Chapter 4
Ginny fondly remembered their interesting times at the 'Briar Patch.' Harry was right, Mrs. Weasley had shown up the next morning, intending to catch them all still in bed. She wanted to see where everyone was sleeping. The mirrors had worked perfectly. Ginny and Ron had messed their beds up a fraction the night before and had strewn various items around the room. Mrs. Weasley had never suspected a thing.
Ginny's mind slipped forward to their wedding. She closed her eyes and let the memory of their wedding wash over her. She had never been so happy before the day of their wedding. The images began to flash.
Ginny stood before the full-length mirror running her hands over the smooth silk of her dress. She swayed slightly back and forth to unheard music. People hustled in and out of the room but she noticed nothing until she felt a pair of hands altering things.
Ginny looked down at Hermione lovingly. Ron had picked the best girl to marry, Ginny's best friend. Hermione had kept Ginny sane throughout the wedding planning.
Ginny smirked inwardly, 'Poor Hermione and Ron. It sounds like they have went through hell the past couple of days.' Hermione had insisted on the Muggle tradition of the bride and groom not seeing each other the day of the wedding. It was all her and Ron could do to keep them apart. Several times Hermione had caught Ginny sneaking out of her room. Ron, not being nearly as observant, had almost screwed the entire plan up. While he was downstairs looking for food, Harry had managed to get to Ginny's room, but as her opened the door he encountered none other than Hermione.
Ginny heard Harry yelp in pain as Hermione reached up and grabbed his ear and literally drug him back up the stairs.
Once every was in their respective rooms, Mr. Weasley entered Ginny's room. Ginny, standing once again in front of the mirror, looked into her father's eyes and smiled. Mr. Weasley looked near tears. Ginny spun and went to his side.
"Daddy? What's wrong?"
"Nothing baby. You'll know one day."
Ginny's eyebrows arched questioningly.
Arthur continued, "You'll know one day when you to are giving up your baby. When you are finally forced to see that your baby has grown up. But baby…You sure did grow up beautifully."
"Oh Daddy." Ginny cried, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face against him. "Am I doing the right thing?"
"Ginny look at me. I know you love each other. There's no doubt in the world about that. You have everything I ever wanted for you in Harry. He would do anything for you. But most importantly…He loves you. And that alone is all you'll ever need. Look at us. No we aren't wealthy and we can't buy anything we want. But our family has love and you can't beat that. Now are you ready to go and make someone the happiest man in the world?"
Ginny took his arm and the two made their way to the forest behind the burrow. The wedding took place where Ginny had always wanted. The family had made it beautiful and there were many people there. Ginny saw nearly every Gryffindor who had attended during the years her or Harry were there, plus almost everyone in their years from hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. Ginny's eyes found the ever familiar black head and everything else faded. Green eyes looked up and stared amazed. Ginny felt herself being directed toward the eyes but nothing else mattered to her. Not all the people there, not the decorations, nor the place they were at. All that mattered was that she was walking toward her future, her destiny.
They reached the front and Ginny turned to look at her father and returned the kiss on the cheek he gave her. Mr. Weasley then placed her hand in Harry's and Ginny heard nothing else. Throughout the ceremony the two never looked away from each other. At the end, once the vows were said, the rings were traded, and the kiss was made, all Ginny wanted to do was leave. She wanted to be with her husband.
Ginny remembered it like it was yesterday, the beginning of the rest of her life. Her life with Harry. And not long after that it became their life with Makenna and Griffin. Ginny thought back to one memory with her entire family. All the Weasley, old and new, official and honorary, had arrived at Thorn Hollow for a family Christmas.
Charlie came with his two children, a boy, Kaden, 5, and a girl, Kennedy, 7. Charlie's wife had left him and the children four years ago. Bill was with his wife Samantha and their daughter, Ashley, 6. Ron and Hermione were already there with Ginny and Harry (they had been staying at the Hollow) and between the four they had 4 yr. olds, Brennan, Makenna, and Griffin, and 5 year old Addison.
The only ones who weren't there was Fred and George with their wives Angelina and Katie. Once they arrived the family settled down to eat in the large dining room. After a huge dinner they family members dispersed throughout the house.
Ginny found herself seated on the porch watching the 7 children running and playing in the snow. Ginny drew the blankets around herself tighter and jumped when she heard a familiar voice state, "You look so happy now."
Ginny turned and looked into her mother's eyes, "I am. We never get together like this anymore. It's to difficult."
The two mothers watched the children play and they were soon joined by the other females of the family. They all gazed out over the grounds as the children ran not leaving marks and never running out of clean snow. Samantha looked questioningly at Ginny.
"Hermione found a spell at make the snow stay like nothing has disturbed it. We all came out this morning on brooms and enchanted every inch of the grounds." Everyone nodded smiling. Katie spoke up, " You know that was a good idea. I never would have thought of that."
They continued to set there wrapped in their scarves and coats plus many blankets. Suddenly all the boys arrived out of nowhere and soon it was an all out war. Snowballs were being thrown everywhere. Together Ginny and Harry had enchanted several snowballs to follow the twins around, pelting them continuously.
That was Ginny's favorite Christmas. Her life had been so complete, she had everything she could ever want. But all changed one dark day. Ginny's perfect world came crashing down around her.
Ginny drifted from the window, pausing to check of the sleeping Griffin, then on to Makenna. She brushed the red hair from her daughter's lovely face and kissed her softly on the fore head. Oh my baby she thought miserably. Ginny sank to the chair set beside the bed and watched Makenna's sleeping face. So peaceful and innocent. Ginny's mind drifted back to that day. That awful day, when they small family's lives changed forever. The day the twins had lost their innocence. All due to one evil creature. Voldemort.
Ginny was in the kitchen making dinner. The muggle way. Ginny had always found she enjoyed it that way. She could hear the shrieks of laughter echoing through the large house. Ginny scoffed, "More like a mansion rather than a house."
Harry and the twins were playing a game of hide and go seek. Everything would go silent for several minutes, just long enough for Ginny to begin to strain her ears in an attempt to ensure they were all still okay. Once she began to leave the kitchen in search of them she would hear a loud shriek followed by thunderous laughter and heavy running. Ginny just smiled and shook her head. Sometimes I wonder who the bigger kid is. The twins or Harry.
Ginny heard a loud crash coming from the main room just off the front door. Harry James! Makenna Natalie Briar! Griffin Carter Thomas! If you broke anything I'll have all of your hides!" Ginny yelled down the hall. Not getting a reply, Ginny threw down a dish towel and walked off in the direction of the noise.
More noise followed and Ginny heard several voices that didn't belong in her home. Hearing the voices beginning to move Ginny stopped and slide through a door which led around the room they were in and stopped at the staircase. 'Harry and the kids must be up there.' Ginny thought. Skimming up the steps Ginny ran through the door that led to the twins play room. There was Harry and Griffin, but no Makenna.
"Harry. There are people downstairs. Deatheaters. Where is Makenna.?"
"I don't know. I can't find her. Listen. Take Griffin and go to the Burrow. I'll find Makenna and get her there too." Harry grabbed her shoulders, talking forcefully.
"No! I'm not leaving without you and Makenna!"
"Ginny! Go! Now. Take Griffin and go. I love you. I love you to munchkin" Harry squatted in font of Griffin and ruffled his hair. "Now you need to be very quiet okay and do what mummy says." The four-year old nodded shaking.
"I love you Ginny," Harry kissed her and then walked through the door. Ginny knew he would use one of the hidden passageways the two had built in the manor.
Crashes were getting closer. Obviously the group was getting closer to them. Ginny had knew this day would come. That some day they would have to face Voldemort. Ginny grabbed Griffin in her arms and ran from the room. The ceiling above her collapsed as a stray curse hit it. Ginny ducked her head and sped up.
Skidding around a corner Ginny was faced with a group of five masked deatheaters. Ginny's eyes widened and she slide through a doorway just as the spot where her head was, was no more.
Ginny gently set Griffin down and grabbed a picture of the four parents and children and handed it to him.
"Now listen Griffin. Remember this is going to take you to Gramma's. Tell her they came and that Makenna will be there soon. Okay? Now remember Mummy loves you so much." She gave him a motherly hug and kisses his ruffled black hair. "Bye Boo. I love you." "I love you to Mummy." The little boy cried, throwing his little arms around her neck, sniffling. He knew what was going to happen. Mummy and Daddy had told him and Macky all about the bad wizard. He took the picture from his mother's hand and clutched it to his little chest. Ginny took out her wand and tapped the picture, "The Burrow." With a glow, Griffin was gone.
Ginny stood and sprinted behind the tapestry on the wall. The passage she was in led back down the stairs and came out in the closet of the room the deatheaters had entered through. Just as Ginny stopped at the closet door she hear a sickening sound. A high pitched cackling broke the fighting. Ginny froze.
"Well well. We met yet again Potter, for the last time."
Ginny heard nothing from Harry.
Seconds later, spells were being thrown by both wizards. Ginny heard Harry cry out in agony followed by a sound that made Ginny's heart stop.
NNOOOOOO! DAAAADDDDDDYYYYYY!
The closet door flew open as Ginny bolted out to find her daughter. The little red head appeared from behind a couch and ran to her fallen father. Ginny ran to. She knew she had to get to her daughter before Voldemort. She knew what he would do, were he to get his hands on her. Voldemort knew the quickest and most painful way to dispose of Harry and herself was to cause harm to their children.
Ginny was feet from Harry with Makenna just steps of the other side of him when she felt it. Voldemort, standing there alone, was amused at the scene. He let out a cackle when he heard the cry of the girl. He laughter grew when he spotted the Weasley girl run from the closet but he spotted when he spotted the child run to her father.
Voldemort called out to Harry, "Look at what we have here Potter. If it isn't the Weasley girl. Oh and your daughter. What is her name? Makenna? But wait…where's your son. I know you have a son. After all you did marry a Weasley I know you have more than just one. Where is little Griffin? We don't want him to miss the show."
Harry was crawling to his feet as Ginny reached his side just as Makenna did. Ginny scooped Makenna into her arms and turned in an attempt to find an escape for her daughter. Voldemort had other things in mind. He cast a spell at Ginny causing her to be thrown to the ground and Makenna to be torn from her arms. Makenna landed hard of the marble floor and was instantly on her feet, Ginny was slower at getting up, the curse had knocked every ounce of energy from her body. Crawling on hands and knees, Ginny attempted to get to Makenna to keep her from harm. Harry began throwing curses at Voldemort, willing him to turn his attention from his family to Harry himself.
Voldemort paid no mind to Harry. He turned to face Makenna and she froze, green eyes wide. Makenna ran for her mother, but before they could reach each other Voldemort had cast another spell. This one Ginny had never heard before. The Curse hit Makenna full on in the back and the small form crumpled to the floor.
Blinded by rage Ginny stood to her feet and at the same time as Harry, she raised her wand to cast a spell she and Harry both thought they would never use. Together they cried
"AVEADA KEDARVA!"
A cry of agony escaped Voldemort's lips and the entire room was lit by a strange blue glow. Ginny and Harry paid no mind to screams, nor the lights, as they scrambled to their fallen daughter. Ginny bowed her head over makenna's chest and cried. Harry frantically fumbled around her. Checking makenna;s breathing and heartbeat. Somewhat relived to find both where still there, harry looked up into the blue glow just in time to see the twisted form of Voldemort disappear.
Just as the glow diminished, there were many 'pops' all around the room. A dozen aurors appeared in the destroyed living room. But it was no use. The damage had already been done. Makenna had been hurt and they didn't know what had hit her.
The remaining deatheaters had fled the moment the duel had began. Abandoning their master and fleeing.
But Makenna lay there on the cold floor. Not moving, barely breathing, barely alive.
Ginny had laid her head on the edge of Makenna's bed during this memory. That was the hardest time of her life. Worst than the day she lost Bill or anyone else she had known. She opened her eyes to gaze at her daughter. Makenna had been in to room when the deatheaters had entered. She had been hiding under Harry's invisibility cloak. After they had arrived she had been to scared to call out in answer to their yells. Harry twitched in his sleep and turned his head sharply. Her was obviously having a bad dream. Ginny reached her hand across their daughter and ran it along his arm. His settled down and slipped back into a peaceful sleep.