Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters.

Chapter Sixteen

A Change of Heart

"Professor Dumbledore, Neville has to get back to class, but would you mind terribly if I went around and said hello to some of my classmates and professors? I promise not to be too distracting," Ginny vowed.

"My dear, my dear, take as much time as you'd like. You won't be a distraction- at least one that's not welcome. It's been a long time since there's been talk of little ones here at Hogwarts. I, for one, am quite looking forward to it," Dumbledore smiled indulgently. Dumbledore had just spent most of the morning with Neville and Ginny working through details of Ginny's return to Hogwarts after the baby is born. Most students- and professors- were not aware of Dumbledore's soft spot for little ones, perhaps never having had one himself. While quite unusual, Dumbledore felt that it would be most appropriate, and healthy for the child, for Neville and Ginny to live together in a small apartment in the unused west wing of Gryffindor Tower. They would have access to the Gryffindor common room, and therefore still be considered part of Gryffindor for purposes of the awarding points. They would also be able to keep in close contact with their friends and classmates. Dumbledore was the one who'd suggested that this way, "the baby will have plenty of babysitters and honorary aunts and uncles."

"Well, Gin. See you later, I guess," Neville said tentatively, giving Ginny a quick peck on her cheek.

"Right, Neville. Later," Ginny said with an odd smile on her face. As soon as Neville had left for Divination, Ginny took off straight away to the dungeons. Destination: Potions lab.

"Hello, can I help you?" George asked the small, obviously expectant, young woman at the door of the Potions lab.

"I was looking for Professor Snape. Who are you?" Ginny asked, somewhat defiantly. She really didn't need to ask who this beautiful young woman with the flat, Midwest American accent was- it had to be 'George'.

"I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself. Who are you?" George asked back with a curious smile on her face. She suspected, from the young woman's red hair and freckles, that she was Ron Weasley's sister. She also knew from all of the Gryffindor gossip she'd heard that this woman was Harry Potter's former girlfriend- who was now expecting Neville Longbottom's baby. She intuitively knew that she shouldn't let this girl get the upper hand in any way. She'd wait to see what Ginny wanted before being too friendly. After all, why was she being so unmistakably rude and challenging right off the top?

Ginny shrugged, as if this person meant nothing to her one way or the other. "I'm Ginny Weasley, and you?"

"Oh, soon to be Ginny Longbottom, right?" George couldn't help testing Ginny's reaction to her new name. Something about her just set George on edge, and she had a sneaking suspicion that somehow Harry Potter was at the root of whatever the problem with her was.

Ginny visibly winced before testily saying, "yes, right", and thinking "I can't believe this girl can push all my buttons like this! She must be more psychic than Hermione."

"And you and Neville are getting married when?" George continued pushing.

"In a month or so," Ginny waved of her response as if it didn't matter in the least to her. "Or so? Don't you know for sure?" George probed. She couldn't quite understand her own satisfaction in making this girl so uncomfortable, but she had to admit to herself that she was enjoying needling her as much as possible.

Ginny finally determined to herself not to give one more inch to this American siren. She might be lulling Harry into her wake, but she hadn't met with the likes of Ginny yet. "Yes, I said 'or so', and that's when the wedding will take place. Now, if you don't mind, I came here to visit my old Potions professor. When will he be back?"

"Right now, Miss Weasley," intoned Snape, coming in the lab behind George from the inner door to his adjoining office.

He had of course heard the whole soap opera report of why Ginny Weasley hadn't reported back to school. Two things fascinated him. The first was why Ginny Weasley would want to visit him. The Weasley's close affiliation with Potter had created a subtle animosity towards them as well on Snape's part. The second was why the discourse he was walking in on was so obviously strained and acrimonious. Ginny could not possibly have met George before, so why would she be so unpleasant to his star pupil? His curiosity had to be satisfied.

"George, why don't you take a break now, so that Miss Weasley and I can catch up?" Snape asked with an uncharacteristic smile. Even George seemed shocked by the sight of Snape's teeth.

"Of course, professor. I'll be back after dinner to finish this potion."

When George had left the lab, Snape tried his best to be pleasant and familiar to the youngest Weasley. "Ginny, I hear you'll be returning to Hogwarts next year. Were you looking for some work to do at home?"

"No, Professor Snape, actually..." Ginny slowed a bit to collect her thoughts and figure out a way begin an alliance, "I've been getting a fair bit of morning sickness, and was hoping you could help me."

"Help you, Miss Weasley" Snape asked, "with a potion?" His curiosity was further aroused by the fact that she was obviously hiding something. He knew Molly Weasley and was quite sure that, silly as he thought she was, she was quite capable of brewing a wellness potion. He had also sensed that of all the Weasley's, Ginny seemed the most capable of harboring a dark side. "Miss Weasley- or I should ask- are you now Mrs. Longbottom?" Ginny's repulsed expression told Snape what he needed to know: she was still pining away for that Potter. Why would she assume he'd help her with anything remotely related to Potter? "With what exactly do you need my help?" Snape asked Ginny with a knowing and encouraging look.

"It's still Weasley, sir- at least for now. I was looking for your help to make my situation better- more to my liking, that is," Ginny responded, smiling enigmatically.

Snape actually laughed out loud, startling Ginny, but making her hopeful all the same. "Well, I guess then that the way to start is to describe your current situation for me." Ginny dove right in with the information she was sure would get Snape's attention.

From what the twins had said, Snape rather fancied his new witch assistant. It wasn't until she had heard the news of the American witch, and her supposed powers over both Snape and Harry, that Ginny realized she still did have strong feelings for Harry. She still wanted him back! Neville would be her back-up only. Ginny would test Snape's reactions now as he had tested hers regarding Neville. She blurted out, "I understand that your new assistant is dating Harry Potter, sir." While the information wasn't completely accurate, it gave her what she needed to know about Snape. Snape was so startled he stepped back and let out a soft, but audible gasp. He did care for George!

"And what does that have to do with you, Miss Weasley?" Snape recovered quickly.

"May I be candid with you, professor?" Ginny asked, now knowing full well that Snape would undoubtedly be in her court.

With love on the line, what did she have to lose if some old professor thought the least of her? Snape never liked her anyway. "Certainly," said Snape, quite intrigued with whatever the young Weasley had in mind.

"Professor Snape, I've only recently realized that I'm still in love with Harry Potter. I think that my feelings for him are what are making me especially sick carrying Neville's child. I would normally think too much of myself to use magic in affairs of the heart. I had, after all, no problem getting boyfriends before 'this' happened. Unfortunately, things have changed. My condition, coupled with new love blossoming between Harry and your assistant, would make it quite difficult to win him back, sir. I am coming to you not only because I know you have the abilities to help me, but the motivation."

Snape raised an eyebrow. Ginny was very close to stepping over a line. "And what motivation might that be, young Weasley?"

"Well, of course, sir, I understand that your new protege is quite talented, in fact, without peer," Ginny started with a sly smile on her face. "I hate to presume, but I'm certain that you would not like her to return to America after her first year at Hogwarts in a state like mine. What a waste of potions talent, wouldn't you say?"

Now Ginny was pushing buttons. Snape looked too horrified to run the scenario through in his head. The very thought of his precious Georgia succumbing to a Lothario Potter was too much to bear. "I whole-heartedly agree, Miss Weasley. In fact, I could not agree with you more. Then let's begin."