Propensity
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.
Chapter Seventeen
A week after the new term started, Percy came to visit Ginny. He'd been with his fiancée Penelope and her family for Christmas. Bill had told him about Remus and Ginny and what their mum had said. Percy, still trying to ingratiate himself back into the family, felt he should pay his baby sister a visit.
The siblings were situated in Remus' (and now Ginny's) sitting room before a roaring fire. Percy had begrudgingly felt the baby kick through Ginny's belly, and he had, though he'd never admit it aloud, enjoyed it.
He conjured a tray of hot cocoa for them both as his expression turned serious.
"Ginny," he said straightening his glasses, "I think you know why I'm here."
Ginny bristled against the sofa cushions and nodded. "Percy, I know you think Mum's right, but I've made my decision."
Percy eyed her for a moment before taking her hand in his. "Do you love him, Ginny?" he asked. "Really love him?"
"Yes, Percy," she replied earnestly. "More than anything."
"And you're sure it's not just because of the baby?" he pressed.
"I'm sure," Ginny replied firmly. "Even if there were no baby, I would still want Remus. It just happened that the baby brought us together."
She sighed and smiled at her brother. "Remember when you proposed to Penny, and you were all excited and nervous at the same time? Well, that's how I feel around Remus all the time. But even though I'm nervous around him, I've never been more comfortable around anyone else. I can be myself around him, without having to worry about what he'll think or say. He loves me, and I love him."
"As long as you're sure, Ginny," Percy said. "I'll support your decision, no matter what."
He leaned over to kiss her forehead.
"Thanks, Percy," she said, crying.
The door opened at that moment, and Remus entered the room. He took one look at Percy, then at Ginny crying and jumped to the wrong conclusion.
"Now, see here, Percy," Remus said sternly. "I'll not have you coming here and upsetting her. It's not good for the baby." He glared at Percy, who all but trembled in fear, but Ginny laughed at them both.
"No," she said giggling. "Remus, love, I'm crying because of hormones. Percy didn't upset me."
"He didn't?" Remus asked, still eyeing Percy warily.
"No," Percy gulped. "I support her decision, but if you hurt her… Well, I'm sure Bill's already told you what will happen."
Remus chuckled before shaking Percy's hand. "Yes, Percy, I know," he said. "And thanks."
Percy smiled at them both as he stood. "I need to go," he said. "Owl me if you need anything at all."
"We will," Remus promised.
Percy left, and Remus took his vacated seat on the sofa next to Ginny…and promptly sneezed.
"Sorry," he said apologetically. He reached into his pocket for his handkerchief and wiped his nose. "Must be dusty in the castle. I've been doing that all morning."
Ginny went into medi-witch mode and felt his head and glands. "Remus, I think you might be getting sick," she said.
"What?" he replied. "No, I'm not. I'm as healthy as a hippogriff." He stood to take off his outer robe and sneezed again.
"Love, I really wish you would take some Pepper-Up Potion," Ginny said. "I think you'd feel better."
"But I don't feel bad, Ginny," Remus said insolently. "I'm perfectly fine."
"If you insist," she replied, opening her book to read.
Remus, however, was not perfectly fine. He continued to get sicker and sicker as the full moon approached. He could not, unfortunately, combine the Pepper-Up Potion with the Wolfsbane Potion, so he was forced to deal with the full moon and a raging cold.
The transformation this month was so horrible that he forbid Ginny to be anywhere near him. He'd never admit it, but it really wasn't for her safety that he wanted her away from him. The transformation was terribly painful, and Remus knew she couldn't handle seeing him like that.
As the moon waned for the last night, Remus awoke back in human form feeling the worst he'd felt in many years. He could barely move, but he managed to make it to his classroom on time for his sixth year class.
"Class, please take out your textbooks and turn to Chapter Thirteen, Defensive Charms and Spells," he wheezed. "Today, we'll be attempting the Patronus Charm."
Several students murmured in excitement; they'd heard this was part of their N.E.W.T.S. next year.
Remus leaned against the blackboard as he wrote the incantation. Turning back to the class, he breathed heavily.
"The Patronus Charm acts as a shield against dementors," he lectured. "Just as the dementors feed off our worst memories, the Patronus builds off happy ones. For example, when faced with a dementor, I try and think of a happy childhood memory or something along those lines. Would anyone like to share what memory they would use? I'll tell you if it's strong enough."
David raised his hand and answered, "When we won the Quidditch Cup last year?"
Remus smiled. "Yes, I suppose that one would work, though it might only ward off one or two dementors, not an entire legion. Anyone else?"
Alan tentatively raised his hand.
"Yes, Mr. Pierce?" Remus asked.
"When the Dark Lord was defeated?"
"Yes, that's perfect, Mr. Pierce," Remus smiled tiredly. "And one we could all use to fight off several dementors. Very good." He swayed slightly and blinked his eyes several times.
"Right," he said slowly. "Moving on. When faced with a dementor, you simply point your wand into the air and say the incantation very clearly. Expecto Patronum! Everyone repeat it."
"Expecto Patronum!" they chorused.
"Very good," Remus said, swaying again. "Very, very…" His voice trailed off as he collapsed limply to the floor.
The class cried out in panic as three Gryffindor boys rushed to their professor's side.
"Everyone back away!" David yelled. "He needs room." He turned to his two friends.
"Alan, go and get Professor McGonagall," he said. "Jason, help me get him to the hospital wing."
Alan took off down the corridor as the other two boys levitated their professor in the opposite direction. David hurried along in front as Jason kept Remus steady in the air from the back.
When they entered the hospital wing, Ginny gasped upon seeing Remus' unconscious figure floating in the air.
"What's happened?" she asked fearfully as the boys gently laid Remus out on one of the beds.
"I don't know," David said. "He was teaching, and then he just collapsed. He looked awfully peaky this morning, though."
"Go and get the Headmaster," Ginny said as she began checking Remus over.
"Alan's gone to get McGonagall now," Jason said. "Should I get Professor Snape?"
"There will be no need for that," Snape said gliding into the room. "I was in the staff room when I heard the commotion. How is he, Miss Weasley?"
"I'm not sure," Ginny replied shakily. "He's got a high fever; he's burning up!"
"Why don't you let Madame Pomfrey examine him?" Snape said gently as he pulled Ginny away.
The two boys looked at each other, astonished at their Potions Master acting so kindly.
Poppy came bustling in and began assessing Remus. After several moments, she came over to Ginny and Snape.
"He's very ill," she said gravely. "With the cold he's had, combined with the full moon… It was just too much for his system. He's extremely weak."
"Is he awake?" Ginny asked tearfully.
The medi-witch shook her head. "No, and I doubt he'll wake until his fever's broken." She smiled encouragingly at Ginny. "Why don't you go and sit with him? I'm sure he'd like that."
Ginny hurried off to Remus' side as Poppy turned to Snape.
"It doesn't look good, Severus," she said softly. "I didn't have the heart to tell her. But poor Remus is going to have a tough go of this. He may not recover fully."
Snape's eyes widened, and he nodded solemnly. "Best not to tell her, for the sake of the baby," he replied. "I'll go speak with the Headmaster."
He turned and exited the room, leaving Poppy drying her eyes with her apron.
Ginny stayed at Remus' side the rest of the day and night. After a while, she took to talking to him. He may not have heard her, but she felt better doing it.
"Remember my second year of school?" she asked. "You took the time to tutor me because I was afraid of Dark Arts. I learned to trust you, and you became my friend. I knew I could talk to you about what happened, and you wouldn't judge me.
"I remember when you gave me the Pensieve. You were so ashamed of its second-hand condition, but that gift meant more to me than anything. I was afraid to try it, but you showed me how. Do you remember what you did? You took me into one of your memories…"
Young Ginny stared wide-eyed at her Professor as he touched his wand to his temple, letting several silvery strands extract from it. He placed the tip of his wand into the Pensieve, letting the strands swirl into it.
Remus smiled warmly at his student. "Would you like to see?" he asked.
When she nodded, he gently took her small hand and guided her to lean over into the basin. As his nose touched the not quite liquid surface, the pair was transported through a whirling mirage of colors and sounds.
When Ginny felt solid ground under her feet again, she opened her eyes and looked at her surroundings. They were in the living room of a very cozy cottage. Outside, she could see that it was winter; there was snow on the windowsills and the ground. There were woods in the distance, and the wind swayed the trees' branches back and forth.
She looked up at her teacher, questioning their whereabouts. Without looking at her, he said, "Patience, Miss Weasley."
Ginny looked about the room, taking in the homey and warm feeling of it. A fire crackled in the fireplace, and there was a Christmas tree in the corner. It wasn't overly large or ornately decorated, but she could tell that it was adorned with trinkets that held great sentimental value.
A couple, a man and a woman, came into the room, carrying mugs of some sort of hot liquid; Ginny could see the steam rising from the rims of the mugs. The man was tall and lanky; he had sandy hair and rosy cheeks. He had the appearance of someone very laid-back and congenial. The woman was shorter, yet still thin, and her brown hair was in a long braid down her back. Ginny noticed her warm hazel eyes and thought they seemed familiar. The couple smiled to each other, as the man leaned down to kiss the woman's cheek.
Once again, Ginny was about to speak, and she tugged on her Professor's hand. He turned to smile down at her before nodding off to the rugged staircase.
A young boy, of about eleven or twelve, was bounding into the room, a bright smile on his face. He was not very tall and very thin and frail looking. He had sandy blond hair and hazel eyes that twinkled.
"Mum! Dad!" he called and grinned upon seeing his parents.
"Happy Christmas, Remus," the man said, pulling the young boy into a hug. Leaving his father's arms, the boy hugged his mother tightly.
"Happy Christmas, Mummy," he said. "Can I open my presents?" he asked excitedly.
"No presents until after breakfast," his father said, but he had a cheerful glint in his eye.
"Now, Thackery," the woman chastised. "Yes, Remus, darling. You can open your presents."
Ginny stared up at her Professor, who was smiling a slightly sad, wistful smile. "Is that you?" she asked in a hushed voice.
Remus merely nodded and kept watching the scene before him.
Ginny turned her attention back to the young Remus and his parents.
He was ripping into his gifts, like any child would. He unwrapped several books and new robes. He genuinely thanked his parents profusely for everything and started to clean up the mess.
"Ah, wait," his father said. "There's one more." He reached behind the tree and pulled out a large gift covered in a crimson cloth.
Young Remus' eyes widened in surprise as he pulled the cloth off. He gasped as he saw the small owl sitting in her cage. She was dark brown, with several black feathers in her plumage.
"An owl?" he cried. "Really?"
"Yes," his mother replied. "So you can write to us more often." She dabbed at her eyes with her fingers.
"It's okay, Jane," Thackery said. "He's just fine at school."
"I know," Jane replied with a sniffle. "But I still miss my boy."
Remus stood, ran to his parents and wrapped his arms around his mother's waist. "I love you, Mummy," he said.
Ginny's eyes prickled with tears as she watched the scene before her. She glanced up at her teacher and saw his face overcome with emotion as well. He pulled on her hand, and they were quickly transported back into his classroom.
Ginny smiled to herself remembering how her friendship with her then-professor began.
"You trusted me with a very personal memory," Ginny continued, stroking Remus' hair. "I knew you would never let anything bad happen to me."
She took his hand, pressing it to her belly. "Feel him, love?" she asked. "He misses you; so do I. We want you to wake up."
She leaned forward and kissed his forehead as he whimpered in his sleep.
Just as Ginny was drifting off to sleep, the doors to the hospital wing swung open and Harry Potter entered.
Ginny rubbed her sleepy eyes and smiled at her friend. "So you're the one teaching his classes," she mused.
Harry smiled sheepishly. "Tonks and I are teaching them together," he explained.
Ginny smiled knowingly. "I'm sure that's a struggle," she said.
Harry blushed and cleared his throat. He nodded towards Remus and asked, "How is he?"
Ginny sighed and reached to grasp Remus' hand. "Same as yesterday," she said sadly. "No change."
"And how are you?" Harry asked as he took the seat next to her.
"I'm fine," she said dismissively. "I just need my Remus back." She sniffed loudly, as if trying to stifle tears. "So tell me about you and Tonks," she said.
Harry smiled bashfully. "I don't know," he said. "It just sort of happened. After you and Remus announced the baby, she got all weird, withdrawn even. You know how she fancied him." Ginny nodded. "Well, I ran into her one day and asked her out for a drink, to take her mind off it. We had a really nice time, and it just sort of came from that," he concluded with a shrug.
"Well, I'm happy for you," Ginny said, grinning broadly. She yawned and stretched her arms.
"Why don't you get some sleep?" Harry suggested. "Remus wouldn't want you to neglect yourself."
"You're right," she said smiling up at her black-haired friend. "I'll rest for a bit."
Harry helped to prop her feet up in another chair, and she leaned her head onto Remus' bed, next to his hand.
Harry kissed the top of her head before quietly exiting the room.
Remus woke up in an unfamiliar room. Something was preventing him from moving. He tried to lift his hand to move the offending object, but he couldn't lift his arm as it was under a heavy object.
He blinked his eyes several times and let his eyes adjust to the darkened room. He realized he was in the hospital wing, but he couldn't quite see what the lump next to him was. Only when the lump groaned did he realize it was Ginny.
"Gin?" he asked in a scratchy voice.
Ginny lazily raised her head and looked into Remus' hazel eyes.
"Remus!" she cried. "You're awake!" She immediately felt of his head and arms, checking his temperature.
"Your fever's broken," she said in relief.
"What happened?" Remus asked, clearly confused. The last thing he remembered was waking up the last night of the full moon.
"You collapsed in class, and you've been unconscious ever since," she replied, stroking his cheek. "I was so worried about you."
"How long have I been here?" he asked, rubbing his head.
"Five days," she replied. "I need to get Poppy so she can give you a full exam."
She kissed his cheek softly before hurrying off for the nurse.
Poppy returned after forcing Ginny to stay out during the exam. She fussed over Remus, checking his pulse, glands and breathing.
"I tell you, Remus," she said, jotting her notes onto a chart. "Ginny never once left your side. No, not for a moment. Not even when Potter came."
"Harry was here?" Remus asked.
"Yes, who do you think taught your classes?" Poppy asked. "And Ginny just sat right here, holding your hand, talking to you. That girl loves you more than anyone has a right to love a man."
She smiled warmly at Remus' bewildered expression before letting Ginny return.
Poppy watched from the doorway as the two lovers hugged, kissed and caressed each other. She smiled to herself, knowing that no two people were more meant for one another than the werewolf and the redheaded witch before her.
A few days later, Ginny helped Remus return to their chambers. He was still quite weak and wouldn't be able to teach classes for a few days, but he felt better being in his own bed.
"Remus, love, I don't want you doing too much yet," Ginny said as she helped settle him onto his bed.
"I don't want you doing too much either, Ginny," Remus replied. "You're seven months pregnant for Merlin's sake."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "You need to rest," she said, pulling a blanket over him.
Remus closed his eyes and sighed in defeat. He knew there was no point arguing with her. She stroked his forehead for several moments before he felt the bed move as she stood to leave.
He reached out and grabbed her wrist. "Stay with me," he said softly. "Please?"
Ginny smiled down to him. "Of course," she replied, settling back onto the bed. She held his hand as he drifted off to sleep.
A few hours later, Remus awoke to find Ginny had gone. He slipped out of bed and went to his fireplace, throwing some Floo powder into it.
An elderly gentleman's head appeared, and he smiled congenially at Remus.
"Did you get my sketch and specifications?" Remus asked.
"Yes, Mr. Lupin," the man replied. "Mr. Potter brought them by yesterday."
"And there won't be a problem making it?" Remus questioned worriedly.
"None at all, sir. I'll send it with Mr. Potter the day after tomorrow."
"Thank you so much," Remus said. "I'm sure it will be lovely."
"You're quite welcome," the man replied before he disappeared from the fire.
Harry knocked on Remus' door two days later. Ginny answered, and Harry quickly shoved his hands in his pockets.
"Is Remus up?" Harry asked after kissing Ginny's cheek.
"Yes, he's on the sofa," Ginny replied. "Why? Is there a problem with his classes?"
"No, none at all," Harry said. "Tonks has the seventh years now. I just have something of Remus' I picked up for him in Hogsmeade."
"I'll take it to him," Ginny said. Remus had been quite the ornery patient, and she wanted him to rest without being disturbed.
"Ah, no, actually, I need to give it to him myself," Harry said sheepishly.
Ginny eyed him suspiciously but let him in nonetheless.
She followed the raven-haired wizard into the sitting room and started to sit down.
"Ginny, would you get me a bit more tea, please?" Remus asked. "You know, the Prince Charles tea from the kitchen?"
Ginny's gaze darted from Remus to Harry. She wasn't stupid; she knew they were trying to get rid of her.
"Remus, I told you. No work," she said sternly.
"It's not work; I promise," Harry said.
She eyed them carefully again before waddling out of the room on her way to the kitchen.
As soon as she'd left, Harry pulled a small box from his pocket. He handed it to Remus who opened it immediately.
"Did you look?" he asked Harry. The younger man nodded. "Well, do you think she'll like it?"
"She'll love it," Harry replied. "The jeweler was surprised that you'd designed it yourself. Who knew you had a hidden talent?"
"Yes, I'm a closet artist," Remus replied with a smile.
"So when are you doing it?" Harry asked.
"Valentine's Day," Remus said. "A bit cliché, but it's supposed to be the most romantic day of the year." He smiled at his former student. "Thanks for helping me with this, Harry. Ginny won't let me out of her sight, much less the castle."
"You're welcome, Remus," Harry said, shaking the other man's hand. "I'd better get back. We're doing boggarts in the third years."
As he left, Remus tucked the small box into his breast pocket and smiled to himself as he thought of what Valentine's Day would bring.