Chapter 11. I don't know about any of you, but waiting for May 7th (if you don't know what's happening then, you should be ashamed!) is like waiting two years for something!

When Harry peered into Ginny's room through the smallest gap in the door, he saw her sitting at the desk with her back to him, a hunch in her shoulders that he recognized as sadness. Her hair was up in a bun today.

He stood up straight and closed his eyes, composing himself. He was about to walk into severe danger of loosing a limb, into a room completely unarmed and at her mercy…into the Dragon's lair.

Smiling at the irony, he found his confidence and pushed the door fully open.

Ginny spun around instantly as he entered the room, and glared at him. Harry wanted to retreat instantly, but he stood his ground. Surely she couldn't be that angry with him? He hadn't done anything since last night to warrant such a look, had he?

She leapt up alarmingly fast and stormed over to him, a piece of parchment clenched in her fist.

"Did you have anything to do with this?" she demanded, shoving it in his face.

Harry blinked, wondering what on earth she was on about until he noticed the letter in Tonks' handwriting. Words like 'doing time', 'Illegal' and 'for your own safety' jumped out at him.

He sighed, suddenly understanding. "Yes."

Ginny's eyes flashed. "You did?" she demanded angrily.

"Yes, as a matter of fact I tried everything to change her mind, because I personally think it is very harsh of her to treat you like a twelve year old." He said matter-o-factly, giving her a smug look.

Ginny deflated instantly like a pinpricked balloon. "Oh." She said, looking a little embarrassed. "Really?"

"Yes, really."

"But… she's your superior!"

"And you're my girlfriend."

He knew by how she let her eyes drop to the floor, that the thought of him possibly defending her to Tonks had not crossed her mind. That she had been so sure he would follow order and not complain to even consider it.

"Any other questions?" asked Harry.

Ginny gave him a little glare and went to snap at him, when she noticed something hidden behind his back. "What's that?" she asked, pointing.

Harry raised his eyebrows and revealed the bunch of flowers he had been hiding. "Oh er…" he stuttered, feeling suddenly a little uncomfortable. He had never bought a woman flowers before, as it had always seemed a little cliché.

"Are those for me?" asked Ginny, peering at the flowers.

Harry rolled his eyes. "No, they're for Crookshanks. Of course they're for you."

Ginny leant in, put her hand on Harry's and inhaled the scent of them. They were sweet and she wished she knew the name of them. "They're beautiful." She said, giving him a smile. "A very good peace offering."

"Peace offering?" cried Harry, trying to act insulted. "Who said anything about a peace offering? Cant I just buy you flowers for no good reason?"

Ginny gave him a look.

Harry sighed. "I must be terrible at this."

"You're getting there." She giggled.

"Look, fancy flowers and offerings aside… can we just talk? Please?"

Ginny nodded, reached around him and shut the door.

Harry put the flowers down on her desk and ran a hand through his hair. "Okay, I've been going mad over this and I have to say… I'm sorry."

"You're sorry?" asked Ginny, amazed. "What the bloody hell for?"

"For getting all mad. You were right, it was wrong of me to assume you would drop your life in Romania just to stay here with me. I know I wouldn't like to just leave everything I've built here at the drop of a hat." He said, looking regretful. "But, I was just so happy that I didn't even think about you leaving or me staying or whatever…and you brought me back into reality. I was just a little shocked Ginny."

"No, don't apologize." Said Ginny, feeling utter relief wash over her. "What I wanted to say… it didn't come out that way. It sounded so wrong! God, sometimes my mouth and my brain just aren't connected." She giggled.

Harry smiled and pulled her into a hug, relieved that the distance between them had been breached. "I guess we were both idiots."

"That we were."

"But, this still doesn't change anything." Said Harry, looking down at her. "We're still back at square one."

Ginny bit her lip. "Well, not necessarily." She said. When Harry raised an eyebrow in question, she smiled. "I'm not going back to Romania. I'm staying here."

Harry's eyes widened. "What?"

"I'm staying here… you know, if that's alright with you."

Harry spluttered and laughed. "Of course it's alright! But Ginny… what about your job? What about your friends and your life and…"

"I put in a transfer last night." Said Ginny, putting a hand over his mouth to stop his rambling. "I'm moving to that camp where we took Norbert. It's smaller, but I don't mind it actually. As for my friends, they're already here! I have my friends from school, I have my family… and I have you."

Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Ginny, this is… I can't…"

"Harry, you have always been in my life." She said, cutting him off again. "How could I go back now, after everything that's happened? I left that opportunity open once, and I don't intend to do it again. My life is with you Harry Potter, and don't expect to get rid of me so easily."

He didn't think he'd ever been as happy as he was now. Ginny was smiling up at him with such reassurance and trust that was proof that everything was going to be alright.

"Ginny, are you sure about this?" he asked, looking her directly in the eye. "I don't want you to feel like you have to do this."

"Nah." She laughed, waving a hand dismissively. "I couldn't stand apparating overseas every day just to come and see you. And while I do warn you that you are no doubt going to receive a howler from Charlie in the near future for taking away not only his little sister, but the best Dragon handler in his camp, I want you to know that I am happy with this decision."

Harry laughed, wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the floor in a tight hug. "This is wonderful Ginny!"

Ginny laughed and wrapped her arms around him. "You sure you can handle living with me? I snore, I leave towels all over the bathroom floor, not to mention I'll blunt your razor shaving my legs."

Harry smirked and kissed her. "Hmm. But there are other advantages to you being around." He said, giving her butt a little squeeze.

"Oooh." She giggled, kissing him again. "Is that all I am to you? Just some sex toy?"

"Got it in one."

"Really? I think I may be a little offended!"

Harry lay her down on the bed and began sucking on her neck. "You'll get over it."

Harry sighed and rubbed his eyes, feeling more ridiculous now than he did when he wore his dress robes at the Yule ball back in his fourth year. He had generally avoided doing this to every extent, but once again, Ginny had pulled her persuasive techniques and he had caved.

Of course, one doesn't really think about that when the bass is thumping through their body.

Yes, Ginny had finally managed to drag someone along to a nightclub. She had tried Ron, Hermione, Fred and George, Bill, Neville Longbottom… and finally gotten around to Harry.

He smiled at her across the small table. She had her hair up again in that twist behind her head and was wearing a rather revealing outfit (perhaps too revealing for his liking. Already he had seen her been watched by several close, intoxicated males). She was clutching her drink in her hand and bobbing her head along to the music, enjoying the thump of the bass.

"Having fun?" called Harry over the music.

She looked at him and smiled. "I am! Thank you for letting me drag you here."

"Anytime sweetheart."

She laughed, perhaps a little more than called for, and went back to admiring the lights. Harry wondered how it was, being what she was, that she seemed to have such a fondness for the atmosphere of a muggle night club. He certainly had never taken her to any, and didn't recall anyone else ever taking her. Perhaps she was simply one for loud noise and muggle instruments… like most of her family.

But, he knew she also had a weak spot for dancing. Like at Ron and Hermione's wedding, she had been relentless and danced with him for a good two hours! As of yet, she had not harped on him dancing with her. But, he knew it wouldn't stay like that for long.

"Too bad Ron and Hermione couldn't come." She said suddenly, tapping her foot against his under the table. "It's always fun with them."

"Yeah, but if they were here then I couldn't do this."

And he quickly leant across the table and gave her a very short, yet passionate kiss that, when he pulled back, left her looking a little surprised. She giggled and rolled her eyes.

"Honestly, you can't kiss me like that in front of your two best friends? Who can you kiss me in front of then?"

Harry blushed and smiled, trying to hide is bashfulness. "Well, why do I need to snog you in front of anyone really." He said a little defensively. "I don't want people gawking at me in such a private moment."

Ginny giggled. "You'd definitely have to be the last of your kind Harry, mark my words." She said, taking another sip of her drink.

Harry smiled and looked back out at the crowd. So many people dancing… God, didn't they ever get tired? How could they do it for so long? Didn't their feet hurt? Didn't their bladders cry in protest, screaming for relief of all the alcohol they carried?

"Well what do you know? Ginny Weasley and Harry Potter!" came a new voice from behind him.

Ginny let out a scream and had leapt up from her seat before Harry could even turn around to see who it was who had spoken. He only saw her throw herself at a rather tall man, her hair blocking his face from view.

"Bloody hell! What are the odds of you being here?" she cried, kissing him on the cheek.

Harry felt his blood boil somewhat, but the moment she released the unfamiliar man he felt his jealousy melt away to be replaced with amazement as he looked up into the face of none other than Colin Creevy.

"Colin! Blimey, what are the odds?" laughed Harry, getting up and shaking Colin's hand.

It was a bit of a trip to have to look up at the eldest Creevy brother. Indeed, he looked to be the same height as Ron. His brown hair was now shaved rather short in a buzz cut, but other than that he looked no different since the last time Harry had seen him… Ginny's graduation party.

"Good to see you Harry. Ginny, I thought you were in Romania with Charlie!"

"I was, but I'm moving back." She said, giving Harry a smile.

"That's wonderful! I rather prefer seeing you as apposed to correspondence by letters. I get cramps in my hands from replying to the novels you send me." Chuckled Colin, shaking his hand as if he in fact did have a cramp.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Are you here alone?"

"Oh, er – actually…"

But his question was soon answered as a woman with long blonde hair and big, blue eyes arrived at his side, carrying a drink in either hand. She smiled as Ginny and Harry, as if it were perfectly a normal setting for Luna Lovegood to show up on the arm of Colin Creevy.

"Hello Ginny, Harry. Wonderful to see you again." She said happily, handing Colin his drink.

Ginny let out a laugh. "Okay, explain to me how the two of you happened."

And they did. Harry pulled up two more chairs at their table for Colin and Luna and they then went into an explanation of how they had met. Colin apparently had been taking photos for the Prophet at one of those conventions all the papers and magazines seemed to host every year, and Luna had been there on behalf of her father for The Quibbler.

"I do hope you weren't responsible for that article in the Prophet about Ginny and I." said Harry, giving Colin a look.

"Me? No way! I just take the photos." Laughed Colin, holding up his hands defensively. "I was glad to hear about the two of you though… it's about bloody time if you ask me."

"Well we didn't ask you." Snapped Ginny playfully, a twinkle in her eye.

The song changed suddenly and it was like a ripple passed between Luna and Ginny. Obviously both of them knew it, and found it equally enjoyable.

Luna sighed, threw back the last of her martini and grabbed Colin's hand. "Come dance with me Colin, I have calories to rid myself of."

"But, I…" but that was as far as Colin got, for Luna simply dragged him out of his seat and off to dance.

Harry laughed, but stopped immediately as he saw Ginny looking at him. "Oh no, no Ginny!" he groaned, sensing what was coming.

"Oh come on! We have not danced together in years!"

"Not long enough to start up again."

Ginny let out a grunt of annoyance, stood up and took his hand. "Get off your arse Harry, we're dancing."

And just like Colin, he was heaved form his seat and led like a reluctantly donkey into the middle of the dance floor, forced to stand in very close proximity to Ginny from the sheer amount of bodies around them.

Harry stood stock still as Ginny instantly began moving, her lips curled up into a seductive smile. The music was much louder, and Harry didn't know what to do with his hands. He felt rather stupid, not knowing what to do.

As if sensing his thoughts, she took pity on him, grabbed his wrists and placed them on her swinging hips.

"Move with me!" she called over the music, but even then he could barely hear her.

He nodded and tried mimicking her movements. He felt a little weird, trying to dance like a girl. But, he supposed it was better than just standing there. He kept glancing around at others, trying to gauge the best way in which to do this. Why couldn't there be books on this that Hermione could read and then lecture him on later?

Ginny smiled, turned his head back to face her and gave him a reassuring smile. She did a fancy twirl and pressed her back against his chest, taking his hands and resting them on her stomach. Harry, feeling a little more comfortable, began to move with her as she had told him.

Finally, he started to relax. No-one else around them cared what he was doing. No-one else was even there! He had Ginny in his arms, the steady beat of the music matching his heartbeat as he moved with her. He became a little bolder, moving a little more.

So this is what the big deal about dancing was? Crikey, why was he always catching onto things so late?

Harry found himself quite content just to move with her, not wanting to show off. Who did he need to impress anyway? Ginny turned around and linked her hands behind his neck as the music slowed. She smiled up at him with that expression that made him easy.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed his shoulder, making him jump. The person whirled him around, and Harry was expecting to laugh, finding Colin begging him to take him back to the table. But the person who had turned him around was not Colin.

It was Ron.

"Harry!" cried Ron over the music.

Harry frowned. He could barely hear, and only knew it was his name because he was lip-reading. Ron looked terrible. His hair was sticking up as if he had run his hands though it repeatedly, and he looked very pale and slightly panicky.

"What's wrong?" shouted Harry, feeling Ginny move around behind him.

Ron swallowed, took a few deep breaths and grabbed Harry's shirt, looking rather desperate. He shouted something and Harry frowned, unable to hear properly.

"Herman's your new neighbour?" he called. That made no sense at all.

Ron rolled his eyes, grabbed Harry's head and pulled him towards Ron's mouth so to hear him better. He shouted again, and although it was still feint, Harry understood perfectly.

"Hermione's gone into labor!"

Harry's eyes widened to their fullest extent. He gaped at Ron, now understanding his best friend's hysteria. "She's what?" he called.

Ron nodded frantically and jabbed his thumb towards the exit, his meaning clear. Harry nodded fiercely, turned to Ginny and shouted the news. She too looked at him stunned and a moment later the three of them fought their way through the crowd, straight for a safe place to apparate.

"How could she have gone into labor?" panted Ginny, having to run in order to keep up with Ron's long strides as they hurried down the hallways of the hospital. "She's not due for another two weeks!"

"You think I know what's going on? The bloody doctors don't speak any god-damn English!"

"Is she all right? I mean, there's nothing wrong… for the baby to be coming this early I mean…" asked Harry, feeling very concerned.

Ron didn't respond. He seemed to have become incapable of forming any words that meant anything. So, he simply led them up the hallway until they reached the end ward. No-one was there yet. Ron must have come to them first.

He threw the doors open and Harry paused in the doorway, being shoved aside by Ginny. Hermione was lying on the bed surrounded by mid-witches, looking very exhausted and sweating madly. She had an expression of discomfort etched onto her face and was chewing on something, apparently just on at the end of a contraction.

"Hermione!" cried Ginny, rushing straight to her beside. "Merlin, how are you doing?"

Hermione let out a laugh and smiled at Ginny. "I'll live. It doesn't exactly tickle, but…" she trailed off, trying to catch her breath.

Harry moved into the room finally and stood at Ginny's shoulder looking down at Hermione as if he barely knew her. Up until now, the fact that she was having a baby had always been a little bit of a novelty. But now he could see that she was really doing this. That she was no longer that little, bushy haired girl obsessed with books that he used to know. She was a grown woman, and was about to become a mother.

Ginny, stroking Hermione's arm looked up at Harry and smiled at the evident pride beaming through his face. It was second only to Ron, and she wondered in that moment if Hermione knew how lucky she really was to have such men at her side.

"Ow!" cried Hermione suddenly. As she seemed to feel another wave of pain, a ripple of magic seemed to exhume from her like a shockwave, making everyone shiver from it.

"What was that?" asked Harry, bewildered.

"It happens all the time." Explained the nearest nurse, checking Hermione's pulse. "Expectant mothers get very emotional and can hardly control their magic. And when you add the raw magic of the infant into the mix…" she trailed off, feeling she didn't need to continue.

"Jeepers.' Said Ginny, looking horrified. "Imagine how mum went with all of us! It's a wonder the building's still standing."

"So, how did this happen then?" asked Harry, ruffling his hair.

"Well, Harry,' said Ron patronizingly 'when a man and a woman love each other very much…"

"I know that part you pillock! I meant how long has she been in labor!"

"Stop talking about me like I'm not here." Snapped Hermione, giving Ron a glare.

"Only about two hours. She wouldn't listen to me.' Ron said, jerking a thumb at Hermione. "I told her to sit down – we were wallpapering the nursery – but no! Little miss 'I can do it myself' had to get up on that stepladder and stretch…' he trailed off, looking panicky once more.

"Wallpapering in your condition?" asked Ginny, looking at Hermione in amazement. "Are you daft? You're ready to pop!"

"I am perfectly capable of doing simple spells Ginny!" snapped Hermione, her face contorting in pain again. "And then he buggered off!" she added, pointing at Ron. 'Left me here all by myself for forty five minutes!"

"I had to find these two! They weren't at the house and it took me forever to work out where they had gone!" Ron retorted, taking up station on the other side of her bed. He gave her some more ice, took her hand and smiled at Ginny. "You'll have to excuse her if she snaps at you. She's a little moody."

"You try pushing a watermelon through your peehole and see if you can still crack a smile!" Hermione screeched, giving Ron's hand a very hard squeeze.

Ron's face contorted in a very comic, painful way. "Argh, okay!"

"Hermione, just breathe." Said Harry, ignoring Ron's whimpering. He leant over and whipped sweat away from Hermione's brow. "You'll be okay."

"Yes, I know." She sighed, taking in a few deep breaths. "I'm just… really nervous. I mean, I read that book 'What to expect when you're expecting' and it was fabulous, but I didn't think I would be this scared."

Harry leant over and kissed her on the forehead. "You'll be okay. You've studied it after all… how bad can it be?"

Hermione smiled up at Harry, looking thoroughly unconvinced. "Men." She growled.

Ginny giggled. "Bastards, all of them."

"I beg your pardon?" cried Ron indignantly. "What's this got to do with me?"

"You!" Hermione yelled angrily, gripping Ron's hand once more. Ron yelped in pain as Hermione began having another contraction. "You did this to me you horny bastard. Don't for one minute think you're not going to feel every ounce of this as much as I am!"

Ron was going red in the face he was trying so hard not to yell out loud. Hermione was glaring daggers at him, and it was taking everything Harry and Ginny had not to laugh.

"Cant you just… let go?" he wheezed.

"No! You're going to feel every moment of this. Then maybe you'll learn to keep your dick out of my vagina and in your pants where it belongs! God, I can't even stand the sight of you!" she screamed.

"Okay, everyone out!" one of the nurses said briskly, ushering them all towards the door. "We can not have Mrs. Weasley with all this stress. Out!"

Harry and Ginny got up to leave, as did Ron.

"No, wait! Where are you going?" cried Hermione, suddenly sounding quite needy. "Ron, don't leave me here." She said, nearly in tears.

Ron looked utterly bewildered. "But, you just said…"

"I didn't mean it." Said Hermione, holding her hand out for him. "Stay, I need you."

"But I have to owl everyone!"

"We'll do it." Said Ginny, giving Ron a reassuring smile. "We'll wait outside."

"Thank you for coming!" cried Hermione as Harry and Ginny left the room.

Harry shut the door behind them and they looked act each other for a moment. Ginny snorted and ran a hand through her hair. "Blimey."

"That's an understatement. Poor Ron." Chuckled Harry.

"I know!" giggled Ginny. "Come on, let's go inform the troops."

A/N – I'm not all together very good at writing pregnancy scenes. I'll do my best though!

Please review!