Disclaimer: I don't own the characters.

Chapter Fourteen

Neville's Noble Gesture, part deux

Neville and Hermione chatted excitedly at breakfast before heading off to The Burrow. Both of them seemed to want to stay off of the possible outcomes of the visit, probably because both were anxious and excited on Neville's behalf. Would Ginny be cruel? Would she gently let him down? Would she reveal a latent love for Neville? "Well, it looks like we're both done with our toast, Neville. I guess we should be off," Hermione said.

Neville agreed, "Uh, yeah. Let me just run and get something from Gryffindor Tower."

"I have to get something too, so let's walk up together and then meet in the Common Room. We can floo through the common room hearth."

Moments later they were on their way to The Burrow- first Hermione, then Neville. Ginny watched as the emerald green flames delivered them both to the Weasley's warm and cozy kitchen. "Hello, both of you!" Ginny welcomed them with a huge smile on her face and arms outstretched for the two of them. It was hard to say who was more relieved for the hardy welcome, Hermione or Neville.

"Sit, you two, and let me get you a bite to eat," offered Molly Weasley- as pleased to see both of them as to see the smile on Ginny's face. Though she knew Ginny was expecting them, she hadn't confided in her mother what she exactly wanted to say to Neville. Molly was also embarrassed about the last visit from Neville Longbottom. She and Arthur realized after Ginny divulged the baby's fajza that they had treated Neville very poorly. Very poorly indeed. Rather than treating him as a young man with responsibilities in front of him, they'd dismissed everything he told them. They had immediately assumed that the elder Mrs. Longbottom's clumsy grandson could not possibly have been trying to set things right as the baby's true fajza. They also saw clearly that his sincerity belied his genuine concern and affection for their daughter. "I know those Hogwarts house-elves are good cooks, but I'm sure you haven't had a Weasley-quality meal in quite awhile."

"Mrs. Weasley, you are too kind. Although Neville and I just finished our breakfasts, I'm sure we'll be hungry enough for an early lunch. Let me help you in the kitchen, and Neville and Ginny can catch up out in the garden," suggested Hermione diplomatically. The young parents-to-be took their cue, and proceeded out to the yard.

"Neville, I'm so glad you came. Although my parents are too embarrassed, I know that they feel terrible about the last time you were at The Burrow."

Neville responded in his typical easy-going manner, "That's all right, Ginny. Our families have known each other for a long time. I trust that your parents mean well. Uh, I did, uh feel bad that I didn't have a chance to see you though. We haven't really spoken since- well, you know when... since that day, night... you know what I mean."

Ginny laughed softly and smiled at him. "Yes, Neville. I know which day- and night- you're referring to. I've felt bad that we haven't spoken too, and especially that I didn't tell you first and fast that you were the baby's fajza."

"When I came the last time, it was just on a hunch that I was the fajza. When I heard you were expecting- and not revealing the fajza's name- I thought that Harry might be the fajza. Then I remembered everything we shared that night. Do you remember? You told me you and Harry had never, you know, 'done' anything. That one of the reasons was that you weren't sure that Harry was the 'one' for you- your one and only. Do you remember, Ginny?"

"Yes, I do remember all that- quite well, in fact. And I wasn't telling anyone who the fajza was because I was trying to figure out what to do. I didn't want to say anything to you if I was going to give it away. Believe me, it wasn't that I was embarrassed or anything, Neville. My parents were pressuring me a lot about going away, having to quit school- all sorts of things... and I was feeling enough pressure on my own. I felt bad for Harry, and I felt bad for us too. I wanted to think through my options, and my feelings too. I have to be honest, Neville. I did feel at first that I still had feelings for Harry; sometimes I still do. He was my first big crush and first real boyfriend, as well as a part of the family. Besides, I know my family was thrilled when they thought it was Harry's baby. Not that they aren't thrilled with you, of course," Ginny said, quickly covering her faux pas.

"Gin, I'm so glad to finally hear you say all of these things. I can't tell you how much I think about you and the baby. All day, actually. It sounds like you, in fact, are keeping the baby? I hope?"

"I am. Or we are, if you still want to be a part of our lives," Ginny said sweetly.

"You know I do, Ginny! But I have to ask, what do you mean when you say 'a part of' our lives?"

"Neville, I keep going back to that night, and what I said. Harry and I didn't do anything, because I wasn't sure he was the 'one'. And then I went and was with you that very night! I think my heart knows better what my mind hadn't registered. Fajza told me what you had said to them when you came here. I do love you Neville. And if the offer still stands, I'd like to be your wife."

"Ginny, you have made me the happiest I have ever been. Of course, the offer still stands! We'll have to talk to Dumbledore about how we can work things out after the baby comes. I know you're a good witch- a better witch than I'm a wizard. You should really keep up with your magical education if he says you can do it." Neville pulled a small package out of his robes- what he had run back to Gryffindor Tower to retrieve. "Oh, I almost forgot... I've been holding on to this since I came to talk to your parents last time. I hope you'll take it now."

"Yes, of course Neville- it's beautiful. And I was hoping you'd feel the same way about school. I can't imagine not finishing at Hogwarts, even if it takes extra time. And you're a talented wizard, Neville. You never give yourself enough credit. In fact, it was when we were in training with the DA's that I started to see you differently." The smile across Neville's face could not have been wider if it had been plastered in place with Spell-o-phane. "Neville, tell me honestly though- how does your grams feel about all of this? I was somewhat surprised that you'd actually discussed it with her before coming here that first time."

Neville understood Ginny's surprise. "I was kind of surprised myself that I had the nerve to tell her, but I needed to come to you so badly, that I knew I'd better clear things with her. And she's really smart Ginny. An excellent witch. I knew she'd have ideas about what we could do. She's the one who suggested we live with her between terms, and talk to Dumbledore about how to continue at Hogwarts after the baby comes. But she's a hard one to read- like any good witch, I suppose. After all these years, I still never know how she'll react to things. I thought she'd be mad as hell, but she was excited! She loves babies, respects your parents quite a lot, and, frankly, I think she was thrilled to find out I wasn't gay. She wants to meet you as soon as possible."

"Great. I'm so relieved- and happy! Let's go tell Mum and Hermione. We can tell everyone else when they get home, and you get back to Hogwarts."

When Ginny and Neville made their way back to Molly's kitchen, they were surprised to find a crowd had gathered. Fred, George, Ron and Harry had joined the two in preparing for lunch. "I'll get the plates, Mum," Fred said.

"I'll cut the potatoes, Mum," said George. Ron and Harry rushed to get more chairs. Ginny had never seen the twins lift a finger without being prodded- usually with a cattle iron. In fact, everyone was talking faster than usual, and higher than normal. She wondered if everyone had been expecting a big announcement after Neville's visit, and had hurried home to share in it. Strangely though, no one seemed to notice them- or the ring.

"Oh, there you two are! Your father and Percy had to go into the office today- busy times at the Ministry, you know- but they'll be along for lunch soon. Ginny, dear? Why don't you show Neville where he can freshen up?"

When everything was set, the twins cried, "Mum! We'll keep an eye out for Dad and Percy. Let you know when they're here."

"Right- and Harry and I will help them," added Ron hastily.

"All four of you keeping watch for two people?" Molly looked at them in bewilderment. "I guess if you want to. You know, you should watch the clock- not crowd so by the window," she suggested.

"Ah no, it's no problem, Mrs. Weasley. We're fine here," Harry said lamely.

"They're here! They're here!" yelled the Ron-Harry-Fred-George chorus in excited unison.

"Well, what in blazes..." muttered Molly, just as Ginny and Neville came back into the kitchen.

Hermione added, "and why aren't they apparating? They're walking down the village path, of all things."

Ron answered her quizzical look. "Oh, that's because we sent an owl to Percy this morning at the Ministry. We sent him a little gift for his promotion. We told him we wanted some notice before they came, and to apparate to the neighbor's hen house and walk from there. Oh, they're almost to the garden!" All four of the young men clustered around the open window yelled out whoops of glee and could scarcely seem to contain themselves.

Molly Weasley was mother of three of these young men for long enough to know that something was up. "Fred Weasley! George Weasley! Ronald Weasley! What are you up to- EXACTLY?" At that precise moment, Percy literally hit the outside perimeter of The Burrow, and was promptly thrown back outside the rim by at least fifteen feet. A faint singsong-y song came wafting through the open window. 'Big Head Percy really blows. At work, at home it surely shows. Someone more disliked, no one knows.' Molly and Hermione went rushing out the door just as the boys fell to the floor with tears of laughter falling down their faces. Arthur Weasley was frozen in the spot he'd been when his son went sailing through the air, afraid he'd meet the same fate if he took a move closer to The Burrow.

While Neville and Ginny could barely contain their own astonishment and mirth, Ginny was concerned for her father- and if anything else was going to happen. "Ron! Fred! George! Get out there and help Fajza! And help Percy too, you ejits!" All three, as well as Harry, went outside to sort things out, but had a hard time of it with their merry song playing over and over again. Apparently, Percy had gotten up and determinedly made a run at the Weasley's border, knocking himself out in the process.

"That really packs a punch, eh Ron?" observed George.

"Yeah, maybe we should specify the dimensions of the landing strip on the box. We only thought he'd fly back a foot or two," said Fred.

Ginny and Neville followed everyone out, clutching each other, half wanting to help and half wanting to hear the words of the song more clearly. 'Big Head Percy really blows. At work, at home it surely shows. Someone more disliked, no one knows.'

"It IS pretty funny, Ginny. Nothing like this ever happens at Grams."

"You'll have to get used to it, Neville. It happens all the time around here."

When Ron had pried the bling off Percy's lifeless-looking form, and all four boys had set about making apologies to Molly, Mr. Weasley joined the group in moving towards the kitchen's half window/half door. Catching sight of Neville, with his arm firmly around Ginny's large waistline, he said, "Well, Neville, welcome to the Weasley family."