Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters.
Chapter Eleven
A Visit to The Burrow
"Mother!" Ginny cried out in surprise and dismay when she saw her three visitors sitting at the kitchen table at The Burrow. She quickly started sobbing and running up the forty flights of stairs to her room at the Weasley home.
Hermione ran up after her, "Ginny, Ginny! Don't run away. We're here to see you." Hermione quickly overtook Ginny on the stairs, as Ginny's increasing girth make it harder to navigate the zigzagging steps.
"Ginny, please. What's wrong?"
"Mum says it's hormones, but I feel like this all the time. It's Harry," explained the youngest Weasley.
"Harry? Why is Harry making you cry?"
"Oh, Hermione. It's what I've done to him. I mean, having someone else's baby. I can't believe how guilty I feel. Do you think he'd take me back?"
Hermione tried to quickly think of something noncommittal to say. Given Harry's recent new interest in Georgia and outburst at Ron over Ginny, she was doubtful Ginny's wish would ever come to pass. "Ginny, best not to think about anything else right now but the baby. Just concentrate on feeling well, and taking care of that little one."
"Yes, you're probably right, Hermione."
"Let's go downstairs and visit."
"But what can I say to Harry?" Ginny asked nervously.
"I don't know, Ginny, but you might want to take him aside and start with what happened." Ginny looked sheepish, but nodded. She slowly moved down the 5, 844 stairs to the kitchen.
Harry looked up with a startled expression as Hermione came back in, followed by Ginny. He had unrealistically hoped she would stay up in her room the whole visit, thereby relieving Harry of an obligation to talk to her. He had only reluctantly made the trip out to The Burrow, finally coming out of equal parts curiosity and loyalty to Ron. "Harry, could I have a word with you- in private?" Harry gulped, but followed Ginny out into the garden. Ron, Hermione, and Mrs. Weasley stiffly smiled and pretended to be talking amongst themselves.
"Harry, I'm so sorry. I wanted to tell you before anyone else knew," Ginny started to say.
"You mean, even before the fajza, Gin?"
Ginny burst into tears. "Yes, Harry, even before the fajza."
"Right, well, are you going to tell me what happened?"
"Yes, it all started at St. Mungo's. I'd been there with my dad visiting a friend of his from the Ministry who'd contracted St. Vitus Dance Fever. I ran into Neville, who was there- well, you know why he was there. While Dad visited his friend, Neville and I went for a cup of cocoa. We started talking and reminiscing about the Yule Ball. You know, silly things. Dad had to rush back to the office for an emergency. Apparently, someone had enchanted a Muggle can-opener and it was now attacking pantries. He asked Neville if he'd get me safely home, which he promised to do."
"Wait, are you actually going to tell me that Neville Longbottom is the father of your child? You slept with Neville? I cannot even believe you're telling me this, Ginny!"
"You asked, Harry- you said you wanted to know! Do you want to or not?"
"I really don't know anymore Ginny."
"Well, Harry, I have to tell you. I never cared for Neville, I just felt sorry for him. You're the one I love."
"Funny way of showing it, Ginevra." Harry stormed off to the kitchen, and practically knocked Mrs. Weasley off her chair as he grabbed his jacket off the back of it. "We're leaving- or at least I'm leaving," he announced to Ron and Hermione.
"No, no we'd better go, right Ron?" Hermione said nervously. "Mrs. Weasley, please say our goodbyes to Ginny. I promise Ron and I will be back this weekend to see how things are coming."
"Yes, yes, my dear. Don't worry about a thing. You have been an angel. Just take care of my youngest son- and my adopted one too." Hermione knew she was referring to Harry. Mrs. Weasley had hoped for Harry to officially become part of the family by marrying Ginny. She now knew that this would never be. Despite her love for her daughter, Mrs. Weasley felt no disloyalty by feeling sorry for Harry. Being the mother of six sons, Molly knew that boys were often more tender-hearted than girls. Ginny's indiscretion with Neville must have broken Harry's heart, and Molly hurt for him as much as if he was her blood son. She also knew that now that Ginny had finally told Harry the truth, it was time for Ginny to decide what she was going to do about Neville.