Author's Note: I almost called this chapter "Ican'tthinkofanameforthisstupidchapter." The chapter isn't really stupid, or well, I don't think so. I'm just calling it names because I can't think of anything to call it. But then I did, however, the name above caused me to giggle, so I included it for your laughing pleasure. If you can't laugh at it's silliness then perhaps you can laugh at my idiocracy. Either way ;-)

Also, PLEASE read the Author's Note at the end of the chapter, because it contains something VERY IMPORTANT to the plot. Or well, I think so. Lol again. Wow it's late here…

Chapter 9: The Whole Truth

Ginny and Ron made their way downstairs to say their goodbye's to their family. When Ron was deep in conversation with her parents, she heard a small voice behind her say,

"Ginny?"

"Hermione! What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Well, Gin…you know I just started work on the Experimental Charms Committee…and I came across this old book. It had a spell that I think will interest you." She looked around.

"Quick, come in here," she pulled Ginny into the parlor, "and let me show it to you."

Ginny was puzzled but followed Hermione willingly. Hermione pulled out her wand and pointed it to Ginny's stomach. Ginny gasped, but Hermione was already waving it and saying "Texi Ingravesco!"

Nothing happened.

"Umm…Hermione. What the HELL did you just do! You scared me to death!" Ginny said, raising her voice a bit.

"I wanted to demonstrate for you. Though it doesn't really show now…well perhaps I should have explained it first. What the spell does is hide the fact that you're pregnant. Anyone who looks at you will see a normal sized stomach," she said, smiling.

Ginny gaped. "But I can still feel it being rounded, and it looks the same to me! Are you sure it works?"

"Yes, I am sure. I know you should look pregnant, but to me, you look perfectly thin. You should know that the spell only lasts for two hours, so do the incantation as often as you can; it will renew each time," Hermione told her. "And also, don't rest your hand on your belly or anything or it will appear as if your hand is in midair. And you'll still feel pregnant, and see yourself as pregnant, so you'll be quite a bit slower than others when walking still. This spell simply disguises your state, it doesn't change it."

"Thank you Hermione, this means so much to me. It won't hurt the baby though, will it?" Ginny asked hesitatingly.

"No, don't worry! It was developed by Arnesta D'Bluios in the 16th century, specifically for pregnant women. She also developed many other spells for pregnant women, namely…"

"Thanks, Hermione, I trust you," Ginny said hastily, cutting her off.

Hermione looked slightly offended for a second, but soon her look softened.

"Good bye, Gin, I'll miss you! I'll come and visit often," Hermione told her with a wink.

She and Ginny hugged while Ginny pondered what that wink was about…

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Aboard the Hogwarts Express, Ginny started to feel a bit misty eyed as she thought about spending the whole year without Ron, Harry, and Hermione with her. She had friends in her own year, but as the years had worn on, Ginny had become increasingly close with the trio.

"Hey Ginny!" Colin Creevy entered the compartment she was seated in, along with a few of their year mates. Hanna Abbot settled down next to her, as her ex boyfriend Michael Corner seated himself opposite.

"Hey guys!" she said falsely, smiling brightly.

"So how was your summer, Gin? Anything interesting happen?" Hanna asked innocently.

Ginny did her best to appear nonchalant. She had been practicing for this moment.

"Well, you know, the same old. Fred and George played a couple of good pranks, but other than that," she waved her hand dismissively as her friends chuckled. Everyone knew Fred and George's antics.

"What about you guys?" she asked, eager to move the attention away from herself.

"Oh! I had the most wicked adventure with my family when we went to Greece this summer!" Colin explained, and immediately launched into his tale.

Inwardly, Ginny sighed with relief. This won't be so bad…she thought.

Later, as they were approaching Hogwarts, Michael looked up from the game of Exploding Snap that he and Colin were playing and asked "Hey, I wonder who's going to be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?"

"Haven't you heard Michael!" Hanna exclaimed. "It's Ron, Ginny's brother!"

"Serious?" he said, in awe, looking at Ginny.

"Yes," she mumbled miserably, hoping it would lead to…

"Why the long face about it Gin?" he asked, concerned.

Yes! She thought. Just what I wanted him to say…

"Well, it's just that…well, my mum…My mum said that since there's a war going on and all, that she wants me to be close to family. So I have to live with Ron in his rooms rather than the Gryffindor Dormitory! She wrote to Dumbledore and arranged it all without me knowing!" she said, doing her best to look upset.

Her friends were outraged that she wouldn't be in the dormitories, but she assured them that there was no need to petition to Dumbledore; that she had tried to no avail, and had come to grips with it.

"Besides, I can get extra tutoring from Ron if ever I should need it," she said shrugging.

"Ooo! Look we're here!" Hanna squealed that moment, cutting the conversation short, much to Ginny's relief.

The train began to stop, so Michael and Colin cleaned up their game and began to grab the few odds and ends that they put in their pockets.

As her friends exited the compartment, Ginny briefly laid a hand gently on her swollen belly. She did her best not to waddle a bit as she exited the train. She was showing now at three and a half months, though she knew her friends had no idea. She hated having to lie, but she knew she must do so for the good of her baby and her lover. She sighed as she stepped down from the train; it would only get harder to lie from here. Just then, as if fate wanted to prove a point, Hagrids head appeared over the crowd.

"All righ' there Miss Weasley?" he said, seeming to notice her walking a bit slower than the others.

"Oh, of course Hagrid! I'm just taking a good look at it," she lied quickly. He nodded and smiled brightly at her, making her insides twist. The once again, she put on a smile and began making her way up to the carriages at a much quicker pace.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Harry strode out of Auror Training Headquarters one evening with a light step. He had just dueled Kingsley Shacklebot and had come out the victor after only a minute and half. Harry replayed the duel in his head, thinking about each move he had decided to make to counter Shacklebot's attacks. Making an impossibly quick recovery after catching a Stinging Hex, Harry had shot a powerful Stunner at Kingsley that blasted through the half of a wall he'd managed to conjure at that time.

Mad-Eye and Kingsley had shared a look unseen by Harry as soon as Kingsley was revived. Mad-Eye had simply nodded to his pupil, though.

"Nicely done, Potter. And that's enough for the day. All of you out!" The trainees shuffled out of the building.

"Hey Potter! Nice going!" Justin Finch-Fletchley said, patting him on the back. He smiled and muttered a thanks.

"What provoked the change?" Cho Chang asked slyly. "Last month you could barely shoot a curse without tripping over your own feet. And now, you're back into your element…"

"I don't know," Harry said, trying to wipe the grin off his face.

His friends laughed.

"Surrrre…" Cho said, making him blush.

Harry hung his head to hide the tinge appearing on his cheeks. He did know what had made the change of course. It was Ginny. After their talk on his birthday, he had realized that he was focusing on the inevitable, and was completely distracted from the task at hand. So the next day, when he had gone into training, he did it all with Ginny's face and wisdom fresh in his mind…

"Potter, Finnegan!" barked Mad-Eye. "Let's see how you two pair up. You haven't dueled since Potter got lucky with a hex that finished you," he nodded at Seamus. "Potter, lets see if you can actually block some of his curses this time!"

Harry set his jaw grimly. It was the day after his birthday and what Ginny had said had stuck in his head. "Live in the moment, Potter," he said quietly to himself. "Focus…"

"Begin!" shouted Mad-Eye, as Harry and Seamus bowed to each other.

Seamus was quick; he immediately sent an Impediment Jinx Harry's way, assuming that he would be fighting the same person he fought a few weeks ago: slow, easy to predict, and easy to win against. Last time, Seamus had been too cocky and didn't notice the Bat-Bogey Hex that Harry through his way, permitting Harry to stun him. This time, Seamus thought he was ready for this fight. He would have been, if Harry was the same man as before.

Seamus saw right away that something had changed in Harry. Harry jumped out of the way, shouting "Offendo!" in mid air, which shot Seamus across the room. Seamus stood up and fired a Stinging Curse at Harry, who created a shield to deflect it.

As soon as Harry had yelled "Protego!" to create the shield, he was off again, sending a round of curses and hexes Seamus's way.

Within a couple of minutes, Seamus had barely managed 4 spells of his own, when he stumbled to the ground. Thinking he was done, Harry lowered his wand.

"AH HA!" Seamus yelled, leaping to his feet, and shouting "Expelliarmus!"

As Harry's wand flew through the air, he could feel his blood begin to boil. Although he knew he had no business trying wandless magic, he stuck out his hand towards Seamus, and with Ginny's smiling face filling his mind, he shouted "Stupefy!"

Just as Seamus caught Harry's flying wand, he fell over, stunned.

Harry stood panting in the middle of the room. As he looked around, he realized that he had shocked the professors and his fellow students with his display.

The room was silent except for the clink made by Mad-Eye's wooden leg as he walked towards Seamus. He stopped and looked Harry in the eye, his face very close.

"Finally, Potter," he told him gruffly. "Took you long enough."

Harry sighed and smiled. This was what he was made for. Fighting, and winning. It was that moment that he first thought he may be able to defeat the Dark Lord after all…

"Want to catch a bite to eat with us, Harry?" Justin asked then.

"Oh, guys I have something I have to do, I'll have to take you up on that later," he said quickly, glancing at his watch. It was already 5:50.

"Harry, come on! You say that every day! Are you sure?" Cho asked, smiling at him sweetly.

"Sorry, guys, I really am. I'd love to go, but I really have something to do," he told them, and with a slight wave, turned towards his own apartment.

Only a few steps away, he heard Cho shout "Hey Harry wait a sec!"

Turning, he found her trotting towards him.

"Yea Cho?" he asked, trying not to sound impatient. He hated to be late to talk to Ginny.

"Well, Harry…I was wondering if, if you'd like to go grab a bite to eat sometime. With me. Just me," she stuttered, blushing profusely.

Since he just stared at her for a minute, she felt to need to offer up: "Like a date…"

Finally finding his voice, Harry answered,

"Yeah, Cho, I understand, but…I don't mean to be mean, but I…no. Sorry, I can't." Why am I so thick with girls? he wondered to himself. Except for Ginny, his other half reminded him. Still, he wondered how he couldn't have noticed how Cho had been looking at him recently. Sighing he put a hand on her arm.

"It's not that you aren't a really nice person, it's just that…I can't see anyone right now, okay?" It wasn't really a lie; he couldn't see anyone because he was with Ginny. But he didn't want to tell anyone that he was seeing someone, just in case it got back to Voldemort.

"Oh, don't worry, Harry," she said, sounding falsely happy. "No hard feelings, really…"

"Well, I best be going now then…" he said turning away again. "See you tomorrow."

"Yeah, see you," she replied, trying to smile.

And now the other hard part, only just a little harder than rejecting a date when you're taken, Harry thought to himself as he made for his apartment. Telling the girlfriend, and trying to make it through unscathed. Harry chuckled to himself. Sometimes he thought that he was more scared of Ginny in a temper than Voldemort any day.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

After the Sorting Ceremony and the Start of Term Feast, Ginny stayed behind as planned, and then followed Dumbledore to his office when the other students had left. There he gave Ginny the list of things that were dangerous to a pregnant woman.

"Now, Ginny," he said with a small encouraging smile, "Why is it that you do not look pregnant? I am sure you are using some sort of spell, however, it's origin is unfamiliar to me."

"Well, Professor, I'm not sure if I can share it…" she hesitated. Had Hermione obtained the spell legally? And if she had, then why had she pulled Ginny aside to show it to her. She just didn't want to get her friend in trouble.

"Ahh, Miss Weasley, please do not fear. My lips are sealed," he told her with a wink.

"Hermione found it, Professor. She said it was developed by some lady in the 16th century who created spells for pregnant women. She assured me it is safe…"

"Well, that does make sense!" Dumbledore said happily. "I had all but completely forgotten Arnesta D'Bluios and her work. You see, her works were discovered by her husband, who was the current High Wizard to the King. Furious, he realized that she had created the spells to keep a pregnancy hidden from him because he was not the father. After she had created the spell Hermione has so cleverly discovered, she found she was passionate about finding spells for the pregnant woman, and her life's work became doing so. Well, that is, until her husband discovered that she had an illegitimate child and had her killed. Then he was said to have burned her books, but it seems that the Committee for Experimental Charms must have happened on a copy, and had it forgotten in their library.

Hermione is right; the spell will not harm you. In fact, it is quite the gift. Just be sure to repeat the incantation as often as necessary."

He paused, and rummaged on his desk for something.

"Ahh, here it is Miss Weasley! The list I promised you," he handed it to her.

Ginny looked it over.

Things to Avoid When Pregnant:

Poison Toadstool

Burnt Sycamore Bark

A bite from a Cornish Pixie

Wolfsbane Potion

Powered Infusion of Wormwood

Punching Curse

Cutting Curse

Fainting Fancies

Animagus Forms

Firewhisky

Unicorn Hoof

The Cruticus Curse

Avanda Kedarva

Furnunculus Hex (not necessarily life threatening, but can do some damage if not treated immediately).

Abyssinian shrivelfig

Travel by Floo Powder (after 4th month)

and well, of course

Voldemort

Ginny giggled a bit. The list didn't look too hard at least. She could pass most of her classes without a hitch. Only one thing sparked her interest.

"Sir, why are Fainting Fancies on the list?" she asked him, knowing Fred and George would be tickled pink to see that they were.

"Well, Miss Weasley, I happened to be browsing their interesting store recently and read on the back of a Fainting Fancies box that they are not to be used by pregnant women. I figured it would be safe to add them, as a precaution. If you want the reason, I'm afraid you'll have to go to your brothers for that," he said, eyes twinkling in amusement. "In fact, I might stay away from all Weasley products if at all possible," he finished, causing her to giggle.

"So, I can duel as normal in Defense Against the Dark Arts and such?" she wondered.

"Well, yes Miss Weasley. We are lucky that your brother is teaching it, so he will be able to monitor the situation for your safety. He will too be briefed on what is and isn't appropriate for you, and I assure you he will not make you seem out of sorts with the other students. However, if you were to get hurt in his class, since that is the most likely class for you to be hurt in, his concern for you wouldn't be anything other than expected, since you're his kin," he said, eyes crinkling a bit over his half moon spectacles.

Ginny smiled too. Ron always was the dramatic.

"And Professor, what happens if one of my classes requires me to come in contact with an item on the list?" she asked.

"Ahh, yes. If that should happen, just say you must go see the headmaster immediately. Walk out if they won't let you go and I will excuse you. Is that acceptable?"

"Oh, yes, Professor. Thank you for all you have done for me…for us," she said, looking earnestly into his eyes.

"It is the least I can do, my child. Enjoy your night," he told her, returning her gaze faithfully. Ginny gave him another smile and then took her leave.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Ginny walked the corridors back towards the Gryffindor Common Room. The suite that she and Ron shared was located nearby, and even had a portrait that would lead into the Common should she feel compelled to venture there.

She reached the portrait that would take her to their suite. It was a picture that depicted a Beautiful Lady riding her horse in a green meadow. Ginny liked the painting; it was very peaceful.

"'Ze password?" the girl asked in a heavy French accent.

"Chudley Cannons," Ginny answered, groaning a bit at her brother's fetish.

The portrait swung open to reveal their living room. Ginny immediately stopped in the threshold; openmouthed and staring widely at the spectacle that was taking place on their couch.

"You (kiss) know (kiss) that you are (long kiss) the most (kiss on neck and giggling) beautiful (kiss, giggle) intelligent (kiss) witch there is?" Ron said, kissing the girl underneath him again. She giggled some more, then began to groan sensuously as his hands started to explore…

"RONALD WEASLEY!" Ginny screamed, unable to watch anymore. Who did he think he was anyway to bring some tramp into their living quarters and…Ginny put her hand over her mouth as Ron and the girl sat straight up, both beet red.

"Ginny, we're sorry! We didn't mean…" Ron started but then drifted off as he noticed the huge grin on Ginny's face. "What are you smiling about Gin? Now I'm all confused…"

Ginny moved across the room with her smile growing larger.

"Carry on," she told Ron when she passed him. "I'm going to bed. Night Ron! Night Hermione!"

Hermione put her face in her hands and shook her head. "Oh, that was so embarrassing Ron!" she said, giggling. "Perhaps it's time we went public?"

"Awww, come on Mione! Where's your sense of adventure? Plus, our secret's still safe, Ginny won't tell anyone!"

"That's where you're wrong. She'll tell Harry," Hermione said, raising an eyebrow.

"What? She hasn't talked to …that evil scumbag… in months! They don't have a way of talking to each other, letters are too risky!"

"Ron; they're in love. I'm sure they have a way," Hermione told him gently.

"LOVE! What the hell sort of nonsense are you talking now! Harry and Ginny barely knew each other, ended up in bed, and now look what she's going through! My baby sister, under MY watch got pregnant by someone who I thought was my BEST friend! Do you expect me to forgive him or something!"

"It would be nice if you did Ron," said another voice. Ron and Hermione turned their head to see Ginny in her bedclothes, standing in her doorway. "He's devastated without your friendship, you know. And just so you know, Harry and I love each other very much. I wish you could see that." Her eyes began to water a bit, but she bit back the tears.

"I haven't been a baby for a while Ron. Please don't blame yourself for what happened," she stressed.

"I guess you 'didn't notice' that for the last couple of years I have been hanging around you three. And over that time I got to know Harry as a friend. But I've always had feelings for Harry, and well…I remember more than he does about that night. That drink we had took away inhibitions, but I initiated the whole thing. I took him there…if we're going to say one person is more at fault it's me. I remembered about a contraception spell as soon as we were going to…But I didn't care. My inhibitions were gone. Anyway Ron, now that things are the way they are, I wouldn't have it any other way. There isn't any other man on this earth that I would bear children for, or that I could give my love to. And frankly Ron, you should be glad that I've chosen someone that you are so close to, that you know so well, and that you already approve of. Don't say you don't! If this hadn't happened, is there anyone else you'd rather me be with?" She stared at Ron, but he didn't answer, only looked down.

"It doesn't have to be overnight, Ron, but please think about it. I know you miss him…and he misses you too. But it will be really hard if you're still fighting when we're…I mean, when the baby comes. Just think on it…" she finished. Nodding to Hermione she withdrew into her room.

Ron sat with his head in his hands as Hermione gently rubbed his back.

"When did she get so grown up?" he asked her, his eyes glassy and honest.

"When she realized she loved Harry," Hermione said quietly. "5 years ago."

Ron shook his head. It was so much to think about. Could he forgive Harry? And more, did he ever really blame him for what happened, or was Ginny right, and he was disappointed in himself for failing his duties of being a big brother? The questions were dizzying.

He and Hermione made their way to his room, with Ron still deep in thought. Once inside, Hermione discreetly cast a silencing charm, although Ron was so concentrated that he wouldn't have noticed if she'd shouted it. Sitting behind him on the bed she began to rub his shoulders.

"Ron! You're so tense!" she exclaimed in mock-horror.

"Huh? Oh yea…I'm just thinking, you know…"

"Well," she whispered, kissing his neck. "I think that this should be remedied, don't you? And I know just the thing that could help…"

Ron snapped out of his stupor when Hermione began to undo the buttons on his shirt…

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Ginny closed the door to her room with a sigh. She had been wanting to get that off her chest for months now, but it wasn't as gratifying as she thought it would be. Still she hoped that Ron would come to his senses soon.

She sat on the bed and began to pull out her mirror. It was late, but she and Harry hadn't had the chance to talk yet. She hoped she wouldn't wake him.

She held the mirror upside-down on her lap as she thought of a subject that hadn't crossed her mind before; what, with all the confusion and changes that had been occurring.

"It doesn't have to be overnight, Ron, but please think about it. I know you miss him…and he misses you too. But it will be really hard if you're still fighting when we're…I mean, when the baby comes. Just think on it…"she had said.

I almost said "when we're married," she realized. Marriage. There is nothing more that I would like than to be Mrs. Potter and raise little Potter's with him. But if the thought of marriage had taken this long for her, a girl, to realize, then she figured that Harry would never even think of it.

Sighing, she realized that she was exhausted. Perhaps she would try Harry in the morning, when she could put on a cheerful face again.

"Goodnight, my love," she said, kissing a picture of Harry by her bedside. "And my other love." Kissing her hand, she placed it on her belly. Then, with a snap of her fingers, the lights turned off.

Author's Second Note: A friend and reader asked me "If Ginny has this handy-dandy spell to conceal her pregnant belly, then why doesn't she go and live in the dormitories?"

Welllll….the spell only lasts for 2 hours. What would happen if she forgot to renew it in her early morning grogginess? Or what if her roommates got up earlier and noticed something? Well, it simply wouldn't do. So Ginny is living with Ron for precaution. It's just safer that way. :-D

gallandro-83 – Yes, I know that Harry getting beat up is a bit weird, but I wanted to show that Ginny is the one who can focus him, and give him that reason to live and learn what he can. But I can imagine them letting him go home bruised! Fighting the Dark Lord and his followers is not a weaklings game! They must learn to accept pain and live with it…But that's just my take on things ;)

Thank you for the lovely review! I'm so glad you're enjoying my story :D

MeaghanPotter – Aww, thank you so much! I am flattered!

boring – Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoy it! I have to say it truly brightened my day to have you say that I deserved more reviews. Every time I get another I swear it inspires me want to write more. I appreciate each and every one of you for admiring my work! It makes not doing my homework so much more worthwhile!

aligindahouse – Okay…good-ish? I'm not quite sure how to respond to this one. I'd be delighted if you'd elaborate and tell me what you did and didn't like. I'm happy to hear the flaws of my story be told to me so perhaps I can make it more pleasing to everyone in future chapters. I do hope you choose to review again :)

YelloWitchGrl – Thank you for taking the time to review again! I know, my dialogue is lacking, which is something I hope to have remedied at least a bit in this chapter. I seem to hit a roadblock with Ginny/Harry conversations, which is where I will start off in Chapter 10, hopefully with more success. Thanks again!

TragicMisdemeanors – YAY! Thank you so much for reviewing! I really appreciate that you took the time to read my story! I COMPLETELY agree, I hate how I portrayed Ginny in the beginning. All she seemed to do was cry, and I tried to tell myself that was because of the hormones coughyeahrightcough So I hope I've got a better Ginny emerging from this chapter and those to come. Thank you so much, again!