Chapter 14: Saving Ginny

Harry and Ron stopped at the set of double doors leading to the surgery rooms. They watched as Ginny was rolled out of sight. After what seemed like hours, Ron turned to Harry, "let's sit down; it'll be a while before they're done." They went over to some chairs on the side of the hallway. There was an elderly man sitting in one of the chairs, "hello," Ron said, as he sat in the chair across from the man.

"Hello," the man replied, quietly. Silence stood in the air for a few minutes, before the man politely asked, "so, what are two young gentlemen like yourselves doing in a hospital at this time of night?"

"My wife drowned in the ocean, not hours ago, my friend and another Healer are trying to save her," Harry explained, not meeting the man's eyes.

"You look like you've given up hope," the man replied.

"He has, I think," Ron said.

"Well, don't. Miracles do happen; just ask me, I know."

"What?" Harry said.

"I'm 96 years old; I was diagnosed with cancer, 57 years ago. I've fought it for years and eventually I won," he sighed, "but my wife, isn't so lucky. She is dying from it. I came up here tonight because the Healers say that she will die within the next few hours."

"Why aren't you with her now?" Ron asked.

"They took her into surgery, a last attempt to save her. They've been in there for almost an hour now."

"I'm sorry," Harry said, Ron nodded. "My wife has leukemia. We just found out this morning, she's pregnant with our first child too."

"Well, I wish you and your wife the best in this fight. It's going to be a long and hard one." At that moment, the doors to surgery opened and a Healer walked out, his head was bowed and he looked like he was going to cry. He walked toward the three men sitting in the waiting chairs.

"Mr. Greenwood?" he asked, the elderly man slowly rose from his chair.

"Yes?" he said, he was ready to take whatever news the Healer had of his wife. By the look the Healer gave him, it wasn't going to be good.

"I'm sorry, we tried everything in our power, but we couldn't save your wife."

The man nodded, "Can I see her?" The Healer nodded and led the man through the doors to where the last remains of his wife lay.

Harry and Ron watched as they walked away, the Healer had put an arm around the man's back to help him walk. Harry sighed, "Oh God, I don't think I could take it if that ever happens to me."

"Me either," Ron replied, he looked at his watch: it was well past one in the morning now.

"What time is it?" Harry asked, he had seen Ron checking.

"One-twenty-two," he answered. Harry nodded and yawned. "Tired mate?"

"Yeah, just a little."

"Why don't you go home and get some sleep?"

"No, I couldn't leave Ginny."

"Alright.

"I'll just sleep in this chair," Harry said, and made himself as comfortable as he could. Ron smiled at him before they both went to sleep.

"Harry, Harry!" someone was shaking him, trying to wake him up. He moaned and went to turn over, but when he realized that he couldn't, he remembered everything and opened his eyes.

"Hermione! Is Ginny alright?" were his first words.

"Harry, she's going to be alright, yes. But she," Hermione stopped, tears welling up in her eyes. "She lost your child."

"Oh no," Ron said, softly. Harry sat up and put his head in his hands; he was crying, but he didn't want Ron and Hermione to see.

"Harry?" Hermione asked, trying to see his face. "Are you alright?"

"No," Harry sobbed, he met Hermione's eyes.

"There's always next time," Ron said, in an attempt to lighten the mood. Harry stayed still, while Hermione gave Ron a look.

She shook her head, "Harry, there's something else you must know." She stopped again, closed her eyes, let the tears run down her cheeks before whispering, "We had to remove some of Ginny's reproductive organs. She won't be able to bear children."

"No," Harry shook his head. "No! This can't be happening. Please tell me it's not true!" He grabbed Hermione by the arms and stared into her tear filled eyes.

"I can't do that," she sobbed. Harry fell to knees on the floor.

"NO!" he screamed, "Ginny! Ginny!" Finally he just settled into sobs.

A medi-witch came through the doors, "Excuse me, Miss. Granger, but Mrs. Potter is awake now." Hermione turned to look at the medi-witch.

"Thank you, Julie." She turned to Ron, who was also on the floor, comforting Harry. Their eyes met and Ron nodded to her, indicating that he would stay here with Harry while she went to check on Ginny.

Hermione ran through the hallway, he knew Harry and Ginny would eventually get over the fact that they couldn't have children. She turned the corner and into Ginny's room. "Hey," Hermione said, closing the door behind her.

"Hey."

"How are you feeling?" Hermione pulled a chair over to her bed.

"Ok, I think."

Hermione smiled, "that's because of all of the morphine."

"Hermione?" Ginny asked.

"Yes?"

"Can I go home?"

Hermione sighed, "Well, right now it's about three in the morning, I suppose that maybe I can convince the Healers to let you leave."

"Can you?"

Hermione nodded, Ginny smiled. "I'll go and talk to them right now." She got up and went to the door.

"Hermione?"

"Yes?"

"How's Harry taking the news?"

"Not to good." She left the room. She returned to the hallway where Harry and Ron were.

They were both sitting back in the chairs and stood up when Hermione came into view. "Is she alright?" Ron asked. She nodded.

"Can I see her?" Harry asked.

"Yes, her room is right at the end of the hallway on the right." She continued to the medi-witches desk.

While Harry went to see Ginny and Hermione talked to the Healers, Ron sat back down. For first time since he had left the restaurant he had time to think about what made Hermione turn him down. He couldn't think of logical reason why she had, so he decided that maybe tomorrow he would ask her. "Ron?" Hermione's voice penetrated his thoughts.

He smiled up at her, "Yes, love?" she rolled her eyes.

"Come on, let's go get Harry and Ginny and go home." He nodded and got up to follow her. They entered the room to find Ginny already dressed.

"I assume they are letting me go then?"

"Yes."

"Alright, then lets go," Harry said, helping his wife walk out of the room.

"Ginny are you alright to apparate or do we need to call a muggle taxi?" Hermione asked.

"No, I'm fine."

"Ok, then we all ready?" Ron said everyone nodded and they apparated home.

The house was silent as they all tried to salvage what sleeping time they had. Ginny got into bed with some help from Harry and they fell asleep instantly. With Ron and Hermione it was a different story; the events over dinner were still fresh in their minds. None the less, they too got into their bed and without a goodnight, they too fell fast asleep.