When Doves Cry

Chapter 14: Never Is A Promise

Disclaimer: Don't own em.

You'll say, don't fear your dreams, it's easier than it seems
You'll say you'd never let me fall from hopes so high
But never is a promise and you can't afford to lie

Never Is A Promise, Fiona Apple

"Anyone here?" Ginny heard a familiar voice call.

"You're home!" Ginny called back, exiting the kitchen in search of the voice.

"I'm home." Draco said when Ginny finally found him in the living room.

Throwing her arms around him Ginny genuinely said, "I missed you."

"I missed you too," Draco smiled. "So what did I miss in my absence?"

"Hope is starting to get a tooth…" Ginny told him.

"Oh how fast they grow," Draco grinned.

"James saw Charlie pull a Wronskei Feit the other day and decided to imitate him. He nearly crashed."

"Well really that's the nature of the move…"

Ginny smiled and paused for a few moments before adding to everything, "Harry woke up."

Draco stiffened a little and Ginny knew that she had been kidding herself in thinking she could get away with just that little bit of information.

"By woke up you mean…"

"I mean moving, talking, eating, thinking."

"When did this happen? Why didn't you owl me?"

"I thought the reason you left was to spend sometime taking care of your own life. You didn't need mine to fly back in interrupting."

"Ginny…"

"I know I know 'Don't be ridiculous.' Can we just leave it at that?"

"Yeah. But well…when did he?"

"About a week and a half ago."

"And how are things going between the two of you?" Draco asked hesitantly.

" How are you and Jen?" Ginny countered defensively without really realizing it.

"I've explained everything to her," Draco replied calmly, "And she's taking some time to sort things out."

Ginny sighed. "Harry and I are barely speaking. I don't think either of us knows what to say to the other."

"Are you going home soon?"

"I don't know," Ginny bowed her head avoiding any sort of eye contact with Draco.

"Ginny, you have to fix this…"

"I don't know how!" she exclaimed, not attempting to hide her distraught.

"Talk to him, tell him how you feel, do something."

"There's nothing he can do Draco. There's nothing he can to do to help me fix this. This is all me." Ginny sighed. "I just don't feel like I can trust him anymore."

"Why?" Draco questioned calmly.

"I don't know. I don't know why I can't get past it, but every time I see him all I can think about is how he was lying to me for all that time, and everything that's happened because of it."

"You lied to me Ginny, both me and Harry really; I got over it."

"I was only trying to protect you! I told you that Draco. You know I never meant to hurt you, or Harry, or Jen…"

"Ginny I know." Draco placed a gently hand against her cheek. "And like I said, I'm over it, but do you truly think Harry ever intended too hurt you?"

Ginny opened her mouth to respond, but found that she had none. Everyone had used the argument that Harry had only been being Harry, and foolishly trying to take it solely upon himself to save the world from all danger; however, never before had someone forced her to empathize with him.

In one last futile attempt Ginny opened her mouth and argued, "He risked our marriage…"

"You cost me mine," Draco shot back, "And risked me losing the best friend I've ever had."

The idea that she had caused pain to anyone the way Harry had caused pain to her broke her heart but before she could even react Draco spoke again.

"That came out harsher than it was intended to. What I'm trying to say is that sometimes seems might seem hopeless, but you'll never know if you can fix it unless you try."

Ginny once again made no response to her best friends advice, accepting that not for the first time, he may just be right.

Ginny put the two glasses of tea she had just poured onto the tray with the sandwiches she had made and carried the tray up the stairs. She gently knocked on the bedroom door and waited for someone to open it.

Harry opened the door and smiled a little when he saw Ginny.

"I told you that you don't have to knock Gin; it is your bedroom too," Harry laughed quietly but Ginny could tell it was forced.

"Sorry, habit I suppose. I walked in on Draco adoring himself in the mirror…all of himself…once and have been knocking ever since."

The story was humorous and both laughed, but the mention of Ginny's residence at the manor put a tension in the air that caused both of them to become very interested in the sandwiches Ginny had made.

Silence filled the room as they eat, Ginny intently focusing on her food, as to avoid any chance of eye contact with Harry. The awkwardness was nothing new, and was becoming somewhat routine between the spouses. Everyday Ginny would come to visit, and everyday they'd barely speak to each other. Due to this precedent, Ginny was surprised when Harry moved past their normal small talk and silence and bluntly spoke of what neither of them had previously had the courage to do.

"When are you coming home Ginny? We're never going to be able to fix this if you're not here."

"I'm not ready yet," Ginny said, still finding herself unable to meet his emerald eyes with hers.

"It's been nearly a month Ginny!"

"How can I move back home when I'm not comfortable entering my own bedroom without knocking? How can I sleep in the same bed as you when I can barely sit and eat a sandwich with you?" Ginny questioned suddenly finding herself staring into Harry's eyes without falter. She desperately wanted him to reply, swearing nothing would ever go wrong again. He wanted him to tell her he wouldn't lie to her again, and they could live the rest of their lives blissfully together. She wanted him to shout at her that he would never hurt her like that again, but she knew he wouldn't. She knew he couldn't because the moment he spoke the words he'd be breaking them, as more promised she knew he couldn't keep would hurt her more at that moment than anything in the world.

He didn't respond.

They then went back to eating their sandwiches, quietly staring anywhere but each other. When they finished eating Ginny stood and placed the dishes back on the tray and carried it toward the door.

"I still love you Ginny, "she heard Harry say as she began to step into the hallway.

She turned back to her husband's sad face and replied in an equally heartrending tone, "I love you too."

"I've been thinking about what you said earlier," Ginny said sitting beside Draco in the parlor. "About not keeping secrets."

"Why am I suddenly terrified of this conversation?" Draco remarked dryly.

"Draco there's something I need to tell you."

"You know you can tell me anything Gin."

"Promise not to throw a fit?"

"No. No Ginny I don't. You've thrown me some curveballs in the past that have started with 'Draco, there's something I need to tell you,' so no Ginny, I don't promise not to throw a fit."

"Draco I'm three months pregnant." Ginny stated and then waited expectantly for his reply.

"You've got to be kidding me. Ginny please tell me your kidding. Tell me you're kidding."

"You got me Draco. I'm shitting you." She glared at her best friend as she spoke.

"You're pregnant. Well I must say Ginny you do have the most impeccable timing when it comes to babies."

"Why thank you Draco, good to know you're here to support me."

" How did this happen?" Draco exclaimed.

"I'd think you could figure it out Draco." Ginny snapped at him.

"Have you told Harry?"

"No I haven't told Harry! Things are such a mess right now that I couldn't possibly…How am I going to…What am I going to do Draco? What am I going to do?" Ginny finally sighed and buried her head in her hands, temporarily hiding herself from the world.

Jen backed away from the parlor door, the words cycling through her head.

'Draco I have to tell you something…. I'm pregnant.'

'Draco….I'm pregnant.'

'I'm pregnant.'

'Pregnant.'