Chapter 30: Accusations

"Where's Gi –" began Ron. 

"She's here," replied Madam Pomfrey, motioning to a bed with its curtains drawn. "And the baby too. I haven't delivered a child for twenty years. Honestly, this is a school infirmary, not a maternity ward." She went over to the bed, and put her head through the curtains. After a few seconds she emerged again. "She says you can come and speak to her."

She tapped the bed with her wand and the curtains flew open. Ron ran over, Harry followed at a slower pace. Ginny was sitting in the bed, her hair uncombed and her face tired.

"Hi," she said, and smiled weakly at them.

Ron sat down on the bed. "Are you – are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

Ron smiled for the first time that evening. "And – and the baby? How is he? Or she?"

"He," answered Ginny. "He's fine. He fell asleep a few minutes ago. She brought her hand slowly from beneath the sheets and pointed to a cot on the other side of the bed. Madam Pomfrey came over and picked up the sleeping baby boy from within it. She handed him carefully to Ginny, who cradled him in her arms. Ron and Harry bent closer for a better look.

The baby had very little hair, but what was there was black. His eyes were a vivid green, his face was thin. Ron looked from the baby to Harry and back again. His smile dropped. Harry felt the feeling of dread return.

"What's the matter?" asked Ginny.

"Nothing," said Ron, as if he was struggling to keep his temper.

"Oh, good. Could one of you write to Mum and Dad – and Fred and George, and Bill, and Charlie, and Percy, and everyone. I want them to know."

"Yes," said Ron, still sounding angry.

"Er …" began Harry, making a stab at conversation. "What are you going to call him?"

"Well," began Ginny. "Well, I – I don't really know. How about –"

"How about Harry?" Ron interjected, his voice rising. He took one last look at the three of them, and stormed from the room. Madam Pomfrey, who had been filling the bedside jugs with extra water, looked on disapprovingly.

"What's wrong with him?" said Ginny, watching her brother leave. She stroked the baby's hair.

"I don't know," Harry lied, keeping his eyes off the child. "Maybe he's talking about Dobby's kid. It's probably all too much happiness for him."

"Yeah," agreed Ginny. Dropping her voice, she continued, "I'm glad he let you come. It was you I wanted really – you're much better at talking to me than any of the others, and I'm not sure they'd have come straight away anyway. I hoped that if I asked Ron, you'd come as well."

"Oh," said Harry, flattered. "So – er – what d'you want to talk about?"

"I don't know," said Ginny. "Anything, really."

They talked until Ginny decided she wanted some sleep, which was only for about fifteen minutes. Madam Pomfrey came over to them, took the baby, and drew the curtains. "Professor Dumbledore wants to see you," she said to Harry. "He's in his office."

Harry left the hospital wing. Ron was not outside. Harry walked vaguely in the direction of Dumbledore's office.  It occurred to him that he had no idea of the password. This didn't seem to matter, however, as the gargoyle leapt obediently sideways as soon as it came into view. Harry stepped onto the moving staircase, and let it carry him up.       

He didn't knock, and entered straight into the room. Dumbledore was sitting at his desk and, despite it being the middle of the night, he didn't look tired in the slightest. Ron was still nowhere to be seen.

Dumbledore nodded at Harry, who made to take a seat.

"Don't bother," said the old man. "You'll only be here a short time."

"Okay," replied Harry.

"I have managed to get yourself and Ron beds – it so happens that we have just purchased a few new ones, for next year, as some of the present ones are no longer as new as they were once, and we have made them up for you in – in one of our slightly larger broom cupboards. You may sleep there. It is the first door on the left-hand corridor of the sixth floor. I daresay you will be able to find it. Professor Gabriel has been notified of your sudden departure. The train will take you back tomorrow morning. Now, if you excuse me, I wish to get back to a rather interesting book on toadstools I'm reading."

Harry nodded, and left. He was at the room in what seemed like no time, and suddenly realised that he was tired. He pushed open the door to find Ron climbing into bed fully dressed.

"I've sent the letters," he said brusquely.

Harry nodded, and took off his cape. He had forgotten he was still in his pyjamas. He too climbed into his own bed. The sheets were still warm from the iron.

Ron looked as if he was about to explode.

"I haven't done anything with Ginny," Harry said. "Honestly."

"Then how come he's the splitting image of you?" interjected Ron. "Just coincidence, is it? Give him glasses and – and a scar …"

"I didn't," said Harry, emphasising every syllable.

"Yeah, right," said Ron. "You used a Memory Charm, didn't you? Or Imperius!"

"Imperius!" exclaimed Harry, scandalised. "I would never use that."

"Doesn't mean you couldn't. You're good enough."

"It – wasn't – me."

"Then someone obviously used Imperius on the both of you, didn't they? And this time you couldn't fight it off, obviously!"

"I didn't," said Harry. "There are other possibilities!"

"Name one," said Ron. "See, there aren't any!"

And with that, he rolled over and fell asleep. Harry, however, couldn't. He was innocent, but how could he prove it?