Chapter 4: Unexpected Events
In only 3 weeks, the term ended, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione had graduated from Hogwarts. The Weasleys were hosting the trio at their house for the first week of summer so that there could be a big graduation party a few days after their arrival back.
Ginny sighed. Hogwarts wouldn't be the same without them. And the thought of a whole year without Harry! She shuddered. It sounded like a jail sentence.
In the past few weeks she and Harry had become inseparable. Secretly, of course. With the use of Harry's cloak the two managed to get away without notice more then one would imagine. She smiled as she packed the last things into her trunk, remember the last few weeks they'd shared together. However, it wasn't going to be the same anymore even if they stayed together (which she couldn't imagine being apart, but still…)
After a month of freedom, Harry was off to become an Auror. He had passed his admittance tests with flying colors (except in potions) and would soon be heading to a secret location for training. She could only see him through correspondence. She brought her packed trunk down into the common room, and went back up to bed for her last night before they left.
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Ginny woke with a start the next morning, quite earlier then usual. With a lurch she sprang out of bed and threw herself into the bathroom, over the toilet. She kept convulsing and convulsing, until finally nothing was coming up anymore. She sat shivering on the cold stone floor, until she used the sink for balance and stood up. She washed her face and rinsed her mouth, then stumbled into her room to search for her tiny "emergency" bottle of Immunoboost, packed into her carry bag. She took a gulp, but instead of immediate relief, she only found herself half as nauseous as before.
"Ugg…" she said, and collapsed onto her bed once more.
The ride on the train was fairly uneventful other then Ginny's frequent trips to the
bathroom.
"Oh, Ginny! Why didn't you see Madam Pomfrey before we left so she could give you something!" Hermione chided. Ginny simply shrugged as she didn't trust her mouth just then. Harry kept giving her sympathetic looks which almost broke her heart. She could tell all he wanted to do was hold her and comfort her while she was feeling like this, but couldn't do anything more then a friend would in front of everyone, Ron especially. So she shook her head barely, trying to reflect the gratitude she was feeling in her eyes. Harry gave her a tiny smile as she laid her head down on Hermione's lap to sleep.
All the Weasleys were at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters to greet them. Ginny was looking a touch pale, but seemed to have gotten rid of whatever was bugging her. After her nap she had been much better, and even managed to keep some crackers down. The reunion of the family was sweet with lots of friendly greetings and hugs and boisterous laughter. Harry was thrilled to be starting off his last holiday with the Weasleys. It meant no Dursleys (yet) and more Ginny.
The afternoon was thrilling fun as the six Weasley boys and Harry played Quidditch in the woods behind Ron's house. They tried to get Ginny to join, but she declined, saying she'd rather unpack right then.
"Come onnnn Gin!" Fred pleaded. "Why do you need to do that now? You have all summer to unpack!" Ginny turned bright red and gave Fred a glare very reminiscent of their mothers' before stamping off into the house.
"Girls," George muttered. "Well, come on then boys!" and the seven of them traipsed into the forest.
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That night, after a rousing afternoon of Quidditch, and a couple exciting games of Gobstones and Wizards Chess, the Weasleys and company said their goodnights and went off to bed. Harry lay awake for a long time; he couldn't stop thinking of Ginny. A day without her was like rubbing alcohol into a cut. He was trying to decide if it was worse to see her and not be with her, or be apart from her entirely when he heard someone drop something in the hall. Harry checked his watch, and saw it was 1:30 in the morning. He was very tired now, and debated sleepily whether to go see who was about wandering, or to actually go to sleep. But when he heard someone throwing up in the bathroom he rocketed out of bed and flung himself down the hall.
"Ginny?" he asked quietly, knocking on the bathroom door. The door was opened to reveal a red eyed, wet faced Ginny, her hair hastily tied back and escaping it's captor. He caught her in a tight hug and moved into the small room, closing the door.
"Ginny, are you alright? What's wrong?" even as quiet as it was, Harry's voice was full of concern. "Did you drop something in the hall and hurt yourself? And were you throwing up again?"
"Yes, I threw up again," she started, shakily. "And I dropped my cauldron."
"Your cauldron? Why do you have your cauldron in the middle of the night in the
bathroom?" He noticed it sitting in the sink, brewing something.
"Well, Harry…you see," she choked up a bit, but bit her lip and continued, "I think that the reason I've been throwing up so much is, well… is that …I think, I think I'm pregnant," she finished, her voice barely audible. But Harry had heard her, and his eyes widened, and his jaw dropped. He couldn't breathe.
After about a full minute of trying to get some words out he managed "You sure?" in a very high pitched voice.
"No, I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure. That's why I had my cauldron out. I found a pregnancy potion in one of Moms old books. I'll know in another hour…I'm so sorry, Harry!" she burst into silent tears.
"Ginny! What are you sorry for!" He exclaimed, coming to his senses a bit after the initial shock.
"We-welllll," she wailed a bit, "I mean, I dragged you into this whole mess now and you're about to leave and I just can't believe what I did and…"
"Ginny!" Harry covered her mouth so he could speak. "Ginny, this is my fault just as much or more then yours! Please, don't worry. We're in this together." She seemed to crumple before she ended sitting on the floor. Harry followed her, staring into her eyes, his own green orbs filled with love.
"Harry, there's no one better then you on this entire earth. I am so lucky." She rested her head on his chest. "But I'm just so scared."
"Shhh…" he comforted her, stroking her forehead. "It'll be alright. We don't even know for sure yet, right? So lets just wait…" But the truth was he was scared as well.
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Harry woke up with a start as he realized that light had begun to come through the bathroom window. He was confused, where was Ginny? Hadn't she fallen asleep on him last night? But then he saw her, sitting next to the door, her knees curled up into her chest.
"Gin?"
"I can't…look at it," she said slowly, staring straight ahead. Harry got up, took a deep breath, and walked to the sink. Peering inside he saw that the cauldron now held a liquid of a rose-pink color.
"Ginny, we're pregnant." He couldn't look at her. He felt awful. If anyone's at fault here, it's me! He thought. And here I am about to leave for Auror training soon, and she still has a year of school left. And OH MY GOD, another thought had struck him. They will kill me. I won't get to training even because all the Weasleys will kill me!
He slumped down the wall and put his head in his hands. He didn't want to loose the Weasleys. They were the only family he'd ever had. Maybe I'm not meant to have a family. They either hate me, or I screw it up, or they die, but I'm always alone. He realized something then.
Scrambling to his feet he grabbed Ginny's hands before she turned on the faucet she was reaching for.
"Ginny," he said, "I swear you and this child will never be alone. I will never ever desert you. I now have something to live for even more then before. If I face Voldemort again someday, or any assailant I have, I promise I will fight with every ounce of strength I possess so that I may get back to you. I love you…"
Her eyes welled with tears. "I love you too," was all she managed.
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Harry and Ginny's troubles were far from over. He stumbled back to his room in a stupor, trying to figure out how he would survive the day. He wasn't sure if today was a worse or better day to find out about Ginny, (or even if there was a worse or better time). Today was the day of the big graduation party that Mrs. Weasley had been planning. On one hand, he'd have to act like he was having fun, while a pit of emptiness gnawed at his insides. Then, alternatively, he could quite possibly disappear; with all the people present, they were sure not to notice his disappearance.
Poor Ginny…He thought. If I think something is gnawing at my inside, imagine her. Though somehow, when he made it downstairs, Ginny looked fresh and content. Although puzzled at her behavior, it gave Harry some strength, and he smiled as he greeted the family.
A few hours later, with tables laden with dishes placed outside (that had temperature moderation charms placed on them, of course) the guests started to arrive. Harry managed to have a good time greeting his fellow Hogwarts students and reminiscing about the past. Somehow he managed to temporarily forget the days' earlier events.
Just then a tinkling glass could be heard, and a very familiar face stepped onto the platform that the Weasleys had erected in a corner of their yard.
"Dumbledore!" Harry and Ron, who was standing next to him, exclaimed.
"When'd he get here?" Ron mused. Harry just shrugged.
"Goodevening to you all," Dumbledore said. "I have been most graciously invited by Mr. and Mrs. Weasley to speak on the subject of a few certain Hogwarts alumni this evening. I'm sure you all know who I'm talking about, since this party was thrown in honor of them." The crowd chuckled lightly. "I have had the pleasure of being educated from these three bright youngsters for the past seven years-yes, educated. Although I have tried to teach them, I feel that I am the one who has come out of this with more.
First, I wish to address Mr. Ron Weasley. Your undying friendship, loyalty, and bravery will undoubtedly lead you to great places in life. I believe that you have the strength of a man twice your age. You will be a great asset to our staff at Hogwarts in the fall." The crowd stirred. Ron working at Hogwarts? They all thought. Impossible! Ron squirmed, looking down. Dumbledore smiled.
"However stunned you may be, Ron has generously accepted my request for him to fulfill our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher post. Although he is young, he is not lacking in practical experience or knowledge of the subject. He will also be accompanied and coached by none other then Remus Lupin, who, thanks to a nice little invention from a certain student of mine, is no longer plagued by werewolf symptoms.
And that brings me to that very student herself. Miss Hermione Granger. Words cannot describe your aptitude for learning, or teaching for that matter. You have accomplished so much more that many wizards have ever done. Within only two months of experimentation, you single-handedly produced a charm to reverse the side affects of a werewolf bite. Countless people will thank you forever for this amazing find." Hermione blushed, and Dumbledore continued.
"It is my great pleasure to inform you Miss Granger, that the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes Muggle-Worthy Excuse Sector, the Department of International Magical Cooperation, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and the Department of Experimental Charms all want you to come work for them. Not to mention that the new Mistress of Magic herself wishes for you to become her personal assistant." Hermione's jaw dropped. The Mistress of Magic herself! She thought. She wondered what it would be like to be working next to a witch as talented as Miranda Goshawk. Not only had she authored The Standard Book of Spells series, but she had developed numerous new charms and potions for the Wizarding world. She was also very talented in Muggle Relations and International Magical Cooperation. She was a key player in keeping the Wizarding world held together while battling Voldemort.
"And that brings me finally to Mr. Harry Potter." The crowd was completely silent, it was as if no one even breathed.
"I have made some of the gravest mistakes of my whole life with you, Mr. Potter, yet every time you manage to defeat our enemy. You are burdened with more than any person, let alone a 17 year old deserves, yet you have always shouldered it with more dignity and confidence than I could have ever imagined. You have taught me so much about life and how to prepare for the battles to come.
You have been born into something that I would never wish upon anyone. However, you Harry, are the only one who I believe can triumph over his fate. I have complete faith that you will work wonders as a member of our Auror team. I also hope that someday you can find the happiness, peace, and love that you deserve." Dumbledore finished his speech with a wink and a small nod to each Harry, Ron and Hermione. The crowd applauded enthusiastically, however Harry's insides buckled once again. He left Ron and Hermione bickering ("I didn't know you had gotten a job at Hogwarts! Why didn't you tell me!") when he caught Ginny's stare.
Quickly the two escaped into the house and upstairs into Ginny's room.
"Oh Harry!" she started crying again as she threw herself into his arms. Harry's
heart sank. All Ginny seemed to do nowadays was cry.
"Ginny, please don't cry," he pleaded. "Why aren't you happy?"
"Oh, Harry, it's this darn pregnancy that makes me so moody…I'm sorry! But…it's just…Dumbledore's right…you've had so much hardship, and you only deserve the best. And here I am dumping more hardship on you! You just need relaxation and…"
"Ginny! This is a bump in the road! The real hardship would be not having you at all! Remember what Dumbledore said? That I needed love too? Well, he was right Gin, I need that the most. And you're the one I love." He kissed the top of her forehead and rubbed her temples a bit as she rested her head on his chest.
"Wait!" she said suddenly. "Are you calling our CHILD a BUMP in the road!"
"Erm, that's not how I meant it Gin!" Harry tried to cover his slip. He hadn't meant it that way; it was just the way it had come out. "I meant that the situation of telling everyone is the bump, not our kid!" Wow. The thought hit him. Our kid. Shit.
"Oh, yeah," Ginny said. "I forgot we have to tell them."
"When do you want to?"
"Not tonight. Let's let the party be a nice memory. How about tomorrow…after breakfast? I'll tell Mum and Dad alone."
"No Gin, not alone, I'll be there," Harry said matter-of-factly.
"But…"
"Ginny, it's my child too, and I know your parents will hate me and that your brothers will kill me. But hiding from them would only make it worse. I want them to know that I'm not going to leave you for anything." How could she argue with that? Instead she just replied with "I love you," and the two headed back downstairs for the remainder of the party.
Authors Note: Please Review:D Thanks so much to my first reviewer, Blackei! I am not sure I like the flow of this chapter, please tell me what you think. I feel that a revision may soon be in order here sigh lol Thanks for reading!
