Author's Note: This is the last chapter. I'm finally done! It does include an epilogue of sorts, so don't worry ;) I do hope I don't disappoint you! It's been a fun ride and I can't wait to get to work on my next project :D
Zoë
Chapter 14: The Second Prophecy
Within a week, Ginny was able to be discharged. However, this provided a bit of a problem.
For starters, Ginny was much better, but she would remain weak for a few more months. She couldn't run around without getting supremely exhausted and she found sitting for too long also made her sore too. This was to be expected though, after coming so close to death.
Then there was the issue of where she would stay. School was still in session after all, as it was only just March. Should she go back to Hogwarts? Or should she recover at home at the burrow…but then, what her new fiancé, Harry?
Ginny awoke one morning to the shouts of many distinctly male voices arguing in the corridor outside her room.
"She's going to be my wife soon; she should live with me!" Harry yelled, refusing to move on his stance even though he had six Weasley men staring him down.
"She's too young!" Mr. Weasley countered, red in the face. "She should still be in school!"
"No, Dad, she should be home with Mum and you! She's in no condition to spend her days in that drafty castle!" Ron yelled, warranting nods from Bill, Charlie, Fred and George.
Ginny frowned as they continued their bickering growing constantly louder as well. Finally she pulled herself out of the bed and marched to the door, wrenching it open.
"How about you ask Ginny what she wants?" she asked quietly with a menacing look on her face. The men all gulped and turned to her with ashamed looks on their faces. "Because perhaps she is not a possession, perhaps she has her own ideas of what she wants," she said, looking at Harry.
"And perhaps she's not a little girl anymore, and she can make her own decisions," she told the men, looking to her father this time.
"Or perhaps she's not anything like a chess pawn that you can move around and make decisions for," got a look towards Ron.
"Perhaps I'm me. And perhaps I am actually a lot more rational than you lot. I thought you were all smart men, but apparently…" The men looked at their shoes.
"So what you like to do, Gin?" George was bold enough to ask.
"Well, I'm not done with school. But I want to be. So I'd like to go talk to Dumbledore and see if I can test out early or something. And then…" she trailed off taking a deep breath. Her family wouldn't like this…but it was what she really wanted.
"And then I would like to disappear for a while. With Harry. I just want to get away from here and think about all that's happened and spend some time with him. I'd like to get married before we go anywhere though." She looked up into Harry's eyes. There was so much happiness in them that she thought she might start crying from looking at him. The fact that she had that effect on him was almost overwhelming.
The Weasleys were not as pleased, but did not put up a fuss. Harry just kept beaming at her until she finally grumbled that he better come hold her up if he was going to keep looking at her like that. He happily obliged.
……………………………………………………………………………………………...
Harry and Ginny arrived a few days later outside the Hogwarts gates with a distinct Crack. Harry gave her a reassuring smile and held tightly onto her hand as they made their way up the path to the entrance.
Heads turned as they walked passed; eyes were wide, whispers were frantically exchanged, but Harry found he didn't care. These people didn't matter to him—only Ginny did.
Ginny too felt much calmer as they made their way through the halls. With Harry by her side she felt as if she could do anything, and plus, she figured that the whispers that were passed were mostly good things about them now.
Finally they arrived at a pair of matching stone Gargoyles, where Harry realized that he didn't have the password.
"Cockaroach Cluster?" he tried, making Ginny giggle.
"Fainting Fancy? Pepper Imp? Lemon Drop? Fizzing Whizzbee?"
"How about Canary Cream?" Ginny tried. Immediately the Gargoyles sprang to life, leaving the stairway open. Harry put his arm around her shoulder and gave her a quick kiss.
"And that is why I love you," he told her.
Harry knocked on the large wooden door that led to Dumbledore's office when they reached the top.
"Come in," his voice answered. "Ahh, Miss Weasley! Mister Potter! It's so good to see you well. I was sure you would be stopping by soon," he said with an odd expression on his face.
"Please sit down," he motioned to the oversized armchairs opposite his desk, "for I have some explaining that I owe the two of you."
Harry and Ginny exchanged a quizzical look. What was Dumbledore getting at? They had just come to talk about her school situation, they hadn't bargained on this…
Dumbledore seated himself opposite them, staring at the couple with tired eyes.
"I have made so many mistakes with you Harry. And now I have my mistake with Miss Weasley to add to the list. I'm so very sorry I did not think to teach you Occulmency.
"But on top of that, there is something you should know about your son. I'm afraid that there was another prophecy made before yours, Harry…long before yours, which foretold of one capable to overthrow a Dark Lord. However…well, I think it is best I show it to you before I explain more." With that, Dumbledore drew out his Pensive from the cabinet behind him. With a twirl of his wand a shadowy figure of a beautiful Gypsy woman was shaped in the rising smoke. The sound of her voice was all too familiar as she began to speak;
FORGED IN FIRE AND EMERALDS, THE ONE WITH THE POWER TO VANQUISH THE SHADOW WILL FULFILL HIS DESTINY BEFORE HE TAKES HIS FIRST BREATH…BEFORE HIS FIRST BREATH, THE ONE FORGED FROM FIRE AND EMERALDS WILL VANQUISH THE SHADOW UPON THE EARTH…
Ginny and Harry stared.
"And you think this was about our son?" Harry finally managed.
"It is my belief, yes. You see, this prophecy remained Unnamed in the Department of Mysteries for many many years. Then Voldemort rose to power and his name was immediately attached to it, but still no one knew of the other mentioned. Then Sybil told me your prophecy…and, well, the other prophecy was forgotten. We figured that it perhaps had been a fluke or fate had changed since then and yours replaced it. It does happen in Divination sometimes. It is really not an exact form of magic. I assume that the 'fire and emeralds' she spoke of in the prophecy were metaphors for your hair, Ginny, and your eyes, Harry."
"What about the 'power that I know not' Professor?" Harry asked.
"This was a bit difficult for me to figure, but I think that it was the power to love and to create your child. Ridiculously simplistic, but I think it fits. Well, it has to, because both prophecies have been fulfilled." His eyes twinkled.
"You are free from obligation now, Harry. I am sorry that you had to lose your son, but now you can go try to have the life you've always wanted."
Harry wanted to respect the loss of his son, but he couldn't believe the weight that he just realized had been pulled off his shoulders. The smile on Ginny's face erased any doubts he felt at being happy. She squeezed his hand, and it seemed she was reassuring him that it was alright to feel good.
"Professor, we actually came here to talk to you about another issue," Ginny told him.
"Yes, I assumed as much," he replied. "What can I help you with?"
"Well, sir. You know I'm still recovering. Not just physically, but mentally too. And I really feel that I need to be away and alone with Harry," she paused to take a deep breath. "What I'm wondering is, is there a way for me to test out of school or something?"
"Ah…I'm surprised that I did not think about this. I suppose I had other things on my mind to cloud my common sense. Well Miss Weasley, there is a good part of your final year here which I think will affect your scores if you decided to take your N.E.W.T.S early, and I'm not 100 confident you could pass all your teachers final exams. But I do believe that you have an excellent teacher here, in Mr. Potter, so if he will agree to tutor you, I do believe we could have your exams sent to you with an Anti-Cheating Quill and parchment. Would this be satisfactory?"
Needless to say, it was perfect.
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Ginny and Harry were married at the Burrow one morning the following week, with only good friends and family attending. The garden was decorated simply with gardenias and freesia, giving off a delicious scent. The ceremony was short and sweet, yet by the end there wasn't a dry eye in the garden. The look that Harry had on his face when he said his vows to Ginny was enough the crumble and heart. However, Ginny held her ground and said her own, equaling him with passion.
Mrs. Weasley had prepared a fantastic feast for everyone after the wedding was over. Combined with dancing, music and drinks, the guests all had a wonderful time. As the afternoon wore on it was plain to see that the couple was dying to get away, so the guests slowly dispersed.
Finally when everyone had gone it was time for Ginny and Harry to say their good-byes.
Mrs. Weasley grabbed Ginny and held her tight.
"You make sure you come home whenever you want!" she told her with tears in her eyes. "I don't care if you want space, you two still better write!" She only released Ginny when she promised to do so.
Half an hour later after similar exchanges had happened with all the Weasleys and Hermione, Harry and Ginny finally gave a final wave and disappeared.
"Where are we Harry?" Ginny asked. He'd kept her in the dark about where they were going, and now that they were there she thought it perfectly acceptable to know. She had thought she would recognize the place (perhaps he would take her to Paris or something) but instead, she was on the edge of a road that wound its' way down a thick forest. He smiled mischievously.
"Still a surprise…"
She groaned, but came willingly as he took her hand and set off into the woods enthusiastically.
Ginny soon forgot her irritation as they continued their walk. These woods were gorgeous; nothing like the Forbidden Forest. There was nothing foreboding about their surroundings, instead the forest seemed inviting with its blooming flowers, babbling brook, and beautiful trees.
Finally after about half an hour Harry stopped them and broke the silence.
"Okay, we're here, close your eyes." She raised an eyebrow, but his pout melted her resistance. She felt him take her hand and lead her forward.
After a minute or so he kissed her firmly on the lips,
"I love you," he told her. "Open your eyes."
Ginny gasped at the sight before her. Here in a clearing of this perfect forest lay the most perfect house imaginable. It wasn't lavish—no, it was simple, and perfect for a new couple. The house was build in the Craftsman style and painted beige with burgundy and green trim, matching its surroundings perfectly. The garden in the front was nice now, but definitely could be expanded and worked in. There was a pond near the left side that you could look into from the porch, and behind the house a ways was a small stable and paddock.
However, when her eyes caught a gold hoop emerging from the trees nearby she couldn't handle it anymore. With a shriek she tackled Harry to the ground with all intent to snog him senseless.
"Hey Gin," he said between kisses.
"(kiss) What? (kiss)"
"Shouldn't we do this inside? And wouldn't you like to see the inside of the house too?" he asked her, smiling.
Grumbling she picked herself off of him.
"Alright Mr. Potter, lead the way," she said with mock irritation.
"Anything for you, Mrs. Potter," he whispered in her ear, sending shivers up her spine. She licked her lips and grabbed his hand as he led her through the door.
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Harry couldn't believe his self control as he had shown Ginny around the house. After all, he was a 17-year-old boy who had just gotten married to the woman of his dreams. However as soon as the tour was over…
"Now where were we?" he said to her, grinning from ear to ear.
His smile was infectious, but soon their lips were put to another use.
He carried her into the bedroom and set her gently on the bed, still locked to each other, and began to unbutton her blouse. He was only half way done when he felt the tear roll down her cheek. He pulled away quickly.
"Ginny?" he asked full of concern.
"I'm fine," she lied, wiping away the tears and trying to smile. "Come on, Harry…"
"No, Ginny, not until you tell me what's wrong…"
At that statement she dissolved in tears, curling herself up into a little ball on the bed. Harry was shocked and mortified, had he done something wrong? But instead of worrying about it for too long, he wrapped his long arms around her securely.
"Shhh…" he told her, kissing her neck. "Whatever it is, please tell me so I can make it right…" the pain in his voice was evident.
"Oh, I'm sorry Harry…It's…not…you. It's just hard…I mean, it's the first time we've done it since…well…since he died. It's just hard to do it again. And I just feel…with my scar…"
Now Harry was truly mortified. She was scared to have sex with him because of all she'd been through. And to top it off, she was embarrassed of her scar.
"Gin?" he asked her seriously.
"Yeah?" she replied, drying her eyes.
"What have you always thought of my scar?"
"Well, I always thought it was rather dashing on you…and a bit sexy, honestly."
"Exactly my point…" he said and leaned down to kiss her exposed stomach, running his tongue along the raised scar. "Don't you think that Voldie would have a cow to know that we actually like his little presents to us?" he asked her mischievously. She giggled a bit, shaking involuntarily as Harry moved up the buttons on her blouse. When he finished he realized she was crying again.
"Gin, if you're not ready, we don't have to do this," he said with all the calm and sincerity he could muster in his voice. His body was sending other signals.
"No," her eyes were alight with fire. "I may cry Harry, but I need you to do this…I need you to take me…" she whispered. He made to move away but she gripped him forcefully…
"Take me…"
………………………………………………………………………………………………
The next few months moved quickly for Harry and Ginny, occupying their time with walks in the forest, flying around their practice Quidditch Pitch, Ginny's school lessons, and of course the normal things that newlyweds do. The couple wrote a weekly letter home addressed to everyone and would also send short responses to anyone who wrote them personally. They did their best not to be rude, but they both just felt the need to withdraw to each other.
The middle of June came and with it did Ginny's N.E.W.T.S. Harry came into the kitchen just as she had finished her last written exam. He kissed the top of her head.
"Hard?"
"Not so bad, I had a good tutor," she winked. "The practical exams were a bit more strenuous." Dumbledore himself had come as a representative of the board and tested Ginny in each of her subjects.
"Feel up to some celebrating?" he asked as he nibbled her ear. He hoped she was as they hadn't been intimate for well over a week because she had come down with a terrible cold before her exams. With her weakened body it took her much longer to recover to full strength even with all sorts of potions. The healers had no idea when or if she would ever be fully recovered from the night with Voldemort.
She shivered and bit her lip as he trailed kisses down her neck. "I…yes…" she finally managed. With a yelp of joy Harry grabbed her in his arms and apparated to their bedroom…
………………………………………………………………………………………………
A week later Harry was woken abruptly as Ginny lurched out of bed, pulling the covers half-way off him.
"Ginn!" he groaned and moved to roll over. Then he shot bolt upright as he heard her retching in the bathroom. Goddamn it! he thought. Just when she gets over one illness she gets another! She doesn't need the flu! By the end of his thoughts he was standing behind her in the bathroom, holding her hair gently behind her head, and keeping a cooling hand on her forehead until her convulsing subsided.
When she stopped he pulled her up into a tight hug.
"Thanks Harry," she murmured.
"I'm sorry you're sick Gin…you don't deserve it," he told her softly. She just snuggled deeper into his chest as a reply.
"Why don't you get back in bed while I apparate over to St. Mungos for some potions? Hmmm?" he told her, gently carrying her back to their bed. She nodded numbly before he kissed her head and apparated away.
Later in the week Ginny's symptoms still hadn't been cured.
"Do you want to go visit a Healer tomorrow?" Harry asked her as they sat down to dinner that night. Ginny mumbled a reply.
"Huh? What was that Gin?"
"I said…no. I…oh Harry, please don't get mad at me. I know I shouldn't live on dreams…and I know that it's not possible…but…
"Gin?" he was thoroughly puzzled now as tears began to course down her face.
"Harry…" she whispered. "I think I'm pregnant."
Harry's world dropped out from under him.
"I know I wasn't supposed to be able to, Harry, but I swear, this feels just like it. It won't go away and I'm getting all the cravings I got then. I know it would be early, but still…you're not mad are you?" she said breathlessly. Harry took a second to collect his thoughts by gently reaching for her hands across the table.
"Ginny, why would I be mad? I just don't want to see you hurt if this isn't it…you know what they said…you were basically destroyed in there. If for some miracle you are pregnant…" he gulped, "you probably couldn't carry the child Gin." Saying this to her shattered his heart into a million pieces. There was nothing more that he wanted than for Ginny to be able to have children…his children.
"I know," she whispered, looking at their hands. "But I have to know."
For the second time in their lives, Harry and Ginny found themselves in the bathroom brewing a Pregnancy Testing Potion. When Harry added the last ingredient, (one of Ginny's hairs) the two slumped down towards the floor to wait. This time, however, sleep was not to be had. The two sat in tense silence as they waited the hour that was required for the potion to brew. After what seemed like an eternity, the hour was up.
And for the second time in his life, Harry was able to say, "Ginny, we're pregnant."
Ginny dissolved into tears and Harry was completely lost at how to react. The news was amazing and horrible at the same time. Ginny couldn't possibly carry this child…the doctors had said so. But could she?
"Come on, Ginny," he told her. She looked up at him questioning. "We're going to St. Mungos."
………………………………………………………………………………………………
The Healers at St. Mungos were stunned. They repeated over and over again that anyone with injuries such as Ginny's should have a –34,569 chance of getting pregnant. They also told the couple that the chances of her actually keeping the baby were –287,346.
Ginny didn't care. She was…pregnant. She had already beaten the odds once…who was to say she couldn't do it again? Plus, her child wasn't an ordinary child; it was conceived by the Boy Who Lived, who had escaped the odds countless times. Apparently luck ran in the family.
However elated Harry and Ginny felt about their possibility they knew that telling their family would be a bad idea. The raw truth was that it was most unlikely that she would actually have this child. They didn't want their family to get excited about it, and then be let down. The two of them was enough. Ginny also didn't want anymore pity from her family than she already felt.
With that in mind, Harry and Ginny distanced themselves even more. Their letters became fewer and less detailed, and were just sent to keep anyone from coming to look for them.
Three months passed and it was September. Ginny had beaten the odds and entered her second trimester. October…
Harry awoke to an empty bed. Straightening, he looked around the room, only to see his lover staring at herself in the mirror. Her belly was now protruding slightly. Harry wandered up behind her and wrapped his arms around it, running his fingers over the large X shaped scar and kissing her neck. Ginny, however, didn't respond to his advances.
"Harry…does it look lighter to you?" He looked up questioning, but then realized what she meant. The scar did look a few shades lighter. He ran his hands over it again.
"It feels smaller too," he said in awe.
"I think…I think the baby's healing it," she whispered.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
November came, and with it, the first of the holidays that they had to find excuses not to attend. Mrs. Weasley was terribly hurt when they replied that they had booked a cruise for Thanksgiving and would not be at the Burrow that weekend. When Ron and the others had found out they too were angry. But since none of them knew where Harry and Ginny's house was, and since it wasn't connected to the Floo Network, they had to sit idly and send their anger in the form of Howlers.
Christmas was worse. The family had forgiven them for Thanksgiving, but when they replied that they were visiting California for the winter holidays, Harry wondered if they would ever be forgiven for this. The famous Weasley temper was shown full force as the couple received over 10 Howlers from various members, including a couple that sported curses attached to them. Ginny was heartbroken from their replies.
"We could tell them, you know," Harry told her one night after receiving another.
"No, I don't want to get their hopes up. Ours are already high enough," she replied. "We'll tell them when it's born and it's healthy." Harry could see the determination written all over her face. She wanted this baby so badly. For that matter, so did he…
………………………………………………………………………………………………
It was a beautiful Sunday, a sunny spring morning, and most of the Weasley clan were seated around the kitchen table in the Burrow. Suddenly Hermione gasped into her tea, causing everyone to look out the window where she was pointing. There flew Hedwig, swooping gracefully down into the room, and landing gently on the table. No one moved.
After the Christmas incident the Weasleys hadn't attempted to contact Harry and Ginny, who in turn, hadn't attempted to contact them. Weasley pride was, everyone knew, runner up to Weasley temper, followed by Weasley determination pulling a close third.
Finally Ron broke the silence as he knocked over a glass reaching for the letter in Hedwig's beak. He took a deep breath and read aloud:
Dear Weasleys,
First of all, Ginny and I would like to say we're sorry. We have been hiding from you and you have every right to be mad. But we've also been hiding something from you. I really think you should be told in person what this is, so please would you round up the entire clan and come to St. Mungos as soon as you can? Don't worry at all, because Ginny is fine…actually more then fine, but we'll tell you that in person.
Hope to see you soon,
Harry and Ginny
For a minute no one moved. Then Gred and Forge stood up abruptly.
"I'll get Bill!" Gred said.
"Then I'm off for Charlie!" Forge replied.
"We'll be back quickly!" they chorused. "Be ready when we return!"
Molly, Arthur, Hermione and Ron quickly dashed upstairs to change and wait for the rest of the boys.
"We're here to see Ginny Potter," Mr. Weasley told the Healer at the front desk breathlessly. The group had done all they could not to run out of the fireplace when they had arrived.
"Second floor, Recovery. Room B12," she told them mechanically after she checked some charts. With directions, the Weasleys and Hermione scurried down the hall.
They approached the room, noticing the door was wide open, to see that Harry was sitting next to Ginny who was in the bed.
"GINNY!" her mother screeched and flung herself into the room. Tears streamed down her face. "Are you alright! Are you hurt! What happened! Why didn't you write?"
Ginny was too happy to be let down by her mothers questioning. She put one of her arms around her mother's shoulders and kissed her on the cheek as her she approached.
"I've missed you, Mum," she replied quietly. Mrs. Weasley pulled back, wiping her tears.
"Now are you going to tell us why we are here?" she demanded, which caused everyone to chuckle a bit.
"Yes, of course," Harry spoke. "Should I Ginny?" She nodded, and he continued.
"I said in my letter that we've been hiding something big from you guys. And when we say big…well, we mean little. Physically…" he smiled and waved his wand towards Ginny, taking off the illusion charm that he had lain on the baby she held in her other arm.
The whole room gasped.
"Her name is Lillian Rose," Ginny told her family quietly, her eyes brimming with tears. Her mother, wet as well moved towards her.
"How?" she whispered as she kissed her daughters' head and stroked her granddaughters' cheek.
"The healers can't explain it. They keep telling us that it was impossible," Harry said shrugging.
"However, Impossible doesn't seem like a very useful word to a Potter," Ginny added, smiling and handing Lilly to her mother as her brothers crowded around to get a good look.
"We think that the baby healed Ginny though. Her scar is completely gone," Harry told them which received astonished looks. He smiled.
"There is one more thing," he told them. "We're moving back."
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Harry and Ginny did just that, moving back near the Burrow the next week. They kept their house in the woods of Scotland for the memories, and for weekends and vacations. Soon after they moved back, Ron and Hermione were married as well, and bought the house next door to them.
Harry and Ginny considered Lilly to be a blessing and did not hope for any more children, but they got more anyway. Only two years later their twins were born, which they named James Arthur Potter and Jacob Sirius Potter. A year later they were blessed with another son, who they named Chase Harry Potter, and three years later a daughter who they named Savannah Molly Potter.
Harry decided that Auror work was not for him any longer, and took up the Defense Against the Dark Arts position at Hogwarts, co-teaching the class with Ron. Ginny had also decided that being a Medi-Witch was not for her, and luckily found that her Quidditch skill were still on point. She ended up as a Chaser for the Chudley Cannons, much to Ron's delight.
Though they moved on in life, they never forgot their first son and the sacrifice he made. The couple made sure that at least once a week they would lie together in silence, out of respect and remembrance for the Boy Who Didn't Live.
THE END
Author's Second Note: Okay, that's it guys:( Sad I know, but I really like the ending. Please please please please review and tell me what you think of it! I really appreciate it! I hope you will all join me for my next fic, featuring Harry and Ginny…the only hint I have is that it will be a "Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure!" Hehe can anyone figure that out ;) Anyway, on to the reviewers!
Rachel: Please send me an email :) My address is englishequestrian44ATcoxDOTnet. I can't see where your domain is ;)
volleypickle16: Thanks for sticking with me! I hope you enjoyed the end :)
SaintEmo: Thanks to you too for reading! I hope the end suits your tastes :D
FCK all that's missing is U: Yes it did suck, but I'm a sucker for happy endings. I would never have them unable to have kids! I hope that made you happy too! ;) Thanks for the review!
GinnyTricky: Hehe, sad yes, but happy now! Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed my story :D
ANONYMOUS: Hmm…sequel? I don't know…perhaps if I get bored I'll write about their kids, but I doubt it. I have a lot of other stories in mind. ;)
bandu the first: Thanks! I'm glad you liked it :D
zoekt: Thank you so much for the compliment! I'm so glad you liked the climax, I spent a lot of time thinking it up :) I really appreciate the reviews and I'm glad you enjoyed my story! Nice name btw ;) lol!
don'ttouchmysexyferret: Yeah, it was meant to be quite disturbing. :( but any Harry Potter ending couldn't be completely good. Someone would have to die I felt, and I choose a character we all weren't attached to at least ;) Anyway, thank you for all the reviews, and I hope you enjoy the final ending :D
maddy: Awww, nope sorry, he's really dead. But I did make more kids for you! I hope that helps, lol ;) Thanks for reading and thanks for the review!
jenni041190: Wow, thank you! I love to hear that people love my story. I really appreciate the review :D I hope you liked the ending…;)
mari: blushes awwww thank you! I don't know if I'm quite good enough to take the esteemed JK's place, but I really appreciate that you think I am! Thank you for the review, and I hope you like my ending.
Well, that is the end folks. But I am so close to 100 reviews, I would greatly appreciate it if you took the minute or so to review :D Thank you all, it's been such a wonderful ride. Keep an eye out for my new story in a week or so. THANK YOU ALL!
