Chapter 13 – Confrontations
A few hours after Harry fell into a restless sleep, he was suddenly jolted awake. As he tried to figure out what woke him, a scream rang through his room. 'Ginny!' he thought frantically. He leapt out of bed and took off towards her room. He froze when he heard his name.
"NO! NOOOOOOOO! HARRY! PLEASE HELP ME!"
He dashed into Ginny's room and sat down on the edge of the bed. Ginny was thrashing around on the bed, crying. Harry rubbed her back and whispered, "Angel, wake up, come on, it's just a dream. Wake up, Angel."
Finally Ginny did awake, and latched onto his neck, still crying. Harry continued to rub her back and just let her cry. Eventually she calmed down a little. "HE was there," she muttered. "It just goes on and on. I can't do this Harry. I just can't."
"Shh...Yes you can. I'll help you. Tonks will help you. If you told your family, they would help you as well. You can get through this Angel. Don't let him rule your life."
"I can't. I can't go back to Hogwarts. I can't see him everyday. I trusted him, Harry. I hated him, but I still trusted him. I thought if Dumbledore trusted him, he couldn't be that bad. THAT'S why it hurts so much. The others I never trusted."
Harry stared at her in shock. She was talking about Snape?
"And I need Potions," she continued. "I want to be a mediwitch. And you need Potions for that. There's no way around it. McGonagall told me last year during my career meeting."
Getting over his shock, Harry replied. "We'll get through that somehow. Hermione is taking extra courses for her NEWT's, which are individual study. You don't have to go to a class to take that subject's NEWT. I can help you, since I've already taken 6th year Potions, and I'm sure Hermione will be able to help you if I can't. Just tell her you didn't have time in your schedule for Potions and she'll be happy. And for 7th year, we'll work out something. I'll give you my notes, and you could probably get Hermione's too. Don't worry. We'll work it out, somehow. Have you signed up for NEWT courses yet?"
"No. Forms are due next week."
"Okay, well we'll talk to McGonagall, make up a story. It'll be okay. Now get some sleep. I'll be within shouting distance if you need me."
"Thanks Harry...Do you think you could, maybe...well..." she trailed off.
"What?"
"Can you stay with me please?" she said quickly. "I don't want to be alone."
Harry nodded, and climbed awkwardly into the bed next to her. Eventually he relaxed, and sleep claimed them both.
Several hours later, Harry awoke feeling better rested than he had in months. Someone was curled up against him, and he had his arm wrapped around her. He sighed contentedly. He opened his eyes, and found himself staring straight into a pair of bright brown eyes.
Ginny smiled, half asleep. "G'morning Harry."
"Morning, Angel. Sleep well?"
"Yeah. Better than I have in months. Thanks for staying with me."
Harry smiled as Ginny echoed his thoughts. "So," he started teasingly, "now that we've slept together, does this mean we're going out?"
Ginny pulled herself away from him, horrified. "Harry! I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked you to stay. I can't have sex. I'm sorry."
Harry nearly smacked his head, for being so stupid. "I'm sorry, Gin! I was only joking. I shouldn't have made a joke like that though. I didn't mean it. Okay well I do want you to go out with me, but I don't expect you to sleep with me or anything. Sorry."
Ginny smiled shyly. "I guess Tonks was right then," she mumbled.
"What?"
"She told me that you actually liked me. I thought you just liked me because I was easy."
"Gin! Why do you keep thinking things like that of your self? And of me? I would NEVER do something like that."
"I'm sorry, Harry. I know you wouldn't. But after hating myself for so long, it's hard to stop. I guess I didn't think anyone would actually like me."
"I would, and I do."
"Well in that case, I'd love to go out with you."
Harry grinned happily. "So, you ready to get back out there?"
"I ...uh...guess so..." she said uncertainly.
"We can come back. I like it here too. It's a space of my own, were no one can bother me. Why don't we go see if dinner is ready yet?"
"Sure..."
"Come on. And you're going to eat, okay? You're not fat!"
Ginny studiously ignored him, and they left the trunk, together. After appearing back at Grimmuald Place, Harry felt Ginny take his hand. He smiled at her and squeezed her hand, as she smiled shyly back.
As they entered the kitchen, they first thing Harry saw was greasy black hair, and sallow skin. Beside him, he felt Ginny tense and prepare to run. Harry protectively slid an arm around her waist. Unfortunately, Snape saw them.
He sneered. "Ah, Potter decides to grace us with his presence. And with his new flavour of the week too. What's the matter Potter? Couldn't get the older woman, so you settled for this? Well I suppose you have to satisfy your teenage hormones somehow, and this certainly would be easier than paying for one. But no doubt in a few years you'll have to pay for her too. Or do you already?"
Harry saw red. How DARE he insult Ginny? "When was the last time you had a woman, Snape?" Harry felt Ginny tense beside him, and immediately switched tactics. "Never mind, I don't even want to THINK about that. And besides, you probably wouldn't have time, even if my some miracle someone didn't run screaming at the sight of you. Too busy kissing peoples robes, eh Snape? How does Cruciatus feel? One would think you'd be able to take more than a few minutes of it."
Snape's eyes narrowed dangerously. He quickly pulled out his wand. "You are to address me as Sir or Professor Snape. Now, let's see how you deal with it, Potter. Crucio!" The curse hit him straight in the chest. Harry gritted his teeth, but did not scream. He was far too used to pain to give Snape the pleasure of his screaming. Finally, Snape released the curse.
"Well, that was uncomfortable," said Harry, wincing. "Now, why would I address you as Sir? That signifies respect. I certainly don't respect you." Snape looked furious and instead of putting his wand away, he levelled it on Ginny. As he heard Ginny's scream, Harry's temper rose to the surface again. He leapt across the room and punched Snape straight in the face. With blood dripping down his face, Snape released the curse. Harry stepped back, and realized he had not been the only one to punch Snape. Tonks, Ron and Hermione were in the room with him. Ron had also attacked Snape, and Tonks had her wand trained on him, ready to hex him if he tried anything. Hermione stood in the background, her expression alternating between horrified and furious.
As Ron and Harry stepped away, Tonks fired a stunner. "Good job, Mate," said Ron, somewhat awkwardly. "I've been waiting to do that for years."
Harry nodded, as Tonks rushed up to him. "Harry! Are you okay? He had you under the curse for three minutes! I'm so sorry I didn't stop him, but I wasn't here when he hit you, and when I saw what he was doing I was so surprised it took me a minute. And by that time he had already released you. Are you okay? You didn't even scream!"
"Tonks!" interrupted Harry. "I'm fine. Well sort of. Look at Ginny first. He hit her too." He glanced toward Ginny and saw her standing by the door shaking. He went to her and she fell into his arms.
"That hurt, Harry. More than I can remember it hurting."
"I know, Angel. Tonks is going to give you something to help you."
Tonks came over carrying two bottles. "These counter the after- effects of Cruciatus. It was supposed to be for Snape, but who cares. He can suffer, for all I care. Don't you dare protest Potter! You are drinking one of the bottles," she said, as Harry opened his mouth. "You're pale and shaking. That hurt you more than you will admit."
"He was coming back from a Death Eater meeting?" asked Harry finally accepting a bottle.
"Yup," said Tonks, handing the other to Ginny. "Didn't you see how he was shaking? There's an Order meeting tonight, so I'm guessing he was here for that. So what happened anyway?"
"That, I think, is what we would all like to know," said Dumbledore calmly. Harry turned around to see Dumbledore and a few others standing behind him. One of those happened to be Mrs. Weasley.
"Harry! I'm quite ashamed of you. Attacking a teacher like that. You really need to control your temper, dear." It seemed that no one had actually seen what happened. All they saw was an unconscious Snape.
"We'll I'm not!" spoke up Tonks. "I'm proud of him actually."
"Well no one asked you, Nymphadora. It is not your job to be a parent, now is it." Mrs. Weasley's words carried a hint of warning in them.
Tonks was not fazed. "So? At least Harry didn't use an Unforgivable. You all think Harry is the immature one. But he was much more mature than that git over there."
Finally, Ron spoke up. "Yeah! Snape insulted both Harry and Ginny. He called her a whore! HE CALLED MY SISTER A WHORE. And Harry didn't even attack him then. He just insulted him. But then Snape put Cruciatus on Harry. And he STILL didn't do anything."
"Snape was mad that Harry didn't scream," interrupted Hermione. "He had him under the curse for about three minutes. So he cursed Ginny. Only then did Ron and Harry attack him."
The twinkle left Dumbledore's eyes. "Professor Snape held Harry and Ginny under Cruciatus?" he asked, looking at Harry for conformation.
Harry nodded.
"So how exactly did he come to be unconscious?"
"I'm afraid that was me, sir. I didn't want to risk him cursing anyone else. And he seemed likely to do that, after Harry and Ron attacked him. It's only a stunner though."
Dumbledore nodded and pulled out his wand. "Eneverate." Snape awoke looking slightly confused. His eyes narrowed as they settled on Harry.
"Headmaster! Potter must be punished. He has gone too far this time. He was extremely disrespectful, and attacked me."
All eyes turned towards Harry as he started laughing hysterically. "Mummy!" he choked out. "Mummy! The bad man hurted my feelings! Get him, Mummy! Get him!"
Tonks giggled and Ginny smiled weakly. Everyone else just stared at him. "Well I'm going to my room. I don't need to hear Snape badmouth me again. Either you believe what we said, or you don't. Either way, you will find that none of us cast a single spell, so you cannot kick us out of school." Harry had finally stopped laughing. He turned his attention to Ginny. "Can you walk? Or do you want me to carry you up?"
"No, I'm okay. The potion helped."
Harry slipped an arm around her waist to support her and they left the room. Behind them, Ron called, "Wait! Harry!"
Ginny groaned. "No. Let's not wait; he's being such an ass."
However, Ron caught up to them anyway. "Harry! Are you two really dating?"
"Yes," said Harry frostily.
"But what about Tonks?" Hermione asked. She had come up behind Ron.
"We were never dating. Now if you'll excuse us, we have to go."
"Oh are you going into that trunk?" asked Ron excitedly.
"Maybe."
"Can we come?"
"No."
Ron looked shocked. "Why not?"
"Because I don't particularly feel like talking to either you right now. We can make up later. I'm going now. I think Ginny is about to collapse."
"What? Why Harry?" exclaimed Hermione.
"First because you thought I would lie to you, and second because you tried to destroy any happiness I had." Harry picked up Ginny and walked away leaving a shocked Ron and Hermione behind them. Ginny, looking very pale, didn't protest at being carried.
After finally managing to get himself and Ginny into the trunk, Harry put her down on the couch and sat down beside her. They sat in silence for a few minutes, until Ginny suddenly blurted out, "Harry, I think I'm pregnant."
Harry, who had been thinking of how nice she looked lying there with her red hair fanned out against the pillow, sat up quickly. "What?" he sputtered.
"I...I think I'm pregnant..." said Ginny sadly. "Tonks thinks I might be too. She gave me a potion to find out. Will you stay with me while I use it? Please? I know this is a lot to handle, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, but I'm scared. Please..."
"Of course Angel. What do you have to do?"
Ginny pulled a vial of a clear liquid out of her pocket. "I just need to put a drop of blood into it, if it becomes bright red, I'm not. But if it stays clear..." She opened the vial and pricked the palm of her hand, allowing a drop of blood to fall in.
The drop of blood fell through the potion, leaving a red streak behind it. Then within a few seconds, the red started to disappear, and the potion became perfectly clear once again.
Harry and Ginny both stared at it, willing it to turn back to red. But as they watched, a green band appeared at the top, signifying that the potion had been used. It had not turned red. Ginny was pregnant.
Ginny's hand started to shake, and tears flooded her eyes. "It's true..." she mumbled, "it's true..."
Harry took the vial from her before she dropped it, and placed it on the table. The he gathered her into his arm and rocked her while she cried. All the while, his mind was racing. His girlfriend was pregnant. And he wasn't even the father. She was still in school! She was having the baby of a Death Eater. Maybe even Snape. His GIRLFRIEND was PREGNANT. Oh dear Merlin, he couldn't deal with this! He thought of breaking up with her, and running, but even as these thoughts flew through his mind, he still knew what he would do. He couldn't leave her. He would stay, support her, and be around for the child.
Ginny's tears had slowed, and she lay limply in his arms. He reached down, and brushed away some tears, placing a kiss on her forehead. "Angel, we'll help you. Everyone will. You won't have to do this alone. You don't have to keep it if you don't want too..." he trailed off. He didn't know much about abortion, and he didn't know if they had it in the Wizarding World.
"I can't. I couldn't live with my self if I did that to a baby. It's innocent... I'm the stupid one here."
"You're not stupid, Gin! This wasn't your choice. They did this to you. It's not your fault."
"Yeah. I guess. We can break up if you want," she said sadly. "You probably don't want a pregnant girlfriend. Especially when the child isn't yours."
Harry started guiltily. Those same thoughts had gone through his head previously. "No!" he said firmly. "I don't want to break up with you. I'm going to be here for you and this baby. If we ever do break up, it won't be because of this. And even if we do, I'll be here for this baby. I promise, Angel. I won't leave you."
"Thank you, Harry. Thank you so much." Suddenly another thought struck her. "What am I going to tell people? My parents?"
"Well you can tell your family the truth. And the rest of the world... well we'll think of something."
"NO! I can't. I can't. They won't understand. They'll hate me."
"Ginny! Your parents love you more than anything. Nothing will make them hate you. This isn't your fault. But what if you tell one of your brothers first? Bill? You seemed close to him."
"But...but what if he hates me...? I couldn't bear that, Bill's my hero. I've wanted to be just like him, ever since I was a little girl."
"Gin, no one will hate you. I promise. This isn't your fault."
"I'll tell them. I guess it'll be easier to tell them all together. No, I can't tell my brothers. I'll just tell Mum. But can you please come with me? I don't want to do it alone."
"Sure, if that's what you want."
"Uh...Harry..." Ginny began hesitantly. "Do you think you could maybe pretend you're the father? Not to my family, but to everyone else. I just don't want anyone else to know. You don't even really need to be their father or anything. Just tell people you are. I'll take care of them and get a job and everything."
Harry stared at her blankly.
"You don't have to," she added hurriedly. "You probably don't want to even have a pretend child at 17."
"I told you I'd be here for you two, and I will. If you want me to, I'll do it."
"Thank you, Harry. Thank you so much. You don't have to do anything."
Harry smiled. "Would you like to tell your mother now?"
Ginny shrunk back. "No..."
"Come on, Gin. You have to do this sooner or later..."
"I'd prefer later," she muttered, while standing up.
Ginny and Harry went back to the house to look for Mrs. Weasley. They finally found her in the dining room with Ron and Hermione. Ron gave them a dirty look, and Hermione looked sad.
"Hey, Mum," said Ginny nervously. "Can I talk to you? Um...alone?"
"Of course, dear. Come on, we'll go to a different room."
Harry started to sit down, but was dragged away by Ginny. When they finally arrived in an empty room, Mrs. Weasley sat down and looked at the two of them, confused. "I thought you wanted to talk to me alone, Ginny?"
"I do. But I want Harry to be here. Because I told him. He wants me to tell you. I don't know what to do."
"Ginny, you know you could always come to me," said Mrs. Weasley, looking slightly hurt her daughter would go to someone else over her.
"I know, Mum...But I'm afraid you'll get mad and hate me. Harry says you won't...but..." Ginny paused and nearly broke down again.
"Ginny. Is this about what Professor Snape did to you? Honestly," she huffed. "I never thought a Hogwarts teacher would place two students under Cruciatus. I know it's not your fault now."
"No, no it's not that." Ginny paused for a second and then blurted out, "I'm pregnant."
Mrs. Weasley's face went through several expressions of shock. Finally, she murmured, "I never thought my youngest would give me my first grandchild." She turned and glared at Harry. "I hope you're planning on marrying her. I don't want any illegitimate children in my family!"
Before Harry could say anything, Ginny cut in. "No, Mum. It's not his." Mrs. Weasley looked furious at this. She opened her mouth, presumably to shout at Ginny, but Harry caught her eye and shook his head. Surprisingly, she listened. Ginny seemed to take heart in the fact she wasn't being yelled at yet, and continued. "You know when I was kidnapped? They...they did ...well...Things...to me."
Mrs. Weasley looked shocked. "My baby," she cried. "They raped you?" She pulled Ginny into her arms.
"You're not mad?" asked Ginny timidly.
"Of course not! It's not your fault." Ginny's body sagged with relief and she broke down in her mother's arms. Harry crept away, to give the two some time alone.
Hours later, Ginny came back to talk to him, her face tear streaked. "He won't let me come back to school," she sobbed. "He...he says I have to take the year off."
"Dumbledore?" asked Harry, incredulously.
"Yes. It is too dangerous with the war and everything. He can't risk having a pregnant student at the school."
"What about once you've had the baby? Can you take it to Hogwarts?"
"Yes. He said I could leave it with Dobby while I'm in class. He even said he'd give me my own room, so I wouldn't disturb the rest of the girls in my dorm. But I don't want to miss a year of school. Well he first tried to tell me to give it up for adoption, but I refused. It's stupid, I know. I can't raise a child. But I just can't give it away."
"Don't worry, Angel, I'll go talk to Dumbledore. Actually..." Harry looked thoughtful. "What about the trunk? It's large enough to live in. And I can slow time down inside. You could have the baby during the summer, and even stay inside a couple extra months so it's not newborn when you take it to Hogwarts."
Ginny face lit up. "Really? Oh Harry!" Then she looked sad again. "No, I couldn't ask you to do that. You said you have to be inside the whole time. I can't ask you to live with me in a trunk for nine months."
"You're not asking, Angel. I'm offering."
"Really, you'd do that for me?"
"Of course! Now let's go find Dumbledore and tell him that you are coming back this year."
Ginny flung her arms around Harry's neck. "Oh thank you thank you thank you!"
Harry smiled. He loved when Ginny was happy.
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A/N: Okay, this chapter is really really late. I meant to get it out last Saturday, but I never got it finished. I'm really sorry! Now, about Ginny's pregnancy. Quite a few of you guessed it. I was surprised, although now that I look at it, my clues were pretty obvious. Some of you asked which Death Eater, I'm not sure if you'll ever find out. Ginny doesn't care. As far as she's concerned, Harry's the father. Also, Ron and Hermione will come around, and realize how they've been treating Harry. Ron's just a bit slow, and Hermione thinks she's always right. They've got to get past that, and the eventually will.
Thank you to everyone for reviewing! I hope you enjoy this chapter. Silvercrystal77, Ibozun, Potter Reader, Lady Melime Alasse, FroBoy, athenakitty, BferBear, Dee, Silnar, Bunny Moon, dementorchic, The Hindu Dancer, lil-DA, Rhinemjr, Hunta, babylonpotter, Jill. Thanks you guys! =) I love getting reviews. They just make my day!
Silvercrystal77 – I know, poor Ginny. I felt so bad putting her through all that. But it must be done. Yes, Lily will appear here and there, but I don't think she'll be pivotal to the plot anymore.
Ibozun – Sirius had 2 children. Harry and another child with Lily's friend Kat, who is dead. Well unless he has other children I don't know about. =)
Potter Reader – Yeah, the Order is being quite annoying, but they still all want to bring Voldemort down. And if they broke out on their own they wouldn't be able to do it as well. Although after the war's over, there's not telling what will happen. And I quite agree about Snape. But he's been punched, and I figure he gets tortured by Voldemort quite often.
Athenakitty – The brothers... I think she will eventually. Or at least the older ones.
Silnar – Yup, Tonks did think of those things, only I didn't want to show the entire time Ginny and Tonks were talking, so I had Harry leave. And I agree, Snape should die. But I can't kill him off. He's the only spy the Order has!
Ibozun – Ron and Hermione are being jerks right now, but they have been friends for years before this. He's kind of reluctant to throw away this friendship now, since he never had any friends as a child. But they're just children too. They'll come around eventually. I'm not sure what you're referring to when you ask why he cares what they think. If you mean him dating Tonks, he doesn't care exactly, but he'd rather people didn't yell at him for something he wasn't doing. I'm pretty sure if he and Tonks were dating, he wouldn't break up with her because they wanted him to.
Babylonpotter – I've actually never heard of that series. But I will look it up. That chameleon spell is an awesome idea. I don't think I'll put it in this fic, since I haven't mentioned it before, but if I ever write anymore, I'll definitely think about it. Thank you!
A few hours after Harry fell into a restless sleep, he was suddenly jolted awake. As he tried to figure out what woke him, a scream rang through his room. 'Ginny!' he thought frantically. He leapt out of bed and took off towards her room. He froze when he heard his name.
"NO! NOOOOOOOO! HARRY! PLEASE HELP ME!"
He dashed into Ginny's room and sat down on the edge of the bed. Ginny was thrashing around on the bed, crying. Harry rubbed her back and whispered, "Angel, wake up, come on, it's just a dream. Wake up, Angel."
Finally Ginny did awake, and latched onto his neck, still crying. Harry continued to rub her back and just let her cry. Eventually she calmed down a little. "HE was there," she muttered. "It just goes on and on. I can't do this Harry. I just can't."
"Shh...Yes you can. I'll help you. Tonks will help you. If you told your family, they would help you as well. You can get through this Angel. Don't let him rule your life."
"I can't. I can't go back to Hogwarts. I can't see him everyday. I trusted him, Harry. I hated him, but I still trusted him. I thought if Dumbledore trusted him, he couldn't be that bad. THAT'S why it hurts so much. The others I never trusted."
Harry stared at her in shock. She was talking about Snape?
"And I need Potions," she continued. "I want to be a mediwitch. And you need Potions for that. There's no way around it. McGonagall told me last year during my career meeting."
Getting over his shock, Harry replied. "We'll get through that somehow. Hermione is taking extra courses for her NEWT's, which are individual study. You don't have to go to a class to take that subject's NEWT. I can help you, since I've already taken 6th year Potions, and I'm sure Hermione will be able to help you if I can't. Just tell her you didn't have time in your schedule for Potions and she'll be happy. And for 7th year, we'll work out something. I'll give you my notes, and you could probably get Hermione's too. Don't worry. We'll work it out, somehow. Have you signed up for NEWT courses yet?"
"No. Forms are due next week."
"Okay, well we'll talk to McGonagall, make up a story. It'll be okay. Now get some sleep. I'll be within shouting distance if you need me."
"Thanks Harry...Do you think you could, maybe...well..." she trailed off.
"What?"
"Can you stay with me please?" she said quickly. "I don't want to be alone."
Harry nodded, and climbed awkwardly into the bed next to her. Eventually he relaxed, and sleep claimed them both.
Several hours later, Harry awoke feeling better rested than he had in months. Someone was curled up against him, and he had his arm wrapped around her. He sighed contentedly. He opened his eyes, and found himself staring straight into a pair of bright brown eyes.
Ginny smiled, half asleep. "G'morning Harry."
"Morning, Angel. Sleep well?"
"Yeah. Better than I have in months. Thanks for staying with me."
Harry smiled as Ginny echoed his thoughts. "So," he started teasingly, "now that we've slept together, does this mean we're going out?"
Ginny pulled herself away from him, horrified. "Harry! I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked you to stay. I can't have sex. I'm sorry."
Harry nearly smacked his head, for being so stupid. "I'm sorry, Gin! I was only joking. I shouldn't have made a joke like that though. I didn't mean it. Okay well I do want you to go out with me, but I don't expect you to sleep with me or anything. Sorry."
Ginny smiled shyly. "I guess Tonks was right then," she mumbled.
"What?"
"She told me that you actually liked me. I thought you just liked me because I was easy."
"Gin! Why do you keep thinking things like that of your self? And of me? I would NEVER do something like that."
"I'm sorry, Harry. I know you wouldn't. But after hating myself for so long, it's hard to stop. I guess I didn't think anyone would actually like me."
"I would, and I do."
"Well in that case, I'd love to go out with you."
Harry grinned happily. "So, you ready to get back out there?"
"I ...uh...guess so..." she said uncertainly.
"We can come back. I like it here too. It's a space of my own, were no one can bother me. Why don't we go see if dinner is ready yet?"
"Sure..."
"Come on. And you're going to eat, okay? You're not fat!"
Ginny studiously ignored him, and they left the trunk, together. After appearing back at Grimmuald Place, Harry felt Ginny take his hand. He smiled at her and squeezed her hand, as she smiled shyly back.
As they entered the kitchen, they first thing Harry saw was greasy black hair, and sallow skin. Beside him, he felt Ginny tense and prepare to run. Harry protectively slid an arm around her waist. Unfortunately, Snape saw them.
He sneered. "Ah, Potter decides to grace us with his presence. And with his new flavour of the week too. What's the matter Potter? Couldn't get the older woman, so you settled for this? Well I suppose you have to satisfy your teenage hormones somehow, and this certainly would be easier than paying for one. But no doubt in a few years you'll have to pay for her too. Or do you already?"
Harry saw red. How DARE he insult Ginny? "When was the last time you had a woman, Snape?" Harry felt Ginny tense beside him, and immediately switched tactics. "Never mind, I don't even want to THINK about that. And besides, you probably wouldn't have time, even if my some miracle someone didn't run screaming at the sight of you. Too busy kissing peoples robes, eh Snape? How does Cruciatus feel? One would think you'd be able to take more than a few minutes of it."
Snape's eyes narrowed dangerously. He quickly pulled out his wand. "You are to address me as Sir or Professor Snape. Now, let's see how you deal with it, Potter. Crucio!" The curse hit him straight in the chest. Harry gritted his teeth, but did not scream. He was far too used to pain to give Snape the pleasure of his screaming. Finally, Snape released the curse.
"Well, that was uncomfortable," said Harry, wincing. "Now, why would I address you as Sir? That signifies respect. I certainly don't respect you." Snape looked furious and instead of putting his wand away, he levelled it on Ginny. As he heard Ginny's scream, Harry's temper rose to the surface again. He leapt across the room and punched Snape straight in the face. With blood dripping down his face, Snape released the curse. Harry stepped back, and realized he had not been the only one to punch Snape. Tonks, Ron and Hermione were in the room with him. Ron had also attacked Snape, and Tonks had her wand trained on him, ready to hex him if he tried anything. Hermione stood in the background, her expression alternating between horrified and furious.
As Ron and Harry stepped away, Tonks fired a stunner. "Good job, Mate," said Ron, somewhat awkwardly. "I've been waiting to do that for years."
Harry nodded, as Tonks rushed up to him. "Harry! Are you okay? He had you under the curse for three minutes! I'm so sorry I didn't stop him, but I wasn't here when he hit you, and when I saw what he was doing I was so surprised it took me a minute. And by that time he had already released you. Are you okay? You didn't even scream!"
"Tonks!" interrupted Harry. "I'm fine. Well sort of. Look at Ginny first. He hit her too." He glanced toward Ginny and saw her standing by the door shaking. He went to her and she fell into his arms.
"That hurt, Harry. More than I can remember it hurting."
"I know, Angel. Tonks is going to give you something to help you."
Tonks came over carrying two bottles. "These counter the after- effects of Cruciatus. It was supposed to be for Snape, but who cares. He can suffer, for all I care. Don't you dare protest Potter! You are drinking one of the bottles," she said, as Harry opened his mouth. "You're pale and shaking. That hurt you more than you will admit."
"He was coming back from a Death Eater meeting?" asked Harry finally accepting a bottle.
"Yup," said Tonks, handing the other to Ginny. "Didn't you see how he was shaking? There's an Order meeting tonight, so I'm guessing he was here for that. So what happened anyway?"
"That, I think, is what we would all like to know," said Dumbledore calmly. Harry turned around to see Dumbledore and a few others standing behind him. One of those happened to be Mrs. Weasley.
"Harry! I'm quite ashamed of you. Attacking a teacher like that. You really need to control your temper, dear." It seemed that no one had actually seen what happened. All they saw was an unconscious Snape.
"We'll I'm not!" spoke up Tonks. "I'm proud of him actually."
"Well no one asked you, Nymphadora. It is not your job to be a parent, now is it." Mrs. Weasley's words carried a hint of warning in them.
Tonks was not fazed. "So? At least Harry didn't use an Unforgivable. You all think Harry is the immature one. But he was much more mature than that git over there."
Finally, Ron spoke up. "Yeah! Snape insulted both Harry and Ginny. He called her a whore! HE CALLED MY SISTER A WHORE. And Harry didn't even attack him then. He just insulted him. But then Snape put Cruciatus on Harry. And he STILL didn't do anything."
"Snape was mad that Harry didn't scream," interrupted Hermione. "He had him under the curse for about three minutes. So he cursed Ginny. Only then did Ron and Harry attack him."
The twinkle left Dumbledore's eyes. "Professor Snape held Harry and Ginny under Cruciatus?" he asked, looking at Harry for conformation.
Harry nodded.
"So how exactly did he come to be unconscious?"
"I'm afraid that was me, sir. I didn't want to risk him cursing anyone else. And he seemed likely to do that, after Harry and Ron attacked him. It's only a stunner though."
Dumbledore nodded and pulled out his wand. "Eneverate." Snape awoke looking slightly confused. His eyes narrowed as they settled on Harry.
"Headmaster! Potter must be punished. He has gone too far this time. He was extremely disrespectful, and attacked me."
All eyes turned towards Harry as he started laughing hysterically. "Mummy!" he choked out. "Mummy! The bad man hurted my feelings! Get him, Mummy! Get him!"
Tonks giggled and Ginny smiled weakly. Everyone else just stared at him. "Well I'm going to my room. I don't need to hear Snape badmouth me again. Either you believe what we said, or you don't. Either way, you will find that none of us cast a single spell, so you cannot kick us out of school." Harry had finally stopped laughing. He turned his attention to Ginny. "Can you walk? Or do you want me to carry you up?"
"No, I'm okay. The potion helped."
Harry slipped an arm around her waist to support her and they left the room. Behind them, Ron called, "Wait! Harry!"
Ginny groaned. "No. Let's not wait; he's being such an ass."
However, Ron caught up to them anyway. "Harry! Are you two really dating?"
"Yes," said Harry frostily.
"But what about Tonks?" Hermione asked. She had come up behind Ron.
"We were never dating. Now if you'll excuse us, we have to go."
"Oh are you going into that trunk?" asked Ron excitedly.
"Maybe."
"Can we come?"
"No."
Ron looked shocked. "Why not?"
"Because I don't particularly feel like talking to either you right now. We can make up later. I'm going now. I think Ginny is about to collapse."
"What? Why Harry?" exclaimed Hermione.
"First because you thought I would lie to you, and second because you tried to destroy any happiness I had." Harry picked up Ginny and walked away leaving a shocked Ron and Hermione behind them. Ginny, looking very pale, didn't protest at being carried.
After finally managing to get himself and Ginny into the trunk, Harry put her down on the couch and sat down beside her. They sat in silence for a few minutes, until Ginny suddenly blurted out, "Harry, I think I'm pregnant."
Harry, who had been thinking of how nice she looked lying there with her red hair fanned out against the pillow, sat up quickly. "What?" he sputtered.
"I...I think I'm pregnant..." said Ginny sadly. "Tonks thinks I might be too. She gave me a potion to find out. Will you stay with me while I use it? Please? I know this is a lot to handle, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, but I'm scared. Please..."
"Of course Angel. What do you have to do?"
Ginny pulled a vial of a clear liquid out of her pocket. "I just need to put a drop of blood into it, if it becomes bright red, I'm not. But if it stays clear..." She opened the vial and pricked the palm of her hand, allowing a drop of blood to fall in.
The drop of blood fell through the potion, leaving a red streak behind it. Then within a few seconds, the red started to disappear, and the potion became perfectly clear once again.
Harry and Ginny both stared at it, willing it to turn back to red. But as they watched, a green band appeared at the top, signifying that the potion had been used. It had not turned red. Ginny was pregnant.
Ginny's hand started to shake, and tears flooded her eyes. "It's true..." she mumbled, "it's true..."
Harry took the vial from her before she dropped it, and placed it on the table. The he gathered her into his arm and rocked her while she cried. All the while, his mind was racing. His girlfriend was pregnant. And he wasn't even the father. She was still in school! She was having the baby of a Death Eater. Maybe even Snape. His GIRLFRIEND was PREGNANT. Oh dear Merlin, he couldn't deal with this! He thought of breaking up with her, and running, but even as these thoughts flew through his mind, he still knew what he would do. He couldn't leave her. He would stay, support her, and be around for the child.
Ginny's tears had slowed, and she lay limply in his arms. He reached down, and brushed away some tears, placing a kiss on her forehead. "Angel, we'll help you. Everyone will. You won't have to do this alone. You don't have to keep it if you don't want too..." he trailed off. He didn't know much about abortion, and he didn't know if they had it in the Wizarding World.
"I can't. I couldn't live with my self if I did that to a baby. It's innocent... I'm the stupid one here."
"You're not stupid, Gin! This wasn't your choice. They did this to you. It's not your fault."
"Yeah. I guess. We can break up if you want," she said sadly. "You probably don't want a pregnant girlfriend. Especially when the child isn't yours."
Harry started guiltily. Those same thoughts had gone through his head previously. "No!" he said firmly. "I don't want to break up with you. I'm going to be here for you and this baby. If we ever do break up, it won't be because of this. And even if we do, I'll be here for this baby. I promise, Angel. I won't leave you."
"Thank you, Harry. Thank you so much." Suddenly another thought struck her. "What am I going to tell people? My parents?"
"Well you can tell your family the truth. And the rest of the world... well we'll think of something."
"NO! I can't. I can't. They won't understand. They'll hate me."
"Ginny! Your parents love you more than anything. Nothing will make them hate you. This isn't your fault. But what if you tell one of your brothers first? Bill? You seemed close to him."
"But...but what if he hates me...? I couldn't bear that, Bill's my hero. I've wanted to be just like him, ever since I was a little girl."
"Gin, no one will hate you. I promise. This isn't your fault."
"I'll tell them. I guess it'll be easier to tell them all together. No, I can't tell my brothers. I'll just tell Mum. But can you please come with me? I don't want to do it alone."
"Sure, if that's what you want."
"Uh...Harry..." Ginny began hesitantly. "Do you think you could maybe pretend you're the father? Not to my family, but to everyone else. I just don't want anyone else to know. You don't even really need to be their father or anything. Just tell people you are. I'll take care of them and get a job and everything."
Harry stared at her blankly.
"You don't have to," she added hurriedly. "You probably don't want to even have a pretend child at 17."
"I told you I'd be here for you two, and I will. If you want me to, I'll do it."
"Thank you, Harry. Thank you so much. You don't have to do anything."
Harry smiled. "Would you like to tell your mother now?"
Ginny shrunk back. "No..."
"Come on, Gin. You have to do this sooner or later..."
"I'd prefer later," she muttered, while standing up.
Ginny and Harry went back to the house to look for Mrs. Weasley. They finally found her in the dining room with Ron and Hermione. Ron gave them a dirty look, and Hermione looked sad.
"Hey, Mum," said Ginny nervously. "Can I talk to you? Um...alone?"
"Of course, dear. Come on, we'll go to a different room."
Harry started to sit down, but was dragged away by Ginny. When they finally arrived in an empty room, Mrs. Weasley sat down and looked at the two of them, confused. "I thought you wanted to talk to me alone, Ginny?"
"I do. But I want Harry to be here. Because I told him. He wants me to tell you. I don't know what to do."
"Ginny, you know you could always come to me," said Mrs. Weasley, looking slightly hurt her daughter would go to someone else over her.
"I know, Mum...But I'm afraid you'll get mad and hate me. Harry says you won't...but..." Ginny paused and nearly broke down again.
"Ginny. Is this about what Professor Snape did to you? Honestly," she huffed. "I never thought a Hogwarts teacher would place two students under Cruciatus. I know it's not your fault now."
"No, no it's not that." Ginny paused for a second and then blurted out, "I'm pregnant."
Mrs. Weasley's face went through several expressions of shock. Finally, she murmured, "I never thought my youngest would give me my first grandchild." She turned and glared at Harry. "I hope you're planning on marrying her. I don't want any illegitimate children in my family!"
Before Harry could say anything, Ginny cut in. "No, Mum. It's not his." Mrs. Weasley looked furious at this. She opened her mouth, presumably to shout at Ginny, but Harry caught her eye and shook his head. Surprisingly, she listened. Ginny seemed to take heart in the fact she wasn't being yelled at yet, and continued. "You know when I was kidnapped? They...they did ...well...Things...to me."
Mrs. Weasley looked shocked. "My baby," she cried. "They raped you?" She pulled Ginny into her arms.
"You're not mad?" asked Ginny timidly.
"Of course not! It's not your fault." Ginny's body sagged with relief and she broke down in her mother's arms. Harry crept away, to give the two some time alone.
Hours later, Ginny came back to talk to him, her face tear streaked. "He won't let me come back to school," she sobbed. "He...he says I have to take the year off."
"Dumbledore?" asked Harry, incredulously.
"Yes. It is too dangerous with the war and everything. He can't risk having a pregnant student at the school."
"What about once you've had the baby? Can you take it to Hogwarts?"
"Yes. He said I could leave it with Dobby while I'm in class. He even said he'd give me my own room, so I wouldn't disturb the rest of the girls in my dorm. But I don't want to miss a year of school. Well he first tried to tell me to give it up for adoption, but I refused. It's stupid, I know. I can't raise a child. But I just can't give it away."
"Don't worry, Angel, I'll go talk to Dumbledore. Actually..." Harry looked thoughtful. "What about the trunk? It's large enough to live in. And I can slow time down inside. You could have the baby during the summer, and even stay inside a couple extra months so it's not newborn when you take it to Hogwarts."
Ginny face lit up. "Really? Oh Harry!" Then she looked sad again. "No, I couldn't ask you to do that. You said you have to be inside the whole time. I can't ask you to live with me in a trunk for nine months."
"You're not asking, Angel. I'm offering."
"Really, you'd do that for me?"
"Of course! Now let's go find Dumbledore and tell him that you are coming back this year."
Ginny flung her arms around Harry's neck. "Oh thank you thank you thank you!"
Harry smiled. He loved when Ginny was happy.
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A/N: Okay, this chapter is really really late. I meant to get it out last Saturday, but I never got it finished. I'm really sorry! Now, about Ginny's pregnancy. Quite a few of you guessed it. I was surprised, although now that I look at it, my clues were pretty obvious. Some of you asked which Death Eater, I'm not sure if you'll ever find out. Ginny doesn't care. As far as she's concerned, Harry's the father. Also, Ron and Hermione will come around, and realize how they've been treating Harry. Ron's just a bit slow, and Hermione thinks she's always right. They've got to get past that, and the eventually will.
Thank you to everyone for reviewing! I hope you enjoy this chapter. Silvercrystal77, Ibozun, Potter Reader, Lady Melime Alasse, FroBoy, athenakitty, BferBear, Dee, Silnar, Bunny Moon, dementorchic, The Hindu Dancer, lil-DA, Rhinemjr, Hunta, babylonpotter, Jill. Thanks you guys! =) I love getting reviews. They just make my day!
Silvercrystal77 – I know, poor Ginny. I felt so bad putting her through all that. But it must be done. Yes, Lily will appear here and there, but I don't think she'll be pivotal to the plot anymore.
Ibozun – Sirius had 2 children. Harry and another child with Lily's friend Kat, who is dead. Well unless he has other children I don't know about. =)
Potter Reader – Yeah, the Order is being quite annoying, but they still all want to bring Voldemort down. And if they broke out on their own they wouldn't be able to do it as well. Although after the war's over, there's not telling what will happen. And I quite agree about Snape. But he's been punched, and I figure he gets tortured by Voldemort quite often.
Athenakitty – The brothers... I think she will eventually. Or at least the older ones.
Silnar – Yup, Tonks did think of those things, only I didn't want to show the entire time Ginny and Tonks were talking, so I had Harry leave. And I agree, Snape should die. But I can't kill him off. He's the only spy the Order has!
Ibozun – Ron and Hermione are being jerks right now, but they have been friends for years before this. He's kind of reluctant to throw away this friendship now, since he never had any friends as a child. But they're just children too. They'll come around eventually. I'm not sure what you're referring to when you ask why he cares what they think. If you mean him dating Tonks, he doesn't care exactly, but he'd rather people didn't yell at him for something he wasn't doing. I'm pretty sure if he and Tonks were dating, he wouldn't break up with her because they wanted him to.
Babylonpotter – I've actually never heard of that series. But I will look it up. That chameleon spell is an awesome idea. I don't think I'll put it in this fic, since I haven't mentioned it before, but if I ever write anymore, I'll definitely think about it. Thank you!