Chapter 3: A Mysterious Sign

Ever since the birthday party, Ginny found herself quiet, crestfallen. How could this have happened? Hermione....innocently calm, smart, brainy - dead.

Burying her face within her hands, she sat within the dark living room. Her mother and father were seated across from her, hard to explain the emotion within their eyes as the fire – once soothing, now scathed – cast across their faces.

"Ginny," her mother whispered. "Will you not speak to us?"

Ginny said nothing as she raised her face to look at her mother's kind understanding one. Her mother grasped her father's hand, which was clenching the chair rest tightly. Ginny dared not look into her father's eyes.

Her father, who had once adored her – being the only daughter, and youngest, among boys – now felt ashamed. He knew nothing of what had happened to his daughter in her first year, not until the second month of the summer. He noticed that Ginny had been rather fatigued and seemed to be putting on weight. He became worried, and so did her mother. When his curiosity had discovered his daughter was pregnant, anger overcame him mind, as well as disgust, disgrace, and sorrow. He had descended upon his daughter like an owl on its prey, demanding answers. Ginny told him nothing at first, but then it was all too simple, too explanatory.

When Ginny gave birth to the child, he looked upon it with vague acceptance.

"The Devil's child," he whispered, setting eyes on the mother. Ginny clutched the child, grief and worry stricken.

"He is not the Devil's child! He is my son!" she cried defensively.

"Your son, Ginny? Do you not know whose essence he carries? He will follow in his father's footsteps!" Ginny shook her head and clutched the child closer to her small breasts. Her father broke into a fit.

"Ginny, you will not care for this child! You are too young and don't understand the problem." He pointed at the child. "That is the child to he-who-must-not-be-named. Our one adversary, whom has pure hatred for the only boy that survived the last attack upon the wizarding world! He will pour his vengeance into this child!"

"He will not!" Ginny whispered. The child began to cry, looking perhaps for a meal it would be hard for her to give.

"You cannot Ginny! If you-" He stopped and looked to Ginny's mother. "If you won't do something about this, mark my words, I will!"

It was obvious what was going on within his mind, but he dared not speak it. Ginny's mother's lips quivered slightly as she looked from her father to Ginny.

"Ginny, the loss of Hermione is unbearable to us all. To commit such a-" She stopped. Her hand came to her face and covered her silent tears. Her father's eyes narrowed.

"Father, please say what you wish to say. I see anger within your eyes," she said softly, though her voice was slightly raspy.

"I said it six years ago," he said coldly. "I dare not say it again. You know, you know..."

Ginny's lips quivered against her father's words. How could she forget? Her father glared at her mother and then at Ginny again.

"He is a child, only that." Her words were soft, yet defiant.

Her father bounded out of his seat, pointing an accusing finger at Ginny. "You damn well know who caused this!"

"Arthur!" Mrs. Weasley cried, trying to restrain her husband from lunging at their child.

"I will not tolerate this, Molly! Hermione's death was not an accident!" he cried. "It's quite evident."

Ginny stood up and began to walk out of the room, but the tightening grip upon her arm made her think otherwise.

"You are not leaving this room, Ginny."

"I left this room a long time ago," she whispered. "I will not attend to my son." She wrenched her arm free from her father's grasp, and she walked quickly from the room.

Ginny stomped up the first step when she realized Fred, George, and Ron were all staring at her. Apparently they heard everything. She continued her way up the stairs, walking past them. Her thoughts were upon Damien. But if she would have looked or paid attention to the window then she would have seen the flash of a camera and a pair of blue eyes staring...