Chapter 10: Christmas
The next morning Harry was the one to wake Ginny from her slumber. He was a bit worried since they hadn't spoken the night before, and he just wanted to make sure she was alright. Once he was assured that she was fine, he dove right into what was troubling him.
"Gin…Yesterday…well, yesterday Cho asked me out. On a date."
Ginny stared for a good minute before any coherent thoughts formed in her head..
How could he tell me something like this? How could he do something like this! THE NERVE! When I'm carrying his child and yesterday he was telling me how much he loved me! she thought. Tears began to form at her eyes but she bit them back. If Harry was going to break it off, she wasn't going to let him show how much it affected her. Well, she would at least try…
"Gin…are you okay?" Harry asked, concern laced in every corner of his face. It disgusted her.
"What, you think I would be okay with this? Just fine and dandy?" she spat.
"Well, Ginny, I knew you'd be mad, but I didn't think you'd…"
"MAD? You are going out with another girl and you think all I'd be is MAD? WELL, I have some news for you Mister Potter, but I thought that we MEANT something…"
Harry's eyes widened as she spoke. "Wait Ginny!" he shouted to get her attention.
She glared at him with glassy eyes, but quieted.
"Gin, I didn't say yes. I wouldn't do that to you! I love you Ginny, but I thought you should know that she asked me…"
Ginny stared again, but this time for a different reason. Then very slowly and carefully she said,
"I am so stupid."
Harry laughed. "I'm sorry I put you through all that though, Ginny. And if you are stupid, you are my stupid."
"Oh Harry, you are too good for me. Have I told you that?"
"Not recently," he replied, chuckling.
"I think I will tell you at least once a day from now on. And I'm sorry I overreacted. I should have trusted you…"
Harry and Ginny talked about a few other things, like the list she got from Dumbledore and her class schedule. Finally they had to say goodbye since Ginny was about to miss out on breakfast. Smiling to herself after her conversation with Harry, Ginny muttered the pregnancy spell on her way out the door.
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Harry arrived at training early that morning to do some extra practice in the combat room. However, just as soon as he began to start firing spells at the back wall, he heard the distinctive clink that Mad-Eye made when he walked.
"Morning Potter. A word," he said gruffly, his tone explaining that he didn't mean it as a question; merely a statement, and gestured over his shoulder to the hall. Harry nodded and followed him.
Mad-Eye did not stop out in the hall, instead he took Harry through a few different corridors and doorways, until he finally stopped in a secluded section of the building. He drew his wand and waved it at the bare wall in front of him to reveal an electric blue door. Opening it, he gestured for Harry to go inside.
Harry was surprised to see that around a table Professor Lupin, Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Elphias Doge, Dedalus Diggle, Emmeline Vance, Sturgis Podmore, and Hestia Jones were seated, as well as a few other people he couldn't name. Mad-Eye gestured for him to take a seat, so Harry complied, though a bit nervously. Lupin gave him an encouraging smile which helped to ease his nerves a bit.
"Lucky thing you got here early today Potter," Kingsley said. "It would have looked a bit weird to pull you and your instructors out of class." A nervous chuckle ran through the room.
"Well, sir, I don't mean to be pert, but why am I here? And why are you all here?" Harry asked, which got another chuckle from the Aurors.
"Well, Harry, don't you get right to the point? Ha! Alright then," Kingsley said. "You are here because we need to discuss your safety. Dumbledore has informed us that there is a prophecy about you and You-know-who which puts you into a lot more danger than a normal opposer. He wouldn't tell us exactly what was in it, but would only say that you needed to be protected and learn as much as possible. That your education here was of the utmost importance and that he didn't want you to be disturbed by any attacks if at all possible. He doesn't want you to be shielded, but he doesn't want you to be put in any situation that is unnecessary. He says that you will most likely know when 'it is time.' I don't know what he means by 'time' and for what, but I assume you do."
Yeah, that's when I have to kill Voldemort. I hope I know when it's time…he thought. Kingsley continued,
"So in the meantime, he thought it wise that we inform you of your protection. He thought you'd be unhappy to know that we've been keeping you safe without you knowing about it.
So, your apartment has been made unplottable, and also has special anti-apparation wards on it. You are the only person who can apparate into there. As far as Floo is concerned, only someone who wants to see you and not hurt you can get through. Avery unique charm, developed by out own Emmeline. You are also watched by a shift of sentry each day and night, weather it be on site or through magic, someone is always aware of your situation," he told Harry.
"Wait wait wait…You guys are spying on me! Do you watch me every night? Do you hear what I'm saying!" Harry began to panic. He was sure he could trust the Aurors, but he didn't want to take the chance that one could be put under the Imperious Curse and leak information about Ginny to Voldemort.
"No Harry, we don't hear what you're saying, and we don't see what you're doing. We just know. We have a magical scroll which writes what you are doing at all times. So when you have a conversation with someone, it'll say '12PM Talking.' If you eat, it says '12:30PM eating.' It doesn't tell any personal details," Tonks assured him.
Harry relaxed. His secret was still safe. Kingsley continued,
"We understand that you are also well studied in Occlumency, so we do not have to worry about that form of danger with you." Professor Dumbledore had made sure that Harry was a master at this before he left.
"But please be sure that your dreams are guarded at all times," Kingsley finished. The group looked at Harry expectantly, waiting for his reaction.
He felt that he should be a bit mad that they had been doing this for months now and hadn't told him, or mad at himself for not realizing that he was being watched, but somehow he just couldn't be mad. Some sappy part of himself reasoned that perhaps it was because he was too much in love to have spiteful feelings like that. Harry almost giggled at the thought, an action that made him realize that he might really be in over his head.
"Okay," was all Harry could muster in response, as more the more complex thoughts continued to race through his head.
The table stared. Harry supposed they had expected some sort of outburst, and swore he saw a flash of disappointment in some of their faces. He grinned.
"Is that all?" he asked. For some reason, their reaction to his calm pleased him even more. He gave them another smile.
"Uh, yes Potter. That is all. Do you have any questions? Okay, then. You are free to go back to the training room," Kingsley told him, still taken aback a bit.
Harry nodded to the room, and then took his leave still wearing the same confusing grin.
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Time flew for Ginny and Harry. Before they knew it, the Christmas holidays were approaching.
"What do you want for Christmas, Ginny?" Harry asked her one night by mirror.
"Oh, um I don't know…" she lied. You, you prat. I want you home with me for Christmas, was how she really felt.
"Oh come on Gin, you know I could get you anything in the whole world that you should so desire, so what is it that you want?" Harry pried.
Inwardly Ginny sighed again, knowing that she couldn't tell Harry she wanted him; he was stuck at training on Christmas just like all the other trainees, and he couldn't get out of it. It was part of the job. It didn't do him any good to make him feel worse about it. But still, Christmas was going to be horrible. She was now 7 months pregnant, and for some idiotic reason, her mother and father had decided to go visit Charlie in Romania for the holidays again. He told them he had some announcement, and they up and made plans before they even remembered about her. So she was spending the holiday at Hogwarts with just Ron and Hermione, which didn't really count for much because they were so absorbed in each other. Though she was glad they were finally together, she wished they would come up for air long enough to converse with her once in a while. She had to withdraw from her friends at Hogwarts so they didn't have the chance to notice anything funny with her behavior. They all tried to keep her included, but Ginny resisted, which proved to be pretty easy since she didn't live with them anymore. Still, she missed company.
But instead of burdening Harry, Ginny tried to come up with a good lie for what she wanted. Hmm…you coming home for Christmas, getting married to you, getting a house with you, raising a family with you…that's about all I want damnit, she thought. She knew the lie she gave him saying she wanted a copy of "Magical Medicinal Remedies, a new Guide by Ilthan Ragpoke," made Harry a bit suspicious, but it was the best she could do. It was only a white lie anyway; she did want the book, but she wanted Harry more.
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"Well, g'nite, Gin, we're gonna turn in I guess…" Ron told her late Christmas Eve. He and Hermione gave her a hug before retreating to Ron's bedroom. She gave them a smile and then dove into her room for her mirror. She had tried Harry earlier, but she hadn't gotten an answer. Even though it was already 10 PM, Harry was not on the other end. This week in particular, the teachers had been keeping them late and working them hard. She had only talked to Harry twice in 5 days. She hated that.
Now she swore loudly. It was Christmas Eve for God damn sakes! Why did they have to keep them for so long? Tears began to form as she changed into her bedclothes. She just missed him so much, especially at times like these. She wondered how she could be carrying a child inside her and feel so empty at the same time.
She cried herself to sleep.
Only about an hour later, Ginny awoke abruptly to a whooshing sound and a flash of light against her closed lids. She knew someone was in her room now, so she soundlessly reached for her wand as footsteps approached.
"Ginny?" a voice nearby called out.
Her heart stopped. She'd recognize that voice anywhere.
"Harry?" her voice cracked. She heard him mutter Lumos and soon she was looking into his eyes.
"Am I dreaming?" she asked aloud. His arms held tight around her soon eliminated the possibility.
There was no time for questions as his lips pressed down hard against hers. After the desperate feeling that they both had slowly melted away, the two relaxed and Harry eased his lips over hers.
Finally they separated. "I've been waiting so long to do that Ginny," Harry told her softly.
"I know," she whispered back. "So have I," and soon they were enveloped in each other again.
Harry's hands rested gently on her large belly as they kissed. Then suddenly he pulled away, staring at his hand with wide eyes.
"It kicked!" he exclaimed so innocently it caused Ginny to giggle.
"Yes silly, I told you that it's been doing that for a couple months now," she said and grabbed his shirt to pull him in for another kiss.
However, Harry pulled away and sat on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands. Ginny was puzzled.
"Harry, what's wrong?" she asked. He looked up at her guiltily.
"I just feel like I've missed so much. I mean, we talk every night, but I haven't been here to see these changes with you. To feel your belly every night as it grows, or to rub your back when you get aches and pains. I just like I've thrown this huge burden on you and left you alone for it. I hate that I'm not helping you," he finished honestly.
She didn't really know how to respond to that. She understood how he felt, but there wasn't anything to change the past. We could go through this again Harry she thought, a bit ruffled. If only you'd wise up and ask me to marry you… But instead she said,
"Harry, I've said it before. Don't blame yourself for this. We both got ourselves into this situation and now we've figured out how to live with it. I don't regret anything we've done. At all. No, it's not perfect, but at least we have each other.
And just so you know, the only thing I wanted for Christmas was you. I don't know how you did it, but I can't tell you how much joy it gives me to touch you and see you and be held by you. It's the best gift you could give me, other than our child," she told him.
Harry kissed her forehead. "I love you," was all he said and was all that was needed.
Later Ginny found out that the instructors had worked them so hard that week so that they could give them Christmas off as a surprise. When Harry had been let out of training around midnight, he had practically run all the way home to Floo to Ginny so they would have as much time as possible. He had to be back to training at 7AM on the 26th. That gave them that night, Christmas Day, and Christmas night. Ginny couldn't have been more thrilled.
For a while they sat there just holding one another, as Harry caressed her pregnant stomach. Finally Ginny just gave up waiting.
Turning around she kissed his lips seductively as she started unbuttoning his shirt. His eyes widened, causing her to laugh. He did do so much staring. She loved his expressions.
"Ginny!" he said, a little hoarse.
"Mmmhmm?" she replied, kissing him again and moving to his pants.
"Should we really…uhh…"
"Oh Harry, I know you want to, and God knows I do, so relax a bit!" she told him, raising an eyebrow.
"But, I mean…how?" he asked, causing her to giggle. She winked.
"With a little creativity..."
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Christmas morning gave Hogwarts a new coat of snow and a frigid air. Ron opened his eyes to see the sun cutting through the crispness to shine through his window. He stretched and turned over to the woman lying beside him. It still amazed him to wake up next to her. She was the most amazing creature he had ever known, and he still couldn't believe she was his now.
He placed a soft kiss on her still lips. As her eyes fluttered open he said "Merry Christmas, love."
"Merry Christmas to you too, Ron," she mumbled a bit, still sleepy. She stretched as well, and then scooted into his arms.
"Do you reckon we should wake up Ginny, Mione?" he asked her after a few minutes.
"Hmm, she needs her sleep. What time is it?" Ron looked over at the clock on the wall.
"Bloody hell! It's already 10 AM! I know Ginny's been sleeping late, but she never slept past 5 AM on a single Christmas in her whole life!" he exclaimed. Then he added, "I think we should wake her."
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "You just want to open presents, don't you?"
"Well, maybe…I mean, Hermione, how long did you really expect me to be able to wait for?" She laughed and sat up.
"Alright Ron, let me grab my dressing gown and we'll go wake her," she said. Ron grinned ear to ear and sprang up out of bed.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS GIN…" Hermione and Ron started to yell as they burst into her room, but soon were cut short by what they saw.
Lying on the bed was Harry in only his boxers, and Ginny in a tank and her panties. Ron stared openmouthed and started to turn brick red.
Harry wore a guilty look when he woke, but once Ginny opened her eyes she just rolled them. She had finally snapped; this had gone far enough.
"Oh give it UP Ron!" she spat. "You are acting like such a little kid. I. Love. Harry. And you know what? He loves me too! So why is it that you, someone only a year older than me, can sleep with Hermione, the woman you love, but I can't be with the man I love and I'm already pregnant with his child? I mean, it's ridiculous. Plus I don't know how you can throw seven years of friendship away over this. What's done is done. You're going to have to deal with Harry for the rest of your life Ron because he IS the father of this child. He will always be in my life, and I'll always be in yours. But wouldn't it be nice to have your best friend back?"
Ron looked down and sighed. He knew she was right, but still.
"You guys are together?" Harry asked unexpectantly, looking to Ron and Hermione. Hermione couldn't keep her grin from spreading as she nodded.
"Wow. How could you all not tell me that?" Harry said looking crestfallen.
"Well, it's been a secret really. Only Ginny knows and we asked her not to tell," Hermione explained.
Harry was so disappointed. It really hit him now how much he missed being close to Ron, and he was now realizing how far apart he and Hermione had drifted. Harry looked up at Ron.
"Ron? I don't reckon I've ever told I'm sorry for all of this. I'm sorry that I betrayed our friendship. I don't regret any second I've been with Ginny, but I do regret how we came to be. I wish I could have asked you before I made any move towards her," he told him honestly.
Everyone looked at Ron expectantly. Finally he sighed and said "I'm sorry that I've been such a prat too, Harry. This is still weird for me, but I can see that you two really do love each other. I guess I'll have to find some way to deal with it too. And I've missed you a bit mate," he said with a lopsided grin. This caused Hermione to break into tears and throw herself on Ron, who said "Wow, if I knew that she would do this if we made up, I would have done it ages ago!" when they surfaced. Everyone laughed. The gang was back again. Ginny was content for the first time in a long while. Closing her eyes she gave Harry a tight hug before they all went into the main room for presents.
The day passed too quickly for Harry and Ginny, but she looked forward to the night they still had to share.
"Harry?" she asked expectantly as she made her way to her room late in the evening. Harry looked up at her from the couch where he was talking with Hermione.
"I'll be there in a few minutes, Gin, okay?" he asked. She nodded and gave her goodnights to the others and went into her room.
Harry took a deep breath. He was glad he and Ron's relationship was on the mend, but things were still shaky. However, there was something he needed to talk to him about.
"Ron, could I have a word?" he asked. Ron looked a bit puzzled, but agreed and followed Harry out the portrait into the hallway.
They paused in an empty classroom nearby. Harry took another deep breath and willed himself to start talking. After a couple unsuccessful attempts he found his voice.
"Ron, I'm really glad that you and I have made up, and I hope that this doesn't jeopardize that fact. However, I feel like I have to do this before I can go on.
I really love your sister with all my heart. She is the best thing that has happened to me. And the other night I realized something; I realized that I couldn't spend the rest of my life without her…"
Harry had lain on his bed one night after a long conversation with Ginny about their child, discussing what color eyes and hair they hoped it would inherit. Ginny wanted it to take on all Harry's features (except the untidiness of his hair), while he hoped it would be a redhead with green eyes like his mother. He started to imagine their other children and what they would look like in their house…sending them off to Hogwarts, getting new letters each year, buying them wands, their first brooms…then it hit him. What other children? What house?
What would really happen after the baby was born? Would Ginny go live back in the Burrow? With their child? Somewhere he would hardly see them! That wouldn't do. He could barely stand living apart from her now, and he realized that he had been living off the fact that they would be together after the baby was born. It was then that it hit him. He needed to marry her.
He didn't need to because she was having their child; he needed to marry her because he needed her. He didn't want his life to be anything but with her. He knew he had to be with her. He wanted to make all those dreams come true, and spend the rest of his life at her side. She completed him, and he couldn't imagine himself with anyone else. He also realized that he was damn lucky Ginny still spoke to him since he hadn't thought of marriage even once before. He knew she was a girl and probably thought of it all the time. Damn his idiocracy. So he knew he needed to get on it right away…
"What I'm trying to say Ron, is that I can't imagine not having Ginny in my life. She is amazing Ron, and I love her so much. I want to marry her.
But I also want your blessing before I ask her. I want every one of your brothers and your parents blessings too. I want to do at least this one thing right," he told him.
Ron didn't know what to say. Ginny was so young…but circumstances being what they were…
"Yea, Harry. You've got it. I wouldn't really want her to marry anyone but you anyway," he told him gruffly after a while. Harry beamed.
"When are you going to ask her?" Ron asked.
"I'm thinking the next Hogsmeade trip I'll apparate her out somewhere nice and ask her then. I know it's a while from now, but I have to visit the rest of your family and speak with them too," he replied.
"Just…just make her happy Harry," Ron told him when they arrived back at the portrait. "She really deserves it. You are lucky to have her."
"I know Ron, believe me I know…"
Author's Note:
I'm so sorry that this took so frikin long and is kind of short. I have a hard time finding time to write when I'm at my Mom's house. However, I expect to have a couple more chapters this week since I'm back at my Dad's. If I'm lucky I'll finish it, but I'm not positive. I can't expect this to go longer than 15 chapters at the most. However, I could surprise myself. Anywho….on to the reviews. Please review if you've read this:D
MeaghanPotter: Thank you very much for the compliment! I'm glad you enjoy the story!
Neni Potter: I hate her to…hmmm perhaps I had planned a little somezing for Ginny too….hehe…anywho, thanks for the review!
couldntthinkofagoodpennameThanks for the review!
babyjayy: Thanks! I hope you keep reading:D
Avatar-of-Orion: Wow, thank you so much for the compliments. I'm so glad that you like my plot line. I am always thinking hard about it. I hope you like what I have in store for the rest. Also, thank you for noticing my Dumbledore dialogue. I really appreciate the compliments!
As for the pregnancy… hides I know I got it screwed up. As I am only 17 and an only child, I don't really know much about it…lol! I should have really researched it more so that I had things more accurate. I knew I was a bit off, but it worked for what I wanted to say so I hoped no one would notice….hehe, however thank you very much for pointing that out. If I weren't so lazy I'd go back and fix things now, but alas! I am very lazy, and so I will concentrate on finishing everything before I go back and do that. Thank you for the wonderful review!
brittbrat123: I'm so glad you are enjoying it:D
Beney: I'm glad you like it! Haha yeah…I wanted to give Ron a new angle. You'll get to see him in action in the next chapter when Ginny is in DADA. ;) Hope you keep reading:D
