Sry last chapter was so long. I had to introduce Draco and Pansy. Omg I love writing them. But I want to get this chapter out soon so that I can continue writing the good stuff!!!! As you can see I changed the title to my story. Instead of New Beginnings, its now Everybody Needs Somebody. New Beginnings is too cliché.
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Marriage, Dating, and Babies
Harry was nervous. More nervous than he had been a long time. He dressed himself in casual but classy robes that didn't seem like he was trying too hard to impress anyone. He gave himself one more look over and out of his bedroom. He wanted a female opinion just to reassure himself. "Ginny?" He asked. He heard her give a moan of pain in her bedroom. He opened her door to see the lovely redhead crawled up in a ball on her bed. She moaned again in agony. "What is it?" Ginny looked up and cringed.
"Nothing. It's nothing. I swear." Lied Ginny. Harry walked over and sat on the edge of her bed.
"Are you hurt."
"No Harry! It's...you know...my period." Harry cringed slightly to himself.
"Ah, yes, well...you know how out of hand those things can get."
"Harry you don't have to sit there and pretend you're comfortable. It's just cramps. I get them really, really bad and none of these potions work." Said Ginny pointing to book on her nightstand.
"Is there anything I can do?" Ginny shook her head.
"Go ahead on your date. It's almost time to meet Susan."
"I can't leave you here like this. Let me help you."
"No! Go! You look fine!" Shouted Ginny. Harry got up and left. He apperated to the Leaky Cauldron and looked around trying to find a woman sitting by herself. He walked over to the bar and sat down thinking that Susan might be running late.
"Hey Tom." Said Harry sulkily.
"Hello there, Harry!" Said Tom cheerfully. "What will it be?" Harry felt a warm hand on his shoulder.
"Harry?" Asked a soft voice behind him. Harry turned around to find a smiling Susan Bones. Her hair was longer than he had remembered and had been dyed brown. She still had the same round face and charming smile that was easy to recognize. Her robes were long and forest green.
"Susan?" Susan nodded.
"It's so good to see you!" Harry stood up and Susan hugged him awkwardly.
"Good to see you too. You look good." Said Harry trying his best to sound cool and not nervous.
"Heh, you too. Would you like to go sit down? I've only just arrived." Offered Susan.
"Sure." The two headed over to a small square table next to a dingy window.
"So, er, Ginny says that you work at the Daily Prophet with her. That must be fun." Said Harry trying to strike up a conversation about anything.
"Oh yeah, I love it. Hopefully one day I'll be writing the good articles rather than payroll. Ginny never told me what you do for a living." Said Susan playing with the cup on her side of the table.
"I'm an Auror."
"I had a feeling back in school you were going to become a Auror. Ever since you started Dumbledore's Army. Can I ask a more personal question? Why aren't you married yet?"
"Excuse me?" Asked Harry rhetorically. Who's she to be wondering why I'm single. She's on this date too, thought Harry.
"Well you were always hanging out with that Hermione girl in Hogwarts and Ginny's living with you..."
"Well maybe it isn't your business why I'm not married yet. Things just don't happen. You just don't meet someone and say 'hmm, I feel like getting married today'!" Said a very annoyed Harry. Susan made a face.
"Maybe we should talk about something else."
"Yeah, maybe." Said Harry sarcastically.
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"What happened?" Asked Ginny. "I thought that you would really like her."
"I did at first but then she asked me why I wasn't married." Said Harry as he sat lazily on his comfy couch.
"That's a stupid question for someone to ask. Especially on a date." Said Ginny sitting down next to Harry.
"Yeah, that's what I thought." Harry sighed. "I wish for once I could go out on just one good date."
"Here, here." Chimed Ginny.
"You seem to go on pretty good dates judging on how many guys you bring home." Said Harry playfully.
"I beg your pardon! I've brought home one guy the entire time that I've been living here. Besides, Dean and I broke up."
"You broke up? Aw, how come? From what I heard the other night I'd say that you two were a pretty good couple." Ginny made a face and playfully punched Harry on the arm. "Ouch!"
"Oh please, like that hurt you. Anyway, it wouldn't have worked. We didn't really get along together outside of the bedroom. Good sex though."
"Hey what time is it?" Asked Harry.
"3:30, why?"
"Hermione's going to a Healer for the first time today to get her baby checked out at 4 and Ron wanted me to come. Hermione wants me to get acquainted with my fetal godson." Said Harry standing up. Ginny stood up along with him.
"They asked you to be godfather? I can't believe it! They asked me to be godmother! They wanted me to come along too."
"Do you want to go along with me? We could stop and get a bite to eat if you're hungry."
"Nah, I'm not that hungry. Let's get going though 'cause knowing Hermione she's going to be freaking out about something." Harry laughed. The two apperated a few blocks away from St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. They talked and laughed the whole way inside and up the lift to the maternity ward. They walked into the very crowded waiting room full of expectant mothers and fathers. They quickly spotted Ron and Hermione sitting closest to the door. Ron stood up to great his friend and sister.
"Hey." Said Ron exasperatedly.
"What's the matter?" Asked Harry.
"Hermione thinks that something's wrong with the baby." Replied Ron. Ginny sat down next to Hermione.
"Why do you think something's wrong?" Questioned Ginny stroking Hermione's hair.
"I don't know...I just have this feeling that- -"
"Weasley." Said one of the Nurses lazily. Hermione and Ginny stood up and the four walked into the Healer's room. "Your Healer will be with you shortly."
"Here Hermione, lay down." Offered Ron clearing a way so that she could get on to the table the pregnant women usually laid down on.
"Thanks."
"Let me see your tummy Hermione!" Exclaimed a very giddy Ginny.
"It's a little embarrassing with Harry in the room." Said Hermione.
"Harry, turn around. I want to see her Buddha belly!" Demanded Ginny.
"Hermione, Harry's going to be in the delivery room with us. He's going to see a lot more than just your stomach." Harry gulped.
"I am?" He asked feeling very in the dark. Hermione sighed.
"Very well." Hermione lifted up the hem of her shirt so that a slight bulge could be seen.
"Awwww! My big brother's going to be a Daddy!" Squealed Ginny as she leaned down and put her ear on Hermione's belly. "Hello there, little baby! This is your Auntie Ginny! I know you're just a fetus right now but- -"
"Ginny, what in Merlin's name are you doing?" Asked Ron who was standing next to Harry against the wall closest to door.
"I'm talking to your child! It's a very healthy thing to do. The baby will get used to your voice quicker this way. You should do it sometime Ron!" Suggested Ginny as she lifted her head up.
"I'm not going to do that and look like a nutter!" Exclaimed Ron.
"You won't be considered a nutter if you talk to your unborn child! Every sensible parent does it!"
"I talk to it." Interrupted Hermione.
"When?" Questioned Ron seeming very annoyed that his own wife was not taking his own side.
"When I'm at work or if I have a very tough decision to make if I'm feeling indecisive." Said Hermione rubbing her stomach.
"I think you're both Bonkers." Said Ron crossing his arms.
"What do you think Harry?" Asked Ginny moving next to Harry as Ron moved next to Hermione. Harry never had a chance to answer. Just then a very familiar man walked into the room. He was stout and wore Healer's robes.
"I thought it might be you all when I saw the name of the patient!" Exclaimed a rather happy Ernie MacMillian.
"Ernie! You're a healer! I had no idea." Said Hermione.
"Yeah. My mum was always on my case about living up to my potential. Besides, the pay is great!" Ernie had always been known to be a bit pompous. "Hello Ron, Harry, and...what is your name again?"
"Ginny. Ginny Weasley." Said Ginny holding out her hand.
"Oh yes, I remember now." Said Ernie shaking Ginny's hand. "Let's see what your story is..." Ernie read through his clipboard. "Says here that you're in your fourth month, Mrs. Weasley?"
"Yes that's right." Said Hermione breezily.
"And this is your first child?"
"Yes." Answered Hermione.
"That's odd. I haven't yet heard any news of your pregnancy. Surely the Prophet would have reported it by now." Said Ernie taking a seat on his rolley chair.
"We're trying to keep it under wraps if you don't mind." Said Ron protectively.
"Oh sure. I understand. You don't mind if I tell Hannah do you? That woman always seems to find out all of the gossip."
"We'd rather you not. You're still seeing her?" Said Hermione.
"We're engaged actually." Said Ernie putting down his clipboard.
"Oh well then congratulations." Said Hermione politely.
"Thanks. Harry, I had no idea you and Ginny were an item." Said Ernie rounding on Ginny and Harry who were standing against the wall.
"We're not an item. We're just living together." Said Harry without thinking. Ernie grinned.
"Ah, I see. That's fine. I know how these things could be." Taunted Ernie.
"It's not like that, Ernie. I'm staying in his extra bedroom for a while until I can get my own place." Said Ginny reassuringly. Harry looked at Ginny. Harry's high spirits fell. He thought she was living with him for the long run. Not just until she found something better.
"Oh. Well then, let's get on with this examination. Now Hermione if you don't mind, take off your panties spread your legs." Said Ernie.
"EXCUSE ME!?" Exclaimed Ron furiously. Ernie laughed.
"I'm sorry, it's just a little Healer humor. Just lift up your shirt a little more and we'll be on our way." Hermione did so as Ron leaned over to whisper to Ginny and Harry.
"I've never really liked him, you know." Said Ron as he turned back to Hermione on the examination table. Ginny and Harry laughed softly. Ernie turned to his little table a put a handful of ingredients into a bowl and grinded them together with a pestle. "Now in just a few moments you'll all be able to see an image of the fetus as it is in the womb." Hermione looked over at Ron excitedly and smiled. Ron smiled back. Ernie poured the potion on Hermione's stomach and rubbed it in. He muttered a spell and within moments there was a hologram sort of thing hover in the air over Hermione's stomach.
"Is that it?" Asked Ginny from the other side of the tiny examination room. Ernie nodded.
"Yep." Said Ernie briskly. "I'm going to go check on one of my other patients. I'll leave you four alone." Ernie left the room and smiled. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Harry's eyes were all glued to the image of the baby.
"Wow." Said Ron in awe.
"It's so beautiful." Said Hermione gently. Silent tears began cascading down her face. Ron wiped them off for her and rubbed her head.
"I wonder if it's a boy or a girl." Said Harry. "When's the soonest you two can find out?" Ron and Hermione looked at each other absent- mindedly.
"I have no idea." Admitted Ron. The fetus in the image started to move a little bit.
"Ooh!" Giggled Hermione. "I think I felt that!"
"Merlin, Hermione, you have a whole other human being living inside of you!" Said Ginny exasperatedly.
"Absolutely wonderful." Said Hermione still in a daze. Ernie entered back into the room.
"So far everything looks good. There's a good healthy glow coming from your uterus and everything seems to be in order." Said Ernie turning back to his clipboard.
"Is there anyway you can tell us the sex of the baby?" Asked Ginny anxiously.
"I could tell you right now if you'd like."
"Ooh! Tell us!" Cried Ginny.
"No Ginny! Ron and I don't want to know the sex." Scolded Hermione.
"Speak for yourself, I want to know!" Exclaimed Ron.
"Fine then. Somebody cover my ears." Ron and Ginny both seemed too excited to listen to Hermione so Harry walked forth and pushed back Hermione's bushy brown hair to and covered her ears.
"It's a boy." Said Ernie triumphantly. Ginny squealed happily.
"Ron you're going to have a baby boy!" Exclaimed Ginny.
"Of course it's a boy! After all, we are Weasleys right?" Said Ron happily.
"Harry isn't that great?" Asked Ginny still beaming.
"Wonderful." Said Harry uncovering Hermione's ears. She sighed.
"I hope you're all happy. You just ruined the surprise for when the baby is born." But nobody seemed sad at all. Everybody, including Ernie oddly enough, was smiling happily. After the examination was over Hermione and Ron apperated to the Burrow to tell Mr. and Mrs. Weasley how the examination went. Harry and Ginny decided to walk home. It was almost 6 as Harry and Ginny walked the London streets. Ginny sighed.
"I can't believe that Hermione and Ron are actually having a baby. It's almost surreal." Said Ginny still in awe.
"Yeah. I'm happy for them. Ron was scared shitless when he first found out but now he seems fine with it. I bet your Mum will be pleased when she finds out that it's a boy."
"Oh she and Dad will be ecstatic. No one will be surprised though. Almost never is a Weasley baby a girl. Dad told me once that I was the first one in generations."
"Really? I don't know about my parents. I think girls are pretty common on my Mum's side seeing as she has a sister but other than that I have no idea."
"It must be pretty hard knowing almost nothing about your past except what everyone else knows, huh?" Asked Ginny putting her hand on Harry's arm. Harry instantly felt much warmer when she did so.
"A little. It's mostly just frustrating." Harry really did not want to continue talking about his past when his future seemed so fragile. He didn't have a real family to fall back on in case all else falls, he didn't have wife or kids, and he didn't know whether or not he was even going to survive his next encounter with Voldemort. Ginny had obviously gotten the hint that she should change the subject. But before she could say anything a tall man with a shorter woman on his arm stopped in front of them.
"Did you hear that Draco? Poor little Potter misses his Mummy and Daddy!" Sneered Pansy Malfoy turning to her husband.
"Well, well if it isn't old Potty and the Weasel girl." Hissed Draco Malfoy.
"For once just please shut up Malfoy." Said Harry as he unconsciously
put a protective arm around Ginny.
"No I think I'd rather not. So what are two lowlife like you doing out on a night like this?"
"The only lowlifes I see here are you two." Said Ginny coolly. Harry
saw Malfoy's lip curl the same way it did during his argument with Pansy the other day. Harry couldn't help but scan Pansy's face for any new red marks. Luckily, there were none to be found.
"We'll see about that you blood traitor. You and you're little half-
blood boyfriend better not be in my sight again or I assure you, you will be sorry." Threatened Malfoy.
"You'll be the one who'll be sorry, Malfoy." Said Harry acidly.
"Come along Pansy, we don't have time to waste on filth like this." Said Malfoy pushing his way through Ginny and Harry.
"Absolutely right, dear." Agreed Pansy like the good little wife she was supposed to be. Harry clenched his fists trying to control his temper.
"I hate those two." Said Harry angrily. Ginny unclenched Harry's hands as the two began walking on.
"I know. I do too."
"He's got some nerve treating people the way he does, including his wife." Said Harry not really caring what he was saying.
"What do you mean? I thought Malfoy cared about Pansy?" Harry shook his head.
"When Ron and I were observing him they were in a big argument and he got mad and hit her across the face. He told her that he never loved her and that he married her because she was a pureblood and was the only decent looking one."
"That bastard! That's horrible! I know Pansy's a complete bitch but that's just harsh! And for him to hit her like that! Ugh, that's just...horrid." Said Ginny. "I hope he doesn't smack her around often."
"Unfortunately I think he does." Ginny tutted and shook her head as they headed down the street on their way to the flat they shared. They didn't talk most of the way until they walked by a small muggle theatre and Ginny stopped to look at it.
"'Now playing: Cabaret'." Read Ginny from the small sign in front of the theater. "Harry, is this play any good?"
"Um, I don't know really. I think I heard it was good from somewhere. Maybe muggle news."
"We should go see it!" Suggested Ginny grabbing Harry's arm. "Oh come on, it'd be fun! We could both use a good night out on the town.
"I don't know..."
"Please Harry? If it's horrible you can blame me and we can both make fun of it together back home!"
"Fine." Said Harry apprehensively. He had never in his life gone to see a show, let alone one like this. The two of them bought tickets with spare muggle money Harry had in his pocket and sat down. The show was about 2 and a half hours long (including intermission of course) and afterwards Harry and Ginny continued their way home chatting away about the musical.
"Didn't you think that was brilliant?" Asked Ginny.
"I thought it was pretty good, yeah. Better than I had expected."
"I hadn't expected anything like that! It was so moving! So passionate! I loved the way that the reality that surrounded them crashed into the fantasy world they had created."
"Yeah."
"Oh and I felt so bad for Cliff and that older man at the end. What was his name again?"
"Herr Shultz."
"It was so sad about how he had to break off the engagement because he was Jewish. It's such a shame that its actually based on a real war. It's hard to believe that people can be so cruel to break up such a strong love."
"Plus it had singing Nazis. Everybody likes a singing Nazi." Joked Harry. Ginny laughed. Harry smiled thinking how adorable she looked when she laughed.
"Harry I'm glad you decided to see that with me." Ginny said as they approached their apartment building. They both walked the stairs up to their apartment and walked in.
"I had a great time." Said Harry as he took off his long black coat.
"Me too. I mean, this is the closest thing that I've had to a good date in a long time." Said Ginny removing her jacket.
"Yeah." Harry looked down into Ginny's deep brown eyes. There couldn't have been an inch between the two of them. Before Harry knew what he was doing he felt Ginny's lips press against his. He kissed back not really caring about all of the thoughts that were running through his mind. After what seemed like an eternity, Ginny broke away. She looked up at Harry and gave him a look that was half scared and half happy. She walked silently back to her room with her ears colored a bright red. Harry walked into his own room still in awe of what had just been bestowed upon him.
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Oh look how fast I updated!!! does a dance I'm very proud of myself for writing this all in practically one day. :-D please review!
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Marriage, Dating, and Babies
Harry was nervous. More nervous than he had been a long time. He dressed himself in casual but classy robes that didn't seem like he was trying too hard to impress anyone. He gave himself one more look over and out of his bedroom. He wanted a female opinion just to reassure himself. "Ginny?" He asked. He heard her give a moan of pain in her bedroom. He opened her door to see the lovely redhead crawled up in a ball on her bed. She moaned again in agony. "What is it?" Ginny looked up and cringed.
"Nothing. It's nothing. I swear." Lied Ginny. Harry walked over and sat on the edge of her bed.
"Are you hurt."
"No Harry! It's...you know...my period." Harry cringed slightly to himself.
"Ah, yes, well...you know how out of hand those things can get."
"Harry you don't have to sit there and pretend you're comfortable. It's just cramps. I get them really, really bad and none of these potions work." Said Ginny pointing to book on her nightstand.
"Is there anything I can do?" Ginny shook her head.
"Go ahead on your date. It's almost time to meet Susan."
"I can't leave you here like this. Let me help you."
"No! Go! You look fine!" Shouted Ginny. Harry got up and left. He apperated to the Leaky Cauldron and looked around trying to find a woman sitting by herself. He walked over to the bar and sat down thinking that Susan might be running late.
"Hey Tom." Said Harry sulkily.
"Hello there, Harry!" Said Tom cheerfully. "What will it be?" Harry felt a warm hand on his shoulder.
"Harry?" Asked a soft voice behind him. Harry turned around to find a smiling Susan Bones. Her hair was longer than he had remembered and had been dyed brown. She still had the same round face and charming smile that was easy to recognize. Her robes were long and forest green.
"Susan?" Susan nodded.
"It's so good to see you!" Harry stood up and Susan hugged him awkwardly.
"Good to see you too. You look good." Said Harry trying his best to sound cool and not nervous.
"Heh, you too. Would you like to go sit down? I've only just arrived." Offered Susan.
"Sure." The two headed over to a small square table next to a dingy window.
"So, er, Ginny says that you work at the Daily Prophet with her. That must be fun." Said Harry trying to strike up a conversation about anything.
"Oh yeah, I love it. Hopefully one day I'll be writing the good articles rather than payroll. Ginny never told me what you do for a living." Said Susan playing with the cup on her side of the table.
"I'm an Auror."
"I had a feeling back in school you were going to become a Auror. Ever since you started Dumbledore's Army. Can I ask a more personal question? Why aren't you married yet?"
"Excuse me?" Asked Harry rhetorically. Who's she to be wondering why I'm single. She's on this date too, thought Harry.
"Well you were always hanging out with that Hermione girl in Hogwarts and Ginny's living with you..."
"Well maybe it isn't your business why I'm not married yet. Things just don't happen. You just don't meet someone and say 'hmm, I feel like getting married today'!" Said a very annoyed Harry. Susan made a face.
"Maybe we should talk about something else."
"Yeah, maybe." Said Harry sarcastically.
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"What happened?" Asked Ginny. "I thought that you would really like her."
"I did at first but then she asked me why I wasn't married." Said Harry as he sat lazily on his comfy couch.
"That's a stupid question for someone to ask. Especially on a date." Said Ginny sitting down next to Harry.
"Yeah, that's what I thought." Harry sighed. "I wish for once I could go out on just one good date."
"Here, here." Chimed Ginny.
"You seem to go on pretty good dates judging on how many guys you bring home." Said Harry playfully.
"I beg your pardon! I've brought home one guy the entire time that I've been living here. Besides, Dean and I broke up."
"You broke up? Aw, how come? From what I heard the other night I'd say that you two were a pretty good couple." Ginny made a face and playfully punched Harry on the arm. "Ouch!"
"Oh please, like that hurt you. Anyway, it wouldn't have worked. We didn't really get along together outside of the bedroom. Good sex though."
"Hey what time is it?" Asked Harry.
"3:30, why?"
"Hermione's going to a Healer for the first time today to get her baby checked out at 4 and Ron wanted me to come. Hermione wants me to get acquainted with my fetal godson." Said Harry standing up. Ginny stood up along with him.
"They asked you to be godfather? I can't believe it! They asked me to be godmother! They wanted me to come along too."
"Do you want to go along with me? We could stop and get a bite to eat if you're hungry."
"Nah, I'm not that hungry. Let's get going though 'cause knowing Hermione she's going to be freaking out about something." Harry laughed. The two apperated a few blocks away from St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. They talked and laughed the whole way inside and up the lift to the maternity ward. They walked into the very crowded waiting room full of expectant mothers and fathers. They quickly spotted Ron and Hermione sitting closest to the door. Ron stood up to great his friend and sister.
"Hey." Said Ron exasperatedly.
"What's the matter?" Asked Harry.
"Hermione thinks that something's wrong with the baby." Replied Ron. Ginny sat down next to Hermione.
"Why do you think something's wrong?" Questioned Ginny stroking Hermione's hair.
"I don't know...I just have this feeling that- -"
"Weasley." Said one of the Nurses lazily. Hermione and Ginny stood up and the four walked into the Healer's room. "Your Healer will be with you shortly."
"Here Hermione, lay down." Offered Ron clearing a way so that she could get on to the table the pregnant women usually laid down on.
"Thanks."
"Let me see your tummy Hermione!" Exclaimed a very giddy Ginny.
"It's a little embarrassing with Harry in the room." Said Hermione.
"Harry, turn around. I want to see her Buddha belly!" Demanded Ginny.
"Hermione, Harry's going to be in the delivery room with us. He's going to see a lot more than just your stomach." Harry gulped.
"I am?" He asked feeling very in the dark. Hermione sighed.
"Very well." Hermione lifted up the hem of her shirt so that a slight bulge could be seen.
"Awwww! My big brother's going to be a Daddy!" Squealed Ginny as she leaned down and put her ear on Hermione's belly. "Hello there, little baby! This is your Auntie Ginny! I know you're just a fetus right now but- -"
"Ginny, what in Merlin's name are you doing?" Asked Ron who was standing next to Harry against the wall closest to door.
"I'm talking to your child! It's a very healthy thing to do. The baby will get used to your voice quicker this way. You should do it sometime Ron!" Suggested Ginny as she lifted her head up.
"I'm not going to do that and look like a nutter!" Exclaimed Ron.
"You won't be considered a nutter if you talk to your unborn child! Every sensible parent does it!"
"I talk to it." Interrupted Hermione.
"When?" Questioned Ron seeming very annoyed that his own wife was not taking his own side.
"When I'm at work or if I have a very tough decision to make if I'm feeling indecisive." Said Hermione rubbing her stomach.
"I think you're both Bonkers." Said Ron crossing his arms.
"What do you think Harry?" Asked Ginny moving next to Harry as Ron moved next to Hermione. Harry never had a chance to answer. Just then a very familiar man walked into the room. He was stout and wore Healer's robes.
"I thought it might be you all when I saw the name of the patient!" Exclaimed a rather happy Ernie MacMillian.
"Ernie! You're a healer! I had no idea." Said Hermione.
"Yeah. My mum was always on my case about living up to my potential. Besides, the pay is great!" Ernie had always been known to be a bit pompous. "Hello Ron, Harry, and...what is your name again?"
"Ginny. Ginny Weasley." Said Ginny holding out her hand.
"Oh yes, I remember now." Said Ernie shaking Ginny's hand. "Let's see what your story is..." Ernie read through his clipboard. "Says here that you're in your fourth month, Mrs. Weasley?"
"Yes that's right." Said Hermione breezily.
"And this is your first child?"
"Yes." Answered Hermione.
"That's odd. I haven't yet heard any news of your pregnancy. Surely the Prophet would have reported it by now." Said Ernie taking a seat on his rolley chair.
"We're trying to keep it under wraps if you don't mind." Said Ron protectively.
"Oh sure. I understand. You don't mind if I tell Hannah do you? That woman always seems to find out all of the gossip."
"We'd rather you not. You're still seeing her?" Said Hermione.
"We're engaged actually." Said Ernie putting down his clipboard.
"Oh well then congratulations." Said Hermione politely.
"Thanks. Harry, I had no idea you and Ginny were an item." Said Ernie rounding on Ginny and Harry who were standing against the wall.
"We're not an item. We're just living together." Said Harry without thinking. Ernie grinned.
"Ah, I see. That's fine. I know how these things could be." Taunted Ernie.
"It's not like that, Ernie. I'm staying in his extra bedroom for a while until I can get my own place." Said Ginny reassuringly. Harry looked at Ginny. Harry's high spirits fell. He thought she was living with him for the long run. Not just until she found something better.
"Oh. Well then, let's get on with this examination. Now Hermione if you don't mind, take off your panties spread your legs." Said Ernie.
"EXCUSE ME!?" Exclaimed Ron furiously. Ernie laughed.
"I'm sorry, it's just a little Healer humor. Just lift up your shirt a little more and we'll be on our way." Hermione did so as Ron leaned over to whisper to Ginny and Harry.
"I've never really liked him, you know." Said Ron as he turned back to Hermione on the examination table. Ginny and Harry laughed softly. Ernie turned to his little table a put a handful of ingredients into a bowl and grinded them together with a pestle. "Now in just a few moments you'll all be able to see an image of the fetus as it is in the womb." Hermione looked over at Ron excitedly and smiled. Ron smiled back. Ernie poured the potion on Hermione's stomach and rubbed it in. He muttered a spell and within moments there was a hologram sort of thing hover in the air over Hermione's stomach.
"Is that it?" Asked Ginny from the other side of the tiny examination room. Ernie nodded.
"Yep." Said Ernie briskly. "I'm going to go check on one of my other patients. I'll leave you four alone." Ernie left the room and smiled. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Harry's eyes were all glued to the image of the baby.
"Wow." Said Ron in awe.
"It's so beautiful." Said Hermione gently. Silent tears began cascading down her face. Ron wiped them off for her and rubbed her head.
"I wonder if it's a boy or a girl." Said Harry. "When's the soonest you two can find out?" Ron and Hermione looked at each other absent- mindedly.
"I have no idea." Admitted Ron. The fetus in the image started to move a little bit.
"Ooh!" Giggled Hermione. "I think I felt that!"
"Merlin, Hermione, you have a whole other human being living inside of you!" Said Ginny exasperatedly.
"Absolutely wonderful." Said Hermione still in a daze. Ernie entered back into the room.
"So far everything looks good. There's a good healthy glow coming from your uterus and everything seems to be in order." Said Ernie turning back to his clipboard.
"Is there anyway you can tell us the sex of the baby?" Asked Ginny anxiously.
"I could tell you right now if you'd like."
"Ooh! Tell us!" Cried Ginny.
"No Ginny! Ron and I don't want to know the sex." Scolded Hermione.
"Speak for yourself, I want to know!" Exclaimed Ron.
"Fine then. Somebody cover my ears." Ron and Ginny both seemed too excited to listen to Hermione so Harry walked forth and pushed back Hermione's bushy brown hair to and covered her ears.
"It's a boy." Said Ernie triumphantly. Ginny squealed happily.
"Ron you're going to have a baby boy!" Exclaimed Ginny.
"Of course it's a boy! After all, we are Weasleys right?" Said Ron happily.
"Harry isn't that great?" Asked Ginny still beaming.
"Wonderful." Said Harry uncovering Hermione's ears. She sighed.
"I hope you're all happy. You just ruined the surprise for when the baby is born." But nobody seemed sad at all. Everybody, including Ernie oddly enough, was smiling happily. After the examination was over Hermione and Ron apperated to the Burrow to tell Mr. and Mrs. Weasley how the examination went. Harry and Ginny decided to walk home. It was almost 6 as Harry and Ginny walked the London streets. Ginny sighed.
"I can't believe that Hermione and Ron are actually having a baby. It's almost surreal." Said Ginny still in awe.
"Yeah. I'm happy for them. Ron was scared shitless when he first found out but now he seems fine with it. I bet your Mum will be pleased when she finds out that it's a boy."
"Oh she and Dad will be ecstatic. No one will be surprised though. Almost never is a Weasley baby a girl. Dad told me once that I was the first one in generations."
"Really? I don't know about my parents. I think girls are pretty common on my Mum's side seeing as she has a sister but other than that I have no idea."
"It must be pretty hard knowing almost nothing about your past except what everyone else knows, huh?" Asked Ginny putting her hand on Harry's arm. Harry instantly felt much warmer when she did so.
"A little. It's mostly just frustrating." Harry really did not want to continue talking about his past when his future seemed so fragile. He didn't have a real family to fall back on in case all else falls, he didn't have wife or kids, and he didn't know whether or not he was even going to survive his next encounter with Voldemort. Ginny had obviously gotten the hint that she should change the subject. But before she could say anything a tall man with a shorter woman on his arm stopped in front of them.
"Did you hear that Draco? Poor little Potter misses his Mummy and Daddy!" Sneered Pansy Malfoy turning to her husband.
"Well, well if it isn't old Potty and the Weasel girl." Hissed Draco Malfoy.
"For once just please shut up Malfoy." Said Harry as he unconsciously
put a protective arm around Ginny.
"No I think I'd rather not. So what are two lowlife like you doing out on a night like this?"
"The only lowlifes I see here are you two." Said Ginny coolly. Harry
saw Malfoy's lip curl the same way it did during his argument with Pansy the other day. Harry couldn't help but scan Pansy's face for any new red marks. Luckily, there were none to be found.
"We'll see about that you blood traitor. You and you're little half-
blood boyfriend better not be in my sight again or I assure you, you will be sorry." Threatened Malfoy.
"You'll be the one who'll be sorry, Malfoy." Said Harry acidly.
"Come along Pansy, we don't have time to waste on filth like this." Said Malfoy pushing his way through Ginny and Harry.
"Absolutely right, dear." Agreed Pansy like the good little wife she was supposed to be. Harry clenched his fists trying to control his temper.
"I hate those two." Said Harry angrily. Ginny unclenched Harry's hands as the two began walking on.
"I know. I do too."
"He's got some nerve treating people the way he does, including his wife." Said Harry not really caring what he was saying.
"What do you mean? I thought Malfoy cared about Pansy?" Harry shook his head.
"When Ron and I were observing him they were in a big argument and he got mad and hit her across the face. He told her that he never loved her and that he married her because she was a pureblood and was the only decent looking one."
"That bastard! That's horrible! I know Pansy's a complete bitch but that's just harsh! And for him to hit her like that! Ugh, that's just...horrid." Said Ginny. "I hope he doesn't smack her around often."
"Unfortunately I think he does." Ginny tutted and shook her head as they headed down the street on their way to the flat they shared. They didn't talk most of the way until they walked by a small muggle theatre and Ginny stopped to look at it.
"'Now playing: Cabaret'." Read Ginny from the small sign in front of the theater. "Harry, is this play any good?"
"Um, I don't know really. I think I heard it was good from somewhere. Maybe muggle news."
"We should go see it!" Suggested Ginny grabbing Harry's arm. "Oh come on, it'd be fun! We could both use a good night out on the town.
"I don't know..."
"Please Harry? If it's horrible you can blame me and we can both make fun of it together back home!"
"Fine." Said Harry apprehensively. He had never in his life gone to see a show, let alone one like this. The two of them bought tickets with spare muggle money Harry had in his pocket and sat down. The show was about 2 and a half hours long (including intermission of course) and afterwards Harry and Ginny continued their way home chatting away about the musical.
"Didn't you think that was brilliant?" Asked Ginny.
"I thought it was pretty good, yeah. Better than I had expected."
"I hadn't expected anything like that! It was so moving! So passionate! I loved the way that the reality that surrounded them crashed into the fantasy world they had created."
"Yeah."
"Oh and I felt so bad for Cliff and that older man at the end. What was his name again?"
"Herr Shultz."
"It was so sad about how he had to break off the engagement because he was Jewish. It's such a shame that its actually based on a real war. It's hard to believe that people can be so cruel to break up such a strong love."
"Plus it had singing Nazis. Everybody likes a singing Nazi." Joked Harry. Ginny laughed. Harry smiled thinking how adorable she looked when she laughed.
"Harry I'm glad you decided to see that with me." Ginny said as they approached their apartment building. They both walked the stairs up to their apartment and walked in.
"I had a great time." Said Harry as he took off his long black coat.
"Me too. I mean, this is the closest thing that I've had to a good date in a long time." Said Ginny removing her jacket.
"Yeah." Harry looked down into Ginny's deep brown eyes. There couldn't have been an inch between the two of them. Before Harry knew what he was doing he felt Ginny's lips press against his. He kissed back not really caring about all of the thoughts that were running through his mind. After what seemed like an eternity, Ginny broke away. She looked up at Harry and gave him a look that was half scared and half happy. She walked silently back to her room with her ears colored a bright red. Harry walked into his own room still in awe of what had just been bestowed upon him.
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Oh look how fast I updated!!! does a dance I'm very proud of myself for writing this all in practically one day. :-D please review!