Chapter 6: Definition of Family

Ginny turned, and walked back to Harry. She looked at her daughter, and bounced her a few times in her arms. Harry couldn't take his eyes off his daughter- it was so wonderful, yet odd, to see his own eyes gaze back at him.

"Hope, this is your Daddy!" She said happily.

"Dadda...remember?" Hope said nothing, but continued to stare with interest at her father.

Ginny smiled, and looked at Harry.

"Well? Do you want to hold her?" Harry nodded, and stepped closer.

Ginny easily slipped Hope into Harry's arms. To Harry, it was like heaven. He felt like the luckiest man alive! He couldn't believe this was HIS daughter, and she was here because of him and Ginny. Hope continued to stare at him, before she reached up, and grabbed his glasses. She pulled them off his face, a triumphant smile on her cute little face.

"Hope!" Laughed Ginny, taking the glasses from her, and putting them back on Harry's face.

Harry smiled, and bounced her lightly in his arms. Hope's smile vanished slightly, and she made another grab for his glasses.

"Oh, no you don't, angel" Harry said, amused.

"Ready to go home?" Ginny asked, collecting Hope's jacket from the coat rack.

"Yeah" Harry said, still smiling, not taking his eyes off his daughter.

Ginny nodded, and let him continue to hold their daughter, as they made their way back to the car. Ginny pulled open the car door, and reluctantly took Hope from Harry, so she could put her in the car seat. Hope let her mother put her in the car seat, and then Ginny got back into the car, and drove them all home.

"She's so adorable," Harry said happily, turning around to watch Hope play with a doll in the back.

"I know" Ginny replied proudly. "She's got a bit of Fred and George in her, so she's CONSTANTLY trying to grab anything she can get her little hands on"

Harry laughed. "I saw."

"Mommy!" Hope called, kicking impatiently in her car seat.

"What is it, sweetheart" Ginny said, not taking her eyes off the road.

"Mommy... where Drew?"

"Drew's at work, angel" Ginny responded. "Are you hungry?"

Hope nodded, spotted the abandoned sandwich, and grabbed it. Grabbing the wrapper where she had, the sandwich was unwrapped and fell to the floor. Lettuce, tomato and ham fell onto the far floor with a soft thud.

Harry laughed softly.

"She just dumped the sandwich, didn't she?" Ginny asked dully, turning the corner.

"Yes," Harry said brightly. Harry turned around in his seat, and pulled out his wand. "Accio" He muttered, summoning the wrapping to him. "Accio" He repeated, collecting everything from the floor, and into the wrapper, along with all the contents.

"Evanesco" He said finally, making the wrapper disappear.

"Thanks" Ginny said, glancing at him as she turned a corner.

"Can I ask why you don't have your wand, Gin?" Harry asked curiously, watching her.

"How do you-"

"I went to your apartment before going out to search for you... so I have your wand in my hotel room" Harry explained.

"Oh, well, I didn't want to be found by my family... I knew you would, eventually" Ginny replied.

"Can I have my wand, then?"

"I suppose I could give it to you" Harry said, grinning. "Or not"

Ginny shook her head, and turned onto the street where she lived. "Harry James Potter, you give me my wand. Do you have any other of my belongings?"

"Uh... maybe"

"Harry!" Ginny exclaimed, as she pulled into her driveway.

"What did you do, raid my apartment?"

"No" Harry laughed, getting out of the car. He opened the backseat of the car, and was able to get Hope out of her car seat. Ginny grabbed her purse, and Hope's coat, before following Harry to the door.

Before he could do anything and while his hands held Hope, Ginny thrust her hand into his pocket, and pulled out his wand.

"Ginny!" Harry gasped with a laugh, watching her unlock the door. He really couldn't do anything as he was holding Hope.

Ginny let him inside, and shut the door. She kicked off her shoes, took off Hope's shoes and Jacket, and then hurried inside, away from Harry, still holding his wand.

"Ginny Weasley!" Harry laughed.

He found the den easily, and set Hope in her playpen. He then went charging after her. He found her in the kitchen, apparently waiting for him. Harry walked in, grinning. She hadn't changed much- she probably would steal his socks tomorrow too.

"Ginny, give me my wand, before I summon it from you" Harry said.

Ginny smiled, waving his wand in front of her face teasingly. "No"

Harry dropped his jaw, and made his way towards her. She ran for it, nearly falling over a chair as she ran out of the kitchen- Harry right on her trail. Ginny ran down the hall, into her bedroom, and onto the far side of the bed.

"Ginny!" Harry repeated, still grinning, heading towards her. This time, he narrowly missed grabbing her arm. He ran after her, and into the living room. Ginny stopped, back to the arm of the sofa. She waved his wand teasingly, but within seconds, he knocked her off her feet, and backwards onto the sofa- right on top of her.

Ginny was panting slightly, her cheeks flushed. Her hair was spread over the sofa, her eyes sparkling brightly with mischief. Harry forgot about the chase for a moment as her perfume filled him and Harry felt his heart contract with his desire to kiss her.

"I'll take my wand" Harry said in a low voice.

He swallowed, and began to realize his body was on her's, and he hadn't been this close to her for nearly two years!

"I can't until you get off me," Ginny said softly, her face going red.

Harry turned red as well, and he hurriedly scrambled off her. Ginny sat up, and handed his wand to him. Harry muttered thanks, and turned away. 'I'm such an idiot! Now she's going to think that's all I came back for!' Harry though savagely.

To their luck, Hope began to cry, she was still hungry, and now growing sleepy. Ginny stood, and got Hope out of her playpen. She kissed her cheek, and brought her into the kitchen.

"Time for lunch!"

Over the next few days, Harry and Ginny had begun to catch up on everything they had missed. Harry told her little parts of what he had been through, but not too much or it would have gotten rather gory. Ginny then told him how she had came to live out here, and more about Hope.

"So you're a photographer?" Harry asked interestedly, leaning back in his chair.

"Yeah, you make good money, as long as you're constantly working" Ginny replied. "Nothing compared to what you make as an Auror though"

Harry smiled sadly. "Yes, but a photographer is a much safer job than being an Auror"

"Girls like a man with a dangerous job... makes the men look brave. Of course, you didn't need to be an Auror to show bravery"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Would you like my autograph as well?" He asked sarcastically.

"Yeah, make it out to Ginny, please" Ginny replied cheekily.

Moments slowly ticked by, and it became awkward. Harry spluttered something that made her blush for what must have been the third time that day.

"You know, you're even more beautiful than you were last time I've seen you... you've really grown up" Ginny went scarlet red, but decided to be casual about it.

"I have to be. I'm a single mother, I have a job, I have a car, and I went through a lot" Harry stood, carrying his own dish over to the counter.

"I'm really sorry, Gin... I should have never have let myself..." but he was cut off when Ginny whipped around, looking angry.

"I swear to god that if you apologize to me once more about that, I will take your wand, and curse you"

Harry's eyes widened, and Ginny's expression fell soft again. She moved past him, her eyes downcast.

"I'm sorry for jumping down your throat like that," She whispered, collecting the cups.

Harry walked up to her, and placed his hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him with glassy eyes.

"You don't need to apologize," He said firmly.

"But I do" Ginny responded, trying very hard to keep the tears from spilling.

"But you don't... you're in this whole single mother at 18, out of school early, not doing what you wanted thing partly because of me. If I had used my head, you wouldn't have gotten pregnant, and you could be doing what you wanted...gone to college...."

"Harry, please don't," She breathed miserably. "Don't blame yourself. What's done is done and I've got no regrets. I have a beautiful daughter, a wonderful friend, and a fairly-well paying job"

Those words stung Harry. 'A wonderful friend', is that all they were now? 'No!' A voice yelled. He had to be more than that, and he would make sure they were. Ginny walked past him, and put the cups in the dishwater. She grabbed a cloth, and walked over to Hope, who was looking sleepy, and bored.

"Oh sweetheart" Ginny sighed, picking her up, and sitting her on the counter. She wiped her hands on the cloth, and handed her to Harry, so she could clean the high chair's table.

"Do you want to go upstairs, and put her down for her nap, Harry? I'll finish here"

"Right" Harry said quietly, taking Hope upstairs. Hope's room wasn't hard to find. He went in, and closed the door a little. He set Hope in her crib, and shut the blinds. "Should I kiss Mommy, Hope?" Harry asked in barely a whisper. "Or has she fallen out of love with me?"

Hope rubbed at her eyes sleepily, and gave a large yawn. Harry smiled slightly, and left the room, leaving the door open in case she woke up. He went downstairs slowly. Should he kiss her? Or slowly flirt with her? Ginny was wiping the cloth off with a damp cloth when he got back. He went up to her, and she forced a smile for him.

"She's going to sleep?" she asked, knowing the answer.

"Yep. Poor kid's tired" Ginny nodded, and went to dump the cloth in the sink.

"Ginny?"

"Yeah" Ginny responded, her back towards him.

"Are you angry with me?"

"No," Ginny said, sounding a little amused. "I'm just... thinking, that's all. Do you want coffee?"

"If you're having some" Ginny nodded, and turned on the coffee machine. Harry sat down, unsure of what to do. Something was bugging her, but he just couldn't bring himself to use occulamency on her. He loved her too much, yet he figured if he couldn't drag it out of her within one more try, then he would have to.

"Gin, are you sure nothing's wrong?" Harry asked, pressing her for an answer.

"No, Harry" Ginny said, forcing another smile.

'Sorry, Gin' Harry cleared his own head, and stared at her, opening her mind to him. He focused all his energy on her. He could feel she was disappointed with him. Then the thought flowed into his own head.

'Why doesn't he love me like before?'

Harry pulled himself out at that point, already guilty he had cheated. He had to prove he still loved her, and with just as much care as before. But how?! Was he just to walk over there, and kiss her senseless. Minutes later, Ginny set a cup of coffee in front of him, and sat down next to him.

"It's a good thing Hope's having her nap now... last thing I need is to have her throw tantrums all day"

"Gin, can I ask you something?" Harry asked quickly.

Ginny frowned, and sipped her coffee. "Yes" Harry exhaled deeply. He would just have to speak from his heart.

"Did you ever doubt how I felt about you?" Ginny thought, then seconds later, nodded.

"When we first began going out... you weren't that comfortable being around me, but that was understandable. Then when I found out I was pregnant... I thought you would surely hate me, and for a short time, I felt you just didn't want to be with me anymore..."

"What about now?"

Ginny looked very uncomfortable now. She shifted in her seat, and cleared her throat. "W-what do you mean?"

"Because, I can't take this anymore" Harry continued. "Life is like a puzzle, and I'm nearly done, a few pieces away. I can finish it if I pick up the pieces I dropped"

Ginny stared at him, completely lost.

"Ginny, let me show you how I feel about you" Harry finished. He leaned in, and rested his hand on her cheek, cupping it. He gently raised her head, and kissed her gently.

Ginny felt an explosion spread like wildfire through her veins. She always got this feeling when Harry kissed her. Only she had gotten used to it, too used to it. But now, it was back, and Ginny felt like she was going to melt. He pulled away slightly, unsure of her reaction. She had certainly kissed him back, but had it just been old habit?

"Was that your first piece?" She whispered shakily. "Part of it.... I love you, Ginny Weasley"

Tears re-formed in Ginny's eyes when he said this. "You love me?" She breathed hopefully.

"I've always loved you" Harry corrected her.

Ginny smiled, tears falling onto her cheeks. "I love you too" Harry smiled lovingly. His eyes were alight with joy. He slowly moved closer again, and kissed her again. This kiss was deeper, and more passionate. He felt her hands slide around his neck, and he rested his hands on her cheeks, gently brushing away the tears. Ginny pulled away slightly. She was so happy, that no words could describe how she felt right now. All she knew was that this was right. He took her hands, and pulled her to her feet.

"No more being alone" He told her firmly. He had pulled her close against his body, with one arm around her waist.

"Promise?" She asked softly.

"I swear to you on my life" Harry responded.

Ginny's face fell slightly. "Harry, please don't make promises you can't keep. You're an Auror, and the war isn't over, so-"

Harry shook his head, and interrupted her. "As if tomorrow, I am no longer an Auror for the Ministry of Magic"

Ginny's expression was hard to read, but she must have been satisfied, because she hugged him tightly. They were interrupted by Hope's cry. She pulled away gently, and sighed. "Guess they weren't kidding when they say it's five minutes alone every day when you have a baby."

Harry didn't care. Any time with Ginny would be enough.