obsessed.
If you want me to e-mail you when I update, just give me you e-mail address in the review and I'd be happy to do it :)
