Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.
Chapter Ten
Remus and Ginny sat nervously in the waiting room at the St. Mungo's clinic. Remus was actually more nervous than Ginny, and she kept patting his hand to calm him. He smiled weakly at her.
"Ginerva Weasley?"
Ginny and Remus stood at the sound of her name being called, and followed the mediwitch out of the waiting area. She led them down a hallway into an examination room. She smiled at the couple. "The Healer will be in shortly."
Ginny sat on the exam table, and Remus nervously paced around the room. "You know that makes me nervous," she teased him. He stopped suddenly and blushed. "Why are you so nervous?" she asked him. "I'm the one who's going to get poked and prodded."
He came over and took her hand in his. "I know," he replied, "but I can't help being anxious."
"The perils of being a first-time father," said a man's voice. Remus and Ginny looked up at the Healer as he came into the room. He was an older wizard with short white hair and bright, smiling blue eyes. He was rather a tall man, almost as tall as Remus, but broader across the shoulders and the middle. He had a very congenial smile, which put Remus at ease immediately.
"You must be Remus Lupin," he said coming to shake the other man's hand. "I'm William Blanton, Ginny's Healer, and this is my student Healer, Oliver Wood."
Ginny's and Remus' faces fell, as did Oliver's as he strode into the room. "We already know each other," Ginny said tersely. Healer Blanton looked puzzled for a few moments before beginning his exam, with Oliver right next to him. Needless to say, Ginny was extremely uncomfortable, and Remus was even more nervous.
When he finished examining Ginny, Healer Blanton stepped out of the room for a moment, leaving the three remaining people in a very awkward situation. Oliver didn't waste a minute.
"Him, Ginny? You left me for him?" he asked in a hurt voice.
"Oliver," Ginny began, trying to be sensitive, "I didn't leave you for anyone. We weren't working out. Besides Remus and I aren't together, not like that anyway." Remus nodded, but was trying to stay out of the way.
"So how did you end up pregnant by him, may I ask?" Oliver inquired angrily.
Ginny opened her mouth to answer, but Remus interjected. "Actually, that's none of your business. Yours and Ginny's relationship is over, and I'll not have you upsetting her with insipid questions."
Oliver looked like he was about to say something else, when the Healer stepped back into the room. Oliver turned to the older wizard. "Healer, I don't think I should continue Miss Weasley's care. We have a personal history, and I don't think it's in the best interest of any of us."
Healer Blanton looked stunned for moment. "Mr. Wood, if you feel that's the best thing to do, then I understand. Make sure you see me before you leave today."
"Yes, sir," replied Oliver. He glared at Ginny and Remus before exiting the room.
Ginny couldn't help thinking, "Just like Oliver to be noble, but not without wallowing in self-pity first." She rolled her eyes at Remus, who stifled a laugh.
"So, any concerns that I should know about?" the Healer asked Ginny.
"Not that I can think of," she replied. "I'm still so tired all the time. After classes end in the afternoon, all I want to do is sleep."
He chuckled at her and patted her knee. "My dear, that comes with the territory. But not to worry, after the first trimester, your energy will come back." She smiled at him. "Now, I know you'll be at Hogwarts, doing your practical studies, until February and the baby isn't due until March."
"Healer Blanton," Remus interrupted, "are you sure it's okay for her to be up and around so much, especially around children?"
"Yes, Mr. Lupin," the Healer replied, "many witches work right up until labor starts. Why, Ginny's mother was in the middle of cooking a feast when Percy arrived." He noticed the nervous look still plastered on Remus' face. "I assure you that she will be perfectly fine. Madam Pomfrey is an excellent mediwitch, and I've also arranged for a portkey that can be activated at any time, should Ginny need me."
This seemed to calm Remus a little. "Healer, I wanted to ask you something else, something a bit more delicate," he began.
"You want to talk about the lycanthropy," Healer Blanton said knowingly. He and Ginny exchanged a glance. She'd told him about the father of her child being a werewolf and that, when Remus found out, would be extremely concerned. "Please," the Healer continued, "what are your concerns?"
Remus knew he liked this man. He was very easygoing and understanding. The two men sat across from each other in chairs, while Ginny remained seated on the table.
"Well, Ginny said there's a chance of the baby inheriting my condition. When will we know for sure if he has or not?"
"We actually won't know for sure until the baby is born," Healer Blanton replied. "But I can tell you that even if the baby has the condition, we have many new potions and spells that will help the baby and the parents cope with the condition until the child is out of infancy. So why don't we cross that bridge if we get to it, all right?" He smiled broadly at the couple.
"Now, Ginny," he continued, "you'll need to come back and see me in a month. Use the Portkey of course. Apparating can be dangerous during pregnancy. And alert me if there are any problems. Mr. Lupin, if you have any concerns or questions, you may also Floo me at any time. So, if there's nothing else, I'll see you two in a month. Hopefully by then, we can hear the heartbeat." He shook both their hands before leaving the room.
Remus grinned at Ginny. "The heartbeat?" he said excitedly. Ginny rolled her eyes, but smiled back at him.
"Remus, do you think you can stop giggling long enough to hand me my shoes?" she asked him. Remus stared at her blankly for a moment before shaking his head out of the clouds. He handed her shoes to her and helped her off the table when she was ready. The Flooed back to Remus' flat, both still slightly dazed from their visit.
Remus sank onto the sofa, while Ginny went into his kitchen to make tea. She brought it back into the living area and handed him a cup. She smiled at a memory.
"Remember when you and I had afternoon tea in your office at Hogwarts?" she asked.
"Of course," he replied, smiling, "I enjoyed our visits back then, just talking. We'll have to do it again this year, since we'll both be there."
Ginny sat next to him. "Remus, can I ask you a question?" He nodded in response. "Well, I've been thinking. What's going to happen after the baby's born?"
He set his cup down on the table in front of him and turned to her. "What do you mean?"
"I'll be done with my studies, but you'll be at Hogwarts still," she replied, not looking at him.
"Ginny, what are you asking me?" he questioned.
"I was just wondering if I could stay with you at Hogwarts after the baby's born, just until school's over in June," she asked in a small voice.
"Oh, is that all?" he asked jovially. "Yes, of course you can. I wouldn't want it any other way." She brightened up at his answer. But he continued. "But I suppose we'll have to decide what will happen after that. You'll obviously have a job as a mediwitch somewhere, and I'll be back here in London. And then when school starts again, I'll be back at Hogwarts and you'll be...well, wherever you'll be." He was sad at the thought of not being able to see his child every day.
Ginny sensed this and reached over to take his hand. "In the great words of Healer Blanton, let's cross that bridge when we get to it, okay?" He smiled up at her and kissed her hand.
He cocked his head to the side and stared at her. "You know, Ginny, I believe pregnancy agrees with you."
She blushed. "How so?"
"Well, you're glowing. You're beautiful...and perfect," he said, not realizing he'd said those words to her before. Ginny blushed even more, for she remembered when he'd first told her those very words.
Suddenly, Remus cleared his throat. "Well, I need to pack. You know, must leave for Hogwarts tomorrow."
Ginny stood, releasing his hand. "Yes, I know. I have some packing to do as well. Should we Floo there together?" she asked.
"If you want to, I'd like that," he replied. "Why don't you come round, say at ten tomorrow morning?" She nodded and walked over to the fireplace to return home.
Remus stared after her, pondering the emotions in his head. Yes, Ginny had never looked more beautiful. But why did his heart flip-flop when he realized that? Surely he wasn't having...feelings for her. After all, she was much younger than he, and she certainly had no interest in him as far as he could tell. "It's probably just lust," he thought to himself. "She is the only woman I've shagged in several years, and the fact that I got her pregnant during said shag...Yes, that must be it. Just my male instincts popping up." He shook his thoughts from his head and went to his room to pack.
Meanwhile, Ginny came out of the fireplace at the Burrow, still giddy from Remus' words. She loved it when he called her beautiful. Truth be told, she still found him sexy, in an unconventional way. But she would never tell him that. After all, she was positive he saw her as only a friend. Surely she wasn't having...feelings for him. "No," she said to herself, "he is the father of my child and a very close friend. That's all. I just feel drawn to him because of the baby." She quickly dusted herself off and went upstairs to pack for Hogwarts.
Upon arriving at Hogwarts the next day, Remus and Ginny were greeted by Professor Dumbledore. He was to take Remus to his chambers, while Ginny would go to the hospital wing to find Madam Pomfrey.
"Headmaster, there's something Ginny and I would like to discuss with you once we've settled," Remus said to the older wizard.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Yes, of course, Remus. Why don't you both come to my office in an hour?" They both nodded and Ginny left the two men in the hallway as she made her way down the corridor.
One hour later, Remus entered the hospital wing in search of Ginny. It was gravely quiet, so he ascended up the steps near the back to the chambers one floor up. He softly knocked on Ginny's door, but she didn't answer. He opened the door hesitantly and peeked in. He saw her, asleep on the sofa, curled up in a ball. He smiled to himself and quietly walked over to her.
He brushed some hair away from her face. "Ginny?" She roused at the sound of her name. She opened her eyes and smiled up at Remus. "Are you all right?" he asked her.
She stretched and sat up. "I'm fine, just tired."
"We're due in Dumbledore's office, if you're up to it," he said.
Ginny stretched once more and stood, smoothing out her robes. "I'm up for it. It's now or never, I suppose," she said smiling.
Remus took her hand and the pair walked up to the Headmaster's office. At the stone gargoyle, Remus spoke the password, "Tootsie roll." They climbed the steps and entered the office. The Headmaster was sitting expectantly behind his desk, but Remus and Ginny were surprised to see Professors McGonagall and Snape there, along with Madam Pomfrey.
"Remus, Miss Weasley, do sit down," Dumbledore said smiling. The two sat in large armchairs across from him. "I expect you have some news. I felt that the others should join us as well."
Remus cleared his throat as Ginny looked at him nervously. He squeezed her hand, before releasing it. "Yes, well, we do have some news." Remus felt like how Ginny must have felt telling her parents! "It would appear that Ginny and I are, well..." he paused, searching for words.
"Out with it, Lupin," Snape sneered. Remus shot a glare at him before continuing.
"Ginny and I are having a baby...together," he concluded.
"How wonderful!" Dumbledore exclaimed, a smile fitting his face. "And when will the blessed event occur?"
"The spring, March to be exact," Ginny replied. She suspected that this wasn't exactly news to Dumbledore.
"Well, no need to worry. We'll make any accommodations either of you need," the Headmaster said to them. "And Madam Pomfrey and Professor Snape will be happy to be of any assistance."
Somehow Remus doubted that Snape would be happy about anything, but he thanked everyone profusely before escorting Ginny back to his chambers.
"It's not far from the hospital wing," he said, lighting some candles in the dark room. "So if you need anything, just let me know." Ginny nodded and sank onto the sofa.
"Have things gotten better with your family?" he asked.
"Not really," she replied sadly. "My dad seems to be coming around, and Fred and George are excited about being uncles. But my mum just cried every time she saw me, and Ron won't speak to me."
"Should I try and talk to them again?" he suggested. Ginny shrugged.
"I just don't know anymore, Remus," she sighed. "Maybe that would help, but I honestly don't know."
"I'll tell you what," he said, putting his arm around her shoulders, "I'll write your parents a letter and see what happens."
Ginny nodded. "That sounds fine. Listen, I have to go to Hogsmeade tomorrow to pick up some things for Madam Pomfrey. Want to keep me company?"
Remus pretended to think seriously. "Hmmm, let me see, sit around a cold, dreary castle, or accompany a beautiful woman on a shopping excursion...I think I'll go with option B." Ginny giggled at him.
"Keep calling me beautiful and see where it gets you," she teased. Remus blushed. He was definitely interested in where flattery got him, but he wasn't about to admit it!
Ginny and Remus enjoyed themselves in Hogsmeade. She remembered why she liked him so much. He was witty and charming, yet not overly so. He was a perfect gentleman; he opened doors for her, carried her bags and pulled her chair out when she sat down. At random moments throughout the day, Ginny wondered why she'd never been romantically interested in him before...
"Before?" she thought to herself. "Am I interested in him romantically now?" She shook the thought from her head as they returned to the castle. Remus walked her back to her chambers to rest, as she was exhausted.
Before he left, he turned to her. "You know, with classes starting tomorrow, this is the last time we'll have alone together," he said, a hint of regret in his voice.
Ginny grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "I know, and I've had a great time today. You're a wonderful man, Remus."
He blushed at her compliment. "You just bring out the best in me." He wanted to kiss her but cleared his throat nervously instead. "So, if you have any trouble or need anything, you'll come to me?"
"I promise," she replied and reached up to kiss his cheek. "I'll see you at dinner."
He nodded and went to his own chambers, his cheek still tingling from her kiss. When he reached for his doorknob, he noticed his hands were sweaty. He chuckled to himself. "Get a hold of yourself, man. You're acting like a schoolboy," he muttered. He wiped his hands on his robes and closed the door behind him.