An- Wow, three reviews in less than twenty four hours! I feel so loved. Just, really quickly... I'd like to say something

I LOVE YOU::ahem: now that I've gotten that out of my system! Luna Lovegood2, YOU WIN! You found the mistake that I planted, to see how sharp my readers were!... Well, if that isn't the LAMEST excuse I've ever heard... No, actually, my first thought of this fic, I saw Ginny screaming "HERMIONE-JANE WEASLEY, YOU GET YOUR SKINNY ARSE OVER HERE NOW!" And then she turned to look at the boy on the couch...or, it was the couch in my little "vision". I then realized that HG/RW is a very cliche couple in the worst kind of way. ((more like had a friend scream it at me, and I saw the light... but anyway.)) I mean, Harry and Ginny is a cliche couple, but it's a good kind of cliche. It's... they were made for each other. It's my favorite couple, actually, HP/GW... anyway, ONTO THE DISCLAIMER!

Disclaimer. No, I DID NOT put a disclaimer on the last chapter. I'm terribly sorry about that. But I really don't need to say it, do I? If I were this JK Rowling, WHICH I AM NOT, do you think I would spend time on a FANFICTION site? Oh, oh, or maybe, maybe I AM JK(like that one reviewer on my other fic), and I'm going to give you the ending to the last book without you even knowing it! Ah, who am I kidding? I'm not JK, and never will be. Oh... maybe I will... if I change my name to Jean Kelly and marry some bloke with the last name Rowling! Yeah... that must be the longest disclaimer in history.

I took another deep breath. No, it's not like I'm scared of muggles or anything, I'm just wondering how I'll ever live without magic. I can't COOK!

"Um..." I said, looking at the wall. "Umm... how can we... I mean... is there a way to tell..." A witch kindly tapped me on the shoulder.

"To see if he's a squib?" She said as I turned to look at her. I nodded, eyes downcast. Better to not let her think otherwise.

"Well, do you know his parents? If he's from a strong magical background, say, the Malfoys, there's a pretty good chance he's just a late bloomer. Actually, the more refined the blood, the later one should show. Other than that I have no idea how to tell, if you can at all. Now, if you will, you'll have to leave. It's a very busy time of day." I allowed myself to be ushered out the door, one thought resounding in my mind.

Five forty-five in the morning is a BUSY time?

- -

"Hey, sweets, are you up for something to eat?" I asked James, slowly edging out onto the muggle street with the green light that signaled it safe. He considered it for a moment, then nodded. "Well, would you like to go out somewhere? Like a diner or a small restaurant, or do you want to go to my house and eat something?"

"Well, Daddy never let me eat at home..." He said slowly after a moment's thought. I nodded my head.

"So, you don't like eating at home. How about a diner?"

"Home sounds good. I always hated Daddy." Ookaaaay... This is one painfully obvious kid.

"Alright then!" I chirped. "Home it is, for... Something to eat!" I whistled loudly at the end of the street and a cab pulled up to the curb.

"Where ye be wantin to be, miss?" He asked through his heavy cockney accent.

" Kings Cross, please." He nodded and stepped on the gas sharply, throwing James and I into the back of the seat. James whimpered, and I felt the same way, only, for a different reason. Reminded me fiercely of the Knight bus, this cab ride did. Oh, hoped dearly that I'd be able to take James on it one day.

-

After the long train ride from Kings Cross to my small suburban town, James' stomach was growling fiercely.

"Woof. So, two Peanut butter and banana sandwiches, on the house." I cried, dropping two paper plates onto the small wooden table that had lived in my dining room since I bought the flat. James took a hesitant bite, and rewarded me with a smile and a hum of contentment. Just as I was about to take a large bite of my own, a pop came from my living room. James shrieked and lept across the table, clinging to my arm.

"That's the sound Daddy made when he was home." Ok, DEFINITELY not letting this kid anywhere NEAR his dad. I picked him up and balanced his slight frame on my hip.

"Look, James, I'm sure that it's just one of my friends. My boss wanted to see me, maybe she's just popping by?" I walked into the living room and was met with Luna's smiling face.

"'Lo Ginny? This him?" She asked. I nodded. "Well, if I didn't know him as well as I do, I'd say that the father was Potter." I looked over James for a first time really, and noticed the similarities. Same messy black hair, same pointed nose, same green eyes. I hadn't seen Harry in what... six years. Wow, Luna was right. I said as much. James looked at me, to Luna, and then back at me.

"Who's 'Potter?'" he asked, bottom lip trembling.

"Potter is my ... friend Harry Potter. I haven't talked to him in two years." He nodded, and pointed to a tiny picture of him I had on my mantle. Actually it was a picture of the golden trio, but Harry was part of that.

"Is that him? The one with the glasses?" I looked at him in admiration.

"You have quite the eyes, James. Yes, that's him." At my affirmation, he burst into tears. Luna looked at the picture and then to James. 'Does he know Harry?' She mouthed. I shrugged in response.

"Daddy always said I looked like 'that damn Harry Potter!'" James snuffled. I looked at luna with a grimace.

"Well, I can conclude that James is in fact, a wizard. Most likely of Slytherin. Hey, maybe it's like, Voldie's long lost son? Harry and him did look alike when they were sixteen..." Luna looked at me like I was nuts.

"Ginny... you're crazy."

"Funny coming from you!" I snapped back good naturedly. "Hey, remember, I was the one possessed by him when he was sixteen! I can call the bastard what I will." Luna shrugged and followed me into the kitchen with James still trying to burrow into my shoulder.

"James, honey, no matter where, as long as you're with me, I'll keep your daddy away from you. You can be safe." James nodded into my shoulder, but didn't remove it.

"So... is his name really James?" Luna asked, sitting down and taking an apple from the fruit basket in the middle of the table. I stopped dead in my tracks and mentally slapped myself. I hadn't even asked him his NAME yet!

"Um... so... what's your name?" Luna asked with a grin, spying my obvious discomfort.

"James!" He proclaimed loudly, sitting up from his uncomfortable situation, at least, it was uncomfortable on my part.

"So... wait?" I asked, setting James down in front of his sandwich. "Your name was James before I . . . . 'named' you?"

"No. My old name just wasn't... Right. It didn't fit me... I think...?" Luna and I shared a look that said 'My god. This kid seems way too old.

"Well... What WAS your name? Before James." Luna prompted.

"Nathrach," I blinked. Luna grimaced.

"Yup. Definitely a Slytherin." She replied. Noticing my confusion, she elaborated. "Means snake."

"So how old are you?"

"Six." James replied sullenly, gazing wistfully at his sandwich. I realized he still must be hungry, and pushed his plate towards him with an apologetic smile.

"Oh, I'm sorry, here, finish up. we can talk later." James dove into the sandwich with such ferocity that even Ron would be hard pressed to compete with him.

"My god." Luna whispered. "It's like they haven't fed him since he was two."

"Whoever 'they' are." I agreed.

- -

"Gin, you've GOT to go to Mum. She's... MUM! She'll kill you if you don't come soon."

"Ron! James just got back from the hospital two days ago! He's been abused by at least one of his parents, and he's terrified of everyone new!"

"Who in their right mind, save umbridge, would be afraid of MUM!– "

"You are, Ronald Weasley!"

"– When she's in a good mood!"

"ARG!"

This was much the conversation Ron and I had for the past two days. It was really wearing thin on my nerves.

"Ginny..." I heard Hermione say in her reasoning voice that always preceded her long and drawn out speeches.

"Oh, shut it!" I snapped, drawing a curious look from both parties reprimanding me. "STOP IT! FINE! I'LL DO IT! BUT IF ANY CASUALTIES RESULT, I'M BLAMING YOU!

Ron's smug look nearly made me sick.

"Oi... umm... mum?" Even though I was twenty five years old, my mother could be one hell of a harridan if provoked.

"In the kitchen dear." James started at the unfamiliar voice, I held him close to my bosom and strode into the kitchen. "Hello dear, seems like it's been years since we've talked." My mother continued, back turned to me. "How are things?"

"Very . . . Excitable." I replied.

"Really, how sssss...ooh my lord." Mum turned around and saw James, eyes going wide as the saucers that she carried her tea on. "Oh ... my lord." She repeated. James whimpered, stirring my mother out of her revere. "Well then. Whose?" My eyebrows med above the bridge of my nose.

"What?"

"Whose is he? Who is the father?" Her brown eyes were snapping in anger... and ... what looked like pain?

"I- I don't know." I replied, still confused.

"WHAT? GINERVRA MOLLY WEASLEY! HOW MANY MEN HAVE YOU SLEPT WITH!" Oh! I get it... she thinks that I'M the mother!

"James isn't mine, if that's what you 're thinking. " James took his head out from hiding and looked at the floor.

"Mrs. ... Ginny's mom. She's telling the truth, ma'am. She took me away from my daddy."

"GINNY! You took a CHILD from it's PARENT?"

"No! Ma'am. My daddy left me on her doorstep because he said that he didn't want the aurus after him. I think it was be cause he beateded me." The timid green eyes met my mother's chocolate brown eyes with force surprising for a six year old. The air grew thick with tension and unspoken words while I glanced from my mother to James and back again.. He then sneezed an adorable little-kid sneeze that was so cute it was unforgivable. The outburst sliced though the tight silence that filled the room.

"Oh, come here you!" My mother cried and took both James and I into one of her signature crushing hugs. James squeaked and stiffened, but soon realized it was safe and allowed himself to be sandwiched between my mother and I comfortably. When I pulled away, James started snuffling.

"Oh, oh, honey, don't cry. It's alright. See, not all grown up people are bad. My mom, and my brothers, and my dad, and all of our friends are all nice. I bet if you got to know them, you'd like them all very much. Goodness knows that my mother already loves you!" He smiled weakly and put his head back into the curve of my neck. Only I knew he was crying still.

"Is he alright?" Mum asked. Oh, gods, she's perceptive.

"I think the excitement wore him out. Can I let him sleep up in my old room?"

"Put him up in Ron's. It's more boy oriented anyway." I nodded and led James up to my closest brother's room. The shocking orange color was enough to elicit a gasp from anyone, but the boy that so usually clutched at my hand squealed in delight and tore away from me and ran right up to the huge wall-size poster of the Canons.

"I LOVE THE CANNONS!" He cried, but the yawn he continued with drowned out his mumblings afterward. Without even asking, he went up to the bed that Harry slept in when he visited and fell asleep. I chuckled. Finally he'd shown the six year-old boy in him.

Mum and I talked a long while, over tea and scones. She asked a detailed regime of questions concerning James, most of which I would happily answer. Those which I could not, I resolved to ask James when I knew he was ready to bring up the past.

"Hey, Muv?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"James is six years old. I see you every week or so. How on Earth would I be able to get pregnant and raise a child for almost seven years without you noticing?" I asked, curious. Mum blushed and muttered something of "a mother's protective side."

About four hours and ten cups of tea later, I saw a bleary eyed James toddle in, rubbing the back of his neck I smiled and picked him up.

"Hey, Jamsie. Do you mind if I call you that?" He shook his head and looked at my mother.

"Umm, excuse me ma'am, but where's the lavatory?" He looked at the floor when addressing her, apparently still afraid.

"Honey, my mother isn't going to bite if you decide to call the lavatory a loo. Well, actually, she never bites. Here, I'll show you where it is.

When I walked James back from the w.c., I saw the back of my father's head on the living room sofa.

"Dad!" I cried, lifting James up on my left hip. He stiffened considerably.

"Ginny! How lovely to see you! And who is this little fellow?" Dad asked, smiling.

"Dad, this is James. He-"

"Don't worry, sweetie, your mother told me all about it. I'm not sure how our guest will take it though."

"G-guest?" I stammered. We rarely had actual 'guests' over. Everyone in the family, except Ron, Fred, and I (and Percy, but he's not really part of the family), is married, and obviously if they're married to one of my crazy brother's, they're family. And Hermione has been so close to the whole family that she's one of us too. And Harry... we haven't seen Harry in six... almost seven years. But we don't blame him. He just... had to leave. After the defeat of voldemort, he just couldn't stay. But I digress. "W-what guest?" CRACK! The sound of someone apperating. I turn towards the sound, and look straight into emerald orbs I haven't seen in near seven years.

"Harry?"

"Ginny?" The look in his eyes was rapidly changing from recognition to shock upon seeing the boy perched percariously upon my hip.

Seeing my obvious discomfiture around Harry, my father of course left with the intent of 'finding Molly to tell her we have company.'

"Hey, harry." I whispered. The past has a horrible way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it.

"Ginny... oh GODS Ginny!" Harry yelled and quickly strode over to me, enveloping me in a hug and leaving James still on my hip, looking at this new man with mixed parts of shock, mild interest, and ... was that fear?

"Harry? Harry what are you doing?" I cried, pushing him away. James took the opportunity to throw his tiny arms around my neck and bury his head into the hollow between my throat and my collar bone.

"Jesus, Gin... if I had known that... what we did would have... done this...oh Ginny!" I raked his hand through his tousled black hair, that looked so much like James'.

"Harry, what are you TALKING about?"

"God, Gin, are you DAFT? I meant that if I had known I got you pregnant, I would never have left!"

-

Again, I'd like to say I love my reviewers. You have no idea what a confidence booster it is to get three review alerts in your mailbox all at once. I never expected to get that many reviews on it, anyway, THANK YOU!