Heartbeats and New Tricks -
Ginny checked her wrist watch while sitting at Fred's desk. It was almost time for her to leave for her appointment with the healer, Nynaeve Mandragoran. She stood up feeling very nervous and excited, Ginny wasn't sure what exactly to expect for her first visit. As soon as she told Harry the news she could start to ask her mother and Hermione all the questions that keep flying around in her head. Her mother would be a well of information-- she knew no healer could explain as well as Molly. After seven children how could you not know almost all there was to know on the subject? Ginny giggled in anticipation of Hermione's reaction-- the two of them would be pregnant together. She grinned, imagining two of them very pregnant going shopping for baby items. She couldn't help but chuckle darkly at the thought of Ron and Harry's faces when the full understanding that they were going to have to deal with the hormones of two very pregnant women at the same time finally hit them.
She had seen what Hermione went though with her first pregnancy. Her hormones were so erratic that the twins had sent up a long lasting smoke signal hovering over their house large enough for people to read from a mile away, 'BE WARNED, ANGRY PREGNANT WOMAN, APPROACH WITH EXTREME CAUTION!' It would glow bright orange through night, so as not to be missed by anyone. It took over a month for it to finally disappear. The entire time Hermione was livid. One evening while Harry and Ginny were over for dinner, Ron made the mistake of trying to find the bright side of what the twins did, "Well at least it's orange!" he said laughing. A frying pan went flying by his head barely grazing his ear for that comment.
Ginny had never been more impressed with Ron. Through it all he was wonderfully sweet and attentive; Hermione could not have wanted for more the way he pampered her. He was fiercely protective of her to the point Hermione would floo Ginny during the day begging for her to come save Hermione's sanity because Ron was practically smothering in nature. It wasn't that Hermione didn't appreciate the care Ron gave, but after a while Hermione was just ready to have the old argumentive Ron back. Ginny could only hope that when it came down to it Harry would be just as wonderful as her youngest brother.
Ginny came from the back room of Weasley's Wizards Wheezes with her cloak in hand, making her way to the front of the shop past many boxes of tricks and treats for all ages. Her eye caught the large muggle poster of the three stooges and she couldn't help smiling to herself. "Dennis, I have some errands to run, do you want me to pick you up some lunch?" Ginny asked as she approached him as he stood in front doing inventory. Dennis Creevey worked part time for the twins to help pay for his university tuition at BTU (Black Tower University). "If you wouldn't mind, pick me up whatever the daily special is from the Three Broomsticks," he said looking up from his clipboard. "I can do that, see you in a bit," said Ginny walking out the door. It had snowed lightly the night before, for the first time this season, but there was no sign it stuck come morning. Ginny inhaled deeply enjoying the crisp cool air detecting the scent of dried leaves and late fall harvest. Ginny's favorite season was autumn and she always hated to see it come to an end. She looked at the now almost bare trees that stood in front of a bright grey sky. Ginny would have loved to take her time and enjoy her walk but knew she was pressed for time today.
Walking briskly Ginny made her way to the healer's office in record time, anxious to have her appointment. Opening the door she entered into an empty waiting room as she did earlier that week. Approaching the counter she had to only wait a moment before the same receptionist from the last time stepped out from the back. "Mrs. Potter, right on time," Ananda smiled pleasantly. A second woman came out to the front area clipping a paper onto a folder. She was plump of figure and wore tiny tinkling bells in her long hair; she also carried with her an ageless quality in her features. "Hello, you must be Mrs. Potter," the woman said extending her hand, "My name is Beldemaine; I'm the healer's assistant." Ginny took her hand and shook it. "If you would follow me please?" said Beldemaine, adjusting the yellow shawl on her shoulders that matched Ananda's.
Ginny followed the plump woman down a small hall before she turned into an open doorway. The room she entered was cozy. A raised examination table took up one side of the room; two armchairs with a small end table were on the other wall. A small collapsible tray was mounted to the wall at the foot of the examination table beside a sink. The walls were a pale yellow; the room was decorated simply, fresh cut flowers stood in a vase on the end table. A lovely picture of a wooded creek hung on the wall by the head of the examination table, a young doe shyly creeping up to the water's edge to drink. "Mrs Potter, feel free to sit down and relax while you wait. Could I offer you a cup of tea or hot chocolate?" Beldemaine offered. "Tea would be lovely, thank you." Ginny said turning her attention away from the doe in the picture.
A few moments later Ginny was sipping tea, sitting in the armchair while politely answering several simple questions for Beldemaine to write down. "That should take care of things for now, the healer should be in with you in a moment," said Beldemaine as she took her leave. No more had Beldemaine left than the door opened again, this time to reveal a beautiful woman a bit short in height. She had the glow of a healthy tan on her flawless skin and wore her dark hair in a long braid that fell down her back. "Mrs. Potter? I'm Nynaeve Mandragoran." The woman said in a crisp but friendly tone of voice adjusting her yellow shawl as she entered.
"A pleasure to meet you Nynaeve Mandragoran," Ginny said politely. "Right then, if you would be so kind as to climb up onto the examining table then we shall get started." Ginny climbed up onto the examination table and lay down. "It says here you did the pregnancy indicator potion already?" Nynaeve spoke while holding her hands inches above Ginny's body starting from her head and slowly moving them down the entire length of her. The healer's eyes were closed in concentration as she spoke, "Yes," Ginny answered. "And it turned out purple you say?" Nynaeve said bringing her hands back up Ginny's legs, hovering them over her abdomen. "That's right," Ginny answered. The healer grinned slightly before dropping her hands to her sides opening her eyes to look at Ginny, "Good," she said nodding, "Sign that you're very fertile and the baby is healthy. Ginny keep down a snort yet again thinking of her mother's remarkable birthing capabilities. "You also have excellent birthing hips," Nynaeve said picking up Ginny's medical chart. Ginny raised her head off of the examination table, quirking her eyebrow-- she wasn't sure if she should feel complimented or insulted.
"It says here you're the youngest of seven and the only female?" Nynaeve said scribbling something down on the chart. "That is correct," Ginny answered looking down her body at where the healer stood. "That must have been something, my sympathies," Nynaeve nodded, smiling the first real smile Ginny had seen from the healer. "Now, let's see what we have here," Nynaeve said standing once again beside Ginny's side holding her hands outstretched. Ginny marveled in the fact that the healer had no wand in her hands. Nynaeve softly muttered words to herself with her eyes closed; slowly a fuzzy ball of white light, no bigger than her pinky tip appeared between the healer's hands and Ginny's stomach. Nynaeve opened her eyes moving her hands away, the ball of light began to flutter and a sound could be heard in rhythm to the pulse of the light. "Do you hear that?" Nynaeve said softly. Ginny nodded her head afraid to speak. "That, my dear, is the sound of your baby's heartbeat." Ginny gasped staring at the pulsing light listening to the soft whooshing sound that came forth. That was her baby she was hearing. Ginny's eyes filled with tears and her bottom lip quivered. Her baby, hers and Harry's. There were no words to describe the wonderment she was feeling at the moment. Nynaeve smiled, understanding the wash of new emotions Ginny was going through for the first time ever. "It sounds perfectly healthy," she said in a reassuring manner. "It sounds wonderful," said Ginny softly.
After making an appointment for the following month she was told that they would be soon discussing birthing options and treatments. Ginny left the office feeling like she were floating her way to the clock shop to pick up her purchase. Ginny entered Tinker Time and closed the door behind her, the bells above her chiming her entrance. Jac al'Seen looked over from the clock he was adjusting, greeting her with a broad smile, "Ah, Mrs. Potter, I've been expecting you." Ginny flashed him a smile; following him as he walked back to the same display counter she had placed her order earlier that week. "I have your purchase right here," Jac said reaching below and pulling up a box. He handed the box to Ginny while writing on her order receipt. Ginny opened the lid looking inside, she looked back up, "Jac, I only ordered one." Jac smiled nodding his head, "Aye, you did." Ginny tried to not look more confused staring down at three bronze clock hands void of names. "You hold onto those extras, they may come in handy one day," said Jac patting her hand. Ginny paid for her purchase thanking him over and over for his generosity. He waved her gratitude off, kindly telling her she more than paid for them by brightening his door step with her beauty. Ginny chuckled and rolled her eyes at the older man's flirting. After promising to come visit him she left heading in the direction of the Three Broomsticks.
Ginny tucked the box containing her new clock hands into the inside pocket of her winter cloak before reaching to open the door of the Three Boomsticks. She was greeted to the site of many happy diners enjoying their noon meal. "Ginny!" she heard her name called by a deep male voice. It took but an instant to find the source sitting at a table close by, towering over the other customers. Hagrid raised a massive arm into the air waving his hand once to catch her attention. Ginny gave a bright smile making her way over to join him. "Hagrid it's wonderful to see you," she said sitting down. "It's great to see you too," Hagrid smiled through his full beard. "So what brings you to town today?" asked Ginny. "Oh, my first class isn't until this afternoon," said Hagrid raising his mug to his lips. "Well it's lucky for me that I got to see you," Ginny said searching around, she flashed Hagrid a quick smile before turning her attention again out to the other diners until she spotted Madam Rosemerta off in the distance standing at a table.
Ginny raised up her arm and waved a bit as the barmaid's eyes scanned the room. Madam Rosemerta held up one finger and nodded quickly before going back to taking the order at the table. "So how is everything at the school?" Ginny asked returning her attention to the table and picking up a menu. "It's been good, real good." Hagrid said nodding to himself. "No more blast ended skrewts?" Ginny teased. "Honestly, they were perfectly harmless!" Hagrid protested. The barmaid arrived at their table with quill in hand, ready to write on a note pad. "What can I get for you today?" she asked with a friendly smile. "I would like the daily special and a large bowl of chicken soup to go please." Madam Rosemerta wrote the order down and tore off the piece of parchment, it quickly zoomed off towards the kitchen area without pause. "It'll be a few minutes," said Madam Rosemerta. "Will you be needing a refill Hagrid?" She asked turning her attention to him. "No, I'm good Rosey, got to be heading back in a few anyhow." Hagrid said raising his mug part way as he spoke.
Ginny and Hagrid continued their polite conversation until the barmaid returned with two sacks. After Ginny paid for the food Hagrid escorted her to the door, holding it for her as Ginny exited. "Now you promise to come to dinner some night soon?" Ginny asked looking up at the towering man standing before her. "I sure will, you tell Harry I said hi and I'll talk to him later," said Hagrid giving Ginny a gentle pat on the back that made her stagger forward. "Take care!" Ginny called out turning and walking back towards the twin's shop. "You too," Hagrid said with a final wave of his hand making his way down the street towards Hogwarts.
"Here you are," Ginny said setting the brown bag on the counter in front of Dennis. "Great Ginny, thanks really. With all this inventory I have to go through I was afraid I wouldn't be able to run out and get a bite," said Dennis opening the sack and pulling a carryout box out. He opened it up inhaling deeply the smell of lamb chops, seasoned vegetables and herb roasted potatoes. Ginny glanced at the meal thinking it did look rather good; until the scent of it reached her. The combined smells of food assaulted her nostrils, filling her lungs. Her stomach gave a familiar lurch, 'Oh no,' she thought as her stomach contracted violently. "Excuse me," said Ginny rushing toward the back room. "What? Huh? Ok..." Dennis said in confusion watching Ginny retreat through to the back as he raised a fork full of food to his mouth.
Flushing her breakfast goodbye Ginny stood back up, shaking slightly. "You have got to stop doing this to me wee-one," Ginny said to her stomach. Ginny opened the medicine chest above the sink and reached for the tooth brush and paste that she normally keeps at work. Her arm brushed the side of her breast and she winced in pain, 'I need to ask how long this is going to last,' she thought to herself as she began to brush her teeth. After rinsing her mouth and spitting out the water Ginny looked into the mirror and flashed her teeth to check them closely. She paused in her inspection slowly sticking her tongue out, her eyes grew large in horror staring at her reflection. Her usually pink tongue had taken on a vivid yellow color.
Dennis was about to take a sip from his butterbeer when a ear piercing scream ripped through the quiet shop, startling him so badly he fell off of his seat and landed hard on the floor. He whipped his head to the side looking at the entrance to the back room, "Oh boy," Dennis muttered rubbing his now sore bottom.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A small, tan owl flew in through a window of the London branch of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. With a gentle flap of its wings the owl came to land on an antique cash register. Fred looked up from the parchment he had been writing on, taking notice of the bright red envelope in the owl's grip. He elbowed the side of George who was sorting through a small box beside him. George looked over at Fred who silently nodded at the owl. The owl decided it had waited long enough and dropped the envelope onto the counter before giving a disapproving hoot and flying out of the shop as fast as the its wings could carry it.
"Might as well get this over with," George muttered picking up the envelope and breaking the seal. Ginny's furious screams vibrated items on the shelves and caused dust to fall from the rafters, "FRED!. . . GEORGE!. . . YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS! ! !" No sooner had her words finished washing over them like a tidal wave than the howler exploded in a mushroom cloud of red dust. Standing side by side as they were when George had opened the howler, the twins turned to look at one another. Soot covered hair stood on ends and soot covered faces greeted the other, both men gave out a little cough. Fred raised his now non existent eyebrows, noticing George's lack of eyebrows as well. "Think she found the toothpaste?" said Fred, grinning. "Yup," George grinned back.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Harry entered his home that evening in a rather good mood. The sound of slamming pots and cabinet doors coming from the kitchen greeted him. He stopped at the doorway watching his wife storm around the kitchen table muttering to her self as she roughly shoved a table chair into place. "Ginny?" he said tentatively. Ginny whirled around looking at Harry with furrowed eyebrows. "Have a good day at work?" he asked in a cautious tone. The last thing he wanted was to be on the receiving end of her temper. Ginny paused, looking at him for a second with her hand on her hip, before sticking out a vivid yellow tongue.
Harry's eyebrows shot up as he tried to keep a straight face, "Oh," was all he could manage to say while trying to force down the chuckling that fought to come forth. "The Twins," said Harry knowing those two words were all explanation anyone would ever need. "So, what's for supper?" He said in a cheery voice. Ginny let out a very feline hiss before stomping out of the kitchen.
Harry watched her leave, furrowing his eyebrows slightly-- normally she handled the twin's pranks better. After a minute, he passed it off as a bad day. Looking around the empty kitchen he clapped his hands together, "Right then, carry out pizza it is."
Ginny checked her wrist watch while sitting at Fred's desk. It was almost time for her to leave for her appointment with the healer, Nynaeve Mandragoran. She stood up feeling very nervous and excited, Ginny wasn't sure what exactly to expect for her first visit. As soon as she told Harry the news she could start to ask her mother and Hermione all the questions that keep flying around in her head. Her mother would be a well of information-- she knew no healer could explain as well as Molly. After seven children how could you not know almost all there was to know on the subject? Ginny giggled in anticipation of Hermione's reaction-- the two of them would be pregnant together. She grinned, imagining two of them very pregnant going shopping for baby items. She couldn't help but chuckle darkly at the thought of Ron and Harry's faces when the full understanding that they were going to have to deal with the hormones of two very pregnant women at the same time finally hit them.
She had seen what Hermione went though with her first pregnancy. Her hormones were so erratic that the twins had sent up a long lasting smoke signal hovering over their house large enough for people to read from a mile away, 'BE WARNED, ANGRY PREGNANT WOMAN, APPROACH WITH EXTREME CAUTION!' It would glow bright orange through night, so as not to be missed by anyone. It took over a month for it to finally disappear. The entire time Hermione was livid. One evening while Harry and Ginny were over for dinner, Ron made the mistake of trying to find the bright side of what the twins did, "Well at least it's orange!" he said laughing. A frying pan went flying by his head barely grazing his ear for that comment.
Ginny had never been more impressed with Ron. Through it all he was wonderfully sweet and attentive; Hermione could not have wanted for more the way he pampered her. He was fiercely protective of her to the point Hermione would floo Ginny during the day begging for her to come save Hermione's sanity because Ron was practically smothering in nature. It wasn't that Hermione didn't appreciate the care Ron gave, but after a while Hermione was just ready to have the old argumentive Ron back. Ginny could only hope that when it came down to it Harry would be just as wonderful as her youngest brother.
Ginny came from the back room of Weasley's Wizards Wheezes with her cloak in hand, making her way to the front of the shop past many boxes of tricks and treats for all ages. Her eye caught the large muggle poster of the three stooges and she couldn't help smiling to herself. "Dennis, I have some errands to run, do you want me to pick you up some lunch?" Ginny asked as she approached him as he stood in front doing inventory. Dennis Creevey worked part time for the twins to help pay for his university tuition at BTU (Black Tower University). "If you wouldn't mind, pick me up whatever the daily special is from the Three Broomsticks," he said looking up from his clipboard. "I can do that, see you in a bit," said Ginny walking out the door. It had snowed lightly the night before, for the first time this season, but there was no sign it stuck come morning. Ginny inhaled deeply enjoying the crisp cool air detecting the scent of dried leaves and late fall harvest. Ginny's favorite season was autumn and she always hated to see it come to an end. She looked at the now almost bare trees that stood in front of a bright grey sky. Ginny would have loved to take her time and enjoy her walk but knew she was pressed for time today.
Walking briskly Ginny made her way to the healer's office in record time, anxious to have her appointment. Opening the door she entered into an empty waiting room as she did earlier that week. Approaching the counter she had to only wait a moment before the same receptionist from the last time stepped out from the back. "Mrs. Potter, right on time," Ananda smiled pleasantly. A second woman came out to the front area clipping a paper onto a folder. She was plump of figure and wore tiny tinkling bells in her long hair; she also carried with her an ageless quality in her features. "Hello, you must be Mrs. Potter," the woman said extending her hand, "My name is Beldemaine; I'm the healer's assistant." Ginny took her hand and shook it. "If you would follow me please?" said Beldemaine, adjusting the yellow shawl on her shoulders that matched Ananda's.
Ginny followed the plump woman down a small hall before she turned into an open doorway. The room she entered was cozy. A raised examination table took up one side of the room; two armchairs with a small end table were on the other wall. A small collapsible tray was mounted to the wall at the foot of the examination table beside a sink. The walls were a pale yellow; the room was decorated simply, fresh cut flowers stood in a vase on the end table. A lovely picture of a wooded creek hung on the wall by the head of the examination table, a young doe shyly creeping up to the water's edge to drink. "Mrs Potter, feel free to sit down and relax while you wait. Could I offer you a cup of tea or hot chocolate?" Beldemaine offered. "Tea would be lovely, thank you." Ginny said turning her attention away from the doe in the picture.
A few moments later Ginny was sipping tea, sitting in the armchair while politely answering several simple questions for Beldemaine to write down. "That should take care of things for now, the healer should be in with you in a moment," said Beldemaine as she took her leave. No more had Beldemaine left than the door opened again, this time to reveal a beautiful woman a bit short in height. She had the glow of a healthy tan on her flawless skin and wore her dark hair in a long braid that fell down her back. "Mrs. Potter? I'm Nynaeve Mandragoran." The woman said in a crisp but friendly tone of voice adjusting her yellow shawl as she entered.
"A pleasure to meet you Nynaeve Mandragoran," Ginny said politely. "Right then, if you would be so kind as to climb up onto the examining table then we shall get started." Ginny climbed up onto the examination table and lay down. "It says here you did the pregnancy indicator potion already?" Nynaeve spoke while holding her hands inches above Ginny's body starting from her head and slowly moving them down the entire length of her. The healer's eyes were closed in concentration as she spoke, "Yes," Ginny answered. "And it turned out purple you say?" Nynaeve said bringing her hands back up Ginny's legs, hovering them over her abdomen. "That's right," Ginny answered. The healer grinned slightly before dropping her hands to her sides opening her eyes to look at Ginny, "Good," she said nodding, "Sign that you're very fertile and the baby is healthy. Ginny keep down a snort yet again thinking of her mother's remarkable birthing capabilities. "You also have excellent birthing hips," Nynaeve said picking up Ginny's medical chart. Ginny raised her head off of the examination table, quirking her eyebrow-- she wasn't sure if she should feel complimented or insulted.
"It says here you're the youngest of seven and the only female?" Nynaeve said scribbling something down on the chart. "That is correct," Ginny answered looking down her body at where the healer stood. "That must have been something, my sympathies," Nynaeve nodded, smiling the first real smile Ginny had seen from the healer. "Now, let's see what we have here," Nynaeve said standing once again beside Ginny's side holding her hands outstretched. Ginny marveled in the fact that the healer had no wand in her hands. Nynaeve softly muttered words to herself with her eyes closed; slowly a fuzzy ball of white light, no bigger than her pinky tip appeared between the healer's hands and Ginny's stomach. Nynaeve opened her eyes moving her hands away, the ball of light began to flutter and a sound could be heard in rhythm to the pulse of the light. "Do you hear that?" Nynaeve said softly. Ginny nodded her head afraid to speak. "That, my dear, is the sound of your baby's heartbeat." Ginny gasped staring at the pulsing light listening to the soft whooshing sound that came forth. That was her baby she was hearing. Ginny's eyes filled with tears and her bottom lip quivered. Her baby, hers and Harry's. There were no words to describe the wonderment she was feeling at the moment. Nynaeve smiled, understanding the wash of new emotions Ginny was going through for the first time ever. "It sounds perfectly healthy," she said in a reassuring manner. "It sounds wonderful," said Ginny softly.
After making an appointment for the following month she was told that they would be soon discussing birthing options and treatments. Ginny left the office feeling like she were floating her way to the clock shop to pick up her purchase. Ginny entered Tinker Time and closed the door behind her, the bells above her chiming her entrance. Jac al'Seen looked over from the clock he was adjusting, greeting her with a broad smile, "Ah, Mrs. Potter, I've been expecting you." Ginny flashed him a smile; following him as he walked back to the same display counter she had placed her order earlier that week. "I have your purchase right here," Jac said reaching below and pulling up a box. He handed the box to Ginny while writing on her order receipt. Ginny opened the lid looking inside, she looked back up, "Jac, I only ordered one." Jac smiled nodding his head, "Aye, you did." Ginny tried to not look more confused staring down at three bronze clock hands void of names. "You hold onto those extras, they may come in handy one day," said Jac patting her hand. Ginny paid for her purchase thanking him over and over for his generosity. He waved her gratitude off, kindly telling her she more than paid for them by brightening his door step with her beauty. Ginny chuckled and rolled her eyes at the older man's flirting. After promising to come visit him she left heading in the direction of the Three Broomsticks.
Ginny tucked the box containing her new clock hands into the inside pocket of her winter cloak before reaching to open the door of the Three Boomsticks. She was greeted to the site of many happy diners enjoying their noon meal. "Ginny!" she heard her name called by a deep male voice. It took but an instant to find the source sitting at a table close by, towering over the other customers. Hagrid raised a massive arm into the air waving his hand once to catch her attention. Ginny gave a bright smile making her way over to join him. "Hagrid it's wonderful to see you," she said sitting down. "It's great to see you too," Hagrid smiled through his full beard. "So what brings you to town today?" asked Ginny. "Oh, my first class isn't until this afternoon," said Hagrid raising his mug to his lips. "Well it's lucky for me that I got to see you," Ginny said searching around, she flashed Hagrid a quick smile before turning her attention again out to the other diners until she spotted Madam Rosemerta off in the distance standing at a table.
Ginny raised up her arm and waved a bit as the barmaid's eyes scanned the room. Madam Rosemerta held up one finger and nodded quickly before going back to taking the order at the table. "So how is everything at the school?" Ginny asked returning her attention to the table and picking up a menu. "It's been good, real good." Hagrid said nodding to himself. "No more blast ended skrewts?" Ginny teased. "Honestly, they were perfectly harmless!" Hagrid protested. The barmaid arrived at their table with quill in hand, ready to write on a note pad. "What can I get for you today?" she asked with a friendly smile. "I would like the daily special and a large bowl of chicken soup to go please." Madam Rosemerta wrote the order down and tore off the piece of parchment, it quickly zoomed off towards the kitchen area without pause. "It'll be a few minutes," said Madam Rosemerta. "Will you be needing a refill Hagrid?" She asked turning her attention to him. "No, I'm good Rosey, got to be heading back in a few anyhow." Hagrid said raising his mug part way as he spoke.
Ginny and Hagrid continued their polite conversation until the barmaid returned with two sacks. After Ginny paid for the food Hagrid escorted her to the door, holding it for her as Ginny exited. "Now you promise to come to dinner some night soon?" Ginny asked looking up at the towering man standing before her. "I sure will, you tell Harry I said hi and I'll talk to him later," said Hagrid giving Ginny a gentle pat on the back that made her stagger forward. "Take care!" Ginny called out turning and walking back towards the twin's shop. "You too," Hagrid said with a final wave of his hand making his way down the street towards Hogwarts.
"Here you are," Ginny said setting the brown bag on the counter in front of Dennis. "Great Ginny, thanks really. With all this inventory I have to go through I was afraid I wouldn't be able to run out and get a bite," said Dennis opening the sack and pulling a carryout box out. He opened it up inhaling deeply the smell of lamb chops, seasoned vegetables and herb roasted potatoes. Ginny glanced at the meal thinking it did look rather good; until the scent of it reached her. The combined smells of food assaulted her nostrils, filling her lungs. Her stomach gave a familiar lurch, 'Oh no,' she thought as her stomach contracted violently. "Excuse me," said Ginny rushing toward the back room. "What? Huh? Ok..." Dennis said in confusion watching Ginny retreat through to the back as he raised a fork full of food to his mouth.
Flushing her breakfast goodbye Ginny stood back up, shaking slightly. "You have got to stop doing this to me wee-one," Ginny said to her stomach. Ginny opened the medicine chest above the sink and reached for the tooth brush and paste that she normally keeps at work. Her arm brushed the side of her breast and she winced in pain, 'I need to ask how long this is going to last,' she thought to herself as she began to brush her teeth. After rinsing her mouth and spitting out the water Ginny looked into the mirror and flashed her teeth to check them closely. She paused in her inspection slowly sticking her tongue out, her eyes grew large in horror staring at her reflection. Her usually pink tongue had taken on a vivid yellow color.
Dennis was about to take a sip from his butterbeer when a ear piercing scream ripped through the quiet shop, startling him so badly he fell off of his seat and landed hard on the floor. He whipped his head to the side looking at the entrance to the back room, "Oh boy," Dennis muttered rubbing his now sore bottom.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A small, tan owl flew in through a window of the London branch of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. With a gentle flap of its wings the owl came to land on an antique cash register. Fred looked up from the parchment he had been writing on, taking notice of the bright red envelope in the owl's grip. He elbowed the side of George who was sorting through a small box beside him. George looked over at Fred who silently nodded at the owl. The owl decided it had waited long enough and dropped the envelope onto the counter before giving a disapproving hoot and flying out of the shop as fast as the its wings could carry it.
"Might as well get this over with," George muttered picking up the envelope and breaking the seal. Ginny's furious screams vibrated items on the shelves and caused dust to fall from the rafters, "FRED!. . . GEORGE!. . . YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS! ! !" No sooner had her words finished washing over them like a tidal wave than the howler exploded in a mushroom cloud of red dust. Standing side by side as they were when George had opened the howler, the twins turned to look at one another. Soot covered hair stood on ends and soot covered faces greeted the other, both men gave out a little cough. Fred raised his now non existent eyebrows, noticing George's lack of eyebrows as well. "Think she found the toothpaste?" said Fred, grinning. "Yup," George grinned back.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Harry entered his home that evening in a rather good mood. The sound of slamming pots and cabinet doors coming from the kitchen greeted him. He stopped at the doorway watching his wife storm around the kitchen table muttering to her self as she roughly shoved a table chair into place. "Ginny?" he said tentatively. Ginny whirled around looking at Harry with furrowed eyebrows. "Have a good day at work?" he asked in a cautious tone. The last thing he wanted was to be on the receiving end of her temper. Ginny paused, looking at him for a second with her hand on her hip, before sticking out a vivid yellow tongue.
Harry's eyebrows shot up as he tried to keep a straight face, "Oh," was all he could manage to say while trying to force down the chuckling that fought to come forth. "The Twins," said Harry knowing those two words were all explanation anyone would ever need. "So, what's for supper?" He said in a cheery voice. Ginny let out a very feline hiss before stomping out of the kitchen.
Harry watched her leave, furrowing his eyebrows slightly-- normally she handled the twin's pranks better. After a minute, he passed it off as a bad day. Looking around the empty kitchen he clapped his hands together, "Right then, carry out pizza it is."